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

Blue Coconuts

 
I love finding coconuts on the beach.  However, we don't find them in California b/c we don't have those kind of palm trees here.

Yesterday was our first day venturing out into "the world" in over a week! It felt good on the one hand and on the other it was exhausting because we still aren't 100%....but I had to get out of town. I had total cabin fever.

So, we headed up to Santa Monica for the day.

Can you see the snow capped mountains above?

We went to the pier and walked around.  It was chilly but sunny and beautiful.
 

We found a blue coconut on the beach. I suppose placed there by someone, hence, the color BLUE but still a treasure was found!!

There is an "Arlington West" symbolic memorial set up on the beach...a woman was playing the flute and they were placing name tags on all the crosses of the soldiers that have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan......it was quite a sight to take in as we were "mindlessly" going about our day at the beach.  I was glad to be reminded that life isn't a beach for a lot of people out there sacrificing their life for mine. 

Anyway, Charlie buried the blue coconut in the sand and then no one could find where it went.....so, the blue coconut will surprise some little kid one day as he/she is digging for a sandcastle.

We walked around 3rd Street Promonade....celebrity sighting!  I saw Kyle from the Beverly Hills housewives coming out of Kitson Kids with one of her kids. 

Then we were all tired and hungry so we got a bite to eat and then got back on the road...short but sweet.  Too tired to go to the John Hughes art exhibit I was hoping to see but nice to get out among civilization nonetheless.

Then we watched the Oscars......wow, my opinion, it was really bad, boring and of course predictable. 

My favorite dress was Halle Berry.  Gorgeous.

That is all....today was all kids back in school.  It feels like the first normal day in a while.

Mannie is home so we got to have a date and get some breakfast then to the mall (his nightmare) but I needed to get makeup and some clothes for Cami who has holes or marker/paint marks on most of her wardrobe.

He is a good guy.  When the kids are sick it feels as though we don't have a second to talk...we are all together 24/7 so it was nice that we had some time to talk.

That is all from here.  Have a good one.

Science Day

TGIF!

We had science day here at home!

The kids missed the science day at school since they were absent.  It was a PTA sponsored event at school. Each class was in charge of a different experiment and rotated.  I knew what some of the planned experiments were so I was able to recreate here.

Here is what we did....I got a lot(not all) of the worksheets from here.  And one experiment from my favorite scientist, although our experiment didn't work.

1. Heart rate.....
The marshmellow thing didn't work though, but we took our pulses the old fashion way and we all learned alot.....plus we had the info. on animal heart rates, so comparing all that info. helped the kids predict adult rates vs. kids rates.  I can't imagine doing this with a whole class of kids though, would have to be small groups with a parent helper.

2. Light.....this one was easy.  I leave it at that.

3. Dancing Raisins....cute. Cami had done this one today while at school. She loved being the one who already knew all  the inside info.!
 

4. Oobleck or Non Newtonian Fluid! or GOO!
 

5. Water/salt reaction...Ice Fishing....
This one didn't work....I think because I used twine. Not sure.

Overall......lots of fun but alot of work on my part.  I am so tired tonight as I type.  We are finishing up our game of Life that we started in January.  I am already "retired" and waiting for everyone else to finish.....then we will head up for bed! I hope I get a good night of sleep......haven't had one in a week.

Have a wonderful weekend! Nighty night.

P.S.....I also conquered Mt. Clothesemonjaro and found the lost city of Dishlantis.....another reason for the exhaustion! Living an adventurous life is tiring!

Adventures at Home!

Did you know that you don't have to leave your front door to live an adventurous life filled with danger and intrigue????

Yes, that is correct!

Today I will be exploring the world!

I will try to conquer Mt. Clothesemonjaro!

Then I am hoping the discover the lost city of Dishlantis!
I have my passport ready and my bags packed!!! I can hardly wait!!!!!

What adventures will you be setting off on today????

In other news! We are having science day here today!!! 2 kids home who are missing out on science day at school........so, I can pull that off here no problemo! Will post all the exciting adventures later! ;)

Have a VERY ADVENTUROUS day!!!

Everything is Better with Cupcakes!

 
Well,  again, friends never cease to amaze me! Of course your kind emails and comments are always appreciated.  But we also got a really SWEET surprise on our doorstop last night!

One of Charlie's BFF's called last night to talk to him and I let him talk but first grade phone conversations usually don't make a whole lot of sense. 
I think his buddy was telling Charlie that they were dropping off cupcakes but Charlie didn't quite get that message.  So, Mannie was taking out the garbage last night and found the cupcakes on our doorstep! So cute!

