Chelsea Day

Downtown LA with kids

Oh-so-Walkable Downtown LA with Kids

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I’ve shared before that Downtown LA didn’t have a particularly awesome reputation when Nate and I lived in Westwood 15 years ago. It absolutely delights me that the area has seen such a massive uptick in development of family-friendly spots, from the installation of LA Live to the resurgence of Grand Central Market. It’s become one of our go-to spots for mini getaways and every time we go, I come back with a list of newly-discovered sights that I want to explore the next time we visit. The constantly-evolving nature of this historical area is fascinating, and the sentimental side of me thrills to see my kids exploring intricate pockets of the city where our family was founded.

What to buy at the gas station

Road tripping with the Family Through Colorado

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I have some version of this conversation with a reader or sponsor at least once a week. “I like that your blog isn’t really pretty,” they say. Then they look a bit embarrassed and quickly catch themselves. “I mean, it’s not overly-curated. You know, not all polished and Photoshopped like some others.”

Water baby

17 Unique Ways to Have Fun in the Water with Baby

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We all know that it’s important to introduce baby to water early on so they get comfortable and learn to swim at an early age, but sometimes parents are stumped about how to do that if they don’t have a pool or tub. Never fear! There are tons of ways to make waves. Try a sink soak, play around with a faucet or seek out one of the water features available at local parks. We love taking our boys to creeks and streams here in California. The kids have a blast, and it’s a great way to teach them about water movement and safety.

Gray laundry room, sink, washing machine

14 Creative Ideas for an Outdoor Laundry Room

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Our laundry room is getting a BIG makeover. Things have been a bit tight here at the Day farm as our household count rapidly grew from three to six (seven, if you count my nomad sister who’s currently taking up the guest room). I’ve been mulling over the idea of an outdoor laundry room for awhile, and after visiting a ton of spots on the East Coast my wheels started turning.

Transitional Kindergarten

What to Buy for Transitional Kindergarten or Pre-K

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My 4-year-old is going into Transitional Kindergarten in a week. Cue the dramatic mom tears! Actually, as a former elementary school teacher, I’m thrilled with the idea. Schwarzenegger signed the Kindergarten Readiness Act into law in California in 2010, changing the enrollment date so that all kids would be at least 5 when they enter school here. The law also created Transitional Kindergarten (or ‘TK,’ which is often called Pre-K or PK in other states) to bridge the gap between preschool and kindergarten for students whose birthdays fall just short of the cutoff date. The idea is that older 4-year-olds need more mental stimulation than a typical preschool or daycare might provide, but they aren’t ready for the full structure of kindergarten.

Self-reliant nighttime routine

Our 4-Year-Old’s Self-Reliant Nighttime Routine

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I’ve talked a lot about nighttime routines recently. Having a well-defined evening routine and reliant bedtime is one of the things that helps keep me sane as a parent. I think a lot of us start with the very best intentions, but wind up falling off the nighttime routine wagon and landing in one of two camps: the moms and dads who do everything for their kids at night or the moms and dads who do very little for their kids at night. I remember when I used to babysit, I’d go from a household where a 3-year-old was brushing his own teeth and tucking himself in to a household where a 10-year-old still expected the toothpaste to be smeared on by an adult.

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