Santa Barbara Vacay: Solvang and the Zoo!

Before I share about our trip to Santa Barbara I have to say "thank you" to all of you for your kind words regarding my last post. No one ever said parenting was easy...and I never expected it to be...but I am still stunned by some people's reactions. I really loved reading all of your comments! :)

Back to Santa Barbara...on Saturday morning we packed up the car and headed to the beach! Landry was sooooooo excited and we were, too. We decided to go via Paso Robles, Pismo, and such...as opposed to the 99 route. One of the reasons I decided to take that route was I figured there was more to look at...and more fun stops along the way. Since we were in no rush, we could take our time. I had originally planned on stopping in Pismo to get some Splash Cafe chowder. Thankfully we got stuck in a TON of traffic in Paso...yes, I said thankfully...because while we were sitting I was checking my Facebook and someone had posted about a car show in Pismo...which meant...it would be even more of a zoo than normal. My first tip to you...if you REALLY want a fix of Splash Cafe chowder...and don't want to deal with the mess of Pismo...they have an awesome location in San Luis Obispo! Yup...take the Monterey Exit...go a few blocks...and there you will find the same yummy chowder...with one exception...NO CRAZY LINE!!!! :)

My other reason for wanting to go this route was that I really want to stop by Solvang. I remember going as a kid and thought Landry would have fun...and who can pass up an ebelskiver? Can you tell I love food? So far my two stops have been based on clam chowder and ebelskivers...ha!

Being that it was a Saturday...in summer...it was pretty crowded and busy...but it was still a great little stopping point to stretch our legs. I mean...how can you go wrong when within 5 minutes of your walk you come across this photo op?

Landry was in LOVE with all of the windmills...and wanted to go inside each. and. every. one. Most of them have some sort of souvenir store...as one would expect...such as a Native American gift shop...an Asian ceramics shop...exactly what one thinks would be inside of a windmill. :)

You know what they say...if the shoe fits, sit in it!

And as I mentioned before...no trip to Solvang is complete without an ebelskiver. 

My crazy child wasn't a fan...crazy!

We finally made our way to Santa Barbara and got settled in at our hotel.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express right off of State Street. It was an awesome hotel, great location, wonderful staff, super clean and quiet...highly recommend it. 

After a good night's rest...we were up and ready to head out to the...

First stop...one of Landry's favorites...the alligator. Landry was in a bit of a "mood"...to put it nicely. If it gives you any idea...we weren't even in the zoo for ten minutes before we were threatening to leave if he didn't change his attitude. Lovely. I know. Here is the best picture I could get.

He started to warm up when we saw the macaws...

and was all smiles with Chad. Clearly, I should have left because I seemed to be the problem. :)

The Santa Babara Zoo had a lot of animals that our zoo doesn't have...like penguins...

and bald eagles.

Here are their beautiful giraffes. They are a different type than the ones we have at the Chaffee Zoo.. their coloring is so pretty...and they are a lot larger than our giraffes.

Plus they have a much better view! Yes, that is the Pacific Ocean right behind them.

The fennec foxes were a hit...and finally brought out some smiles!

Then there was this sleeping beauty!

How amazing is she?

Landry wouldn't sit for a picture in front of the lion. 

He was afraid it was going to get him. Can't say that I blame him. 

I love the way she is looking at him in the picture...as if she knew that he had been a pill earlier. :)

Does this statue look familiar? 

Looks like Nosey from our zoo...Santa Barbara has one, too. 

You might remember that Landry always refuses to take a picture with Nosey at our zoo...

but in Santa Barbara...he was all about it.

Chad wanted to take this guy home!

They have a cute little train you can ride around the zoo that gives you a "behind the scenes" view of some of the exhibits.

Of course...it isn't a trip to the zoo without seeing the ELEPHANTS! 

Did I mention that Landry was a pill? 

Yup...he had very little interest in the elephants...bizarre! 

I was trying to get a "selfie" of the three of us and the elephant when a very kind lady offered to take it for us.

Do you see the elephant? 

No...look closely and you can see just the butt. 

