From the category archives:

Garden love

Top Ten Outdoor Presents for Southern California Family and Friends

December 15, 2009

Outdoor presents are the best. If you don’t believe me, read the Grass Stain Guru’s “Dear Santa” letter. But how can you wrap up play days and deliver them to your family or friends? Experiences are what it’s all about when it comes to the following gift ideas. I would be so happy to receive [...]

2 comments Find out more →

Glorious, Messy Pomegranate Play

November 5, 2009

Pomegranate play is one of my best childhood memories and the ultimate in playing with your food. In California, neighborhoods and backyards hold fruit-filled treasure trees of citrus, plums, peaches, avocados and even pomegranates.

Now Trader Joe’s sells pomegranate seeds already plucked from their reddish-orb home. “Back in the olden days” things weren’t so easy. We [...]

2 comments Find out more →

Kids Grow Gardens of Joy

July 7, 2009

Kids Grow Gardens of Joy
We have a “dry” recycling bin in the kitchen where we throw newspapers, boxes, egg cartons, toilet paper rolls and the like. My son picks through it periodically asking “Can I use this?” or “Can I build something out of this?” Of course, my answer is always “Yes! Have at it!”
He [...]

0 comments Find out more →

Play Adventure at Niguel Botanical Preserve

June 15, 2009

Took these photos at Niguel Botanical Preserve in the heart of Laguna Niguel at Crown Valley Community Park. We saw lots of lizards and a few rabbits. We spent a fun afternoon adventuring and letting the kids lead the way. Looks like the preserve is a work-in-progress since the early 80’s and they are [...]

1 comment Find out more →

Crown Valley Community Park: Secret Gardens for Knights and Ladies

June 7, 2009

Crown Valley Community Park in Laguna Niguel is truly a great place for community gatherings and exploration. “Thank you, thank you!” to Staci who recommended Crown Valley Community Park. I’ve driven by it a million times and thought the only thing up the street was the South Coast YMCA. There’s much more to [...]

2 comments Find out more →