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

New Year's Eve thoughts!

 
Today is the last day of 2010!!!! Oh my gosh!

I am spending it the perfect way too!! I am home with my kids!

I am doing all the usual stuff.....blogging, cleaning, making food, a little laundry! Just an ordinary day! I can't even tell you how happy that makes me.
I woke up at 4 am today....I did doze back a little but basically I have been up for a while!

Okay, so I got the Becky Higgins kit the other day in the mail and then I saw Stephanie post about putting it together and she inspired me to get moving on it!!!

I am SOOOOOOOOOO excited about this kit!!! First off, it is full of graph paper like journaling cards, and those are my fave!  The concept is so simple it is almost unthinkable to not finish this project BUT those are FAMOUS last words from the project unfinisher!!!  It is all about printing the pictures, sliding them in and then a quick journal! The key to this is to stay ontop of printing......sounds easy enough since  I have a printer!

I am just so happy to be ending 2010 with a renewed excitement for preserving my family's memories!!!! Happy, happy, happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, my last thoughts of 2010 go something like this!

1. Charlie had a hot cocoa stand in our house yesterday......he got a new bank that when you put coins in, it adds up the money and displays the amount of your total savings on the lid......he LOVES this and in order to see this cool thing happen, he needs coins to add to the jar..........sooooooooo, he needs to earn money.  His idea was to sell hot cocoa to his family!!!

Mannie helped him get the whole thing ready with a total lesson on how to run a business......so cute, I loved listening to them chat.  Mannie had Charlie sit down and think about how much each cup cost, the cost of paying Mannie to make the hot cocoa (his employee) and how much Charlie would have to charge to make a profit! It was neat to see them together.

2. I have been organizing away over here.....you know, finding spots for the new things, letting go of things that are not being used.  I have only been concentrating on the kids spaces.....Charlie got a new desk and so we organized that:

Cami's room was just a desperate situation so I took 2 days on that:

The playroom is a work in progress, we set aside lots of goodies to go to a kid who may play with the neglected toys! But, I have more plans for the playroom......a new color paint and some reorganizing and I will be on the lookout for a new bookshelf and saying bye bye to our primary color little toy organizer that we have had since the kids were babies!!! Can't wait to make the playroom a little more "big kid" friendly!

3. Cara has been hobbling around, joint pain, not sure if that is in fact a symptom of the hives or is this all more than we know right now.  I am going to chat with the doctor about it all on Monday.  My sweet girl, no fun. 

4. Went out to dinner last night with my pal, Cindee (we taught together) and it was so awesome to hang out again!!!  I love talking to her! We ate at a fabulous local restaurant....I HIGHLY recommend if you are local......Casa Ranchero!!! It was sooooooo good.  We got there at 5:30 and was told we had a 45 minute wait, but it ended up being only about 20 minutes.  But make reservations if you go!

5.   A thought for starting off the New Year.......religion and politics can make some humans really ignorant and have a false sense of "superiority"......if we could just get past all that and accept that everyone has their own feelings and beliefs and just be okay with that, there is no right or wrong just different way to look at things......wouldn't the world be a little more peaceful????

Hoping for a peaceful 2010!

Off to go clean now.......Motta's coming tonight, want everything ready for the annual get together.  We will be singing Feliz Navidad from our house this year though, due to Cara's hobbling!!!

Can't wait to start taking pictures  tomorrow and documenting the new with the new KIT!!!!!!!!!!

Happy, happy!

Happy Tuesday!

Just got back from the doctor. 

Cara is doing so much better than last time we were there.  Mannie had to carry her in last time and she had hives from head to toe.  Today, she walked in on her own and only has  visible hives on her face.  Her blood pressure was better today.  The doctor gave Cara tickets to the movies as a present.....how sweet!  Looks like it could be another week of hives but we shall see.  The doctor is going to check back in a week. Hopefully all will be gone by school so she can return.  I am thankful this all happened while on vacation b/c she would have missed so much school.

The kids are working on Valentine's today.....they are looking ahead as well.

A new scrapbook store is opening up in Ladera.....two doors down from Cinnamon Productions.....sounds like a win win! Although I do think the owner is brave to open up anything in Ladera as most of the businesses around here have closed their doors.  I was excited non the less.  I actually got that "excited about scrapbooking" feeling inside as I stood in the store talking with the owner.  I haven't felt excited about making anything in a while. 

