beer + babies: the quartyard

i've been meaning to start this installment of beer + babies for some time now. because that's just the kind of mom i am. the problem, is i haven't been able to document any of the locations. because yes, you can have your beer while the kids play. but you are still dancing for that pint. at least you are with my kids. if i'm lucky, they'll forget about me for ten minutes before one is screaming my name or headed away from the designated safe zone. or worse, trying to leave the establishment altogether. dude why? and in case you didn't know it, there's also a lot of time spent on the floor, hunching down, mediating potential fights... all while trying not to spill that beer. that cold refreshing beer. your reward to yourself for spending the better half of your day wearing them out, making them laugh and trying to stay off your phone. the stuff never tasted so good until that level of exhaustion and delirium had been reached. so clearly i got enough going on and i'm somehow supposed get blog worthy documentation on top of all that? yes supermom, what's one more thing to juggle really? well it wasn't easy folks but i finally have some footage worth sharing. and it's a new year so it just feels right. so let the latest series of hello sunshine begin! hit it!

first stop: the quartyard, a pop-up marketplace located in san diego's east village. no that's not a typo. though i generally HATE words that look like typos. but this place gets a pass for doing everything else right. like for one, making everything soooo easy. easy meaning i don't have to ask or wait for anything. you seat yourself and order for yourself. nothing fancy. fancy places actually terrify me (i've only recently become comfortable with valet thought with kids UGH. i can do it all by myself ok? trust me dude, you'll still get a tip and this will all go a lot smoother). and bring who you want. your kid, your dog, your mom, your best friend... yea, i brought all of those people and they all had a good time. the layout is kind of empty parking lot meets your friend's big ass backyard, which is great because none of my friends have big ass backyards. the tables are picnic-style, the food and drinks are served in a pop-up stand and rotating trucks. music is playing but not so loud you can't have a conversation. super. duper. chill. so yea, we will definitely be back.

and as promised, legitimate and hopefully not lame photos!

interesting fact! once a 25,000 square foot vacant lot, the quartyard is the eco-friendly community space it now is because of someone’s homework assignment. the center of a thesis paper by alums of the newschool of architecture and design, on how vacant land can negatively affect a community. they asked east villagers what they would want in a space like this. well they wanted beer, of course! ok, beer and a community space where people could come together. hence, its slogan “your city block.” the idea, coupled with a successful kickstarter campaign, helped secure a 28-month lease with the city. the empty lot now houses a coffee shop, restaurant, dog park, beer garden, music acts, and rotating food trucks.

great little tidbit, right? yea, i thought it was worth sharing.

ironically enough, there was a bit of negative space happening the day we went. like it was pretty empty. oh my san diegans. they can't take the cold or anything below 70 degrees. though i bet in the summer it gets BANANAS. i will for sure be back then. i could also see having my birthday party there.

magic max!

i love a high fence to keep the demons from escaping.

bean bag toss! no, wait slide/obstacle course. occasionally they'll throw the bag in the hole... standing right over of it, naturally.

and my ride or die bff for life right here. funny story. one time i got kind of tipsy and ate the slice of pizza she brought home and she spanked me. we also got into a comedic fist fight at a bar because i kept poking her. i am also one of the few people she wants to talk to when she is being a real betch. feeling's mutual betch. hey we're kind of twinning. we are so cute.

lol, knox. that face. and does anyone else have kids who do this? mine will let you know when they are ready to bounce by getting in their stroller and looking at me crazy like 'yo mom, let's stroll.' not to worry, little dudes. mama can take a hint.

and that's all i could get, but i'll get better i promise! until next time quartyard. and start serving fries eh?! it would really help a mama out. they are, after all, the goldfish of the pubs! we out!