Forgot the Snow Clothes!

The girls had so much fun at the snow a couple weeks ago, we decided to go again to get some more use out of their snow clothes. We loaded up the car with saucer and all, drove a little over an hour to our spot when I realized I forgot to pack the snow pants! This was the very reason we have been putting off going to the snow. The girls were so disappointed because they couldn't make snow angels, or really play in the snow. They were able to slide down the saucer for a little while until their pants started to get wet. Then we find out that my younger daughter's gloves were not water proof. We literally were wringing them out. I think we stayed about an 1 1/2 hours before we all were freezing and getting wet. I'll try for a better experience next time and remember EVERYTHING!

Snow Day at Wrightwood

The girls have been to a few places where they played in man-made snow. These are the type of places where it is so crowded that you only get a foot of space to play; but the girls seem to have fun anyway so we keep going back. I have been delaying going to real snow because we never had appropriate snow clothes for the girls and because I'm not a big fan of going out into the freezing cold.

I found some inexpesive clothes for the girls. I got snow boots at the Goodwill for both girls and a snow bib with pants at Kmart for $12 each. I finally got the clothes and it has been like summer out here for us to even use them. This week it rained so we headed up to Wrightwood. I have not been here; so I wasn't sure where to go. We grabbed a small saucer for $5 at Mountain Hardware and continued up to the top of the mountain to Grassy Hollow. It wasn't too crowded considering it was a 3 day weekend and the 1st snow in a while. We found a small slope for the girls to slide down and they had a blast. They made a snowman, snow angels and of course a snow ball fight. After about 2 1/2 hours my feet were frozen and I was ready to leave.

Since hubby wasn't home for our Valentine's Day dinner, we decided to all go out together and celebrate at Route 66. Yummy!

2/17-2/19 Mardi Gras Celebration

23rd Annual Mardi Gras Celebration
February 17-19 & 21!

Mark your calendars for the best Mardi Gras Celebration in Los Angeles! Join us for a weekend full of traditional New Orleans and Zydeco music, bead-throwing, strolling parade bands, arts and crafts and face painting for kids, authentic Cajun food, beer, and much more! Grammy-nominated Lisa Haley & The Zydekats return along with other Market favorites including, T-Lou & His Super Hot Zydeco Band, Eddie Baytos & The Nervis Bros and Lula Afro Brazil!

Kick off the weekend activities with our annual Mutti Gras Pet Parade & Costume Contest! Dress up your pooch for a chance to win great prizes and treats! Registration is free. Call Three Dog Bakery at 323-935-7512 or visit them at stall #710 to register your four-legged friend.

Click here for a complete Mardi Gras schedule.

The party continues on Fat Tuesday, February 21 with traditional New Orleans tunes with Eddie Baytos & The Nervis Bros on the West Patio from 6:30-9:30pm.

All activities are free!

Happy Valentine's Day!

The girls were very excited about today because it's a holiday where they can get more candy! Like they need any more candy. They are still working on candy from Halloween. Besides eating candy, they look forward most to our annual tradition of having a picnic mac and cheese dinner in the living room. I generally have a no food in the living room rule; so this makes a special treat for them.

In the morning, I took my youngest to her weekly library story time. They brought out different instruments for the kids to play while listening to music. The kids paraded around the room having fun making all kinds of noise. My daughter got the triangle. She was not too happy with her instrument and was not interested in parading around the room. She did enjoy the stories that were read and she always enjoys making her craft afterwards and putting together puzzles.

After story time, I went to my older daughter's class to help with their Valentine's party. The kids quickly ate their Valentine's cupcakes and then passed out their Valentines. They were finished so quick, we had an 1 hr and 30 min. left to spare. The teacher was scrambling to find projects for them to do. She found a heart frame craft from Oriental Trading from a previous year and happened to have just the right amount for all the kids. After that, they played a quick game of Mad Libs and painted lots of Valentine related pictures.

The girls picked to have their mac and cheese for dinner. Their favorite is the kind from the box that has Scooby Doo shapes. I couldn't find Scooby Doo shapes this year, so they settled for Madagascar. While I was slaving over the stove boiling water the girls excitedly set up their picnic blanket, decorations, stuffed animal friends and centerpieces in the living room. After 15 min., dinner was complete and we ate dinner while watching a Peanuts Valentine's Day show.
After dinner, we all enjoyed a giant chocolate chip Valentine's Day cookie for dessert.

2/11/12 -Target Free Family Saturday: Ready, Set, Go!

FREE ALL DAY at the Japanese American Museum!
http://www.janm.org/events/familyfestivals/

Learning, crafts, and fun for the entire family! February’s theme is healthy living. Generously sponsored by Target, these special Saturdays are filled with fun activities giving families unique ways to learn, play, and grow together.

ALL DAY CRAFT ACTIVITIES:
Hop, skip, and jump on over to the Museum to embellish a jump rope.
Make a recipe holder for your favorite healthy recipes. We’ll have some recipes from Kidding Around in the Kitchen ready to go along with your creation!
Ruthie’s Origami Corner: An apple a day, keeps the doctor away! Make an origami apple with Ruthie.

SCHEDULE:
11AM – Doors open

11 AM – 12:30 – Chef Naoko Moore teaches you how to eat healthy by making onigiri (rice balls)! (1st come 1st serve, limit 15 students)

1 – 2 PM -- Chef Sonoko Sakai teaches you how to eat healthy by making delicious miso soup! (1st come 1st serve, limit 15 students)

1 - 4 PM - Kidding Around the Kitchen is happy to show families how to make their own Ready Set Go Delicious Kebabs

1 – 4 PM – SPECIAL! Artists from our Drawing the Line: Japanese American Art, Design & Activism in Post-War Los Angeles exhibition will be in the galleries talking about their work.

1 PM – Cut a rug! Learn how to Bon Odori (style of dancing performed during a traditional Japanese festival)

2 PM – Palpitating Panthers Jump Rope Team performance and workshop

3 PM – Let HoopItUp teach you how to hula hoop your way to good health

4PM – Doors close

2/11/12 - Valentine Treat Bag Make'n Take

Valentine Treat Bag Make'n Take
Sat Feb 11, 2012 1pm to 3pm

Join us for a FREE make'n take event and create an adorable Valentine treat bag. Contact your local Beverly's for more details. Event not available at Carmichael location.