Summer Journal Entry - Marine Vista Park

Marine Vista Park is like a second home - whether it's farmers market, or soccer/baseball/golf practice, or just a place to let the littles out during errand runs to get the crazy out...we frequent this park...uhh..frequently, ha! It is getting more challenging with their different ages taking them to a park where all 3 are entertained. Right now the biggest success of doing that is taking them to a skate park. But just a regular park with grass and a playground isn't too exciting for my almost-eight-year-old.  I need to be creative with that one - pack a scooter/skateboard/fishing rod or in the case of yesterday, a boomerang. the boomerang was fun while it lasted, but he got it taken away for a year because he did what he did with it the first time he got it (after several lectures of exactly where and how to throw it) and it came super close to hitting people sitting on a bench. he felt super bad and knew immediately he was in trouble. i just don't know with this kid sometimes...its not defiance...its more of an attitude that he makes his own rules or something...like he already knows better than you...like a teenager...not sure if its an oldest child thing, or a distinctly bryson thing, but he is definitely receiving the bulk of our parenting energy these days. 

To see Bryson's Post on the Park, Click HERE

Summer Journal Entry - The O.C. Fair

Another childhood tradition - the o.c. fair. We go every year - my husband is such a good sport (see last picture) he is the designated ride go-on-er and always with a smile. He is also the best at carny games - I try to deter the games because I loathe stuffed animals (so mean, huh? well have your family get lice 3 times and tell me you still love them). We have a few things we usually do every year - we have to do the photo booth, we have to get some gross fair food (i had a corn dog for the first time in a loooong time and LOVED it...only at the fair!) we have to see the animals and we have to visit the carnival of products...or what is it called? the place where the people do the demonstrations of the knives and sham-wow and things...that is bryan's favorite part. Mine is the craft building of course...but it's not enjoyable with kids to me, so I will wait till they are a bit older and go when i have time to stroll around and ooh and aaah over the quilts. 

I am happy we went on a Thursday - so much more enjoyable than a weekend, but it was still pretty packed. The most unfortunate part of the day was when Bryson brought his $20 bill to play the fish game to win a fish and found out that he lost it. It must have fallen out of his pocket. Bryan had told him to get a wallet - i swear we have given that boy like 10 wallets...and he couldn't find one and he learned an important lesson...you need to be careful with your money. Episodes like this tend to ruin his entire day...he is definitely our most emotionally charged child...and he did cry and was pretty devastated, especially when I explained to him that I did not have an extra $20 to give him and no I wouldn't pay $10 for him to play the fish game, especially when you can go buy a beta fish for $4...but also because we don't need a fish...but he pulled through and was able to change his attitude and I was so proud...progress people! 

To See Bryson's Post on the Fair, Click HERE

Summer Journal Entry - The Lake Bed in Yorba Linda

I grew up in an older part of Yorba Linda where it was completely normal to see someone riding a horse to 7-11 and a peacock in your backyard that had escaped from the neighbor's aviary. There is an old lakebed near the house I grew up in and it has trails all around- popular for horses and was our favorite spot to ride bikes. I remembered there being a clearing at one point and people (probably my brother and his friends) built up ramps to jump, etc. We walked around a while and I could not find them anywhere...I think all the brush grew up where they were...not sure, but a second inspection is indeed needed! Next time I go will be earlier in the day when the boys are fresher and perhaps not such a hot day either! They had such a blast though - the second we got there they just took off - such freedom they rarely get biking in our urban neighborhood- their freedom and energy was inspiring, especially being in a childhood spot where I remember that feeling as well. 

I walked and they rode their bikes (bobby had the balance bike) and we found a rope swing and some hills to brave down. I didn't think Bobby would attempt to go down (first mistake) so I didnt think to teach him how and sure enough, there he went and ended up basically on his stomach riding down this big hill, i thought surely he was going to eat it in a big briar patch, but somehow he made it all the way down unscathed. He is my Mr. Magoo I tell you! At one point we found a shady spot to eat our lunch. I got the willies as I remembered all the ghost stories we used to tell about this place and hearing a big scuffle in a nearby bush. I don't normally get nervous or afraid even hiking or running on trails, but definitely felt vulnerable sitting there and another feeling from childhood washed over me.

