Rosalie Bardo's Blog, page 2
December 30, 2020
March 11, 2020
Daxie the Dancing Dragon
The fear of flying has always kept him in one place,
but Daxie soars to new heights once he takes a leap of faith.
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Join Daxie on his journey of finding his courage, and overcoming his fears.
Daxie Hardcover: Amazon (click here!)
Daxie Hardcover: Barnes and Noble
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February 3, 2020
Daxie the Dancing Dragon
“The impossible becomes possible, when you try.”
[image error] My second children’s picture book, Daxie the Dancing Dragon, is available
to pre-order or you can grab the paperback on Amazon now!
“When Daxie tried something new, his self-worth and courage grew.”
+Daxie the Dancing Dragon+ (paperback) Amazon
+Daxie the Dancing Dragon+(hardcover)Amazon
(c) GreyHouse Press 2020
October 15, 2019
Pumpkin Patch
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Underwood Family Farms. Los Angeles, California
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June 22, 2019
Exploring Los Angeles with kids: Tips from a local mom
For a fun filled day or exciting afternoon, here’s a quick list of places to check out!
[image error] Bing, with our son Tai, riding the Ferris Wheel on the Santa Monica Pier.
Exploring Los Angeles with kids can be easier and a bit less stressful if you know ahead of time some ideal spots to visit. I didn’t grow up in LA, but moved here in 2010, so I’m more of a transplant; which means I had to navigate and adapt to this BIG CITY by way of exploration (tons of old school MapQuesting & wandering). Now, as the mother of two young sons, on any given day a trip out of the house is chaotic, but often becomes a fantastic experience. Naturally, all families have different interests and individual needs, but I’ve compiled a short list of a few great places for those visiting Los Angeles.
1. Santa Monica Pier
A famous tourist attraction, but worth the hype. I’d recommend going early in the morning during the week or in the evening to beat the massive crowds. Park on Ocean Ave., the street above the beach and pay the meter, or park in the lot to the right of the pier for a little more than $10 a day. Check out all of the games and rides at Pacific Park while walking around the pier, then grab lunch at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., and end the afternoon biking the Ocean Front Walk down to the Venice Boardwalk. We rented bikes with a child carrier for $30(2 hrs), passing many fenced in playgrounds, beachfront cafes, and fantastic photo opportunities. An entertaining day for an active family, along with exposure to vibrant culture and fantastic beach sunsets.
2. Travel Town Train Museum
Travel Town, located on Zoo drive in Los Angeles, is a small, yet unexpectedly charming (and did I mention FREE) railway museum open daily. You can bring a picnic for your family, browse numerous old locomotives, and ride a miniature train( $3.50 ticket) with the kids. Wear comfortable shoes for walking, and try to visit during the week to avoid the larger crowds and reserved birthday parties. A positive and educational experience that won’t take up your entire day, but will be a delightful treat for the family.
3. Wildlife Learning Center
A hidden gem in Sylmar, a bit north of Los Angeles. The Wildlife Learning Center is not a Zoo, it’s an intimate and laid back sanctuary with a wide variety of unique animals. The tickets are $12(under 2 is free) and all proceeds go directly to the care of the animals. You’ll only spend about an hour or so here, but the staff is very knowledgeable, and it’s incredible to see a bald eagle and giraffe up close. A great place to go on a day you may not have plans and a healthy reminder to respect wildlife.
4. Malibu Bluffs Park : Paradise Cove : Point Dume
Plan a day to take a drive up the Pacific Coast Highway(PCH) and make these incredible stops along the way. These three places will be crowded during the summer months, even during the weekday, but offer breathtaking views, a cool breeze, and great food! Make a quick stop at Malibu Bluffs Park, across from Pepperdine University. There are clean bathrooms, green space to run, picnic tables, and a small fenced in playground behind the recreational center. Follow the sidewalk towards the bluff for gorgeous photo opportunities, and hidden hiking paths. Next, stop at Paradise Cove Beach Cafe for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They have fantastic drinks and fresh guacamole n’ chips! Sit outside under an umbrella or take a walk on the pier.
