Jumping on Beds..........

World's Longest Post!! :)

 It's been a family fun filled weekend....wish it would just keep on going and going and going!!

Hope you had a super weekend!!

It started on Friday night...a last minute decision to catch Night at the Museum!  We all love the first one so we have been waiting for this one and although it was entertaining, I definitely liked the first one better.  My kids didn't really like it although Cara laughed thru a lot of it and we got McDonalds for lunch today and the Happy Meal is Night at the Museum toys....well, the kids were playing with the toys and Cara was totally throwing out phrases from the movie so they must not have disliked it as much as I thought!

Saturday, we surprisingly woke early(after going to bed really late) and we were up and ready to go by 8am.....I could not believe this was my house!!  But we decided to go check out the Kidspace Museum in Pasedena....saw it in either Sunset or Family Fun years ago, always wanted to check it out and for whatever reason at 8am on Saturday, suddenly it popped into my head....I threw it by Mannie who wasn't overly excited about the drive up there but the next thing I knew we stopped and grabbed some bagels and were on our way.

The kids absolutely LOVED the museum...the best part was an ant hill they could crawl thru, it was really cool but the kids just wanted to stay there and play forever....they were pretending to be meerkats and that it was their meerkat burrow....it was very cute.  Mannie and I just chilled while they played but eventually we dragged them away so we could check out the other stuff.

They had  a room with TONS of samples of shells, bugs, plants and rock....collections to sort thru and look at under a magnifying glass. ... tons of books on those topics as well.

They have a dinosaur dig area, a little pretend bug restaurant,   a bike area, a wonderful water area...the kids second favorite area...a vegetable garden area where the kids could plant their own wild flower..a puppet show...I could go on....a wonderful day exploring as a fam.

We packed our lunch and had a little picnic in our car and then went back in for some more fun.  Check out this "pizza" garden!!  I am becoming very interested in this gardening thing!!!   After, we drove over to Langham Hotel to have a smoothie and walk around.  They have a beautiful Picture Bridge.....I love old bridges....this bridge was precious!   Hand paintings about different scenes in California.  The hotel also had a cute Japanese garden with a pretty red bridge!   Gorgeous hotel.

Yesterday, Sunday, we went over to Mannie's parents to celebrate his upcoming birthday.  Gia is an artist and art teacher so she set out stuff so Cara could make her bird project and Cam and Charlie made birds as well.  So happy that Gia is such an awesome grandma!!! Then we went to Balboa Island for dinner at the Harborside Pavillion...nice dinner.  We walked to the beach after and played till sunset......the beach was crazy crowded and the waves were HUGE!!!  Scary, Hawaii Five-O huge!!!

Today, we had to go to Home Depot to look at Dishwashers...ours is rusting our plates, ect...I can't wait to get rid of it because I think of it as the mouse hotel!!  We got some chalk board paint because I had the idea which I found in Sunset to make a portion of the wall in the backyard(over by the kids play area) a chalk board....well, it turns out we can't so instead we are putting up chalkboards in their little playhouse so they can use their 3D chalk and it will POP more!!  

The kids worked together cleaning the other day as a team and so they pulled a "Happy Card" from the "Happy Box" (do you remember that project I made from my Freckle Friends days?) well, yes, we still use the Happy Box.....they pulled the "Safari" card....which is a little treasure hunt that I make for them in the backyard.  It is using these blow up safari animals which we used when Cami and Charlie had their 3rd and 4th birthday(we had a little safari themed party).

So, we had a safari and they had to hunt for each animal on their card and then find a little goodie at each spot. 

Lots of fun....we are having burgers tonight...Mannie is at the grill......I just LOVE summer!!!!!!

One more week of homework!!!! Yahoo.

And thank you Vets for all you have done and continue to do for our country!!! XoXo......we have our very own HERO in our family....Uncle Dick....survived a bombing on the USS Hornet leaving him forever in a wheel chair...can't imagine the things he has seen....he is Grammy's brother, still living here in California...our HERO!  

Anyway, enjoy the last moments of this wonderful day!! Don't want the sun to go down today!! :)

New season of Jon and Kate....are you going to watch the drama tonight??  I also am excited for the Kathy Griffin show to start up and I LOVE the Rachel Zoe show!!! I watched a couple of reruns this weekend.  There is life after American Idol after all :)

There's No Place Like Home

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!!!

I couldn't be more excited that we have a day off on Monday and that summer is just around the corner!!! Yahoo!!!

I picked out the clothes for the kids yesterday and Charlie brought it to my attention that I had picked out red shirts for both he and Cam....so I said, "You are right.....it is Red Day!!"

