Only 8 days left until Summer Vacation!!

My kiddos officially have 8 days left until they are out of school.

I have been busy searching for different activities to keep them occupied throughout the summer.  In summer past we have signed them up for several camps throughout the summer,  so I would hear a little less "I'm bored!"

This summer however they unanimously voted to forgo ALL camps except one..........Vacation Bible Study, which they absolutely LOVE!

Now, I'm left trying to plan other fun activities to do, both at home and away from home.  I had each of the kids write a summer bucket list (with no more than 10 items) of things that would like to do over their break. Here are somethings we've already set time aside for...

*We have planned a 5 day camping trip in mid-July with family.
* We will be visiting Alcatraz with Grandma so she can tell us all about her adventures growing up there while her father was a guard at the prison.
*We will be having a Minute-to-Win-It competition with friends.
*We'll have fun doing science experiments we've found on Pinterest.
*We will have a backyard camp-out with friends
*We'll be visiting Water World
*We will be visiting Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
*We will be baking some recipes from Pinterest
*We will visit the Russian River
*The girls and I will have a spa day
*My Hubby and The Boy will have a boys camping trip
*We'll visit the De Young Museum and do an art scavenger hunt

So, what are your summer plans?  Do you have any fun activities you could share?

How about a 5QFriday post to end the month of May...........




Visit Five Crooked Halos to join in the fun!

1. What is an acceptable age for girls to start dating?
I have 3 girls and they have asked me this question many times and my answer has always been "when your in high school." But honestly the reality is a bit different. I don't feel I can say for sure exactly what age overall because each of my girls are soooo very different. I think it really depends on their behavior as individuals and their personal maturity level. For example my now 10 year old who is a definite rule follower may be able to date sooner then my now 8 year old who is a little more of a rule breaker.

2. Do you think your kids should have summer homework?
As a teacher my answer is yes. As a mother my answer is......what for it.......yes! It is my job as a parent to ensure my children retain all they have learned over the prior school year by giving them activities, which yes may include workbooks, over the summer that help them not loose the information they learned. Sadly the first two months of each school year are spent reteaching material that was taught the prior year because so many kids loose it during summer break.....especially math skills which fad if not utilized frequently.  

Two of my 4 children struggle with learning difficulties.......one in language arts the other with math. I worry constantly about them falling further and further behind each summer and do my best to ensure they don't loose the skills they have worked so tremendously hard to gain!!
3. Would you prefer to live without AC or heat?
Since I already live without AC, I can say without hesitation AC. However, if I had been asked this question....say 3 weeks from now, my answer would probably be heat! :-)

4. What the worst thing about staying in a hotel? (Besides not being with your family)
I would have to say the worst thing about staying in hotels is my complete in ability to regulate the rooms temperature successfully!! I can never get it right.....the room either ends up to cold or to stuffy hot. Second worst thing is the pillows. They are either to flat or to puffy and there never seems to be enough of them. So, I never travel without my own trusty pillow! :-)

5. So, do your kids really get "104 days of summer vacation"? (Bonus points for those of you that get this reference!)
NOPE!! My kiddos get a whopping 69 days off for summer vacation. Our last day is June 13th and we return August 21st.

The TV Shows That Built Me

As I muck my way through my 41st year of live, I've been thinking back on the shows that were a major part of my growing up years.  Many have a very special place in my heart while others invoke a cherished memory.

The Brady Bunch (1969-1974)

Even though this show began airing 3 years before I was born and I was only 2 when it ended it's run I LOVED this show!!!  When I think back on the shows of my childhood this is THE NUMBER ONE!!!!  Even if I only watched it in reruns!!!  My kids have watched this on occasion and they laugh hysterically at the groovy fashions!!

The Waltons (1971-1981)

I watched this show all the time with my sisters.  I wanted to BE Elizabeth Walton!!  

This show brings to mind being cuddled up in a blanket laying on my sisters bedroom floor watching this show and it being a "rule" you were only allowed to talk during commercials.

Sanford and Son (1972-1977)

While I was born in 1972, I remember my Mom and Step-Dad watching 

this show when I was about 4-5yrs old.  I loved the sarcastic Fred Sanford!  This show still makes me laugh today when I stumble upon it while channel surfing!

All in the Family (1971-1979)

This was a show my Step-dad loved.  I can still hear his laughter echoing through the house and he watched the cantankerousness Archie Bunker and his ditsy wife.  Brings a smile to my face. :-)

Good Times (1974-1979)

I was 2 when this show began it's run and 7 when it ended.  I LOVED J.J.!!

The Jeffersons (1975-1985)

This was a show my Mom loved.  This is also a show that brings warm memories back to me.  I would cuddle with my Mom on the couch and watched this show together......often times with me draped across her lap and her scratching my back!! 

What's Happening (1976-1979)

 I was 4yrs old when this show first aired and  7yrs old when it ended it's run.

  I can remember always watching this show with my big brother.

I loved Rerun!! I thought Raj's sister Dee was a brat!!

Diff'rent Strokes (1978-1986)

"Whatchoo Talkin 'bout Willis!" 

Again a show I watched with my big brother!  

