metaDAD's page on parentography.com

JAG For The Kids

metaDAD — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 14:57:29 -0800

My oldest son is three and a half. He doesn't particularly like to swing. He is wary of ladders. He's flat footed. He's cautious and we love him for it, nonetheless. It was suggested to us to have him try gymnastics and we did reluctantly. Boy have we been surprised at how much he fully enjoys his classes at the Josephson Academy of Gymnastics (J.A.G.). The instructor-kid ratio is nice and low. They seem to keep the kids constantly engaged with good pacing and direction. Our son loves it. It's located in the Hayden Tract of Culver City between Jefferson Boulevard and National, off Higuera. The gym itself is an expansive space (over 24,000 square feet) with classes ranging from babies (Bears and Cubs, Frogs and Tadpoles) to toddlers (Camels, Elephants, Kangaroosand Joeys) through school-aged dance and gymnastics classes. For the younger kids they have parent/kid classes as well as classes with no-parent involvement. Of course they have a cafe style waiting area for the parents the tikes tumble around on the floor. Parent Tip: If you do sign your kid up for a class and you stick around to watch, go upstairs to get a great bird's eye view of the gym floor. Downstairs experiences heavy traffic and it gets kinda crazy.

Take the Family to Dume Point Beach

metaDAD — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 15:37:27 -0700

Always in search of the best beach, my wife and I with kids-in-tow recently rolled over to this wonderful state beach. It has a sharper than usual slope to the water but provides a fun and dramatic surf for the kids to play in. With a car full of all the necessary toys, food and equipment the paid parking is perfect. For eight dollars, we were able to park right up to the edge of the sand within fifty feet of our claimed spot in the sand (dads read: not too much schlepping for me!) and this was on a Saturday. You can park for free on the road leading up to the beach or back on the Pacific Coast Highway and hike it, but with kids and coolers and such, I highly advise the paid parking area. The people watching is great, too. It just seemed like you had a wonderful cross-section of Angelinos enjoying the surf.

Pumpkin Picking at the Faulkner Farm

metaDAD — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 13:39:53 -0700

When Pumpkin Picking Season comes around, I always think of the Faulkner Farm. I'm not sure it is the most sincere pumpkin patch around but I'm sure the Great Pumpkin would approve, regardless. Through the month of October they have a Pumpkin Patch and Harvest Festival that is a great destination for those of us who are kid-strapped and looking for something fun to do. They have all sorts of stuff going on besides the pumpkin patch - face painting, pony rides, live music, hay rides, the list goes on. Do yourself a favor and go on an empty stomach because the food is really good – fresh corn on the cob, tri-tip sandwiches, fresh lemonade, kettle corn, baked goods and so forth. They're located in Santa Paula, CA which is in Ventura County midway between LA and Santa Barbara. Coming from LA, we like to take the Pacific Coast Highway for obvious reasons - the view is a perfect way to end the day.

The Disneyland of Botanical Gardens

metaDAD — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:27:46 -0700

The Huntington has a staggering 150 acres of gardens to experience with nine themed gardens to choose from; Jungle Garden, Shakespeare Garden, Herb Garden, Camellia Garden, Japanese, Palm, Australian, Desert, Sub-Tropical, the Lily Ponds, the Children Garden and of course, the upcoming Chinese Garden. The Chinese Garden is currently under construction as is the Gallery but the Tea Room located in the Rose Garden is open. We set our sights on seeing the Japanese Garden and the Children's Garden for this first visit, understanding that the kids may not last the whole time. It is not a cheap entry ticket at $15 per adult but we were pleasantly surprised that the grounds are immaculately keep and the attention to detail and balance is striking when experiencing all the different views. My wife put it best when describing it to her mother over the phone that night when she said, "it is basically the Disneyland of Gardens," which is to say the themed gardens do a wonderful job at transporting you to another place. When you're in the Japanese Garden you feel as if you are in the scene from the Last Samurai (I believe they may have shot some of it there but can not confirm it). The bamboo forest is fantastic! That's all I'll say… If you're traveling with small children consider leaving the Children's Garden for last like we did. After walking a couple miles we were in desperate need of a bench and it worked out well that the northern point in the park has a water park (not in the traditional-sense) where the little ones can splash in the water fountains, bubblers and misters while the grown-ups rest their feet for a moment. On your way out, check out the Rose Hills Foundation for Conservatory for Botanical Sciences building to experience an amazing indoor rain forest. On our list of things not to miss when going there, I would say here's a short list to consider, a.) The California Juniper Bonsai Court at the far end of the Japanese Garden, b.) The Bamboo Forest mid-way through the Sub-Tropical Garden, c.) The waterfall toward the end of the Jungle Garden, and d.) The Helen and Peter Bing Children's Garden (water park). PARENT TIPS: There are water bubblers throughout the gardens but it wouldn't hurt to bring a bottle or two of your own and for goodness sake remember the sun block and wear comfortable shoes! They do not allow picni on the grounds (no tables or benches) which surprised us but we plopped down on the grass between the Jungle and Desert Gardens and had a needed break and a healthy snack and no one seemed to mind. For a virtual tour go to: http://www.huntingtonconservatory.org/