Gia and Gramps gave me a Slice  for Christmas ! I am really excited about that.  I also ordered the Becky Higgins Project Life yesterday.  I am going to give it a shot and see how I feel about it.  

Okay, back to my reminiscing on 2010.....

August 2010.... 

I turned 40!!!  We went on the best roadtrip ever to Colorado via Utah.  Hit some National Parks and enjoyed the Rocky Mountains!  

September 2010...
.Cami started kindergarten, Charlie first and Cara third.....I worried whether I would be bored with all the extra time on my hands, LOL......I have enjoyed getting my life organized and relish the time alone.  Cami had a birthday which we celebrated a hysterical night at the Rainforest Cafe.

October 2010....
.Charlie had his birthday and we celebrated with one of the noisiest nights at Farrells...and Cam and Charlie both got a trip to Legoland as their official celebration.  We enjoyed Halloween with neighbors.  We also went "camping" for the first time as a family in a vintage Airstream.  Fun to celebrate Julie's 40th with a big group in Santa Barbara.  Then we made our way to Shawn and Miro's via Yosemite.  We met baby Liam for the first time and got to see Mannie's aunt and uncle and cousin who we haven't seen in years.  Charlie and Mannie had the first "Adventure Scouts" outing, camping nearby.

November 2010....
Thanksgiving at Aunt Joan and Uncle Pat's...conferences went well for the kids....San Diego with Shawn and Miro....Adventure Scouts bowling....dinners with friends.

December 2010....
ice skating at Hotel Del was my favorite memory....various holiday outings, parties.....hives...Christmas with the Adams gang.  Now resting and enjoying being home and Cara feeling better. 

What will the New Year bring?????? Who knows, I am sad to see 2010 end but excited to see what the New Year has to offer.  I remember when we were celebrating New Year's last year with the Motta's at that lame hibachi restaurant with that fiasco hoping it wasn't a bad omen for the New Year to start off like that....but actually, it was sort of a funny night and the year turned out dynamite! May need to go back again for another rendition of "Feliz Navidad" to start off 2011 in the right direction!

I have no goals for this new year other than to get a job by next September.....just a small goal ;)

Other than that I plan to continue to ENJOY and be grateful for this life with my wonderful family, hang out with good friends and continue to push myself out of my comfort zone to make new friends in the area. 

Hope 2011 is a FAB year for you!!!! Fingers crossed for us all.

Looking Ahead

Well, all the festivities are over and now I am looking ahead to 2011!! 

And I usually look ahead to the new year by looking BACK at the past year....makes sense, no? 

I had the most wonderful year! I will be sad to see it end.  I hope 2011 will be just as fab.

We had many awesome adventures but I have some friends and family that were really sick this year and I feel horrible about that.  I feel lucky that my kids have been healthy and that Mannie and I have been healthy too so we can enjoy life and our kids! Health can really change your perspective on life and I am wishing my friends and family a very HEALTHY 2011.

Speaking of health...Cara continues to hive out but she is doing so much better meaning no fevers.  We will go back to the doctor tomorrow to check on her blood pressure mostly (her bp was really high when we were in there last) and all that other stuff.  The doctor has called us everyday since we were in the office last.....EVERYDAY!!! Even on Christmas morning......I was so amazed and grateful and just so appreciative of the true and geniune care and concern of this doctor!   There really are good people out there.....we seem to cross paths with them all the time. 

We had our final Christmas festivity with the Adams family yesterday....our Christmas brunch.  We had a great time and then back to Gia and Gramps to play.  Gia and Gramps got a new Wii so all the kids were playing games.

So, looking behind at my year!

3 favorite memories!  That is a hard one since I had many great ones! 

1. Puerto Rico

2. NY!!! Might be THE fave....being home again felt so good!

3. Our family roadtrip to Colorado

My favorite memories are usually trips!  Time together exploring new places or visiting familiar ones! 

Worst memory......I can't say I have any really bad ones but I guess I could say the past week with Cara's hives were   pretty bad and another worry over Cara that we had in the summer.  Worry about the kids is usually the worst thing.  I guess anytime I feel like I have no control over the kids well being is a little scary.

