Our Neighborhood Parade

This morning we greeted the new year with front row seats at the Rose Bowl Parade. We were so close, we could smell the flowers (and the horses, unfortunately) as they drove past us just a few feet away. The amazing thing about going to the parade is the feeling of home it provides. No television sets, no ipods, computers, etc. Just you sitting in between thousands of neighbors sharing hot chocolate and shouting "Happy New Year!" It's the perfect way to start any new year and reminds us of the kindness of strangers.

Luau anyone?

Not sure what the food trends are in other cities, but over the last year in Los Angeles all the newest and hottest tables in town were at French brasseries. This year the trend has gone from Paris to Waikiki with Hawaiian restaurants popping up all over town, from the Beverly Hills-based Luau to the famous Roy's Hawaiian cuisine that opened just a month or two ago in Pasadena. Since we don't envision taking a trip to Hawaii anytime soon, and because we are fans of restaurateur Andy Hewitt's Il Sole, my husband and I thought we'd take in an umbrella drink or two. When we first arrived, we knew we were in for exactly what we had anticipated - a thatched roof, requisite tiki torches and lamps and other Hawaiian cosmetic touches. We hoped the food would be more than we expected. The drinks were diverse and tropical as anticipated, more fruit smoothie than rum runner. My husband and I ordered shrimp dishes that were mediocre at best, especially for the price. Some of the meat dishes and fish were presented well and left us wishing we had tried something else.

At the end of the night, we left the restaurant feeling a little bummed because although we weren't expecting that much to begin with - it's not like it was new French brasserie - we were surprised that even our low expectations were not really met. Fortunately, one bad Hawaiian meal will not erase my wonderful memories of the islands!

All's rosey in Pasadena

We live in Pasadena and that means the only thing to do New Year's day is the Rose parade. We walk 4 blocks from our house to watch the parade every year. It's been a great tradition and we've been spoiled this year becuase our neighbors saved us seats starting at 11 p.m. last night. We just show up with hot chocolate at 8:30 a.m. New Year's day and watch the show. Aren't we spoiled....and smart? Happy New Year!

Ahh...the holiday hoopla

We're back in full swing after days of holiday hoopla. It was so much fun this year, even though we chose to celebrate at home, rather than visit family, becuase my son finally understood that 1) it was okay to tear open the presents that were wrapped under the tree and 2) that he got to keep the gifts. It was so fun seeing how excited he was to own new toys - particularly his new Winnie the Pooh stuffed animal that he has yet to put down- but there was a part of me that wondered if I was already setting his expectations too high. Am I crazy to think that he social consciousness should start at age 2?

Doubt, the movie

My husband took my son to visit grandma and that gave me a few hours to run some errands and see some amazing acting. I saw "Doubt" this week and although it is not an uplifting movie, the acting is amazing. Meryl Streep, Amy Adams and Philip Seymour Hoffman make the movie completely worth seeing - unless you are looking to be cheered this holiday season, then wait until it comes out on video.

The clock has not started ticking on Santa yet

So, based on all the movies, television shows and my random memory, I thought my son would be born knowing about and loving Santa. Well, it's not true. He knows who Santa is now because of all the books we've read featuring the hefty man and his reindeer, but is he that excited about Santa at 23 months? Not really. Photos with Santa - not so happy. So this entire week I've tried to prep him for Santa's arrival - I've even told him about all the toys he's going to get, but still he's not that excited. I mean, he gets excited when he sees I am excited, but I don't think it's fully registered yet that he is about to rack in...that all 20 gifts under the tree are for him from relatives, friends, neighbors, etc.

We'll see how he reacts tomorrow morning, but for now I'll assume that he won't get it and that means I have a long time before he finds out that Santa isn't real. There is something sweet about that.

Goodie Bag Help!!

I'm prepping for my son's second birthday and need to figure out goodie bag items. He's only two so obviously no chokeables, but what are some fabulous ideas? I know you have them, start sharing......