Charlie jumped on that right away and followed with, "So are we having a special party?"

I agreed and so my day of RED began!

Mannie and I had a little mini date...he was home from work and all 3 kids were at school.

So we first went out to breakfast and then shopping at Walmart......Mannie's  nightmare date right there!

Going out to eat because we can surely make our own food at home and then shopping with me I think actually raises the man's blood pressure to dangerous levels.

So at the bakery of the breakfast joint, they have LOBSTER cupcakes(see photo below)....I had to get those for our Red Day dessert, right?  Yes, I did, I HAD to get them!!!  I have never seen a lobster cupcake before and I just love lobsters.  However, that being said, you will most likely never see me in a lobster dress nor watching  them on t.v.  ;)

Then we went to Walmart to look for a little red wagon.....color is a coincidence btw....but next weekend we are participating in a  Walk for LUPUS as a family in support of Gia.  I am picturing a strong start to the walk and then petering out 1/2 way thru...(the kids, not me;) so we went to look but the wagons are just too expensive.  If the kids were younger then we would invest in one.  So, they will have to tough it out!

While at Walmart, we walked over to the shoe department cause Mannie needs a new pair of work boots.  He was busy trying on boots and so I kept myself entertained by browsing the shoes.  I found the red sneakers, tried them on.....thought I had seen cute, colorful shoes on some of the hip, young blogs out there...so I thought, I too can be hip and young...threw them in the cart....the best part??? $9.50...not bad!!  Mannie finishes up and sees the shoes  in the cart.....(insert horror movie scream)...  "Annie, you do not need a pair of red sneakers.".....me:"Hon, they are cute and only $9.50....can't beat that!".......mannie:"Yeah, but when are you going to wear red shoes?"........."Well, there is 4th of July and if I wear a red shirt......You just don't understand women and shoes....okay?"

So, I get the shoes.

Later in the day......Cara sees my shoes on......"Mom, are you going to keep those shoes?"

"Yeah, they're cool aren't they?"......."Well, they're sort of old lady shoes"......

My inner wannabe fashionista is really doubting herself!

So, Hannah Montana won't be sporting these shoes anytime soon......so, they will most likely scrape a layer of skin off my heal.....so, technically, I don't NEED them.....so, they will most likely end up in my closet with an inch of dust....BUT!!! I will be one rockin momma for Red Ribbon Week next year!!...and I already cut off the elastic thingie that kept them on the plastic hanger so technically they are MINE!

Moving on.....our red party was nice... we ate dinner outside and had stuffed peppers and pasta with RED sauce!

I scrapped today too:

That is enough chatter for today...must get moving....haircut and color today...desperately needed!!!

From Chewing Gum...to Kitties

We had Open House last night for preschool.  

What a fun night for Cami and Charlie to "show off" their hard work for mom and dad.

Charlie was especially proud.  His teacher outdid herself....decorating the room like an under the sea world.

Cami was just loving the baby chicks in the science room...kept wanting to go back in there to check on them.  

So, we walk in and I see this picture up about me and apparently have moved on from freakish gum chewer to kitty obsessed tv viewer! :)  

I do not own a kitty dress btw :)

But I do LOVE her picture of me....purple face and all!

Look at the cool sea urchin Charlie's teacher had them make....great idea! 

And as far as Cara is concerned....only two more weeks of this sight.... homework at her desk!!!!!  I have actually enjoyed our little homework time...just the two of us.....Mannie plays with the other two while just Cara and I complete homework together.  There have definitely been nights when one of us didn't feel like doing it but 90% of the time, I enjoyed having some quiet time together crossing the items off her list!

One of her last assignments is to make a bird....I love arts and crafts but I will be honest...I don't want to make a darn bird....out of what? Seriously, and the timing of this project leaves me very suspicious...due 2 days before open house....we are doing the "cute" project for the teacher to display for... us??? Random.

Don't get me wrong, I really like her teacher, but it is too late in the year for me to care about this project.

Oh well...is it summer yet????  Can't wait.

I thought American Idol was AMAZING!!!  SO entertaining...Fergie...Black Eyed Peas...thought the match ups were perfect....I even loved the Lionel Richie thing!!  Who knew I would be singing along to "All Night Long"....I love Danny G....I wanted Adam to win since Danny was gone but oh well....as they said, they are both winners....We are the Champions was fantastic too....great ending!!! LOVED the whole thing.

