Wingin' It...At The Natural History Museum

Now that my daughter Rosemary is five months old, my husband and I are starting to feel a little more confident heading out into the world with two children. We recently spent a beautiful Sunday afternoon at the Natural History Museum (right by USC) that was filled with dinosaurs and butterflies and bugs, and also memories that I will always treasure.

When you know the date you want to visit, buy your general admission tickets and butterfly pavilion tickets (the exhibit is on through September) ahead of time. You will choose a specific time for the butterflies, so definitely don't wait on your tickets, as the exhibit frequently sells out. Also, check the museum's website, or grab a paper schedule when you arrive so you can choose the events you want to attend.

Dinosaur Encounters is a must-see weekend show! We actually saw two shows, which featured a Triceratops and a T-Rex. I don't want to say too much about the show, because what happens is great fun and I want you to be as surprised as we were, but if you have little ones that love dinosaurs get there a little early and sit up front. And after the show, walk around the corner to see some cool "creatures" up close; what a fun way to learn about science and history! Btw, did you know that T-Rex may have been covered in...feathers?!

My son Dallas and I went to the Butterfly Pavilion for the first time last year, and couldn't wait to go again. A few minutes before your assigned time, you will line up outside the greenhouse (located just outside the museum building) to get your instructions, and then be let inside for about twenty minutes. Grab a guide with pictures of butterflies so you know what you are seeing, and hold very still if you would like one to land on you. One landed on the ground right next to my son, and we learned that if you want a butterfly to move, block the sun to make shade and they will fly away. On the way out you will be checked to make sure a Monarch is not trying to catch a ride home on your back!

Another favorite exhibit of ours is Becoming Los Angeles, which covers five centuries and shows how LA went from teensy pueblo to sprawling city. Don't miss the model of Downtown Los Angeles (circa 1938-1940), where you can see tiny versions of landmarks like City Hall, the Central Library, and Union Station. (Shameless Plug: If you love the twenties and thirties, check out my book: From the Corner of Hollywood and diVine: Your Guide to 30 Old Hollywood-Inspired Spots in Southern California.)

When it's time to fuel up with some grub, you can head downstairs to the NHM Grill, which offers a casual menu of burgers and sandwiches and salads and snacks, along with a kids menu. I was happy to see some vegetarian options, like the citrus and avocado salad that I got. You can sit indoors or outside, and there is a nice space right there next to the nature gardens for the kids to run around. Dallas was excited to see that, because all morning I had been shouting, "Walk! WALK!" as he tore off in search of the next cool thing to see inside.

Right next to the restaurant is the Nature Lab, where you can sharpen your observational skills and get an in-depth look at lots of critters. They also do a "Meet A Live Animal" program here, which is one of my son's favorite things to check out; on this visit he got to see a stinkbug and a Madagascar hissing cockroach. There is also a cool screen you can stand in front of that maps your body heat and shows you what you look like to a snake!


Contact Info:
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 Exposition Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90007
213-763-DINO
www.nhm.org
www.twitter.com/nhmla

Prehistoric Fun at the Natural History Museum in Downtown Los Angeles

My son, who is four years old, absolutely loves dinosaurs, so he was thrilled to spend an afternoon this week at the Natural History Museum in Downtown Los Angeles. The buildings and grounds are just gorgeous, and this is a great place to take the kiddos to learn some history and facts about animals and also explore some great outdoor spaces. I highly recommend getting tickets to the Butterfly Pavilion (buy your tix online ahead of time), and checking out the museum's daily schedule, as they offer lots of free tours and programs. Where do YOU take the kids when school is out?

The dramatic entrance hall at the Natural History Museum.

It's fun to see how many different kinds of dinosaurs you can identify.

On a hot day, you can stick your feet in one of the fountains, and then walk around and look at all the plants. 

 

I am part Cherokee, and I really enjoyed the Native American section of the museum.

The Butterfly Pavilion is magical; you walk into a screened-in area where they fly freely around you...

