I am always excited to learn about local adventures that are suitable for kids.  So I was pumped to find a website called Red Tricycle.  I signed up to receive the weekly newsletter especially for the Los Angeles area, (they also have one for New York, Atlanta, Chicago, San Francisco, etc) and it’s chalk full of ideas for the upcoming week.  Places to take your kids like plays, museums, musical events.  Not everything is suitable for every child, but it sure is helpful when you’re sick of the park or just straight up out of entertainment ideas. It happens around here a lot.

I found out about the Brand Park wading pool in the issue titled “7 Super Splash Pads”.  I had no idea there were splash pads anywhere near me.  Unfortunately, there are none in walking distance that I know of, because that would just be too easy.  But the closest one is only a couple miles away at beautiful Brand Park. I have been to Brand Park several times.  It’s one of my go-to portrait photography locations.  But never in my life have I noticed a splash pad or wading pool.  But it’s there, all right!  Really close to where I usually park.  Go figure. It’s only open a few hours a week, but if you can make it there during those hours, it is so nice.  Around the pool is all grass and lots of trees to shade you from the heat.  The water is only like 6 inches deep or something, so it seems really safe. (Stevie fell in and was able to catch himself instead of going under, if that gives you any idea.)  There’s even a lifeguard on duty, just in case.  Upstairs from the pool is a playground, also well shaded.  I know I sound like I’m trying to sell this place, but don’t everybody come at once ok?  It was really nice and quiet while I was there.  That being said, it is a good place to kill a couple hours.

Unless you have a Stevie.

He was in the water for like 15 seconds and gave me the sign for “all done”.  So we went to the playground for 5 minutes and when he was “all done” with that, he tried the pool once more.  That’s when he fell in.  So obviously, he was “all done” again.  Regardless, I think I’ll definitely bring him back here and see if he can get used to it.  It’s open until 6 on Friday afternoons, so we can come right after his nap.  My fun plotting continues.

——– This is currently my favorite photo of Stevie.  Look at his frickin’ feet!!!  So cute ——–