Kid Friendly Experience Greco-Roman Style

metaDAD — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 12:21:26 -0700

My wife and I had been meaning to go to the Getty Villa for a while now. I must admit, the fact that you have to make a reservation to go kind of put us off, for some reason. It seems a bit snobby. We finally went with kids in tow, of course, and found it to be a surprisingly enriched experience. Tucked away in a narrow ravine in the hills looming over the Pacific Coast Highway is the Getty Villa which is a meticulous and vibrant recreation of a Greco-Roman Villa served up as one part museum, one part archaeological dig and one part villa inspired from the ancient Roman Villa of Papyri which houses the private antiquities collection of oil mogul J. Paul Getty. To set the mood for the experience I recommend seeing the 12 minute introductory movie just inside the theater and then upon exiting I would sign up for one of the many guided tours offered. We did the Architecture and Gardens Tour and even though we did not last the full 45 minutes (actually the boys didn't) we found the whole thing very fascinating. The guided tours are done with headsets and receivers that are linked the Tour Guide's microphone which is nice because this allowed us to linger in the back of the group with the kids but still hear everything he was saying. Depending on how old your kids are I would also recommend the Art Odyssey (ages 5+) where you can get a guided tour for your family or group or sign up for the Art Quest where kids and parents get to make jewelry inspired by the Greco-Roman styles (this is in the main courtyard). There is also a set of Art Detective cards in the family room which allow kids to identify certain pieces throughout the grounds (the Brentwood Getty Museum has the same kind of thing). The Family Room which is located right off the main peristyle is a great place to take a breather and let the little ones play in the shadow hall (their shadow is projected along-side over-sized Greco-Roman Soldier motifs you would find on the vessels and pottery of he time) or do some coloring. Parent Tip: You can only enter the Villa from the north-bound side of the PCH and the entrance is just before Coastline Drive (you can not enter it from Coastline so keep a sharp eye). If you are approaching it from the south-bound side go just beyond it (about a quarter mile) and do a U-turn at the intersection of Porto Marina. The museum is free but the parking is $8 dollars. If you are going with kids (+ stroller) park on the top level of the parking facility since everything leading up to the main area is uphill when you arrive it will mean one less elevator to wait for. Also, consider packing a lunch. There is a very nice shady picnic area next to the gift shop where you can find vending machines (the prices in these machines are surprisingly normal) and plenty of tables.

Take the Kids to the Lodge

metaDAD — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 19:55:19 -0700

The Electric Lodge is the home to many events and many things. The have classes and studios for things like Brazilian Dance, Body Prayer, Tango, HathaYoga, Tae Kwon Do but in the mornings they have many classes for newborns, toddlers and kids - like Boogie Mommas, Moo Moo Musica, Dance-A-Rama, Cotillions Ballroom and (kids) Tae Kwon Do. My wife and I have frequented the Moo Moo Musica class (basically a Mommy and Me class) taught by Julie Anne and really enjoyed the multi-cultural aspect of it - of course what else would you expect in hipster-central, right. There's singing lullaby's in French, Spanish an even one or two in Greek or Japanese; complete with a seemingly endless supply finger puppets, pop-up books. As the boys seem to be growing up very quickly, it is fair for me to say that Mom will be taking them to Boogie Momma - very soon. *Parent Tip: Try one class (most are around $16 bucks a piece) and if you really like them get a four ($60) or eight ($120) pack of classes. And don't be surprised if you find yourself gawking at some movie star in the class trying to have some quality time with their kid(s) – like I did.

