Park Review - Fun Wednesday

Today we (my mom, sis and I) took the kids to Memorial Park in Claremont CA. I love taking my son to parks because it really allows him to release all of his toddler energy. He's a grump when he is indoors too long. I had often wished Claremont had a park, because I live so close. But I recently found out that they do have one. When we went to Claremont for their Spring Celebration, it was held at Memorial Park in Claremont. I was excited to see what this park had to offer. The day we went to the Spring Celebration, I was taken back by how big this park is. Very shaded, lots of green grass to run on, and a playground for the kiddies. It also had tennis courts and a basefall field. Perfect for a birthday party celebration or even a picnic with the kiddies. They had picnic areas you can rent out for the day too, which is what I'll likely do for my son's 2ND birthday.




We took the kids there today, because the Santa Ana's were amongst us today and we wanted somewhere that was wind free. For those of you who are not familiar with Santa Ana winds you are lucky. Claremont is usually wind free so it was a perfect opportunity to give this park a test run. It passed!! The weather was nice, the kids enjoyed it, we adults enjoyed it. The restrooms were close enough to the playground so if a kids gotta go, it's not a hike to the potty. The playground was a bit smaller then a lot of the newer parks, but it had all the necessities. This park also has a nice big open field which would be perfect for flying kites. I'll have to remember that for next time. This is also a sand playground, which my son loves! He loves to pick up the sand and cover the slide with it. He'll also sit and cover his feet, note to self to remember the sand toys next time.




If you live in the area, I recommend checking it out. It's located a couple blocks north of the Claremont Village. Have a great Wednesday everyone.

Just the Boys! Logan and Ben

Today I spent the day with my son, Logan, and my nephew Ben. The ladies in my family wanted to take my niece to her first movie theatre experience. So of course I offered to watch my only nephew (my son’s best friend), while they went. They had such a good time playing and eating lots of left over Easter Candy.





Unfortunately Southern California did not get the memo that Spring has arrived, so it rained practically the entire time. They spent a good portion of the day inside, I put on a movie and the two of them just enjoyed being boys. They snuggled together to watch movies, they rough housed and laughed. Good times! I made some cheesy pasta with some stuff I happened to have around the kitchen. They enjoyed it, I really enjoyed it. I LOOOOVE pasta!!!

When the rain let up and the sun came out I let them play outside. My son has a water toy that was outside and got filled with rain water. They played with that thing forever. They were both drenched within seconds of being out there. They took turns going down the slide, and of course my son always let his GI Joe's go first. He'd slide them down, then be right behind them. Luckily I had plenty of extra clothes that my nephew could fit into, since he is only a short 5 months behind Logan. When they were done outside(it got really cold), I brought them in, got them dressed in some dry clothes, and put in another movie. They both got candy and cuddled some more before I son went to sleep.



Definitely a different experience for me taking care of two kids instead of my usual ONE. But it was nice. Nothing got done around my house, it was a disaster and I was ok with that. I just enjoyed being fun auntie and fun mommy for the afternoon.

Tomorrow I'll try to talk to my niece to learn about her exciting first trip to the movies. I'll be sure to share with you all.

Molding my Baby Boy Into a Man - Why Wait?

I often wonder to myself "is chivalry really dead?". There have been numerous times where a man cuts in front of me or pushes me out of the way just to get through a door first. What's worse is that it happens even when I am holding my son. How rude! I am very lucky. I am married to a wonderful man with whom chivalry is still very much alive. He opens the door for me, always lets me go first, and carries stuff for me so my hands are free. Even when we're out in public, he holds the door open for other woman, and always helps my mom or grandma out by taking out the trash, or reaching something that's up high.

An incident happened this morning which really made me angry. I was walking into the mall with my son, I am about to step through the door when a man walks out of it, pushing Logan and myself out of the way. I said "wow, what a jerk" without even noticing I had said anything. I turned around and noticed him looking back at me surprised, like I had done something wrong. I looked at my son, who will only be 2 in June, and said to him "don't ever be that man". Where did that man's parent's go wrong? Does no one teach their sons how to properly treat a lady anymore? I get so sick of it! So we stayed at the mall for a bit while Logan got to play with his cousin Emily and another little girl we had me at the play area. Then it was off to run errands.

We were about to walk into the 99cent only store when I saw one cart left that wasn't a mile away to get to. Normally I wouldn't mind the walk, but I don't like walking through a parking lot holding the hand of someone tiny who can't walk very fast. I then saw a man walking towards the one cart I had had my eye on and figured he'd take it. I was so annoyed, I knew he saw me, what a jerk. But then, to my amazement, he brought me the cart and said "ladies first". Wow, this made my day. Something that small totally made my day. This man's parents taught him right. Which lead me to think about my own son. Is it ever too early to teach them about how to treat girls?

Logan is only 2, so right now he's still learning the basic boundaries and right from wrong. I want to teach my son that even though we live in a feminist world, there is still a difference between men and woman. I want him to know that even though a woman may be completely capable of carrying that heavy box, it doesn't mean that he should sit there and watch. I'm always grateful when someone offers to help when I am struggling with something, though it rarely happens. In fact it's usually my husband that offers to help. I am looking forward to seeing the man my son will grow to be. Though I know this is not a task I can take on myself. I am his mommy and great one at that. But daddy is going to have to show him the ropes, daddy is the one he will look up to, the one he goes to for dating advice, the one who will have to show him what being a man is all about. But, just because daddy has this huge responsibility, doesn't mean I can't start putting my two cents in right now. I want to help mold my little boy into the man he will someday be. It's never too early to start.