Weird Weather-Part1

We have been having some weird weather here in California. On Saturday we went over to my mom and dads house, to do some yard work and ended up hanging out most of the day because the kids were having such a good time. At one point in the afternoon I was talking about how we used to play in the rainbow sprinkler on nice sunny days. My kids had no idea what I was talking about, and my dad happened to have one. So we busted it out and the rest is history...........

Weird Weather-Part 2

And then we move on to TODAY--it is rainy and windy with a high of maybe 50ish. Grant and I had planned to skip preschool and go to the local AAA ballpark. They were having a free "Mommy and Me" day. So we put on the windbreakers, took the umbrella and braved the elements. We went with some friends, and Grant had a great time. He got to bat at home plate, run the bases-twice, and run in the outfield. When we were walking down the steps to the field he said, "Mom, I'm kind of nervous." But I think that soon went away and he was enjoying himself. The best part came after we left the stadium, and he got to roll down the hill on the way out!! Then it started pouring when we got to the car--good excuse to head to Ikea for a few hours!! It was a great day for everyone!

This is the reason.........

(Grant got to do face painting at preschool-on HIMSELF, with NO mirror--gotta' love it!)

--that I send Grant to preschool
--that Jamie works so hard so we can afford it
--that a kid deserves to be a kid
--that I was a little embarrassed to run my errands AFTER preschool
--THAT I LOVE GRANT!!

Scentsy Presents "Bring Back My Bar!"

For one month only—in July—Scentsy will be offering 20 of their most in-demand retired fragrances as Scentsy Bars!

Help them decide which fragrances they should bring back! Please take a few minutes to vote for your top three favorites to the right. Vote as many times as you’d like between now and Sunday, May 2. We’ll announce the winning scents on June 1 on our Official Scentsy Facebook Fan Page.

Click on the link to vote!! I personally voted for Mysterious, Exotic Vanilla, and Sandlewood & Cranberries!! YUMMY!!!

Scentsy Presents Bring Back My Bar!

Student Art Works Celebration

Emma's artwork was selected for the Student Art Work Celebration. Each school chose ONE student from each grade level for the display. Emma was chosen from 100 1st graders at her school! Her artwork is now hanging in the District Office until February 2011. She received a certificate and letter signed by the Superintendent and her teachers. Way to go EMMA!!!

Childhood Innocence

This morning as Emma was leaving for school, we were going through the usual routine. She ALWAYS asks me what we are doing today after school (this is AFTER she asks what we are doing TOMORROW-at bedtime). Anyway, I informed her what we were going to do this afternoon, and then she noticed that I wasn't "ready" to take them to school. I usually take her to school on Thursdays, and then go work in Grants classroom. But I had switched days yesterday with my friend, so today was my "at home" day. She looked around a moment, and I could tell she was thinking something. She paused, then asked "Mom, what DO you do after we leave for school?" She wasn't trying to be rude, or funny, she was genuinely curious. So I gave her the list:

-start a load of laundry
-unload dishwasher
-load dishwasher
-clean up rest of kitchen
-fold laundry
-start another load of laundry
-go to the gym
-drop off Scentsy orders
-pick up toys around the house
-fold laundry
-start another load of laundry
-do agenda for PTA meeting
-start lesson for Sunday
-wrap birthday present
-read/respond to emails

You get the picture. I stopped to think about her original question this morning. I guess I never really knew what MY mom did after we went to school. I never thought about the clothes that always seemed to be in my drawers, the after school snacks that were always there, the supplies in the drawer for school projects, the cute holiday decorations around the house, etc. etc. It was just important that she was there everyday when I got home from school. And as a reflect on the long list of things "To Do", I guess I realize that there is NOTHING more important than being there for my kids. Sometimes it takes an innocent question from a 7 year old to make me STOP and be THANKFUL!! Love ya' Emma!!

Easter 2010

Easter was a great time here in California. The weather cleared up just in time to do some fun things. The holiday started off with a nice traditional Easter egg hunt at preschool for Grant.

