Support Your Library!

Winter time can make the sanest of people crazy.  The fog, wind and rain keep you and your family from enjoying your yard, or even the park--the sacred spaces where you can let your kids run wild and free and they are out of your hair!  Those days have (thankfully!) been few and far between since our winter so far has been extremely mild and dry.  But on those days we should thank our lucky stars that our wonderful libraries provide some amazing activities for little ones (for free!).

The Beale Memorial Library on Truxtun has three programs per week geared toward different aged children, 18-3 year olds on Tuesdays, Babies (under 18 months, I presume) on Wednesdays, and Preschoolers on Fridays.  How incredible is that?!  Since my older son attends preschool two days per week, my younger one and I have the opportunity to take advantage of story time at the library.

And it's not your average story time.  The leader of 18 month to 3 year old story time utilizes a wide variety of methods and tools to keep the kids intrigued and entertained while learning.  She uses felt boards with pictures to illustrate nursery rhymes, scarves and rhythm sticks for dancing and singing portions, and of course there is an actual story read from the vast collection of the library.

When that is all done (I mean really, how long can you keep this age group occupied and paying attention?) , a craft of the week along with materials is provided and the little ones get to play with toys and manipulatives that were acquired through grant monies.  It's a great way to get out of the house, get your kids around other kids, and to use our public resources.  We have so much fun looking at all the books and get excited every week to pick out new ones.

There are several libraries in the Kern County Library System, many of which offer similar programs and other community programs.  Check them out at : http://www.kerncountylibrary.org/HTML/news/events.html

Wind Wolves Preserve

I will preface this post with the following information:  1.)  My adventures are usually by myself with my kids since my dear husband works so much to provide for our family.  2.)  My boys are ages 2 1/2 and just days shy of 4 and VERY energetic.


I will be the first to admit that taking two little ones out on adventures is less than an easy-going and carefree experience.  There's the "Mom, my butt hurts.  Are we there yet?  Can I have a snack?  Where are we going?" all in the car.  Then when you get there, "Can we go eat our lunch now?  My legs are tired."  Not to mention packing extra clothes, wipes, diapers, and everything else for the "what-ifs" that come along with small children.  However, when it's all said and done, everyone got out of the house for an adventure, saw some beautiful country, and got some exercise in the mean time.  What could be better than these wonderful memories?


The Wind Wolves Preserve is nestled in the southern part of the Valley.   The entrance road is just off Hwy 166.  As you drive the 166 you wonder if you're lost as you pass orchard after orchard or almonds and oranges and an array of green fields.  The occasional taco truck lets you know you're not alone and if you're hungry, eat now.  (Although it's not advisable to go this far without properly packing your vehicle with lots of water and food.  There are no amenities other than toilets at the preserve.)  Then suddenly the sign pops out of nowhere just past an orange orchard on the south side of the road.  


Saturday was an incredibly beautiful day here in the valley and I wanted to take full advantage.  The sun was shining and temperatures reached the 70s.  Wind Wolves Preserve is a great place to get out for a quick hike and a picnic.  The trails are developed and perfect for little legs who are learning to follow trails and learning to walk on their own.  It's easy enough too for parents who have a hiking backpack or need to pick up the munchkin mid-hike.  

Since it has been a dry winter, the area is markedly dry and brown, but don't let that fool you.  There is still plenty to see.  At the San Emigidio Canyon Trailhead you will find a lovely picnic area with flowing water adjacent.  The Trail itself follows the creek below.  You will find squirrels frolicking in the distance.  Ravens tend to frequent the area as any where else in the Valley.  We were lucky enough   to observe a red-tailed hawk on the hunt as well as a herd of mule deer.  

My kids were fortunate to learn life lessons--that animals eat other animals--as was evidenced by the two spinal pieces found on the trail.  They also learned simple lessons in texture by utilizing the various rocks along the path and touching them to include the lichen attached to some.  Unfortunately the dry grass was a lesson for them to remind them to leave the area as we found it; as they were pulling up the grass, they found that the grass had the same effect paper does when it slides through your hand--it can cut you.

All in all it was also wonderful to see blue skies, breathe in fresh air, and see a part of the valley that not many frequent.  
For more information on the Wind Wolves Preserve and the Wildlands Conservancy visit: http://wildlandsconservancy.org/preserve_windwolves.html

A Family in Bakersfield

So here we are.  In Bakersfield.  Raising a Family.
Raising children is not an easy feat.  It's important to remember that children are a gift and a blessing.  It's our duty and responsibility as parents to make the most out of our children's upbringing--we are responsible for their education, their memories, their comfort, their world.  I realized it was not fair to have a bad attitude about where we were living.  Granted, Bakersfield would not be my number 1 choice to raise my family.  Let's face it--the air quality is bad.  But as I sat and thought about it, what else is so bad?  There is so much agriculture (which means fresh fruits and veggies!), farming (how cool is it that your kids can learn first hand where their food comes from?), and so many recreational activities!
We are very fortunate that Dear Dad has a great job that affords me to stay home with the kids.  We are fortunate that Dear Dad enjoys his job, too.
I am a firm believer that attitude affects your everything.  If you have a positive attitude, life will be easy and happy.  Life is what you make of it. (I know, so clichè!) But it really is true.  Make the most of where you are.  Dig in and become a part of the community, not just a person living there.

Some changes in format

Initially when I started this blog, I decided in my head that I would do 365 things.  Realistically, that would take a LONG time.  I can't do that in a year.  So here is the new goal--I will come up with 365 ideas to do in and around Kern County with a family, both young and old, and I will do at least one activity per week that can get you and your family out of the house and enjoying Kern County.