Today my brother can stil say this phrase to me and I crack-up every time!  I'm surprised to learn this show ran until 1986.....I was 14!!  I don't really recall watching it past the age of 10.....

The Price is Right (1972-current)

Yes this too was a show I ALWAYS watched when I was home sick from school.  It was my favorite part of being sick!!

The Facts of Life (1979-1988)

Oh My!  Again this show was one I never missed when it was on.  I loved Jo.  

Watching Lisa Welchel on Survivor this past season was fun too.  

And yes even at the age of 16 I was still a Facts of Life die hard fan!  

Petticoat Junction (1963-1970)

OK granted this show ended its run 2 years before I was born, it was a show I would watch in reruns when ever I was home sick!  Much like the memories of the Price is Right, it was my favorite part of being home sick!

CHiPS (1977-1983)

This was another show I watched mostly with my brother and LOVED!

One Day at a Time (1975-1984)

I watched this ALL the time with my sisters!  Great Show!

Three's Company (1974-1986)

I loved the goofy antics of Jack.  GREAT show!

Eight is Enough (1977-1981)

I watched this with my sisters.  I had a MAJOR crush on David Bradford!!

The Love Boat (1977-1987)

This was mine and my sister T's favorite show! 

 I can remember thinking how great it would be to work on a cruise ship!!

Fantasy Island (1977-1984)

As much as this show would creep me out some times I LOVED it!!!

"Da Plane! Da Plane!"

Happy Days (1974-1984)

Another show I watched frequently with my brother.  

This show simply makes me smile!

Knots Landing (1979-1993)

While this really isn't a "kid" show that did not stop me from watching it with my sisters.

And I must admit....I wish I could find it on demand!!  LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this show! 

 I'd take this show over Dallas any day of the week and twice on Tuesday!!

Of course there were countless other shows that aired during my childhood, many I did watch, the ones listed here were the ones I remember most and the ones that have a special place in my heart!!

Back in the Saddle Again!!

After a much needed blogging break, I'm back in the saddle again.

I'll start my 2013 blogging adventure of with a 5QFriday via Five Crooked Halos

1. Have you set any goals/resolutions for 2013?
Well, let me see........to blog more to chronicall our year........to eat better........to be more physically active..........

2. Have you made any travel/vacation plans for 2013?
Yep.  February we will be spending 4 days in Lake Tahoe with family and in March my girls and I will be having a Disneyland adventure
3. What room is never cleaned in your house?
My bedroom!!  I swear I have WAAAAYYYY to much stuff!!
4. What food must be in your house at all times?
For me, Davids Sunflower seed.  For the kids, Ranch, For Hubby dessert of any kind!
5. Are you a hugger or more of a hands off person?
It really depends on who the other person is.  I'm a friend and family hugger, but someone I don't know well or someone I just met I'm a hand shaker

Perspective

Live Every Moment is hosting a Photo Challenge.  The Topic is Different View/Perspective.

Well, this photo of the top of my brothers head certainly gives a new perspective to his thick crazy coilick.  He has another just like this one at his forhead.

Link up to LEM with your photo showing a Different View or Perspective.

Another 5QF

Stop by My Little Life and link up with your 5QF

1. Have you ever had surgery?
Yes, a few..................3 c-sections, a hernia repair and a tummy tuck.  The tummy tuck was by far THE WORST!!! 

2. Ever ride in an ambulance?
Yes, twice.....once as a passenger and once as a patient. 
The first time was when I was 4yrs old and was hit by a car.  I don't remember the ambulance ride as I had gone into shock from my injuries........Remember kiddies ALWAYS look both ways before riding a bike into the street!!
The second was last Mother's Day when The Princess was taken by ambulance to the hospital and admitted for severe bacterial phnuemonia.

3. How are you in a medical emergency? Panicked? Calm?
Well, I've only been in to medical emergencies and I was calm both times, well if you call laughing uncontrollably "calm".  Hubby fell down our back steps while taking out the trash one night and severly tore tendions in his ankle...I couldn't stop laughing, even though I was calm and helping him and taking him to the ER, I just couldn't stop laughing at the image of him covered in trash....still makes me laugh.
The other was again last Mother's Day.  I was totally calm through everything, but once The Princess was settled in her hospital room and she was sleeping peacfully...I fell apart!!

4. Do you have a garden? Flowers or veggies?
That would be a big fat NOPE!!  I loath gardening!!  I have a thing about my hands getting dirty....and gloves just make it worse!!  Although we attended open house at school the other night and my kids each brought home a sunflower and a sugar pea plant they had started and Hubby helped them plant them in the back yard...does that count??

5. When did you move out of your parents house?
Well I moved out twice............the first was when I was 19, Hubby and I rented a small house together, then I lost my job and couldn't afford my portion of the rent anymore, so we both moved back home to our parents.  The second time I was 23 and Hubby and I had bought our first house.



I've started a new Blog

I've started a new subject based blog to document my genealogical journey.  If you have any interest in genealogy of family history,  stop by Telling Their Tales and become a follower.

I'll be sharing lots of tips and free printables, along with the stories of my ancestors.

Ofcourse, I will still be posting on This, That & Everything about this, that & everything.