Some of my favorite memories with my boys are just exploring areas like this. I pack them away in my special memory chest in my heart because not every day is filled with these kind of memories, especially a day like yesterday as I was cleaning poop off of the seat in my sister's car after an unfortunate bobby blow out...so it is times like these I want to remember forever. The freedom, the exploration, the wonder of the smallest insect and the thrill of a rope swing.

To See Bryson's Post on the Lake Bed, Click HERE

Summer Journal Entry - Adventure Playground Huntington Beach

The entire time I was at this place I couldn't help but be transported back to my childhood. My backyard...the wood pile, the treehouses, the mud...ahhh...such sweet memories and now the mom in me is like, what were my parents thinking letting us run around in wood piles and rusty nails and black widows...

The boys loved it, but mainly just the building part - they had no interest in the mud slide or the mud/raft portion of the playground. We did manage to get them to go down the mudslide, which consisted of a tarp-like thing draped down a hill while someone squirted your child with a hose and then they land in a big muddy puddle. i think it sounds cooler than it was? perhaps...my second child almost cried after, but they were fine and went back to happily building. Every child received a hammer and 3 nails (your kids have to be 5+ to go - i left bobby at home BTW) and if you are over 8 years old you can use a saw. we had to get going and they were so upset to leave - they really could have stayed another few hours, but i promised them they could build in our backyard, so that worked. the rest of the afternoon was spent by bodie nailing nails into a piece of wood happily and bryson trying to build his own treehouse. I love places like this that inspire them on their own. if I suggested they do that, it wouldn't be as cool, surely. 

To see Bryson's Post on Adventure Playground, click HERE

Summer Journal Entry - carbon canyon regional park

He has been taking his (my) rod everywhere and always attracts a little following of older boys at every place we go! 

Bobby...always on the edge...always...sigh

He will do this all day if he could!

Last monday I took the boys to Carbon Canyon Regional Park. I haven't been to that park since I was younger, and I knew Bryson would appreciate the lake. And I had it in my memory that the lake wasn't gross duck poop everywhere lake, like so many around our area...and I am glad I made the trek. We could have easily spent a few more hours there - and I was wishing I brought a book and a blanket because I just parked between bryson fishing at the lake and the two littles playing on the HUGE playground (there are actually 4 playgrounds all close to each other). Parking was $3 - but other than that we had a pretty cheap day! Bryson didn't catch anything, so he was a little bummed (i think he expects he is going to catch a fish every time...i told him if that were the case they would call it "catching" not "fishing" - he didn't get it)

I also brought scooters and bodie's bike and they enjoyed finding all the hills to bomb. It was a pretty park - well maintained and lots of shade. Definitely would go back if we find ourselves in the area again!

To See Bryson's Post on Carbon Canyon: CLICK HERE

Summer Journal Entry - Huntington Library and Gardens

I have a cousin (second or third cousin really, but we don't try to overthink it) from Sweden and he and his wife and their precious daughter Kajsa live in Pasadena. His wife is the one with the work visa, so my cousin is the stay at home dad! My sister and I took the trek up to San Marino to visit the Huntington Library and Gardens to hang out with them and enjoy the beautiful gardens.

I had not been here for a while and I realized as I was there that I should probably not go again without back-up...or maybe even better...without kids. I just couldn't get them to stroll and look at the gardens and not RUN EVERYWHERE and get completely soaked in the children's garden. And also that children's garden - so cute! but so frustrating with three boys who take off in opposite directions ALL THE TIME. (the place is a maze of sorts) Definitely felt a bit out of control that day and at one point i just sat down in the mist room and put my head in my hands and sent a little prayer up to God to please let them calm down for a minute. It was one of those desperate moments. At times I feel like I am this crazy mom and everyone else is able to control their kids but me...but then I was looking around the garden and it was all moms of like one toddler...so I felt a little better - that I was actually braving it with three boys...three very active boys. and maybe one day some of them will be in my shoes and a little less judgmental with their looks...

