Sweet!

Irvine Spectrum... yes shopping, but actually a great place for a play date! Who knew? Definitely not I, but there really is some fun, entertaining things for the kids. Merry-Go-Round, Ferris Wheel, Train (Fri-Sun only though) and they even have an ice skating rink for the holidays...Merry Christmas!

There is a nice 'food court' area complete with shade, tables and one of those splash mat play areas for the kids, you know where the ground squirts water and the kids go crazy. Perfect for a warm day, avoid that area if you want to keep the kids dry and tantrum free.

After running around and checking out all the things to do, we finally reached our final destination. The "Sweet Spot", is the place to be! Okay so it isn't a place for exercise, actually it is quite the opposite. It's a cupcake place... and not just any cupcake place but a decorate your own cupcake place! And it is worth the $5 they steal from you, to watch the pure joy and pride as your kids create a work of art.

So with frosting covered hands and faces, signs of an apparent sugar high and a post-play date meltdown, we headed home. A beautiful day outside & another great afternoon spent with the kids and our friends.


                                   Kayla and Abby decorating

                                        Kayla's Master Piece

                              Kyle enjoying some of Kayla's frosting

          Forgot to mention all of the fountains, always a perfect place to climb.

An Afternoon at the park

I decided it was time to get out of the house and enjoy the weather...after all we have been cooped up in the house the last few days dealing with whatever flu has struck our family. We ended up going to what we call "Shady Park". Not sure what the exact name is, but it is part of El Dorado Park in Long Beach. It is as far south of the park you can go, on Studebaker. If you blink you might miss it. It sits off of the busy street and is pretty small. But such a great park for the kids.

It does have sand, and if you know me at all you know how much I loathe sand parks, but I do like this one. Besides, most kids eventually find themselves being entertained by nothing but the sticks that fall from the trees. For some reason this is fascinating... and a little dangerous at times as there is always that one kid that chooses to use it as a light saber.

This park is THE perfect place to spend hot days. There are so many trees that it is a park of shade...hence the name. You actually can enjoy the summer at the park. However if you go on a day that is under 80 degrees or so, bring a sweater, it gets pretty cool.

There are tables and benches for lunch, a large grass area (soccer field) for running your little ones and something that resembles a bathroom. It is definitely not the cleanest or even very pleasant but it does serve its purpose.

Kayla always has such a great time when we play at the "shady park". It is a small spot but perfect for spending time out doors.

See, even Kyle found sticks

Last but not least... here is a preview of the bathroom... yeah I know