I don’t know what happened on Wednesday afternoon but I just had to get out of my house. Like OUT OF TOWN RIGHT NOW RIGHT THIS INSTANT. So I packed a bag, picked Scarlet up from school, and headed directly to Palm Springs. We were playing hooky, and it felt so right. I’ve decided to start a tradition where once a school year I will surprise her and just pick her up from school and whisk her away somewhere for a few days. Am I a bad parent? Maybe. But I feel good about my decision.
We arrived in the evening and had some dinner at Kings Highway, then roller skated around the Ace Hotel before snuggling together watching Food Network until we fell asleep. We woke up and immediately went for a swim in the perfect 80 degree heat… 
…for about 5 hours. Scarlet felt like the queen of the universe. 
She wanted to take a scooter into town, but I wasn’t keen on that, so we drove downtown to meet my friend at his new restaurant, Chicken Ranch, for a healthy, delicious lunch. 
Followed by some shave ice at Lappert’s. We hadn’t had Lappert’s since our trip to Hawaii last year. This stuff is the best. Seriously. 
After that we headed back to the hotel and borrowed a tandem bicycle for a sweet ride together, 
followed by a few hours of studying and homework by the pool, before relaxing into another mellow night of hanging out in the spa and watching the stars.
In the morning we spent a few more hours swimming, then decided to head to the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert. This was a good call. We did about 5,000 brain teasers, built a robotic race car, and Scarlet climbed this wall. 
The current traveling exhibit is Chagall for children, and it was an awesome interactive exhibit. Scarlet made herself a part of this painting “At the Circus.” 
Before we left the hotel, Scarlet had to leave her review…
…and her mark. 
A quick stop in Cabazon to see the dinosaurs is always necessary before heading back home to dad. 
I highly advocate playing hooky every now and then.