I am going to recap in pictures.....this may be hard, one photo per month, just for fun!!! 

January 2010.....

a fun day up in LA.....I love our little family field trips!

February 2010.......

trip to PR....so many memories! UCLA baseball, exploring El Yunque rainforest, exploring Camuy caves, eating on the beach with the sand in between our toes.....wonderful family time.

March 2010....

March means.....a birthday for my oldest, little league, softball and baseball starting! 

April 2010.....

NY!!! Home.....family, friends, familiar places.....NY spring trees in bloom, NYC, exploring the city, first subway ride, broadway show, Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Yankee Stadium......AWESOME trip!!!!!!!

At CA home....teacher strike/homeschooling!

May 2010.......

Whales baseball, Mannie turns 43, little league, softball, Mother's Day,school Open Houses.....backyard fun!

June 2010.....

Father's Day, end of the school year, Bear Valley Springs, beach days.

July 2010....

4th of July fun with friends,  All Star festivities, Mannie honored at Angel game, trip to Julian, the tortoises, care free days of summer!

August 2010....

.......................To be continued in another post!! :)

todays agenda......finally organize Cami's room....has been on my to do list for a while and it just can't wait any longer!!!  other than that......stay in pj's and play!

Have a terrific day.

Hives and a Smorgasbord!

 
Well, it has been an interesting week over here.

First, Cara broke out in crazy hives on Monday.  She had been on amoxicillan for a week to treat strep and on Monday, she reacted to it......still wondering how that can be.  Ever since we have been on watch for swelling and for the hives to hit her mouth area.  Poor Cara has been itching like crazy and not feeling great. Tuesday, she got a fever and has had fevers since.  Last night we didn't sleep much.  We were up while she cried and itched......Benadryl only helped for an hour......she had a fever of 101.  We almost went to ER a few times because her lips started to swell.  It has been really stressful and I feel so bad for her because I have had hives a bunch of times and I know how horrible it feels.  Today we went back to the doctor and she is now on steroids although her ankles are still badly swollen and she still has a fever.

Few things.........I am so thankful for Drew! We called over to their house last night at 11pm wondering what we should do. He gave us advice and saved Cara from probably  a scary night in the ER.  Then he called first thing in the morning to check on her.  I have tears in my eyes as I type this because I am grateful for his friendship and his concern.  Joann also called to check in and I so appreciated that as well.  Of course family too!! 

So..........long story short,  it  has been a little scary but at the same time, the show continues to go on as we have 3 kids who are excited about Christmas!

We are having our second annual Ancestor Christmas potluck tonight and are expecting Gia, Gramps, Aunt Joan and Uncle Pat, Shawn, Miro, Oliver and Gabo.  A full house to kick off the Christmas festivities and hopefully distract our little patient.

Kids table set in above picture!

So, here is the menu:

Sausages......representing Germany and Ireland

Swedish meatballs......

Various meats and cheeses.(Ireland)......just for fun, I am sure that is European right?

Brussel sprouts and beer....Germany

cheese fondue also

green beans

Shawn and Miro are bringing the Slovak foods

Uncle Pat is wine expert (he makes his own fabulous wine) and I think they will also bring a cheese log.

Gia and Gramps are bringing homemade Swedish kringlers

Oh and a spinach salad and I am sure I am forgetting more.......

Desserts galore!!!  I attempted the Christmas Jello cake again this year (my NY family tradition)....and gingerbread cake, cookies and candy.

Should be fun...........hoping I can stay alert as we didn't sleep much but I think once I take a shower, I will be good to go!

Well, keep Cara in your thoughts and Merry Christmas to all! Such a wonderful time of year........nice to be home with family and of course missing NY family SO MUCH!!!!

Hope you have a special time with loved ones!

 

Jesus Day

Well, day 2 of rain.....non stop rain.  I don't mind but I can't believe it just never lets up.

Today we have been sort of busy with our Jesus day crafts......

but we also took time to watch the Giant game in the morning.....they played the Eagles for first place and sadly lost at the very end.....unbelievable!!!!!! what a game.

But after a disappointing loss, I got the kids going on some activities for our Jesus day!

We read "the" story.

