MOTHER'S DAY FLOWERS

For this month's flower post, we're focusing on Mother's Day (May 10th). Moms always say, just make me something. But we know how much they/we love flowers. So we're showing mom some appreciation with these DIY blooms. 

The flowers cost us just under $50. You can contact your local flower mart or ask your grocery store, like Whole Foods, to order them for you (even Trader Joe's has a floral department that can check flower availability for you). Here's what you'll need:

1 vase (small to medium).

2 stems of amaryllis (peach).

1 bunch of nerine (pink).

1 bunch of dubium (yellow or orange).

1 bunch of bleeding heart (pink).

Take the bleeding heart, trim and fill your vase with it.

Add one stem of amaryllis at the center, and another to the left.

Place three stems of dubium on the right. 

Sprinkle the remainder of the dubium to the left/throughout the arrangement. Take three nerine at a time and place near left, right and center.

Now you have this beauty for mom -- or yourself! 

THE FLOWER FIELDS

Unless I book a trip to Holland, The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch are probably my best chance at seeing 70 million flowers. The floricultural attraction spans 50 acres of colorful hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean (about 2 hours south of Los Angeles). 

The Flower Fields are only open a couple months every year (March 1 - May 10, 2015). 

The main attraction is the massive sea of ranunculus.

About 125,000 visitors tour the ranunculus fields, to see brilliantly bright colors like sunset gold, pink and merlot. 

Antique tractor ride for $5.

Lots of room for running.

The highlight for Mila was Santa's Playground, especially the great pink house.

Food within 15 minutes: In-N-Out Burger Carlsbad, Whole Foods Encinitas. 

THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY ARBORETUM AND BOTANIC GARDEN

I'll admit it, I get jealous of New York and their incredible Central Park (it's only 843 acres of green oasis in the middle of a metropolis). But Los Angeles has its fair share of beautiful parks too. The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden is pretty stunning. At 127 acres it gives you plenty to look at, especially in the spring when the flowering trees are in bloom. But the highlight, especially with a toddler, was the peacocks who roam the property at their leisure. Being amongst the majestic creatures was like walking through a wonderland. 

The Aloe Trail on the way to the Africa Garden.

Gorgeous trumpet trees in bloom.

Over two hundred peacocks call The Arboretum home.

The grounds are very exposed to the sun so pack your sunscreen, hat, water, and bring a stroller for little ones.

The Arboretum maintains a calendar of kid events. The day before Easter they'll host egg hunts and hikes.

Food recommendations within 15 minutes: The Market on Holly (farm to table), Houston's (American), Saladang (Thai).