A Blog for Busy Parents From the Editor of L.A. Parent

Archive for March, 2009

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Got Game?

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

If so, then you are probably already prepared to hit the release party for the fabulous new Nintendo DSi system at midnight this Saturday at GameStop at Universal CityWalk. Gamers throughout the Southland will flock to this official party celebrating the console’s April 5 release.

Even though I’m a little bit of a geek when it comes to gadgets and games, I will rarely stand in line with a bunch of other gadget and game geeks to buy anything – but I might have to make an exception for this one: The new DSi is one cool puppy.

Aside from the fact that it comes in a cool new color (aqua, anyone?), this nifty little device gives you the power to do more than play games (hence, a lot of the appeal for moms and grownups). It has two cameras and plenty of distortion “lenses” that take photo manipulation to a whole new artistic level. On the audio end the new DSi has an interactive recorder that allows you to “play” with your voice and other noises as well as a music player (set the tempo to your favorite Cold Play song to whatever you want or just play the music and sing your own track).

Even more cool are the downloadable games (for a fee), inviting developers to go crazy on all sorts of new and addictive ways to use up your spare time. And most of your (or your child’s) old DS games will still work, although you (or your child) will no doubt want to find some time to check out the amazing new titles, such as Rhythm Heaven. The Nintendo folks gave us a preview here at the L.A. Parent offices a few weeks back, and trust me when I say that this is one game that lives up to the buzz.

The new units retail for $169.99, but I wouldn’t count on being able to get one soon unless you’re willing to stand in line with the rest of us gadget and game geeks. Here are the details, in case you do:

WHEN: Saturday, April 4, 9 p.m.-midnight
WHERE: GameStop at Universal CityWalk
WHAT: Check out DJ Fader, a stunt show, giveaways, gaming stations and other surprises.

See you there, geeks.

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Posted in Cool Thing to Do, Nifty Products | No Comments »

It’s a Celebration!

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

L.A. Parent and Expecting! L.A. is sponsoring the Baby & Tween Celebration L.A. April 25-26 at the L.A. Convention Center.

It’ll be quite the to-do, complete with fashion shows and all sorts of products and services for those of you who are pregnant, new parents or raising a tween. I fall into the last category and am excited to see what types of things I’ll find for Kate.

Tickets are $10 for adults or receive a discount when you purchase them online by using discount code exp09.

Here’s what they had to say about us!

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Posted in Contests & Special Offers, Cool Thing to Do, Mom Stuff | No Comments »

Girl Talk

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

I can look at this one of two ways:

• Kate is only 8 …
– or –
• Kate is already 8!

When it comes to talking to Kate about growing up and all the changes she’ll be going through, both of those statements seem to apply. And frankly, I don’t always know which side to err on.

Thank goodness for books! Is This Normal?, an American Girl advice book, arrived in my mail a few months ago. At first I was hesitant to show it to her (see statements above), but it turned out to be a great conduit to conversation with Kate about our monthly blessings, getting boobs and other stuff that we’ve all wondered about at some point or another. The book also touches upon body-type issues and addresses them in the form of a question from a girl, which makes it all very approachable and relatable. Stuff like “I want to keep eating even though I’m full” and “I feel self-conscious about my lack of development” speak to girls at all stages, and the answers are low-key, almost as though a trusted aunt is filling you in on her experiences.

And Kate seemed very comfortable with the dialog and the content, especially for being only 8 (or is it already 8?).

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Posted in Health Stuff, Kid Management, Mom Stuff | No Comments »

I’ve Got Mail: Duckies

Monday, March 30th, 2009

Lewis the Duck has a new book!

Lewis Goes to Canada is the second tale in based on Lewis the Duck, the mascot of the Homewood Suites by Hilton. Originally conceived as a tool for business travelers to help young children cope with parents who do a lot of traveling, this book has Lewis and the whole family (wife Lois and kids Lisa and Lance) taking a trek to Canada. This clever bit of branding also serves to remind family travelers that the chain, which has 260 properties, offers amenities that will work for moms and dads who can combine a business trip with pleasure (the latest annoying term for that is “workation,” in case you need an annoying term for it).

The book is cute, and mine was delivered with rubby ducky versions of Lewis and his feathered clan, all of which are available at Homewood’s Suite Shop (perfect for those baths away from home!).

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Posted in Kid Management, Mail Box, Travel | No Comments »

A Salute …

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

The next time we decide to set one soldier’s foot onto the soil of another country, this video should be required viewing. Whenever I see these deployments on the news, the images of those little faces watching their moms or dads go off to places unknown makes me feel like I’m running my heart through a paper shredder.

So I salute Alison Buckholtz, the wife of an active-duty Navy pilot and mom of two little ones who produced this video and is releasing a new book, Standing By: The Making of an American Military Family in a Time of War. Her goal is to honor these brave little souls who endure months without Mom or Dad and to bring awareness to National Month of the Military Child in April. In addition, her family will soon be sending off her husband for a 12-month assignment in Baghdad.

Get out your tissues and watch:

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Posted in Kid Management, Mom Stuff | No Comments »

Shirley Temple Grows Up

Wednesday, March 25th, 2009

Ready to think outside the juice box? Then check out the latest trend to hit the dining scene: expanded nonalcoholic beverage menus.

Last Friday, the Grahams enjoyed an exotic drink tasting at RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen, a relatively new establishment at the Westfield shopping center in Century City, and it made for a fun night out.

We sampled several, and the kids enjoyed the savory and sweet offerings of such exotic fruits and flavorings as tamarind, kaffir lime and lemon grass. Our hands-down favorite was the Pacific Kiss, which brought together a hibiscus tea with guava and calamansi, a citrus fruit that grows in the Phillipines and other locales. Additing a tangy opener atop the rim was a dusting of dried kaffir lime leaves that had been blended with sugar. It was robust and flavorful without leaving you with a sugary headache.