The kids were thrilled and couldn't wait to make it through their chicken and rice soup so they could dig into the pan!

Anyway, as I always say, we continue to be blessed with GOOD people in our life.  Little surprises mean alot.

Besides that......here are random thoughts:

1. I am looking forward to the Oscars....mostly because I love to see the gowns but this year we saw the Social Network and I am totally rooting for that to win.  I am sure the Kings Speech will win but still rooting for good ole FB to pull it off!

2. **Best Idea Alert**** I need to get one of these because this craft looks like something that would make us very happy!! Actually, it would have been the perfect activity for the past week!!!

3. Cami is at school so I am down to 2 little monkeys at home with me! So far, no fevers today! They had 101 at the doctor yesterday so I kept them home again today.

4. Is anyone else watching Survivor? LOVE Boston Rob.....love Russell too but love Boston Rob more! I can't believe after all these years, we still LOVE this show so much!

5. Modern Family cracked me up too last night.....about couples and communicating? classic.

6. I have American Idol tivo'ed!! I am one happy girl with this new DVR!

7. Must go......2 little monkeys are waiting to do Mommy school right now.....todays plan....reports on the solar system!

Have a SWEET day......hope a sweet surprise awaits you today!

Diary of a Weezy Kid....(x3)

 
Well, can't believe it is Wed. already! The week is flying by here.

On Monday, Cara and Charlie fell victim to the germs of our house!!! So we now have 3 coughing kids.....2 with fevers.  Cami has been on meds since the weekend but she still sounds bad.

I will be taking the 3 sickos to the doctor later today.

Mannie is our house germaphobe....so, it is also humorous to watch him in action when people start coughing everywhere. But we DO need him to stay healthy since he is our bread winner so I suppose I should join the germaphobe train and really start scrubbing this place down with some Chlorox.

We have been keeping ourselves busy here.....always something to do!

Napping....relaxing......watching t.v.....catching up on our Phinneas and Ferb episodes....playing games.....writing reports! 

I guess being home reminded the kids of when we were "homeschooling" last year during the teacher strike.  They had written reports on bees and we were going to write one on butterflies but then the strike ended.  So, they actually wanted to have "Mommy school" yesterday during one of the Fever Breaks (when the meds kick in and they feel fine).....so we did.......I think they came out cute all things considered!
 
 

I have been delivering meals in bed, just like Alice and Mrs. Brady......

Well, that is all for today.

Hope you are staying healthy!

Time to go sanitize the house!

Happy Sunday!

 
Well, it is pretty chilly here in Southern Cal but no rain...I actually liked the rain and was expecting more than what we got.

So, there is snow on our local mountain today....that is Saddleback Mountain.  Pretty huh?

We have been hibernating around here.  Cami is sick......on meds.....not penicillin!!!  I have been in such a funk too (as you read in last post)...just not feeling 100%.

So, between sick people and the rain, we have been hanging around the home.

We had a pizza picnic again on Friday night...
this time with the whole family! We watched Ramona and Beezus.  Our first time seeing it....I loved it! The kids loved it.  We never got into the Ramona books although Cara read a Henry one and liked it.  But maybe now we will read them......plus.....we are planning a roadtrip to Oregon/Wash. for the summer and did you know that is where Ramona lives? Yes, and  Klickitat Lane is a real street outside of Portland that we will check out with a Ramona park to boot!

Anyway, we have watched alot of t.v......we also rented Marmaduke.....the kids thought that was hysterical!!  We also have movie channels now with our new cable so we watched a few other movies and thankful for now having a DVR because I can record all the Final Oprah 25 th Season Behind the Scenes and catch up on those!!!!

I also found a new channel I love that we never had with our other cable co....it is the Science Channel!!! LOVE it! I love this show on there called Survivorman.

So, between watching movies and hitting the walk in clinic.....the kids have been playing......here is Webkinz School......how cute is this? Well, cute to me, I am their mom.....they have been in Charlie's room all day playing this game.....it is a very elaborate game.
 

Here is my sick t.v. watching partner!

We were supposed to go up to LA for a couple of things....this spot for a report Cara  is working on and this for me(the Venice one)....I found this artist that I like who is showing there!   Oh well.....wasn't meant to be!

Hope you are having a great weekend!

Mind and Body

 
Photo from 4 H club.......how cute is the fluffy bunny???

Happy Thursday....well, not so much for me.

I think mind and body are so interconnected so when my mind is unhappy, my body and general health reflect that.

I don't feel well today and I am almost positive it is not because I have picked up a virus,  I think it is because I am feeling mentally blue today.

