The Parker Project

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Get Outside and Explore the San Elijo Lagoon

Did you know that no matter where you live in San Diego, a nature trail is only 15 minutes away? Spring is the perfect time to get out and explore our local trails and the San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center Trail is a great one to explore with kids. Get them hyped and educated in the Nature Center and then grab a guide and try to spot as many animals and plants as you can along the trail. Parker's favorite part of our hike was spotting fence lizards and running after butterflies. I loved learning about the unique habitat this salt marsh provides to so many fish, birds and plants. Scroll through my mom tips and photos below to get a glimpse of our visit.

San Elijo Nature Center

2710 Manchester Avenue

Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007

760-634-3026

https://www.sanelijo.org/naturecenter

https://www.instagram.com/sanelijoconservancy/

Mom tips:

-The parking lot is small and parking is limited. You can find additional parking a long the main road.

-The 1 mile Nature Center loop is completely stroller friendly.

-Birds and other animals are easier to observe with a pair of binoculars.

-Well-maintained bathrooms are located in the Nature Center.

-Every Saturday from 10-11 AM a volunteer naturalist leads a free Lagoon Discovery Tour.

san elijo lagoon, san diego, san diego parks and recreation, hiking, san diego kids

[There are lot of quiet places to sit and observe.]

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Discover & Taste the Sweetness of Spring at the Carlsbad Strawberry Company

carlsbad strawberry company, strawberry, san diego, san diego kids, san diego family

Visiting the Carlsbad Strawberry Company has become a tradition in our family. We really enjoy visiting the fields and filling up our buckets with sweet, red berries. Now that we are growing strawberries in our raised garden bed at home, I have an even greater appreciation for the time and effort it takes to grow these beautiful strawberries. This year's visit was a little windy and overcast which was perfect for berry picking. We spent about an hour wandering through the rows of berries and teaching Parker the proper way select and pick the berries (no long stems). The field was more crowded than I remember it being in years past but there were plenty of strawberries to pick and space for everyone to spread out. If you have never visited the strawberry fields, check out my mom tips below. Happy Spring!

Carlsbad Strawberry Company
Canon Road, 1 block east of Interstate 5
Open 9 AM - 5:30 PM daily
http://www.carlsbadstrawberrycompany.com/

Mom tips:

-Cost $20 for a large bucket and 2 admission tickets.

-Don't forget to apply sunblock and wear a hat.

-Backpacks, bags, purses are NOT allowed in the fields.

-Wear close-toed shoes or galoshes.

-The fields can be muddy. Pack an extra pair of shoes to change into after you are done picking.

[If you want the berries but don't want to put in the work, there are flats for sale at the stand.]

[Parker was so excited to start picking be practically ran all the way to the field with his bucket.]

[Showing off a BIG one.]

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Snapshots from the Weekend 4/22-4/23

All the photos I didn't post on Instagram. Follow me @parkerproject!

Red Bull Air Race

Down at the Embarcadero enjoying the @redbullairrace today! There are airplanes, jumpy houses, lots of food trucks and plenty of ☀️. On the menu for lunch: drunken noodles and crunchy chicken from @haadsai Thai. ✈️ // #parkerprojectblog #eatsandiego #youstayhungrysd #sandiego #yelpsandiego #wheresandiego #redbullairrace #foodtruck #kidapprovedfood #visitsandiego #thaifood

A post shared by Mary Chu (@parkerproject) on Apr 15, 2017 at 1:08pm PDT

🎶On the playground is where I spent most of my days🎶 Spent a little time swinging and sliding before dinner at @bleubohemesd Saturday night. // #parkerprojectblog #latergram #kensington #playground #sandiego #sandiegokids #kidsootd #candidchildhood

A post shared by Mary Chu (@parkerproject) on Apr 17, 2017 at 11:04am PDT

Fancy dinner at Bleu Boheme

Easter

[Waiting for his Easter basket!]

He is Risen! I can eat chips again! Happy Easter, everyone. 🐰🌿 // #parkerprojectblog #easter #happyeaster #celebrate #itstimetoeatchips

A post shared by Mary Chu (@parkerproject) on Apr 16, 2017 at 11:44am PDT

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Snapshots from the Weekend: 4/8-4/9

I'm going to bring this series back! Here are my favorite snaps from the weekend. We deserve allll the sunshine after such a rainy winter. For more photos, follow me on Instagram @parkerproject.

Connor's first birthday party. Flying kites and catching bugs.

Lunch at Ototo Sushi.

Tidepooling at Hospital Point in La Jolla.

Thursday, April 6, 2017

Earth Day 2017: Cool Tees + Activities for Kids

Get ready to celebrate Earth Day 2017 in style! Below is a round up of some of my favorite kid tees that celebrate Mother Earth and the importance of keeping her clean and cool. If you are looking for local kid friendly Earth Day events, check out this article from Red Tricycle http://redtri.com/socal/so-cal-earth-day-celebrations/. Now get out there and let everyone know that climate change is REAL, protecting the environment is important and live everyday like it's Earth Day!

For all the mamas who are interested in learning more about climate change, visit http://www.climatechange-action.com/. My sister is doing amazing things in central New York!