Bucket List item

Born and raised in Los Angeles I have seen the Hollywood sign from a zillion different angles but always from afar.  Today's challenge was our longest and hardest hike yet. A 3 hour round trip hike all uphill to the back of the Hollywood sign, overlooking Hollywood Lake, the observatory, L.A, the ocean, etc.. About an hour into the hike I quietly was saying to myself "why does Dave let me come up with these ideas?" But then it leveled off, my endorphin's kicked in, the wind was blowing and I felt great...for a moment. Then, around a turn the hill raged on for what seemed another 25 minutes. A gentleman seeing my hair disheveled and out of breath passed by saying, "you are almost there." We reached it and it was breathtaking! The letters were larger than life, I'd say about 2 stories tall. The hike is quite an accomplishment and going down works a whole new set of muscles that are aching as I type. I'm glad we did this but I'm pretty sure I'll never do it again which is why it is officially checked off the bucket list!

First stop the Bat Cave where the Bat mobile exited. Several movies filmed here.

An hour into the hike, Grant laying his head on the pillow contemplating a nap

The camera doesn't do justice to the view. It really is much clearer and you can see the ocean

Almost there! I can see the sign in the distance

Lots of trails and its a constant incline

Every corner I was thinking are we there yet

WE MADE IT! THE CLOSEST YOU CAN GET TO THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN

My camera is too slow to catch his quickness

Someone in trouble

Again, camera too slow to catch him smiling at me

Part German Shepherd, part Wolf. This dog was HUGE!  Much scarier than a pitbull in my opinion

I call this my little rickshaw

In Flight

We live directly under the Burbank airport flight path so planes fly over our home frequently.  Grant whether he's in the house or outside will point and babble every time so I thought today would be a great day to see them up close and personal.  The Van Nuys Airport Observation Area is on the flight path line and is equipped with speakers so you can hear air traffic control information. We were there for almost 2 hours watching planes and helicopters take off and land. We had lunch at the picnic area, ran around the painted flight path for kids and played along side the cut outs of cars.

Meetup.Com

I've recently been searching for a moms group where I fit in and find a connection to socialize and allow Grant to interact with children his age. I was a bit discouraged as I surfed for a group and ran across: Asian Mommies of Miracle Mile, Goddess Moms, Hot Mammas, Vegetarian Moms, Geeklings, Sassy Moms, Happy Hour Mamas, etc Luckily I located Valley Moms which is perfect since I'm a born and raised pink and grey wearing, totally for sure, Valley Girl. Had a great meet and play date today and met a lot of great ladies who all have kids that are Grants age.  I need to get better with the camera and learn to snap and play at the same time. Only 1 picture this time....

Science Center

Went to the California Science Center today and so amazed to find a "free" activity to do and totally worth the trip.  There were several exhibits but I didn't take very many pictures.  I had to hold Grant for him to reach things and let him push buttons, twirl and spin things. It was a great sensory experience for him. The discovery rooms is where Grant was able to run and explore.  He loved the space shuttle and the fish the best!

Rock Climbing

We changed it up a little from hiking to more of a rock climbing adventure. Stoney Point is located off of Topanga Canyon in Chatsworth. There were several groups practicing rock climbing with and without ropes if you want to go straight up otherwise you can navigate through the rock and up and around.

This guy climbed without ropes or harnesses, scary. 

We climbed to the top, very windy with the feeling of an elevator it was so high.

Wish my camera shot faster so you could see its not the easiest climb with a baby on your back. Grant loves to be bumped around and tilted, exciting for him.

View of the San Fernando Valley

The highest point

A leap to get down, Dave had to come back for me and help me. Hard to tell from the picture but  its a drop

Another successful hike/climb. There are parts that strike fear in me but in the end its what makes it so much fun!

Play Date

So great to see my best friends from Orange County and great-full they made the trek up to L.A. with their little ones.  The kids all played so well together and it was great to catch up, it had been since November.

Ava 4yr, Charlotte 2yr, Grant 15m, Caleb 3m and Natalie 7weeks

Arts and crafts with crayons and stickers, possibly Valentine's Day cards

Sliding

Grant is now 15 months old and he's acting all grown up with things he can handle. He now can go down slides without help and of course loves the thrill of it and will do it over and over again. I love seeing him have so much fun.