By Rebecca Meekma.

I’ll let you in on a secret: Mother’s Day is not my favorite holiday. There’s something about forced recognition that, well, just isn’t cool. I don’t desire matching jewelry sets embellished with symbols recognizing my children’s birthdates. I don’t like overpriced flowers. And, I don’t particularly enjoy breakfast in bed; I always worry about the crumbs and the looming mess in the kitchen.

Now with my cynicism out of the way, I’ll tell you what I do enjoy about Mother’s Day: the joy in my girls’ hearts as they figure out what they want to do for me. The shy pride they display as they give me the gift they made in school. Them asking me what I want to do and interrupting each other with answers, vying for the Title of I Know Mom the Best. “Let’s go to the beach.” “No, let’s go on a hike.” “No, let’s get a facial.” “How about Disneyland?”

Whatever the day holds will be special and I will enjoy it. Even so, Mother’s Day memories don’t happen on Mother’s Day. They happen out of the blue on regular Mondays and Tuesdays. When I pick one of them up from a playdate and the other mother says, “She was wonderful: such great manners! I don’t say this to most people, but she’s welcome any time.” Or, after a very hectic month that included a visit from grandma, trips to Disneyland, spring break, going to Catalina, and a six-day business trip, I am able to meet them at the bus stop and prepare their favorite mac and cheese afterschool snack. When they settle down for a moment and are content. Or we’re not rushed and I relax about doing homework and cleaning their rooms and they don’t jump up wanting to thumbs up the latest Selena Gomez song. For a minute, it’s like when they were little, just two girls and their mom at the kitchen table, laughing and giggling while trying to find the perfect bunny-shaped pasta before he is gobbled down with a satisfied slurp.

My favorite mom moments happen late at night when I hear a door open, little feet come down the hall and a sleepy girl shows up at the big bed saying she had a bad dream or heard a noise or the cat walked on her. I ask if she wants to get in bed with me, and the answer is a sleepy, “Yes, mama.” Then that soft, warm little body snuggles up next to me. And no matter how tired I am, the love is overwhelming and I smell the top of her head and scratch her back “the way she likes it” and we fall asleep together. No card or gift or official mother’s day can ever replicate that.

Still figuring out a meaningful gift? Here’s one we did for Father’s Day that was fun and easy and a big hit. Find a cute picture of the family, or children, or mom and kids and have it printed as a 5 x 7. Purchase an 8 x 10 frame with a white mat at least two inches wide. Set aside some time when mom isn’t home and have the kids decorate the mat. Markers or colored pencils work best. For Father’s Day, the girls drew basketballs, donuts, and a Jeep.

And what gift do I want? No robe, please. Besides the obvious diamonds and spa gift certificates, two sure-fire winners, how about tickets to something I want to see? The Green Day musical. “American Idiot” is coming to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts May 29 to June 3 and I am dying to see it. Or, how about renting a Duffy in Newport Harbor for a cruise with or without the kids? What if we head down to the beach on Mother’s Day and you pack the beach bag, make the sandwiches and don’t forget the sunscreen? Now that’s a gift any mother would love.

**Give Away Alert: For a lucky :Get Out of the House” reader, the lovely Laguna mothers who run Icky Baby have generously donated a Mother’s Day gift bag that any mom will find useful as well as adorable. The gift includes a dozen compostable bibs, a laminated splat mat, art smock, diaper cover, tee set and lunch tote. Check out their wares at www.Icky.com. Email me your full name and contact information by Wednesday at 5 p.m. All names will go in a hat (or Mother’s Day bonnet) and one winner will be selected at random.

Rebecca Meekma is that friend who always knows something fun to do, and the Calendar Editor at Parenting OC magazine. Reach her at rmeekma@gmail.com.

By Rebecca Meekma.

Thanks to the recent rains the hills are green, the flowers are blooming and there is less sand on the beach. April is the perfect time to get out and explore our local wilderness  before summer’s dryness and heat takes hold.

Two of my favorite annual events are around the corner: Adventure Day at Caspers Wilderness Park on Saturday, April 14, and the Spring Fair and Art Festival at Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday and Sunday, April 21 and 22. Both events offer the opportunity to get outside with guided hikes, arts & crafts, games, animal exhibits and local experts on all things outdoors. The Tucker event also features an arts and crafters fair. Plus, on Sunday, visit the nearby Madame Modjeska House (it’s on the national historic register, designed by McKim & White, and is usually open only for prearranged guided tours.) Tucker and the Modjeska house are tucked away out in Modjeska Canyon and Caspers is a few miles out of San Juan on the Ortega, both offering a fun drive out of tract-housed OC. www.OCParks.com  or www.TuckerWildlife.org.

An event that we’ve never been to, but is on my calendar this year, is Earth Day at Panhe: A Native American Celebration, on Sunday, April 22 (I figure go to Tucker on Saturday and Panhe on Sunday.) Panhe is a 9,000 year old Acjachemen village, located at the present day San Mateo Campgrounds on the inland side of San Onofre State Park. The day features Native American dancers, singers, storytellers, demonstrations, crafts, music and more. I saw some pictures from last year’s event and it looks wonderful. www.SanOFoundation.org

Close to home, the Laguna Canyon Foundation offers monthly outdoor time for all members of the family. When we first moved to Laguna and weren’t familiar with the terrain and local critters (no rattlesnakes or lizards in New York!) husband and I went on a series of guided hikes so we would know what we were getting ourselves into. Our local schools do a great job introducing the kids to the canyons and tidepools, but nothing beats getting out together as a family.

On Sunday the 22^nd (what a day!) naturalist, outdoor mentor and local mom Kimberly Leeds leads families in outdoor adventures in her Sunday Fun Day class starting at the Willow Canyon Staging Area on Laguna Canyon Road.

Technically, you are leaving town to get to the next two events, but you’re entering the greenbelt that surrounds Laguna, just from the other side: There is a Tot Walk on Friday, April 20 that meets at the Aliso and Wood Canyon Wilderness Park, off Alicia Parkway, which is perfect for the littlest walkers in your life; and on Monday, April 23, the Baby and Me Hike allows caregivers to get outside with their littlest ones in a sling, backpack or other carrier (no strollers.)  www.LagunaCanyon.org

A few years ago, we went  on a guided family hike out at Riley Park (as close to Coto de Caza as I need to get) and stopped afterward at the picnic tables right by the ranger station and parking lot to have our picnic lunch. And that’s when Eagle Eye Isabel saw it: a snake. In the bushes. No big deal, at first. But then we saw, and heard, its tail. Yup, a rattler. Minding its own business, but too close for comfort.  The girls and I stood up on the picnic table while David casually walked over to the park ranger, who, luckily, was right in the parking lot, getting in his truck to do his rounds.