The Go-To Place For The Breastfeeding Mom

metaDAD — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 12:11:14 -0700

I think it's fair to say that most people find out about this place through word-of-mouth but on the off-chance that you haven't heard about The Pump Station in Santa Monica, listen up. Wendy Haldeman and Corky Harvey are registered nurses and about 20-30 years ago they started The Pump Station as a place for new mothers to rent breast pumps. This place has grown into the quintessential go-to place for all things having to do with newborns and breastfeeding. My wife and I were introduced to this place by her OB/GYN when we first moved here (and we were 6 mos. along with our oldest). We took a breastfeeding class, and my wife found it very helpful. The consultant was quick to point out what books were helpful and what ones to avoid, and what products to consider. The biggest thing my wife (still) goes to The Pump Station for is the nursing bras. They're not cheap, but they are very comfortable and very well made (she swears by them). They also have all the latest diaper bags, changing pads, and other accoutrements. And because the owners are registered nurses, in a pinch, we are able to call them with questions about breastfeeding or breastfeeding products and my wife is always assured that she was getting sound advice. So, although you may be spending an extra dollar or two on the gear, just remember to take advantage of their expertise and ask them questions.

Parent & Me Swimming Class

metaDAD — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 16:50:20 -0700

Don't bother. I really looked forward to taking this class with my toddler. I thought it was going to be one of those golden memories, you know? Well, its a memory alright. This is a 5 week - weekend class offered through West L.A. College's Extension Program that meets every Saturday morning. The catalogue touts it as a recreational class where swimming will not be taught - which was fine with us. But, they got a new teacher at the very last minute and things were a little different. She was very strict and set on maintaining a class structure and syllabus - which generally is good except when you have a bunch of hyper babies and toddlers in a pool and have about twenty minutes to accomplish anything. We were taught the basics in terms of blowing bubbles, kicking, floating and so forth which is very helpful, but the teacher's interjections about the way we *should* be handling/controlling our kids was a bit disconcerting. I must admit, after withstanding a couple of sessions like this (at one point we were told not to talk at all during class - try doing that with a toddler flipping about in a pool) I had to call her on it. I apologized to all of the other parents in the class afterward and was shocked that they not only did not mind the brief transgression, but totally appreciated my speaking up. At that point we all agreed that we would sway people away from this class or at least the teacher in the future. Be warned!

The Getty; Good Museum and Unprecedented Views

metaDAD — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 16:07:07 -0700

The Getty is a beautiful place to visit. It has a wonderful permanent collection, it has a healthy schedule of special events and exhibits, and it has extraordinary views of Los Angeles. With that in mind I will warn you, it gets busy on weekends. Fortunately the beautifully designed grounds accommodate for a lot of overflow and are a great place to have a picnic if you opt to bring your own food. Of course, there are a couple of cafes and restaurants on the grounds ranging from take-out style to elegant dining (reservations recommended). Considering it is such a busy museum some of the exhibit halls (especially the West Pavilion) seem a bit small, especially on the weekends when throngs of people shuffling in and out of these rooms, so be warned if you plan on coming on the weekend. I suggest taking the day off from work and going during the week. There is a lot to see, so plan your trip well. I would not expect to hit all of the pavilions in one visit, especially with kids in tow. Come in the late afternoon to catch the sun setting in the west. The views are south by south-east, so there is plenty to see in the distance. Sunday late morning and early afternoon there is storytelling inspired by some of their works of art. Outside the Family Room look for the Art Detective Kits for the kids to go the museum and find works of art and I understand there is a Sketching Gallery where you can sketch original works of art - but I have not been there yet. The bathrooms are very clean and spacious and there are additional bathrooms and picnic areas in the lower level parking area. The museum is free but the parking is $8. And for $5 (audio package rental) you can take a guided audio tour. Parent tips: Bringing that huge stroller probably won't be the best idea. Bring a Baby Bjorn (or the likes of) and/or a small nimble stroller to cut through the crowd.