We made nativity crosses.....my kids don't know why the cross is a symbol, they just know it is a symbol.......not sure when I am actually going to let them know the full story of Easter but I don't feel like they would be able to take it!

They just know that Jesus was a good guy who lived how we should all live.

So,  we also made the nativity gingerbread style......the kids were clever with the construction (supporting beams and what not)  of the house.....we used what we had at home which is why all the people are gumdrop people and nothing more than that.   I had hopes of getting them some clothes but I was lazy and didn't want to run out to the grocery store today.

The kids also made a nativity pop up(no picture to share).......and we have one more game that Mannie made up.  They are going to be the 3 kings and they have to find the star which we will hide around the house.

The big finale is tonight.....the kids are going to act out the nativity for us later.

We have been playing a game with them where we pretend that we are watching t.v. and the kids are the t.v. and we change the channel.....whatever we "land on" they will act out for us.....so, if we turn  on "Survivor" then they improvise up a Survivor skit until we change the channel again.....to maybe the news...or Larry King......it is funny and cute and they LOVE it.  So needless to say, they are excited to act out the nativity later!

That is all.

I watched this video earlier.......if you have time, check it out, turn up the volume a bit......gives me goose bumps.  I close my eyes and just listen to the music.  The song has special meaning as it reminds me of my grandparents who have passed so when I listen I am transformed to a place with them for just a few moments.  Gives me that Christmas peace and I have a minute with them at Christmastime.

I also LOVE this video.......I am not mormon but I think it is a great message no matter your religion, always reminds me of what is important. I looked this one up after the song b/c I have seen it before and loved it.

That is all.

Have a nice Sunday.

Cara and Rudolph are buddy reading:

One more of the science table.......coal!
Coal:

1. our experiment never worked.....I think they were supposed to grow crystals from a piece of charcoal but it didn't work.

2. the kids made their own little jars of how coal is made......by burying a fern under mud and rocks....

3. they gave Santa some more ideas on what to give the naughty kids (other than coal)

4. the kids thought of ways you get on the naughty list and ways to get on the nice list!

5. one last idea.......we are going to "mine" for coal......chocolate chips in a chocolate chip bar.

Let's Talk

Had a wonderful day today.....cozy at home.

One thing had to write down:

Conversation with Mannie.....

The setting.......us sitting on the coach, Christmas tree lit, fire in the fireplace, t.v. on.....sports, of course.

Me.......let's turn on the christmas song channel and talk.

Mannie.....did you know they did a study and women use up to 25,000 words a day and men use 10,000.

Me......really? a real study?

Mannie......yes, and I am on 9,997 right now.

I started laughing immediately........he cracks me up!

Men and talking.......now, if I wanted to sit and talk about fantasy football.....well, that is a whole other ballgame!

 

I Like Soda!

 
I like soda.

I like soda in cute bottles! 

I like soda with Santas picture on it!!

I guess I will be drinking  a lot of Santa soda over the next week!

It is a cloudy and drizzly day here....and a holiday party kind of day at school. I will be taking off in a minute to go help out.

News from here:

1. Jesus day will be on Sunday.....I sat down and planned it out....still need one more idea but I am excited b/c it will be a rainy weekend here and we have no plans other than to stay at home and stay in our pj's and hang out together doing at home holiday things!

2. I went to an ornament exchange last night and I came home with the ornament I brought!! I felt like Charlie Brown......kinda funny and pathetic at the same time.....no one wanted mine!!! womp, womp!

3. I have sort of given up on ever finding the Barbie Dream Townhouse.....sounds like the one you got last year Illyse!  Yep, I can't find it anywhere......maybe Cami will have forgotten that she glued that picture on her list!!  Next year, we are making lists before Thanksgiving so I can start earlier.

4. I still have a ton of shopping to do but I am so happy b/c it is going to rain for the next week which means Mannie will be around so we can get alot done together or I can run out alone!

5. We were given homemade cookies yesterday and I have to say, there is nothing quite like homemade, from scratch cookies.......they were like out of a bakery and out of this world.....melt in your mouth.......so, this weekend, my goal is search the web and get some holiday recipes and make some cookies with the kids!

6. I need to clean the house.

7. what else is new.

