Car Tune

My dad always used to say, "More extra gadgets just means there are more extra gadgets that can break down." He might be right, but at this moment, I'm loving me some gadgets.

Today marks Day One of my week-long test drive of the brand spankin' new Lexus RX 450h (hybrid). I decided to take Lexus up on their generous offer to let me try it for a week because a) I'm interested in how the hybrids work. As a dedicated SUV lover, my wallet takes a pretty hard hit every time I pull into the Shell Station. And b) as a dedicated SUV lover, I'm also intrigued by this new "crossover" genre (not as big or hard to park, etc.). So I'll be running it through its "mom" paces to see if it's good for the loading and unloading of all sticky, hairy and sandy passengers, handles well while I'm refereeing Kate vs. Jack arguments and overall presents a nice family package. Here's what I know so far:

• Loved: The camera mounted on the passenger side gave me an excellent view of my backside for exiting the driveway, an excellent tool on my kid-heavy street. The car also has beautiful curb appeal, so go ahead and stare with envy, neighbors!


• Not Sure About: My first trek out today was to deliver my father-in-law and his paramour to The Huntington in San Marino from my home in the San Fernando Valley. I looked a bit goofy sitting in the driveway as my father-in-law stared on in wonder while I poked at the "on button" (keys are so 2009, apparently). But we eventually got 'er out onto the street. I'm also new to the quiet "Is this thing on?" hybrid engine.


• Need to Get to Know: The navigation system looks amazing, but it wasn't easily navigable itself. I fiddled and futzed with the buttons to try to figure out how to chart a course from The Huntington back to the Burbank office, but I ended up using my "guess and hope" internal navigation, which worked just as well (it was a no U-turn trip).

Stay tuned!

On the Road Again

The last time I had to travel without Kate and Jack, they scarcely seemed to notice I was gone. Granted, it was a brief getaway. But still, I'm not sure whether I should take comfort from that or feel hurt that they weren't clinging to my legs as I dragged my suitcase to the car.

Most of us do feel a pang of guilt when we have to travel, which seems to become even more acute once I find myself reclining peacefully in a quiet hotel room to watch a grownup TV show. I miss them terribly (and I know they miss me ... or I'm pretty sure, anyway), but in a way, I feel as though I bring them back a better mom in the process. It might sound like justification, but as my kids' major source of guidance through their lives, I show them the world through my eyes. If I'm not seeing the world, then their scope is limited, too.

Not surprisingly, you'll find some good resources out there that can help manage the guilt and other stuff associated with our business (and pleasure) travels that don't include the kids.

Tom Daly, an Atlanta-based marketing executive, is the editor of the Traveling Parent, an informative and well-written blog that offers help, resources, good anecdotes and the voices of other traveling parents. Check out the brief Q&A he did with me.

Got Questions? Get Answers!

How effective is "grounding" as punishment for a tween? Why is my child refusing to do her homework until the last minute? My 3-year-old is manipulating me! We can't get through a meal without a sibling battle ...

Parenting issues: We all have 'em! Send me yours, and I'll find an expert to give you some advice. We can't fix everything, but I know I rely on an extensive group of moms, sisters, therapists, friends, etc. to help me navigate these often-difficult parenting waters. And L.A. Parent family therapist-on-call Tony Malinda had some great suggestions for my friend (see below).

So e-mail me your questions/issues/dilemmas at carolyn.graham@parenthood.com because believe me, we're all in this parenting boat together!

Shirley Temple Grows Up

Ready to think outside the juice box? Then check out the latest trend to hit the dining scene: expanded nonalcoholic beverage menus.

Last Friday, the Grahams enjoyed an exotic drink tasting at RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen, a relatively new establishment at the Westfield shopping center in Century City, and it made for a fun night out.

We sampled several, and the kids enjoyed the savory and sweet offerings of such exotic fruits and flavorings as tamarind, kaffir lime and lemon grass. Our hands-down favorite was the Pacific Kiss, which brought together a hibiscus tea with guava and calamansi, a citrus fruit that grows in the Phillipines and other locales. Additing a tangy opener atop the rim was a dusting of dried kaffir lime leaves that had been blended with sugar. It was robust and flavorful without leaving you with a sugary headache.

Popular among the grownups, according General Manager Erik Russell, is the Lime-Mint Squash, which has the essence of the classic mojito. It was a bubbly adult-friendly concoction that went well with the restaurant's chicken satay appetizer.

The kids also really liked the heavier lassi beverages, which are a sweet variation of the more savory traditional Indian smoothie. The Passion Fruit Lassi had a ginger spike that made me keep going back for more. Jack and Kate favored the Sweet Banana Vanilla Lassi, which probably marked the first time the two of them have ever tasted cardamom (especially in a drink).

Executive Chef Mohan Ismail created the bevvy of beverages to introduce exotic flavors to a broad range of palettes – and to complement his Asian- and Pacific Rim-infused menu. The room is definitely Asian-inspired, and we enjoyed lingering among the little glass-tank firepits in the grand entryway. The restaurant is owned by the massively successful Cheesecake Factory folks, but Russell was clear to point out that RockSugar is on a more exotic, gourmet path – although the beverage menu and openness of the room make it clear that it's still a good spot for families to enjoy a night out.

Alas, Jack was too fidgety to consider extending our stay through dinner, so we'll definitely have to make plans to come back – maybe so Steve and I can sample the exotic alcoholic drinks.

Kate likes the Pacific Kiss.

Jack samples the Yuzu Lemon Crush.

Executive Chef Mohan Ismail, a native of Singapore, drinks in some praise from a new fan.
(Sorry for the out-of-focus photography – apparently, I can't have too much tamarind or I get the shakes.)

Congrats!

Congrats to Amy Hood of Los Angeles, who is the grand-prize winner of the I Don't Have Time for This Dan Zanes Concert Tickets Sweepstakes!

Have fun, Amy. And a big "thanks" to all the folks who entered (and read this blog)!