Mannie and I have been deflecting other people's negative issues/energy for a couple of weeks and it is finally taking a toll on me. ** Why do people feel the need to go out of their way to effect other people's lives in a negative way? 

I honestly don't get it?

**I am referring to 2 incidents involving 1. Mannie's truck looking "ugly" for some anonymous "neighbor" and then 2. a power hungry team mom we have to deal with for softball this year.  God is really wanting me to learn how to bite my tongue and it has become almost impossible for me to do these days....especially because as I get older, I have found that I am slowly speaking my mind more rather than trying to be polite.  From what I have heard that is common over 40.  However, there are times when one (regardless of age) needs to bite tongue and turn cheek.  That can be hard when it involves Mannie or the kids.

I won't get into details but it truly baffles my mind why people in this world absolutely LOVE drama and try really hard to create it around them.  I think the world in general is so out of balance....unhappy people trying to drag us Happy people down with them.

So, even typing this is spreading negativity and I don't wish to do that.

I need to turn this post around ...... because I surely don't want to be a downer for others.

I am a religious person in my own way....I will leave it at that....so, I ask you, if you are one to pray, as I am, let's all start praying for Happy to start tipping the world scale.....I think our world needs this.

On a personal note though:  How to turn around a bad day?  I have one idea!!!

Imagery:

Check out the lovely images on Pinterest.......I am telling you, an image can stir up happy or sad feelings for me.........I think because I am a visual person....so let's CHOOSE happy, shall we?  (Not sure if these images will stay on the blog, sometimes they turn into question marks!)

Here are some of the latest images I found that make me happy!

This is part of the mind/body thing I was talking about.......pretty, happy images can only boost a mood, correct?

Yes, I do feel better.

So, in conclusion I have 4 things:

1. Spread sunshine!

2. (My prayer)..God, continue to help me turn the other cheek.....it is really hard to do sometimes.....I am trying my best to learn!!!  Also, help the world in general choose to live a life of happiness and spread the love not hate.

3. Time to go nuture my mind......maybe some chocolate, mixed in with a little Oprah and followed up with ........? not sure yet.......any ideas?.

4. Note to self:  do NOT take out my crappy mood on the ones I love......right? Must go do something nice for my children....not be grouchy lady.  insert deep breath!

oh and ONE more thought.........I am wishing you a wonderful day and weekend!!!!!

I leave you with one last image!  Just in case, you need to hear it too!

P.S.....found this inspirational video while blog hopping!

Happy Wed....1 more day of the "workweek"

Thoughts for the day!  Picture from the archives of  Cami and a bunny (related to point number 7)

1.Looking forward to no school on Friday!  Need to plan on some indoor fun since ....a.) a day home in p.j.'s sounds wonderful and b.) the forecast is rain!

2. Stuffed and need to get the kids moving on showers and all that but the computer sounded more fun!!

3. Looking forward to a new Survivor season tonight and of course Modern Family!!

4. I had 8 kids running around the house today which I why I need a little extra "quiet time" on the computer right now!! 

5. Planning an "Author of the Week" for the month or March here at home....March is our "Literacy Month" at school so I figured I would join in on the fun at home......thinking about the following authors....obvious ones that all my kids will enjoy.....Dr. Suess of course!.....Marc Brown......possibly Jan Brett....maybe Tomi DePaola....We will read, read, read and work on projects related, learn about the authors and whatever else I come up with......I have those units from when I taught so I am going to see if I can think of new one to add a little creativity on my part into the mix!!  Any favorite authors out there? (I am talking picture book btw).

6.  I joined Pinterest last night and was a complete nerd at the computer coming up with various "wishlist" items and finding lots of cool, new to me blogs! I was interested to see so many of my Facebook friends were on there.....Laura introduced me to the site.....interesting concept. 

7. Kids had their first 4H meeting......looks like a bunny as a pet is in our future....amazing program....the kids learned alot about bunnies and the program is a really great way to not only teach kids about the animals but responsibility and how to take care of them.   It sounds like they are encouraged to bring their pet to the meetings to check on the health of the animal......so, we may jump in and get one.....Cara took pictures and saw one of the cutest little tiny bunny!  But we told the kids that we need to learn a little bit more about the expenses and exactly what the care of the rabbit entails before we buy one....so that is their homework for the next meeting.

8. We are lucky to have Gia in our life!  She found the program and it really is perfect for the kids!

9. Hope you have a great night!

10...I feel as though I have enjoyed enough quiet time.....nighty night!

 

V Day!

Happy Tuesday!

