DIY Toddler Closet Update

Early this year I posted JD's new and improved closet, you can see it here.  Since then I've made a few updates and added some color!  The closet was originally painted in flat paint which tends to get very dirty, so I decided to repaint the entire closet in semi-gloss.  I thought it would also be fun to add some color while I was at it, and allowed JD to pick the color (Behr New Green)!

We Love Reptiles!

I’m always amazed at how many interesting people I meet through blogging and Instagram!  A little over a month ago I posted a picture on Instagram of JD visiting a leopard gecko (he really wants a lizard) at our local pet store.  This picture led to some really informative and fun Instagram conversations with Erik from Geckotropolis, a local leopard gecko breeder, member of S.C.H.A.&R . (Southern California Herpetology Association & Rescue) and fellow coffee enthusiast.  Erik was kind enough to mention that the North American Reptile Breeders Conference was coming to Anaheim, and that he and his group S.C.H.A.&R .  would be there also.  So, last weekend we headed to Anaheim for the convention.  We really had a great time, I don’t know who enjoyed it more JD or me!  Thanks Erik!

Grand Park Los Angeles

A couple weeks ago when summer finally arrived to Southern California we needed to find a place to beat the heat, and hubby had a great place in mind!  We headed to Downtown LA, and after a quick stop at Wurstküche in the Arts District for lunch, we made our way to Grand Park.  The park opened about a year ago, but this was our first time visiting it.  It really is a beautiful park and the fountain and wading pool will keep any child (or adult) cool and happy for hours.  Although the park is free and open to the public, the parking can be a little pricey in DTLA, but we are happy to report that parking is available at the Cathedral for $5 all day on Saturdays and Sundays (the park is about two blocks away), or you can take the Metro Red Line! 

About Grand Park

A city’s urban heart is an expression of its people, its diversity, its interests, and its passions.  The new Grand Park, with its majestic views extending from the Music Center to City Hall, provides Angelenos of all walks of life a place where they can come together to celebrate, reflect, and shape the future, in one central gathering place.  Throughout Grand Park, open spaces are available not only for casual sitting and leisurely strolling, but also for civic gatherings.  Grand Park has four distinct areas featuring amenities ranging from a restored historic Arthur J. Will Memorial Fountain with a new wade-able membrane pool, a small intimate performance lawn, a community terrace planted with drought tolerant specimen plants representing the diverse cultural make-up of Los Angeles itself, and a grand event lawn.  The new Grand Park allows for a strong visual and physical connection from Grand Avenue via a series of stairs, accessible ramps and sloped walks as well as a new elevator to invite more pedestrians into a vibrant garden environment, a place to come together in a welcoming and distinctly urban oasis.

200 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, California

JD's 1st Day of Preschool

It's been a few months since my last post, and I have to admit "I really do miss blogging!" So, I'm hoping that I can get back on track and I'll start by sharing JD's 1st day of preschool pictures.  JD has attended preschool for 2 years now, but this year he is officially in the "Pre-K" class, better known as the Monkey Class (fitting, don't you think).  We are so very proud of our little monkey and can't wait to see what this year has in store for him.

I took these pictures in about 10-15 minutes with my Nikon D5000 at about 7 a.m the first day of preschool.  Thanks to Pic Monkey (a free photo editing site) I was able to make a super cute collage in just a few minutes and post it the very same day!