It is a rarity that I get to spend quality, together time with my daughters. It seems like there is always something on the schedule, a lacrosse game, schoolwork or housework. Going, going, going, full speed ahead.
So it was an absolute treat to be 2,500 miles away from all obligations and enjoy the company of Sophia, my 12 year old a couple years ago enjoying Los Angeles, just the two of us.
This was the third year in a row that Sophia and I had been travel buddies. Our girls were in two different school systems, on conflicting vacation schedules, so as a family we divided and conquered the Spring Break schedules.
If anyone had even broached the subject of different vacations a couple years ago I would have quickly voiced my disdain for this arrangement. But, alas, as times change we must adapt.
LA reminds many people of all the glitz and glamour associated with movie stars. It is that and much, much more. Quite honestly, if we never set foot in the Kodak Theater, Mann’s Chinese Theater or Universal Studios we still would have had a great vacation.
That said, I can tell you we did not escape the tourist traps totally. We did board a bus for a Tour of The Stars’ Homes. We saw the homes of Christina Aguilera and Michael Jackson, we saw the gates and driveway leading towards the grounds where Hugh Hefner has thrown many a party and we saw paparazzi waiting and waiting and waiting for a glimpse of Katie Holmes or Tom Cruise.
In addition to this touristy expedition, Sophia and I did the kind of mother/daughter types of things that we never get to do. Manicures were the perfect way to get into the vacation mode and eating cupcakes before lunch was just plain fun! Escaping from reality and doing what we want, when we want to do it, is what makes vacations fun!
Do you have any special things that you like to do with your daughters and/or sons that make your time together special? Are there certain activities that are yours alone, that make spending time together unique?
After we got all the totally touristy things done we headed out to the J. Paul Getty Museum. What beautiful gardens! We never made it into the museum we were so enthralled with the design, upkeep and beauty of the gardens.
Then we ventured to Venice Beach for lunch with my nephew, Matt, and some great people watching. The trip would not have been complete without a ride on the energy efficient Ferris Wheel at the Santa Monica Pier.
Sophia may not have appreciated the Getty Museum as much as I did and I certainly did not enjoy the Ferris Wheel as much as she did. One thing we can both agree on, though, is that this travel team will enjoy each other’s company no matter what we ultimately decide to do!
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Sarah Page Kyrcz is a freelance writer based in Madison. Her bi-weekly column, “Moms’ Talk” – designed to address issues that affect parents, neighbooods and the community at large – runs on eight local Patch sites in Southeastern Connecticut. When she is not writing she is spending time with her two active teenage daughers and her husband.
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