The Ranger got out his snake-catching stick/noose and promptly caught the rattler, showed it to us (up close & not too happy – fangs!) and put him in a sack to relocate him to the further reaches of the park. And we had a tale about a tail to tell.

Riley offers a guided Sunset Hike on Saturday, April 14. www.OCParks.com

A final recommendation: following the old, “Give a man a fish, feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, feed him for life” saying, Seeds Education is offering a Garden Supper Club on Tuesdays after school beginning April 17. This is a class for 6 to 10 year olds who will learn how to grow their dinner and then get to prepare and eat it. The class is at Anneliese in the Canyon. www.SeedsEd.org.

Whenever you go hiking or exploring the outdoors, remember your sunscreen, hats, long pants, sturdy shoes and water. A healthy snack/bribe is a good thing to bring along for little ones.

Rebecca Meekma is that friend who always knows something fun to do, and the Calendar Editor at Parenting OC magazine. Reach her at rmeekma@gmail.com.

By Rebecca Meekma

Thank you for your travel tips. I have been stopped at the grocery store, Girl Scout meetings and the Patriot’s Day Parade by enthusiastic readers who wanted to share their favorite island hotspots. I have Catalina very nearly planned; Hawaii, not so much. I’ll keep you updated and still welcome your suggestions.

On another note, the girls and I and several other mother/daughter teams recently saw the Laguna Playhouse’s Youth Theatre’s production of “Fairy tales: Hansel and Gretel and Cinderella” and had a wonderful evening. Twice each year, the Playhouse stages plays for families. Judging by the sparsely filled theater, unfortunately they seem to fly under the radar of many local families.

The plays are professionally staged, directed and costumed; the actors are a combination of children and teens in the Playhouse’s conservatory program, supported by professional actors, all of which combine for an engaging and accessible few hours of live action. All this for only a few dollars more than seeing the latest animated atrocity at a multiplex.

As it turned out, we knew the young Laguna Beach actress playing Gretel (way to go, Molly!) which gave the experience an added bonus. The fairy tales presented varied just enough from their Disney-fied versions as to make them familiar and fresh at the same time. All of the young actors held their own. In a delightful touch of humor, Hansel and Gretel were guests at the Prince’s Ball in “Cinderella.” Their appearance elicited laughs from the entire audience, as did their swift exit after learning that gingerbread (the witch’s favorite recipe, which includes children) was on the dessert buffet. Another highlight: cast members meet and greet and sign autographs for the pint-sized crowd after the show.

The moms especially appreciated the 5 p.m. curtain time, which had us out of the theater by 7. This was perfect for a late (by family standards) dinner in town, but where to go with a group of 12, including grade school aged girls? Someplace the adults would enjoy, meaning no neon lights and, hopefully, a liquor license?

The answer is someplace that I’d overlooked for nearly a decade: Hennessey’s. That’s right; we took our girls to a…bar. Well, the dining room on the side of a bar.  Hennessey’s has a passable menu of bar favorites (as one model-thin mom exclaimed, “I haven’t eaten these potato skins since law school!”) and reasonably priced kids meals that are light on greens, but very popular with the 12 and under set. They’ve added several salads to the menu and have a tasty surprise item for people looking for a non-fried meal: the best ahi poke in town. Yup. Ahi. At Hennessey’s. Really. It’s listed as an appetizer, but is easily big enough to be a meal. (Deal alert: Stop by on Fridays between 4 and 7 p.m. and try it for half price.)

My friends were a bit skeptical, but once the waitress seconded my enthusiasm for the dish (her favorite, too) we ordered a round of ahis (plus, the potato skins and a burger or two) and settled in for an hour or so of chatting, eating and drinking without having to worry about our kids’ behavior or breaking the bank when the check came. The girls were at one large booth, happily crayoning and talking amongst themselves, while at the adult table, we were doing the same thing (minus the crayons.)

So watch for the Playhouse’s next youth offering, probably in October. Treat yourself and any children in your life to a live theater experience.

If you can’t wait that long, check out “Sound of Music” at the high school, running the next three weekends and No Square Theater’s “LagunaTOTs” production in May. We really are a town of talented artistic types!

Rebecca Meekma is that friend who always knows something fun to do, and the Calendar Editor at Parenting OC magazine. Reach her at rmeekma@gmail.com.

By Rebecca Meekma

I’m trying something new this week: I’m asking you for advice on where to go. I admit it: there are two islands near and dear to many Lagunans’ hearts that we have never visited. One we look at almost every day, atmospheric conditions permitting. The other is quite a distance away, and is actually a chain of islands that became our 49^th (or is it, 50^th?) state. Yes, that’s right, my name is Rebecca and I’ve never been to Catalina or Hawaii.

So I’ve begun planning. And I’m asking for your help. Let me in on your favorites: where to stay, what to do, what to bring. I trust you more than I trust random internet reviews. And, please don’t tell the girls as I’m trying to surprise them.

Catalina is up first, as it’s the easier of the two trips. Izzy, especially, has been asking about going there ever since she inquired about that island in the ocean that she could see from our old living room window. She was 3 and we blithely told her that it was the Island of Sodor, where Thomas and his friends lived. Need I say that piqued her interest in visiting? And now she just wants to make it there before the sixth grade Thurston science trip so that she’s not a first-timer then. I’ve sent visiting friends and family to Catalina, but somehow never made it over myself. So now we’re going. Soon.

The bigger trip, Hawaii, still sounds unbelievably exotic. I grew up in New York, and Hawaii was literally half way around the world, remote and tropical, and way more complicated to get to than the Caribbean for vacation. The Bradys went and had troubles with an angry tiki and a spider; Greg almost drowned in a surfing competition; Alice hurt her back hula-ing. Oh, how exciting! It has been way too long since the Meekmas went to a lovely resort for longer than a weekend, and had the opportunity to relax and enjoy, so I’m going to make it happen. And I have no idea where to start…picking an island let alone a hotel should keep me occupied until at least July.

So, Laguna, please let me hear it: your island favs, please. Email me. I’ll keep the dialogue open in the column and share with everyone. Hopefully, we can all get away to one or two great islands this year.

