Beach Fest

This weekend we went to the Port Hueneme Beach Festival in Ventura. It was a lot of fun - and not just because it was free! Ava ate her first shave ice and Audrey had a great time hanging out in the grass. The festival happens every year, and is perfect for families.

www.porthuenemebeachfest.org

Never Too Young

After a recent trip to Mammoth Mountain in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., I returned to the office gushing about how much fun I had. It wasn’t my first time there, or even my second. In fact, I am up there so frequently that I think my coworkers were surprised I was so excited about my trip. What was all the fuss about? Mammoth Mountain’s Adventure Center, which offers a bevy of activities such as mountain biking, scenic gondola rides, ziplining and a climbing wall.
We had gone up to visit the Adventure Center with our two small children, so even though we could have taken turns mountain biking and watching the kids, my husband and I had planned to just hike around Devil’s Postpile National Monument, where visitors can take short hikes to the monument, swim in the river and hike up to Rainbow Falls. We also thought we would ride the gondola to the top of Mammoth Mountain and check out the Interpretive Center — and that was about it.
When we got to the Adventure Center, however, Ava, my 2-year-old, ran straight to the zipline, where there was a line of older kids – all at least over 4 – waiting their turns. She carefully watched as the kids zipped down from a 20-foot platform, and I knew she wanted to climb up there and go herself, and I wondered how to explain to a 2 year old that she was too young without enduring a tantrum. So I just started to lead her away. She cried. She stomped her feet and then a woman came over and told us that Ava wasn’t too little, and I was shocked. I guess I should have asked first, but, bad parent that I am, I just assumed.
So, we got her a harness that surprisingly fit and a helmet that was WAY too big and off she went. And with the utmost determination and more patience than I have ever seen her display, she negotiated the step ladder all the way to the top of the platform, waited her turn and then zoom….off she went!
Afterward, she headed straight for the climbing wall and 10 minutes later, she was hanging 25 feet in the air, at the very top, smiling for a picture.
http://www.mammothmountain.com/

Parking It Poolside

Every year the Fourth rolls around and the heat wave kicks in and I, like everyone else in the Valley, want to make a break for the beach. I envision cool breezes, cold drinks and palm trees — but in reality, what I find is traffic jams, sunburnt children and a purse filled with sand.

This year, I vowed that it would be different — and to my amazement — I discoverd that you can find cool breezes, cold drinks and palm trees in the Valley...you just have to find someone who has a pool.

My brother-in-law helped us out in this capacity, and my husband and two daughters and I spent a relaxing three days less than a 1/4-mile from our house soaking up the rays, a rare gust of the santa ana's or two and juice boxes galore for Fourth of July. Party on America!

Club Med Deal

My family is a huge fan of Club Med and their kids' clubs. Our two-year-old daughter adored all the staff in Ixtapa and Punta Cana. I would recommend these locations to any parents traveling with young children. The kids clubs in both these locations offer opportunites for parents to enjoy some alone time and for kids to meet, play and interact with children from around the world. And Club Med has a new offer:

Starting July 1, Club Med is offering a $99 sale and
invites guests to discover indigenous cuisine, innovative children’s programs,
newly renovated accommodations and more starting at $99 per person. Award
winning children’s clubs, for children ages four years and up, are included in
the promotion as well as a variety of land and water activities for both adults
and children (from sailing and tennis to flying trapeze lessons). Participating
properties include Club Med Sandpiper, Florida; Cancun Yucatan, Mexico; Ixtapa
Pacific, Mexico; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Turkoise, Turks & Caicos;
Columbus Isle, Bahamas; Caravelle, Guadeloupe and Buccaneer's Creek, Martinique;
rates start at $99 per person, per night based on double occupancy and require a
three-night minimum stay. The $99 SALE is available for booking July 1
through August 31, 2009 for travel from July 4 through April 24, 2010.

www.clubmed.us

Five Fun Trips With the Family

From TravelAgeWest.com:

It’s funny, but I can’t remember a time in my life when travel wasn’t a big part of it. Ever since I was a kid, I feel like I have been packing a bag to go one place or another — be it on a business trip or for vacation or backpacking through Europe. However, 2008 was a significant year in travel for me — it was the first year that I would travel with my daughter. She, like me, will hopefully never remember a time in her life when her bags weren’t packed, ready to head off for some fun or exotic destination. So, here are some of my favorite adventures from 2008 – with and without the family.

Read the full article at TravelAgeWest.com

What Happens in Vegas

Lessons learned on Vegas trip number two - it's not always the kids you have to watch out for, and sometimes two-year-olds can be embarassing.

While watching out for my two daughters, I managed to misplace my phone, forget my camera in the hotel room and lose my favorite sweater. Not to mention the fact that I was running around with baby spit up on my dress. I'm thinking no one noticed, either that or my friends are really mean. I guess I'm the one who needed looking out for on this trip.

And in the vast wisdom of the universe, I did finally learn my lesson that everything you say your young children will repeat. While we were innocently trying to teach our daughter, Ava, that every fart isn't a poop (We were a little sick of changing "poopy" diapers), we now know she got the message, a fact we learned when she proudly announced to an entire wedding party - at the top of her lungs just before they marched down the aisle - that she farted...and farted and farted. "Me fart, me fart....ME FART!" is still ringing in my ears - and probably everyone elses. Thank god our friends love us!!
Next up: A weekend of rest!!

En-Listed

I surprised myself this weekend - or more accurately, this past week. I took a road trip to Vegas with both kids in tow and managed not to forget anything major. Now, I can't say enough about list-making...and that's something I never thought I would say - or become! But nonetheless, I made a list, checked it twice and off we went in the new van to Vegas and the only thing we were missing was a swimsuit for Little A - and then, do they really make swimsuits for 3-month-olds? In my defense, I'm going to say no. Go lists!!
-Neen
Next time: Can we survive two weekends in Vegas in a row?