Inland SoCal Moms | Encouragement for Moms – Chauffeur

I used to feel bad for those moms who were their kids’ personal chauffeur. I could never understand why someone would do that to themselves…until it happened to me.

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For years I avoided having my kids on any elite or travel team for sports. In fact, when my son was going to try out a few years ago, I broke down and cried to my husband at the thought of weekly travel games and practice three times a week. I could handle taking him five minutes down the street for practice and games, but 30 minutes to an hour away, forget about it. Besides, he had his heart set on Teen Bible Quizzing and that was only a monthly commitment. Of course it seemed the wiser choice.

Little did I know the weekly practices for quizzing would be an hour away and quiz meets would range from San Diego to Fresno to Prescott, AZ. Add to this my daughter’s monthly Children’s Bible Quizzing and her new found passion for being in dance productions which requires practice on Saturdays. Did I mention my husband works retail so he can’t get Saturdays off? I had become that chauffeur I never wanted to be.

By Friday I had already dreaded the trip to San Diego at 7 a.m. the next day, leaving Noah’s Quiz meet at lunch to rush Becca home for dance, go to a dinner social, and then driving to the other side of town to pick up my son from my brother’s house because luckily he works in San Diego and could bring Noah back up north since I had to leave the meet early. I thought of the back pain I’d have to endure, how exhausted I would be, and how cranky the kids would be after a busy day.
“What have I gotten myself into?” I sighed as I fell asleep Friday night.

My negative thoughts began again when the alarm went off at 5:45 a.m.

“I’m too tired for this!” I thought, rubbing my eyes. But then I remembered, I went to bed at 8:45 p.m. Even with frequent bathroom trips in the night, I had gotten over eight hours sleep.

I put off waking up the girl as long as possible. I dreaded the thought of her crankiness, so I made her breakfast and woke her fifteen minutes before we had to leave. By the time we walked out the door, she was giddy about her brother’s offer to read to her in the car.

“This is going well,” I thought, sipping my coffee on the drive down. “It’s going too well.” Disaster was undoubtedly around the corner.

Amazingly enough, the day continued without a disaster. In fact, when I got over myself and my busy schedule, it turned out to be a blessed day. I had the opportunity to watch my son put to use all he had learned, as well as display a good attitude when he answered questions incorrectly. To see him smile whether he was right or wrong blessed my heart as we have been working on that for years.

Then the blessing of singing along with my daughter on our ride home came, along with watching her in her first “real” dance role. It wasn’t a dozen young girls running aimlessly around the room, but six young ladies working on a choreographed dance. All I could think of as she danced was how fast she is growing up – and I almost missed it. Not because I wasn’t there, but because of my attitude.

It seems like yesterday that they were just babies, yet in four short years my son will be driving. Then the pressure will be off me, but I will be missing out. I’ll miss out on them telling me about their day on the way home from class, I’ll miss watching them excel in their activities, and frankly, miss just being with them.

I never wanted to be that mom that complains of driving her kids everywhere, so I’ve decided I will no longer complain. I’ll continue to rack up 100 miles in one day, 300 over a weekend. I’ll plan and arrange drop off, pick up, and call on extra support from my family and friends to make it work. I’ll cherish the talks and activities, the silliness and the craziness. And at the end of a long Saturday, I’ll ice my back, put up my feet, and be grateful for the time I have with my kiddos, even when it’s in the car driving from here to there.

Inland Empire Waterparks

Summer heat is upon us and, while splashing in a pool or running through a sprinkler can be fun, it’s nice to take a day and really immerse yourself in the joy of cooling off.  There are water parks across the Inland Empire that are private or government owned, allowing for every way you can imagine to cool off, from sliding down a waterslide, catching a wave in a wave pool or being splashed with 100 gallons of water at a play area.

Here are some water park and regional park options for cooling off this summer in the Inland Empire. Rent a cabana or bring a beach blanket and go for a wet n’ wild time!

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Water Parks

Castle Park’s Buccaneer Cove has a five-level structure of wet fun, including several slides, spray fountains and a splash bucket. There are several ticket options available, from just Buccaneer Cove entry at $13 to also including mini golf and the theme park rides at Castle Park in Riverside. Season passes are available, pay to park.

See the complete list here.

