Wiggles, Wiggles, Everywhere!

In January, I received a Wiggly email alert that THE Wiggles were headed to town! After talking it over with Mark, we decided to purchase tickets to the event. Shayna is not the biggest fan of the Wiggles, but she occasionally enjoys watching their show on the Disney Channel. Last night was the night of the concert. We headed over to the Nokia Theater, right across the street from the Staples Center, and parked in our pre-paid parking lot. I highly recommend that if you're offered parking with your tickets, DO IT! it was a breeze and cheaper to pre-pay! The concert began at 5pm and there were toy vendors galore! So, of course, I had to buy Shayna a Wiggly toy. She loved it at the concert, the walk back to the car, and the ride home, but when we got home it was placed on the floor, never to be picked up by her again. We also bought her a Dorothy the Dinosaur bucket hat. After the concert, the souvenir line was a mile long, so I told Mark to ask a gal in line to buy it for him... I'm glad we brought cash. She agreed, and Shayna had her new bucket hat! All in all, it was a wonderful time. Shayna was so happy clapping, dancing, and laughing out loud. Mark and I love to watch her experience new fun things. I have to admit, most of the songs they sing are, extremely catchy. I hear the songs so much that I often find myself replaying the tunes over and over in my head while in the car or the grocery store. If you are a parent and are familiar with The Wiggles, you will agree that some of the songs are flat out hypnotic and mesmerizing. The funny thing is that the songs are often about simple topics that kids can relate to: sleeping, eating, and animals. Simple but effective.

Camp Mommy

We picked up my mom and niece, Annie, on Thursday and headed over to the Griffith Observatory in Griffith Park. We spent the day checking out planets and galaxies and the wonderful, but hazy brown, view of Los Angeles. It was a "stellar" day! On Friday, we made our way to Universal Studios Hollywood. I haven't been there in almost 15 years and a lot has changed, but a lot has remained the same... I have so many pictures with Jaws that it makes me giggle!
Now, Shayna has a picture, too!
Then, all of a sudden, Shayna bolted out of her stroller, yelling at the top of her lungs, "DORA-DIEGO!!!" She spotted these guys like a hawk spotting a mouse in a field. I hurried over and grabbed this shot right after she bear-hugged the both of them. Who knew she liked them so much??? We were at the park right when it opened and hurried on over to the Tram. We walked right on - no lines! Shayna and Annie had a great time riding around on the Tram, until we got to the King Kong sound stage. Shayna told me that she wanted to go home! I don't blame her, as I absolutely HATE King Kong! When I was little, I was always soooo terrified of him that I would have nightmares for consecutive nights! All in all, it was a wonderful two days spent with my mom and my beautiful niece, Annie, who I hardly get to see anymore...

Easter Fun!

Easter weekend started on Friday evening when Shayna's Grammie and Grandad (Mark's mom and dad) arrived from Sonora. On Saturday, Mark and I sent the three to El Dorado Park for some Grandparent/Shayna time. From what we hear, they all had a wonderful time with the Skuut, swings, and jungle gym. I had fun, too.... I didn't know what to do with myself. Mark took the car to Costco for some gas and I had the house to myself. I was thinking about doing some laundry, but then I laughed at myself and just sat around and did nothing. It was AWESOME! hehehe... Saturday night we ate dinner at our fave sushi restaurant. YUM! Thanks again, Art & Lynn!
On Easter Sunday, before Shayna woke up, the Easter Bunnies hid some eggs and a lovely gift basket. Those Easter bunnies were sneaky, but Shayna found them all and had a blast in doing so!




























Here's a cute one from the morning

And, here are some cute videos:

Sunday night, Lynn made a wonderful ham and three lemon meringue pies. Two for us and one for our neighbor's, Jenny & Will, for lending us their pie pans. Thanks again, guys! All in all, it was a great weekend and I can't wait til the next visit!

PreSchool Sign-Ups... OY VEY!

OK... what kind of parent wakes up at 2:45am to be at the Jewish Community Center by 3:00 am to sign their kid up for PreSchool... NOT ME! I just figured whatever happens, that's what's meant to be! So, thinking that, I sleep in to 5:45, head on over to the Coffee Bean for a large (or whatever they call it ...Venti... Grande...Largo...?) coffee and a chocolate croissant. I made my way into the JCC parking lot at 6:15 am and noticed that there were hardly any places to park. I thought to myself, what a loser I am that I'm not here this early to work out in the gym, like all of these dedicated people! Little did I know, that when I walked in, I was handed a laminated strip of paper with a number on it (#42), to register. Then I started to question myself... does my little baby really need to start school just yet. I mean look at the cute picture. It was taken only like 2 1/2 years ago... and she's starting school already? She's just a baby... actually to be honest, I'm the one who's the baby. I'm the parent that wants her kid to always be this age, to always call me, "Mommy," and to just blurt out, "I love you Mommy. You're the best mommy in the WHOLE ENTIRE world!" FOR NO REASON. I'm not ready for the Class of 2022!

