Category: Happiness
-
Longing for Childhood
As I sit on the floor surrounded by bills that need to be paid, piles of receipts for my tax return that I have yet to file, laundry that needs to be folded, and a term paper that needs to be written I find myself wanting to cry. Then I catch a glimpse of Dylan out of the corner of my eye. He is sitting at the table drawing a comic strip about a marshmallow. The marshmallow who is about to become a s’more over a campfire. Suddenly I find myself laughing and listening to him tell me what will happen next.
Why are we all in such a hurry to grow up? To be independent and free from our parents? Oh, how I remember counting the days until I was 18 and could move out on my own. Freedom. Nobody to tell me what to do or when I had to be home. Now that I am a ‘grown up’ I realize that I also have nobody to cook for me, do my laundry, clean my living room, wash my dishes, buy my food, or pay the bills to keep the television and lights on so I can watch my favorite shows.
I find myself longing for childhood and the carefree days of playing with friends. Not a care in the world except for what game I would play at recess or wondering what my Mom packed in my lunch box.
Take time to be child with your child. Forget about the dishes and the laundry for just one day. Sit on the floor and build LEGO’s, color a picture, go to the park and toss a ball, play a mindless video game, watch Tom and Jerry, whatever makes you feel carefree and childlike. If I can do this just one day a week maybe, just maybe I won’t be longing for childhood so much and the responsibilities of adulthood won’t seem so undesirable.
So again I ask, why are we all in such a hurry to grow up? -
The Ultimate LEGO Experience
Today was the first day of the 3-day Grand Opening Celebration of the new LEGO Store in South Coast Plaza. What better reason is there to take Dylan out of school early than to give him the ultimate LEGO experience? I took the day off work today to relax and free myself from stress, so why not let loose and have some fun! Oh my, I think I was almost as excited as Dylan was. The new LEGO Store is located on the lower level in Carousel Court on the Rainforest Cafe wing.
Before you go into the LEGO Store, be sure to stop by the Master Builder area located right next to the carousel and help build an 8 foot tall Yoda from LEGO’s. There is a Yoda already built that stands about 2 feet tall so the kids can see what the finished product will look like. Stations are set up with friendly LEGO employees to help.
Each brick you build is 4 x 4 and is equal to one normal size LEGO. You can choose from tan, brown, or green bricks … or make one of each like Dylan did!
Once you have built your bricks, you give them to the LEGO Master Builder and he places them where they need to go.
Dylan getting a high-5 as he hands his bricks to the LEGO Master Builder Now, off to the LEGO Store so we can get Dylan’s certificate. Yes, you get an official Master Builder Certificate of Achievement for helping out. (While supplies last)
What a great way to get people into the store right? We spent almost an hour in the store looking at all the displays and deciding what LEGO’s to purchase! Using our VIP card, we were able to earn double points and get a FREE LEGO Universe online game. Dylan was overcome with excitement. Just look at all those LEGO’s!
Also, the first 300 people to visit the store on Saturday, March 12th can receive these Limited Edition Collectible Mini Figures with any $35 purchase.
In the words of Dylan, today was the “Ultimate LEGO Experience” and a day with my son I will always remember.
What is your favorite LEGO memory? -
The Blue and Gold That Was!
Since I posted about the Blue and Gold that wasn’t, I thought it only appropriate to post about the Blue and Gold that was. Last night we attended our first official pack meeting with Dylan’s new Cub Scout Pack 744 and it was amazing! Such a difference from the old pack. Words cannot begin to describe the level of organization, loving families without the gossip, everyone helping and supporting each other, and the simple task of following the Cub Scout guidelines. Dylan was not only asked to stand up as he was welcomed into the new Pack, but his name was printed in the program, and the Den Leader presented him with all of his achievements he earned in the old pack.
Receiving his achievements 
His bag full of belt loops, pins, and patches! Also, there was a leader leaving and all the boys gave her a rose. On the ribbon of the rose was something nice she had done for the boys and each boy read it as he handed her the rose. Dylan’s rose read, “Although I didn’t get the chance to learn from you I am happy to meet you and wish you luck” … now that was cool! They took the time to make Dylan feel like part of the Den from the get go.
Dylan’s new Cub Scout friends The Pack even decorated a chalkboard so that Dylan would have a place to display his posters he made.
Guess he couldn’t stop eating the cake long enough for a picture 
This poster had to explain the food chain of an endangered animal. 
The 6 elements of the Leave No Trace Pledge We LOVE our new Cub Scout Pack 744 -
The simple things …
Today was Dylan’s day and somehow it turned out to be one of the best days I have had in a long time. Nothing really planned out, just a few errands to run and then play at the park. Our day started at GameStop because Dylan saw a commercial on television that said you could bring in your DS and Pokemon Platinum game and get a free mystery Pokemon downloaded to your game. This made him happy. Then off to the Scouting store to buy a bigger shirt and some patches we needed. Nothing too exciting. Next it was off to the park to play a little football. Yes, I said football. Believe it or not, I have a pretty good arm and even surprised my Dad that I knew how to hold a football properly.