We let the kids stay up to watch!!! (we don't have TIVO)....and I have to say, poor Cara was a bit grumpy heading out to school today...she tripped and fell in a bush on her way out to the car (in front of our carpool family) and I could tell she was embarrassed and pissed at the same time....she had a sad face as they drove away.....I felt bad.  A mommy doesn't want that to be the last face she sees as her child drives off...but I am sure she will snap out of it in no time. 

Alright..time to get C and C off to school....have a good one.

Happy Wednesday!

I am thinking about giving up Diet Pepsi today.

I am just going to try to avoid it to see if I can do it.

I scrapped yesterday.

I enjoyed American Idol last night.

I am wishing I was the ONE mom allowed to go on my daughters field trip today....growl.

I am heading out for donuts soon.

I am going to wash the car today.

I am going to clean today.

I am going to do something outdoors with the kids.

Hope you have a nice day.

Happy Tuesday!

Some flowers for you!

Today's flowers are brought to you by..........COSTCO!! :)

Yesterday was Charlie's last tball game of the season.  Each kid got to have a "home run".....each kid got another game ball......each kid got a trophy!  We had a team picnic dinner after the game on the field.  It was a special day.

Charlie's team was the Orioles...so we gave the dugout mom's orange flowers.  

Charlie learned ALOT this year.  He had a wonderful coach and a really NICE group of kids.

We really enjoyed the season.  He met some kids he will be in school with next year.  

Hoping some how we might end up on soccer together too!  

This morning Charlie says to Mannie, "Dad, will you play baseball with me later?"

Mannie got his Field of Dreams moment!!

All is good.

Have a nice day.

Hello Monday

How are you today?

We had an earthquake here last night at around *8:40 pm...the kids were already in bed and so Mannie and I went charging into their room.  There is always that moment with an earthquake when you wait a few seconds wondering if it is going to be long and should I run for a table to duck under or get under a door jam or charge into the kids room and scare the hell out of them....well, we did and thankfully they were all in one room....I have run thru the night time earthquake scenario in my head before, trying to figure out whose room to run to first...but luckily due to Camp Adams, all we had to do was run to the one room and I grabbed Cami and dragged her onto Cara's and Charlie's bed.

The kids were still awake so they came back in our room to find out how big the quake was...not a big one but my heart was still beating pretty fast.

Everyone slept in our room........so much for Camp Adams.

But that was o.k....I wanted them close just in case of aftershocks.

I had a really nice day yesterday...we just hung out and played outside.  We made 3D chalk art in the front....here is the flower I made...if you had on 3D glasses right now, it would be popping out of your computer :) .....we(as in them) also jumped rope, played in general and then Cami who is part hawk, part human spotted this bird flying to and from a tree to the fence....so I took a picture of it.

We played in the backyard as well and it amazes me how after all these years, I can still fill a bucket of water for them and they will sit and just play in it for a really long time.   

Mannie's team won his game...yay!! We ordered pizza for dinner so no cooking!! Yay!!! 

Cara decided she wanted to sew a doll...it is a challenging project.. .and more light experiments...  

It was a really great day!

Oh and I scrapped...the LO above

and I made Mannie one of his birthday presents...a photo cube for his office....

The weekend in progress

I saw that Ali was doing "A Weekend in the Life" and thought about doing it as well but then I remembered that I still haven't finished the Week in the Life from October.....but I thought a Weekend in the Life would be a bit more do-able....although, it could also make a great LO so maybe I will do that.

I haven't taken that many photos this weekend but I have enough to sort of "fake it" a bit.

We had Charlie's tball game yesterday....that is easy to "fake"...ya know just take one of the millions of pictures I have of him holding a baseball or standing in the outfield staring up at the sky.

Then we let the kids play on the slip and slide for a bit yesterday...I have a bunch of those.

So, I have a slip and slide story for you....

Mannie and I were sitting on my favorite swing...lazily swaying back and forth as we watched the kids running and sliding on the slip and slide.

I start thinking about how much fun the kids are having and then I look at Mannie and I just sitting there watching not being a part of the fun.....then I am wondering why, we, as adults don't often jump in there and be a part of the action with the kids.

So, I turn to Mannie and say, "Why is it that we aren't in our suits and running and sliding like the kids...why do adults spend so much time just watching the kids?"

Mannie says, "I don't know, I guess as you get older, you sort of lose interest in things like that or something changes in your mindset."

So we keep swinging a bit and the kids keep playing and having fun.....well, then, I decide, " That's it!! I can do slip and slide with the best of them, I don't have to just sit and watch....I am getting out there and participating!!!

So, I get off the swing and in my clothes (too lazy to go change into a suit and really, that would be a scary sight, running and sliding in a bathing suit) announce that I am going to take a turn.....and the kids are all excited that mommy is going to join in on the fun....I didn't turn back, but I can just imagine Mannie sitting up on the swing with a big grin on his face because he knows it isn't going to be pretty.

