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"Years leave wrinkles upon the skin...but this loss of enthusiasm, of passion and ideals, leaves wrinkles on the soul." -- Schopenhauer

239--California: Newport Beach, Balboa Fun Zone @ CherieSpotting     Sep 30 2004 - 14:58 PST cherie writes: I took Ellie (5) and Tanner (3) to the Balboa Fun Zone to go on a Harbor Cruise and play on the Fun Zone rides. It was a day filled with aching bellies—too much laughter and too much ice-cream. First, I told my niece and nephew that we were going on a boat-ride to see the seals. Of course Ellie asked: “Why aren’t the seals in Seal Beach?” I responded with my stock answer: “I don’t know.” Then Ellie said she wanted to tell me the “3 Most Important Rules.” 1) Be fearless. 2) Always do what your Mommy says. 3) Don’t tell other people that their clothes are ugly. Ellie's advice seemed like pretty good rules to live by. At the Balboa Fun Zone we took a harbor cruise (the best value in Newport Beach) and watched the sea lions frolic and squawk. Ellie was afraid in the beginning; she didn’t even want to go on the boat. (Of course, she told me this after we got the tickets.) Ellie took her own advice, overcame her fear of boats, and had a howling good time. The chance to see a live sea lion in the wild was just too tempting. Soon she was squealing in delight, not unlike the sea lions. Then Tanner said, “I feel bad for seals, they only have fish to play with.” Tanner and Ellie wanted to throw their toys in the water, so the sea lions could play. After the Captain told them it wasn’t a good idea, the skipper let Ellie and Tanner sit in the Captain’s chair and pretend to drive the boat! Ellie’s not afraid of boats anymore; and Tanner wants a sea lion for Christmas. Later the kids went on the Ferris-Wheel, Bumper Cars and the Merry-Go-Round. I bought them 2 Coke’s right before I brought them back to my sister’s house. (It’s always good to give kids back to their parents on a sugar high.) Ellie said, “Normally I don’t get to drink Coke, but since you are a special Auntie, I get to have this special soda.” When I got home I asked the kids if they had fun and Tanner said, “Yes, but your car needs a Scooby Doo sticker.” Kids these days. Balboa Fun Zone Click on each picture to see it full size. read comments (0) | write comment| views: 4716    | rated: 0.0    printer-friendly version   Ellie (5) sits in the Captain's chair on the Harbor Cruise near the Balboa Fun Zone, Newport Beach. Ellie and Tanner ready to go look for sea lions! Is that really a sea lion? It looks like a seal! Look at all those sea-lions. Sea lions make loud noises and have ear-flaps. Karem and Blake joined us for a day of fun. After a few minutes Ellie's fear turned into joy! The kids are going for that wind-blown look. Ellie and Tanner love the boat ride. Karem and Blake kiss. Corona Del Mar. The sea lions are so cute! Ellie, Cherie and Tanner. Karem and Blake. Tanner is all smiles. Ellie is so good she can drive with her feet. Tanner's the captain now! Karem and Blake! Yummy ice-cream. That's a lot of ice-cream for one little girl. The Fun Zone lives up to its name. Knight in shining armour? Merry-Go-Round smiles. Sibilings having fun together. There's even a baby horse to ride! Cherie and Tanner on the bumper cars. Licensed to drive at 3-years old? Blake wonders, "When can I drive?" Women drivers! Ellie at the wheel! Crash! Oh no! They crashed! The whole gang. Blake plays with the pidgeons. The Fun Zone, Newport Beach. Let's go on the Ferris Wheel. Cherie and Ellie. Tanner and Auntie Cherie. On top of the world! After a long day of fun, Ellie is ready for bed!