Solstice Canyon Park is a Great Little Park

metaDAD — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 15:24:41 -0700

This little park is right off the Pacific Coast Highway Just east of Point Dume in the Malibu Hills (not Thousand Oaks). It is one "pearl" in a necklace of parks that are strung around the Santa Monica Mountains. We chose this park over the others for a couple of reasons; we weren't interested in serious hiking as we were traveling with a two and a half year old and a four month old and we wanted something small with a picnic area - which it has. I should point out that there are more adventurous paths to blaze up to the summit; we chose the easiest one for obvious reasons. The parking is free - which is nice. The other parks in and around the Santa Monica Mountains generally charge around $8. And the best part is that this park is linked to the others with a free (air conditioned) shuttle service to all the other parks and beaches! The shuttles come around every half hour. The next time we go here we will definitely be taking advantage of the shuttle service which goes to Malibu Creek, Malibu Lagoon, Backbone Trail and Paramount Ranch. We worked off our picnic lunch (they have tables and restrooms) by hiking most of the way up the one mile trail. I will admit we would have made it all the way up but our timing was less than perfect in that my oldest son's nap time (inadvertently) happened mid-hike and I ended up carrying him up and down the mountain - a good workout, indeed. In retrospect, if you have one of those jogger strollers it would definitely do you good on these trails. Regardless, a good time was had by all. Helpful Tip: bring the bug spray if you plan on having a picnic, the hornets were not shy, I'll just say that much.

Go to the L.A. Zoo

metaDAD — Fri, 25 May 2007 15:11:53 -0700

This zoo is great for little kids because it is small enough so you can hit all the major stuff in a day. The zoo itself is situated on the northeast portion of Griffith Park and is easy to access for the 134 and the 5. The terrain is rather hilly so it is best to sport some good walking shoes. My personal favorite areas are the Aviary Tent which sports an impressive array of tropical birds and my other favorite is the Chimpanzees of the Mahaje Mountains. And of course the younger kids will totally get into the petting zoo (Muriel's Ranch) and about mid-way around the zoo there's a cute little Cho-Cho for the tots to ride (I believe parents can go with), which is a nice little break from all the walking. I should also point out that there is a lot of construction going on in the zoo which is good and bad. The zoo is poised to be a much bigger experience in the coming years with the Campo Gorilla Reserve opening at the end of this year (2007) and The Golden Monkey Exhibit opening in 2008. Their construction schedule seems quite extensive and stretches through 2010, so don't feel like you should wait until it's over to go visit. A few weeks ago they had to evacuate the animals because of the brush fires they experienced throughout Griffith Park and although they are open agan there are sections that are closed (check their website for updates). Overall, I think it's a good zoo that is worth more than one visit, especially with the expansion going on but it is not as complete as the San Diego Zoo.

La Pinata Party Supplies

metaDAD — Thu, 24 May 2007 13:40:10 -0700

This small family run business is tucked in a small storefrot on the west side of Lincoln Boulevard just south of Nowita Court. You have to look for it because their sign is partially obstructed by a tree. Their tables and chairs arrived at our house a few minutes ahead of schedule and the truck driver was nice enough to schlepp them to the back for me. On the other end of the weekend (actually Monday morning), they came and scooped everything up without incident. The actual tables and chairs looked brand new, which is great. We spent $40 for 35 chairs and 3 eight foot tables. While we were at their store we ordered a dozen balloons, plastic tableclothes and some other stuff. The whole kits (including tables and chairs) was $66 bucks. B.T.W. We didn't order one but I know they have those Bouncy Houses there, too. Good Deal! Good Service!

Great Catering For a Great Price

metaDAD — Thu, 24 May 2007 11:33:49 -0700

Don't be fooled - Dos Hermanos Catering appears to be just a mysterious storefront situated on the corner of Inglewood and Culver Boulevard in Culver City. It is easy to miss. It is next to the Guadalahara Bakery and Tacomiendo Restaurant, and parking in their wafer-thin (compact?) sized parking spaces is quite a trick. Inside the layout is simple - the front room (tiny storefront) is the office which doubles as paper goods storage which leads to a large (very clean) kitchen with what else but two brother cooking! My wife and I ordered from them recently when we were catering a Sunday celebration for 35 people including lots of kids. We considered having the get-together at one of the (many) surrounding restaurants but couldn't get beyond the price tag (average $17-24 per person including tax and gratuity) which was about $700 for the whole affair. Granted we needed to invest in a few things, like a (30-40 cup) coffee maker, some basic chaffing dishes and other supplies, but it proved to be well worth the effort since we will probably host another shin-dig or two over the coming years. We ordered the Birria and the Chicken Fajitas; with that came an ample supply of corn tortillas, a gigantic freshly-made salad (I watched them prepare it when I came a little early to pick it all up), their own special salad dressign (creamy italian) rice, and beans. All of this for $135! That's $3.80 per person! Now this isn't confirmed, but if I were to guess, I would say the dos hermanos are from the Jalisco area of Mexico (not Spain as some websites imply). Which explains the delicious almost cassoulette-style Chicken Fajita and melt-in-your-mouth quality of the Birria de Res.

