Joie De Viv

finding the joy in every day

KIDSPACE!

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Kidspace Museum in Pasadena (CA), has been on my must visit list for well over a year.  We finally had the right window period to squeeze it in today, despite the 100 degree heat wave!  It was well worth the wait for us because Kingston was able to fully enjoy it just as much as Kaitlyn!

Kidspace is a children’s museum specifically designed for younger children (ideally 10 y/o and younger) and their caregivers.  CAREGIVERS.  I kid you not, this is exactly how it is worded at the museum and on their website.  The live up to that claim.  Shade. Air conditioning. Comfortable seating. They really took into account the giants that accompany the littlest visitor.

My little monkeys could spend hours climbing the various climbing structures at Kidspace.  Was I surprised my kids had zero apprehension about the heights and racing up and down alone?  Not one bit.

The outdoor space is what I had seen tidbits of and the bait for my visit and it lived up to its promises.

Reminder, this museum is designed for younger children.  I could see older children steamroll through all the little wonders Kidspace offers in a flash, but for the toddlers, oh my.  This was heaven!  Play structures, tricyle paths, watering cans and garden planters, a treehouse, musical instruments under the trees, a greenhouse, fishing, and THE RIVER.  I mentioned in my IG Stories how I wish I could have been a toddler at that moment.  I was serious.  Who wouldn’t love to just splash, climb, and roll around in this adorable water feature? Too bad it would have looked foolish for a 30-something y/o woman to do that. lol

The kids and I thoroughly enjoyed it, and would have stayed longer had we had the time!  Kaitlyn was begging to come back before we even walked back through the mosaic hall!

Info:  The museum is located in Arroyo Seco valley, right next to the Rose Bowl stadium.  Brookside Park is also next to the museum with a great play structure, and parking is free!  The museum is shut down on certain dates related to Rose Bowl events, so be sure to check before you go.  Admission for adults and children 12 months and older is $13/pp. I couldn’t find any coupons on our date, but I noticed there have been Groupons in the past, and locals might love the family annual pass package!

Tips:  You can bring in your own food and beverages.  I suggest bring an insulated cup with lots of ice! Waterproof shoes for the kids (and advisable for yourself to fish out wet kids), swimming clothes, change of clothes, and a towel.  Hats, sunscreen, coins for the spinning donation thing (Kingston was enthralled), and of course, a camera! 🙂

Let me know if you decide to check it out, or if you’re a fan!

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What’s In My ‘Super Be’ Bag: Disney Day!

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With J gone all last weekend and the end of major AP blackout dates coming to a close, I took full advantage and took the kids SOLO to Disneyland 3 out of 4 days!  When I plan longer Disney Days, (anything over 4hrs for us), I end up using my City Mini Double GT stroller.  It has 2 fully reclinable seats and excellent maneuverability.  However, this style stroller poses some storage issues I wasn’t used to with my Uppababy Vista.  Mainly that you cannot access the storage basket underneath the seats very easily, especially not with kids sitting in the seats.  Also, it is back heavy, so any substantial weight (or kids standing/climbing) can cause it to tip backwards.  For Disney now, there are strict security measures in place, and you need to take everything out from under the stroller and have all bags inspected.  While a backpack easily solves this issue, when it is hot and I am flying solo with both kids, I prefer to carry as little on me, as possible.

I have recently purchased some Jujube Super Be tote bags, and it has quickly become my favorite bag for Disney!  I pack EVERYTHING in a Super Be bag and set it in one side of the stroller, or on double hooks on the handlebar (only with both kids securely sitting in the stroller).  

After we clear security, I can easily put bulky items, and organized Be Set or Be Quick pieces underneath the basket!  I can even then leave the Super Be hanging from the stroller bar with light items that I constantly need access to (“hello wipes!”) or shove the whole thing under the basket as well.  It weighs virtually nothing and hardly takes any space.  This Mary Poppins bag is simply amazing.  Take a look at everything I packed inside for a day!

Ears (bc, duh), Fuel Cell (2 thermos bottles, 2 milk cartons, 2 applesauce pouches, and a small Be Set piece with medicine and first aid supplies), small Be Set piece with “mom stuff”, snacks, large Be Set piece (snacks), two Be Quicks (diapers + change mat; spare clothes), wipes pouch, Travelon Cube (swimsuits for the splash pad), sunscreen, muslin blankets (mouse & medallion).

I ended up having some spare space and stuck a pair of leggings and sweatshirt for myself (in case temps dropped).

Another day, another Super Be!

What do you think of my packing and how versatile this Super Be tote is?!