Anyway, despite that - they did enjoy the Japanese garden and sat and watched the koi fish for like a minute or two...so I could almost relax..if you call holding the back of bobby's shirt every time he got close to the water relaxing. Plus it was a hot day too...so by the end of the trip I was just exhausted. Seriously - next time I go back is with girlfriends - I have been there 4 times and there is still so much I haven't seen. My cousin has an annual pass and was telling us all kinds of interesting facts about the place and the original owner. It is all so fascinating. How anyone can be that wealthy is fascinating!

To See Bryson's Post on the Huntington: CLICK HERE

Summer Journal Entry - La Habra Children's Museum

I am now officially out of order since this field trip happened last week, but that is okay...I am actually blogging - that is amazing stuff enough!

So I had never heard about this little museum until this year...and I really wish I had. Although I thought it was way overpriced for what it was ($7 per person ages 2 and up)...it was a cute little museum to pass the morning hours and spark good conversation and imaginary play.

This museum, in my opinion, is best for ages 5 and under. Bryson (age 7) was a little bored...plus upset that he couldn't ride the carousel. I feel like if I just had the younger kids we could have spent a lot longer here exploring the different rooms. Bryson sets the pace for the younger boys and if he deems something as boring or if he moves on, then the little ones follow suit (which can be both frustrating at times and also awesome at times)

The museum has 8 rooms - all with different themes. There are so many different interests covered - biological sciences, model trains, natural history, theater/dress-up, earth science, history - you are guaranteed to find a room your kid loves! Surprisingly, my kids spent the most time in the toddler room playing with the giant building blocks. Go figure...

There is also a tour of the trains outside of the museum that i know my boys would have loved, but it didnt start until 1:00 - which is during a certain 2 year olds nap time...so sadly, we had to miss it. There was a lovely bench in the shade and a play area in the back of the museum though that enjoyed our lunch at. I don't know that I would be returning again, but if i lived closer and had younger children - I would definitely get the year pass - you only have to go a few times to make up the cost!

(To See Bryson's Summer Journal Post about the museum - Click HERE)

Summer Journal Entry - Poppin tags birthday party

So fun you guys! I wish I could take credit for this idea, but my best friend Ruth told me about one that she went to and I knew immediately that we had to steal that idea for my husband (Bryan)'s birthday. 

We met at a Goodwill - the rule is that you had to buy your outfit for dinner with only $20. I really wish I could have found a different thrift shop to do this, because Goodwill is over-priced in my opinion, but it was the only thrift store I could find that was open past 7:00. So anyway - we met there and had fun all helping each other pick out our outfits- met for a group shot while being accosted by a homeless man...gotta love long beach! (which is why all my group shots are cutting people out and blurry). We then all drove downtown to The Federal Bar. The restaurant is in an old bank and its super swanky - so we looked pretty awesome all of us walking in. Before our food came (and after a drink) we had a fashion show where people got to sell us on their outfits. There was a prize for best dressed male and female voted on by all the people at the table. We had a blast. Bryan loved both his finds (and sadly, will wear them again and again). Thank you to everyone who came out and played along - we seriously have the best friends who are game for anything! Love you guys!

Summer Journal Entry - Moustache Camping Trip

It took me a while for this post...I really wanted to find pictures from our first moustache camping trip 7 years ago...but sadly, they are boxed up somewhere. But anyway...what a difference 7 years makes! Back then, Bryson was the only baby...this year there were 10 kiddos! 10! And in a few more years I am sure there will be even more, which is way exciting for me...since we are finished making babies - i have to make sure to be around people with babies. but then give them back when they cry...and poop.