On another note, mark your calendars now: Laguna Art Museum is having a Family Day on Sunday, March 11, and I encourage everyone to go over to the museum and support this effort. Our local museum has been struggling to find its footing regarding educational programming so let’s get out and show them that we want and need their art offerings for the family. The museum’s Univision Family Day is free from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and features a kids’ art workshop from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. as well as the opportunity to meet artist Victor Hugo Zayas when he gives a tour of the newly installed exhibit. His his work includes sculptures created from destroyed guns. (“Solo Show Aims for Arts’ Transformative Power,” Feb. 17 edition). He sees the sculptures as symbols of peace. Should be really interesting for all ages. Props to Univision for sponsoring the day.

And, while we’re talking about supporting our local arts organizations, sign up for one of LOCA’s (Laguna Outreach Community Art) kids art classes, taught by local artists. Coming up on Saturday, March 10, is Marine Life Oil Pastel Class taught by September McGee at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center. The class includes a docent tour as well as art. $15 per child, ages 6 and older please. Adults welcome, too ($20 for you.) www.LocaArts.org.

Rebecca Meekma is that friend who always knows something fun to do, and the Calendar Editor at Parenting OC magazine. Reach her at rmeekma@gmail.com.

By Rebecca Meekma

I’m trying something new this week: I’m asking you for advice on where to go. I admit it: there are two islands near and dear to many Lagunans’ hearts that we have never visited. One we look at almost every day, atmospheric conditions permitting. The other is quite a distance away, and is actually a chain of islands that became our 49^th (or is it, 50^th?) state. Yes, that’s right, my name is Rebecca and I’ve never been to Catalina or Hawaii.

So I’ve begun planning. And I’m asking for your help. Let me in on your favorites: where to stay, what to do, what to bring. I trust you more than I trust random internet reviews. And, please don’t tell the girls as I’m trying to surprise them.

Catalina is up first, as it’s the easier of the two trips. Izzy, especially, has been asking about going there ever since she inquired about that island in the ocean that she could see from our old living room window. She was 3 and we blithely told her that it was the Island of Sodor, where Thomas and his friends lived. Need I say that piqued her interest in visiting? And now she just wants to make it there before the sixth grade Thurston science trip so that she’s not a first-timer then. I’ve sent visiting friends and family to Catalina, but somehow never made it over myself. So now we’re going. Soon.

The bigger trip, Hawaii, still sounds unbelievably exotic. I grew up in New York, and Hawaii was literally half way around the world, remote and tropical, and way more complicated to get to than the Caribbean for vacation. The Bradys went and had troubles with an angry tiki and a spider; Greg almost drowned in a surfing competition; Alice hurt her back hula-ing. Oh, how exciting! It has been way too long since the Meekmas went to a lovely resort for longer than a weekend, and had the opportunity to relax and enjoy, so I’m going to make it happen. And I have no idea where to start…picking an island let alone a hotel should keep me occupied until at least July.

So, Laguna, please let me hear it: your island favs, please. Email me. I’ll keep the dialogue open in the column and share with everyone. Hopefully, we can all get away to one or two great islands this year.

On another note, mark your calendars now: Laguna Art Museum is having a Family Day on Sunday, March 11, and I encourage everyone to go over to the museum and support this effort. Our local museum has been struggling to find its footing regarding educational programming so let’s get out and show them that we want and need their art offerings for the family. The museum’s Univision Family Day is free from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and features a kids’ art workshop from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. as well as the opportunity to meet artist Victor Hugo Zayas when he gives a tour of the newly installed exhibit. His his work includes sculptures created from destroyed guns. (“Solo Show Aims for Arts’ Transformative Power,” Feb. 17 edition). He sees the sculptures as symbols of peace. Should be really interesting for all ages. Props to Univision for sponsoring the day.

And, while we’re talking about supporting our local arts organizations, sign up for one of LOCA’s (Laguna Outreach Community Art) kids art classes, taught by local artists. Coming up on Saturday, March 10, is Marine Life Oil Pastel Class taught by September McGee at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center. The class includes a docent tour as well as art. $15 per child, ages 6 and older please. Adults welcome, too ($20 for you.) www.LocaArts.org.

Rebecca Meekma is that friend who always knows something fun to do, and the Calendar Editor at Parenting OC magazine. Reach her at rmeekma@gmail.com.

By Rebecca Meekma

Back east, skiing is a sport for tough people. Conditions are usually granular; powder is unheard of. Basically, you are skidding down a hill of slick snow (um, ice), trying to stay warm. Sure, you can have fun while you’re doing it, but it’s a totally different experience from skiing out West. When I finally skied Tahoe, it was as if the snow angels sung as temperatures were warm enough to ski in a fleece (unzipped!), never mind the neck gator, hat and pocket warmers I was used to. The snow was light and fluffy and we could sit outside in the sun and have a drink on the deck after a few runs. Crazy!

“Ski Week,” officially known as mid-winter break, is around the corner, and for many Laguna families that means the annual pilgrimage to Mammoth. But not us, as I gave up skiing several years ago and husband never really developed a love for it growing up in mountainless Wisconsin. Sometimes I feel for my girls that at 7 and 9 they haven’t tried it yet, but all I can think about is the lugging, the buying and the ski week crowds. And we make the decision to stay where we can smell low tide.

But that doesn’t mean we stay at home. There will be a day or two when the girls blissfully sleep in past 6:40 and lounge around the house watching TV. That kind of chill, down day is something we all look forward to. But the other days, we’ll be taking advantage of places that make snowless So Cal the place to be over break.

Here are some suggestions for a Ski Week that doesn’t revolve around snow.

For some family fun: The Harlem Globetrotters at the Honda Center on Saturday, Feb. 18. Meadowlark Lemon and Curly Neal  may not be on the team any longer, but this season sees a girl Globetrotter takes to the court. I’m humming the music already. And, I’ve got four tickets to give-away. The first person who emails me for them gets them!

We went to Medieval Times in Buena Park last summer and had a blast: we wore the paper crowns, ate with our hands, booed the evil knight and cheered our section’s knight to (almost) victory. A new show has just debuted, filled with more horse stunts, skilled riding and fighting than ever before. And the nice people at MT have offered a family four-pack of tickets – good any (k)night in February, including Ski Week – to one of my readers. First person to email me gets them.

