Lighthouse Parenting Conference & Eating Out in Torrance

D and I were able to go to a two-day parenting conference featuring Paul Tripp at Lighthouse Church in Torrance.  I thought it was a really good opportunity for D and I to digest some parenting instruction together.  The speaker had some really solid, Biblically-based points, and his stories were quite entertaining.  There was also childcare, which we took advantage of on Saturday.  We were also able to try out two restaurants in the South Bay, which we rarely visit.

Friday night the kids were with my parents, so we turned it into “date night”.  We ate at a small banh mi shop called Little House of Mary.

 

We shared a roast pork and lemongrass chicken.  They were a lot bigger than this picture makes them appear.  I was so full, but I kept eating because they were so good!  The roast pork was quite juicy (dipped in au jus) while the chicken had a more subtle, yet distinct lemongrass flavor.  They were around $6.50 each, so much more expensive than most banh mi places, but they had much more meat, and definitely worth it. 

After the conference on Saturday we went to The Local Place (off-shoot of King’s Hawaiian) with the kids.  We ordered two three item combo plates so we ended up trying lots of different entrees.  Overall it was pretty good, but nothing really stood out. 

We also took home two malasadas which dobash filling and a long john (which was smushed in transit). 

Yum!

Chick Fil A Tour

One of k’s classmates graciously invited us to go to Chick Fil A for a “behind the scenes” tour the day after school let out. 

It started out with breakfast—yum! 

Next everyone had to put on a hat before going into the kitchen.

There were boxes of lemons in the back for their fresh-squeezed lemonade.  They gave the kids a lemon to take home.

Our tour guide introduced us to the fry-o-lator.

The guy in the drive-thru was probably wondering what was going on.

For the finale, we were given a demo of the shake and ice cream machine.

The kids tried their hand at the soft serve machine.  Ice cream for breakfast—what a treat!  A fun way to kick off the summer!

REI Family Camping Class

The first time we went camping we were fortunate enough to go with my brother in law, who has a lot of camping experience.  He told us about the equipment we needed, the concept of a “control box”, helped D set up the tent for the first time etc.  Now that we have gone several times since then (D could tell you exactly how many), we feel much more comfortable.  The class we went to last week at REI was geared towards “beginners”; I guess now we would qualify as “intermediate”, at least in terms of family car camping.  However, it was kind of fun to be with others who have a similar desire and/or love for camping and to swap some stories/experiences.  It was late for the kids since it lasted over 1.5 hours, but I think they enjoyed it.  They also provided some entertainment when they started laughing uncontrollably after the instructor said the words “long underwear” and “privacy” (don’t ask). 

We also came away with a better idea of which tent we want to buy next—the REI Basecamp 6.  (Not pictured here—this is the Hobitat).  I’m hoping our Basecamp 4 will hold out for a couple of more years, though. 

Kids Bowl for $4

There is a program during the summer that has become quite popular called “Kids Bowl Free”.  It is a pretty good deal, with the caveat that you still have to pay for shoe rentals, which cost $4 at Irvine Lanes, where we went. 

This was the first time either k or n had gone bowling.  I cannot remember the last time I was in a bowling alley.  There were bumpers that could be programmed to go up or down depending on the player’s skill.  There was also a metal contraption that little kids could use to push the bowl down the lane.  Both k and n felt most comfortable with the six pound ball, which was the lightest we could find. 

The kids were allowed to bowl two games each.  Considering how long each game lasted, this was more than enough!

This was the scoreboard from the first game.  (n had a lot of help from D).  k improved and won the second game.  Neither one seemed to really care about the score, though.  It was more about the experience. 

Three Seconds of Fame

A couple of months ago, PBS came to tape a PSA at the library story time that Nathan and I had been attending.  Someone told us they saw us on television, so I started looking for it with no luck.  My sister told me the three videos were actually located on the Orange County Public Library website.  So here they are—you can play “spot L + n”.

 

Last Day of Kindergarten

k officially graduated from kindergarten today.  The shoes that she started out with on the first day of school are barely hanging in there, but her backpack is holding up just fine for first grade.  So much has happened in the past year: she made new friends, lost her first tooth, and had perfect attendance.  Tomorrow, k will be 6 1/2.  Her teacher, whom k really liked, is retiring after 39 years(!) of teaching.  It is definitely bittersweet.

For the last day, the dress code was Hawaiian, and their end of year party theme was a luau.

  

Here’s to summer!

The Missing Piece

A while back I found a puzzle of PCH, drawn by Charles Fazzino, at Barnes & Noble (on sale).  I thought it would be a fun family activity, although D and I did most of it.  We finished the 1000 piece puzzle in about three weeks.  By the first day, however, we knew we were missing a piece because it was a border piece, which we did first.  Sure enough, we finished, and the one piece is still missing. ;(

Close-up of missing piece. 

Overall, it was enjoyable puzzle, due to all of the minute detail.  It is also nice that it is a map, and has many places that we have been to.  One negative—Oakland is on the map, but not Berkeley?  Boo.

Snow Station

A new store named Snow Station opened in Tustin, in the same shopping center as Cream Pan.  We were able to visit during the Grand Opening, when they were giving away a free mini size (which was actually not that small).  It is usually $2.95, including one topping.  n and I chose passion fruit while k and D opted for mango.  I would recommend getting the “popping balls” as a topping as opposed to mochi bits, which get hard when they are cold.  I thought it would taste like shaved ice, but it is really different, as it is soy-based, and the flavor is infused, rather than poured on top.  If we ever go again, we would probably just share a bigger size, but it is always a treat for the kids when they do not have to share.  Maybe someday I will try the horchata flavor.

Father’s Day x 2

Yesterday we celebrated Father’s Day with my dad, combining it with celebrations of my sister’s family’s birthdays in May-June-July.

My dad enjoys practical gifts.

Nothing says “I love you Dad” like a roll of garden siding.

My nephew likes trash trucks, so my mom made him a trash truck cake.

Today we had a Father’s Day breakfast at church.  Afterward we just hung out at home…. 

…and the pool.

My parents gave the kids noodles so they tried them out today.  The kids really love going to the pool with D so I am hoping this will translate to them enjoying their upcoming swim lessons. 

Knotts’ Boardwalk

On Saturday we went to Knott’s early because they opened up Camp Snoopy and a few other rides a half hour early for passholders.  We now have a routine of sorts, and this is oftentimes the first ride for the kids since it is right at the entrance.  I’ve never seen adults ride on it before (I didn’t even think they were allowed to).  I love the grandma’s expression (she only went on because they said another adult had to even out the weight).   

This giant skateboard ride is so funny to me.

We were also able to check out the revamped Log Ride, my personal favorite.

New creepy animatronic figures.  I’m not sure if it was just my imagination, but I think they now pipe in a wood fragrance too.

The pine trees look nice and fresh.

There is a newly opened section called the Boardwalk.  n was able to go on two of the three rides.  Notice how overcast it was—perfect theme park weather.

This ride knocked my equilibrium out of whack.  I do not think I will be going on it again any time soon.

We watched the Wild West show again, this time from a covered wagon instead of the splash zone.