Things to DO in Southern California

I am too good to you!!  You've got it so easy, just go ahead an benefit from my searching. I was looking forward to summer (ok, and Spring Break) and wanted to share some of the So Cal things to do.

Ok, if you have a family and are looking for something fun, not far away and FREE... here's an idea for an event coming up quickly.  

The Magnolia Park neighborhood is hosting the free Egg-Cellent Magnolia Bicycle Tour and Treasure Hunt for kids and families on Saturday, April 3 from 3:00 to 7:00 P.M. Here’s more info from the folks at Burbank Wire: (click and scroll down to view more info)

When riders register at Chandler Bikeway and California Street, they will receive an egg-cellent gift and treasure map filled with tempting treats. They will also be able to participate in a bicycle and helmet decorating contest, enjoy free bicycle tune-ups courtesy of the Burbank Recycle Center, learn road safety tips from Burbank Bike, join in free arts and crafts activities, and check out other community based organizations.

Sites for things to DO:

-For a CALENDAR of events: CLICK HERE
features: Poppy festival, Classic Film festivals, fun family stuff
-For a LISTING of great places to go CLICK HERE: 
features Whale watching, Zoos, Museums, Piers, Hollywood stuff and Griffith Observatory.
-For BEACH locations, CLICK HERE:
Locations from Santa Barbara, to San Diego and everywhere in between, like Malibu baby!
-Here's a google map detailing all the beach locations.  CLICK HERE.

If you need a Wikipedia explanation of So Cal.  Click here, includes city names and populations.

Here's a few things that I keep my eye on:

• Hollywood Bowl has free attendance to morning rehearsals, call to check dates.
• Dodger Baseball Stadium, don't forget to get a Dodger Dog.
• Downtown LA Districts: Blocks and blocks of fabric, shoes, toys, flowers...all at direct prices.
• Science Museum: free and a big favorite with 3 floors of things to do.
• Getty Museum: Vast variety of artifacts and canvas.  Saturday is kid friendly day there, free to the public.
• Garlic Festival, Avocado Festival, Strawberry Festival  mmmmm. Lot's of local festivals to attend.
• ANY BEACH: if you don't want to go to the beach; it's like you are saying you don't want to relax!
• In-N-Out burger (on your way to the beach, and you are set for a wonderful day).
• LA Mormon Temple, right off Santa Monica Blvd.  Beautiful peaceful setting amidst a busy setting.
• Little Korea, and Toyko, and all the other "little" area's that have shopping and food.
• Tons of variety in food.  It's more than mexican: pick any ethnicity; you'll find it here.  I could eat my way through a day of travel.

Whew, now I need a vacation!

Over worked, Under Paid leads to rebellion

Scott & I were laughing at this past week's events.  Remember my last blog entry about my new idea book about raising responsible adults?  Well, this week...the kids started their revolution, more like work release credit! The realized that I became lazy and had not paid them their allowance in a few months.  They also realized that the road to being a responsible kid doesn't come easily.  And so I send out a caution to parents: "when workload is increased, make sure you increase praise...oh and by all means, don't forget the allowance". 

Here's the incident as recorded by Scott, fortunately I missed this one.
"Jacob got a gift card for Borders Bookstore that he wanted to go redeem today.  It was only for $5.00 so I made the mistake of reminding him that he wouldn't be able to afford any book for over $5.00.  This touched off a rather animated conversation with Jacob and Carter.
Jacob, "We'd have more money if you guys paid us our allowance." Carter, "Yeah! What happened to that?" I made the mistake of saying, "you guys could get some cash if you did your extra money jobs." Jacob replied, "The worst part is that now you re-did the jobs so that one bathroom is now like 5 extra jobs would be. The tub, wash the mirrors, clean the sinks, and do the countertops."  Carter, "Dad, it's too much work!" Jacob: "And there's no time to do extra money jobs because when we come home, we have homework, or track on Tuesdays and Thursdays, piano, and Scouts on Wednesdays. And by then, we are too tired, DAD!" Carter: "Too much work DAD!" Jacob: Not even the lawn is an extra money job anymore! AND I shouldn't have listened to you when I bought that 'Around the world in 80 Days' book.  I would have at least had the $5.00 extra dollars if I didn't do that.  That book didn't even hold my interest! I only got half the way through it!!"  Carter: "Yeah Dad, it didn't hold my interest!!"  Scott: "When did you read it Carter?"  Carter: "I read one word...and I lost interest.... I read the word..."I" !!!"  At this point I was laughing pretty hard at this over-worked, under paid rebellion.  I was being ambushed by Jacob and his brother Carter.  Later that  night, Marci found a note that Sperry had written, who is 6 yrs old.  It had scrawled in black crayon on her kindergarten reader.  It had a picture of a crying frowny face and the words, "I hafta doe xtra wook" which is interpreted as,  "I have to do extra work".

