Day 156 of Firsts: "Art Therapy"

Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures. ~Henry Ward Beecher

I was kind of looking around for a unique family activity today and found Paint Lab. It's the coolest thing. For 20 bucks and the price of your canvas you can just walk in off the street and paint all day at this Santa Monica studio.

I think Alexa, Phil and I were all a little intimidated at first by the blank canvas. Then we all dipped into the paint.

Check out the masterpieces we created!



I'm sure a therapist would probably have some interesting things to say about Phil's abstract "Figure of a Woman", Alexa's "Eye" and my "Passionate Ocean". 

Meanwhile, despite our LA days, our minds and hearts are in Philly tonight as we watch the Flyers!  Whoa. Just watched the second goal scored.

Day 155 of Firsts: Eat "In-N-Out " Burger

We think fast food is equivalent to pornography, nutritionally speaking. ~Steve Elbert

I try to stay away from fast food. I do.  But on occasion I get a craving and we kept  passing In 'n Out Burger places here in LA.

My daughter tried to keep me away, but finally gave in, admitting she loves it.

These guys walk down the line of cars to take your order to speed things up.  Nice. (And I really can't explain the guy at the window, but it was fun.)





I don't know about how "healthy" it is since the "special spread" is something akin to thousand island dressing (which I love).

Let's just say my craving was completely satisfied and worth the little wait. Too bad the calories aren't "in 'n out". (Don't even want to know!)


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Day 130 of Firsts: Crazy Internet Dance with Daughter

Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever. ~Author Unknown

I received the most wonderful mother's day gift from my daughter and You get to see it.  Well, you get to experience it.

Alexa is in LA. I'm in Philly.  I miss her every day.  Today Alexa introduced me to Ichat. We could look at each other and talk in real time. 

But the best part was when she said we were going to DANCE TOGETHER.
She turned up Miley Cyrus's "I Can't Wait to See You Again".  Together across the miles, we danced ourselves silly.

(The video starts off a little shakey but hang in there, it gets better.) 



 
Oh, my gosh. This is how I know I have had a serious impact on my child. (Poor thing. )  :)   This is us imitating one of our favorite youtube videos of teen boys dancing to this song in a basement. 
 
Anyway, I felt like we'd spent time together today. The miracle of technology I guess and the miracle of my daughter.
 
Thanks honey.  I Love you. 

Day 114 of Firsts: Santa Monica Steps/Skateboarding...

A daughter is a day brightener and a heart warmer. ~Author Unknown

Today Alexa, (my daughter) and I went out to play. Santa Monica was our playground and it couldn't have been a more perfect.

Alexa told me I don't need a stinking gym to work out here.  All you need is  fresh air and some energy to enjoy her Santa Monica training session.

Get ready , because you're coming with us.  First, we're going up and down 300 steps. (The Santa Monica version of the Rocky Steps, but this is straight up and down. Think Manayunk but MORE.)

Then Alexa tries to show me "the ropes", the rings, and finally she teaches me how to skateboard.  WHOA!  Here we go.



I was so glad to see all those gymnastics lessons  Alexa took paid off.  Yes! She can be a showoff on the beach.

She's about to turn 23. I'm 53. You heard me keep asking "you think I can do it?"  What I love is Alexa thinks I can.  And when I can't we just laugh so hard.

So happy to feel healthy today and trying to keep up with her. So proud to see her running far ahead.  

That's the way it should be.   

Day 81 of Firsts: Daughter Dresses Mother (Moi!)

A daughter is a little girl who grows up to be a friend. ~Author Unknown

We had a little time to kill after the family wedding this weekend. What else would a mother and daughter do on a rainy day in Jacksonville?  Shop of course.

But, Alexa proposed a twist. She would dress me.  I thought that would be an interesting "First" until she walked me into Wet Seal. AHH.



Revenge of the LA sylin' daughter! (Alexa works for Hollywire.com in LA.) Lex now insists I dress too conservatively. Besides, she says she's always wanted to turn the tables on those joyous mother daughter shopping trips of her youth.



This was the most doable outfit she had me in.  But to add to this comedy, I kept locking myself out of the dressing room as you will witness.



No, I didn't buy anything. But we had lots of laughs today, just not enough time before I had to give her a kiss and a hug goodbye.