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Next Stop Travel Town!

Now I have to admit, having my son’s second birthday party here was not our idea, we were inspired by friends who live in Los Feliz. I think it is fair to say that’s how the (kid’s) party train goes, right. Our oldest son’s birthday is in October and we decided to have it at the Travel Town Museum which is located on the north perimeter of Griffith Park (at the junction of the 5 and 134). We were a little worried because the day started out uncharacteristically overcast, but then it magically cleared up just as family and friends started to arrive.

I was over-prepared with collapsible tents and umbrellas and such. I say over-prepared because it was a very pleasant surprise that I was greeted by Travel Town staff that was ready and willing to help me and answer my questions (What?! Really?!), yeah like when does that ever happen? Now we payed like $75 to reserve the gazebo and a deposit of $25 which was promptly returned. I say, “what a bargain!” Seriously. Considering they were ready to help me set up additional banquet tables (part of the package) and get us matches for the BBQ pit.

The long and the short of it is – I would highly recommend this place for a kid’s birthday. The admission is free, as is the parking (which there is ample amount of parking) and there is even one of those mini-railroads ($2 a ticket) that takes you around the perimeter of the park, which is a great photo-op. There is also a little museum in the center of the park that has some old vehicles and train cars and so forth. But the real treat is the miniature railway setup they have – the thing is huge.

The best part is there are antique train cars that you can rent for birthday parties (and other events I imagine) up to 40 people, how cool is that. I imagine these train cars would be a better bet in the heat of the summer (they’re air conditioned) or perhaps during the winter months.

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How Does an Etch-a-Sketch Work?

May 22nd, 2007 | No Comments | Posted in dad, family, games, list-o-mania
hohoho-full

For those of us (a I think it is fair to say there is a lot) who aren’t compelled to operate on our own Etch-a-Sketch but are curious how the lil’ bugger works, here’s a great link. This way you avoid the whole “aluminum-powder-everywhere” scenario.

Click around to see some inspired etch-a-sketch artwork, very impressive.

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Robbed!

Recently I had a post, High-Tech Crime Blotter – CompSTAT where I was basically bragging about how I keep track of all the crime in my neighborhood. I felt like I was doing everything I needed too. I just had my entire yard fenced in (I have more gates then the Suez Canal now) and I’ve added all sorts of landscape lighting to scare away all the Bad Guys.

Great, a lot of good that did for me last night! Now granted, my wife and I are definitely a bit sleep deprived and suffer from some serious Mommy/Daddy Brain (case-in-point, yesterday I mistakenly threw my car keys away – good stuff) and occasionally we forget to lock the car or shut a door. Before going to bed, I have a routine of making sure all doors are closed and locked including the cars.

Evidently, last night I forgot to make sure the SUV was locked and someone rifled through our stuff, they just got some kids CDs – of all things. It could have been worse, they could have broke a window to get in. It could have been even worse, they could have stolen the car. They broke into three other cars on our block. Brazen! Apparently, they have a penchant for audio equipment. Luckily they dropped our registration while rifling through our neighbor’s car – and our neighbors where nice enough to return it to us. The thing that really upsets me though is our other neighbor explained that they had the gas siphoned from both of their cars. With the current cost of gas that represents over $150 dollars worth of gas! Damn it!

Time to get a gas cap lock. And a fake security system yard sign, ‘cuz I don’t have the money for one of those bonafide Brinks or ADT systems.

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Fabulous Stationary

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And Now Our Moment of Zen…

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Quote of the Week

May 16th, 2007 | No Comments | Posted in dad, kinda funny

One night a father overheard his son pray: Dear God, Make me the kind of man my Daddy is. Later that night, the Father prayed, Dear God, Make me the kind of man my son wants me to be.” ~ Anonymous

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