Palms. Springs. Palm Springs.

Kimberly loves her birthday. Hugo and I love it, too. Because on Kimberly's birthday, everyone wins. This year was no exception as we headed down to Palm Springs for a little sun and a little celebrating. Not a bad way to start a new year, for all of us.

On Friday, we took the one-hour flight from San Francisco, rented a big car (Hugo is an over-packer), and checked into the Ace Hotel & Swim Club for two nights. It's a weird, wonderful hotel that seems to be an old Howard Johnson's taken over by minimalist hipsters who love dogs, kids, and letting everyone do whatever they want to do. Our room had its own little patio with an outdoor fireplace - perfect for hanging out after Hugo went to sleep.

For the next two days, we didn't do much of anything but eat, swim, and look at palm trees. I highly recommend it.

Sunrise in the desert. I got to see two of them, thanks to our little man who woke up at 5 am both mornings. I could tell he was just excited to see everything Palm Springs has to offer, so we took a couple of epic morning drives.

The Ace Hotel

Hugo, poolside. Turns out it's Hugo's favorite place to be.

Hugo and Kimberly going for an almost-walk. He could do it. We know he could. But he prefers a helping hand, and I suppose that's what we're here for.

He loved the pool. Loved it. Loved the water. Loved splashing the water. Loved the other people in the water. Loved the dogs up on the pool deck. Loved the waitresses bringing drinks. This dude might be California through-and-through.

Post-swimming. The smile stayed glued to his face for a while.

Hair. His, not mine.

Tired. All of us were. Relaxing trips with a one-year old aren't actually all that relaxing. But if we're gonna not relax, there's no nicer place to not-relax than Palm Springs.