Redwood and a Poppy

Ethnicity: Californian

*redwood tree, california poppy- my parent's front yard, dad's garden

A woman, who seemed a little- ok a lot off, walked into the bakery the kids, my aunt and I were in and commented on how beautiful my boys are. I thanked her, but before I could finish saying Thank You, she said "What nationality are they?" Huh? Um- a mix of a lot of great stuff and a quarter Austrian. She then skipped over to the next table and asked two teenaged boys the same question, but before she exited the building to do some interpretive dancing on the sidewalk I said, they're Californian. I feel more like a Californian than "white" or a "mutt". I think I'm going to start checking other on forms and if I'm given room to write in my ethnicity I'm going to write Californian!

They Need Us

Life has been crazy. I put two over-time weeks in at work. I haven't worked full time since before I was put on bed rest when I went into labor @ 26 weeks with my first baby. It was hard to leave the kids, even though they were with daddy. I feel I have to be there 24/7 to nurture, comfort, shelter, protect. It was a learning experience though. I learned I can leave them and they learned they are okay without me. But the best reward was coming home, knowing they missed me and that I am needed.

We went to the duck pond on one of my days off and had a picnic. I stopped to take a few pictures on our way out of the park and I paused to watch this momma duck gather her young underneath her. I felt connected to her, I know how it feels to just want to protect your children from the world, to fold my babies up in my wings and hold them close. She'll eventually teach them to fly and perhaps they'll live in a different pond, but for now- she is needed.

This Is How I Roll

Strollin' in Style

Is it extreme to say I love my stroller?  I mean, I know that material possessions shouldn't define our lives, but I don't know what I'd do without this stroller.  The benefit of living in the beautiful , temperate city of Santa Monica is that everything is in walking distance and the weather is usually perfect for walking.  I don't have a car of my own, which is probably a good thing- I couldn't imagine driving the 405 with my children in the car- so I walk a lot.  Having a double stroller was a must!  

There are so many brands out there that first I had to decide between the tandem (inline) or the side by side strollers.  Tandems just weren't for me- way too long and I feel like one kid gets jipped on their view. Next came function.  The stroller had to be comfortable for a toddler and safe for a newborn.  I needed a car seat attachment (preferably one that wasn't an extra $80 on top of the stroller price).  I had to have a big storage basket so that I could tote all the diapers, wipes, toys and changes of clothing along with my purse and sometimes groceries.  It also had to be easy for me to push as well as my husband.  There is about a foot difference in our heights, so an adjustable handle was key.  The most neccessary thing for me though- it fits through standard doors- I really can go anywhere with this stroller!!! 

And then came fashion.  OK, I felt a little vain wanting a "pretty" stroller- but if you read my post All Wrapped Up you will see my need for my world to be aesthetically pleasing.  Basically, all my choices were big, clunky, ugly strollers that would just be a joke to maneuver through town or sleek, futuristic NASA moon unit type strollers- so not me!  After months and months of searching (I found out I was pregnant @ 5 weeks, so I pretty much had a full 9 months to figure this out) I found my now most prized possession:

 the bumbleride Indie Twin.

The canopies zip open in the back to pivot even further forward.  Asher loves this because he can reach his little arms out and give mommy high fives and hold my hand- such a lover.  I love it because no matter which angle the sun comes at us, the canopy can be moved to block the sun.  There are also large pockets on the back of the canopies that I can put my wallet and phone in for easy accessibility.  If I need more room in the storage basket I can put diaper bag stuff in the pockets as well- diapers, wipes and a change of clothes for both boys will fit.  If the seats are not fully reclined I can stuff a sweatshirt or jacket under the hood too. 

Gavan loves his stroller because he gets a front row seat to all of the action.  He can comfortably sleep when he's away from home.  He likes the padded lap and shoulder straps and the padded head rest.  

     

Asher loves his stroller because he can fit all his planes, trains and cars in it.  There's nothing like packing up some dump trucks and hitting the local park!  He likes to walk up towards the airport and watch the planes take off.  He also loves to get out and walk.  I can adjust the handle low enough so that he can push it around (with supervision of course).  He too loves to take a nap in his stroller- safe and comfy, sometimes he does his best sleeping in it.

We love our bumbleridetm  and hope that if you are ever in the market for a stroller you check them out and get to experience the joy of owning one.

Home Town Tourists

 I'm back- I promise.  I took a small, unintentional break from blogging due to life interfering with my new and most favorite hobby.  We had colds that lingered (I spent over 2 weeks covered in snot) and I've been busy getting back on track at work. So, if you can forgive me, please read on and look for updates!

The Santa Monica Pier

You never think to stop and do the things the tourists do when you're in your own home town.  I would never go out to Hollywood just to check out the Walk of Fame or photograph the Hollywood sign.  But, I love going to the Santa Monica Pier!  It's definitely on the tourist list of things to do.  The weekend is crazy out there!  I like to go mid-week and off season.  We recently went and rode the vintage 1922 Carousel.  It is so beautiful and the boys enjoy the ride.  It costs $1 for adults to ride and because of their ages the boys ride free. I think it's under 12 is $0.50.  It's a great deal compared to the $5 Ferris Wheel price we've paid.

They have a great arcade for older kids and $0.50 rides for the younger kids on the north and south sides of the arcade.  Asher likes the race car and Tonka Truck the best, but for about $3 we kept him entertained and happy.  Definitely don't eat on the pier- over priced pre-made frozen burger patty kind of fare! Not my thing!  Instead, check out Big Deans at the base of the pier.  Great burgers!  Secret tip- if you're a fan of grilled onions they'll gladly do it.  So yummy with their secret sauce.

Asher picked out a new hat last time we were there.  The child has eagle eyes.  All of a sudden he starting saying "Lightning McQueen Hat" my aunt and I looked at each other like "what"?  Sure enough, on one of the vending carts was a Lightning McQueen* hat, which we bought him- have you seen his face?  We're suckers!!

We had a great lazy afternoon in the sunshine and sea air.  It's a calming adventure close to home.  The kids have fun, the atmosphere is pretty stress free and we didn't spend a lot of money.  All in all, I enjoyed being a tourist in my own town!

*(for anyone who doesn't know= Lightning McQueen is a race car and main character in Disney's Cars movie.  If you haven't seen it- do!  We love Paul Newman as Doc Hudson and Asher quotes the tow truck named Mater- voiced by Larry the Cable Guy)

Face Paint Regrets

When we left the Treehouse Social Club this weekend, my 2.5 year old said "oh no, I didn't get face paint."  Thinking it was just a way to try to get us to take him back I said "it's ok baby, mommy will paint your face when we get home."  His baby brother had a little spider painted on his arm, we asked him over and over, but he didn't want to stop playing while we were at the party.  The next day we were playing in the backyard and again he told me he didn't get his face painted.  Huh?  Do 2.5 year olds feel regret?  I think he feels better today though!  I set up his watercolors and much to dad's dismay, he painted his face.  So sweet!  It made him happy and all it took was a little soap, water and a Nemo wash cloth to get it off.