This winter has been a banner season for whale watching. Not only have California gray whales been spotted nearly every day, but a pod of orcas hung out just off shore for a few weeks. Don’t miss our local sea life: dolphins and sea lions can put on a good show, too! Take a two-hour trip out of Dana Point with Dana Wharf on any Tuesday and pay 2-for-1. Sounds like a deal! www.DanaWharf.com.

Fairy Tales: Hansel and Gretel and Cinderella opens at the Playhouse on Friday, Feb. 24, and is sure to be a great theater introduction for younger family members. Tickets are $18 and $20. www.LagunaPlayhouse.com

On Sunday, Feb. 26, head down to San Juan Capistrano for the Kid’s Pet Parade, part of town’s annual Fiesta de las Golondrinas. Does your lizard travel well? Enter him or her in the competition. Or maybe stick to canine competitors. www.SwallowsParade.com

Or go explore: February is Museum Month in San Diego. Stop by any Macy’s in San Diego County and pick up a Museum Pass which gives you and up to three guests 50% off admission at any San Diego museum, including Air & Space Museum, The New Children’s Museum and Old Town Historical State Park. The pass is reusable, so you can score all month long once you’ve picked it up. Considering admission prices, these savings can really add up. www.SanDiegoMuseumCouncil.org/Museum_Month

So, get out of the house this February and try something new.

Rebecca Meekma is that friend who always knows something fun to do, and the Calendar Editor at Parenting OC magazine. Reach her at rmeekma@gmail.com.

Back east, skiing is a sport for tough people. It is cold out. I mean really cold. Conditions are usually granular; powder is unheard of. Basically, you are skidding down a hill of slick snow (um, ice), trying to stay warm. Sure, you can have fun while you’re doing it, but it’s a totally different experience from skiing out West. When I finally skied Tahoe, it was as if the snow angels sung as temperatures were warm enough to ski in a fleece (unzipped!), never mind the neck gator, hat and pocket warmers I was used to, the snow was light and fluffy and we could sit outside in the sun and have a drink on the deck after a few runs. Crazy!

“Ski Week,” officially known as Mid-Winter Break, is around the corner, and for many Laguna families, that means the annual pilgrimage to Mammoth. But not us, as I gave up skiing several years ago and husband never really developed a love for it growing up in mountain-less Wisconsin. Sometimes I feel for my girls that at 7 and 9 they haven’t tried it yet, but all I can think about is the lugging, and the buying, the ski week crowds, and, did I mention the lugging and buying? And we make the decision to stay where we can smell low tide.

But that doesn’t mean we stay at home staring at the walls. Sure, there will be a day or two when the girls blissfully sleep in past 6:40 and lounge around the house, watching TV, playing Wii until their dad or I order them outside to scooter or catch lizards, but that kind of chill, down day is something they need, something they look forward to. Correction: something we all look forward to. But the other days, we’ll be taking advantage of the time off, checking out some events and places that make snow-less So Cal the place to be over break.

For all the families not skiing in February, here are some suggestions for a Ski Week that doesn’t revolve around snow.

For some real family-fun: Check out the Harlem Globetrotters at the Honda Center on Saturday, February 18. I haven’t been since I was a kid and I’m really looking forward to taking the girls to see the performance/game. Meadowlark Lemon and Curly Neal (you know you remember them) may not be on the team any longer, but this season sees a girl Globetrotter take to the court for the first time in19 years! I’m humming the music already. And, I’ve got four tickets to give-away. The first person who emails me for them gets them!

We went to Medieval Times in Buena Park last summer and had a blast: we wore the paper crowns, ate with our hands, booed the evil knight and cheered our section’s knight to (almost) victory. A new show has just debuted, filled with more horse stunts, skilled riding and fighting than ever before. And the nice people at MT have offered a family-four pack of tickets – good any (k)night in February, including Ski Week – to one of my readers. First person to email me gets them.

This winter has been a banner season for whale watching. Not only have California Gray Whales been spotted nearly every day, but a pod of Orcas hung out just off shore for a few weeks. Don’t miss our local sea life: dolphins and sea lions can put on a good show, too! Take a two-hour trip out of Dana Point with Dana Wharf on any Tuesday and pay 2-for-1. Sounds like a deal! www.DanaWharf.com.

Fairy Tales: Hansel and Gretel and Cinderella opens at the Playhouse on Friday, February 24 and is sure to be a great theater introduction for younger family-members. Just make sure they can sit still. Tickets are $18 and $20. www.LagunaPlayhouse.com

On Sunday, February 26 head down to San Juan Capistrano for the Kid’s Pet Parade, part of SJC’s annual Fiesta de las Golondrinas. I keep threatening to take our cat Trouble to a pet contest, but I don’t think he would enjoy it, even though I know he’d win Handsomest Pet. Does your lizard travel well? Enter him or her in the competition. Or maybe stick to canine competitors. www.SwallowsParade.com

Or go explore: February is Museum Month in San Diego. Stop by any Macy’s in San Diego County and pick up a Museum Pass which gives you and up to three guests 50% off admission at pretty much any San Diego Museum you would ever want to visit, including The San Diego Air & Space Museum, The New Children’s Museum and Old Town Historical State Park. The pass is reusable, so you can score all month long once you’ve picked it up. Considering how high admission prices have gone at some institutions, these savings can really add up. www.SanDiegoMuseumCouncil.org/Museum_Month

So, get out of the house this February, try something new, , no worries, I’ve heard conditions aren’t great this season.

Rebecca Meekma is that friend who always knows something fun to do, and the Calendar Editor at Parenting OC magazine. Reach her at rmeekma@gmail.com.

By Rebecca Meekma

Izzy and the other El Morro fourth graders recently made their pilgrimage to the Mission in San Juan Capistrano, a place she has visited many times before. Apparently, I was the only mother who chose not to accompany their child. Usually, there is an enforced cap on the number of parent chaperones, but I’m guessing due to the size of the group – all 120 fourth graders – as well as the close proximity, anyone who wanted to accompany, could. And did. Thankfully, a friendly mom gave Izzy a penny to throw in the fountain with everybody else or I would have been demoted to the mothering hall of shame.

I had asked Izzy if she wanted me to come, knowing we have begun the years when she wants to know I’m available more than she wants me around in public. She breezily said I needn’t go as she doesn’t need me smothering her at every event.

I was surprised when she shared that several of her classmates who have lived their entire lives in Laguna had never been to the mission. “Mom, you would have been a better docent than the lady we had.” Hey, she knows what a docent is! Not bad!