One of these days I will post my Project Life......I have a different approach for the month of Feb. and will share as soon as I get my computer hard drive set and then I can try printing again.

One thing I have noticed about Project Life is that it is hard to do if you don't have a printer. Since my printer is not cooperating these days which I think is connected to my limited hard drive capacity (too many photos on it)...I have come up with a fab solution for my Feb. documenting!

I have one of those calendar scrap pages and will print out little pics and add them to the calendar for the month at a glance.....then I am journaling on little cards each day and will keep those in page protectors next to the calendar......will show you hopefully sooner but by the end of the month nonetheless.

I think is will be good too because I documented everyday of January which was filling up my album, so this month will only take up a few page protectors.

Here is our V day in pictures:

breakfast.......they don't look overly thrilled to have their photo taken>
I think someday, my gravestone should say:  "Mom, she liked to take pictures"

snack after school........
 

dinner: cheese fondue, salad, green beans, broccoli, chicken, rice and rolls.

Then the kids got creative and were using the marshmellows on the table (it was a decoration) and the skewers for the fondue to toast marshmellows......clever.

It was a nice day to celebrate as a family and at dinner we passed around a basket with our Valentine's to each other...we read each one out loud......I liked that, it felt special and that we were sort of honoring each others time in making the cards.  Will do it again!

That is all for today.......hope your day is wonderful!

A weekend with no kids

Hi there....HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

XOXO!

It is a beautiful day here in southern Cal.  I am going to enjoy it because the rain is coming....and I will enjoy that too!

We had a great weekend and here are my thoughts on the weekend:

...no. 1.....I feel as though the kids are at the easiest ages right now...6,7,8.....they are independent, sweet and get along with each other for the most part! 

But I did notice that when it was just Mannie and I, that we could accomplish a whole lot more and squeeze a whole lot more into our day! I was actually shocked at that!

We missed them but it was so nice to sort of have no responsibilites for the day, sort of a mini vacation!

Friday during the day, I scrubbed the house since we were staying home, I wanted it to feel clean and relaxing! It smelled clean! Love that!!!

Then, Friday afternoon, I started out by getting my hair done with kids in tow, they were such troopers, THE BEST!!Then I got all dressed up and drove them over to Gia's.  Said my good byes and headed back home to Mannie who got home from work during the time I was gone. 

He smelled all clean and had on cologne!! Yum.  I love cologne! He got me roses!

We went to Casa Ranchero for dinner.......it was delicious! 

We had chips and salsa and a sweet waitress...I ordered a delicious burrito.

Saturday,woke and went out to get a bagel for breakfast (my fave!)....then headed out to Temecula for a little wine tasting and to check out Temecula in general!  I had never been.
 
 

So, we started at this vineyard........we split a wine tasting....we are not into wine much (except for our uncle Pat's homemade wine) but just wanted something different to do as an experience! Anyway, the wine was good, the vineyard was cute and after we just sat out in the picnic area of the vineyard and talked.  The day was absolutely gorgeous.

Mannie said, "This was just what the doctor ordered!" in regards to just relaxing in the sunshine! He is a really busy guy so it was just what the doctor ordered.

Then we drove to old town Temecula and ate a delicious lunch at a place called Texas Lil's.  We split a pulled pork bbq sammy...it was really good, I recommend that spot if you ever go.

After, we found a cute beer garden that had an outdoor patio to sit and relax on.  Again, we just soaked up the sun and chatted......wonderful!

We headed home by late afternoon and stopped by the pizza place and picked up 4 slices to take home! Then we got in our pj's and sat in bed and had a picnic while watching 3 movies.....the Social Network, Up in the Air and Couples Retreat.  I really liked Social Network, felt bad for Marc Zuckerberg and his partner Eduardo.  Up in the Air was just okay and Couples Retreat was not my type of humor. 

We couldn't believe we were able to watch 3 movies in one night and still went to bed at a reasonable hour.

The next morning,  I woke to the breakfast from yesterdays post.

Then we hit the beach!!! It was wonderful!~! We met a surfer dude, named Mark, who was so nice and gave me a little history of surfing, he was great! I loved this beach, it is called Surfers Beach....we actually had to wait in a car line to get in b/c it is so popular.  I think we were the only car with no surf boards hanging out the back...loved the feel of this particular beach, very "Californiaish".
 
 
 
 

We went to a new spot for lunch in San Clemente.....it was beyond delicious!

Came home for a nap and then to meet up with Gia, Gramps and the kids for dinner and pick up!

Wonderful to spend quality time together!  I did not cook one meal!! Heaven!

Anyway, that is our special weekend.....wondering/dreaming of when we can do that again!!!