8. I have some sort of crockpot beef concoction cooking right now.....I saw a recipe but didn't write it down so I made it up but it includes gnocchi (my fave) which I thought would go great with a beef stew! Hoping it turns out okay!

9.  I made homemade chicken noodle soup last night and bought the cheese broccoli soup from Costco (which was yummy) and we had a soup tasting party for dinner!  The kids didn't touch the broccoli one!  

10......must go to school now!! I am so psyched we are done after today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Vacation begins now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Yippee!!!

Have a SWEET day!!!!  Want a Santa soda? I have lots! :)

I scrapped......finally!

I actually sat down to make something!!

The kids and I hung out last week, I think on Thursday night, in my scraproom, and made stuff.  It felt like old times.....all of us in our own little worlds, the kids humming away, I had my blog on so we could listen to music!

It was fun! I used all old stuff and my Trader Joe's bag! Now, if I could just get back into again...tried making a page today, but got frustrated.

Cara was home today so I spent most of the day working with her on all the work she has missed and was going to miss today!  We took a break and watched the Travel channel for an hour snuggled up on the couch with the Christmas tree lights on.

Cara has strep. Day 2 of antibiotics so I think she will be heading back to school tomorrow.....no fever today but I will check before bedtime just in case.

I ran out to do a little Christmas shopping last night after Mannie got home.  Cami has this darn Barbie townhouse on her list and I can't find it anywhere....so frustrating. 

I still have a lot of shopping to do b/c I got a really late start this year and I am feeling like I really don't have time left since the kids get out of school in a couple of days.  But I know in the end, it will all get done and if not, then there are worse problems in the world anyway.

As much as I need to get things done, I seriously CAN"t wait for the kids to be done with school!

Trying to plan "Jesus" day for Sunday!  having a mental block other than a couple of crafty ideas! But I have gotten distracted with a sick kid and Christmas shopping......which is typical of the season isn't it?  ( the not being able to concentrate on Jesus b/c too busy shopping I mean)....so, I just need to take a few minutes tomorrow and just mellow out and breathe/think.

That is all for today......hope your day is terrific......time to figure dinner out.....I am not in the mood to cook tonight and I know Mannie has had a busy day and is probably looking forward to something.....sometimes I think I am not a very good "home maker"....oh well.

nighty night.

Skating by the Sea!

Happy Monday!

We had a very busy weekend and today Cara woke up with a fever!  So, I kept her home again!

It never fails, I always miss the little signs....yesterday, we went to the beach and at times, Cara didn't seem like herself, like laying on the blanket rather than running around or digging in the sand.....hello, big clue!!!

But like I said, we were busy so I guess when I am busy, I don't pay close enough attention to the clues!

Mannie and I had a date night and day on Friday and Saturday!! The kids had a sleepover at Gia and Gramps'.  Mannie and I got all dressed up......I even got myself a new shirt and vest for the occasion!  Then we went out to dinner.  It is just so wonderful to have time together and not feel like Mommy and Daddy.....more like just Annie and Mannie or man and wife! Not sure if that makes sense but it is fun to have his undivided attention sometimes!   Then we went to a Christmas party.....work related for Mannie.  It was  a fun night!

On Saturday, we woke up and went out to get a bagel.  Then we did some Christmas shopping.  After grabbing some lunch, we picked up the kids.

Then it was time to get the Christmas tree.  It took about 10 minutes at Home Depot...we bought the first one we saw.  We came home and got the tree up and started decorating right away! Then we had a Trader Joe pot luck dinner.......little appetizers like tacos and bacon wrapped steaks, pasta.....ect.

After dinner, we all snuggled up on the couch and turned off the lights and starred at the tree.....that never gets old to me.......40 years old and still I can sit there and feel like a 10 year old with the excitment of Christmas in my heart!  So peaceful. Then we watched Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol....I liked watching that as a kid........my kids didn't really like the plot with the ghosts and all.

Sunday, we woke and had a big breakfast....eggs, bacon, fruit, toast and cinnamon rolls.  We got dressed and headed down to San Diego to go to the Hotel Del Coronado.  It was an amazingly gorgeous day.......80 degree temps.  Perfect day for SD. 

We walked around and checked out their decorations. 
Then we went to the beach to hang out.....it was gorgeous!!!!!!!