Shoop's Delicatesen

metaDAD — Thu, 24 May 2007 09:50:27 -0700

Shoop's is on Main Street in Santa Monica (diagonal) across the street for the ever-pretentious Urth Cafe. Shoop's remind me of the more old-school delicatesen/cafes from my Brooklyn days - very family friendly, a bit cramped, kinda loud, they always forget my toast, the waitresses are constantly walking around you with a pot or regular and decaf and so forth. Perfect for a young family with kids that like to blab and giggle and (occassionally) drop their toast. Oh, and their sausages are to die for and their omelettes are ginormous. Yeah there is probably better breakfasts to be had on Main Street (actually I know there is) but we love the atmosphere and proximity to the beach and more importantly the Santa Monica Beach Parking at the end of Holister (on Ocean Avenue).

Breakfast at Shoop's, Then to the Beach

metaDAD — Thu, 24 May 2007 09:34:47 -0700

I would like to say this is a regular routine for us but since we had Jude (or second child) the morning routine is still a bit spotty on the weekends. This weekend breakfast routine has become something more "special" and less commonplace. Strangley enough, the key to this experience (as locals will certainly know) is to park in the Santa Monica Beach Parking area right on Ocean Avenue, two longish blocks away from Main Street. I know people from L.A. hate to walk but, trying to find parking on Main Street on the weekends is next to impossible. After loading up on a generous-sized breakfast you may appreciate a little walking. Shoop's is on Main Street in Santa Monica (diagonal) across the street for the ever-pretentious Urth Cafe. Shoop's remind me of the more old-school delicatesen/cafes from my Brooklyn days - very family friendly, a bit cramped, kinda loud, they always forget my toast, the waitresses are constantly walking around you with a pot or regular and decaf and so forth. Perfect for a young family with kids that like to blab and giggle and (occassionally) drop their toast. Oh, and their sausages are to die for and their omelettes are ginormous. Yeah there is probably better breakfasts to be had on Main Street (actually I know there is) but we love the atmosphere and proximity to the beach and more importantly the Santa Monica Beach Parking at the end of Holister (on Ocean Avenue). After an early breakfast, we stroll down to the beach. You will find just south of Holister and Ocean (if memory serves me correctly) there is a great playground with a jungle-gym and so forth, right on the beach. Another viable option besides a stroll to the beach is to walk south down Main Street (just beyond the intersection of Rose) to the Farmers Market which has some great flower vendors, and stuff for the kids (the even have a little pony ride thing). Locals know the beach is a great place for people (and kid) watching. There is the bike/running path which rivals the craziness of the bike paths of Central Park (NYC) on the weekend - picture three or four lanes of bikers, roller bladers, roller skaters and walkers all flying up and down a pedestrian path about 12' wide, good times! The best part is you are right on the beach! Short Term Parking is good for up to two or three hours and it is the honor system in terms of paying. There are little ticket machines that you use.

Yellow Balloon Is The Quintessential Cutters

metaDAD — Thu, 24 May 2007 09:06:14 -0700

Now for long-timers here in the metro Los Angeles area, they seem to know all too well about the Yellow Balloon. The Yellow Balloon has locations in West L.A., Studio City, Santa Monica and Arcadia. I know they've been around for awhile - dare I say about 30 years give or take (one of our neighbors who grew up in Burbank said that sweeping the hair clipping at the Studio City location was her first job). What I love about the Yellow Balloon (besides the good hair cuts and decent price) is the fact that they are obviously very experienced with cutting toddlers hair. They know how to keep them amused and distracted. My son got his first hair cut there and has been going ever since - minus a visit or two to SuperCuts and a tramatic visit to a military barber while visiting family (don't ask, I know, he's my first kid, I'm new at this). Anyway, yeah, good distractions - cookie jars at every station, balloons everywhere, a lolli at the end, arcade machines, those cute little rides you usually see parke outside of supermarkets, crayons and coloring books, you name it. They have figured out how to create a positive experience for the tikes. A toddler cut is $14 bucks. And don't be phased by the grumpy guy working the desk, he's actually quite nice after the second or third visit. Oh, and don't forget to grab some quarters before going there.