Oh well! :)

Being that I can be a bit stubborn...I wonder where Landry gets it...I was set on getting a cute picture of Landry with the alligator. 

As you can see...he had other plans.

So our visit ended the same way it started...pouting by the alligator. :)

That night we stopped by a delicious ice cream place...special to Santa Barbara.

They have all hand made ice creams, in a variety of flavors.

Landry chose the blueberry...and I had the most delicious toasted coconut, almond, chocolate chip. 

It was like an Almond Joy...so yummy!

Even though the day had some ups and downs...Landry threw some fits...even lost a quarter...Chad pouted about the U.S. tying with Portugal in the World Cup game...all in all it was a great first day...or two...of vacation. I mean, seriously, I got to eat Splash chowder, ebelskivers, carnitas tacos at dinner, New York style pizza during the World Cup game, shrimp pasta, and the most amazing scoop of ice cream. 

How can you go wrong? :)

Mommy Moment: Life Lessons

So, when Landry was a baby I had a very short series of blog posts that I called, "Mommy Moment Mondays." I found that there were several things...as part of being a new mom...that had changed in my life and I decided to poke fun at them as opposed to letting them drive me crazy. Now, I know that today is not Monday...and it has been a few years since I have done one...but today CALLED for one. 

That's right, you read it...it CALLED for one...so enjoy!

One of the many things that I learned VERY quickly as a new mom was that everyone had some sort of advise, tip, way of doing it better, and crazy idea to pass on to you. Sometimes these things were actually helpful. Sometimes I was left standing in shock at what a stranger had just told me. 

And sometimes I just wanted to tell people to "butt out!" 

One of my biggest surprises was the "Mommy Competition." You don't know of the "Mommy Competition?" Well...where do you live because I would LOVE to join you! The "Mommy Competition" is this secret society of mommies...probably ranging in age from late 20s to early 40s...that like to pretend that their children are perfect. Their house is always clean. They only feed their children the best foods...as opposed to others of us that in times of weakness...or near mental breakdown...shove a bag full of M&Ms at our child and PRAY he will just be quiet for 4.6 seconds. Their child is always perfectly behaved...in matching outfits...that are spotless...and name brand. They have scheduled days filled with trips to the library, parks, volunteer hours, and all kinds of stimulating things...as opposed to others of us that will turn on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and once again PRAY that our child will sit quietly and watch it so that we MIGHT be able to get the laundry put away, dishes done...or I don't know...shower without an audience. Or maybe it is because...once again...we are on the verge of a mental breakdown...and we just need our child to leave us alone...before we lose it. 

If you're in the "Mommy Competition" you don't know what losing it means so you are probably really confused right now...because you would NEVER lose it with your perfectly fed, perfect behaving children in your perfect house.

**If you think I am losing it...I might be. :) No, not really...this is just my sarcastic side...but I know many of you reading this can probably relate. I should also add...I love being a mommy...most of the time. :)**

Back to the competition...I think that one of the biggest players in the "Mommy Competition" is social media...and one of my dearest friends...Pinterest. I know, I hate to talk bad about it...but let's be real...Pinterest has created a whole new kind of crazy in our lives. I mean from meals that look like animals or tropical islands, to crazy elves on shelves, leprechauns that are now part of our life, an Easter Bunny that does way more than just leave a basket of candy, and the list goes on. And I know...I can be just as guilty as the next mom...especially with birthday parties...in wanting to create all of these "magical" moments for our kids. Of course, once we have created them...we want to share them with the entire world. To sum it up, the "Mommy Competition" is a group of women that like to make others feel that they are better at this job we call motherhood. Basically they have all of their s**t together and the rest of us are kind of pathetic.

Here is where I HOPE I am different...I am not afraid to admit it when my child is being a brat, when I don't feed him the most nutritional meal, when my house is a wreck...which is 98% of the time...when my child is wearing the same clothes...for the second or even third day in a row. And...I am certainly not afraid to tell my kid, "No" just because I said so.