Fourth of July Celebrations in Inland Empire

The Fourth of July is the perfect time to get together with family to bond and celebrate our nations freedom and federal holiday, Independence Day.   The Fourth of July is also the most popular day for grilling across the country with Memorial Day in second place.  According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, more than 14,000 firework displays will brighten  the skies of the country on the Fourth of July.

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Our perfect Fourth of July event kicks off with the parade and local Fourth of July festivities.  If you are planning a similar day, we recommend that you head out to the fourth of July fireworks destination immediately following your local parade to allow enough time to find the perfect spot and celebrate with family prior to the fireworks.  However, make sure to prepare food, water and lots of sweaters as the day will get cooler towards the evening.

Here is a list of our favorite places to check out the fireworks and have a safe & great time.

Big Bear  –   Big Bear Lake’s Fireworks Spectacular will explode at 7,000′ reflecting its shower of brilliance over Big Bear Lake on Friday, July 4th.  Big Bear Lake Fourth of July celebrations has abundance of events, recreation and activities.

Canyon Lake –  Skipper’s Island. Fireworks at 9pm.

Chino – Join the City of Chino for a fun-filled fourth of July Spectacular in Chino with family and friends.  This year’s festivities will kick off at 10am with a parade.   Carnival rides, games, food, music, and fun activities for the whole family start at 3pm.  Help honor Chino’s Service men and women at 7:00 p.m.  Enjoy a live patriotic performance by the band “The Answer” at 5:30 p. and 7:30 pm; a spectacular fireworks show will signal the end of the evening at 9:00 pm

Claremont –  The City of Claremont’s Fourth of July Celebration culminates with an fireworks show and a live concert featuring Classic Rock band – The Answer!  The City of Claremont’s fireworks show has developed over the years and has become one of the biggest and best shows in all of Los Angeles County! The 20+ minute show is fully synchronized to music and electronically fired.  The Concert is presented by the DoubleTree by Hilton Claremont.  Check link for ticket details.

Fontana – After a couple years off, the fourth of July festivities are back at Fontana High school.   The main stage entertainment starts at 5pm.  Enjoy face painting, stilt walkers and dance the night away with your family.  Check link for ticket details.

Lake Arrowhead – Lake Arrowhead Lake 9pm.

Lake Elsinore – Patriotic Parade of Lights.  Fireworks after the parade.

Menifee – There are no Fourth of July festivities planned.  Check the local events for Riverside or Temecula.

Moreno Valley  – The parade starts at 10:30am-12pm.  Family Fest kicks off at 2pm at Morrison Park.

Murrieta – There are no Fourth of July events planned.  Check the local events for Temecula.

Perris – The City of Perris will host their Fourth of July festivities at the Auto Speedway in Perris.  The event is free to residents.  Event starts at 3pm.  Fireworks start at 9pm.

Redlands – The City of Redlands will celebrate the Fourth of July festivities at Sylvan Park.  Parade starts at 10:30.  The University of Redlands will host the annual fireworks extravaganza with a live show and entertainment. Fireworks start at 9pm.

Riverside –  The City of Riverside Mayor will kick off their festivities with a Fourth of July Bike parade around the city with the IE Bike Club.  The Fourth of July aerial fireworks show will be celebrated at La Sierra Park Fireworks and Mt Rubidoux Fireworks.

Temecula – The Temecula City Fireworks spectacular. The park opens at 9am and Fourth of July Festivities start at 2pm.  Fireworks start at 9pm sharp.  Music broadcasted on KATY 101.3.  There will be a lot of Food Vendors and Kids Fun Zone.  Handicap parking is limited and first come, first serve.  Arrive early to secure a parking spot.

Victorville – San Bernardino Fairgrounds.  Fireworks start at 9pm.

Yucca Valley – Yucca Valley Sports Park, Yucca Valley. Fireworks start at 9pm.

 

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Pechanga Pow Wow

The Pechanga Pow Wow is scheduled for Friday, July 11 through Sunday, July 13.   If you have never been to a pow wor if is definitely an event to witness first hand. For additional details visit Pechanga 19th Annual Pow Wow.

 

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Inland Moms attended our first Pow Wow in Temecula last year.  Here are some photos from last years event.  It’s definitely an event to witness first hand.