We set out for our 6-night-7-day trip on Sunday, just before noon. We decided to embark on the 8-hour journey in one stretch as much as possible, stopping only twice along the freeway. First was at Bravo Farm in Kettleman City for lunch, followed by dinner at Cheesecake Factory in Mission Viejo, 30 minutes from our final destination. I had been anxious about the long drive, haunted by the memories of our previous San Diego trip when Jordan, just a year and half old at the time, cried the entire way. But to my pleasant surprise, the kids fared remarkably well this time — no screens, just an arsenal of snacks, and the “Frozen” soundtrack and Veggietales on repeat!

We visited the Flower Fields in Carlsbad on Monday morning, a recommendation from a friend that proved to be serendipitous timing. The flowers were in full bloom, a spectacle to behold, especially with the park offering a special “kids get in free” deal on Mondays. Spanning over 50 acres, the fields boasted a riot of Ranunculus Flowers (also known as the Persian Buttercups) in 13 vibrant hues and two-toned picotees, alongside an orchid greenhouse, a sweet pea maze, and five themed gardens.

For the kids, the tractor wagon ride and the treasure hunt were undeniable highlights. Matthew and Jordan gleefully spent the first 45 minutes collecting “stamps” from each attraction. Matthew — a gemstone enthusiast at the moment — even participated in the sluice mining activity and earned some polished gemstones to take home. Later, we hopped on the tractor wagon, traversing the expanse of the 55-acre park, immersed in a kaleidoscope of vibrant Ranunculus blooms.

We savored roughly an hour at the beach during the mid-afternoon. Though the weather wasn’t particularly warm, the kids remained unfazed, thoroughly engrossed in constructing sandcastles, gather seashells, and darting gleefully towards the water’s edge,  building sand castle, collecting sea shells, and running up to the water’s edge inviting the waves to envelop them. Witnessing their unbridled delight brought me immense joy.   

Beach play wasn’t part of my upbringing; managing the inevitable sand cleanup seemed a task outweighing its rewards. Despite this, I’ve come to embrace these inconveniences, recognizing them as small sacrifices in exchange for the precious moments we share together. These beach outings have become cherished memories, woven into the fabric of our family’s bond, reminding me of the value in stepping out of my comfort zone to create lasting connections with those I love most.