Also, isn't funny to think that these places didn't really exist when we were young? I just remember the "ball pit" at Chuck E. Cheese.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Bounce House
Last Friday I took k + n to a playdate at a bounce house. n was just a little too small to climb up the steps to the slides by himself so I had to join in with them. That was a good workout! Funny, because k had a blast, but when she was n's age, she wouldn't even step inside. I ended up having to buy a pair of socks because I wasn't anticipating having to go inside the bounce houses. However, I'm not complaining because both kids ended up being free with my Entertainment book coupon.
Also, isn't funny to think that these places didn't really exist when we were young? I just remember the "ball pit" at Chuck E. Cheese.
Also, isn't funny to think that these places didn't really exist when we were young? I just remember the "ball pit" at Chuck E. Cheese.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Two (For Real)
Happy birthday to our little n. (Not sure when I'll stop calling him little). We are so grateful that he is in our lives. It's funny to think that k doesn't even remember life without him. He still has his sweet disposition, and is very forthcoming with his affection. He loves to copy k in everything she does. He is starting to express his opinions with more force, however, so we'll see if the terrible 2's live up to their name.
D was able to come home somewhat early for our family birthday dinner.
I took the kids upstairs into k's room while D set up n's present outside.
A water table! The idea for this present came to me because n has become obssessed with bringing a stool (or chair, or whatever is closest) up to the sink, turning on the water, playing with the water, and leaving the water running. He and k had a good time with the table, but it will be better when the weather warms up a bit.
n's shirt was pretty soaked by the end, so we took it off during our dessert time which featured chocolate pudding. (No cake since we have been finishing the cake from the weekend all week).
D was able to come home somewhat early for our family birthday dinner.
I took the kids upstairs into k's room while D set up n's present outside.
A water table! The idea for this present came to me because n has become obssessed with bringing a stool (or chair, or whatever is closest) up to the sink, turning on the water, playing with the water, and leaving the water running. He and k had a good time with the table, but it will be better when the weather warms up a bit.
n's shirt was pretty soaked by the end, so we took it off during our dessert time which featured chocolate pudding. (No cake since we have been finishing the cake from the weekend all week).
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Two (Almost)
We continued our pre-celebration of n's 2nd birthday at my parents house on Sunday.
n has been practicing saying how old he is.
n loves chocolate, so Zaza made him a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.
He enjoyed it, as you can tell.
n has been practicing saying how old he is.
n loves chocolate, so Zaza made him a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.
He enjoyed it, as you can tell.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Discovery Science Museum (& Santiago Park)
To celebrate n's upcoming 2nd birthday, we went to the Discovery Science Center. We pass by "the cube" on the 5 freeway all of the time, but this was our first time visiting. To save the $4 parking fee, we parked at the nearby Santiago Park. This was a tip I found in this great resource. One tip from us is to enter the park from Memory Lane, because the Main Street entrance doesn't really have designated parking spaces.
The kids had been fighting all morning, but once we were at the park, they had fun strolling hand in hand.
At the entrance:
The current travelling exhibit features Elmo and the Sesame Street gang talking about the human body. I brought out our old Tickle Me Elmo for the past week so n would be more familiar with him (is Sesame Street even on anymore now that KCET is independent?)
On the Sesame Street stoop.
Mr. Hooper's market.
Not too sure what this was, but it was cool. k thought it was scary, as can be seen by the look on her face. It's difficult to read all of the scientific explanations when you're constantly trying to make sure your two kids do not wander off. (Hats off to those with more than two!)
Upstairs is a pretty big hockey exhibit.
Driving the Zamboni.
Skating with socks.
Now I finally know what is inside that big cube!
A rocket display.
Outside there is a nice dinosaur-themed play area.
Sliding down the tail.
Me too!
This tricerotops moves.
We ate lunch at the Taco Bell cafe inside the museum. I read that it had been recently renovated, and it was nice.
Another tip would be to arrive early. We got to the museum at 10:15 (after walking through the park) and there was already a good amount of people inside. By the time we exited after lunch, it was crowded!
Walking back to our car we had to make a stop at the playground equipment, of course.
The park kind of has two sides. The part by Main Street is pretty nice.
