a day at the museum and some helpful tips

Yesterday we enjoyed our last day of winter break at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. After months on our "we should take the kids there" list we finally crossed it off! 

We spent about 2 hours there but still have so much to explore on our next visit. The hubs was amazed by the Dinosaur Hall, I was enamored by the beautiful architecture and the girls were over the moon exploring the Edible Garden. 

A few honorable mentions go to the African Mammals, North American Mammals, Gems and Minerals, and the Nature Lab. 

Surprisingly we didn't get many pictures in the museum but a good amount of the girls enjoying the garden. It clearly stole the show and I am so glad we got to experience it with the girls. We pretty much had the garden to ourselves so the girls got to take their time and run all over the place. It was awesome to see Cailee so excited about the plants. She kept asking which plant was what and she even found a few sprouted fruits and veggies. Both girls were so intrigued that it only inspired us to really find a way to start our own edible garden!

If any of you mommies are considering visiting I highly recommend it! 

Some helpful tips:

- The first Tuesday of every month is free (except in July and August)!

- The museum has its on parking lot right on the property and it is $12 (cash and card accepted).

- You can bring your own lunch but their cafe food is delicious.

- The earlier you go the better!

- Stroller friendly but almost uncomfortable maneuvering around people.

Any other tips you guys might have please send them my way! We can't wait to go back!

xoxo

Jocelyn

seventeen

In the spirit of the new year and the fact that I am trying my best to avoid putting away our Christmas decorations, I thought it would be fun to share 17 fun/random facts about myself.

In no particular order here we go...

1. I need to have the TV on or else I can't fall asleep.

2. I talk to my sister at least once a day.

3. Whenever I got sick as a little girl I would ask my mom to rent the movie "Big girls don't cry, they get even" to make me feel better.

4. I've seen every episode of Friends, HIMYM and Last Man Standing multiple times.

5. I love hearing ghost stories but refuse to watch scary movies.

6. I never really cared for the movie of The Notebook but absolutely loved the book.

7. In August of 2015 I had an emergency appendix removal and the pain of that was ten times worse than labor ever was for me.

8. I share a birthday with Lionel Richie and fictional character Edward Cullen.

9. I am not a fan of dishwashers. I much rather wash dishes the old fashion way.  

10. As a little girl I would cry because I felt bad for fish because they would never get to go for walks like dogs do.

11. I always stock up on festive napkins when I find them on clearance at Target! The cheapest I've ever paid is about 40 cents! I literally have napkins for every holiday and various themes on hand at all times. 

12. I cried ugly tears when One Tree Hill ended and still maintain that is one of the best shows ever!

13. I once bumped into an actor that had been on One Tree Hill for a short time. When I talked to him I started by calling him by his characters name. He was less than thrilled. 

14. While on vacation I attend the senior citizen water aerobics class with my grandma. And I enjoy every single second of it. 

15. I've won over 10 phone in contests with KiisFM by being caller 102. A day before my 23rd birthday I won $1000 and I've won tons of concert tickets. The secret to winning is to keep calling and calling.

16. I went thru a mafia phase. I read tons and tons of books including The Mafia for dummies! 

17. I am still very much afraid of the dark and I refuse to walk passed a mirror in the dark!


And there is my list :)

xoxo

Jocelyn

goals

Two days into the new year and I am finally ready to jot down my goals for 2017.

Using the term "goal" instead of resolutions just makes it feel more attainable in my opinion if that makes sense. In the past I have made a list of goals for each new year and have successfully completed about 80% of my goals. So the word goal is pretty much here to stay.

Now that we got the goals vs resolutions out of the way, here is the list!

1. Go on at least one kid free date with the hubby a month.

- and we already have a wish list of new locations we can't wait to check out yay I am so excited for this goal!

2. Read Confessions of a Shopaholic.

- I am a big fan of the movie and just recently found out that it was based on a book (yep apparently I've been living under a rock).

3. Take more photos with me actually in them.

- I've become a pro at avoiding photos because "oh I don't have makeup on" or "I haven't done my hair" but in years from now I am gonna kick myself in the butt for it.

4. Dress up

- I need to give my sweats a break and actually wear all the clothes I am hoarding in my closet. 

5. Keep a plant alive for more than two weeks.

- I have been wanting to start a vegetable or herb garden for the longest time. However every time I attempt this my little seed sprouts I get ridiculously excited and than I completely forget about. I have decided to start with something easy. Perhaps an herb I can use often. If you have an recommendations seriously pass it my way!

6. Learn to do my own makeup

- And I don't mean by watching a YouTube tutorial because even though I love them and could watch all day for the life of me I can never get it right.

and last but not least

7. Throw a Harry Potter themed party for my 30th birthday in June!

- Yes you absolutely read that correctly and it literally makes me giddy just thinking about it!

Cheers to a new year and new goals!

xoxo

Jocelyn 

welcome twenty seventeen

Welcome 2017 and Happy New Year to all! 

I would like to take this time to reintroduce myself to the blogging world. 

My name is Jocelyn!

I am married to Chris and a mommy to Cailee (five years old) and Charlotte (almost 2 years old). We have a rescue doggie named Hannah! I love my life, not because of the material items but because of the constant love I am surround by. We live in Southern California and absolutely love the sunshine. If you can't find us at home chances are we are at Cailee's school, Target, Trader Joe's, Disneyland or causing havoc at Barnes and Noble!

After taking a much needed break from my little space on the internet, I am back feeling more rejuvenated than ever!

While you are enjoying the first day of 2017...

I will leave you with some of my favorites from our fall twenty sixteen family photos!

Photos by Sosa Photography

Thank you for stopping by and I hope your first day into the new year has been a good one!

xoxo

Jocelyn