Once your bellies are full keep driving north towards Point Dume. Turn left onto Westward Beach Rd. (before the light to turn into the Zuma Beach Parking area). Follow the road down to the beach and go through the pay station until you reach Point Dume State Beach. This little area is my favorite beach to take our boys. It is often not as crowded, and there are bluff trails that take you up to the point. These three places make for a simple day of ‘SOUL FOOD’ for the entire family.
5. Aquarium of The Pacific
If you have the time and want to make a full day of it, drive down to Long Beach, bring a stroller and wear your walking shoes. Park across the street in the large parking structure from the Aquarium(they validate your parking) and then enjoy the next few hours viewing the wide variety of sea life inside, and don’t bypass the fun filled touch zones. We stopped and had a bite to eat in their Food Court; which was not too over priced and our sandwiches were delicious. Overall, the experience was educational and playful, there’s a massive gift shop, and our 4 year old son(Tai) loved reaching inside the baby shark tank for the two finger touch experience. Outside of the Aquarium on Rainbow Harbor there is a large boardwalk lined with palm trees, worthy of a sunset stroll.
6. Mr. BONES Pumpkin Patch
If you’re visiting Los Angeles in the fall this is THE pumpkin patch you don’t want to miss. Located in Culver City, open annually since 1987, Mr. Bones offers unique pumpkins, a Tipi village, giant rocking horses, fun displays and spooky Instagram worthy photo opportunities. The prices are a bit higher than your average pumpkin patch, but your’e paying for the overall Halloween experience, and you definitively get what you pay for. The patch will be open in October of this year, and admission is free Monday thru Thursday(info via their website).
7. Universal City Walk
CityWalk is one of our personal family favorites in Los Angeles and parking is less than $20. Come here anytime during the year for an enjoyable day of browsing the numerous gift shops, going to a movie, and eating a deliciously famous VooDoo Doughnut. Visit during the week if possible, and toward the evening when the lights bring the plaza to life. If you want to spend the extra money and purchase tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood, I’d highly recommend it. Hogwarts Castle in the Wizarding World is always a hit, along with the interactive shows and rides that make it a ‘GO TO!’ attraction in LA.
There are hundreds of wonderful places for families to visit in Los Angeles: The Getty, Lake Balboa Park, Underwood Family Farms, The L.A. County Fair(annually), Forest Lawn(drive thru to see meticulously kept grounds, sculptures, and stunning churches), The L.A. Zoo, The L.A.C.M.A., Natural History Museum, and The La Brea Tar Pits just to name a few. Take the time to research which places best interest your family and make the most of your trip.
ENJOY LOS ANGELES
Explore Los Angeles with kids: Tips from a local mom
For a fun filled day or exciting afternoon, here’s a quick list of places to check out:
This post contains affiliate links. I get commissions when you purchase from this site at no extra cost to you. Please know that I only recommend products and services that I trust.
[image error] Bing, with our son Tai, riding the Ferris Wheel on the Santa Monica Pier.
Exploring Los Angeles with kids can be easier and a bit less stressful if you know ahead of time some ideal spots to visit. I didn’t grow up in LA, but moved here in 2010, so I’m more of a transplant; which means I had to navigate and adapt to this BIG CITY by way of exploration (tons of old school MapQuesting & wandering). Now, as the mother of two young sons, on any given day a trip out of the house is chaotic, but often becomes a fantastic experience. Naturally, all families have different interests and individual needs, but I’ve compiled a short list of a few great places for those visiting Los Angeles.
