The Nature of Disneyland

For most people, including myself, the first thing that comes to mind when we hear the word Disneyland is Mickey Mouse. Then we think about the rides, and the popcorn, the parades, and of course the childhood memories that have now become adult memories made with our own children.

On a recent visit to Disneyland I sort of zoned out and looked around me.
Not at the people, or the rides, but at the beauty that is Walt Disney... the Nature of Disneyland.

Wordless Wednesday - When Disney Collides

The OC Children's Book Festival is Back!

If your kids love books, then you need to attend the Orange County Children's Book Festival this Sunday, October 2nd  ... I have taken Dylan every year for the past 3 years and he absolutely loves it!

There is something about a new book when you first open it and you feel the spine loosen a bit. The smell of the pages. The beautifully illustrated pages. Children's books are the best!

I'm in Print Today!

Today may be just another Tuesday for most of you, but not for me and Dylan. Today an article I wrote for OC Moms made it in print. Page 3 of the Life section in today's Orange County Register you can find my article about tips for visiting the Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch.

When I showed Dylan the newspaper this morning he said, "My Mom is famous!" Well, not famous honey ... more like accomplished  and recognized. Either way, it's a big day in our house.

If you don't get the paper, you can still read the article online.

Are You Ready for Another Manic Monday?

About a month ago I started posting Manic Monday pictures after a friend of mine inspired me to be more real with my postings and honest with my readers. Since then, I have had several comments and private e-mails thanking me for letting these Mom's know that they are not alone.

Fill In The Blank Friday

What Makes You Smile?

1. The best thing I did all week was ... See Dolphin Tale.
2. Dolphins ... make me super happy.
3. Pets are ... great, but a lot of work.
4. My son, Dylan ... is the best thing about my life. 
5. With the cooler weather I am looking forward to ... wearing my big cozy sweaters.
6. Something that's on my "wish list" right now is ... a new laptop. 
7. This weekend I am going to ... relax, do some writing, and curl up on the couch. I may squeeze in some house cleaning too.

Share your random thoughts in the comments below 

or over at the little things we do ...

Fall Weather + Pumpkins = Halloween Fun!

Recently Dylan and I got to spend the day at the Irvine Park Railroad's Pumpkin Patch, which is located inside the Irvine Regional Park, and we had the most amazing day! The weather was cool, the leaves were turning colors, and the smell of hay filled the air. A couple weeks ago I wrote an article for OC Moms about the Pumpkin Patch, so I thought it was only fitting that Dylan and I be there opening day.

From face painting to hay rides to John Deere tractor races ... we laughed, we talked, and we lost all track of time ... this was one of the best days we have had in a while. Once we walked through the fence, it's as if we were transported out of Orange County and into a land of Midwest meets Halloweentown.

If you are not familiar with the Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch, you can read my article over at OC Moms ... this is something you can't miss if you live in Orange County. The best way I can describe what you can expect is through pictures ... the memories you will create will be priceless!

        

Looks like fun doesn't it? If you are planning on visiting the Pumpkin Patch, be sure to check out these helpful Mom Tips and after you visit you can share your pictures with the Orange County Register.

Wordless Wednesday - Italian Stare Down

Grandma's 90th Birthday!

Last week was my Grandma's 90th birthday and the entire family got together on Sunday to celebrate this milestone in her life ... Italian style! The family took over a back room at Lascari's Restaurant in Whittier. We may be a wacky bunch, but we know how to eat and laugh and we know the meaning of family!


The food was amazing, but I would expect nothing less!

gnocchi with brown butter and garlic

lasagna, just like Grandma makes

cheese ravioli

Aside from the food, we were here to celebrate a birthday. The woman who raised me because my mom worked full-time and was a single mother ... much like me now ... has spent 90 years on this planet. Ironic how history repeats itself. I hope Dylan has a bond as strong as I do with my Grandma with my Mom when he is older.

Manic Monday - Laundry Day

Well, I guess I should be happy that I got the laundry done at all.
It's folded, that's a plus ... but my bed is covered, not so good.

picture taken at 11:34 p.m. on Sunday

Putting it away ... well, that will just have to wait for now. Looks like I will be sleeping in Dylan's room tonight.

Finally Some Clarity In My Life

I'm not sure exactly when it happened, but sometime over the past two days I got clarity on what I want from my life ... what I want to portray through this blog ... and what I will and won't do.

I will continue to talk about brands that I like, that I use, and products that I hope your family will try based on an honest review that I give. Maybe you will try a recipe that I post and maybe you won't. That's ok. This blog is for me. I write about what I want to write about with hopes that you will enjoy reading it.

I now have clarity on what is important to me. My son and the happiness of my family comes first. I will continue to put everything I have into my business because I believe that Shel Comsetics deserves nothing less. Writing for OC Moms is enjoyable and I love the team of writers that I work with. They are real people with real lives that I can relate to.

You will see some changes over the next few weeks to Life with Dylan and I hope that you like them as much as I will. This blog is about my Life with Dylan ... what we do and places we go ... how I survive motherhood and juggle multiple jobs. It's about time I got back to writing about these things the way I intended to when I first started this blog!

Fill In The Blank Friday

If Only Life Were This Simple ...