Popular among the grownups, according General Manager Erik Russell, is the Lime-Mint Squash, which has the essence of the classic mojito. It was a bubbly adult-friendly concoction that went well with the restaurant’s chicken satay appetizer.

The kids also really liked the heavier lassi beverages, which are a sweet variation of the more savory traditional Indian smoothie. The Passion Fruit Lassi had a ginger spike that made me keep going back for more. Jack and Kate favored the Sweet Banana Vanilla Lassi, which probably marked the first time the two of them have ever tasted cardamom (especially in a drink).

Executive Chef Mohan Ismail created the bevvy of beverages to introduce exotic flavors to a broad range of palettes – and to complement his Asian- and Pacific Rim-infused menu. The room is definitely Asian-inspired, and we enjoyed lingering among the little glass-tank firepits in the grand entryway. The restaurant is owned by the massively successful Cheesecake Factory folks, but Russell was clear to point out that RockSugar is on a more exotic, gourmet path – although the beverage menu and openness of the room make it clear that it’s still a good spot for families to enjoy a night out.

Alas, Jack was too fidgety to consider extending our stay through dinner, so we’ll definitely have to make plans to come back – maybe so Steve and I can sample the exotic alcoholic drinks.

Kate likes the Pacific Kiss.
Jack samples the Yuzu Lemon Crush.
Executive Chef Mohan Ismail, a native of Singapore, drinks in some praise from a new fan.
(Sorry for the out-of-focus photography – apparently, I can’t have too much tamarind or I get the shakes.)

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Where, Oh Where …

Wednesday, March 18th, 2009

I bought you a $40 bed that you have sniffed but will not sleep on (you much prefer the warmth of Jack’s little trundle bed). Your food is about $16 per bag (the small one!). I’ve taught you to sit, stay, heel, shake and jump through a hula-hoop. I bought you those peanut butter biscuits from Trader Joe’s that smell so good that even I’m tempted to eat. We throw the ball. We take walks. I sneak you a few “people” scraps. We cuddle at night. I talk to you in a sweeter tone than I use on the ones I gave birth to.

So, why are you wanting to spend your days in the neighbor’s yard?

I guess I’m going to have to resort to doggie daycare (just in case I’m not already spending enough on that) or hire a dog walker like some Yuppie from the Upper East Side. I have to make a living, Olive. Children must be educated. I know you miss us, but can’t you just nap, chase squirrels and, heck, even dig a hole or two? I’d be fine with that if I knew it would keep me from having to leave work mid-morning to profusely apologize to the neighbor for the extra house guest.

Truth be told, the neighbor seems to enjoy the visits, but I can’t take the guilt.

Any tips out there, fellow dog owners?

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The Write Stuff

Tuesday, March 17th, 2009

Have a great kid story to share? Then you’re in luck! This month marks the launch of the third annual Moms Who Write Comic Essay Contest, brought to you by L.A. Parent, the fine mamas at Mamapalooza and the incredibly talented Amy Simon, star of “Cheerios In My Underwear and Other True Tales of Motherhood.”

Just open your email, put carolyn.graham@parenthood.com as the recipient, and start sharing. Keep it at 1,000 words or fewer (you must be an L.A. mom to enter) and submit it to me by April 20. It’s just that easy.

Winners will get to read their essay at a special May 3 performance of “Cheerios” along with other celebrity moms (stay tuned … past readers include SNL alum Laraine Newman and others!). There will be other prizes, too. It’s a warm and fuzzy day filled with fun and good feelings as we share the horrors and hilarity of motherhood.

(At left: Amy Simon, center, is surrounded by essay contest winners at the 2008 Moms Who Write performance of “Cheerios.” Photo by Lauren Sparrow)

Posted in Cool Thing to Do, L.A. Parent Events, Mom Stuff | No Comments »

Pinkie Promises…

Monday, March 16th, 2009

We came; we conquered; we gave out pink lollipops!

Cheers to all the participants and sponsors at Sunday’s Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Our booth was home to the “Affirmation Scale” (Art de Toilette bathroom scale) in which participants stepped on it to find out whether they were “getting better with age,” had a “smokin’ hot body” or were “simply ravishing.” We had fun and gave away tons of goodies. Thanks to all the friends of L.A. Parent who provided prizes, especially iFly Hollywood Indoor Skydiving at Universal CityWalk who gave us goodies as well as a grand prize of a family pack. Slider the Unscooter also gave us a scooter as one of our big prizes.

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Posted in Health Stuff | No Comments »

Go Pink!

Friday, March 13th, 2009

The first time I did the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, it was almost too much for me. Not the walk part, naturally, but the images of loved ones lost, the women who’ve obviously battled breast cancer and, of course, those who are still struggling with it. But as I surveyed the green hills surrounding the Pasadena Rose Bowl, it was as though a switch had been flipped, turning the landscape pink. The sight of this sign of solidarity had an overwhelming emotional impact, which seems to give all participants the immediate desire to form a gigantic rose-colored bridge and put a stop to this disease.

A colleague and I couldn’t help but speculate on the fact that if men had to smoosh their sensitive parts into some painful contraption in order to be checked for cancer, then there would probably be some new way to check for cancer – and quickly. But my hope is that in my lifetime – and certainly my daughter’s – there will not only be a more pleasant mammogram but, more importantly, a cure.

So lace up the sneakers and come down on Sunday for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Stop by the L.A. Parent booth and play “Guess Your Affirmation.” We’ll have facepainting and other fun. And together, we’ll all get lost in the pink …

Posted in Cool Thing to Do | No Comments »

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