Practicing his form 
Seconds before he threw the ball down … Touchdown! Listening to Dylan give play by plays and instructing me what to do was hilarious. I told him he should try playing football and he said no because they get tackled. So I suggested he try Quarterback since they don’t get tackled as much. He still said no. He just wants to play for fun. Fine with me because I don’t want to watch my baby being tackled. As we got in the car to leave he said, “Mom, that was awesome!” Totally made my day. Today was such a beautiful day too … perfect for tossing the ball around.
Next it was off to Downtown Disney for a visit to the LEGO Store. Dylan realized he needed a few things to complete what he has been working on. Good thing Grandma and Grandpa were with us because his eyes were bigger than his wallet.
The infamous Death Star, a mere $399 No, Dylan did not get the Death Star! Although, he has been asking for this for two years now with the same enthusiasm … if he keeps it up, Santa just might bring it to him one year. What made this trip to the LEGO Store so special is Dylan had his new wallet and was ready to spend his coveted $12. Today we also joined the LEGO VIP Club and now earn points toward every purchase made in the store or online.
Creating with his new Legos While Dylan was searching the store for his purchases I was mentioning to my Mom that I couldn’t believe they had not opened a Lego store at South Coast Plaza. Ironically, when we got home and I was online registering our new VIP card I did a search for store locations … and guess what? Next week (March 11-13) is the Grand Opening of the LEGO Store at South Coast Plaza! Some really cool events will be going on during the Grand Opening, including an opportunity for kids to help a Lego Master Builder build an 8 foot tall Yoda out of LEGO’s that will be displayed in the store. This is definitely going on our calender!
Take the time to enjoy the simple things in life.
When was the last time you enjoyed the simple things with your child? -
Our Newest Neighbors
Today started off just like any other day. Running late, rushing out the door, grab the backpack, purse, keys, coffee … Go, Go, Go … we are late. We make it into the car at 7:20am, only 5 minutes behind schedule, not too bad. As we are driving out of the complex Dylan says, “Mom, is that a Bobcat?” I’m thinking what did he just say? So I stop the car and look out the window. Sure enough, two little Bobcats are sitting on top of the wall that divides the complex from the fields leading out to the Back Bay. I said, “Um, yes they are” and I put the car in reverse so Dylan could get a really good look at them. He said, “Mom, aren’t we going to be late?” … “Yes, we are Dylan, but this is worth it.” Knowing how much my son loves animals I could not pass this up.
Of course this is the one day I don’t have my camera with me! The Bobcats were just sitting there on the wall watching us. The quiet and peaceful atmosphere with morning mist filling the air made this a very cool experience for both of us. As I am reaching in my purse to get my phone out, thinking I can take a picture with my phone, about 10 crows fly out of tree making all kinds of noise and the Bobcats jump off the wall, back into the fields.
Bummer, no picture.
We live right next to a trail that I often run on and Dylan and I have walked on many times. We see this sign everyday as we leave the complex, but never really think anything about it. We think differently now and are happy to have such cute new neighbors living just over the barrier wall. Seeing animals in the zoo is nothing compared to experiencing wild animals in their natural habitat.
-
Happy Reader
If you follow this blog, you probably already know how much Dylan loves to read. So you can only imagine how much he loves visiting the library. We are very lucky to have a wonderful library only 5 minutes from the house and we visit the Newport Beach Public Library at least twice a month. He gets so excited when we walk in that he runs for the children’s section. I have to keep reminding him that along with no loud voices, there is no running in the library. He knows right where the animal section is and has recently learned how to use the computers to find books he wants to read.
The public library is such a wonderful place to take your children. Rain or shine, the library is a place where children can learn and get lost in a world of reading. Libraries can also help teach children responsibility when they check out books to take home.
Checking out his books Only a few books this week … Notice a theme?
How often do you take your children to the public library? -
Cool Cuts for a Cool Kid
Dylan has disliked haircuts since his very first one and we have tried everything from Mom cutting his hair to Supercuts to overpriced salons. Since he likes to wear his hair a little on the long side, his hair doesn’t need to be cut as often and this helps. But his hair is so thick that it can start to look a little ‘bushy’ and ‘shaggy’ … he has the perfect ‘girl hair’ we all dream of. Well, today I just couldn’t take it anymore and told him we were getting his hair cut. I thought we would give another kids salon a try; one that we have not been to before, but that I have heard good things about. So we headed over to Cool Cuts 4 Kids on 17th Street in Costa Mesa.
Front View Before 
Back View Before Wow, this place is COOL! Video games at each station for the kids to play while they get haircuts. And the lady was so good about not getting in his way when she was cutting his hair. I am impressed. Dylan sat there for a full 20 minute haircut without flinching, whining, crying, complaining … nothing but silence. This place has it all figured out and with very reasonable prices. ($19)
Haircut is done, but Dylan is still playing his video game! 
Dylan is happy and Mom is happy. I definitely recommend Cool Cuts 4 Kids.Where do you take your kids for haircuts?
Life with Dylan 