Being Savvy: Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers and kids in West La, CA

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Autumn

Picture Book Classics - Old and New

November 06, 2008

Just because a book is old doesn't make it a classic and just because a book is new doesn't mean it's not a classic either. The test of time just takes too long in the brief interim of childhood. So here are a few of our family's classics, both old and new. Now that winter's here, my son and I have been re-reading The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats with Peter's bright red snowsuit and  Read more...

Five Tips for Trick-or-treating with preschoolers

October 28, 2008

This being Los Angeles, the land of make-believe, there are no dearth of scarily decked-out haunted houses, skeletons dangling in foliage and realistic bloody corpses. Color me overprotective, but this isn't my idea of an ideal Halloween for a preschooler. I'm also not one for crowds and the idea of waiting in long lines to knock on doors when I'd consider ourselves lucky to even knock on 10  Read more...

Allergy-safe Halloween - Trick-or-treating with your allergic child

October 24, 2008

My son has a serious peanut and tree nut allergy and for awhile I thought we would never be able to safely celebrate Halloween. Although parents complain about the candy-gorging, the thought of having to keep our child home and away from the costumes, trick-or-treating and general merriment made our hearts ache. But thankfully there are ways to make Halloween a safe holiday for allergic  Read more...

Halloween Events for Preschoolers in Los Angeles

October 21, 2008

When you're a kid, one day of Halloween is simply not enough. And we here at The Savvy Source are trying to help you sort through the deluge of pre-Halloween festivities. So maybe you've already shopped for a costume and you've got your Halloween craft thing going on, but here are some fab parties coming up in Los Angeles between now and Halloween. Scribble Press - Just drop in the  Read more...

Pumpkin Activities for Preschoolers

October 17, 2008

This is the first year my son is old enough to actually, sort of "get" Halloween. Or at least the pumpkin-loving, candy-eating, door-to-door-knocking, costume-wearing part of Halloween. His first Halloween I dressed him up as a bumble bee and let him waddle around my friend's neighborhood. Last year, I was too pregnant with my now infant to even make an effort. But this year we're going all out,  Read more...

5 Places to Spark Your Preschooler's Imagination

October 14, 2008

If summer means ample opportunities to explore the world outside, the coming of fall - yes, even in Los Angeles - ushers in a cornucopia, if you will, of the arts and crafts. What it's too cold to play outside, what better than to experiment with paint and clay or curl up in a comfy corner and read a beautifully illusrated picture book? Or even write one? Here are five Los Angeles locations that  Read more...

Willowbrook Apple Farm of Oak Glen - Apple Picking

October 10, 2008

I can't really think of a more idyllic way to spend a weekend afternoon than picking apples and making your own cider. Of course it all seems much more fun as long as you don't have to do it everyday, but that's exaclty the point, right? Located off the 10 freeway in the community of Oak Glen just an hour's drive outside of Los Angeles, Willowbrook Apple Farm U-pick apple orchard offers a  Read more...

The Children's Nature Institute - Tykes on Trails and Family Nature Walks

October 01, 2008

Ever want to take your little one hiking but don't know where to start? I know I don't. Good thing The Children's Nature Institute's " Tykes on Trails " program can help us out. Once a week for a month, The Children's Nature Institute takes 2-4 year olds and their parents on a nature walk/workshop. Parents and children can bond in a peaceful, natural setting while a guide facilitates  Read more...

Flashback - 5 favorite posts from September

September 30, 2008

My husband has been working long hours all this month so I've basically been flying solo around here for a month. Needless to say, I welcome October with open, grateful arms. Still, September wasn't a total wash. In case you missed it, here are five of the best posts from September. 1. Bistro de l'Hermitage - friendly French food for four-year-olds - Because excessive alliteration aside, it  Read more...

Even Better Than the Farmer's Market? - Tierra Miguel Foundation Farm

July 21, 2008

Eating well has always been important to me. And by eating well, I mean eating healthy. Sure I drink more coke than one person should and, yes, my sweet tooth is bordering on addiction, but I also try to make sure that my family is eating balanced, nutritious meals. Part of that quest has recently involved exploring our local farmer's markets. Sure it can be expensive, but I've found that if I  Read more...

More of Our Favorite Activities and Things to Do in west la

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Creatures & Critters:
Our Urban Jungle

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Do, Re, Mi! Places to Hear, Sing & Play a Tune

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Artistic Endeavors:
Our Favorite Art Venues

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Room to Run:
Run, Jump & Wiggle Outdoors

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Rainy & Quiet Days:
Cozy & Crazy Indoor Fun

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A Sense of History:
Our City's Stories

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Splash, Spray, Play! Local Spots to Get Wet

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The Most Fun in Life Is Free!

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The Best of... Our Top Can't-Live-Without Spots

The Voice of Being Savvy west la:
Elise Crane Derby, Susan Choi, Nina Moon

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