I'm baaack....

Yes. Yes. I know. Two years and then some between each post on a blog isn't really a good thing. I have no one to blame except for...my now 3-year-old daughter and the not-so-brand-new 10-month old son, and, yes, ME.

A friend once asked what I did to keep my sanity. She exercises. I had to think for a moment (or two) what it was that I did just for me. I told her I journal (I keep three of them; one for each kid and one for myself), I scrapbook (I still have baby pictures of my daughter), and I hula. All activities require someone else to tend to my kids as I chase down my scattered thoughts and energy.

So, here I am "keeping up" with a blog I started two years ago with the intention that I take my mommy eyes to the services, places, and events in the Central Coast. Being that I am a relatively "timid" Hawaii transplant, it took me awhile to get out and about. My first adventures with my children were in the Santa Maria area. Then, I traveled north to San Luis Obispo, Avila and Pismo. I have a few parks, trails and food establishments that I have a definite opinion about. I even ventured into reviewing a few on Yelp - all with the mommy glasses in full focus.

I'm most excited to share my enthusiasm for places like the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum. This last Christmas I asked Santa Daddy to give us a reciprocal membership and, for $125, two adults and two children from the same household can visit the museum all year long. The great plus with such a membership is that we can visit other discovery museums like the one in San Luis Obispo just a half an hour away.

My daughter gravitates to certain exhibits in the museum like the kitchen, the tractor and the discovery cove. We can spend a great deal of time just pretending to cook and eat. Even though the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum doesn't have the bells and whistles like the one in SLO, she still enjoys the pretend play and encountering other children her age.

I wish they had like a cool rocket or airplane (you know, to highlight the relationship with Vandenberg or the nearby airport/aviation museum). Perhaps one day, when I win the lottery I can donate a makeshift airline cockpit and first class cabin (at least, I would get to finally sit in a first class seat). It would also be neat to see a connection to the Chumash in the museum. But, that's me, wishing and hoping. Like I said, one day...when I win the lottery.