AYSO, Ah, So!

OK, Kate started AYSO soccer last week. Any tips out there from AYSO veterans for a newbie like me? I was a bit overwhelmed with the "enthusiasm," shall we say, of the parents and kids involved in this sport. I dabbled a bit in soccer when I was a kid, but entering this brave new world of long socks, "number 4 sized balls," designated snack moms and dribbling drills in my den has been a bit like walking onto Jupiter for me.

Kate seems to be finding her "legs," so to speak, and I'm trying to navigate the etiquette and terminology ("Close 'em down!!!" is my new catch phrase).

At any rate, your advice is welcome!

Dino-Mite

If you're looking for something a little different to do this holiday weekend, amble on over to the Natural History Museum to see Dinosaur Encounters. The program closes for a month on Sept. 1, so hurry over!

Dino-loving kids will love the realistic-looking juvenile T. rex – the puppeteer has this critter behaving very dinosaur-like, complete with twitchy head movements and a bouncy gait. But keep your more skitterish youngsters confined to the stuffed animal galleries – the experience can be intense!

Here are the details: Dinosaur Encounters puppets perform three times daily at 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m and 3:30 p.m. Shows take place in the North American Mammal Hall, located on the second floor. 

While you're there, amble up to the Thomas the T. rex lab to watch real-live scientists extracting fossilized dino remains and studying them. 

Jack's favorite part of the day, right after seeing the massive, life-like dino puppet? A picnic of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches just outside the museum.

I've Got Mail!

I'm starting a new little section in my blog of cool things I get in the mail. Since I "Don't Have Time for This" or to write about all the cool stuff that comes my way, this will hopefully help me get the word out.

First up: The fabulous if just a bit practical Warner's Elements of BlissWire Underwire Bra ($32). No frilly lace or superfluous bows with this little number. Just good comfort. It won't be the one I wear on a fancy night on the town, but it'll be the one that gets me comfortably through my work day.

Kindergarten Blues

One of my good friends sent me a text last night that struck fear into my own heart. She was getting ready to send her youngest son to kindergarten the next day, and she was distraught.

This is so hard. I can't stop crying.

She's a stay-at-home mom who has done an amazing job. To the outside world, she seemed totally ready for this next step – and to regain a bit of her former life back. Her little caterpillar now had some wings. I think she thought she was ready, too.

Jack is in preschool, and next year, I'll be tackling the same transition. This is my little guy, the one who seemed like only yesterday was babbling and toddling and getting into everything. Now he's having conversations with me and starting to write his letters. 

Will I be ready for this step? I don't know!

Her text to me this morning sounded better:

I made it. I didn't tear up till I got home ... I know he will be OK.

So there's hope, but the lesson to me was to be ready for the inevitable shock to your system that our babies grow up. Fast.

Any tips out there as to how to handle this transition and keep yourself from becoming a blubbering mess as you are walking your little one up to the "big-kid" school? We'd all love to hear them!

Moms: Minds Made for Business

Coming soon in the September issue (on stands Aug. 25), you can read all about a select group of L.A. moms who have created businesses that suit their schedules, financial needs and creative tendencies. In the meantime, I'm collecting a few bios from moms who've told me about themselves and their businesses so I can tell you about them ... and we can all support moms making it!

For instance, the MiGi Girls are two incredibly stylish L.A. moms, Michele Adams and Gia Russo, who have created nursery decor, written books on how to entertain with class and starred in two shows on the Fine Living Channel Network. Read all about them in this mini-roundup of moms who are bringing their ideas and passion to the business world.

Are you or do you know of another L.A. mom who has a creative idea that she's built into a business? Let me know by leaving a comment here or on the Moms' Business page or by dropping me an email.