The part closer to the parking lot on Memory Lane, however, is a barren wasteland, and pretty "sketch" (as my friend from law school used to say).
Note the peeling paint on the playground equipment:
n climbed up all by himself.
Within five minutes, this was the scene in the backseat:
The kids had been fighting all morning, but once we were at the park, they had fun strolling hand in hand.
At the entrance:
The current travelling exhibit features Elmo and the Sesame Street gang talking about the human body. I brought out our old Tickle Me Elmo for the past week so n would be more familiar with him (is Sesame Street even on anymore now that KCET is independent?)
On the Sesame Street stoop.
Mr. Hooper's market.
Not too sure what this was, but it was cool. k thought it was scary, as can be seen by the look on her face. It's difficult to read all of the scientific explanations when you're constantly trying to make sure your two kids do not wander off. (Hats off to those with more than two!)
Upstairs is a pretty big hockey exhibit.
Driving the Zamboni.
Skating with socks.
Now I finally know what is inside that big cube!
A rocket display.
Outside there is a nice dinosaur-themed play area.
Sliding down the tail.
Me too!
This tricerotops moves.
We ate lunch at the Taco Bell cafe inside the museum. I read that it had been recently renovated, and it was nice.
Another tip would be to arrive early. We got to the museum at 10:15 (after walking through the park) and there was already a good amount of people inside. By the time we exited after lunch, it was crowded!
Walking back to our car we had to make a stop at the playground equipment, of course.
The park kind of has two sides. The part by Main Street is pretty nice.
The part closer to the parking lot on Memory Lane, however, is a barren wasteland, and pretty "sketch" (as my friend from law school used to say).
Note the peeling paint on the playground equipment:
n climbed up all by himself.
Within five minutes, this was the scene in the backseat:
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Monday, March 07, 2011
House of Big Fish & Ice Cold Beer
For OC Restaurant Week this year, we went to House of Big Fish & Ice Cold Beer in Laguna. It is run by the same people as K'ya Bistro, so we had high expectations. Unfortunately, we made reservations for Saturday lunch, and apparently there was a parade going on. Now, it's not fun to find parking in Laguna. Add in beautiful weather, a weekend and a parade, and it was just a disaster. We almost gave up, but fortunately, we were able to make our way to the underground parking lot (look for the blue and white "Connection" parking sign) and they validate for 1.5 hours. Plus, the guy that was there was like the friendliest parking attendant I have ever encountered.
We shared tilapia and fish & chips. The tilapia also came with a cup of clam chowder.
We were debating whether to order a kid's meal too, but these two entrees were plenty for our entire family. (n barely counts, though, since he was mostly interested in the butter packets and fries). Surprisingly, k liked the tilapia. Who knew? The fish and chips were not greasy, but very filling. We did not parktake in the "ice cold beer" but I've read that this place gets pretty lively at night. Daytime was perfectly fine for kids, though.
The restaurant is on the second floor, and overlooks PCH and the ocean. k and n had fun looking down at the street.
Totally felt like summer.
For some reason, n wanted to walk around with his hands in his pockets.
We shared tilapia and fish & chips. The tilapia also came with a cup of clam chowder.
We were debating whether to order a kid's meal too, but these two entrees were plenty for our entire family. (n barely counts, though, since he was mostly interested in the butter packets and fries). Surprisingly, k liked the tilapia. Who knew? The fish and chips were not greasy, but very filling. We did not parktake in the "ice cold beer" but I've read that this place gets pretty lively at night. Daytime was perfectly fine for kids, though.
The restaurant is on the second floor, and overlooks PCH and the ocean. k and n had fun looking down at the street.
Totally felt like summer.
For some reason, n wanted to walk around with his hands in his pockets.
Sunday, March 06, 2011
Citrus Ranch Park Hike
This past weekend we "hiked" up the hill at Citrus Ranch Park. It is an easy, short incline, perfect for little kids. k still felt triumphant when she reached the top and declared it "so beautiful".
n still wanted to be carried part of the way. D's next obsession seems to be hiking, so we'll see how much we can get the kids involved.
n still wanted to be carried part of the way. D's next obsession seems to be hiking, so we'll see how much we can get the kids involved.
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