My girls have been on many guided tours given by professionals and volunteers, have listened to audio guides and have learned to ask questions of the ranger, the lady behind the counter, and the teen-aged volunteer. And it has made them intrigued about the world we live in, and our context in it. They try new activities: churn your own butter; test the Ph of water; pick up that trash! And eat new foods. Sea cucumber or tongue anyone?

They do it because we have left our beautiful little bubble town and seen some of the bigger picture. I’m kvelling with pride, as my Jewish grandmother would say, but with all the parenting mistakes I make, I deserve to feel good about something I’ve done right.

Learning about California’s history isn’t something we should leave to the fourth grade teachers; it is something we can all learn a bit more about, especially transplants like me.

Learn about Laguna’s history at the Hotel Laguna. Walk through the lobby and check out the amazing collection of historical photos and captions that line the walls. Or stop in at the Laguna Historical Society’s Murphy-Smith Bungalow, on Ocean Avenue on a weekend afternoon, and get a sense of old-time Laguna livin’.

Then get out of town. My favorite recent discovery is Heritage Hill Park in Lake Forest, which features four historic structures: the Serrano Adobe, a Victorian farm house, a 1890 one-room school house and a tiny clapboard church. Both girls especially liked the school house. And they recognized our old cabinets in the ranch house, which was last lived in (and remodeled) in the 1950s.

Visit the Mission. Get the audio guide. Wander. Sit and relax. Imagine. Then cross the train tracks over to Los Rios Street, the oldest residential street in California where the local native Americans who built the Mission lived) and visit the O’Neill Museum or Montanez Adobe.

Fill your kids’ heads with the stories of Zorro, and bandits and cowboys and ranchers – all of whom (except Zorro,) lived and worked in south-county in the not-too-distant past. In fact there are still cowboys in San Juan.

Switching gears: I have four tickets to the Advance Auto Parts Monster Truck Jam at Angel Stadium Saturday, Jan. 28, 7 p.m. to give away to a lucky Indy reader. First person who emails me with an OC historical tidbit gets them.

Laguna Beach Historical Society: www.LagunaHistory.org

Heritage Hill Historic Park: www.ocparks.com/heritagehill

Mission San Juan Capistrano: www.MissionSJC.com

Los Rios Street and O’Neill Museum: www.SJCHistoricalSociety.com

Rebecca Meekma is that friend who always knows something fun to do. She is the Calendar Editor for Parenting OC Magazine. Reach her at RMeekma@gmail.com.

By Rebecca Meekma

When I was in my 20s I thought I understood the saying, “Youth is wasted on the young.” I vowed to enjoy my life, try new things, experience different cultures and eat new foods. And I did. But it’s only in the past few years that I understand more fully what that expression means.

Similarly, I remember being pregnant 10 years ago while working at the Sawdust. Many of the exhibitors were a generation or so older than I and would come to the office and chat about babies and mothering, two topics that were completely foreign to me. “Enjoy this special time. It goes so fast.” Of course, but how? Everything was changing. And once the baby arrived, who had time to enjoy when there was so much to be done?

The parenting best advice I received came unexpectedly. I was on the phone with my then-88-year-old grandmother. I was wondering out loud about when my daughter Isabel was going to grow some hair. She was almost 2 then and had barely an inch of fine, downy hair on her head. And my grandmother replied, “Rebecca, no bride ever walked down the aisle bald.” I don’t know if this is an expression from the old country (Brooklyn) or simply the wisdom of nearly nine decades. But her notion that time takes care of things has stayed with me.

Be involved. Worry even. Make smart, informed decisions. But you can’t control everything so let go a bit. Time wins.

In the darkness of early mornings in late December, I cherish the joys of being a mom. The simple everyday experiences that bind you closer with the baby you once held. The hugs. The smiles. The, “Watch me, mom!”s. And the fact that once they are born, we must start letting them go. It is impossible to keep them wrapped in their mother’s arms forever.

This Christmas break has been a fortifying respite from the hectic schedule of the school year. We are spending time together – not traveling, not doing amazing things, but simply chilling around town. No alarms. No hurry up to get to a sports practice and a birthday party and dance class. Two weeks of reveling in my girls.

So we went to Moulton Meadows Park yesterday. It had been a year since we’d been. We brought along some new Christmas presents that needed to be tried on a large grassy area. The sun was warm and we were barefoot in the grass, running across the field.

While day trips, weekends away and evenings at the theater are fun, I haven’t lost sight of the pure pleasure of enjoying an afternoon at the park. No friends. No cell phone. No handheld devices. Just my two girls running, laughing, playing and bickering (hey, this is real life) and occasionally shouting, “Mom, watch me.”

It goes quicky. Stop and enjoy it. We only have them at home for 18 years or so. Go to the park and play.

My Top Five Excursions in 2011: 5: Being a backstage mom at the Pageant of the Masters – it was a long summer, but worth it, 4: Heritage Hill Park (Holiday Fair) in Lake Forest, 3: Christmas lights in Nellie Gail, 2: Aquarium of The Pacific and 1: Any day at the beach in town.

Happy New Year. May 2012 be a year of fresh beginnings and dreams fulfilled.

Rebecca Meekma is that friend who always knows something fun to do, and the Calendar Editor at Parenting OC magazine. Reach her at rmeekma@gmail.com.

By Rebecca Meekma

I’m writing this as another Sunday draws to a close. Early morning hike in the hills, late breakfast with the family, a few errands and we were home just as the rain began in earnest. Husband had DVD’ed the Packers game and there we were, snug as bugs in a rug on a blustery November day, watching football, baking brownies, doing laundry, catching up on reading.

This in spite of my best efforts. There were plays we wanted to see, holiday boutiques to visit, special events to enjoy. But, once again, just before I hit “Buy,” I realized that a quiet Sunday was what we needed.

So, knowing that the next few weeks would be jam-packed, here are some of my picks for seasonal fun for kids of all ages:

Laguna Beach Hospitality Night. Friday, Dec. 2, 5:30’ish ‘til you’re exhausted. Go downtown next Friday night. Say hi to everyone you know. Stroll. The El Morro & Top of the World Honors Chorus, the High School Band, Community Concert Band and that Bagpipe group provide seasonal entertainment. See the City Hall Pepper Tree light up. Watch Santa arrive. Shop. Eat. Enjoy.

