Before I became a parent I had a fairly good exercise regime.  I occasionally participated in organized bike rides, took long hikes in the mountains and swam laps at the nearby pool.  But once my children were born, I couldn’t seem to find the time to get in a productive workout. As a result, my body shape changed. Then I blinked and 10 years flew by me, I just couldn’t get back on track. Then one Saturday afternoon I stumbled upon a fitness group called Moms in Motion in Westlake Village. They were encouraging other women to join them in an upcoming triathlon.  One woman said to me, “you …

Just a few weeks ago, my parents invited my oldest child to join them on a vacation to the east coast.  My son was beside himself with excitement; a chance to see New York City, Washington D.C. and a bit of the countryside. He carefully planned out what he would wear for sight seeing and dining out, he made sure his camera batteries were charged and packed the journal his uncle had sent him; he was ready to go. But I wasn’t ready, I shed a small tear knowing that this is just the beginning of him growing older and spreading his wings. I was thrilled for him to spend this time bonding with his…

Summer has flown by and I’m not ready for it to end. I’ll miss the carefree mornings lounging in our pajamas and the fun filled afternoons spent out on the town.  Most of all I’ll miss the lack of routine and carefree spirit that permeates my life come June to August.  So before the kids head back-to-school, get your adventure on and soak up the last few days of summer. Here's a summer bucket list for you and your family to close the season off with a bang: Hop on a boat and visit Channel Islands National Park. Take the family horseback riding. Go out for triple scoop ice cream cones. Have a …

Ever since my kids started school, I’ve wanted them to read more during the summer. Yet one thing always led to another and before I knew it summer was over and we hadn’t make a dent in our reading list.  Well, this summer I decided to get serious about it. With a few minor changes to our routine, I found that it was possible to reach our reading goals.  I also discovered that learning while experiencing the outdoors is a great way to keep the young ones captivated. Here are a few fun activities to keep kids engaged in learning while school is out. Read in the morning I started off the summer…

I’m not happy about the recent movement to ban children from certain restaurants, airlines or movie theaters.  I enjoy dining out, traveling and going to the movies; I also have a 9-, 6- and 2-year-old. Just because I have children I shouldn’t be restricted as to where I spend my money.  Children are going to act up and most of the time and they’re not going to give you any warning. It’s our job as parents to take control of the situation.  As a child, my parents took my brother and I out to dinner quite often, we learned early on to be polite and have proper table manners.  I try to instill …

Teaching kids to appreciate the arts helps to expand their creativity and imagination.  Art encourages open-ended thinking and also teaches kids to grow from their mistakes. When my children create something, I can see the pride in their eyes, it’s an excellent activity to enhance their self-esteem.  I enjoy taking my kids to museums around town. My hope is to foster a love of the arts and encourage them to see the world in new and exciting ways.  Here are a few places that offer free or discounted admission; each museum is sure to fuel everyone’s imagination. The Museum of Modern Art MOCA …

One of my favorite summertime activities is taking a family road trip.  With the whole brood in the car ,it’s an excellent opportunity to spend time connecting with the kids.  It seems no matter where our travels take us, it’s always an adventure getting there. To help create a smooth journey and extinguish backseat boredom, I’ve compiled a few tips to ensure a pleasant experience for everyone. Get the kids involved Sit down with the kids and plan out your itinerary together. Let each child have their own day to select where to stop for sight seeing and dinner.  To help them keep track of …

To help kick off the summer, I decided to take my girls out of the suburbs and get them into the country.  We jumped on the 101 Freeway and headed north to visit my sister in Paso Robles.  The kids always look forward to a vacation at Aunt June’s; she has chickens, horses, a bee farm, a flourishing vegetable and fruit garden and wild turkeys meandering through her front yard.  On our journey north we watched the scenery change from vast ocean views to rolling hills dotted with oak trees. The girls started giggling with excitement as we pass the In-n-Out in Atascadero; they know we’re not far …

The sun is shining and the beach is calling me. It’s official: summertime is here. I enjoy spending my summer days basking in the sun while chatting with good friends, riding the waves with my kids and getting sand between my toes. For me, there’s nothing more relaxing then spending the day taking in all the sights, sounds and smells that the beach has to offer. Here are a few of my favorite family friendly beaches. Zuma Beach As a teenager, Zuma 6 was THE spot to hang out at. As a parent, I have moved on down to tower #15. There are always lots of other families there with kids building sand…

Parenting has been one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done.  When my first born was three, I got pregnant with my second child and I thought to myself, I know just what to do, I’ve really got this parenting thing all figured out; boy was I completely wrong.  Their personalities are vastly different and it was then that I realized I had to reexamine my parenting a bit more closely.  My second child is an adventurous, loving, strong willed, beautiful girl who loves to make me laugh. She also has frequent outbursts of anger.  My first solution was to reason with her. I would sit down …