So we planned this trip back in January - we tried to find a different spot to camp, but it ended up being too difficult. Plus we have been camping at Lake Cachuma for so many years, we just know it by now. There is a lot about the place I don't care for. Cachuma is pretty crowded and dirty and loud and the bathrooms are not the best in the world...oh and the BIG bush of poison oak smack dab in the middle of our campsite. I like camping with my boys because I feel like I can just say - go...run! climb trees! get dirty! and not stress about it...but i felt like every minute I was in our campsite I was telling them "no" or "don't do that" and that is just a bummer. So when I would start to feel like that I just took them down to the lake to throw rocks in the lake...build forts with fallen branches. find feathers. we stayed there for a few hours one morning and not a single fight erupted. pure bliss. i just stared at these kids in amazement that they instinctively know what to do in nature. My kids (at this age) are never bored in nature. there is always something to do. a tree to climb. a collection to start. a rock to skip across a lake. shells to find and smash the guts open. I just realize more and more as my boys get older that the most precious moments are the ones that are simplified and quiet and scaled back. we are all so much more at peace surrounded by beauty like this. This is the part of Lake Cachuma that I do like...the lake. Especially at the twilight hour. So beautiful. I will be forever taking away memories of watching the kids all play together so well - despite age differences and gender differences. I will forever take away the campfire conversations with dear friends and friendships spanning over the course of 20 years - friends where we can talk about Game of Thrones in one sentence and finding your passions and staying true to yourself in the next. I will be forever remembering that this is a crazy time for all of us and we are doing it together. Because really, do we want to do it all alone? 

(To See Bryson's Summer Journal on the Camping Trip - Click HERE)

Summer Journal Entry - Skate Parks

ya know...bryson is kinda kickin me in the pants with his summer journal! i am trying to journal everything he does (for at least the places I took him) and its been difficult! but i am so glad to do this. this summer has been so nice to be freed of schedules. i had so many different moms ask me about camps and events and i just really didn't feel the need this summer. partly, i admit, it was selfish - due to money and the time spent dropping off/picking up, but also I wanted to have this time with them - without schedules!! during the school year, it can be a bummer- bryson in school till three - homework until four (sometimes later because he fights it EVERY day) then dinner, then bed time. there is not a lot of room for outings, or free time.

one of the places he always begs me to take him - school day or no - is the skate park. All three boys LOVE the skate park and it is usually easy for me to take them. I find it better sometimes if I don't watch - so I even bring a book. (I only don't watch if there are only a couple other kids in the park. If the park is super busy...i can't be so chill). And by better if I don't watch, what I mean is better if I don't try to tell them what to do/don't do. They do five million times better when they figure it out themselves...i have learned.

Case in point - Bobby...at the Costa Mesa skate park the kid dropped in...on a skateboard....2 years old. what?? I didn't even think to tell him not to do that because I didn't know he could. bryson just learned how! And sure, he fell...but good thing they have pads...and even better that Bobby is half composited of rubber.

Bryson has been doing great. At the El Dorado Skate park they can ride bikes, scooters or skateboards. Bryson prefers the scooter most of the time, but has been doing so good on the skateboard. Dropping in, going off a step or two here and there, getting his balance - learning to ollie. I have to admit - it can be hard to watch them, but I truly know my boys - and their abilities and know that if they learn this young (when falling isn't such a big deal) it will serve them well in their teens...hoping for that anyway. I just know we can't keep them away from it! and also - maybe if their mom is cool and takes them to the skate park, they won't hate her later for not letting them play football? maybe?

To See Bryson's Post on Skate Parks: CLICK HERE

Summer Journal Entry #8 - 4th of July!

This Fourth was pretty chill - which was really nice. The Douglas' came over in the morning with their gang and we rode down together to the bike parade. After our ride back home bobby napped...the bigger boys played in the backyard...bryan grilled...i cleaned...then later we had a few people stop in to enjoy some ribs (we had a little "rib off" with our neighbor Jim) and watch the diet coke/mento bombs out in the street. Last year someone (Becky?) gave us a special tool  to make the bombs since last 4th we tried several different attempts to make our own with a semi-anti-climactic finish. This tool was AWESOME! I highly recommend giving a 7 year old boy this plus a 2 liter of diet coke as a birthday present. pretty rad. the only thing is that after pulling the plug and stepping back, bryson and bobby were running through it...loving it. so gross...but i guess so fun? for them? anyway - i had to hose them down but they loved it. we didn't do fireworks this year - just hung out in the backyard with friends and family and good conversation. it was lovely, truly. 

