Thrill or Chill... Winter Lights at the Los Angeles Zoo

One of the blessings of parenting teens
is the opportunity to witness their transition

from childhood into adulthood

Our oldest

recently surprised us by planning
a winter evening Family Adventure

and I was over the moon
(pun intended)

remembering

our first visit...

planned so that I could see the
look of awe and wonder on his little face

while cherishing

our recent visit...

planned so that he could see the
look of gratitude and joy on mine

------------------------------------

The Gardner Family

"The Family w/ Teens"

TIME IS LIMITED!!

Grab your boots, sweaters, hats, gloves,
and scarves for a Winter Wonderland

"Thrill or Chill" Adventure

at the

Los Angeles Zoo

LA Zoo Lights

LA Zoo Lights occurs "after hours", and

most of the animals will be unavailable...

(exception being those in the LAIR) 

Living Amphibians

Invertebrates, and Reptiles

You'll observe him, and he'll

observe you (observing him)

then exit the LAIR to stop
and observe the amazing

Water Light Show
(recurring every 5 min.)

Tip:

My son used the AAA discount code

for $$ off each ticket admission

(such a proud mommy moment)

Selfie Spot

There will be a perfect opportunity to stop for
a selfie (or two) before strolling through the

Twinkle Tunnel

because...

"You may not know exactly where the path will lead,

but you know without doubt who is lighting the way"

Churros, Cocoa, and a Los Angeles "snow flurry"

makes for a magical experience at any age!

Want to see more?

Check out the hashtag!

Hurry to catch these other seasonal

Southern CA Light Adventures

"Enchanted"

Descanso Gardens

"Moonlight Forest"

Los Angeles Arboretum

(find more Thrill or Chill Adventures here)

In Search of Winter (at Home and Abroad)

Whether you're... 

searching for

"a Winter Wonderland" 

(or seeking to escape one)

travel far enough, and you're sure 

to find exactly what you need

because...

at least six months of the year,

it's Winter somewhere!

-----------------------------------

Travel...

Christmas in Jamaica

Ringing in the New Year with a Bang in Bangkok

New Zealand Winter Getaway w/ Jack and Shoni

Winter Fun in Big Bear

Vacation Rewind (Big Bear 2008)

Thrill or Chill...

Winter Lights at the Los Angeles Zoo

(find more Family Adventures here)

Preparing Children For World Travel Before Ever Leaving Home

There's no greater 

teaching experience 

than

traveling abroad

meeting new people

seeing the world

(the gift we strive to give our children)

but before ever

stepping into an airport

getting their passport(s) stamped

or boarding an airplane

we can prepare them

to value and appreciate 

the lifestyle

the customs

the cultural norms

of people 

everywhere

Here are five things to help
prepare children for world travel...

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Music

Although our approach to music may vary...

Music is universal! 

steel drums
harmonicas
wind chimes
banjoes

the instruments
the instrumentation

the way we use (and enjoy) music often reflects
the diversity in the ways in which we approach life

easy...
laid back...
fast-paced...
heart pounding...

Music helps tell our stories!

as well as...

------------------------------------

Books

"World Snack Series" by Amy Wilson Sanger


Stories of truth and resilience

places
people
history

captured between the pages
passed down through oral tradition

provide an introduction

as you prepare...

------------------------------------------

Activities

(Children learn best through hands-on play
w/ meaningful interactions and conversations)

"My Granny Went to Market"
by Stella Blackstone and Christopher Corr

"travel" with Granny

(or Grammie)
(or Grandma)

as she shops in...

Istanbul
Thailand
Mexico
China

(and a few other "exotic" locations)

encourage children to duplicate granny's magic
carpet by creating their own unique patterns

Dhurrie Rug- Paper Piecing Activity

then visit the marketplace

to engage the senses
by introducing

scents
spices
flavors

-provide a mortar and pestle
-make spice smelling jars
-add cumin to play dough

allowing children to acquaint themselves
with the fragrance of spices

before adding them to...

-------------------------------------

Food

Introduce your child's palate to global flavors
through the use of seasonings, spices, and herbs

by...

incorporating new flavor profiles into
foods your child already eats and enjoys

Watermelon, Cucumber, Jicama
w/ chili salt, and a splash of lime
(Chile)

Need ideas?

"Around the World in 80 Purees"

by Leena Saini

is an excellent introduction of flavor

for infants as young as 6 months

start early

start young

start at home

The best part?