Heritage Hill’s Victorian Christmas. Saturday, Dec. 3, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Heritage Hill is in Lake Forest and it’s run by the county park system.  It’s a collection of historical buildings that show off our local history. This event includes holiday shopping, entertainment, kids’ crafts, living history demonstrations and tours of the appropriately decorated historical buildings. 25151 Serrano Road, 949-923-2230 for info.

San Juan’s Hospitality Night/Christmas at the Mission. Saturday, Dec. 3.  Always one of my favorite holiday events. Like Laguna’s, only you won’t know everyone, so you can enjoy the people you’re with. Walk downtown San Juan. Shop, drink. Eat. The hightlight? Visit the Mission at night. Music fills the air. So do the smells of tamales and hot chocolate. Last year we saw a guitarist sing a beautiful version of Silent Night next to the luminaria-lit ruins of the Great Stone Church. Magical. www.MissionSJC.com

Gingerbread classes at the St. Regis or Pelican Hill. Weekends – call the hotels for specifics. Yeah, I’ve bought the gingerbread house kits at Trader Joe’s. And the one at Michael’s. And the one at Target. You know what? They were OK. But after I bought a few extra candy decorations, and spent time mixing up frosting and holding Roof 1 onto Side 2 and supervising and cleaning up…well, that little $12.99 gingerbread kit turned into a way bigger ordeal than I wanted. Thankfully, the people at the St. Regis understand my pain and created Gingerbread House Academy. For $65, take the family to the St Regis. Dress up or not. But get ready to decorate the gingerbread house of your dreams. I especially enjoyed watching the crazed Martha Stewart-wanna-be parents shoving their kids out of the way. www.StRegisMB.com. Pelican Hill is getting in on the gingerbread scene too at $65 per child with lunch. www.PelicanHill.com.

Mission Viejo’s Mount of Olives Church’s Drive Thru-Nativity (and food drive.) Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9 & 10, 6 to 10 p.m. Experience the Christmas story from the warmth of your car…members of this church stage 10 scenes from the story of Christ’s birth, including angels, shepherds and stars, and camels in the marketplace. There’s narration through your car’s radio. Bring canned or non-perishable food items to donate. 24772 Christanta Drive, Mission Viejo. 949-837-7467.

And, finally, Laguna Niguel’s Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. The parade is on Crown Valley. Free parking and shuttle service from the Ziggurat Federal Building. Who doesn’t love a parade? Grand Marshall: Magic Johnson! And the Teen Grand Marshal is Noah Munck, better known as Gibby on iCarly. Plus, marching bands, floats, horses and Santa’s appearance. www.LagunaNiguelParage.com.

Rebecca Meekma is that friend who always knows something fun to do and the Calendar Editor for Parenting OC. Follow her blog at www.ParentingOC.com or contact her at Rmeekma@gmail.com.

Rebecca Meekma

It wasn’t a good sign when the bearded man in plaid and a neon orange vest made the hand motion for “keep going.” The next volunteer relayed the bad news, “Sorry, folks, parking is full. You’ll have to go down the road to the old elementary school and park there. We’ll send a shuttle out soon.”

My inner voice screamed, “No, I want rock star parking. I don’t do shuttles. Arggh.” But, my public (and real) voice calmly thanked the man for his helpfulness and turned to husband and the girls and said, “To the old elementary school we go!”

The occasion was Bat Night at the Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary in Modjeska Canyon. Tucker, which is run by Cal State Fullerton, is fairly remote and usually quiet. It hosts school groups during the week and random hikers and explorers on the weekends. It came perilously close to being destroyed by wildfires a few years ago but was spared and remains one of my favorite places to get away from it all.

It all starts with the drive. Out to the end of El Toro, past Cook’s Corner and suddenly you’re in the West. People still have horses and the landscape reminds me of TV westerns made before I was born. Housewives of Orange County territory, this isn’t. Most of the houses have rustic charm Aside from a spate of contemporary stucco things put up in the past few years, mostly Modjeska Canyon is what everyone claims Laguna was 20 or 30 or 40 years ago.

A seasonal stream runs through the sanctuary and on one visit about five years ago, the girls, then 3 and 5 and I spent several hours throwing pebbles into the running water and giggling at the thrill of a real-life stream in Orange County. There are paths that meander through the gardens and many, many birds to spot. A small field “museum” hosts taxidermied local specimens as well as several live canyon-dwellers, including the requisite rosy boa (available for petting if the ranger is in the right mood), iguanas, frogs and the like.

Tucker is a great place to drive out to on a weekend afternoon with a picnic lunch and no plan other than having a relaxing good time, no matter the age of the children in your life.

But, Bat Night is not your typical evening at Tucker. This once a year event is an autumn festival, complete with crafts, face painting, pumpkin carving, hay rides, BBQ and, of course, a lecture on bats and the opportunity to search for live ones.

And Bat Night drew a large crowd.

We found the old elementary school. And the family we were meeting found it, too. As the sun set spectacularly behind the rugged hills, we chatted and waited. And waited. But making lemons into lemonade, or more seasonally, pumpkins into pie, the kids discovered that the school was abandoned. Ooh. Creepy. Leaving all pretext of rusticity behind, I quickly googled the school’s name and found it had been decommissioned in 2009. It still looked pretty good on the outside, but if you walked around and peered in the windows, there were spooky spider webs and overturned chairs in the otherwise empty classrooms. A good setting for a horror tale about a family waiting for a shuttle when darkness fell…

So our parking calamity turned into an exciting adventure. And the nice man in plaid came out to the school and helped us all pass the time. And sure enough, a shuttle came for us. We arrived at Bat Night over an hour later than we had planned, but this was one occasion when getting there was more than half the fun.

Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary, 29322 Modjeska Canyon Road, Modjeska Canyon. 714-649-2760. www.TuckerWildlife.org.

Happy Halloween! See you at the Boo Blast at El Morro later today. Everyone is invited.

PS: Know a business or person collecting Halloween candy for a good cause? Email me or write to the paper.

Rebecca Meekma is that friend who always knows something fun to do and the Calendar Editor for Parenting OC. Follow her blog at www.ParentingOC.com or contact her at Rmeekma@gmail.com.

Rebecca Meekma

Friendly Monster at the Performing Arts Center

Instead of urging my girls into their baths and beds, last Tuesday I ushered them into the car. The occasion? We were on our way to see “Shreck: The Musical” at the Segerstrom Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa.

I was a hesitant about the performance for two reasons: the mid-week school repercussions and our not so successful visit to the Performing Art Center last year to see “Beauty and the Beast,” which left us totally underwhelmed.

