These aren't your ordinary parks...

We're absolutely in love with the parks out here. There seems to be one on every corner and all in beautiful settings with great playgrounds. Our new favorite is in Manhattan Beach - Live Oak Park. There is a 'tot lot' that is absolutely perfect... lots of shade, a beach sand floor under the equipment perfect for digging, and they even have a huge collection of cars and push toys for the kids to play with.


What I've found more interesting than the parks themselves is the great people-watching that unfolds each time we go. I've learned there are pretty much two 'types' of regulars (especially at this particular park located just blocks away from the beach in a ritzy area):

1) The trophy wives sporting high-end workout gear, perfectly coifed blonde hair, big boobs and botoxed faces tapping away on their Blackberries... only looking up when their child makes another one cry by stealing their toys

2) The Latin American nannies escorting their fair haired, fair eyed charges who gather together and chat in Spanish... only looking up when their child makes another cry by stealing their toys


You can imagine my delight this morning when a very normal (meaning larger than a size 0 and with breasts that actually moved) red-haired woman walked into the park with another little 18-month old named Annabelle. We started chatting and she seemed as refreshed as I was... exclaiming right away that she knew I was too normal to be from here. It turns out that Reeva is actually a nanny herself (she claims to be the only red-haired nanny in LA) and is also trying to have a child via egg donor (she was remarkably open about all of this too - very interesting).

We were soon joined by one of Reeva's friends... a Brazilian woman named Sara with her daughter, Sophia. Reeva and Sara invited us to join them at the beach and led me to a great spot with swings right on the sand in front of the ocean. Annie had a ball swinging with her new friends... and I loved my view as I pushed her!


Reeva and Sara took my number and promised to call for a playdate soon. I'm looking forward to seeing them again... but must admit I'll continue taking pleasure in observing the 'Real Housewives of Manhattan Beach' at the park as well!

:)