I turned 40 in December and I feel like I have a whole new perspective. I feel stronger. I have more conviction when I speak. I’m more confident in myself. I’m spending less time doing what I don’t like and more time focused on what I love.  Weird. Because I don’t really put a lot of weight into birthdays, even milestones. Sure, I love to celebrate them with my family — but this time I feel like I’m celebrating myself and a life worth living to its fullest.

So here’s my life and play on Instagram for the beginning of this year:

I’m walking more — and noticing details when I’m on the move.

Spending time with friends in fun places is a big part of my year, so far. (Empress Pavilion in LA Chinatown is the place to go!)

More camping — even when it’s freezing out.

Continuing our Nature Play Club is a monthly highlight. I love it. The dads love it. The kids can’t wait for the next one.

I’m volunteering in the school garden and getting pretty good at turning compost with a pitchfork!  I love watching the seasons change and this poor apple tree that doesn’t realize its winter:

As the days get ever so incrementally longer, we are playing outside until dark:

We go to the beach a lot in the winter — especially THIS winter with THIS weather.  The waves, the blue sky — everything just makes sense there.  On this particular day, I caught this photo before we went back under the tunnel. The blue sky, the highway seemed to beckon and ask: Where should we go next?

I don’t know, but I’ll tell you when I find out!  Wishing you many happy adventures in life and play this weekend!

In the January Play Trips newsletter, I asked readers to email me about things to do outdoors with kids during California winters.  This again proves that FunOrangeCountyParks readers are the BEST!  I got some really thoughtful answers that should keep you all busy during the next few months of “winter.” And I put that in quotes to remind you how good we have it without minus temperatures and blizzards!  We must get out and play for those who cannot in other parts of the country.  Here are the best picks from readers on what to do in Orange County (I added links so you can research these play trips on your own):

• “Fun place to go in the winter… The Beach!! Strands Beach is great because it is an adventure just to get down to the beach. You can take the Funicular or walk the steps (great exercise). The beach is long and clean, there is a good amount of sea shells at low tide and the tide pools are also really great at low tide. It’s fun to play on the beach and pretend it is all yours as it is all locals and surfers especially during the months of January (with the exception of MLK day) and February.  Another favorite is walking Dana Point Harbor, checking out the boats, walking from one end of the harbor to the other and checking out the Ocean Institute (only open to the public on weekends). Grabbing a coffee, lunch or an ice-cream cone at Coffee Importers and just hanging out.” (From S.M.)
• “My family and I love to go to the ENC in Newport Beach for winter playtime! You can also walk across the street to Dover Park and playground.” (From S.R.)
• “I love taking my son to the beach in front of the Montage in Laguna Beach in the winter because there’s hardly anyone on the beach, there are really cool rock formations and an arch, and when the tide is low enough there are lots of fun little tide pools to explore.  Winter the southern California way.   It’s also great to walk along the sidewalk that runs in front of the Montage and enjoy pretty views, grass areas to roll around in, chase bunnies, smell pretty flowers, watch for dolphins, etc.” (From C.S.)

• “Our kids really enjoy doing picnics at the Laguna Niguel Regional Park throughout the year including cold days.  They play, ride bikes…it’s really a great place for discoveries!” (From G.V.)
• “During California winters, two of the places we like to visit are the Cal-State Fullerton Arboretum and the Santa Ana Zoo. ” (From C.M.)
• “During winter we love to go tidepooling at the beach, visit our local parks, splash in puddles (in much needed rain).” (From J.K.)

Subscribe to my monthly Play Trips newsletters. So far, I’ve been able to include a giveaway in every one. It’s my way of providing exclusive content to my most dedicated readers.  And, just ask any reader, I don’t make you jump through hoops to enter a giveaway! Entry is usually one simple email or comment that takes less than 30 seconds.

Congrats to Christine who won the ice skating giveaway and thanks to all who entered.

Mr. Play Parks spends long hours at his office and yearns to get outdoors on the weekends. Our day trips aren’t really enough for a guy who spent a childhood camping for family vacations.  I’m always up for an adventure, so we decided to test out Caspers Wilderness Park campground for camping local.  If you are new to camping or haven’t done it in a looonnnngggg time, I have two nuggets of advice for you to make it a successful trip:

• Start local.  If you forget something, you’ll know where to go to either buy it or grab it from home.  If the weather changes, a kids gets sick,  you get too cold, or you have an allergy attack — you can just check in at the ranger station and leave the tent to head home. You can go back and gather your things in the morning.  We’ve never had to do this, but I’m always comforted by this idea.
• Go with friends who are experienced in camping. There are tricks and tools that campers learn over time to make for a comfortable night outside.  Just watching how they do it will help you figure out how to do it on your own. Plus, it’s fun to be around the campfire with friends.

