A Thriller

When we visited the new Grammy Museum at L.A. Live a few weeks ago, I felt as though I'd stumbled upon a great little hidden gem. Each exhibit and artifact is thoughtfully arranged and invites visitors of all ages and backgrounds to explore the depth and meaning of music in all its forms, from folk to funk and punk to pop.

Which brings us to the startling news on Thursday of the death of Michael Jackson. I pulled the kids over to the computer for a YouTube tour of this iconic character so deeply rooted in our current culture. Sensitive little Jack was somewhat freaked out by the Thriller video, which I remember seeing in its "world premiere" form on MTV in my acid-washed jeans and heavy eyeliner.

Start building your kids' musical education with a tour of the Grammy Museum, where you'll find, in addition to all genres of music, a celebration of the life and work of the pop star in the exhibit Michael Jackson: HIStyle.

You'll find videos of his Grammy performances as well as an array of jackets – which Michael was known to wear as "house coats" – and two of his ubiquitous sparkly gloves. One of the jackets on display was worn by Michael when he received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Show your kids the Thriller video (unless they're scared of zombies like Jack) and then take them to see the suit he wore on the album cover.

The repurposed exhibit will open to the public at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday (June 27). Museum hours are 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Saturday and 11:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Sunday-Friday. Admission is $14.95 for adults and $10.95 ages 6-17 (free for ages 5 and younger). Tickets are sold on a timed-entry basis for entering every 15 minutes to avoid crowding of the exhibits. Purchase tickets ahead of time to ensure you get your preferred time.

The Motivating Mat

I've learned a little something about myself when it comes to any form of exercise – I need a gadget or other cool thing to get me through it. I have to have the shiny iPod and various podcasts to survive the treadmill, a pedometer if I'm going to take long walks and the bike with all the bells and whistles if you're going to get me pedaling.

But this relatively new product caught my eye and has me motivated to get all bendy in my Spandex shorts again – the Yogamatic customizable, eco-friendly yoga mat.

Upload your own photo or do what I did – pick an image you like – and you'll receive a dandy durable, colorful and motivational mat. While it's a bit on the pricey side ($85), having the sweet faces of your children or your favorite vacation photo to stare at while you're trying to get into the pose is a good reason to unfurl your mat on a more regular basis.

Yogamatic, based right here is Southern California, offers hundreds of images to choose from (aside from your own) that can be imprinted on the 73" x 24" mat, which is made from sustainable natural rubber. It's plenty cushy (3/8" thick) and grippy, even if you're a bit more advanced in your skills than I am. And a portion of the sale of each mat is donated to Global Green.

Olive approved of my new mat (I love my "Veedub" design) – however, she decided she was the only one who should be doing a downward dog.

A Punch-Up For Lunch

All kids are prone to sandwich boredom, but a mom in Melbourne, Australia, created a puzzle-based solution to the age-old problem: How do I get my child to eat her sandwich?

The Lunch Punch ($16, available at www.sweetmadys.com) cuts puzzle pieces out of your child’s PB&J (or other favorite sandwich or cut-able snack) and removes the crusts, too. So kids can feed their love of puzzles while they fill their tummies. Each Lunch Punch set comes in four shapes that are dishwasher safe.

Coming soon are the new and adorable line of critter punches. We are using them to spice up the daycamp lunch kits and relaxed morning breakfast routine. Kate liked the dog (pictured), and Jack liked the elephant. But there's a butterfly and whales, too.

Tow For Toe

Perhaps this is why I feel as though I "Don't Have Time For This."

A week ago, Kate fractured her toe. It's on the mend, but caution is key to her not spontaneously folding up like a collapsible stroller and writhing in misery as we all stare on, helpless and sympathetic.

Yesterday, day camp started.

I thought, "It's a beautiful day. My dog needs to practice her fabulous leash training. The camp is but a mere jaunt across Burbank Boulevard from home."

What I forgot?

1. Jack was in a pool for close to three hours.


2. Kate has a fractured toe.


3. Day camp = backpacks packed with crafts.


4. Dog is still leash training.

But my need for fresh air pushed all other nay-saying thoughts out, and I trudged forth bravely. Olive and I waited patiently as the kids wolfed down chicken nuggets then I collected them, wrangled backpacks and crafts, and off we went. Jack lagged exactly 32 paces behind us. Olive the dog was behaving admirably, and Kate decided she wanted a try at the leash. "Great!" I thought. "Kate can work with dog so I can drag that tired little boy along the street."

We were within three blocks of the house when Olive spotted the world's tiniest Chihuahua, who, to his own detriment, barked his whereabouts with apparently no survival skills whatsoever. Olive's not a fighter at heart, but she is, just like the mint, "curiously strong," and threw off her training to take a closer look. In her path was Kate's toe.

As I struggled to haul the dead weight that had become Jack up my street, I looked over to find Olive about to enter an apartment building and Kate rolling around in the grass, howling in pain.

Then Jack peed his pants.

In a surprisingly deft swoop, I hefted both backpacks filled with crafts, grabbed the leash and slung my 75-pound child on my back – and warned Jack that if he got pee on his shoes, then that would be the last pair I would be buying him till he was 14. It was an impressive move, and we made it to the edge of my block, where I deposited Kate and ran the dog, crafts and wet 4-year-old to the yard, table and bathtub, respectively.

Then ... I made everyone smoothies. Really.

Glad For Dad

Now that the lights have faded on Father's Day, and those fabulous handmade cards have been admired and appropriately displayed, I'd like to suggest that we (OK, I) take the time to appreciate the dad that my two kids have in their lives.

For whatever reason, I was feeling cranky and put-upon this Father's Day. "OK, I've made breakfast, cleared the dishes, made lunch, cleared those dishes. Can I just sit for a minute?" As soon as I leaned my head against the sofa cushion, a clear and definitive cry rang out from the back yard. Jack had taken Kate's knee to the eye as he leapt into our inflatable pool, and the result was a good-sized gash and a swollen eye socket.

Grumbling and worried, I hefted my weary self off the couch and followed the wails. I found poor Jack clinging to his dad. As he cried out in pain, Jack's big tears ran down the open wound and onto one of Steve's favorite weekend shirts.

It made me have my own teary moment, pondering how great it is to be able to soothe  the bumps and bruises in your life with a simple bear hug only a dad can provide.

For that, I'm thinking maybe Dad should get Saturday, too.