Purim Carnival

Today, Shayna and I headed over to the JCC to meet my friends, Lisa and Jayci, and their kids, for the Purim Carnival. Purim is one of the most joyous and fun holidays on the Jewish calendar. It commemorates a time when the Jewish people living in Persia were saved from extermination. So, it's pretty much the same thing we Jews always celebrate... Someone tried to kill us - We won - Let's eat!! In this picture, Shayna is sitting on Queen Esther's lap. Funny thing, it took me a half an hour to get her to sit on her lap because she was scared! I can get this kid to sit on Santa's and the Easter Bunny's lap, but not Queen Esther's... who by the way, is also named Shayna! I mean Luke and Mason didn't have a problem sitting on the cute girl's lap...




















Here's a cute one of Shayna and Camille, the 2 Queen Esthers (or Cinderellas).









Here is a cute video of Shayna, oops I mean Queen Esther:

Shayna's Cousin Joey

Yesterday, we were visiting my brother, Josh, and Mindy, and Baby Joey at my parent's house. Shayna loves her baby cousin. I don't blame her because he is so adorable!










I mean, c'mon, look at that cutie pie!











Here's a cute video, too...ohhhh that baby giggle is the best!:

WHY?

WHY... WHY... WHY... is all I hear these days. I say, "Shayna get your shoes on." She says, "Why?"
Finish your dinner... WHY?.... Go to bed... WHY?... Get dressed... WHY?

I asked myself, "Why is she asking me WHY all of the time?" I looked online and here's what I found:

Most parents have experienced that stage in a child's life, we tell them to do something or try to explain something and then it begins, "but why???". For the most part, it's not about wanting to know "why" per se, it's more about the need for attention and connection.

While young children are trying to understand their world, their peers, and elders, communication becomes a critical component of their interpersonal growth and development. Primarily looking for a "connection", talking can become a great expression of love and recognition.

When adults are talking, children will often interrupt, or seem to. They are just trying to become part of the "communion" between people. When involving children in your conversation, this is also an expression of love and understanding.

When your child asks "why?" the next time, instead of trying to explain to the point of frustration, attempt to solicit their own opinion as to why they think things are a certain way. Try to become involved it their thought process and try to engage them as an equal.

Avoid using "childish" terms and characterizations. Remember that children need that recognition as much as other expressions of love. Treat someone as a child, and they will act as a child. Treat them as an equal, and their self respect and maturity will grow.

Children only seek truth and wisdom about a world that is often difficult for even adults to understand. As their parents, children see us as the primary source of that wisdom. Being a parent is more than being a guardian, it is being a teacher, a confidant, and a friend.

The next time your child asks "why?", seize the moment to create a bond that will last a lifetime!

About the Author...

Eric Lorence was a "long haul" truck driver for twelve years before leaving the industry to start various internet businesses and engage in other pursuits.

Just in case you wanted to know, Why...

Look..Up in the Sky.. It's a Bird..No It's a Plane...

It's a B-17 Flying Fortress... Shayna and I were outside playing baseball, when all of a sudden we heard, what many might recognize... an old time bomber! I ran inside to get the camera and snapped a few shots. FYI, the Memphis Belle was a B-17, as well! Our own private air show! This aircraft is named Liberty Belle. Click here to get this Belle's wartime history. In the 2nd picture, you can see the bombardier looking right at me!

The crew of the B-17 Flying Fortress "Memphis Belle" is shown at an air base in England after completing 25 missions over enemy territory on June 7, 1943.

They are, left to right: Tech. Sgt. Harold P. Loch of Green Bay, Wis., top turret gunner; Staff Sgt. Cecil H. Scott of Altoona, Penn., ball turret gunner; Tech. Sgt. Robert J, Hanson of Walla Walla, Wash., radio operator; Capt. James A. Verinis, New Haven, Conn., co-pilot; Capt. Robert K. Morgan of Ashville, N. C., pilot; Capt. Charles B. Leighton of Lansing, Mich., navigator; Staff Sgt. John P. Quinlan of Yonkers, N. Y., tail gunner; Staff Sgt. Casimer A. Nastal of Detroit, Mich., waist gunner; Capt. Vincent B. Evans of Henderson, Texas, bombardier and Staff Sgt. Clarence E. Wichell of Oak Park, Ill., waist gunner.

Snow in the LBZ?

Yesterday, we received lots and lots of snowfall here in Long Beach! Well, actually, thanks to the City of Long Beach Parks and Recreation, we had real snow falling out of dump trucks and onto the soccer field... it sure is nice to have snow in 70 degree weather! There were lots of activities for the kids... jumpy houses, ring toss, and everyone's favorite - sled rides! Shayna had a blast! Even though there was a 20 minute line to go sledding, she went 3 times.
Here are some videos: