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Mommy 101

SoCal Stop: Knott’s Berry Farm

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The kids and I trekked to Knott’s Barry Farm recently. We were in Orange County to visit some friends and while I wanted to take them to an amusement park, I didn’t want to take them to that park this time around. One reason, is it would be just me with the two boys and I preferred a lower key option. Second, I have fond memories of Knott’s Berry Farm from my own childhood. We would frequent this park during our family trips to LA since I had cousins who worked there!

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We went on a Sunday, and while there was a good size crowd, it wasn’t overrun or too crazy. We pretty much spent 98% of our day in Camp Snoopy…the children’s area. The boys got on every ride from the kiddie coaster to the kite flyer, the train and the huff and puff! Matter of fact, the only time we left our area was to ride the Stage Coach. Yes, a real stage coach ride with horses and all…we saved that for our last ‘ride’ of the day.

The cost of food was pretty much what I expected… On the menu they didn’t have a kid’s meal posted, but when I inquired, I was happy to find out they had one and it was a pretty good value. The kid meal even came in a very sturdy plastic Snoopy lunchbox…can we say souvenir! SCORE!!

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A highlight of the day was watching the live performance with Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the entire Peanuts gang. Since it wasn’t too crowded, my boys felt comfortable getting up and joining in the parade during the stage performance and following the show we took advantage of the character photo opportunity, which had my 3-year old grinning from ear to ear.

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Overall, it was a very nice, manageable outing…the kid’s got their fix on thrill rides and amusement park atmosphere and I managed to have fun too!

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Haute Moms

Haute Mom: Brittany Kelley

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Processed with VSCOcam with hb1 presetName: Brittany Kelley
Child & Age: Connor, 17 Months
Hometown/Current Location: Los Angeles, California
Quick Bio: I’m a wife, mother, help desk technician, and Blogger. Born & raised in one of the most beautiful places, Southern California, has given me a multicultural outlook on life and an affinity for art, food, traveling & family (which I feature on my blog, www.livinglifekelley.com & Instagram @livinglifekelley). I have a B.S. degree in Information Systems Security but currently majoring in Motherhood! A sisterhood & journey I wasn’t sure I would be apart of one day, but now I can’t see my life any other way! I was a stay at home mom for the first 15 months of my daughter’s life, so I have recently embarked on a new chapter as a working mom. Although my #1 (& most fullfulling) job is being a mom, it’s been fun re-discovering myself in the work force and getting back to exploring my career dreams.

Q: What is your “go to” snack/toy/show/trick when your kids start to fuss?
A: Singing! My daughter loves to sing and dance so when she gets cranky I like putting on a little show for her. It almost immediately changes her demeanor and is a great stress reliever for both of us to let our hair down a little and have some fun! 🙂

Q: How do you balance being a Mommy and keeping your sense of self?
A: This is a tough one for new moms that I think I only recently started to master. When you’re breastfeeding (I did for 16 months) and/or a SAHM (stay at home mom) it’s definitely harder to do. But what has helped me is finding at least one hour a day for me time. Before I returned to work I would intentionally stay up later (after my daughter was in bed) just to have some time to catch up on some reading or (more often) one of my favorite shows, or to get some QT with hubby. It’s also been healthy having time away from my daughter to go on regular date nights or so that she can spend quality time with her grandparents, cousins, and other family.

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Q: How would you describe your parenting style?
A: I like to “think outside of the box” so this definitely affects my parenting style. I am known for being very patient with my daughter and I believe in allowing her to explore things and places around her. I can already tell that in many ways she very observant and has an analytically mind (like me) and I like to cultivate that. As long something is not harmful to her, I try to let her explore or learn about it. I also try to follow her lead in a lot of ways too and don’t believe in forcing her into situations (or with people) she is not comfortable with (within reason).

Q: What’s your most memorable Mommy moment to date?
A: My most memorable mommy moment(s) to date have definitely been breastfeeding my daughter! It’s is one of the proudest badges of honor I have worn as a mother because it was at times so challenging! Yet it was one of the MOST fulfilling things I have ever done for someone else. As result, we have such a bond, and I know that I gave her my very best throughout her 1st year. She is very independent, smart & happy toddler and I know that that was a big contributing factor for us.

Q: Describe your “Haute Mom” (fashion) style!
A: LOL! My style is definitely evolving at the moment! I really just like to keep it simple, comfortable & classy! I feel like I’m just starting to get my style groove back since having my daughter. I’m currently really into statement necklaces and lipstick and find that they are easy ways to dress up an outfit. So my (self-imposed) uniform unusually consists of a neutral top, jeans, cute & comfortable flats or wedges & a popping necklace and lipstick. Violá!

Haute Moms

Haute Mom: Daniella Manross

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daniellaName: Daniella Manross
Child & Age: Maya, 19 months
Hometown/Current Location: Los Angeles
Quick Bio: I am currently a stay at home mom who loves to trail run. I was previously working at an art gallery before my husband and I decided to start a family. I’ve had the best time of my life since my daughter was born and I feel so lucky to be able to stay at home with her, as well as train with an incredible and accomplished group of runners through my running club. Although being at home (especially if you have been working all your life) has its own challenges, I would not change my life for one second! Luckily my husband is very supportive of my time spent running through the mountains since it keeps me sane and looking good in my jeans!

Twitter: @DaniellaManross
Race link: http://athlinks.com/racer/59246936

Q: What is your “go to” snack/toy/show/trick when your kids start to fuss?
A: Grapes and/or oranges

Q: How do you balance being a Mommy and keeping your sense of self?
A: I balance it by maintaining my running schedule and going out to social events with my running club.

Q: What is your favorite piece of advice to new Moms?
A: Nothing lasts so just try to enjoy it all. Even when you have a newborn and are completely sleep deprived, as much as this sucks, one day you will look back and miss the days when all you had to do to sooth your “baby” (i.e. 16 year old crying from a broken heart by some dweeb) is to nurse her which she will at that point find completely revolting.

Q: How do you incorporate fitness into your daily routine?
A: Since I’m with my daughter all day I continually work my biceps picking up all 23 pounds of her and running with my training group 2-3x a week

Q: How would you describe your parenting style?
A: I am very engaged and try to incorporate education with everything I do.

Q: Share your best or favorite place for a family vacation and tell us why.
A: Playa del Carmen,  Mexico. It’s absolutely gorgeous, laid back, and easy to get around.

Q: Share something you have learned about yourself since you became a Mom.
A: The thing that I’ve learned about myself is the level of empathy and awareness of the other mothers around me and also the level of fight in me when it comes to protecting my daughter.