The Chemistry Of Fireworks

A little class on pyrotechnics before the big show tonight.

Happy Fourth of July.

To: Mr. President - From: Kids - Re: Kids' First Order Of Business After The Inauguration

 "I would take over the world. Then I would destroy Pluto. Then Mercury. Then I would build giant battleships. And then I would build a ladder to the moon."

"I would take the taxes that are used for silly stuff and give it to people who need it. I would also band alcohol and drug use If I saw someone using drugs or drinking I would make them pay a fine.

"I would make everything a thousand dollars, and to get all the money from the store I would make the food free! And the children would have to obey there parents. I would hand out free puppies!"

"I will write a book saying I was president and the title will be Derek. I would make all the kids in America a puppet. I will buy a big bed and flat screen TV. I will go and have a vacation in Hawaii. I will go golfing in a plane. I will get my own store."

"I would not allow war. I would not allow guns. Then people wouldn't get killed."

"I would paint the world pink. I would make sure everyone is treated kindly. I would make sure nobody gets left out. Everyone will treat the animals, plants, & nature good."

"I would make lots of trees. I would make homes for people. I will read books."

"If I were president I would help others when a storm comes. I can help people any time. And i'll help the sick and poor get better and help them find jobs and schools. And I will give them a gift for loving God."

Free puppies, no war, and a ladder to the moon. Oh yeah. Nobody getting left out, a puppet for all the kids in America, and trees- lots of trees.  Let's elect some kids!

Zombie Apocalypse For Kids II - The 3 Best Parks For Practicing

Along with the many questions you face as a parent, I'm sure you've asked yourself,  "What's the best park for my kids to practice what to do in case of a Zombie Apocalypse?"

Then you might have thought, "Wait, how do we even practice?"

That part is easy. I covered it in a recent post.

So now onto the three best parks to use for practicing. After some thought and consideration I've come up with a couple of choices. Of course, I had to have some requirements. First, the park can't be too big or too small. We need a Goldilocks park - just the right size.
The park also needs a boundary or fence to keep the players in when they are out of eyesight. The park also should have hills and slopes and places for cover, maybe even some play equipment that can be used to hide in or be chased around.

So now for the three best parks for practicing the Zombie Apocalypse- in no particular order.

1. Atlantis Play Center 13630 Atlantis Way, Garden Grove. (714) 892-6015

The park is a nice size. Perfect for larger groups of kids. It has hills, hiding places, mature landscaping, restrooms, and is fenced in. It costs $2 per child to get in but it has everything you need for a good game of Zombie Tag.

It's best to start at one of the flat grass areas. Maybe the one in the back of the park next to the sea serpents. The park is large enough to have a long game. If any little ones get bored as they practice for the end of the world they can hit the Viking Ship or slide down the long cement dragon slide.While you practice for the zombie apocalypse take a minute to appreciate the unique cement play sculptures created by Benjamin Dominguez & Sons for the park.

The park isn't open all the time. Check out their page for hours and directions. Weekends can get a little too crowded for undead to be running around.

2. Bluebird Canyon Park 798 Blue Bird Canyon Drive, Laguna Beach

This park is a little gem a few blocks from the ocean in Laguna Beach. It was created in the early sixties just like Atlantis Play Center. The play equipment at Bluebird Canyon Park has been updated but still is unique. There's a four story rocketship, climbing stations, a giant side by side metal slide, and a trike trail.

The park is mostly fenced in and has a colorful front gate. Bluebird Canyon Park is a smaller park so the group practicing for the zombie apocalypse should be a little smaller. It's also a popular park with smaller kids and their caregivers in the mornings and is busy some afternoons since it's next to a Boys & Girls Club.
But the park has great hiding places, a small tunnel, a bridge, a clean restroom, and shade.

3. Heritage Park 18600 Bloomfield Ave, Cerritos

A beautiful island park designed and themed around Longfellow's poem "Paul Revere's Ride"  located in a larger city park.The park is surrounded by water and you must pass through covered bridges to reach to the top of the park where the Old North Church is recreated with a small play structure and slide inside.

There's a small harbor and kid-size colonial village. The park is a work of art created by David Volz Design which is also responsible for other attractive parks in Orange County like Pioneer Road Park in Tustin, Los Rios Park in San Juan Capistrano, and George Washington Park in Anaheim.

The park has many paths and places to hide. It's a good size for 5-15 kids playing Zombie Tag. The water acts as the boundary. There isn't much flat ground in the Paul Revere play island though, and the restroom is past the water in the surrounding part of the park.

Every tiny colonial building has some type of play structure inside so it can get a little cramped in the buildings with more than a few kids playing inside at once. The park is popular for kids and adults- even wedding parties- so it's best to visit during the week.

The play island also closes at dusk and opens late one day of the week. Check the website for hours.

I hope one of these three oddballkidfun parks will find a place in your family's Zombie Apocalypse preparation plans. You can never be too prepared, right?

Best Car Hill In Orange County

The best part of going down a hill is not being able to see the bottom for a second when it seems like you might have just jumped off a cliff. About half way down you think you left your stomach at the top. And you know if it's a good drop when at the end you realize you were holding your breath the whole way.

There are a lot of ways to get that feeling. Maybe Splash Mountain at Disneyland or the Giant Slide at the O.C. Fair. Maybe a ski slope or dropping into a half pipe. But our family's easiest and cheapest option is to hit the best car hill in Orange County.

The hill drops from the top of Laguna Beach along 3rd St. from Park Ave. going north towards Laguna Canyon Road. The drop is just about a block and ends on Mermaid St. There's a lot of traffic on 3rd so try going down during off peak hours so you can slowly inch over the top and have the kids try and see the bottom of the hill over the cars hood. You can accelerate down the hill because the transition to the flat part of 3rd is nice and smooth.

Have some oddballkidfun speeding down our family's favorite car hill in Orange County.