Take a Ride Through Newport Beach, CA

Monday we decided to take a different route on our bike ride, instead of going to Huntington Beach/Main St., like we usually do, we took a ride down to Newport Beach.

Of course I took my camera along so you could all go with me!

We road by this park...I have never seen so many squirrels in one place. There were probably about 20 of them just hanging out enjoying the beautiful day.



Next we headed to our favorite pizza place Rubino's and saw the Big Rubber Ducky cruising around...I made my hubby stand in front of it. He said, "Hurry up I feel stupid," through clinched teeth & a fake smile...can you tell?

How funny is this thing? I laugh every time I see it.

Riding down the boardwalk can be pretty dangerous, you have to watch out for the drunk bike riders!

32nd Street was the place to be when we were growing up.

Newport Beach is a large city with a small town feel, you always run into someone you know.

My hubby patiently waiting for me to finish taking my pictures. He said, "You look like a tourist!"

I SAID....

And kept on snapping this view from the boardwalk.

The yellow flag with the black dot means that particular area is black balled (NO SURFING). They designate certain times & areas for surfing because there are so many people in the water during holidays & summertime.

Notice how the girls like to hang around the lifeguards...tough job those guys must have! LOL!

Time to head back home.

After the boardwalk ends you head out to this road just behind the waterfront homes.

Cruising through Huntington Beach now, you can see that there is a lot more beach before you get to the water than in Newport. Yeah it's pretty tough to drag a cooler through the sand.

Finally home, turning the corner to our house...whew I'm tired!

One last pose for the hubby...thought I better end on a nice note after he put up with all my picture taking.

Besides I have one more place I need to convince him to take me. I'm addicted & it's my fav!

Doesn't it look like we own our own bike & surf board shop?

We don't, we just have 6 kids!

I did it!!!! I convinced him to top the day off with my fav, Baskin Robbins (31 Flavors) Ice Cream.

BANANA ROYALE
(2 scoops of vanilla ice cream, bananas, caramel topping, whip cream, nuts & cherry).

But I just walk in & say, "The usual!!!"

Hope you had fun riding through Newport Beach, California (the OC).

How To Be A Football Mom

I will start this out with something that is very familiar to all of you ladies...FASHION. This is a must when attending your children's games. You should ALWAYS wear your team colors...this does not mean barretts and ribbons...PLEASE leave that for the cheerleaders! Find a cute top...nothing fancy, just something that matches their home and away jersey's (this is a great excuse to go shopping, and the hubby will always support anything involving football....they have even mastered this concept).

Now, with the first step making you feel at ease...we will move on. Make sure they have plenty of gatorade and/or water. Studies show that most kids are dehydrated before they even step onto the field. I usually have my kids drink nothing but water the night before and day of the game. Dehydration seems to be a huge problem in the high schools and middle schools due to the fact that most kids drink soda or sweetened fruit juice in place of water. Limit their soda intake before practice and games!

Third, make an honest effort to understand the game and what your sons particular position and
responsibility is. Taking an interest will help you enjoy the game and eventually...you will be able to give your kids advice and "reminders" of what to do in the game. This step may take a while...but it is very rewarding when they actually listen to you!

Fourth, DO NOT GO ON THE FIELD AT ANY TIME! No going out to help them up when they get tackled, tripped, shoved, hit or pushed...this is football and you must sit in the stands. The exception to this rule would be if they remained on the ground and the coaches have come out to look at them and they have remained down. Then, I repeat, only then, can you head out onto the field. I have seen to many moms rush out, frantically screaming, only to have their son look in horror, jump up, and run AWAY from their moms...completely embarrassed! I will tell you that the most severe injuries that my children received were from skateboarding, bike riding and playing around with friends...NOT football!

Fifth, get involved, be a team mom, help with fundraisers, cook for the dinner nights...the years fly by and before you know it they are moving out and you will have so many memories of the hours and hours you've spent together on the gridiron.

Football teaches life lessons..learning about teamwork, struggle, camaraderie, and perserverance...the things that can only be learned through experience!