1. Santa Monica Pier
A famous tourist attraction, but worth the hype. I’d recommend going early in the morning during the week or in the evening to beat the massive crowds. Park on Ocean Ave., the street above the beach and pay the meter, or park in the lot to the right of the pier for a little more than $10 a day. Check out all of the games and rides at Pacific Park while walking around the pier, then grab lunch at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., and end the afternoon biking the Ocean Front Walk down to the Venice Boardwalk. We rented bikes with a child carrier for $30(2 hrs), passing many fenced in playgrounds, beachfront cafes, and fantastic photo opportunities. An entertaining day for an active family, along with exposure to vibrant culture and fantastic beach sunsets.
2. Travel Town Train Museum
Travel Town, located on Zoo drive in Los Angeles, is a small, yet unexpectedly charming (and did I mention FREE) railway museum open daily. You can bring a picnic for your family, browse numerous old locomotives, and ride a miniature train( $3.50 ticket) with the kids. Wear comfortable shoes for walking, and try to visit during the week to avoid the larger crowds and reserved birthday parties. A positive and educational experience that won’t take up your entire day, but will be a delightful treat for the family.
3. Wildlife Learning Center
A hidden gem in Sylmar, a bit north of Los Angeles. The Wildlife Learning Center is not a Zoo, it’s an intimate and laid back sanctuary with a wide variety of unique animals. The tickets are $12(under 2 is free) and all proceeds go directly to the care of the animals. You’ll only spend about an hour or so here, but the staff is very knowledgeable, and it’s incredible to see a bald eagle and giraffe up close. A great place to go on a day you may not have plans and a healthy reminder to respect wildlife.
4. Malibu Bluffs Park : Paradise Cove : Point Dume
Plan a day to take a drive up the Pacific Coast Highway(PCH) and make these incredible stops along the way. These three places will be crowded during the summer months, even during the weekday, but offer breathtaking views, a cool breeze, and great food! Make a quick stop at Malibu Bluffs Park, across from Pepperdine University. There are clean bathrooms, green space to run, picnic tables, and a small fenced in playground behind the recreational center. Follow the sidewalk towards the bluff for gorgeous photo opportunities, and hidden hiking paths. Next, stop at Paradise Cove Beach Cafe for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They have fantastic drinks and fresh guacamole n’ chips! Sit outside under an umbrella or take a walk on the pier.
Once your bellies are full keep driving north towards Point Dume. Turn left onto Westward Beach Rd. (before the light to turn into the Zuma Beach Parking area). Follow the road down to the beach and go through the pay station until you reach Point Dume State Beach. This little area is my favorite beach to take our boys. It is often not as crowded, and there are bluff trails that take you up to the point. These three places make for a simple day of ‘SOUL FOOD’ for the entire family.
5. Aquarium of The Pacific
If you have the time and want to make a full day of it, drive down to Long Beach, bring a stroller and wear your walking shoes. Park across the street in the large parking structure from the Aquarium(they validate your parking) and then enjoy the next few hours viewing the wide variety of sea life inside, and don’t bypass the fun filled touch zones. We stopped and had a bite to eat in their Food Court; which was not too over priced and our sandwiches were delicious. Overall, the experience was educational and playful, there’s a massive gift shop, and our 4 year old son(Tai) loved reaching inside the baby shark tank for the two finger touch experience. Outside of the Aquarium on Rainbow Harbor there is a large boardwalk lined with palm trees, worthy of a sunset stroll.
6. Mr. BONES Pumpkin Patch
If you’re visiting Los Angeles in the fall this is THE pumpkin patch you don’t want to miss. Located in Culver City, open annually since 1987, Mr. Bones offers unique pumpkins, a Tipi village, giant rocking horses, fun displays and spooky Instagram worthy photo opportunities. The prices are a bit higher than your average pumpkin patch, but your’e paying for the overall Halloween experience, and you definitively get what you pay for. The patch will be open in October of this year, and admission is free Monday thru Thursday(info via their website).
7. Universal City Walk
CityWalk is one of our personal family favorites in Los Angeles and parking is less than $20. Come here anytime during the year for an enjoyable day of browsing the numerous gift shops, going to a movie, and eating a deliciously famous VooDoo Doughnut. Visit during the week if possible, and toward the evening when the lights bring the plaza to life. If you want to spend the extra money and purchase tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood, I’d highly recommend it. Hogwarts Castle in the Wizarding World is always a hit, along with the interactive shows and rides that make it a ‘GO TO!’ attraction in LA.
