Back to Kidspace (with video)

Back again. You will notice the pictures are usually from the walk up as we are too busy playing for pictures once we get inside.

But this time I included some video below (please excuse the abrupt ending).

When you come visit us, we'll take you!

4th of July - part 2

Almost forgot -- one of the best parts of the parade was the crazy dancing old guy from the Six Flags Commercial was there -- awesome!!!

4th of July - part 1

Our first 4th of July in the new house. Drew was on deadline but the girls decided to go check out the local parade. We missed the 6am pancake breakfast (had our own at home)....but found the parade route right before the 9am start.

I did not know what to expect and felt a little underprepared amidst the sea of chairs and blankets already set up.

Luckily a family, in the shade of a large tree (which was key), took pity on us and let us share their blanket -- so we had excellent, shady seats on the best corner of the parade route.

Oola was pretty excited. There were a lot of vehicles - fire engines, ambulences, police cars and motorcyles and then collector clubs (Model T's, Shelbys, Jeeps) - and it was noisy. There were a few floats with music and dancers and only a couple that threw candy.







Oola was happy to try her hand at commentating.

She rated the floats as they went by.

We stayed almost to the end and resolved next year to get there a wee bit earlier to stake out the same spot.


Happy 4th of July!!!

At the park

Ok -- so it finally got hot here. From about Labor Day until the 4th of July it's actually really nice -- but the late summer is Africa hot here in the SCV - Santa Clarita Valley.

While out exploring, Oola and I found Central Park -- one of the only parks with a covered playground. The park is huge and the play area is surrounded by packed soccer fields and baseball diamonds.

I bring some sand toys and we play in the sand, practice climbing and sliding down one of many slides.

Oola is becoming very adept at climbing stairs and likes to swing on the bars.

We have a good time at the park!

Posers

Abba and her cousin, Katherine, have been visiting while they are off for the summer. Abba had a busy end of the school year, starring in a school play and then recently celebrating her birthday. Oola enjoys having them both around and sometimes is disappointed when I come home and all the crazy fun comes to an end.

On Wednesdays, Oola generally joins some kids from the old neighborhood for a playdate at Jacko's house. Quite a gang.

Dance Fever

One of the things I love about Claudia and her family is that they bring so much music into our lives. Abba is a talented singer and Claudia and the girls are always singing and dancing with Oola. She is quickly developing a love of all things musical - singing, dancing, microphones, guitars, banjos, drums and can spot an ipod a football field away. The musical stylings of ABBA are still her favorite though she's been known to get down to some latin house music. Here she is dancing with Jauncy - Claudia's little niece - at Claudia's house. Whenever she visits, it quickly turns into a dance party with Oola in the center.

Kidspace - visit 4

Love this place. It's outdoor and indoor, hot and shady, wet and dry. As long as we bring snacks, a towel and extra clothes -- it is a blast.

Oola really likes the climbing wall and is actually getting pretty good on her own. She is fearless!

Kidspace - visit 3

Ok we've subsequently become members because we really enjoy the Kidspace Museum in Pasadena. It's by the Rosebowl and there's always a ton to do. Like find sticks and run with them.

Oola is enjoying a snack before the show about bumblebees - and how they communicate through dance. We've gone a few times and she likes the "make the honey' dance -- which involves crouching down, rubbing your shins and hopping while you say "make the honey, make the honey." It's pretty fun -- and a good workout.

She likes to play in the stream and then at the top visit the egret and a fox.

At the very top of the gardens is a climbing wall (with a bell!) which we highlight in upcoming posts!

A Visit to the Tar Pits

One cloudy Sunday, Oola and I went to see the La Brea Tar Pits and stroll around the Page Museum. While it was cool we explored around outside.

We watched the tar gurgle as it surrounds fake animals. We enjoyed a banjo player playing while Oola danced. Inside the museum are woolly mammoths and lots of animal bones and scientists cleaning and repairing other artifacts. There's a cool atrium too with a small stream and live turtles. The trip was inspired by Curious George's Dinosaur Discovery story; though I think the most memorable part was the banjo.

