Girl's Gone Child: January 2014

This last week has been full of a sort of magic/calm after the storm even though the storm is still kind of... still storming. The rats are still in the walls (the exterminator is basically living with us at the moment, what's up, George) our bathroom/redo estimate is double what was originally predicted and Hal threw his back out (I wonder why) and has been unable to move for three days... but whatever to all of that because strange and wonderful things are afoot at the Circle K and the invisible bowling ball of awesome is in the backseat of the van rolling around and imma let it finish.

In the meantime, here are some stills from this month's moving...ness.

the quintessence of Bo the quintessence of Revi

the united states
of former (room)mates

***

This week's big news belonged to Archer who tried out for his first school play.

It was the first time we've seen him go outside of his comfort zone and into a foreign (and slightly intimidating) new world alongside children he didn't particularly know. And? He rocked it. HE BROKE TEN LEGS! He did something that surprised all of us, himself included, worked hard for a week all on his own, practicing his monologue and song, and miraculously (but also not, because crazy talented human being alert) he got the part. The shy kid in the back row got up in front of everyone and performed beautifully... with poise and grace and this humble Archerness that is so completely spectacular, and, well, we all cried.

And then yesterday, I gave my phone to Archer so that he could read all of your Instagram comments and he had this look on his face, like, wow. These are for me?

"A lot of people have watched you grow up. They knew you as a baby and now you're this totally amazing human being and you inspire people. You inspire me and your sisters and teachers and a lot of other people, too because you're a kind and generous person, because you have a very special way of looking at the world."

"Really?"

"Really. You're a good man, Archer Sage."

"Oh, I get it. Like the play"

"No, in real life. You're a good man."

Thank you all for the love you showed Archer this week. I write about him less these days for obvious reasons but every time I do-- every time I post a picture or share a moment, there is this outpouring of love and kindness that is completely remarkable and overwhelming. A is so lucky to have your love and support. All of us are. Thank you.

GGC

SPONSORED: This post is presented by the Toyota Highlander. Because there is no room for boring. Learn more, here.

There are certain things you're not allowed to say in my house and one of them is "I'm bored" because THERE IS A WORLD OUT THERE, YOU GUYS! THERE'S A WORLD IN YOUR HEAD AND IN YOUR HEART AND IN YOUR BOOKS AND WORDS AND CRAYONS AND A BACKYARD WITH INSECTS AND LEAVES AND FLOWERS AND YOU GET TO BE ALIVE! GO LIVE! LIVE WITH YOUR WHOLE BODY!

And then they look at each other like, "would you look at this piece of work?"

Most weekends we take day trips. Mainly because I cannot sit still in a house or I go insane. (I write at a nearby coffee shop where I am currently typing away. What's up.) But there are days when leaving the house isn't an option so today I wanted to write about how we stay un-bored in LA, both inside the house and out around town.

Ten Places we Get Un-Bored in Los Angeles

1. The Getty Villa & Center

The Getty Villa is an incredible place for people of all ages. Just, please, remember to make a reservation. The Getty Center is equally incredible and requires no reservations. You can find out more about both the Center and The Villa, here.

2. LACMA

LACMA should be #1 on the list because we live around the corner from the museum and spend much of our time there. I take the twins to paint in the afternoon sometimes and we recently met friends for a dinner picnic/watch the sunset/lawn party where the kids were able to play in the "noodoos" until closing. The exhibits are incredible and all children (and their parents) are free thanks to NextGen. LACMA has always been one of my absolute favorite places in Los Angeles and will always feel like home to me.

3. Huntington Library & Gardens

My Nana bought us a family membership for our birthdays last summer and we have since taken full advantage. If we lived closer, we'd be here every weekend. (We visit about once a month.) If you frequent this blog or follow me on Instagram you will see thousands of photos at Huntington because it's my favorite place to be as a family in Los Angeles. It is a magical place, man. You can read more about Huntington Gardens here and here.

4. Descanso Gardens:

We're also members of Descanso because HELLO, LOOK AT THIS PLACE!? Please become a member, too, and we can all hang in our white tunics and make flower crowns? (More on Descanso Gardens, here.)

5. Griffith Observatory

The only "map of the stars" you'll ever need is on a hill overlooking the city. We don't go here nearly enough but The Griffith Observatory is hands down, THE PLACE to visit if you're passing through Los Angeles. This is my note to self to plan another day trip with the fam asap on the double.

6. California Science Center &

Museum of Natural History

This is a great double-header if the kids are into long days/spaceships and dinosaurs. (Gravity was great and all but seeing Hubble 3D on IMAX? Better.)

