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Daily Life

First Hike of the Season

Posted on September 22, 2018

First hike of the season! We probably should have waited a couple more weeks because it was HOT and we ran out of water for the last (and hardest) mile, but it felt so good to be back out there! The kids didn’t notice the water was gone (maybe because they were the ones who drank it all and were already hydrated) but Jason and I were struggling!

We work out much less in the summer because it’s just too hot.

We work out much less in the summer because it’s just too hot. Jason started swimming recently but I have been l-a-z-y! And lazy fitness for me also means lazier eating, less motivation, and not feeling as good mentally. I’m happy that the weather is cooling down and I will be able to jog and hike more frequently again. (Yes, I know I could suck it up and still do things in the summer, but I hate being miserable during a workout.)

It’s steep (about 700 feet up in 3/4 of a mile) but it’s short (just under 3.5 miles)

We definitely started the season with a bang going straight to Car Wreck. It’s steep (about 700 feet up in 3/4 of a mile) but it’s short (just under 3.5 miles) so we can still do it with the kids. K can hike and climb on her own and then we take turns with IB in the carrier (which sucks on the up.) Already feeling better having gotten our first hike under my belt though and excited for more to come! Hopefully we’ll get some nice 65 degree days soon. Who else loves hiking?!

ExploreLongBeach

Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific

Posted on July 15, 2018

Our aquarium visit was: 20% looking at aquatic life, 40% playing outside in the water, 10% crying because the other sibling was being lifted up to look at an exhibit, 10% whining about the heat, 10% bumping into the stroller and spilling Mom’s beer, and 10% eating snacks, but overall, the kids had a blast.

Penguins, sea lions, frogs, all types of fish, sharks, and rays

The Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific is one of our favorite outings because there is so much to do for all ages.  There is obviously a ton of aquatic life.  Penguins, sea lions, frogs, all types of fish, sharks, and rays.  There are touch tanks for sea anemones, starfish, stingrays, sharks and jellyfish.  There is a lorikeet forest where you can purchase nectar and the birds will land on you to eat it.

There are puppet shows, animal feeding and training shows, and also short movies

In addition to the exhibits, there is so much more to do.  There is a shaded area with tables that has coloring pages and crayons for kids.  There is a really cool splash pad outside that is half shaded and half in the sun that my kids love.  Some days we go and all they do is play in the water.  There’s a boat that is perfect for climbing and a few other animal models to climb on.  There are puppet shows, animal feeding and training shows, and also short movies (for a small additional fee.)  And there’s also beer for adults!

We have an annual pass and we go at least once a week and never get bored. 

We have an annual pass and we go at least once a week and never get bored.  I would definitely recommend visiting if you are local to Southern California, and purchasing a pass if you plan to go at least twice a year.

Daily Life

Katie’s new 2 wheeled Razor Scooter!

Posted on May 16, 2018

She’s doing an awesome job on 2 wheels! We bought K her first Razor scooter a few months before she turned 2. It was the Folding Kiddie Kick Scooter (at bottom of page) and she LOVED it. She spent countless hours scooting up and down the bluff while Jason and I walked alongside her. Now that she is getting older, her balance has improved and she wants to go faster! The kiddie scooter is perfect for learning to turn and learning to balance, but it isn’t made to go that fast because it’s for kids.

We love that Razor scooters are small, portable, and foldable

This week, Razor Scooters sent us this new 2 wheeled scooter (the A3 Scooter – recommended for ages 5 and up) and Katie is taking off! She loves scooting because she can get out and be active while also learning and improving a skill. We love that Razor scooters are small, portable, and foldable (because we live in the city and space is at a premium!) And if she scoots somewhere, it’s easy to fold it up and put in the stroller while we play at the park, or carry it around a store while we shop. I would definitely recommend these scooters to moms of toddlers and young kids. They are fun, convenient, and the perfect level of challenging.

Daily Life

1 Year Ago today…. 39 weeks pregnant with Isabelle

Posted on May 8, 2018

What a difference a year can make! Here I am 39 weeks pregnant with Isabelle! 1 year ago right around this time, I was having my c section. I remember driving there and being so full of worry. Partly about the surgery and recovery, but also about what a new baby would mean to our family. How could I love another baby as much as I love Katie? How would Katie feel about our new family member? Would my relationship with Katie change? Was I selfish for bringing another baby into our family and forcing Katie to split the attention? How on earth would I manage 2 kids?!

How could I love another baby as much as I love Katie? How would Katie feel about our new family member? Would my relationship with Katie change? 

It’s so funny looking back now. Even in the beginning, it felt partly like Isabelle was brand new, but also like she had always been a part of our family. Yes, the girls fight over toys sometimes and there are days where it seems like someone is always crying, but watching them roll around together laughing reminds me that having them was the best thing that has ever happened to me. The days can be long and hectic, but my heart is always full. And just as these worries from last year are gone, I try to remember my present worries are not so big that they won’t be gone this time next year too.

Daily Life ExploreLongBeach

EPIC Series Obstacle Race

Posted on May 6, 2018

The ultimate EPIC Sunday Funday! Almost exactly 1 year after my c-section and I am so proud to have just finished my first EPIC series obstacle race. It was the perfect mixture of challenging but still achievable (even for someone who may have neglected to do weights for almost a month.)

Almost exactly 1 year after my c-section and I am so proud to have just finished my first EPIC series obstacle race

I loved that this race was so obstacle-heavy, and also that each obstacle had the option to do beginner, intermediate, and hard variations. I stuck with beginner and intermediate and am feeling like I’m on top of the world, and also a little bit like I got hit by a truck.(If you look through the photos, you will see the “hit by a truck” look on my face towards the end! But in a good “I’m a badass” kind of way.)

If you look through the photos, you will see the “hit by a truck” look on my face towards the end! But in a good “I’m a badass” kind of way

It felt so good to push myself in different ways for each obstacle. Running and climbing come really easily to me, so I was able to breeze through those obstacles. Climbing the rope and hoisting the keg with a pulley were great intermediate challenges because they were hard and different, but I still did okay. The upper body challenges were the toughest for me.

Does anyone else cry after really intense workouts or am I a total weirdo?

Carrying the keg around the track for that last lap was brutal! I couldn’t even get it onto my shoulders without help! But once it was on there, I made my way around the track and finished. And totally cried at the end out of pride and relief. (Does anyone else cry after really intense workouts or am I a total weirdo?) If you are looking for a fitness challenge, definitely check out the Epic course in your city. You can use promo code PARENTDAZE for 10% off at any of their events in 2018!  Here is their link! https://www.epicseriesocr.com/

Did I mention there was a kids’ course too?  For $20, Katie got to participate in the kids’ EPIC course!  She loved learning new workouts and testing her limits.  And I loved sharing this fitness experience with her.  It was a great opportunity for the whole family to enjoy fitness together.  And watching Katie made me realize I need to improve my planking!  Hers is on point!