The beauty of Caspers Wilderness Park and the Live Oak Campground is that there are so many great campsites in one place.  You can pick one with a view of the creek, inside an oak grove, or out under the sycamores near the meadow.  Each site would make for a different camping experience.

Our Trip

We arrived very late in the day and wanted the most sunlight possible to set up our tent before the sun went down on us so we picked a site by the meadow and under a sycamore.

We were able to attend the 7pm Saturday Campfire Program up at the nature center where Ranger Zach took us on a guided night hike to test our five senses and point out some native (and non-native) vegetation.  It was almost a full moon, so it was the perfect opportunity for a hike.

It was a cold January night at 38 degrees, but we were snug in our tent and sleeping bags. It was clear and still when we went to bed with a view of the moon over the meadow. Around 2am, the fog must have rolled in and we were getting either a heavy dew or light rain dripping on the tent interspersed with gusts of wind.  The wind picked up around 5am and that time was the coldest part of our stay — right before dawn.  But we woke to no wind and had a lovely campfire breakfast.

The kids played behind the campsite and we rolled out around 10am because of a high wind warning and yearning for a hot shower. The temperature was almost up to 80 by then!  We missed it, but there was a ranger-led hike scheduled for 9am which would have been fun.

What would I do differently?

After a trip, I always try to evaluate how we could have done it better.

• We should have arrived earlier in the day to set up camp and get settled well before sunset.
• I would have brought snow clothes (hats, mittens, long underwear, heavy jackets) and blankets. We did dress for the cold in multiple layers. I had my wool socks on for sleeping. Still, we would have been even more comfortable with additional layers.

Read more about Caspers:

• The OFFICIAL OCParks.com website has all the accurate info about visiting this amazing park. (At the time of this writing, they are only able to accept cash or check as payment for camping or annual passes. So bring something other than your credit card.  The cost for one night was only $20.)
• Caspers Playground
• Caspers Nature Center
• My friend, Traci, at WalkSimply.com writes about an Easy and Diverse Family Nature Hike at Casper’s

Flash cards, smartphone apps, and activity books can never stand in for outdoor learning in nature.  The thrill of spotting animals in the wild will stay with you forever!  My son is old enough to record his findings in a nature journal which he lovingly keeps up. My daughter has become an expert spotter and she shares her new skill with great pride: “I was the first one to spot the deer when no one else saw it!”

Spotting animals takes lots of real world patience, observation skills, attention to details with all 5 senses, identification knowledge, and just plain luck.  My kids are better spotters than I am.

So when my daughter matter-of-factly whispered: “I just saw the bobcat.”  I believed her.

In fact, she saw two bobcats!  And they were beautiful!  We watched them slowly saunter away from us. Although it looks like we were close, I took these photos from VERY far away with my daughter at my side. We were quiet and still. We didn’t worry the cats. They were just moving through their territory and we were lucky observers.

Our wild learning from wildlife encounters makes up some of our best family memories. I know I won’t forget this day for a long time!

Know the difference between bobcats (less than 30 pounds, spotted, short tail, and knee-high) and mountain lions. Stay safe and follow all posted safety guidelines.

My brain has been working overtime to answer the question of what to do with your kids over this winter break.  You know what?  The answers are so simple!

#1 – Do Nothing

Guess what?
I give you permission to play. I give you permission to let your kids be BORED! (Don’t worry they will come up with something on their own!) I give you permission to let things go (laundry, dishes, baking) can all wait; time with family and friends cannot.

Places to do nothing:

• In your own backyard
• Aimless walks around your neighborhood (see what you can see)
• At the park

#2 – Explore Winter

Winter in Southern California is still winter. Have your kids take “imaginary memory pictures” of winter, so they can compare it to when you take the same outings in spring. Go to the beach and note the differences. What do the trees look like at the park?

Places to explore winter:

• Fullerton Arboretum
• South Coast Botanic Gardens
• Sherman Library and Gardens

#3 – Watch the sun set over the ocean

We have such the life in Orange County! Take advantage of the incredible views.

Places to see sunsets and inspiration to watch more:

• 3 Spots for Beach and Ocean Sunsets
• Make it a resolution to “Watch More Sunsets” 2012

#4 – Spot whales from shore

In California, migration involves more than birds! Grey whales are making their way along the coast. Can you spot them?

Places to spot whales:

• Top 12 Whale Watching Parks and Beaches
• Dana Wharf (charter boat trips)

#5 – Grab Bag

What are you in the mood to do? Give the kids a choice and let them lead the way:

• Take a family walk?
• Play Board Games without the Rules
• Draw a LEGO and Build
• Bean Bags Don’t Bounce
• Make Bubble Catchers
• Unstructured Play with Cardboard Boxes
• Cardboard Magic
• Simple Play for Kids: Towels
• Simple Play for Kids: Flashlights
• Simple Play for Kids: Brown Paper Bag
• Color Walks with Kids and a Camera

I am going to sign off until next week, but there should be plenty to keep you busy here!!