Astrid's Hair Salon

This is something new that Astrid does now. She doesn't care about her bath toys anymore, but she's all about playing with our hair. The moment she gets into the bathtub she wants to stand behind us to comb our hair over and over again.

She uses my large comb, applying shampoo or conditioner. She's gentle so we let her and she also uses her hands, running her fingers through our hair. She loves doing it so much that she can stand there for 20-30 minutes at a time and never gets bored with it. (U. thinks he can read the newspaper while she's doing it - but hasn't tried it yet.) I have to tell her to sit down in the water (to get warm) and relax for awhile.

From sitting in the water so long we get all shriveled up, but she doesn't want to stop. In fact sometimes it's a struggle to take the comb away from her afterwards. But since she loves it so much, both U. and I will sit with her as long as our shriveled hands and feet can stand it, so the baby can continue her fun.

Feeding the ducks in Echo Park

We had some old bread that we put to good use. Instead of throwing it out, we went to Echo Park and fed it to the ducks and geese swimming in the lake.

Mother's Beach in Long Beach

Mother's Beach (or Marine Park)
5839 Appian Way
Long Beach, CA

Hours: Open daily, sunrise to 10:30 PM

Admission: Free

Parking: Free on the street, or metered parking (25 cents for each 15 minutes). There's also a change machine in the parking lot in case you need quarters.

Ages: All

Description

This beach is aptly named because it's a mother/child hangout. A stretch of waveless waters in a lagoon type setting (perfect for small children), with lifeguards, and a playground. Back from the strand (near the parking lot) is a grassy area with trees and lots of shade, perfect for picnicing. Kayak rentals are available ($7/hr single, $14/hr double) during the summer and weekends only the rest of the year.

--------------------------------------------------

I liked this Mother's Beach in Long Beach better than the Mother's Beach in Marina Del Rey, because this one has grass, trees, and shade. Even though it was a week day, there were lots of moms with kids, and nannies with kids; but there was still available free parking on the street. I opted to pay to park in the parking lot since it was closer and more convenient. We ended up staying for 2 hours and we will definitely be back.

Celebrating Godmother Jill's 40th Birthday

A happy happy birthday to Jill (Astrid's Godmother), who celebrated her 40th birthday today with friends and family, and a good ole summer bbq. A milestone birthday for a girl who's still young at heart.

Astrid was so looking forward to going over to "Jill's House" as she calls it (sorry Bill), and was like a little puppy dog following Jill around.

It was sweet to hear Astrid tell Jill, "Happy Birthday Jill" and to see Jill introduce Astrid to everyone, "This is my Goddaughter."

I just posted the pics that Jill sent me of the weekend she watched Astrid (when U and I were in Santa Barbara) here and here.There were 2 kiddie pools to keep the kids entertained. The 2 kids pictured here warned us not to swim in the other pool because Jill's 2 dogs where in there earlier. So they used it later in a game of tossing lemons.U. and I watched as these 2 kids tossed an orange/lemon back and forth and taunted Astrid who wanted to hold it. I waited to see if they would share, and when they didn't, I had enough and picked an orange/lemon off the tree just for Astrid. A new hairstyle with 3 rubber bands.Astrid playing and oblivious to the the 2 kids fighting over their toy.She loves the water and always wants to go swimming."Swimming Jill's house" Astrid says.The look on Astrid's face says it all. "I want to play with you, but I don't quite trust you.

It's interesting to see the interaction between older kids and Astrid. Some older kids have been very sweet to her, acting like a big sister/brother, and others like these two didn't want to have anything to do with her. And Astrid picks up on things so quickly, and tries to copy the older kids. Makes you realize that you really have to stay close by and watch her when she's around other kids (especially older kids) to make sure they're treating her nicely and that she's not copying bad behavior as well.Astrid swimming as the older kids frolic and let the water out of the pool.This pool has a built in seat ledge and Astrid loved to jump off it, copying the older girl.Astrid sitting on mommy's lap (my lap), next to Papa, eating.Astrid loved standing here and watching the baby being fed. The baby in turn didn't fuss because he liked watching Astrid. Kids.

The baby's dad told us that when a kid is 2 & 1/2 years old, they're half the height they will grow up to be and that his dad measured him at 2.5 years and proved that it was true. We measured Astrid with a tape measuring, and if it is accurate, Astrid will be approx. 5'11" and she's still got 2 more months to go before she's 2.5 years old.

Baby's Dad: "She'll be the perfect model height then."

U.: "I don't want her to be a model. Okay maybe the first Nobel Prize/model."

U. bought her this adorable purple dress (with a monkey on it) at the Silverlake farmer's market.Our little fish having a blast in the pool. She cried when we left and didn't want to leave Jill's house, but when we got home she was beat and fell asleep shortly afterwards.

In the Driver's Seat