As a visual reminder, I will give you Sperry's paper I found on the floor.  It kind of sums it all up...

Breakthrough...in a good way

I gotta say, when my friend Debra first gave me the book, I thought "Oh, another parenting book to add to my pile".  Now I'm saying, "Put this parenting book at the top of your pile".  This book is funny and witty, and while we are being entertained, we can teach our kids about the value of money and work.  Newsflash, kids don't have to come to their parents for extra cash, they can earn it.  So, if you have been looking for a good overall plan that includes more than the latest job chart and list of extra money jobs...this book is for you.


Here's one of my favorite parts: she outlines suggested things to teach a child, age by age.  Wow, I guess it's not just about mommy going into the bank and coming out with money.  It's helping your child see the process of work and what is expected. As she put's it, "Don't you want your kids to move out of the house someday and become responsible adults?" Now that's not worry about the future, we can help them face the future with confidence.

Here's the book:

"The Parenting Breakthrough: Real life plan to teach kids to work, 

save money, and be truly independent."

also the audio CD: "Teaching your children to fly"

Written by Merilee Brown Boyack  Click here to order from Amazon

"hobbyist" it's a title thing

Last Saturday I helped at an Emergency Expo sponsored by our Church for the community.  There were a lot of classes, booths and demonstrations to help prepare the public for an emergency.  While I was talking to a reporter, Michelle, she asked me and Lisa a few questions.  When she asked me my title...yikes, what is my title.  I laughed and said that I was a mom and a emergency preparedness hobbyist.

Here's an excerpt from the article in Ventura County Star...to confirm my new "title"

"LaBass attended an educational class Saturday about family emergency planning taught by Marci Sargent, a church member and emergency preparedness hobbyist.
Sargent said that many people don’t plan for emergencies because it can seem overwhelming.
She said those who feel overwhelmed can start off with smaller tasks, such as organizing a basic meet-up plan where family members can go after an emergency, learning how to shut off utilities, and building a 72-hour survival kit that will sustain a family with water and food." Click here to see full article

My kids didn't want to take my class, they were there for the fire extinguisher demonstration!!
Maybe next year, my class will include something action paced to draw in the younger crowd. I taught about: shelter in place, outdoor shelter, what happens at schools during emergencies, and how to better prepare at work and supplies for your car. And, the things to consider as you determine a meeting place and overall Emergency plan for your family.

You are welcome to post questions, or things that you find helpful to prepare for emergencies.  You questions could be answered by a preparedness hobbyist.

My life, according to a 10 yr old

Jacob was assigned to write a report about someone that he knew.  He chose me, his momma.  I have a few theories on why I was able to shine in the spotlight amidst all candidates.  I was home, I was able to give quick stories without a lot of effort or research on his part, and I was a willing participant.  Here's the best life story (also, my first life story) written of me.

"My Mom
My mom had an amazing and crazy life.  Our story now begins in a little town called Alpine Utah.  My mom grew up with two sisters and two brothers.  They lived in a house with a huge lawn which had a graveyard right by it.
Now, we move on to what my mom did.  She mowed the lawn with one of those riding mowers and then had to do her siblings chores.  Once my mom woke up with my Grandpa shaking her. He said that they had a horse in their yard, my mom was thrilled because she thought he got it for her.  Then it turns out that it jsut somehow wandered into their yard. My Grandpa gave her the simple insturctions of riding the horse bare-backed to find the owner, so that's what she did.  Then there was a problem.  The horse began to gallop faster and faster until she fell off on the rocks, which hurt.  Later my  Grandpa come on his motorcycle asked where the horse went and sped off leaving my mom to hobble toward home when my Grandma came to pick her up.

 This is why I think my mom had the best and craziest life ever. Some of the reasons supporting this had to do with getting hit by a motorcycle, finding a baby bird and watching to see if it's mom gets it, growing impatient and abandoning the bird.  Those are some of the reasons."

Now, doesn't that make you want to run and tell your kids some of your childhood stories?  Of course I left out the really crazy stuff until he's older.  I also told him about camping trips, fishing and meeting the crab in the river, running out of an abandoned scary house, mowing the lawn, candy tosses, hiking, walking to the market for powdered jelly filled doughnuts, my baptism day...well you get the picture. They remember what a portion and write about even less. Still, when he's ready for his next installment of "my life" I'll be hear ready!! Gotta love my kids!