At 7 p.m., I had that, “Do I really want to leave town?” feeling as we headed out the canyon to the 405. Rush hour traffic had passed, and I had wisely prepared dinner at home to reduce the “out” time on a weeknight. We made it to our seats just as the bells chimed for the 7:30 curtain and we settled in to be entertained.

And we were! I’m not a theater critic so I won’t try to decipher what makes a good night at the theater. But the actors held our attention as did the catchy musical numbers.  The evil dragon guarding Princess Fiona was a spectacular puppet, the likes of which I couldn’t have imagined when I was watching Mr. Rogers and his puppets back in the ‘70s.  Villain Lord Farquaad was especially amusing. In the Shrek movies he is very short of stature. To accommodate this on stage, the directors have a regular sized actor on his knees with a large cape to camouflage and little fake legs attached to his lower torso, creating a Farquaad who is not quite four feet tall.

There is no deep message in Shrek other than be true to yourself. The girls and I, being true Lagunatics, especially enjoyed “Let Your Freak Flag Fly,” a song urging the much-maligned storybook characters of the musical to celebrate their differences and eccentricities.

This is not a night at the theater devoted to stimulating academic discussions on human existence.  Shrek provides a much-needed dose of pure entertainment that is enjoyable for children and adults. The few adult jokes went right over the girls’ heads and all three Meekmas stood and cheered at the happy ending, accompanied, as it is in the movie, by the Monkees’ “I’m a Believer.”

Leaving the theater on that happy note, the girls raced playfully through the hedge “maze” outside the Performing Arts Center. Five minutes later, as I turned back onto the 405 they were already peacefully asleep.

Shrek: The Musical runs through this Sunday at the Segerstrom Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 714-556-2787. www.SCFTA.org.

A reminder to well-intentioned parents and grandparents: please consider the maturity of your child or grandchild and whether they can sit quietly through a 90 minute performance. Don’t waste your money or ruin the experience of other theater-goers by bringing a 4- or 5-year-old who talks incessantly through the play or needs to be taken out to the lobby.

NB: Earlier this week, Goldstar has had Shrek tickets available.  For those of you who don’t know, www.Goldstar.com is a service that offers discounted tickets to major and not-so-major performances and events in Orange County (and many other cities.) This is a great source for Angels and Ducks as well as theater, whale-watching, ballet, etc tickets.

Rebecca Meekma is that friend who always knows something fun to do and the Calendar Editor for Parenting OC. Follow her blog at www.ParentingOC.com. 

Rebecca Meekma

Knott the Typical Visit to a Theme Park

Let me state the obvious: Theme parks are fun. But do you know how to make them more fun? Go without your kids. Seriously. I went to Knott’s Scary Farm with a girlfriend and had a blast. No carrying goldfish and granola bars. No forcing small people to go to the bathroom. No one crying because he/she was too short to ride the rollercoaster. No whining. It was magical.

Knott’s Scary Farm is recommended for teenagers and older and, yes, a good portion of the teen crowd were The Biebs’ age, but people of all ages were out in force enjoying the campy thrills of Knott’s Scary Farm.

Girlfriend picked me up at 6:30 and I told husband to expect me home by 10:30. How wrong that was. We kept saying, “Oh, it’s getting late…just one more ride/maze.” And there we were, closing the place down. I got home after 2 a.m.! Thank goodness there wasn’t a babysitter to pay.

Family time is important, date night is important, but old-fashioned fun with a friend is really important, too. Too often moms (and women in general) lose our sense of fun. We meet for hikes and walks and yoga or to get our nails done and have lunch. We see speakers and go to plays and raise funds for important causes. All of which I enjoy. But we leave it to the guys to go have fun. When was the last time you heard about a few moms who got together to go to a friend’s house while the dad and kids were out so they (the moms) could drink and play Wii like college kids? Umm – never. The husbands/dads of the world seem to know how to do that kind of thing.

So, moms, wives, girlfriends, take a (rare) lesson from the guys and go out and have fun. I’ll suggest a little seasonal time at Knott’s. The kids will be happy for you. Izzy and Maggie couldn’t wait to hear which rides I went on (almost all: Excellerator, Pony Express, Silver Bullet, Windseeker…) and whether or not it was scary (it was, in a fun way.)

We had visited Knott’s as a family over the summer and really enjoyed it. The girls are tall enough to go on almost all of the rides and Camp Snoopy was a nice place to visit, but we didn’t have to linger there (it is great for the 6 and younger set.) We rode the new Windseeker, a deluxe version of the swings ride at every carnival, but the Windseeker takes you up over 300 feet. Once I could open my eyes it was great.

Knott’s admission prices are very reasonable when compared to another OC theme park and its size makes it very manageable in a day. The girls loved trying the thrill rides (Maggie wisely sat some out.) The old west town was interesting and we stumbled upon the museum there where we spent some time looking at western memorabilia.

The same old west area was fog-filled and truly creepy to walk through when it was transformed into Scary Farm’s haunted ghost town. Monsters and ghouls roamed the streets, often surprising you with a loud noise or sparks flying from their shoes. At one point, Girlfriend turned to me and said, “There’s a guy with a hatchet following you.” Not words we hear everyday. Hee,hee.

So, Moms, Get Out of the House – without your kids and enjoy!

PS: There are many great events for the entire family in October:

This weekend (both days), head over to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts and participate in their free interactive performance art event, “We Built This City,” which lets kids work with artist/construction workers to build a city out of thousands of cardboard boxes. www.SCFTA.org.

Other October events not to miss:

Weekends at the Nix: Amazing Raptors Day on Saturday, Oct. 8. www.OCParks.com/LagunaCoast.

Acorn Day Family Festival is Sunday, Oct. 9, at O’Neill Regional Park in Trabuco Canyon. www.OCParks.com.

Bat Night, Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary out in Modjeska Canyon. Worth the drive. www.TuckerWildlife.org.

One of my favorite organizations, The Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach hosts its annual Fall Faire on Sunday, Oct. 16. www.ENCenter.org.

Autumn Harvest Festival on Saturday, Oct. 22, at Heritage Hill historical park in Lake Forest. www.OCParks.com/HeritageHill.

And, RSVP for Haunted Library Night at the Laguna Beach Library on Tuesday, Oct. 25. 949-497-1733.

Rebecca Meekma is that friend who always knows something fun to do and the Calendar Editor for Parenting OC. She reminds everyone to wear broad-spectrum sunscreen all summer long. Follow her blog at www.ParentingOC.com. 

