Monday, October 14, 2019

Teaching My Kid to Lie to Get What We Want

My son is 8 years old, and he's too damn honest in my opinion. He is not shy either.

When we were in L.A., we decided to go on a side-trip to Dreamscape in Santa Monica It's a virtual reality game place where you reserve your 30-min time slot. You go on a virtual reality trip together with 5 other people who are in the group.


When I was reserving online, I reminded my son multiple times that one needs to be at least 10 years old to play. He said he really wanted to play but he doesn't want to lie. I told him that we will try but there's a possibility that he doesn't get to play. When we got there to Dreamscape, I had him and his sister sat down while I sign the consent. During the check-in process using the iPads on the counter, I heard the familiar, "Excuse me?" With horror, I saw my son who went up the employee and asked, "Excuse me, one of us isn't 10 years old yet. Can I still play?: The employee told him, "Don't tell me your age." I waved at my husband to rescue us from the situation - my husband came by and took the little boy away as I continued with the check-in process. Then I heard the familiar, "Excuse me>" again. Oh boy! This time, he admitted it was him who isn't 10 years old and that he really wanted to play. The employee said it's ok, you can play.

Yes, I am a bad mama who is teaching the kids to bend the truth but he's a saint who couldn't do it. In fact, he asked for permission even though there's a risk of him getting benched.. But in true honesty, I think the age limit is to make sure he can actually carry that fancy backpack with computer CPU and walk around with sensors on elbows, knees, hands and feet as well as a helmet on. I heard the CPU alone weighs about 15lbs. Yikes!

Anyways, both kids had a blast. However, I felt bad for being unethical by asking him to conceal information to get what we want. I learned my lesson from my 8 years old son.

Fall is here! Pumpkin patch in SF Bay Area

Finally, October is here. If you are a native from the SF Bay Area, you'd know it's the hottest month of the year. Our daily lives are so hectic and weekend tends to be a time for us to wind down and do nothing. I must admit that I totally forgot about celebrating anything related to the Fall season last year.

So I figured before I forget again, we should make a quick trip to a pumpkin patch. There are many in the area, but I prefer something more au naturale compared to a popup patch on an empty lot at a street corner. Don't get me wrong -- those are decent for a quick trip and picture opportunity. But why am I paying a bunch of money for the same pumpkin I can get from Safeway?






We live a hop away from Half Moon Bay where there are farms with hayride and ponies, but then again, I'm looking for something a little different. Plus, being stuck in non-moving traffic isn't my idea of spending my weekend. So we decided to go to a pumpkin patch in Petaluma. Petaluma Pumpkin Patch is different They have corn mazes for both grownups and a smaller one for the kids, farm animals, hay bales, slides, and corn kernel sandbox. The greatest thing about this place is, you pick your pumpkins from the vines and much cheaper compared to other patches. Oooh, and did I tell you, you can see gigantic sunflowers and buy food at carnival-style food stalls (funnel cake, BBQ, elote and different drinks).

I guess it doesn't really matter where you decide to go, but as long as the kids instil these moments into their memories -- we have done a great job. Where is your favorite pumpkin patch in the SF Bay Area and why?