Parker's 3rd Birthday Celebration: Trains, Planes, Boats and Psychedelic Santa

What a fun 3rd birthday we celebrated for the MOST fun,  little, ALMOST three year old boy!  Parker wanted only one thing this birthday:  To ride a REAL train.  And fortunately, we live in the perfect place for taking a beautiful, economical train ride! 

We boarded the Pacific Surfliner in San Juan Capistrano and rode it down to the last stop, San Diego/Tijuana. Then, we walked a couple blocks and spent the afternoon aboard the very awesome USS Midway aircraft carrier.  Both kids LOVED it, and we all learned so much.  I am mighty humbled by all those men and women who sacrifice (and have sacrificed) so much for their country.

When we returned home, we were right in time for the Orange County Christmas train to make its stop in San Juan Capistrano.  So, we got a surprise visit from Santa and laughed through the most stereotypical CA/psychedelic Christmas show of all time (it included a martian Santa Claus and reindeer with asbestos on their paws...along with a visit from Santa's psychic -- Thomas and I shook our heads and agreed we are definitely not in "Kansas" anymore!) 

All in all, it was a wonderful day celebrating a wonderful little boy!

Our train

The scenery was unbelievable!

The USS Midway

Turner in the BRIG!

Parker in a Navy Phantom jet

The train

The Christmas train

Birthday Boy!!!