...and sometimes ON you!

Two Fun Family Movies: THE NUT JOB and THE LITTLE RASCALS SAVE THE DAY

The Nut Job: I'm just a squirrel, trying to get a nut...

My four-year-old son recently fell down and hurt his lip, and after cleaning him up (so much blood everywhere!!!) I knew we needed to do something quickly to cheer him up.

I asked what I could get him, and through the tears he said, "The Nut Job." We were spending the weekend at a hotel, and he knew I had it in my bag. (Thank you, Universal Home Entertainment!)

Tucked into bed with some milk and an ice pack, we settled in. I was excited to see the movie because three of my favorite actors were in it: Will Arnett, Liam Neeson and Maya Rudolph. Their voices were in it, that is; The Nut Job is animated.

Surly the Squirrel (Arnett) gets kicked out of his squirrel pack, which is led by Raccoon (Neeson), and strikes out on his own with his buddy, Buddy (Rob Tinkler). Everyone in the fictional city the film is set in is struggling to find food, so the two friends are overjoyed when they stumble upon a nut shop run by gangsters: "We've found it! The lost city of Nutlantis!"

Surly and Buddy plan to take all the nuts in a big heist, but Andie (Katherine Heigl), from the squirrel pack in the park, finds out what they're up to and wants them to share the nuts with the whole gang. What follows is the stuff of classic caper/heist movies, including double-crossings, power grabs, chase scenes, and romance. There's even a blonde bombshell named Lana!

It was wonderful seeing my son laugh at different jokes and be so into all the action, and I always enjoy a story about unlikely heroes. The Nut Job is a fun, light film that the whole family can be nuts about!




 The Little Rascals Save the Day: Spanky, Alfalfa, and the gang are baaaaaaaacckkk!

What a treat to get to see this movie, since I was obsessed with Spanky and Darla and Petey when I was a kid. It was so much fun to share this with my little guy, who is already a fan of the "tiny kids" (as he calls the Rascals).

The amazing Doris Roberts plays Grandma, who is in danger of losing her bakery. The kids step in to try to help (even Petey the dog gets a chef hat), and hilarity ensues when they try their hand at baking a cake.  Things get more complicated when the town's rich guy and bratty kid try  to buy the bakery and Grandma turns them down.

The Rascals come up with some different ideas to help Grandma, including a pet care business, a "Taxi Kab Servis," and a talent show.

This is a sweet family movie to see, especially if you love rooting for the underdog(s). I like that my son saw a group of kids putting themselves out there to do the right thing and help someone. Plus, it was really cool to see that even after all these years, Alfalfa still has that one patch of hair sticking up (even through a bike helmet!). I asked my son why other kids should watch The Little Rascals Save The Day, and he said, "Because it's really good." And how!

Recipe: Power Green Juice

Power Green Juice 

(Juicer Version)

 Ingredients (try for organic and wash everything well):

3 fuji or gala apples, cored and with all seeds removed (seeds contain arsenic). If the apples aren't organic, peel them.

1 lemon, peeled and quartered

6 leaves “dinosaur” lacinto kale, removed from the stem and torn into small pieces

½ head romaine lettuce, removed from stem and torn into small pieces

  

(As you get used to the taste, you can always add more greens…up to a  whole head of romaine or bunch of kale. You can also try other greens, like spnach.)

Run everything through your juicer, and save the pulp that comes out. You can usually get about ½ cup extra juice by running the pulp through 2-3 more times.

(Blender Version)

Put all of the ingredients into your blender (making sure they’re all in small pieces), and blend them up well. After you’re done, position a nut milk bag (available for a few dollars at Whole Foods) over a measuring cup or bowl, and pour the mixture through so it all goes into the bag. Some juice will run out right away, and then you just squeeze the bag to get the rest, separating the liquid from the pulp.

  

Stir well after you’re done, and enjoy! You want to drink this as close to when it’s juiced as possible so you get the maximum amount of enzymes. If you’re not able to do that, place the juice in an airtight container in the fridge (but drink within a day).