Sure enough, I start to run and here's where it gets a little blurry.....I think I tried to slide but actually ended up just pulling my legs out from under me....but basically just flat out fell back and slammed my head on the back......ouch!!!  But I did get soaking wet.....with my clothes on.

Mannie says......"Yeah, I think now I know why  adults don't do that sort of thing anymore!" 

I still tried to do it a few more times just so I didn't look like a complete ass...but no, I just couldn't pull it off gracefully.  Sadly, I am a little sore today too.

Oh well.....have I mentioned I am going to be 40 next year?  

So, anyway....after the backyard fun, we got dressed and headed out to Cara and Cami's gymnastics show....very cute!  My girls...so sweet.

Then we came home for dinner....chicken, broccoli, carrots, corn, potatoes and bread.

After dinner we did some science experiments on light from a little kit we have.....then upstairs to get ready for bed....we watched the Kobe Bryant documentary...then the kids went off to Camp Adams for another full night of sleep!! Working like a charm!!

And so far, the veggies and fruit are still growing!

That was basically our day....Mannie has a game today.  The cheering section won't be there today though, game is too far for us.  

Have a nice Sunday.

Little Moments captured....

Took some pictures at Charlie's tball game....love this of the girls...

Charlie......

Went to the MAMBI sale today with Laura....fun to hang with Laura and got some cute stuff.

I am excited for the weekend.....the girls are in a gymnastics show and of course there is baseball as well.

Poor Jon and Kate Plus 8....sad for them.  I can't believe they have a new season starting on the 25th....I thought things seemed strained between them last season so I was surprised they renewed....now with all this drama...hope it all works out for them.

I am telling you it seems like the only t.v. I watch is reality....interesting.  And here I am trying to avoid other people's craziness :)

Oh, well....have a nice weekend.

A little Scrappage..

I have had little zaps of stress lately...other people's issues trying to poison my brain and life.....when I recognize that these things are happening more than once...I feel as though a message is trying to get thru to me....and today, it hits me!!!  

**Stay true to my life, let others have their craziness!!  Keep my eye on the ball so to speak!! The good stuff.

Do you ever feel like people are trying to drag you into their world of craziness??? Today as I started feeling those feelings,  I sat down and started to scrapbook...there is something important about scrapbooking that happens when I am sitting and looking over pictures and paper..i start to focus on and tell the important stories of my life....I am completely focused on each event or person in the picture and feelings of gratitude for this life pour out of me..... and presto change-o.... I get my priorities in order again and feel a whole lot better!!

 Mannie goes for a jog when stress gets to him or plays baseball.  I think we have to have something to let it all out...to cope and get our priorities straight.  Life is just too short to get all bogged down in other people's disfunctions....agree?

I am just thankful that my dear friend, Tricia, introduced me to this hobby 7 years ago....such a blessing this hobby is!!

I made this LO using the techniques I learned from Mara May....very similiar to the LO I made the other night...but not one from her class. 

It also feels good to have company when scrapping...my lil friend Cam joined me today! :) Love her!! 

And it felt really good to have a clean scraproom, actually a clean house I might add!!  The little things in life make all the difference!  

Life is good.....thank you scrapbooking!!

* yes, I know I spelled embryos wrong....oh well.

One more...

Camp Adams

Well, we moved Cami's mattress into Charlie's room yesterday in hopes of putting an end to the kids sneaking into our room in the middle of the night.  When Cara got home from school, she let us know that she was feeling a little left out which I can understand.  

So, the notion of "Camp Adams" a summer sleepover set up for all the kids became a reality.

This will either be the best idea or the stupidest one ranking up there with the day we actually thought we could "corral" the mouse out of our kitchen.  

Nonetheless, the kids all slept in Charlie's room last night....the whole night.  Now, Cami's room is the unofficial "playroom" and Cara's room is the unofficial "gymnastics room" because now that her queen size bed is gone, she has alot of floor space in her room.  

Our game plan is to put everyone back where they belong by summer's end.....if it lasts that long.  

It is always fun to change things up though....something new and different.

And I am feeling very inspired today because I am sitting in my CLEAN......scraproom!!!  Whenever I clean things up in here...I always feel a renewed excitement for all things crafty so I will be working on some projects after I type this.

Alright, I suppose I will go now....just checking in!!  

Anyone going to the MAMBI sale tomorrow? 

I need nothing but feel a sense of urgency to check out the 75% sale anyway!!!! :)

Bye!