(To See Bryson's journal entry about the fourth - click here!)

Summer Journal Entry #7 - Public Transportation Day

On the bus

On the Aqualink

Enjoying the inside of the Aqualink

Picnic/Hill Slide at the Lighthouse

Goofballs

I have done this whole route a couple times before, but this was my first time attempting it solo. It was fine and the boys (and myself) were appropriately tired out afterward and we enjoyed a very chill afternoon. Good times when that happens!

We started at our house and took the bus downtown. The boys loved the bus ride - bodie and bryson sat across the aisle and fought about who got to pull the yellow cord the WHOLE way. pulling the yellow cord is like the ultimate...dont you know? it changes your life. whatevs. This time around I made a point to show Bryson the signs at the bus stop and had him read and tell me where the buses are going and how to look for the bus number on the bus. We then walked down pine all the way to where the Aqualink docks...then kept going around until we got to the lighthouse. We had about 45 minutes to kill so it was the perfect amount of running around/snacking time before it was time to board the Aqualink.

The boys ran up and down that hill below the lighthouse at least 15 times...i tend to exaggerate, but 15 is a conservative guess...i would say it is probably closer to 20...they did it a lot is my point. and giggled every time they came down. it really was one of the cutest things. I loved rolling down hills as a kid - and watching them for that moment brought back that joy - that unbridled childhood joy. it is a good hill! 

We hopped on the Aqualink and i thought the boys would love it on the deck and they did not so much. bodie and bobby both preferred to be inside. bryson wanted to be outside, but i couldn't seem to be okay with him being up there alone...so for half the time i made 2 of them miserable and the other half i made 1 of them miserable and somehow we all ended the trip with a happy memory. I think that is just the lesson with having multiple kids...there is very very rarely a way to make all of them happy at the same time...sometimes it is about who will be the least upset is how i make my decision. this is all character strengthening good stuff i firmly believe in. anyway...we walked back and bobby fell asleep in the stroller on the way home, which hasnt happened in like a million years - so i know it was a good day! I just wish i could be successful in convincing other mamas to come along with me! 

(To See Bryson's journal entry about this day, click here)

Summer Journal Entry #6 - Pirate's Park

This little park was on my summer list - I needed to go to a couple thrift stores in the area and thought this would be a great little middle stopping point for the little ones (bryson was gone that week at his grandparent's house). I was recently having a conversation with another LB mama lamenting the fact that we have been to every park in LB like a hundred gazillion times and my boys are over a lot of them. She told me that Lakewood and Bellflower have some pretty awesome parks that her kids never tire of...so I made it a point to look some up in that area since errands bring me to those areas once in a while.

This park was so funny. It is back behind storefronts off of Bellflower Blvd. It was pretty small, but lots of stuff to climb. I got there and my initial reaction was "oh this will last all of 15 minutes" because it just was a lot smaller than I imagined...but i was wrong - i couldn't get them to leave after an hour! and bodie talked about this park to everyone that would listen. When a lot of bigger kids invaded the park...i made my boys leave despite protestations because it wasn't going to end well. But if you find yourself in the area...and find yourself with a half hour or so to kill...and your kiddos like climbing...check it out!

Summer Journal - Entry #4 - Blackberry Picking

We went here about the same time last year. (Here is last year's post) I had wanted to go earlier, but it didn't work out with our schedule. I also didn't plan ahead too well and couldn't get anyone to go last minute, so it was just our little clan this year, but it turned out to be such a nice day! Bryson was super into it. He picked so many and went on a picking rampage - i loved it! Bodie was getting over it. I made them all wear pants since the blackberry bushes are so prickly and it was rather hot out, so I tried to find blackberry bushes in the shade and he just lost all focus. Surprisingly Bobby was actually focused. He collected more dirt and rocks and needles and things than blackberries...and the blackberries he did pick were all pink...but still - a focused on a task Bobby is a happy Bobby!