I sneak small amounts of all kinds of vitamins and supplements (even powdered wheatgrass!) into my son’s juice, and the apple/lemon flavor really hides the taste. 

What's your favorite juice recipe? Email me or share in the comments!

Scenes From A (Kid-Friendly) Downtown Los Angeles Day

I'm a little obsessed with Downtown LA right now. The sense of history that you feel as you walk the streets and see the beautiful old buildings, the excitement in the air from all of the new construction projects, and the mix of people and activities is electric! A great example of what I think the future of the area will be is Urban Outfitters moving into the historic Rialto Theatre on South Broadway, Art Deco marquee intact and interior filled with trendy shirts. There's a lot of fun to be had, so today I'm going to share two of my favorite DTLA places with you: Grand Hope Park and the Los Angeles Central Library.

1. Grand Hope Park 

When taking my four-year-old son anywhere, I like to start the day with letting him run around like crazy for about 30 minutes, which makes it easier for everyone later on when it's time to sit still. Grand Hope Park (at 9th and Grand) is a fun place to take your little ones, and there's lots of metered street parking around it. Plus, there's a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf right across the street for your soy latte (no sugar added, please) needs.

Much of the equipment is shaded, and there are friendly ladybugs and snails for the kids to ride on.

Even on the playground there's a beautiful tile mural, which is a nice nod to the city's burgeoning arts scene. And have you heard about The Broad, a brand-new museum coming soon to Grand Avenue? Admission is going to be free! (And make sure you pronounce "Broad" so it rhymes with "Toad.")

Grand Hope Park is right next to FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising), which I think is one reason why it is so clean and feels safe. If you have time, pop in and check out one of their exhibitions.

Right next to the play area, there are various pieces of exercise equipment, so if running around after your little one doesn't give you enough of a workout you can further work on your fitness.

Grand Hope Park
919 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90015

2. Los Angeles Central Library

After your time at the park, you can walk right up Hope to the Los Angeles Central Library (Hope actually stops at the back of the building). If you parked on the street by Grand Hope Park, check your meter! You can also park in the lot on Flower Street right next door to the library, which is very reasonable with validation. Built in 1926 (and renovated in the 90s), the library is a beautiful mix of architectural styles and influences, like Art Deco, Egyptian, and Spanish.

Before going inside, take a stroll through the Maguire Gardens just outside the library, which are filled with stunning fountains and art.  The Central Library offers free tours of the building and the gardens--check their site for more info. Look closely at the above pic; that's agua flowing out of the eyes and nose of a HEAD, with the word "Clear" behind it.

In addition to the building itself being a work of art, there are art galleries inside the Central Library and gorgeous pictures and different decorative touches scattered throughout. I spotted this picture of a bustling South Broadway (probably taken in the twenties or thirties) on the first floor by the elevator.

The Central Library's theme is "The Light of Learning," which you will see represented by different forms of light all over the place. There are the giant suns on the pyramid atop the building, a hand holding a torch inside a case (which used to top the building), and suns all over the inside. How many different suns can you spot when you go?

The Central Library offers TONS of free programs for the community, and we love coming every Saturday at 2p for the family stuff. A typical story time for the kids includes songs, poetry, stories, and a puppet show in its own little theatre! (In Southern California, even the librarians are multi-talented entertainers.) There is also a tiny toddler amphitheatre.

The second-floor rotunda in the main wing might be my favorite part of the whole library. Sunlight streams through the windows and illuminates a mural depicting the history of the state of California, and during the holidays there is a giant Christmas tree to keep you company. In the midst of all the business and craziness of a major city, the Central Library is a cozy oasis that I wish I could visit every day of my life! And the fact that the programs have gotten my son interested in the arts (and away from the Ipad) has made it even dearer to my heart.

 Los Angeles Central Library
630 W. 5th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071
www.lapl.org

What are some of your favorite spots in DTLA to take the kids to? Share in the comments, or email me!