But before we headed off to San Diego, Grandpa Kwon stayed with us in Newport Beach for one night where Godfather lives. He's so lucky he lives so close to sand, surf and sun. He's got the good life.
Here we are hanging by Balboa Pier in Newport Beach. There were lots of surfers and people fishing on the boardwalk. The fish of the day there is mackerel. A lot of fishermen caught baby mackerels and some caught bigger ones.
Grandapa Kwon, Mommy and I
I got a little scared from the sound of the waves crashing so I held on to Grandpa Kwon just in case...
Grandpa Kwon left to go back home and take care of business back in NY and we headed out to San Diego. The first stop was Sea World and we made sure to make sure we caught the main attraction, Shamu the Killer Whale. Here I am waiting in the stands with Daddy for the show to start.
Look at Shamu go! Godfather is a great photographer...look at this shot! Quality!
We saw Manatees at Sea World that were huge!!! They look like a mix between a walrus and seal. They are really cute like me. This one is not real obviously -- duh.
We also saw tons of flamingos! Did you know that they don't get their pink shade when they are born? It takes them 2 years to get their pink color and the pink color comes from all the crustaceans they eat. They smelled really bad though...must be their farts, or maybe it was mommy. hahahah.
We then took a short break at the Sesame Street play area. There was a small place for little people like me to play with blocks and run around on a mat that was a bit squishy. There was a bigger playground area for bigger kids with lots of rope climbing and tunnels. Maybe next time I'll be big enough to go to that playground.
I made lots of friends by bumping into them as the floor was not so stable.
Sorry, I didn't mean to crash into you like that. I'm Matthew. I like your overalls. Can we be friends?
You'd think this was all play and no work!? Well, no siree, I picked up blocks and helped construct things. I'm very helpful -- just ask mommy.
The mat was a bit hard to walk in so while walking across the mat, I ran into some other lady who saved me from falling flat on my face. Whew!
All the playing, building, making friends and bumping into people got tiring after a while. I decided to lay down and rest for a bit.
But I got right back up since Daddy said I had to make the best of my day at Sea World -- so I got right back up...
....and ran into my friend in overalls!
But then, my legs gave in and I had to rest...
nope!
Finally, I was just about to get back on my feet and walk back over to mommy when....
Crash! Out of nowhere these other kids came tumbling on top of me!
Thankfully, it was nothing big so we just dusted ourselves off and got back up.
At Sea World, we also got to go through a shark tank, see the penguins and view lots of freshwater fish. At the end of the day, we watched a seal and otter show with a guest appearance by a HUGE walrus. I wish we had pictures to show you but Godfather has to also enjoy his time too, you know. Sheesh, you people are demanding!
The next day, I woke up bright and early, ready to hit the San Diego Zoo!
Here we are, the Kimbos at the Zoo!
The first stop was the Children's Zoo. I met my first meerkat! They reminded me of the prairie dogs I met at the Bronx Zoo. They are really cute and stand up straight on their hind legs.
Then mommy and I went to look at a macaw (similar to a parrot) perched on a branch.
The colors of the macaw were so pretty!
We then hit the petting zoo! I made friends with a lot of nice goats
and gave them kisses...
Mommy told me to stop after awhile since she was afraid I might catch something from the furry goats...
But I just couldn't help myself...
They were just too cute!
Okay, can I pet one more goat mommy, I promise I won't kiss anymore....
See, I'm such a good boy. *sigh*
Daddy, made sure I washed my hands thoroughly, especially after all the goats I kissed and touched. He's so good to me.
Godfather and I finally took our first picture together since Daddy made him take all the pictures so far. Daddy said something about being the 3rd child makes him a "slave". Good thing I won't ever have to be a slave. haha.
Look! I posed for a picture myself in this face hole.
Next, we visited a bug exhibit. It was mighty disgusting but I was brave. Mommy couldn't take any pictures of me since she was getting freaked out. These are cockroaches!!! Aren't they massive?!
How disgusting...but still kind of neat.
After the bug exhibit, we went to see the main attraction at the San Diego Zoo, pandas!!! I think this is Zhen Zhen. She is about 2 years old -- older than me! Aren't they cute?
I wanted to kiss them too. But mommy said I have to stop giving out free kisses until I turn 21. She said only family and friends that she says are okay are allowed. Oh well -- at least I got to kiss goats.
We then went up an escalator and I got to go up all by myself! It took a lot of balance so I had to hold daddy's hand.
Next, we went to see the new Elephant exhibit area. They just moved the elephants over so they could have 3x more space to roam. There were also llamas, camels, gazelles and monkeys along the way we also saw.
The elephants were nice and big to spot. Even I could spot them from my level and pointed it out to everyone.
We don't have pictures so you'll have to take my word on it, but we also saw tons of exotic birds, a hippo, rhinoceros and tigers, lions and a baby leopard.
Before we left the zoo, I got to climb through a tunnel all by myself! It was a good break from all the animals that we saw that day.
I think my outfit matches with the tunnel...hmmm.
Godmother is arriving this evening and all the Kims are headed out to Kauai, Hawaii for eight days! We will be meeting up with Uncle Dennis and Aunt Janet, along with Leah! We can't wait. Then a few days later mommy and daddy's friends, Sarah and Chris will be joining us. Hopefully the weather in Kauai will cooperate and we'll be able to go hiking, ATVing (well not mommy or me of course!) and maybe visit another island!
See you after we get back from the Island.
Kisses,
Matthew