I brought a blanket and a picnic lunch and we had the nicest little lunch - the four of us. We talked about the different birds we saw, why some trees have thorns, what we should make with our blackberries. It was nice - it is days like this that make me so thankful I am able to be with my children most of the week. (disclaimer: I don't always have that attitude) 

Bryson agreed to let me have his blackberries if I shared some jam with him - Deal! I made freezer blackberry jam using this recipe and it came out pretty runny. It is still super yummy - not really complaining, but next time i should use less juice! maybe more pectin? dunno...future self - please research before next jam session. 

Side Note: I should add that we were on the backside of the Marsh - accessible by Michelson Ave - (the street you park on is Rimparion)

(To See Bryson's post on blackberry picking - click here)

Summer Journal - Entry #3 - Redondo Beach Seaside Lagoon

We headed to the Redondo Beach Seaside Lagoon with dear friends on a weekday...we got there around 10:30 and it was a good time to go since it was not too crowded. By the time we left (around 2:30) there was definitely a crowd. My friend Becky had told me about this place and part of what she was told was that this lagoon was built as a way to cool the pipes from a nearby factory and part of the by-product of that was the water was heated...but that didn't seem the case - the water was pretty cold! That did not stop our kids one bit though! 

There are several water fountains in the lagoon and water slides for the bigger kids. There are picnic tables with shade, a small playground and BBQ pits. I think it would be a great place for a birthday party! I think the kiddos all enjoyed it and for me it was nice since it was fairly easy to keep an eye on them all. I struggle taking the boys anywhere there is a crowd because all three love to dart off in opposite directions and it just stresses me out. We went home and all three boys passed out in the car on the ride home - sign of good day! that rarely ever happens anymore!

Side Note: Adults are $6 and Children 2-17 are $5 / $4.50 flat rate for parking (check site for hours)

(Click here to see Bryson's post on the Lagoon)

Summer Journal - Entry #2 - LACMA

I haven't taken the boys to LACMA since Bodie was a baby. I went here with some girlfriends a few months back and saw the Metropolis exhibit and knew I had to show the boys. It was soooo worth it - mind blowing! They watched it for 20 minutes. The longest they have ever looked at art. It was neat - it opened up all kinds of discussions about what art is. This was definitely the hit of the day - Bobby told everyone "the cars go weally fast!" Bryson learned about installations and kinetic sculptures and how to talk about art. 

On the way to the museum I was prepping the boys (especially Bobby and Bodie) about touching. Bodie touches EVERYTHING. when we are at the grocery store...i swear he has to touch every single item on the shelf...it is extremely frustrating. so i knew he would struggle at the museum. I made Bobby go in the stroller most of the time and I made Bryson and Bodie each hold one of the stroller handles while walking in the museum. It still didn't stop Bodie from touching the BIG billiard ball exhibit and getting scolded from the scary museum lady. 

We also made sure to see Levitated Mass - this was not so much a hit...they couldn't understand why a big rock was art. I tried to explain it in kid terms, then just reverted to - look isn't it so cool to be UNDER a HUGE rock? When can you ever do that? that did it...they lit up and tried to jump up to reach it. then they ran away...so not so much a hit, but I love this because I remember the fan fare around it and it came through Long Beach and I got to see it and I think its pretty neat to have something of nature of this size in the middle of LA.

We attempted the family tour - by the way...if you also are inclined to do this - I think it is best for school age children...not so much for 4 year and 2 year old boys who would rather run under a large boulder 100 times than sit and talk about color. Just sayin.

Oh...I forgot the best part! Usually admission is $15, but if you bring your kids and sign them up for a (free) membership- they can bring an adult with them for free! so I was able to get in for free and the boys got those cool orange membership passes - win win! 

Side Note: Metropolis is only running on the weekends, during the week its just a large non-kinetic sculpture. Also parking is $10

(To see Bryson's journal entry on the museum click here)