Gone Fishing

Agoura Hills Mom is still here, folks. I haven’t posted in quite a while because I whisked my children off to the East Coast for most of the month of July. Recovering took a while when we came back, but today is that Sunday that is muggy and overcast, and it feels just like New England, so it’s kind of like the best(?) of both worlds.

I’ll get back to regular updates and newsworthy items soon but for now perhaps you’d like to see a photo of my garden:

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Basically since I planted some seedlings back in February, they all grew amazingly huge. Those tall leafy plants in the back right are kale. Under those are peppers and cucumbers. To the left is a space where the fava bean plants grew as tall as the kale but the pods never produced any edible beans so we cut them down already. That long vine with yellow fruit growing on it is a spaghetti squash plant that miraculously grew out of the trench composting area. And behind all that is the slowly-but-surely growing rosemary bush.

How has your summer been going?

Denny’s Adventure Menu With National Geographic Kids

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I headed out to Denny’s with my kids on Memorial Day. I haven’t been to a Denny’s in years. We only go there when we are traveling, because you can count on the food and my kids are always loud and obnoxious and the atmosphere is…shall we say…family-friendly. Also, we don’t take them out to each much. Also, there isn’t a Denny’s in Agoura Hills.

But!

There is one in Woodland Hills and I did not know this but KIDS EAT FREE EVERY DAY from 4pm to 10pm! (Drinks and dessert are extra.)

I have plenty of friends in Woodland Hills and if they are willing to hang with me at Denny’s I think it would be a great place to meet up with the kids. Not only are their meals free (with an adult purchasing an entree of $4.00 or more) but they are also actually tasty.

Denny’s has partnered with National Geographic Kids to present an interactive placemat/worksheet/menu that has a QR code on it that takes you to a NatGeo app. Meerkats and other desert dwellers star in the version we had at our meal. There is a coloring section, a Mad-Libs type quiz, and “Weird But True” facts, which my kids love. They have a whole book of them!

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There menu layout shows photos of the food and the options for sides to make it easy for kids to point to what they want.

“The new Denny’s kids menu offers explorers plenty of delicious all-day options to take their taste buds on an adventure, including several items verified by the Kids LiveWell program, created by the National Restaurant Association, so that kids can select healthier alternatives for a meal that is both balanced and delicious. Denny’s three breakfast dishes, starting at just $3.29, give kids the fuel they need to tackle any expedition with items such as the Build Your Own Jr. Grand Slam and Chocolate Chip Pancakes. When it comes to lunch, dinner or dessert, kids are in control with choices such as the Spaghetti meal with broccoli, Mac & Cheese with dippable veggies or the Groovy Mango Smoothie. “

My kids had their old stand-bys: a burger and fruit for Kyle and pancakes for Brady.

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Of course they both had little sundaes for dessert.

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As for me, I decided to get indulgent and try the bourbon chicken skillet. It was topped with a mountain of steamed vegetables so you can barely see the chicken, but everything was delicious and I ate most of it!

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So, one mom having a nice dinner (and a slice of apple pie) plus two kids eating from the adventure menu: total bill was $24.55.

Sweet deal. And everyone was happy!

Plus Denny’s picked up the tab to facilitate this feature, but all opinions, thoughts, and children are my own.

 

 

Print Your Face With 3D Printing at Staples in Studio City

Why buy the printer when you can get your face scanned and printed in 3D at Staples in Studio City?

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The future is here (I keep saying that but I guess that’s because it’s true – the things we only fantasized about on Star Trek, like video chat, are becoming real now) and it can be printed in 3D at Staples.

3D printers have been available to consumers for a while, but what consumer really needs one in her house besides the jewelry maker, amirite? I mean, sure you could buy a thousand dollar 3D printer to make doodads for your kids but honestly do you really need another electronic dust collector after the first few weeks of novelty wear off?

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Don’t get me wrong, the doodads are cool. But I have enough plastic crap made in China, I don’t need to make it here.

No. Better to go to Staples to get your cool 3D thing printed out. You couldn’t do it up until now, and you can still only do it in two places in America, and one of them is right near us in Studio City.

3D Printing Services are offered as a pilot program here and in New York City. Staples offers services from concept to delivery. Say your kid wants to design and create something in 3D for a school project, or you want to make a miniature version of yourself and your fiancee for a personalized cake topper. You can go into the design center and work with a pro who will help you create the file, and either print it right then and there or have it done offsite and shipped directly to you.

3D Printing at Staples
12605 Ventura Blvd.
Studio City, CA 91604
More info (including a photo of my friend Deborah checking out the printers!)