1. You should always take time to ... appreciate the little things in life.
2. Good friends, real friends ... make(s) the world a happier place to be.
3. I can hardly wait for ... Dolphin Tale to be in theaters.
4. Saturday ... is my favorite day of the week. 
5. Something dumb and ridiculous that I totally love is ... dancing in my living room with my son.
6. If I could, I would ... stop time and keep Dylan my little boy forever. 
7. I rather like ... feeling the sand beneath my toes.

Share your random thoughts in the comments below 

or over at the little things we do ...

Mom Guilt

I have heard that the secret to a happy marriage is never go to bed angry. This may be true.

However, today I learned something even more important. Never leave the house angry in the morning.

Today had to be one of the worst days ever as a Mom. I was having a bad morning and I was running late for work. Rather than stay calm, I proceeded to take out my frustrations on my son. He wasn't tying his shoes fast enough, his lunch wasn't ready, his homework wasn't in his backpack.

Wordless Wednesday - Reminiscing (2006) He has Always Loved Nature

Manic Monday - Dylan's Room

Bed torn apart, clothes piled sky high, books on the floor and LEGO's strategically placed where Mom can step on them ...

I can only imagine what his room will look like when he is a teenager. Probably not much different except the clothes will be bigger and the books will be textbooks.

My home isn't perfect and that's ok.

Eli's Lids Giveaway!

I know that many of my readers are familiar with Eli's Lids and those of you who are not ... You should be! These "Lids" have got to be the coolest thing ever. Sun, surf, snow, and skate ... no matter what your outdoor activity, Eli's Lids has something for you.

Much like myself, the owner of Eli's Lids had a difficult time finding cute and stylish hats for her son. The difference between Kara Noel and I ... I searched hundreds of stores and she created Eli's Lids! These snowboard hats are perfect for a boy or a girl and come in two sizes. Newborn - 1 year and 1-5 years. Unlike most hats that your child will outgrow every 6 months, Eli's Lids are made with Lycra and will stretch to fit the shape of your child's growing head without stretching out and losing their shape.

Never Forget

On this 10 year anniversary of the attack on our country and the loss of so many lives, I find myself lost in thought ... pictures and memories flashing through my mind. Remembering where I was, the somber day at work, watching the news all day long, and how many people I knew had lost loved ones in the Towers and on that Pennsylvania field.

Dylan's Famous!

Well, famous in his own mind ...

I was recently asked by OC Family to share a recipe that I make for my family through a recipe swap. I knew it was going in the magazine, but didn't tell Dylan. You can imagine his surprise and excitement when I showed him his picture in a real magazine!

The recipe also ran in IE Family. You can view the write up and recipe for Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas here (page 44)

Cub Scout Time Again!

After taking a break from Cub Scouts this summer, it's time to get out the uniform and prepare for another fun year of scouting. This year, Dylan is a Bear Cub and he couldn't be more excited.

To kick off the new year, the pack took part in a beach cleanup at Big Corona to show our community that Cub Scouts believe strongly in Leaving No Trace Behind. The beach cleanup was a huge success and of course all the boys enjoyed roasting hot dogs and s'mores afterward.

You can read all about the impact these boys made in the article I wrote over at OC Moms for The Orange County Register.

Go Cub Scouts!!

Wordless Wednesday - My Serenity

First Day of School

Well, it's official. My little boy is all grown up and a big 3rd grader. I think this is the first year he is actually bigger than the backpack! He was so excited to start school that he just walked (or should I say ran) to the car this morning.

When he got home from school I asked him what is favorite thing was about 3rd grade. His response ... I get a real math book! Not the kind you tear the pages out of. And even cooler, I get my very own planner!

Such a proud mom!

Manic Monday

A friend of mine, Pam Brashear, recently wrote an amazingly honest article for OC Moms about how she is taking a break from reading blogs because what she reads is depressing. The perfect homes, the fancy meals, pictures of family vacations .. you get the idea.

Well, Pam threw out an idea on Facebook and I decided to go with it. So here is the first of hopefully many "Manic Monday" posts.

This is my living room ... on a good day!

I'm not perfect, and I'm sure many of you are not either. Join me and share your real life Manic Monday pictures. Let's show the world that we are real people with real chaos in our lives.

Pam, Thanks for saying what many of us could not and for inspiring me to be as honest as possible with my readers.

Another Successful Baking Project

What's more fun than making a cake for your child's birthday? Not much, but making these cakes and cupcakes for my friend Roxanne's son Sam was a blast! Sure the baking insanity took over my life for two nights and the 30 minute car ride to the party was filled with anxiety that the cake would be destroyed ... but his smile when he said "Light-neen M-keen" and "May-ter" was so worth it all.

Photos courtesy of Roxanne Hack.

Good-bye Summer, Until We Meet Again ...

I can't believe summer is over and my little boy will be starting 3rd grade in just two days. Where did the time go?
It seems like the older I get, the faster the years go by ... and the more I wish I could freeze time. My cuddly little boy is growing up so fast.

As I look at school pictures from the past 3 years, my mind is flooded with memories and my heart is filled with love. Through pictures like these, I can freeze time ... at least in my mind.