Palm Spring's Canyon Parks

metaDAD — Wed, 23 May 2007 10:56:44 -0700

I like to hike as much as the next guy, I suppose. It is quite a different activity when you are in blistering heat and have not been blessed with an adequate amount of melanin. That said, I would say consider hiking throughout the band of canyons (Palm, Tahquitz, Murray, Andreas, et al.), nestled in the outskirts of Palm Springs, during the cooler months. We experienced the Palm Canyon during the month of July (we really need to stay out of the desert in the summer months, there's a reason these resorts drop their rates then). In hindsight, the Tahquitz Canyon probably would have been a better pick with its refreshing 60' waterfall. For those of you who are avid hikers and/or very outdoor-sie types, you will really enjoy this any time of the year. I think part of the problem for us was we did not take the guided tour (general admission $8 + $2/3 bucks for the hour long guided tour), I think our experience would have been very different. As far as the level of difficulty (hiking) or grading - I would say it is easy, so you could probably stand to bring a toddler who is old enough to have a good sense of balance. In general it is a nice option to get the kids away from the glitz of Palm Springs and enjoy the surrounding flora and fauna. **Extra: Here's a link I found helpful - http://www.palmsprings.com/points/canyon/

Good Lodging For Groups

metaDAD — Wed, 23 May 2007 10:05:02 -0700

My wife's side of the family is quite large. The previous statement is an understatement. They get together every two years for a family reunion and the average size is about 135 people (including kids). Now this past year, the get-together was a measilly 75 people. The Bavarian Lodge was a good solution. It cost us about $100 a night. We were able to rent the entire Bavarian Manor, which I believe has sixteen rooms and can accomodate up to 42 people, a large kitchen (which we used a lot) a dining hall, family area with a piano and pool room. Just outside the manor are two tennis courts and an in-ground pool. Members of the family (entire families within the reunion) rented other smaller cabins that accomodate up to 5 people and have eat-in kitchens and small livingrooms. The rooms within the Manor are basic - bed, bathroom (clean enough), closet, and TV - although we were not there for the room amenities. We went in the summer time and it was clear to us that this was low season for the lodge and they seemed quite attentive. Now I point this out because I have read other reviews about this place online that describe it as less than desirable, but our brief experience (three nights) was good. There website has a lot of pictures of the different rooms and cabins (inside and out) so check them out. If you have any issues with vertigo, DO NOT take route 330 to the 18, it's a real cliff hanger. Take the 38 instead. Oh, and beware that the drive up takes you from (just above) sea-level to around 7,500 feet so be wary of the altittude affecting you a bit. **Helpful Tip: It is clear that the Big Bear Lake area makes most of its money off tourism. The food and the gas is expensive. If you can, bring your own food.

All Aboard, Next Stop Travel Town

metaDAD — Wed, 23 May 2007 09:36:04 -0700

Now I have to admit, having my son's second birthday party here was not our idea, we were inspired by friends who live in Los Feliz. I think it is fair to say that's how the (kid's) party train goes, right. Our oldest son's birthday is in October and we decided to have it at the Travel Town Museum which is located on the north perimeter of Griffith Park (at the junction of the 5 and 134). We were a little worried because the day started out uncharacteristically overcast, but then it magically cleared up just as family and friends started to arrive. I was over-prepared with collapsable tents and umbrellas and such. I say over-prepared because it was a very pleasant surprise that I was greeted by Travel Town staff that was ready and willing to help me and answer my questions (What?! Really?!), yeah like when does that ever happen? Now we payed like $75 to reserve the gazebo and a deposit of $25 which was promptly returned. I say, "what a bargain!" Seriously. Considering they were ready to help me set up additional banquet tables (part of the package) and get us matches for the BBQ pit. The long and the short of it is - I would highly recommend this place for a kid's birthday. The admission is free, as is the parking (which there is ample amount of parking) and there is even on of thos mini-railroads ($2 a ticket) that takes you around the perimeter of the park. There is also a little museum in the center of the park that has some old vehicles and train cars and so forth. But the real treat is the miniature railway setup they have - the thing is huge. The best part is there are antique train cars that you can rent for birthday parties (and other events I imagine) up to 40 people, how cool is that. I imagine these train cars would be a better bet in the heat of the summer (they're air conditioned) or perhaps during the winter months.