Recipes are categorized by region so that you can

"travel the world" without ever leaving your kitchen!

Roasted potatoes and rainbow carrots
(North Africa)
-------------------------------------

and finally...

Field Trips

fairs

festivals

parades

museums

and

cultural art exhibits

get out of the house

see an exhibit

meet someone

as a fun way to introduce the beauty

of culture and prepare for world travel!

Travel the world with us?

Lantern Release... Learning to Let Go w/ ShaRhonda Rose

Fear is a stronghold that seeks to...

paralyze
stop
hinder

But when grace steps in
(and introduces faith)

we gain the courage we need to

look at fear
acknowledge it
face it

and then

(when we are ready)

we can also learn to finally...

let it go

--------------------------------

ShaRhonda Rose

"Overcame the Fear of Flying"

Overcoming a fear can take time, so
understanding, patience, and resilience is key

Don't give up!



(read her story)

Today she shares part of her year-long journey
of learning to literally release her fear!!

The Lights Fest
Sky Lantern Release

Los Angeles to Imperial

(approx. 208 miles)

meeting in the open desert provides an opportunity to distance yourself
from all of the city noise, settle your spirit, and quiet your inner voice

as you

connect with God, self, and other like minded individuals


She says...

"The Lights Fest is an experience where friends and family
gather to listen to live music, fill up on good food, and
light up life by sharing personal wishes, dreams, and goals"

"Let your faith be bigger than your fears!!!"

look closer and you'll she personalized it...

For God has not given (me) the spirit of fear;
but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind

2 Timothy 1:7

Then as the sun goes does down, and the
sky darkens, light up your personalized lantern

to...

1...2...3...

Release!

She says...

"At the perfect moment, everyone ignites their personalized sky lanterns

and watches them take flight.  It creates a surreal ambiance, where time

slows down, as your single flame rises with thousands of others"

"It feels so good to be free"

Find a festival near you
and experience for yourself!

(find more Family Adventures here)

The Bayou Classic... A Fall, Family, Football Tradition!

It's a rival as old as time...

(only 46 years, actually)

but it is certainly one for the books

and our featured family recommends
making it a part of your fall tradition

We're headed to The Bayou Classic!

official website here

--------------------------------------

The Lewis Family

"The Empty-Nesters"

Photo Cred: Philicia Scott

Holiday Travel with the Family

Depending on your starting location you may want to drive,
take the train, or hop on the shuttle to the airport

to meet up with the rest of the family

Welcome to...

New Orleans, Louisiana

Family warms the heart
Food warms the home

Homemade Gumbo

(pronounced just like it sounds)

a Louisianan stew of strongly-flavored stock,
meat, or shellfish which may include:

chicken
rice
shrimp
crab
andouille sausage

and other warm seasonings and spices that are
just as unique as each family who prepares it

Pull up a seat, grab a bowl,
and enjoy the gut-filling Creole goodness

but please know...

Family recipes are kept
within the family!

-------------------------------------------

The Bayou Classic

Mercedes Benz- Superdome

Grambling State vs. Southern University

It's more than just football...

it's heritage
it's history
it's family!

and although the game is exciting,

the highlight and everyone's favorite

(is arguably)

the Greek Show and

"Battle of the Bands"

(see website for full weekend itinerary)

and later...

no matter who wins

the battle

the trophy

the game

warm beignets at Café Du Monde is the

sweetest and best way to end the day!

(find more Family Adventures here)

"Black Love" and other Fall Favorites...

The shifting of...

colors
time
weather

Autumn gently reminds us to
approach each day with thanksgiving

(while embracing our own life changes)

with the same

beauty
gratitude
grace

as the season itself!

----------------------------

LaShae

"The Single Mom"

This girl has been making some steady boss moves,
and her favorite way to kick off the beauty of the season

is with a...

Fall Photo Shoot

The only goal you can take hold of

is the one you are willing to reach for...

creator, visionary, host
Mom Talk Network


Grateful...

for the opportunity to learn and grow,
ask questions, and meet new people

Walking the red carpet at the OWN screening event

Black Love

Kevin and Melissa Fredericks

married 15 years

featuring a live performance

by "Major"

then a panel discussion
and "Meet and Greet"

w/ the show producers

because...

no matter the season

the time of day
the year

our all-time favorite is honoring the way
that "Black Love" shows up each day
-----------------------------------------

Also LaShae's favorite...

Homemade Peach Cobbler

(check out our other Fall Favorites)