Mother's Day 2013

My second "official" Mother's Day (I still think pregnant mom's should get to celebrate, so it would technically be my third) was wonderful.  Minus the fact that Mike and I had to settle for FaceTiming and a phone call with our moms, I really enjoyed the day Mike planned.  I even think Andrew understood it was a special day, because he was definitely extra sweet to me, wanting lots of cuddles and being extra generous with his best gift - smiles. 

The day started with flowers, cards, a framed photo and a delicious breakfast of a Mediterranean omelet and hash browns.  Mike and I decided to not splurge on expense gifts for each other this year, because really, the day is about being a parent. So, the goal should be to honor our hard earned title of "Mom" or "Dad" and to create memories by doing something together... I also have to explain that next year, we are making these holidays a full weekend - where Saturday is a day "off" (think spa trips or golfing) and then Sunday is the family day.  ;)

After breakfast, we headed to San Fran to go to the Pier for lunch.  We walked through the Ferry Building and the street vendors, grabbed some French doughnuts and explored this crazy water structure - the Vaillancourt Fountain. 




We then went to the California Academy of Science - which I've been wanting to go to for at least a year.  Every time someone visits, I read them the brochure and then the trip never pans out.  Well, it was worth the wait.  Our favorite parts were the Rain forest - complete with free-flying butterflies and birds - and the aquarium.  There is also the Living Roof (which is basically a field on top of the Museum roof), penguins, an African Hall (or as Linda calls it the Dead Zoo) and an Early Explorer's Cove - especially made for children under 5.  There are still parts we didn't get to experience due to our tiny tot - a planetarium and an earthquake exhibit!  We'll definitely have to visit again in the future.


In the canopy of the rainforest!

This was the butterfly Mike was taking a picture of while the biggest, most beautiful blue butterfly was walking on my back and a crowd was gathering to watch... Yeah, Mike missed it.  Haha.



Under the Rain Forest - in the Amazon river!



We could walk under the fish - which were huge and I totally forget what kind they were.  I like that you can see Mike's reflection on the fish's belly. 

In the Early Explorer's Cove.
 There were a ton of other kids playing in the rest of the room,
but Andrew is totally my kid and just needed some alone time to chill.