The Zimmer

The Zimmer Museum is definitely on my must-do in LA with kids list. We went on a special morning celebrating special kids like Everett and ended up sharing the WHOLE museum with just one other family. The boys had a blast and I think especially loved not having to share anything with anyone. I'm not kidding, if you're ever in LA (or if you live here) you've gotta visit the Zimmer!   

  My two baby pilots manning the cockpit.

 

 The dress-up corner. A tiger-llama?

 Waterworld.

 The sea of balls. This was probably both boys' favorite part...

 ...until Evie started sinking and totally flipped out!

 The Fire chiefs in action! 

 School bus and spelling (there was also a schoolhouse).

The kitchen and the restaurant. I seriously only took pictures of half of what was there, maybe less. This museum was great! We'd definitely go back!

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Another Beach Day

Will the beach ever get old? I doubt it! Especially since Talmage has now decided that waves are not scary anymore and he likes to get deeper, deeper in the water. What a brave little duck!

 Such a cute California boy!

 And our sweet beach baby!

Both boys are so brave, too brave sometimes. Evie loves it when the waves come up and hit him! It gives me a heart attack just about every time, even though I am always right there.

 This is the life. Just don't get too far Evers!

This is not a joke. This is not a pose. T was so tired from running in the waves for hours that he decided to take a nap on the sand. His nap would have been much more peaceful had I stopped taking pictures of him every point two seconds!

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Saturday is SUCH the special day sometimes.

James worked through the night on Friday so that we could spend some time with him on Saturday. He hadn't really seen the boys in a week, and he wanted to, and they definitely wanted to see their dad! And since I had a verbal commitment from the big guy for a full day with the fam, I packed every single second of it. First stop, La Brea Tarpits. James had amazing childhood memories of visiting the tarpits and seeing the fossils and this was top on his personal bucket list. I am so glad we got to experience it together.
 

Those boys loved looking at the animals in the tar. It was super interesting to hear all of the stories about the creatures they have found in the pits and how they got there. I would definitely recommend visiting this museum if you are ever in town (hint hint, come visit!)

 T loved all of the animals...Evie, not so much.

For lunch, we visited Carney's hot dogs--a cute little diner inside a train car. Guess who was in heaven. Did you guess T? Ding, ding, ding, ding. He couldn't have been happier.

We both got the Carney Dog--chili, tomatoes, onions and cheese and it was ridiculously good. Go there, just do it.

Continuing with our theme of deliciousness...after naps we headed to Sprinkles Cupcakes for dinner/dessert. This was the first ever cupcake shop and to be honest I was pretty skeptical about it living up to all the hype. But it did. Every last bite was delicious. The salted caramel, chocolate covered marshmallow and milk chocolate all tie for first place. I seriously can't pick a favorite...and I think I should go again just to try a few more flavors, you know, for research purposes.

But of course, we couldn't just stop at cupcakes. I had heard that Sprinkles now did ice cream so while T and I waited in the cupcake line, James and Evie waited in the ice cream line. It was dinner! Let's just say the red velvet waffle cone with red velvet vanilla ice cream rocked our world.

Poor little Ev. He wants a bite so bad, but he gets brain freezes worse than any kid I know. Giving Evie cold treats always ends in sad tears...but not giving him any always ends in mad tears. What's a parent to do? Take pictures either way!

We ended the evening with a walk down Rodeo Drive (where I found the sunglasses by Louis Vuitton that I have worn in my dreams the last week!) There is a section that feels like Europe and I loved it. What a great day!

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UCLA

Someone asked me this last week if we were going to be continuing the trend of transfering schools every single year and just stay at UCLA. I. laughed. so. hard. This person doesn't even know us that well, but she obviously knows enough! I have to admit, it feels kind of weird to be going "back" to somewhere we've previously been. But while a transfer to UCLA is not in the cards (we still love you Stanford!), a visit to campus was a perfect weekday activity for me and the muchachos.

We started at the Hammer Museum, which is full to the brim with very modern art. The boys were super good, but they lost interest super fast. Talmage was pretty bummed that there were no weapons or tools at the museum. "Um...when I grow up," he said to one of the employees at the museum, "I am going to paint a big picture of a hammer, and put it in da Hammer Museum." I thought it sounded like a very wise plan.

Evie was pretty mad when I wouldn't let him grab some wire (art) hanging from the ceiling. But in typical Evie fashion, he was all smiles two seconds later!

We went to the bookstore and T picked out a new tractor book for him and his brother (which they incessantly fought over for the next two hours) and then we did some sight-seeing. Of course, gotta get a picture with the Grizzly!

Me + Stroller + These Stairs + Lots of people looking and NOBODY helping = Poor me. I actually found a side way with a good mix of ramps and stairs, but it was still insane. I figured whatever was on top of those stairs must be a-mazing to warrant such an entrance, and I must admit it was beautiful.

The waterfall/pool was beautiful and the boys stood there watching the water forever (which is great, because I was still trying to catch my breath from the stairs!) I loved all of the buildings and stone and bells and brick. Walking around universities is one of my favorite things to do, and UCLA did not disapoint.

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...but first I'll be a Mother

Some houses try to hide the fact that children shelter there.

We boast of it quite openly, for signs are everywhere.

Smears are on the windows, little smudges on the doors--

I should apologize, I guess, for toys strewn on the floor.

But I sat down with my children and we played and laughed and read,

And if the doorbell doesn't shine, their eyes will shine instead.

For at times I'm forced to choose the one job or the other--

I want to be a housewife, but first I'll be a Mother.

***

My parents had this poem hanging on their wall when I was growing up, and it obviously meant enough to me that I still have it memorized all these years later. It popped into my head today as I looked around the cheerio-crusted, car-cluttered, book-covered carpet in our unfurnished living room and was quietly reminded that cleaning the mess was less important than my time spent loving and nurturing my boys. I love those quiet, peaceful moments amidst the chaos of everyday life when my Heavenly Father helps me see my own potential as a Mother, when He whispers, "You're doing good, now let me help you do even better." I don't take this job lightly, you know, being a Mom. I am constantly analyzing my actions, thinking of how I can improve and wondering what more can be done. This summer especially, as James has been working around the clock and Talmage has been having a hard time being away from home, I have found myself seeking heavenly guidance on what He thinks I should do. And this afternoon, remembering that poem, was Heavenly Father's way of telling me to focus on the most basic, simple, beautiful parts of motherhood--loving and nurturing His children. There are a lot of things I could be doing in my life right now outside of the home, and there are a lot of things I can fill my days with right now inside the home, so I'm always grateful for the subtle reminders of what matters most.

Santa Monica Beach. July 12.

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Puppets and Clowns

This last week we've kept ourselves very busy with free events around L.A. One day we went and saw Twinkles the Clown at the Westside Pavillion Mall. I think that clowns can be scary sometimes, but she was so perfect and sweet. The kids loved her and laughed so hard--especially Talmage. And Everett was mesmerized by her evey move/word/action. He sat and watched the whole 30 minute show.

Twinkles wanted the kids to get closer, but most of them were nervous at first. T was the first one to take the plunge, and then he was helping Twinkles with her songs. So adorable.

We also went to a marionette show at the Santa Monica Library. This is Scott Land and Michael Jackson! He moon-walked and everything. So fun!

T was excited about his tickets and treat. We are trying to work on smiling for the camera but it's either the cheeseburger, fake smile or the I'm-not-really-happy smile.

The kids got to check out the marionette's at the end of the show and ask questions. I love hearing the questions that kids come up with. Most of them were like this, "I have a question about that chicken. Can you make that chicken dance again. Hee hee hee!"

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