I'm Obsessed with my Fitbit Charge HR

I'm obsessed. I admit it. I'm obsessed. Tuan gave me a Fitbit Charge HR for Mother's Day and I have since become a slave to counting my steps and checking my heart rate. Every morning I wake up and think about all the steps I will take during my day. I try to think of more ways to sneak in additional steps. I strategize about how I can beat my friends' step counts so I can win the work week hustle. I think of the joy I will feel when I hit my goal of 15,000 steps and my Fitbit congratulates me by vibrating and flashing on my wrist. I can't stop checking my stats. The struggle is real. In the (almost) three weeks I have worn my Fitbit, I have walk/run 117 miles. That's over half of the 200 mile goal I set for the whole of 2015.

I understand this sounds crazy but as long as it's keeping me motivated to move I am a fan! Do you have a Fitbit? Have you had the same experience?

Parker's New Grill & a Review of Scripps Pediatric Dentistry

Before you start reading this post, press play.

[Oh yea. Bump that sweet Nelly jam.] 

At Parker's 2 year dental check up, we found out he would need 2 crowns and a filling. Just going in for a cleaning is a traumatic experience for everyone involved, I could only imagine how terrible two crowns and a filling would be. But the work was necessary so we agreed to have him put under to keep things as pleasant as possible. Tuan and I were both very nervous about the procedure but everything went really well and now Parker's smile is fixed! His new grill looks great (see right pic below). In the left pic you can see how half his front right tooth and the one next to that was badly cavitated. 

[Had to rob a jewelry store to pay for his grill.]

We took Parker in at 6:00 AM for his 6:30 AM appointment. Parker played at the train table while we filled out paperwork. He was examined by the anesthesiologist, Dr. Johnson, and then was taken to a room in the back. Tuan and I enjoyed the massage chairs and some sweet pop jams in the lobby while we waited anxiously. By 7:30 AM he was all done albeit very groggy and hilariously out of it. He spent most of the day sleeping but was back to his normal self by dinner time.

I want to say thank you to the staff at Scripps Pediatric Dentistry for your professionalism. Special thanks to Dr. J and Dr. Johnson for taking good care of our little man. If you are looking for a pediatric dentist in San Diego, I highly recommend Dr. J. He always takes the time to explain everything thoroughly and has great advice.

Gossip: Per Dr. Johnson, Dr. J loves Ace of Base. Ha!

Scripps Pediatric Dentistry
9840 Hibert Street Suite B-4
San Diego, CA 92131
858-693-5677
(right next to Chuck E Cheese and Trader Joe's off the 15)
http://scrippspediatricdentistry.com/

Enjoy this hilarious video of Parker waking up from his procedure. He's rocking those Avengers pajamas like a boss.

A video posted by Mary Chu (@sdmama33) on May 21, 2015 at 8:52am PDT

San Diego Movies in the Park

Looking for some free family fun? Summer movies in the park has just started again. We really wanted to go to one of these screenings last year but unfortunately never got around to it. Now that Parker is old enough to sort of sit through an entire movie, we are totally taking him. 

[Via SD Tourism Authority website]

Things are kicking off May 22 with a screening of Finding Nemo at the Waterfront Park downtown. The event will run from 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM. BYO chair, blankets and jackets. Food will be available from the concessions stand or food truck. Hope to see you there!

Other outdoor movie experiences to consider this summer:

Flicks on the Bricks at the Athenaeum in La Jolla

Movies by the Lake in Santee

Stone Movie Nights at Stone Brewery

San Diego Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum

After years of asking Tuan, "Can we go there?" everytime we passed by the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum, he finally gave in. Score one for me and Parker! Why not right? It's so close to home, admission is FREE and we get to explore a bit of history. Our little aviation enthusiast was stoked to run around among some very impressive and historic planes. He kept pointing out the "baby airplanes" and "BIIIIGG airplanes" and looking for "Dusty Hopper" aka Dusty Crophopper from Disney's Planes. It was a short, memorable visit and I definitely want to take Parker back for one of the open cockpit days. I would definitely recommend making a quick trip to this museum with your little one.

Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum & Historical Foundation

Open 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM (closed Mondays and Federal Holidays)

Admission is always free for all ages

Located on Miramar Road & Andersen Avenue

https://flyingleathernecks.org/

Mom Tips: 

-Don't forget your sunscreen. There is no shade unless you count standing under airplane wings.

-Bring your own water. There isn't a place to purchase drinks and snacks. 

-Wear closed-toe shoes. The planes are surrounded by rockscaping. You have to walk through the rocks if you want to get up close and personal with them. The docent also told us that there have been snakes spotted among the rocks so watch where you step!

[Parker's reaction every time he saw an airplane he liked. Classic.]

[Soaking in some aviation history.]

[His enthusiasm was infectious.]

[This one looks just like Skipper Riley right? Everything from the colors to the bent wings.]

[He kept asking us if he could touch their noses so we let him walk up to the planes to touch and feel. There are no rules against it.]

[Parker really liked this helicopter because it has teef.]

[A UH-1 Bell Huey, the same type of helicopter used to evacuate Americans and select south Vietnamese from the US Embassy in Saigon 40 years ago. Every time I see/read/hear anything that has to do with the Vietnam War it makes me teary.]

[After exploring all the big planes outside, we went inside the trailer to test our knowledge and check out additional war memorabilia.] 

Happy Mother's Day 2015

Happy Mother's Day to all the mamas I know! I want to say a special thank you to my mom whom I aspire to be more like everyday. Thank you, Mom, for teaching me how to be resourceful, patient, and loving and for being a brilliant example of motherhood in your actions and words. I love you!

[Spotted via Pinterest]

[When you have 7 daughters, you are blessed with a lot of grandchildren. Here are my parents collecting grandkids like it's going out of style.]

Mother's Day Candy Box DIY + a Few Last Minute DIY Gift Ideas

Mother's Day is THIS WEEKEND and I am completely unprepared. There's been a lot going on and I haven't had a chance to create/shop for the mamas in my life. I'm also on a tight budget because Parker's getting his new grill tomorrow and it's going to be $pendy. Never fear! Pinterest is to the rescue. I'm so glad that I stumbled upon this idea for candy boxes on the Julep blog. Thanks, Melanie, for sharing this idea and free printable. Total life saver. My boxes aren't filled with the same candy as Melanie's but they are just as tasty and look just as sweet with the cute labels. The clear boxes were a total score in the $1 bins at Target. Visit the Julep blog for the full tutorial.

Follow me on Pinterest @ marychu33!

Materials Needed
-Clear containers from Target
-Candy of your choice
-Adhesive (I used washi tape)
-Color printer
-Cardstock
-Label file from Julep blog

[Photo credits: Julep]

Some other fun ideas I spotted on Pinterest. 

[Free printable cards from Say Yes blog. Having babies like a boss!]

[Mini Flower Bouquets from Homey Oh My!]

[DIY Semi Precious Stone Soaps from Fall for DIY]

A Visit to the Carlsbad Strawberry Fields

A few weeks ago, Tuan took some time off and got to hang out at home with Parker. One of the fun activities they did together was pick strawberries at the Carlsbad Strawberry Fields located in Carlsbad by the outlets. Parker had a great time picking berries and soaking in the sun. The best part? I got to enjoy fresh picked strawberries when I got home from work. Click play on the video below and enjoy the photos.

Mom tips:

-Wear closed toe shoes and expect your shoes to get a little muddy.

-If your kid will wear a hat, bring a hat.

-Don't forget sunblock! There is no shade in the field. 

Carlsbad Strawberry Company

Canon Road, 1 block east of Interstate 5

Open 9 AM - 5:30 PM daily

http://www.carlsbadstrawberrycompany.com/

[A gorgeous sunny day in Carlsbad]

[Picking strawberries is a daunting task for a little guy]

[Getting a little help from his uncle and auntie]

[Hey, you want some strawberries?]