Annenberg Community Beach House

Hal's mom is such a resourceful mama. Rebekah found the Annenberg Community Beach House.(Annenberg money of TV Guide fame.)

I am sure it will be our favorite hangout until the last days of summer. We have 2 theories: 1) it looks so fancy that most people assume it is pricey and private and drive past it. 2) its so new the word hasn't gotten out yet.

This modern architectural gem sits adjacent to the ridiculously gorgeous Marion Davies Beach House (Built by Hearst for his mistress.) I haven't gotten to tour it yet, but it's so beautiful and petite, it seems like a cake. At least to me it does, I want to take a bite.
The facilities are SUPER clean. There is a pool (you have to pay for that). There is also an impossibly cute cafe on the beach with good food. There is pier access to the beach and a children's playground in the sand. Nico had so much fun. We got there at 2 for lunch. Played for hours in the water, and to avoid traffic, we stayed and had dinner there too! We left at 7, Nico kicking and screaming all the way.This Santa Monica community space is why people live in Southern California.

Nature Walk

This Sunday the family took an early morning nature hike in Griffith Park. There is a beautiful woodsy creek and path, and the air was crisp. We encountered a couple with a parrot, lots of dogs on walk, and an impromptu soccer game on a dirt field. After seeing this book and reading how our youngest generations have lives almost devoid of nature, and the serious implications of having lived a life indoors... Aaron and I decided to take bubba right into the forest. I have to catch myself from saying, "Oh gross, don't touch that!" and make sure Nico touches wet mossy things, old cobwebs and muddy leaves. Not just because he is a boy, but because he is a human.