Rebecca Meekma

After weeks of wishing for the school year to begin, my wish came true. Surprisingly, both Meekma girls were as anxious to get back to El Morro as I was to send them. Now, they’re not perfect students who spend recess working out the next year’s math problems or anything like that. They simply love learning new things, their teachers, being with friends for six and half hours a day and no nagging for playdates required.

I decided to forego back to school haircuts as I knew the girls would still be in the pool and ocean for the next month or so. Instead I treated them to back-to-school manicures and pedicures, an outing that they love, as it is a rare occasion for them. My philosophy on mani/pedis for girls: something fun and special – not something that just happens on a regular basis. And this time, they chose alternating neon colors, decorated in sparkly zebra (or tiger) stripes. Good times.

We had done a reasonable amount of shopping in August. Not too much as Laguna’s September is not really fall weather clothing. But they had new outfits and most importantly, new bookbags and lunch bags.

Over Labor Day weekend, I restocked the kitchen with lunch staples: cheese sticks, apple sauce cups, peanut butter and jelly. Experience had taught me to start lunches the night before to reduce the number of ridiculously stress-inducing chores that happen before 7:15 a.m. on school days.

So with first-day outfits laid out, hair washed, bags ready with bus passes and new pencils, the girls actually went to sleep by 8:30 for the first time since June. It seemed I had barely slept when my alarm sounded at 6:15. Here it was: the first day of school.

Things moved along with a minimum of yelling. Dressed, they came downstairs for breakfast. They ate reasonably healthily. We added the colds to the lunch boxes. I should have realized things were too good to last. As Maggie went to load her lunchbox into her new backpack – the purple one with hearts and peace signs that took several shopping trips to painstakingly choose – she calmly said; “Mom, my backpack is wet.”

No spilled water here. This was the work of the quietest member of the family, Trouble the Cat. Apparently, he was the only one not happy about the first day of school. So he spoke up the only way he knew how and peed in Maggie’s new bag.

This is where the story should get really crazy. And it does, except in the opposite way.

Maggie stayed calm and did not burst into tears. I picked the bag up & put it on the porch. The bus pass and new pencil case were unscathed. David pronounced the bag washable. And, with very little prompting, big sister Izzy offered her prized jelly fish tote bag (it had been a birthday gift in June and she loved it so much she had only used it once over the summer) to her younger sister so she would still have a new and special bag for the first day.

To my amazement Maggie said sure to the offer of the jelly fish tote. We packed up her new bag, finished brushing hair and teeth, and they were out the door on time.

Miracles do happen. Little sisters weather small tragedies. Big sisters step up to the plate and help. The school year was off to a great start.

Rebecca Meekma is that friend who always knows something fun to do and the Calendar Editor for Parenting OC. She reminds everyone to wear broad-spectrum sunscreen all summer long. Follow her blog at www.ParentingOC.com. 

Rebecca Meekma

There are the milestone moments that we think are the important days of our lives:  graduations, weddings, anniversaries, etc. We photo document the event and now we Facebook or Tweet it while it is still happening, as if it is so important that everyone must know what we’re doing. “At Timmy’s kindergarten graduation. So cute!”

Yet, when you’re in the midst of parenting, the days that end up being memorable usually don’t happen on the big milestones. They happen serendipitously and have true meaning for you and your family. Ask me about “Butt Magic” or “the family stay at the sex cabin” sometime. Way more interesting than any birthday or baptism or baby-naming story.

We had one of those moments last week.

It has been a long summer. July was great – some fun camps, some fun days at the beach, work on the computer for me while the girls vegged and watched movies and manned lemonade stand with friends. Pretty idyllic. Except for the bickering. But, that’s to be expected, I figured.

Forward to early August. Still good. A trip east to visit family and friends also included judging the differences between the beaches in Bridgehampton and Laguna (no winner – both are great). Surf camp. Drama camp. And, more bickering and whining. “No playdate today?! Grrr.” “But she touched my book so I had to kick her.” That type of thing. All husband and I could do was referee, send them to alone time, get apologies out of the offending party and try not to pull our hair out.

Then last Thursday it happened: the crème brulée moment that will stay with us forever.

It was Maggie’s seventh birthday. Summer birthdays can be a bit of a drag because oftentimes friends are away; there’s no hoopla like school-year birthdays. I had taken care of that this year by being Crazy Mom and throwing a birthday party for Maggie when she turned 6¾. So, nothing too big was scheduled for the actual day.

I planned a dinner treat, a Teppan dinner where Japanese food is cooked at your table by a chef who does shtick and catches eggs in his toque. The girls had never tried it and it is not something husband and I do that often.

We headed to Dana Point’s Mahe. And that’s when the fun begins. Izzy is not pleased that we are celebrating Maggie’s birthday. She’s serious. Why does Maggie get two celebrations? She’s gets everything. I get nothing. You know this story.

Husband and I kept our cool and didn’t let Miss Cranky ruin our evening. She pulled out of her funk to smile at the onion volcano of fire. And she really liked the food.

Then it happened. The waiter brought out the complimentary birthday dessert: crème brulée with berries and a candle. We sang happy birthday and, before digging in, explained that the dessert was fancy vanilla pudding with a crispy sugar coating on top. We showed the girls how to crack the topping. Yum. Maggie gleefully ate all of the raspberries and dug in. Izzy tasted. And tasted again. And then it happened: “I don’t like this: the top is too sweet.”

What?

Did our first-born child just reject a perfectly fine crème brulée? A dessert I didn’t try until my age was twice hers? Was she really complaining about a dessert being too sweet? This from the person who will dunk her fork in maple syrup just to eat more maple syrup. Who asks for chocolate for breakfast? Too sweet? Really? Really.

I paused and looked at my spouse. Who was smirking. He calmly mouthed over their heads, “See, babe, if she can complain that the crème brulée is too sweet, what can’t she complain about? Proves none of it means anything. Just words.”

So we now have a new parenting code phrase: crème brulée. Crème brulée reminds us that life can be confusing if you’re 7 or 9 (or 27 or 39…) and sometimes the only way to voice your feelings is to whine or complain or slug your sister.

So, happy birthday Maggie. And next year, in the spirit of equality, you only get one celebration.

Rebecca Meekma is that friend who always knows something fun to do and the Calendar Editor for Parenting OC. She reminds everyone to wear broad-spectrum sunscreen all summer long. Follow her blog at www.ParentingOC.com.