That gasp you are hearing is from all of the mommies in the "Mommy Competition." :)

Now...I am getting to the point of my blog post...mommy moment...life lesson...for today. Cut me some slack...I had to fill you in on the "back story" first. :)

Many of you know the sweet-faced, strawberry blonde, quiet, mellow, cautious, child that we call Landry. Thankfully...many of you do not know the stubborn, smart-mouthed, argumentative, fit throwing, brat, that Chad and I call, "YOUR son"...as in, he doesn't belong to me...he belongs to you. :) Yes, we love him with all of our heart...but...just like every other child...there are times when he is...a brat!

Many of you also know that he is our one and only. He is also the only grand child...and the only nephew. So...there are times when he is definitely spoiled and needs to be reminded that everything is not just handed to you. Yes, he is only four...but I would rather teach him now, that you have to work for things in life, than trying to teach him later on life...like when he has no job, car, or money because he doesn't think he has to work for what he wants.

So...after some brainstorming...and trying to figure out a way to get Landry to understand that he needs to work for things he wants, be appreciative for what he has, he needs to listen to us the first time, not argue, be helpful, and most importantly be respectful...I came up with the "Yogurt Fund."

On the first week of vacation Landry and I went to the bank and I got a roll of quarters. When we came home I put some of the quarters in a glass votive holder. I labeled the other one, "Landry's Yogurt Fund." Then I told him that he could earn a quarter for a variety of things...such as: good behavior at the dinner table, cleaning up his messes without being asked, helping Chad or I do something, getting dressed without whining, getting ready for bed without whining, taking a nap without whining, and so on. Do you see the pattern of "not whining?" I also told him that if he argued, threw a fit about something, was rude, and so on...he would have to take a quarter out and give it back. Once he had enough quarters to buy frozen yogurt...which was the reward he chose...we would go. But...he couldn't have frozen yogurt until he had enough money.

It started off great! He was an absolute gem...being polite, not whining, stopping himself before he started to argue...and I was feeling like a genius! :) Then we hit a slump...a big slump. At one point he actually turned to me and told me, "I don't even want to get a quarter. I don't even want frozen yogurt. I will just have a different treat...on a different day." Not gonna lie...he almost died that day. :) But...I stuck with it...and guess what...by the next day we were back on. 

Now, it wasn't always easy. He definitely had to give some quarters back and earn them again...but he worked for it. And he was sooooooo proud this morning when he earned his last quarter. He was also a bit surprised when I bagged up his quarters and put a new batch of quarters in the empty votive holder. "I have to work for frozen yogurt again? This is going to take me FOREVER!!!!" I quickly reminded him that with an attitude like that, yes, it will take you forever...but if you are a good listener, respectful, and help...we will be getting more yogurt in no time. :)

Here he is with them...in the parking lot of the frozen yogurt place this afternoon...

We were getting our yogurt, he added his toppings, he was so excited, and he was paying for it all on his own...when I just about lost it! His total came to $2.65 so I told him that he needed to count out 11 quarters and give it to the girl at the counter. Again, he was so excited to be counting them out, when I turned to see two moms...with their small children...sitting at a table...and one of the moms says, 

"Look at her. I cannot believe she is making him pay for his yogurt with his own money. She has a Coach purse for God's sake...but she can't even buy her kid a frozen yogurt?"

I should be given an award for not going totally CRAZY on this mother!!!!!!!!! 

TOTALLY CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!! 

I was literally shaking with anger!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome to the "Mommy Competition."

I managed to keep myself composed, focused on Landry...who was beaming with pride that he was giving the clerk the money...and shook my head at the ignorance of the two moms. When I got home, a friend had shared a link, to a great blog-post, that I soooooooo wish I would have had with me...because I would have simply handed them a copy of it...and walked away. Here is a link to the post...

9 things we should get rid of to help our kids

I am sure you can tell that I am still so angry with this mother. But...you know what...I am a firm believer in karma...and I have a feeling she will get her's. And another thing...she can think that I am the WORST mother on the planet for not buying his yogurt for him. As the author of the other blog post...who is Kristen...clearly an awesome name...writes...and I am paraphrasing...kids need to know that they have to work for what they want in life. Life isn't going to give them everything they want. So, to the other moms in the yogurt shop...I wish them the best of luck!