Father’s Day is right around the corner and I’m looking forward to making it a special day for my husband and my dad.  We usually begin the day by serving my husband breakfast in bed. The kids’ favorite things to make are pancakes with maple syrup and fresh strawberries.  Their enthusiasm to cook is evident by the layer of flour that usually covers my kitchen floor after they’ve finished their masterpiece.  After breakfast I start getting our picnic ready.  One of my favorite menus to make is grilled steak with homemade salsa verde and a roasted vegetable and fontina tart. For dessert, we …

Memorial Day weekend is the perfect opportunity to gather up the family and spend some time outdoors. It’s also the unofficial kick off to summer and the last three-day weekend of the school year. Add in the gorgeous weather we’re having and what better reason to pack up the car and enjoy some family together time. Here are a few fun activities to keep everyone entertained over the holiday weekend: Topanga Days If a weekend full of live music and family games sounds good to you then be sure to head over to the Topanga Community Club and for the 38th Annual Topanga Days. The festivities will …

As the school year draws to a close, so does my son’s motivation to complete his homework on time.  My normally self-sufficient third grader who takes pride in his work is having a hard time staying focused. All the projects, book reports and homework assignments assigned from past weeks and pressure from this week’s standardized tests are catching up with him.  He’s burnt out and in need of some homework relief, but with only five weeks of school left there’s not much time to take a break. I’ve come up with a few ideas to help him get through the final days of school while staying on top of …

If I want to get anything done during the day I need to take care of it before my kids come home from school. Once 3 p.m. rolls around, I’ve got a car full of hungry and tired kids. Attempting to take this group on a barrage of errands is a recipe for disaster.  I’ve braved it on numerous occasions and it most always ends in tears, sometimes mine. Tackling my to-do list before they come home is the best way to get it all done and I’ve come up with a few tricks to help me make it happen. The most important thing is to make a list and prioritize. I’m an endless list maker; I make lists for …

When my brother and I get together, we joke about the times we would argue in the back seat of our parents car. “You’re on my side” or  “mom, he’s touching me again,” were common complaints. We laugh with each other about it and it makes me feel nostalgic for the fun times I had growing up with my big brother. But now that I’m hearing those same words as a parent, I’m not laughing anymore. The tables have turned and I’m the one in the front seat telling the kids “keep your hands to yourself” or “don’t hit your brother.”  It’s not so cute anymore and it sometimes drives me a bit crazy. Lately…

Schools out next week for spring break and if you’re planning on staying in town, there’s plenty of fun activities to keep the kids busy. Here are a few ideas that are sure to put a smile on everyone’s face. Butterflies galore Just outside the Natural History Museum at Exposition Park is the new Butterfly Pavilion; bring the entire family to interact with these magnificent creatures. The kids will love wandering through the pavilion watching the butterflies glide through the air (and if they’re lucky, one will land on their shoulder). The exhibit will be open through Sept. 5. Tickets are sold…

Providing wholesome meals for your family can be a challenge for busy parents.  With everyone’s hectic schedules, it’s difficult to find the time to sit down and eat a nutritious meal together.  But by teaching kids to eat healthy at a young age you can help them maintain good eating habits, which will stick with them throughout their lives.  Making mealtime a pleasant experience will encourage your kids to enjoy healthy food choices.  With just a little bit of planning, you can gather the family around the dinner table for a nourishing meal, allowing you the time to connect and share with …

Spring has arrived; it’s time to get outdoors and start planting. Gardening is an enjoyable and educational activity the whole family can do together.  Kids love to play in the dirt and watch nature grow, so grab some gardening gloves, a shovel and head outside to start growing vegetables in your own backyard. Location Start off by selecting a sunny spot for your garden. You can plant in pots or in the ground; just make sure it has full sun exposure for most of the day.  By giving kids their own area to plant they can be in charge of nurturing their own vegetables.   If you’re planting in the…

On a recent hiking trip to Malibu Creek State Park, my family got an up-close look at the diversity of the area. Our journey began on a cool Sunday morning; with our backpacks filled with supplies, we were ready to embark on a family adventure.  As we meandered down Crags Road, the kids enjoyed a game of “tossing rocks into the creek,” the one who got the biggest splash won. In the summer months you can easily cross the creek, but not at this time of year.  While my husband and daughter decided to jump in and brave the cold water, my son and I took the high road to avoid hiking in soggy shoes…

Ever since my kids were small, we’ve enjoyed taking mini vacations together during the school year.  I always make sure to speak with the teacher before hand to get their homework assignments.  Then, while on vacation, we always set aside time to work on it together.  My children have never fallen behind as a result of our travels, and I believe they return home with rewarding experiences that can’t be taught in the classroom. As they approach the half-way mark in elementary school, I realize our excursions will be dwindling soon. But I’m just not ready to give up our family time together yet…