7. Kidspace Children's Museum

We recently showed up to Kidspace with full-on picnic only to realize when we got there that it was closed for the day. Still love you, though, Kidspace. You're still our Boo. (P.S. Fable used to be small and wear rainbow sandals. Sigh.)

8. Los Angeles Central Library

Libraries are always on our list of places to see/go/explore and although West Hollywood recently opened a fantastic library which we frequent regularly, there is nothing quite like Central. Not in Los Angeles, anyway.

9. Annenberg Community Beach House/The Beach

Malibu boasts the nicest beaches but Annenberg has it all: ocean, pool and cabana things you can rent on the beach with friends. More on that, here.

10. Underwood Family Farms

Underwood Farms is kind of a haul. HOWEVER. It is so rad there as long as it isn't a holiday when thousands of people swarm and everyone gets claustrophobic and irritable. Between the rides, the playground equipment, climbing areas, and pick-your-own-fruits and veggies action, Underwood is practically perfect in every way. (When it isn't crowded.) More on Underwood Family Farms, here.

Other beloved haunts include Noah's Ark at The Skirball, The Peterson Automotive Museum and La Brea Tarpits.

Ten Ways we Un-bored Ourselves at Home

1. Fence painting:

This has been a really special (ongoing) family project for us that will never end because that's just the nature of its beast. For the last year, the kids (as well as Hal and I) have taken a paintbrush to our fence, painting, writing things, our names, painting over old (faded/washed away by sprinklers) paint and starting new... And every day I open the fence to leave the house or step into my front yard I am reminded of everything that is wild and wonderful in my life... and how everything is temporary but that doesn't mean we shouldn't keep painting. Life is so much more interesting with all of these different colors and ideas and human beings running around. Before ALL OF THIS, the fence was just a fence... now it's something else entirely, subliminal advertising for staying creative and colorful and imperfect and collaborative... a reminder that fences are contradictory in nature. (I keep a drawer full of Crayola washable paints and a jar full of brushes so whenever one of the kids feels like painting, I can hand it over and send them outside. This is something I want them to hang onto as they grow up and become adults. Art is empowerment. It's also quite un-boring.)

2. Tie-Dye

Hal got Fable a tie dye set for Hanukkah and we finally busted it out the other day. Archer, Fable and I made shirts, socks and tights (which turned out amazing, btw. I'll share pictures later) and had a blast doing it. Unfortunately, they looked VERY different after washing... which was disappointing... but also exciting? The npw set was awesome (and for some reason I can only find it for sale in UK?) Anyway, tie-dye. Always a good time. Even when it turns out... pink...er. (See before + after above.)

3. Make-a-Masking

My friend, Ashley introduced us to Mudpuppy's make-a-masks over the summer and now we're hooked. Such a great gift idea for kids of all ages. (Thanks, Ashley!)

4. Board Games/Chess

I recently did a whole post on board (bored) games and some of our family favorites. (Archer has recently gotten really into chess and is incredible at it and Fable is getting close to holding her own on the board as well. GO TEAMS!)

5. Dance Parties

Dance parties = the cure for the common, chaotic, sad, frustrated, depressing, angry, annoyed, exhausted... moment. We also have a WiiU in the closet and bust it out on special occasions and battle with our epic Just Dance 2014 moves. (COUGH, HAL, COUGH.)

6. Urban Planning

Archer has been collecting Tomica roadways and sets for the last four years and for Christmas my mom ordered him a set from Japan because they do not sell nearly enough sets here in the US. Not for builders like Archer, anyway. The best thing about Tomica is that every day invites a new city design. The kids have drawers of blocks in their room and build towns around the roadways and bridges and garages... stories and stories and stories for days and days and days.

7. Sidewalk Chalk

Who am I, Captain Obvious? Yes. Yes I am. Our lungs are all rainbow colored now thanks to the amount of chalk we inhale on the daily. And yet? Almost every day someone draws something beautiful or offensive or a cool road that leads to another road that leads to a bench that is now a masterpiece.

8. Costumes/Makeup/Shoes

Keeping a costume chest (or in our case plastic bin-pile-thing) is the best thing we ever accidentally did. And now that Bo and Revi are getting older, it's costume central around these parts. (My daughters wear my "fancy shoes" WAY more than I do.) They have also introduced me to the wonderful world of hot pink lipstick paired with pajamas.

9. Magazine collage:

(This is the only reason I have kept my Vogue subscription.)

10. Watercolors for Days

I buy watercolor paints in bulk and keep watercolor paper fully stocked because 1. it's easy 2. it's cheap and 3. the twins drift into a sort of zen-like state when they're painting... at least until they decide to paint on each other's paintings and steal each other's paint and poor water on each other's heads.