Then the kids and I went ice skating.......for the first time!!!
It was so much fun but I have to say, it was a huge workout for me because I had to monitor all 3 kids so I was usually holding someone up......my arms were so sore.  Mannie choose not to skate.....I think he was scared ;)   I don't think he knows how to skate.  So, I have to say, it felt good to be the one who knew how to do something.....I am usually the one on the sidelines taking pictures....not yesterday!
 
The wall was our friend! :)

 
After we skated and spent the day at the beach we headed out and hit the Del Mar Racetrack Holiday of  Lights........lame. 
The kids loved it but we (adults) felt that we have better light displays here in our neighborhood.  I was laughing at Mannie because he was so not into it.....we just kept driving around the track in circles and the kids were hanging out of the sunroof.....Mannie said he felt like he was sitting in traffic! 
 

Anyway.......this is our last week of school which I also see as my "last chance to get things done alone" but now I have a sickie home with me and who knows how long this will last....I think last weeks cold was the precurser to this weeks big event....I just hope the germs are gone by Christmas! 

Hope your weekend was a good one.  I scrapped a page last week so I will post maybe tomorrow!

Have a good one!

Thursday Blabberings :)

Good day!

Old pic from last year.....have nothing new to share.

I have been surfing the net and I am so inspired by all the crafty gals out there!  I found myself saying, "I will make something, I will make something!!!" 

But I don't want to put  all this pressure on myself to be creative b/c that is probably the worst thing and most hindering of all! 

In the meantime.....this is all the NON crafty stuff I have been up to:

1.  Cara has been home sick for the past 2 days but really it is just a cold and I think for whatever reason, she just needed a little R and R which I gladly will give her before all the holiday madness begins. It is nice but at the same time, I have stuff to do and only one week left to do it alone, ya know?

2. We had a playdate the other day with a group of kids...friends of all 3 and so we finally had our gingerbread man scavenger hunt!  It was fun.

3.  Our playdate was followed with dinner over here with 2 of the kids and their mom.  Followed by a trip to Family Fun night at school where all the Reflections projects were on gallery display.  Only Cara entered this year but I think I will encourage all 3 to enter next year because it was really sweet how they honored the kids. Not only that but they had a whole craft night set up for all. 

4. I had a mom's night out last night with a group of mom's from Cami's class.  We had a lot of fun.   Felt great  to get out and just sit and talk about anything and everything.  I really like this group of girls.  I also headed out early and started my Christmas shopping (FINALLY)....actually, I did do a tiny bit online.....I ordered Mannie these....you may remember a post I wrote about his other pair!

5.  I had lots of fun looking for goodies for the girls!  Cara only wants 3 things this year.....and little did I know, they are "hard to get".....not sure I believe that but it would be typical.....anyway, that is what the gal at the store told me.   I found one of them anyway.....they seem like the anti Barbie.   Of course, Charlie is all about Legos and he desperately needs a bike.  Actually, I think I said the same thing last Christmas!  But this year, it is JUST  a must!  He can't even ride his old Thomas bike because his legs are too long.....kinda funny.

6.  Mannie and I have a date night tomorrow night! I AM SOOOOOOOOOO excited!! We have a Christmas party to go to and we are going to have dinner alone first!  I am also hoping to sleep in on Saturday, maybe have breakfast out with him and then squeeze in some Christmas shopping before picking up the kids at Gia's!  Then we will get our Christmas tree and decorate!  

7.   Charlie was singing, "On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me......." and I said, "Charlie, who is your one true love?" to which he replied, "You Mom!".........melts my heart.   

Being a mom is truly the most wonderful experience of my life.  I never could have dreamed it all up in my wildest imagination and dreams, exactly just how amazing it is to have these 3 kids.  

Love is a beautiful thing.  Wish I could just box those feelings up and give them to all for Christmas!  But, I suppose everyone I know already has those feelings of LOVE inside them .....and if they don't, I suppose I am not doing a very good job of being a daughter, a friend, a sister.....ect.  because I hope everyone feels LOVE most of all this season!

Alright, enough of my blabbering for today! I got way off track there.

I will end for today!

Later,

Off to hang with my

Very special girl on this

Especially wonderful day!  

:)