** All items were purchased by myself, and all opinions are my own.  Each stroller has its own safety regulations and weight capacities.  Please check and ensure safety before using on your own. **

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Rose Gold Minnie Ears, Exclusive Mug, and Alex + Ani bangle

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The pair of ears that have gone viral and has every “basic girl” clamoring to get their hands on for a Disney trip!  In the span of one morning, I must have had at least half a dozen shares in my FB feed regarding these lovely beauties!  I’ve already been bitten by the rose-gold love, LOVE bracelet and Maya Brenner necklace that never come off, are both in RG and I fall more and more in love.  Hint* Hint* to the hubby:  I’m pretty sure I need this RG diamond stacking ring next! > <

Twinning with my Minnie-Me!

The “infamous” picture c/o @StylebyMagic:

Although the elusive ears seem to be sold out company-wide until estimated October, because of some awesome sleuthing and fast feet, my mama bestie managed to score us twinning sets!  Love her for it!  If you’re still on the hunt for a pair, I have a feeling they’ll come out sooner than CMs are guessing, perhaps Mid-September?  They always seem to try and overestimate wait times, as happened with the Rose Tumblers!  And since they are so popular, I wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes a main stock item for a decent length of time.

I was also on the hunt for the new exclusive Starbucks mug, featuring the carousel!  It is only available (so far) at the Starbucks on Main Street, inside of Disneyland. It took about a week of checking back, but it was finally restocked!

After a year of back and forth, window-gazing at the Disney Alex + Ani bangles, I’ve finally bit the bullet and picked up my first [Disney] one.  My only hesitation had been about the clanging of bangles potentially waking up my super-light-sleepers.  I used to love donning stacks of bangles, until I birthed a baby snake that would wake at the drop of a pin or a sliver of light.  Every once in awhile though, I still like to pile on a stack of arm candy!  The hardest part was to choose which one first to get!  Kaitlyn helped me choose this Magical one! Loving all my recent Disney purchases.  #disneytakesallmymoney

 

 

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Hello Friends! JuJuBe x Sanrio

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As you might notice, the blog is still a bit of a work in progress, but I just couldn’t wait to share this post with you guys!

I’m SO excited for the first two collections I get to preview for you from JuJuBe!  If you’re not familiar with Jujube Int’l, they are a mama favorite brand of stylish, fun, and functional bags, with a CULT-LIKE following!  They began with “diaper bags”, but have really expanded into so, so much more!  Their bags are highly functional for anyone on the go, perfect for OCD organization, or someone who just needs a million pockets to stuff things in, like myself.  They are all MACHINE WASHABLE.  Can all the parents out there say, “Hallelujah!”? And best of all, they come out with limited edition prints all the time.

This collaboration with Hello Sanrio is inspired by one of everyone’s favorite modern form of communication: emojis!  Don’t the Sanrio Friends look so adorable and expressive?!The styles I have here are the Jujube Be Right Back (a.k.a. BRB) and the Jujube MiniBe:

I’m obsessed with this perfect mommy & me matching duo!

The BRB has quickly become one of my favorites!  The padded, ergonomic backpack is so easy and comfortable to wear. There are 2 insulated pockets for bottles, one for each kiddo!  If you have “curious” toddlers who like to dig through your bags, you might know my struggles with keeping things hidden from them.  A week in, and they still have yet to find the hidden top pockets and side pocket (where the upgraded memory foam changing pad is tucked away).   They also seem to miss the giant front pocket – a bit of camouflage magic!

I first fell in love with Jujube products for their organizational systems: Be Set pieces and the Be Quick.  You can keep things grouped together, save space, and easy to change items from one bag to the next!  You can see a glimpse of my packing for an average day.  Be Quick for diapers & wipes, Be Set Large for spare outfits, Be Set Large w/strap for mommy’s wallet and essentials,  Be Set Medium for kids’ toys/activities, Be Set Small for medicine/first aid kit.

Kaitlyn loves to carry a whole gaggle of toys and their accessories wherever we go.  The MiniBe can fit some of her dolls, a lovey, a beverage bottle, and then some!  It can also fit a binder, which will come in handy come Kindergarten.  I love that she’s finally old enough to start carrying some of her own load! #momgoals

Finally, how stinking adorable is the mesh, padded back?  A special touch Hello Kitty fans are sure to love!

Are you already a fan of JJB? Looking forward to this print?  Let me know!  The Hello Friends collection launches on 8/15 at 12am PDT!

 

N I N E

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9 :  universal love, eternity, faith, “revered in Hinduism and considered a complete, perfected and divine number”

Happy 9, to my partner in life, my best friend, my other half.  My life has only gotten better and better with you. I do not take it for granted. I see all that you do.  We are so lucky to be yours.

nine years, like nine blinks of an eye…

Here’s to the next 99, babe!

I Carry Your Heart With Me

E.E. Cummings

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)

 i fear
no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)