They decorated Easter cookies:


Then headed outside for the "hunt":


We had some more Easter fun at home with the decorating of Easter eggs:



The finished products:


Easter morning we woke up to a trail of jelly beans. The Easter Bunny had left the empty egg carton at the door, and a trail of jelly beans to each of the kids baskets (what a nice bunny). Emma got her very own wind chime in her basket, and Grant got 2 army men. Its amazing how well the Easter Bunny knew what to get them. Daddy said Santa must have helped him out too. :-) The day ended with a nice dinner with Grandma and Papa Redfearn. Grandma went all out with the ham, potatoes, homemade wheat rolls, jello, corn....................and Grant even tried broccoli!!! (for those of you who know Grant well, and his eating habits, yes--this is something to blog about)

USS HORNET

Jamie had the opportunity to go and spend a night on the USS Hornet, a navy shipped that is now docked in the Bay Area. He was asked by a family friend, to go with her son, and his scout troop. Needless to say, Jamie jumped at the invitaiton. They got to (had to) sleep in bunks, eat in the mess hall, and some even had to take night watch. Their troop just had to clean up after dinner (for 400 people). Thanks Justuce!!

Leprechaun Hijinx

We tried to catch a leprechaun, but our trap didn't work:


The tricky little guy escaped and left a trail behind him. What type of mischief did he do at your house?:


He turned our milk GREEN!!:


Happy St. Patricks Day!!

Let's Go To The Hop

Laundry Room Remake

We all have that household chore that we HATE!! We procrastinate, put it off, do OTHER chores, enlist the help of other, etc, etc. For me it is folding laundry. I don't have a problem gathering it up, bringing it downstairs, washing it, and drying it. But when it comes to getting it all folded.........I am the queen of procrastination. So my dear husband took pity on my and tried to make the process easier for me (and he was probably tired of wrinkled shirts).

Here is the best "before" picture I have:

The hard working crew (don't worry, they were just pumpkin carving knives):

And the finished product:
I am so grateful to have a built in handyman. Thanks honey!!

Sticky Fingers

Emma and Grant are OBSESSED with St. Patricks Day and Leprechauns this year. They both wanted to go out tonight and try to catch one--until Daddy scared them!! This was the conversation at bedtime:

Grant: I don't want to sleep in my bed, leprechauns might get me.
Daddy: The house is locked, they won't get you.
Grant: They might climb up the walls and sneak in my windows.
Daddy: The windows are locked and they can't climb up the walls.
Grant: What if they climb up using their sticky fingers.
Daddy: Leprechauns don't have sticky fingers.
Grant: What if they eat a cupcake and get sticky fingers from the frosting, and THEN climb up the walls in sneak in my windows.
PAUSE, PAUSE, PAUSE
Daddy: Do you just want to sleep in our bed tonight?

(Have you ever read the story, "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie?"--sound familiar)

COOKIES ARE HERE!!

If you are in and around my house, give me a call, email me or just show up and see if we are home to get your cookies. I will try and bring them to you, but it looks like some of you just might be a cookie addict (you know who you are) and might need them ASAP!!! :-) I have your totals too................yummy, THIN MINTS!! (I've already opened my box)

Here I Sit....

In front of the computer.....kids are both safely at school, dishes are in the dishwasher, grocery list is made, gym shoes are on. This is is supposed to be a kid free, errand running, laundry kind of day. I hopped on the computer "really quick" to look something up before heading to the gym and beyond, but here I sit...........STILL!! Why is it so easy to get distracted? I think I might have a mild form of ADD. Does this happen to anyone else?

Karate Kid

Grant started karate lessons this year for his birthday. He has been obsessed with ANYTHING ninja, karate, swords, fighting, etc., etc. for most of his 4 years of life. So after having his birthday party at the local karate studio (pics to come--I promise!!) he was hooked!! He goes twice a week, and each day they do something different. I'm still not sure of all the karate lingo, but I do know that last week we went on the "sparing" day--or as Grant would say "PRETEND FIGHTING!" Since he did not have sparing gear, he just got to do "no contact" sparring, but it was still the most hilarious thing I have EVER seen. We will definitely bring the video camera next time.