I know that I love to throw a birthday party, filled with fun details...but I also know that I am a firm believer in my child earning what he has and being grateful for it...or he will lose it. Ask him about his lamp...yup...it got taken away.

I also hope that my blog posts, Facebook posts, Instagram pictures, so on...never give anyone the feeling that I am a perfect mom and our life is all dandy. Trust me...I so do not have everything together...and I am so not perfect...and not afraid to show it. Why can't all of us moms just be real with each other and laugh at each other when it is our turn to have the child that is screaming bloody murder in the Chinese food restaurant because you didn't buy him a soda, announcing to stangers that he is a tooting machine, or sharing with the entire dressing room that he can see your butt jiggle. 

Admit it...you have all been "that" mom...or dad. :)

I almost forgot...here is MY sweet boy...enjoying his hard earned frozen yogurt!

Derby Fun!

A few months ago my good friend Sheri, an event planner, came to me wanting some help with a bridal shower she was planning. She knows that I like to make all of my own party decor and she wanted my help with her event. I was beyond honored to help her...and totally flattered that she thought of me!

We got together and she shared the vision of the hostess. 

They were doing a Kentucky Derby theme...which I LOVED...I would love to throw a Derby party one year...nothing says fun like big ol' Derby hats. :) 

Back to the point...they wanted to use yellow and green as the colors...along with black and white damask.

Here are the invitations, response cards, and thank you notes I created.

Sheri had warned me that it was a big job...and she wasn't lying! She wanted me to create the invitations, response cards, thank you notes, food labels, sandwich picks, candy jar labels, candy favor box labels, banners, centerpiece labels, glass labels, favor cards, and chair medallions. 

I'm not going to lie...I was super nervous about whether or not I could pull it all off.

Here are pictures she took the morning of the event...

The centerpiece labels...

Food table with tent cards and sandwich picks...

The table also had a banner that read, "Feed Your Appetite."

The beverage station..."Tame Your Thirst"

Mint juleps, mimosas, and sweet tea were a must!

Mint julep glass labels

"Derby Desserts"...with mint julep cupcakes, mini pecan pies, candy, and the most darling cake!

These are the chair medallions I made for each of the guests chairs...there were 70 of them!

Here are some pictures of the guest tables and the entire area.

Everything turned out perfect!

I had so much fun creating all of the fun details for this event. 

I'm not going to lie...I am pretty proud of myself and taught myself so much about creating different graphics on the computer! :)

Apricot Fun!

This morning my mom, Landry, and I got in the car and headed out to Easton, to the Two Sisters U-Pick Apricot Orchard. I read about them last summer and thought that it sounded like fun...but the timing...and heat...never worked out. Thankfully a friend of mine shared pictures of her and her daughters out there a week ago or so and it reminded me. I'm so glad we decided to go today...because they are just about out of apricots.

Landry was so excited when I told him we were going to get to pick our very own apricots...and he was over the moon when he learned that Nawnie was coming with us!

So, we headed out to Easton, to the cutest little apricot orchard, and had some fun! When you get there they give you a little overview...and some tips for picking. They give the grownups large picking bins...but for their "little farmers" they have little bags. Landry loved carrying his own bag and finding his own fruit.

He and Nawnie had a blast collecting fruit. Since it has been so warm the apricots were very ripe. As you walked through the orchard you could hear some that would drop from the tree...all on their own.

Of course you have to do a little taste test now and then. :) The girl who was working this morning told us that the orchard is completely organic and she encouraged us to eat some as we picked. You can see that Landry followed her directions...without arguing.

You pay for your apricots by the bag full. We paid for half a bag...but quickly realized that it would be WAY more apricots than we could ever eat. Here's my "little farmer" showing off his produce. Not the best picture...we can't always be perfectly photogenic. :)

Here is just SOME of the beautiful fruit we brought home with us!

Luckily we headed out early to beat the heat...and it worked! One of my goals for the summer is for us to explore a little bit of what our valley has to offer. There are so many fun things to do in our area...that offer a little bit of an educational experience...and don't cost a lot of money. :)

 Here's to a summer filled with valley adventures. 

Now the question is...what does a person do with a billion apricots?