There are hundreds of wonderful places for families to visit in Los Angeles: The Getty, Lake Balboa Park, Underwood Family Farms, The L.A. County Fair(annually), Forest Lawn(drive thru to see meticulously kept grounds, sculptures, and stunning churches), The L.A. Zoo, The L.A.C.M.A., Natural History Museum, and The La Brea Tar Pits just to name a few. Take the time to research which places best interest your family and make the most of your trip.
ENJOY LOS ANGELES
June 19, 2019
Happy Father’s Day, every. day.
Parenthood is not easy.
To those compassionately stepping into the role of guiding, loving, and accepting a child into their lives, You are deeply appreciated.
Wishing all dads, step-dads, uncles and godparents…Happy Father’s Day!
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This post contains affiliate links. I get commissions when you purchase from this site at no extra cost to you. Please know that I only recommend products and services that I trust.
December 20, 2018
Water
Rosalie at Point Dume Beach, Malibu California. November 2018
“I would say that it is in us deeply to gravitate always to the element of water… There is no element that has quite the same capacity to delight and to terrify.
The great waters are always associated with our dreaming. We gaze to the horizon and over the oceans and in our imagination everything becomes possible.
It amazes me that when we look out into outer space and we dream of new lands and new planets, the first question always that we ask of this new place is: “Is there water?”
Water is in our myths and in our legends… From the north of Britain, the Celtic lands, the Selkies were a mythical water being. The Mermaids, the Kraken of Scandinavia… All of these call to us and have that same deep mystery of water.
Water, I think, is one of the four great powers of our world and seems so connected with our emotions, with our deep longing… We talk about the waters of life. Water sits at the very fountain head… The well head of our spiritual knowing.
When we gather and sing around water we are calling and singing to life.
We are singing to our cells and we are singing to every other part of life, and in that there is a great upwelling of joy.”
Quote by Mac Macartney, founder of Embercombe.
How Water Connects Us All. World Water Day (video)
October 3, 2018
Modern Parenting
What we allow is what will continue.
What do you want your children to remember about you? What do you hope they say when a stranger or friend asks them about their childhood? Certain abusive and unacceptable behaviors within our society have unfortunately been accepted for a long time, and this ego driven entitlement simply cannot continue. Personally, I feel the tides shifting, minds opening, hearts evolving and awakened souls questioning.
I’ve noticed a massive increase in parents homeschooling and developing a new practice of unschooling their children. I greatly admire this lifestyle. I respect their right to raise their child without negative outside influences, but we also can’t shelter our kids from reality.
What we expose our children to impacts their development, and we know emotional stability and social diversity doesn’t just magically occur. We must raise our standards beyond simplifying our lives and releasing the ego; we must raise our voices.
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My boys will be taught to respect women. To be understanding, to respect and accept the uniqueness of others. Calm. Kind. Considerate. Reasonable.
This goes beyond ‘it takes a village’…As women, raising sons, it is our responsibility to not only lead by example but to guide them in developing healthy emotional behavior and reactions.
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They can cry. They can wear bright colors, they can play with dolls. They can explore and discover their own identity. Give them space to breathe. Gender roles do not need to be forced, gender ‘norms’ do not need to be forced. Allow them to express their sensitivity and humanity. Allow them to grow confidently and securely without judgement.
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Little boys grow up to be fathers, partners, doctors, teachers, creatives, inventors, leaders within our society, etc.
We must raise our standards and raise our voices. Do not remain silent or become shy to engage these tough conversations. I hope to live up to my words, I will hold my sons to a higher standard. To connect with those who may appear different from them, to accept those they do not have much in common with.
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Join me! This post was inspired by the #MeTooMovement #MeToo
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#MotherhoodUnplugged
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