There really is no place like home

Lolita Harper

It’s time to take a break from the carpooling, the team-momming, the

Little League coaching and reclaim Newport-Mesa and your youth.

I don’t need to tell you all the benefits of the area. You are aware

of the friendly community atmosphere, the bright Southern California sun

-- complemented by a light ocean breeze -- and the delicious

restaurants. You chose to make Newport-Mesa your home for good reason.

But how often do you get to take advantage of it selfishly?

It’s time to convince Grandma to spend a night with the kids so you

can get out of the house and into your own backyard. Set aside 24 hours

to take a mini-vacation. Just long enough to rejuvenate, but not long

enough to require time off from work or a long car ride.

Your mini-getaway starts at one of the area hotels. Depending on your

budget, you can stay in a quaint inn on the beach or book an extravagant

suite in a towering luxury hotel. The state of the travel industry allows

you to take advantage of some great deals and offers. For example, the

Costa Mesa Conference and Visitors Bureau is offering coupons for

everything from meals to spa treatments when you stay in a participating

hotel.

You are not at home, so remember to watch anything you want, sleep in

and don’t make the bed. Once you’ve had a good night sleep without anyone

waking you with a bad dream and climbing into bed with you, you are ready

to unleash your youth.

First things first. You can’t act like a kid if you have pent-up

tension caused by the stress of adult life.

Take one of those coupons or book your favorite masseuse for an oil

massage or facial. During your pampering experience, you must also get in

the right frame of mind. Do not think about bills you have to pay,

helping little Timmy with his homework, your grocery list, cleaning the

house or accounts at work. Let it all go.

Now you are ready to unleash your inner 12-year-old at the Balboa Fun

Zone. Chances are you’ve been here 100 times before, but this time you

are more than just a bank.

It’s a good thing you got that massage because your muscles are now

primed for a record-shattering game of skeeball. (Remember, it’s all in

the wrist.) Warm up those thumbs for the pinball machine and put the

pedal to the metal in state-of-the-art racing video games. Collect all

your tickets, and claim your prize.

May I suggest a spider ring or a super bouncy ball? Depending on how

successful you were at getting in touch with the kid in you, you may have

scored enough tickets to take home a small basketball. Good job!

Make sure you ride the Ferris wheel at least twice and venture onto

the merry go round. Rent a paddle boat. Run around. Play tag. Let loose.

In true kid fashion, make sure you eat your frozen banana before your

pizza dinner. Go ahead, your parents aren’t here to scold you.

I realize tapping into your youth will make it hard to return to adult

life. To avoid serious injury, you must make a smooth transition.

Head down to the end of the fun zone to karaoke at Tale of a Whale.

The kid in you will revel in the prospect of singing off key in front of

strangers -- or be content laughing at others -- while your adult side

will be grateful for the cocktail.

Now, and only now, are you allowed to take out the cell phone, call

Grandma and the kids, and tell them you are on your way. As your last act

as a kid, get home at least 15 minutes late.