The Big Draw LA-- A Monthlong Series of Art Events for All Ages!

The Big Draw LA is a public drawing celebration spanning Southern California and linked to similar events worldwide during the month of October.  Click here for a listing of Big Draw events near you!

I work in downtown Los Angeles, next to city hall. 

Many times during lunch break I walk three blocks up Temple street to Grand Park, a newly-designed, four-level park that was once a hub for drug addicts and homeless people. 

Today, it's a serene and carefully manicured public space with a modern playground and outdoor musical instruments. There are uphill walking paths and bright pink lawn chairs and there's a huge splash pad with a water fountain at the top level.

Every time I walk to Grand Park, I tell myself I need to take the kids there.

Well, I took them this past Sunday because I wanted them to "leave their mark at the park". 

It was an event that launched the first of The Big Draw LA series, hosted by Ryman Arts, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering the artistic talents of kids. 

The Big Draw LA is a series of drawing activities where the public – people of all ages and abilities – get to make art at a wide variety of venues — from museums and parks to unique locations in neighborhoods. These events are organized and led by community-based organizations across the region. If you missed this past Sunday's event at Grand Park, you still have time to make it to several other "Big Draw" events happening this Fall. 

Here's a glimpse of some of the stuff we did on Sunday:

1. Observed artists of all ages draw live costumed models. If it hadn't been for the fact that I had to watch both kids, I would have probably tested my drawing skills too!

2. Watched little cuties use charcoal pencils and pastels to draw LA City Hall, which served as a great backdrop to the event!

3. Enjoyed the colors and paint soaked rollers involved with creating unique prints!

 

4. Spent some time watching Benny use markers to draw a snake... this was incredibly cute!

5. Stood underneath a paper plane-decorated pavilion where kids had a chance to create and decorate paper planes!

6. Entertained by my son's attempt to make a "dragon plane" beneath the paper plane pavilion. The final products were displayed on a string (see below)

7. Added my own doodles to this unique display of black paint on white butcher paper

I can't imagine what the next event will offer!
For more information on The Big Draw LA, visit their website:  www.TheBigDrawLA.org

Ryman Arts brings together students from 150 neighborhoods in Southern California and provides them the opportunity to obtain professional studio art instruction, as well as college career guidance at no cost to the students or their families. Read all about it here.

Thanks for reading and see you at the next Big Draw event!

The circus is coming to town...in just a few more days!

I will be taking my sons Benny and Toby to the circus in a few days!

I'm excited because The Ringling Brothers & Barnun & Bailey Circus is coming to town and they're promising an innovative new space-themed show titled "Out of this World".

What's funny is that this week happens to be "circus week" at Benny's preschool and they're doing a bunch of  circus-themed activities so he's definitely getting hyped about attending the real circus.

Out of this World will make its debut at the LA Staples Center, July 14 - 19... See you there!? 

If you're not able to catch the Downtown L.A. show, it will be at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario from July 21 - 26, followed by performances at the Honda Center in Anaheim from July 29 - August 7. You can purchase your tickets online by visiting AXS.com 

I'll be attending opening night with my little guys so make sure to check back to read my true and honest review. I do know one thing though-- the show no longer features elephants due to pressure from animal rights groups and a lawsuit that ultimately got settled. The absence of elephants in the show actually makes me feel better about going and I can't wait to tell you all about it!

For now, here's a couple of silly pictures of Benny and I, playing circus at home last year. LOL

A Totally 'Fab' Saturday Morning with Benny at Au Fudge!

It had been a while since Benny and I had a "mommy date", especially if you factor in the long months of pregnancy that made me feel too exhausted to go on outings with my son.

But on Saturday, we headed out to actress Jessica Biel's restaurant "Au Fudge", a posh little family place in West Hollywood with playrooms and fun areas featuring a tree house, a photo booth and a mini arcade. The actress and her business partners got it right. They cleverly figured it was time for a really cute grub spot that catered to children and adults alike. 

At the restaurant's entrance sits a lady who does face painting and balloon figures for the littles while parents look over the drink menu and wait to be seated. 

 On this occasion, Benny and I had the pleasure of visiting Au Fudge for a mommy blogger event hosted by FabKids. 

It was sort of an early Mother's Day gathering and a real treat for me, considering I hadn't left Toby alone with Paul for longer than an hour (the breastfeeding schedule has me pretty tied down)! 

Benny and I munched on grilled cheese sandwiches, Mac n Cheese and brownies and I even got a glam sesh, courtesy of Glam Squad LA, while Benny made crafts with buddies he met there.

Best of all, my son and I reconnected with laughs, hugs, kisses and car ride conversations about Star Wars and his little friend John who likes to play "zombies". 

When we got home I asked Benny if he had fun and he quickly replied "yes". Then he asked: "When Toby gets older can we take him there too?".

My heart liquefied. It just melted again.

Thanks JustFab for the invitation.

Benny's outfit and my shoes were gifted prior to attending the brunch... And we plan on wearing them often!