Chuckie Cheese

Almost every Friday brings a visit to Chuckie Cheese. Claudia meets here sister, Patty and a few other friends to eat, drink and win tokens......supposedly no pizza is being eaten though I suspect otherwise because who can resist pizza! Oola loves Patty's laugh and talks about her often.

Swim Class

In June, Oola graduated from Infant Swim to Baby Swim and is on her way to "shark" level.

She loves going to the pool and especially likes her instructor, Cassie. She has learned to kick, go under water, grab the wall and pull herself out of the pool and 'wall walk" her way to the steps. Oh and she's an exceptional floater.

Here's Oola getting ready to go!

Happy Easter

Spring has sprung and the Easter Bunny did find our house. Thanks to Oma for the cute cards! And we did put together a brief Easter egg hunt and a small basket though it really just seemed like any other Sunday to Oola. Drew had the right idea to keep the hunt short and indoors (a few eggs was plenty) and I had the genius idea to fill them with fruit loops and raisins which were a big hit. Here's the hunt:

Drew was in charge of making sure all the eggs were found

Tippy-toes means someone is having fun

This is the sign for "egg" (like an egg breaking)

Then it was off to the park to enjoy the day before an afternoon nap. I like this picture because it looks like she is headed to an important meeting.

Happy Easter everyone!

Noah's Ark

There is a fantastic interactive children's exhibit at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, inspired by the story of Noah's Ark. At the beginning, everyone sits in a circle and listens as the docent tells the story and even adds sound effects with a rain stick. Then, it's off to explore a land of animals --- there are zebras and elephants and giraffes all made to move and spin.
In one room there were machines that simulated the storm -- you could make it thunder, make it rain or make the leaves fly up a tube -- which Oola liked to do.


Another room had these great whole arm animal puppets and then a minature ark with animal figurines for playing. Yet another room was for climbing and jumping and then the last room was full of musical instruments for an impromptu jam session.

We could have stayed much longer and hopefully will go back soon (it's free on Thursdays). We did take a little time to explore the grounds. Below Oola is doing the sign for 'bird' -- though probably not the best shot.


Oola's language ability has just exploded in the last month -- she is signing and speaking English and Spanish. She know her colors and is learning to recognize numbers and the alphabet (favorite letters "O" and "Y"). Drew, Claudia and I are teaching her to say her name. The family still can understand her better than strangers -- but even strangers can understand most of what she is trying to communicate. Now that she can make us understand what she wants, she seems a little more frustrated when we do not give it to her (like watching the old Sesame Street ladybug picnic video -- You Tube is now banned).


Still the talking is great fun. And she remains a good humored, spirited and curious little girl.

Happy 1st Birthday, Karlee!

My friend, Dina, had a 1st birthday party for her daughter, Karlee, a couple of weeks ago. It was a huge affair -- lots of food, family and even a bounce house! Here's the birthday girl, pretty in pink!

Posing for guests

And patiently waiting and sharing her toys while waiting for CAKE!

Oola and I really enjoyed being able to visit.

Karlee is lucky to have so many friends and family to help her celebrate. Thanks again to Dina and David for the invite and for the terrific goodie bag. It was great to see Karlee. Oola loves meeting new people and liked wearing a dress for a change.

Yes, she owns a dress

Jumping Genius

This winter, Claudia found an indoor playground they sometimes visit during the week when it is too cold to be outside.

This is one corner of the room - just imagine

There are lots of toys to ride on and play with

There is a little house with a kitchen and, of course, a bounce house


Claudia sometimes goes with her sister, Patty, as evidenced by Oola's hair do. Patty can get her to sit still long enough for these complicated braids and beautiful hair styles.

You will not see this on the weekend

And, who can resist the pit of balls

It's definitely a good time and I'm grateful to Claudia for being an explorer too.