We have been having some amazing weather in Los Angeles, which is perfect for a day (or two) at the park. A few weeks ago I went to my mommy and me class at Gates Canyon Park (aka Brandons Village) in Calabasas. This park is so adorable! It has a full playground, water misters, swings, a large “boat”, a “mining for gold” area, plenty of grass, and a large covered picnic area which would be perfect for a birthday party. So if you are looking for something to do this weekend…pack up a picnic, your favorite blanket and head on out for a wonderful time with your family at one of the awesome parks listed below.
- Aidans Place (Westwood): Playground, Picnic Areas, Indoor Swimming Pool, Open Grass.
- Balboa Park (Van Nuys): Duck Pond, Open Grass, Picnic Areas, Playground.
- Beaman Park (Studio City): Playground, Picnic Area, Tennis Court, Baseball.
- Dorothy Green Park (On the Beach in Santa Monica): Picnic Area. Playground. Sand. Beach.
- El Dorado East Regional Park (Long Beach): Nature Center, Bicycle Trails, Picnic Areas, Playgrounds.
- El Dorado Park West (Long Beach): Duck Pond, Picnic Areas, Skate Park, Disc Gold, Volleyball, Basketball.
- Gates Canyon Park (Calabasas): Picninc areas with BBQ’s, Playground, Cool Mist Sprayer, Basketball, Tennis.
- Malibu Creek State Park (Malibu): Hiking, Fishing, Bird Watching, Horseback Riding.
- Polliwog Park (Manhattan Beach): Playground, Open Grass, Pond, Botanical Garden.
- Roxbury Park (Beverly Hills): Picnic area with BBQ, Sand Volleyball, Playground, Tennis, Lawn Bowling, Baseball.
- Shanes Inspiration (Griffith Park): Playground, “Boundless Playground”.
- Topanga State Park (Pacific Palisades): Picnic areas, Hiking, Nature walks.
- Travel Town (Griffith park): Train Rides. Museum. Open Grass.
- Tree People (Beverly Hills): Hiking trails, Park Tours, Learn about Tree Planting, Picnic areas.
- Warner Center Park (Woodland Hills): Playground, Open Grass, Concerts, Movies.
- Will Rogers State Park (Pacific Palisades): Horse Trails, Equestrian Activities, Ranch Tour, Hiking Trails.
I have been looking for a reusable lunch tray to use when I purchase lunches at school. I’m so happy I found this Eco Lunch Tray to use for all of my yummy lunches. Why would I want school lunch you ask? Well, I am lucky enough to be able to teach at a school that serves Fresh Lunches. Fresh Lunches motto is “Making healthy lunches easy.” Their mission is to offer only the best and highest quality ingredients. All of the food is made from scratch using only natural and wholesome ingredients. They offer organic, kosher, gluten, and dairy free foods. They also use natural and organic fruits and veggies, hormone and antibiotic free meats and poultry and more! It’s pretty amazing and tasty too! They offer a wide variety of lunches. Here is a sample menu:
- Organic chicken breast with fingerling potatoes
- Spaghetti with Home-Made Meatballs, Organic Marinara
- Organic Mesclun Mix with Goat Cheese and Fresh Seasonal Berries (Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette)
- Salmon Pasta with Lemon Butter & Asparagus
- All Natural Baked Chicken Tenders & Penne Pasta
Along with the main entrees listed above they offer healthy and delicious sides and desserts. Not your typical school lunch menu at all! I love it! So if you are looking to add a more delicious and healthy menu at your child’s school Fresh Lunches is a great option. Send them along with the Eco Lunch Tray and they are all set! Happy eating!
Photos via Eco Lunch Box & Fresh Lunches
The in-laws got this adorable Li’l Squirt Baby Pool
for Nico by One Step Ahead. Just in time for the Summer! The pool has floating 3D fish that squirt water from them. You just plug your hose into it and the little ‘water fountains’ can go lower or higher depending on the water pressure. Nico loved splashing and crawling around while trying to grab the water coming out of the fish. I love the size of this too. It doesn’t take up a lot of space and is the perfect size for baby to have fun and cool off with.
Bottom Photo via Amazon
This weekend I will celebrate my first Mother’s day as a mom. I can’t believe I am a mom! All of these years of being an auntie have been a joy, but to be a mother is an amazing feeling. I hope everyone enjoys their Mothers day weekend with their families and I hope that you feel loved and appreciated today and always. And that you remember what how special it is to be a Mom. I leave you with this poem:
Before I was a Mom
Before I was a Mom -
I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed. I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.
Before I was a Mom -
I cleaned my house each day. I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn’t worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom -
I had never been puked on – Pooped on – Spit on – Chewed on, or Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and My thoughts. I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom -
I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom -
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn’t want to put it down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn’t stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life
so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom -
I didn’t know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn’t know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn’t know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn’t know that something so small could make me feel so important.
Before I was a Mom -
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known The warmth, The joy, The love, The heartache, The wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn’t know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!
Poem via Mothers Day Celebration
So I gave Nico his first juice yesterday. Well if you can call it that. I made him some homemade prune juice (Recipe to come) and he really enjoyed it. I put it in this Zoli Sippy Cup and was amazed that he actually figured out how to sip it out. I love this cup! At first I wasn’t sure he would know how use the straw, but he got it after a few trial and errors. I love that the straw is soft so you don’t have to worry about it poking babies gums or face or anything else for that matter. Aww! What a big boy now.
Photo Via Baby Go Round
No. Prunes are not just for old people! I picked up this bag of Newman’s Organic Prunes at Wholefoods to feed Nico as a snack and they were a hit! You can puree them or cut one into small pieces and feed it to your baby.
To Puree: I take about 4 prunes and soak them in a bowl of filtered water (Don’t fill the entire bowl with water. A small amount will do. Just enough to cover them and so they will easily puree). I Keep them soaking until they plump (About 3-5 minutes) and then I put the prunes and a little bit of the water my prunes were soaking in my bullet for 30 seconds and it’s done!
Now that I have them around the house so often I eat them now. They are delicious and good for you! They are full of fiber, vitamin A and C and help maintain bowel regularity. For more recipes and information on prunes and their yummy goodness click here.
Age: 4+ Months
Picture via Amazon
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