Swim Lessons are Upon Us

I've scoured the interwebz researching what we will need in preparation for Parker's swim lessons which start next month. I can't believe we are so close to summer! Below are my picks for the essentials required for a successful swim lesson experience.

Mamas: If anyone has any advice please chime in!

Toddler Swim Gear by marychu featuring sun care

Sun care / Native Shoes 'Jefferson' Slip-On Sneaker (Baby, Walker, Toddler &... / Batman Beach Wrap / Gap Origami Boat Swim Trunks - new dark orange / I Play Infant Toddler Boys' 2-Pack Swim Diaper Set / Columbia Unisex-Baby Infant Mini Breaker Sunsuit / Circo Shark Hooded Towel - Skyline Gray

Welcome to my Never Clean Car

Whhhyy? Why do crumbs and dirt follow Parker wherever he goes? I just vacuumed my car yesterday and by the time I dropped him off this morning my seats looked like this. Between the snacks, the boogers, all the toys and books and the spraying food sneezes there is always something gross to clean up in the backseat.

 

#toddlerproblems

 

 

To combat the problem I'm going to invest in the following items. I hope these help! I considered getting a car vacuum but I don't want to add anything else to my car.

 

1. Armor All Cleaning Wipes/Leather Wipes $6.89 on Target.com

 

2. Backseat Organizer for Children $14.50 on Amazon

3. High Road TrashStand Leakproof $18 on Amazon

 

 

 

Snapshots from Mother's Day Weekend

Tuan and Parker treated me to a Disney weekend for Mother's Day and we had so much fun. I love spending time with my favorite guys.

 

[The Hilton upgraded us AND let us check in aroun 9 AM. What a fantastic way to start the weekend! The first thing Parker discovered were the buttons on the safe.]
 

[The view from our room. I'm a little bummed we didn't come prepared with swim suits this time. The pool looked amazing. This photo doesn't show that we had a perfect view for firework watching. Little man was obsessed with the curtains.]

 

[In line for our first ride in Bug's Land.]

 

[Family selfie!]

 

 

[Parker showing us his belly during lunch at Carthay Circle. Best food in either Disney park hands down. It's even better than the food at Club 33. The fried biscuit balls are a must try. Lunch was $40/person and we received reserved seating tickets for World of Color with our meals.]

 

 

[We had Parker's portrait drawn. Looks just like Tuan, right?]

 

 

[Every time he saw the balloon vendors he would start screaming "baboon! baboon!!" Of course we ended up paying $14 for a balloon.]

 

 

[Tuan trying to show off while we played games on the boardwalk.]

 

 

[Enjoyed this banana split from Ghiradelli before watching World of Color.]

 

 

[Great view of World of Color. I love when they light up the ferris wheel. Parker managed to stay up to watch most of the show. What a trooper!]

 

 

[Before checking out of the hotel, we let him go crazy with the toilet paper. Sorry, housekeeping staff!]

 

 

[My one and only photo with the beautiful necklace Tuan got me before I lost it. So sad!]

 

 

[My Mother's Day card. Spot on, Husband!]

 

I had so much fun this weekend! We wrapped up our time in OC by having lunch with my mom and the rest of my family. Happy Mother's Day to all my readers :) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stroller Envy - Peg Perego Book Pop Up

I love our UppaBABY Vista but the new Peg Perego stroller has me feeling some serious stroller envy. Just. Watch. The. Video. See how flat it gets? And that storage basket underneath? Ahhh...so perfect.

http://pegperegousa.com/baby/book-pop-up

[Peg Perego Book Pop Up in Aquamarine. The color could not be more beautiful.]

Sly Fox Threads

One of everything, please! That's the first thought that came to mind when I first browsed the tees on Sly Fox Threads. I love everything about this casual kids line. The tees are full of personality and perfect for rambunctious little boys and girls. Plus, they look really soft and worn in. My fave is the "I'm a Wild One" sweatshirt. I started following their FB page yesterday and it looks like there is going to be a sale over Mother's Day!

**Update

20% off everything with the code Mom until 5/11.

See that tee with the red balloon in the middle? That's a special shirt that has been added in memory of Ryan, a little boy who was tragically hit by a truck last weekend. All proceeds are going to Ryan's family. My thoughts are with them in their time of grief. I'm tearing up just thinking about their loss and what they must be going through. You can read more about Ryan's story here http://diaryofanaddict.co/red-balloons-ryan/.

#redballoonsforryan


http://slyfoxthreads.com/

Sly Fox Threads by marychu featuring a black crew neck tee

Short sleeve t shirt / Black crew neck tee / Wild One Sweater | Slyfox Threads / We are Young Baseball Tee | Slyfox Threads / Like a Boss Orange | Slyfox Threads / Mommy's Shadow | Slyfox Threads / I Love Milk / Young Buck | Slyfox Threads / Forever in our Hearts - Red Balloons for Ryan Tee | Slyfox Threads

Happy 15 Months, Parker!

 

[Suit: Zara Kids, Tie: JCrew Kids, Shoes: Zara Kids, Shirt: Gap Kids]

 

Parker has been growing in leaps and bounds the last couple of months. He can communicate so well now and it's incredible to watch him really transition from a baby to a toddler. His favorite things to say are: doggy, quack quack, ca (fish in Vietnamese) and more. Chasing after him has gotten a little trickier since he is so fast now! He can climb on and off of things and open all the drawers in the kitchen. His appetite is ferocious and he drinks over 50 oz of almond milk everyday. Parker is very social and loves playing with other kids. I'm such a proud mama and can't wait to celebrate Mother's Day with my two handsome men at the happiest place on earth this weekend.

 



Review of Philippe The Original

We took advantage of the fact that we were in LA after our photo shoot to visit Philippe The Original, a restaurant famous for inventing the french dip sandwich. Philippe's had been on our list of places to try since I made it #25 on the list of 25 days of sandwiches I gave Tuan for Christmas 2 years ago.

 

The atmosphere of the restaurant was very casual and had a distinct air of age aka the tables were old and there were phone booths available. We got our beef sandwiches with sides of potato salad and macaroni salad. The sandwiches were good but small and the sides were mediocre. They also serve coleslaw, pickeled eggs, pickled pigs feet, soups, beer and other drinks but we didn't try them. We contemplated ordering two more sandwiches but the line at the register has tripled in size due to the fact that a Dodgers game had just ended. I'm glad we were finally able to check that 25th sandwich place off the list! If you are going to visit, please know that this place is cash only.

 

Philippe The Original

1001 N. Alameda St

Los Angeles, CA 90012

213-628-3781

http://www.philippes.com/

 

 

 

[Philippe's since 1908]

 

 

[Classic french dip sandwich]

 

 

[Glad I got all glammed up to pig out!]