Very Hot in Summer Months

metaDAD — Tue, 22 May 2007 14:36:35 -0700

We went in the begining of July and it was typically hot, very hot. Most of the animals aren't very active in the hot weather, especially during the day. With that in mind, I am very curious about the Beastly Bedtime Sleepovers which is designed for families with children four to seven yrs. old. Dinner, crafts, campfire songs, close-up encounters with some of the wild animals and of course getting a chance to "sleep where the wild things are" - are some of the highlights. It sounds fun but it comes with a price - Mom, Dad and Junior overnight will cost you upward of $300 and change! If money is no object you can do a Premimuim Package (of course) for about $475. During our visit they had the water misters cranked up, did I mention yet that it was really hot. Anyway, the first thing you should do is take the mini-train ride around the park. It will give you a chance to glance at the massive park map while the kids can see zebras, hippos and garaffes roaming free. Of course they have a small petting zoo complete with hand-washing stations (+ soap), and some really nice random fact "stations" were somebody will come out with a strange reptile or bird or sloth and start talking to you about them (as a geeky dad, I totally got of listening to these). My wife really enjoyed the African Aviary section were you can get close to some really stunning tropical birds. The snack bars are centrally located and the $1 refills made it a little easier on the wallet but if you are prudent, I would bring your own. My son really enjoyed the Savanna Cool Zone down by the Heart of Africa section. The Cool Zone is basically a wet play area for toddlers, which is perfectly located since it is furtherest from the park entrance and by then our son was melting. There a few things we either did not have the energy for or just plan passed up but worth mentioning is the BenBough Amphitheater and the Ballon Safari which (I assume) gives a stunning vertical P.O.V. of the park and the surrounding area.

Pack A Lunch, Be Prepared to Get Wet

metaDAD — Tue, 22 May 2007 10:32:58 -0700

I should preface my review with some facts about my family; my oldest is two and a half and the yongest is five months. So that said, I will explain that our weekend down in Carlsbad was surprisingly good. I wasn't sure that there would be enough to do for him considering his age and hieght, but I stand corrected. Yes, Legoland will set you back over a $150 not including lunch but it was a great time for all and the lines weren't bad at all. I used some vacation time, so we were able to go mid-week which makes a world of difference. Which reminds me; learn from our shortcomings and PACK A LUNCH, we did not and we spent $40 for a light lunch (wife, me and babies). I'm talking - a fruit cup, peanut butter and jelly, tuna sandwich (I split with my wife), soda and a water, outrageous! Beyond that, the rides were great. Considering my son was too small for most of the rides (36" minimum), we found plenty to do. He really enjoyed the toddler wet playground (Water Works) by the Pirate Tours Ride. It gave my wife and I a chance to rest our weary feet and take a breather. We found ourselves alternating between sit-down rides (like the Swanboat Ride and Fairy Tale Brook) and the active stuff (like Dig Those Dinos and Firefighters Wanted). Seven hours later, my wife and I had to carry him out of there, asleep on my shoulders. VICTORY!

KidSpace Museum in Pasadena is Worth the Trek

metaDAD — Tue, 22 May 2007 10:02:47 -0700

I have to admit I was not sure if this trip was going to be worth it. I was worried that there would not be enough stuff to engage the attention span of my oldest son (2.5 yr old), but I was pleasantly surprised that I he had a fantastic time at the KidSpace Children's Museum in Pasadena. Like most kids his age it is all about the tactile experience and it seems this museum does a fit job at creating an all encompassing experience for all ages. First off is their kaleidoscopic entrance way, complete with prismic mirrors, lights and a goofy soundscape. There are lots of typical displays for the kids to learn from; cross sections of ant farms, an area where the kids can dig up fossils, live scorpions, and displays on the eating habits of cockroaches and such. As much as he enjoyed all of this stuff (the Climbing Tower was a big hit as well), the pinnacle of the visit for my son was the wet play area in the back of the 3.5 acre park. Fortunately my wife read their website and opted to bring a change of clothes for him. I guarantee we will be going back. It seems as if they're in the process of expanding as well. A friendly tip: pack a lunch and snacks. The Wolfgang Puck Cafe was understaffed and out of many items (and characteristically overpriced).