Our Royal Family

Our Royal Family

My Boy

My Boy
Age 14

The Countessa

The Countessa
Age 14

The Duchess

The Duchess
Age 13

The Princess

The Princess
Age 11

The Pooch

The Pooch
age 6

Miss Pooch

Miss Pooch
age 2

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Back To School


Our summer is officially winding down and my kids and I are both gearing up to head back to school next week.

We have spent the last three days visiting various stores gathering everything we'll need for the next school year and getting new shoes, clothes, binders, back packs ect.

I will be beginning my Junior year at Sonoma State University on Tuesday and I am eager to get underway.

My twins will be starting at a new school on Wednesday.  Middle School!! YIKES!! Both a a bit nervous, as is their Mamma!  I can't believe they will be middle-schoolers!!  Boy how time flies!!

The Duchess and Princess will be entering 5th and 3rd grades and are excited to find out who their teachers for the year will be.

Over-all I am just ready to get back into our school routines.  I seem to function better with a more structured scedule and our summer has been anything but structured!!

Saturday, July 27, 2013

I did it!!


I did it!!  Phase one of my 4 phase goal has been completed!!!  I am the official holder of an Associate in Arts Degree for both History and Liberal Studies!!  I am so beyond proud of my self for accomplishing this phase of my goal to becoming a teacher!!

I will officially begin Phase Two of my goal on August 20th when I head to Sonoma State University for my first day of classes as a college Junior.

It has been a very interesting and rewarding journey as an adult college student and I feel I have grown leaps and bounds as a person.  

I am so very excited to begin classes in August at the University I can hardly stand it!!  

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Americas Cup San Francisco


Last week my kids and I went into San Francisco for a day at Alcatraz with my Mother-in-Law.  As most of the world know's the America's Cup races are taking place in the San Francisco Bay this summer.


While we were on the ferry heading to Alcatraz Island, we were lucky enough to see the Oracle American boat up close.


I was absolutely amazed at how big these boats actually are!!  They are ENORMOUS!! 
It was amazing to watch the crew scramble around the boat in perfect harmony!  An incredible sight to see first hand!!


Good Luck America!!

Friday, July 19, 2013

5QF Post





Visit Five Crooked Halos to join the fun.

1. What is one thing you have too many of in your house?
 
I really seem to have too much of everything!! Although currently I would have to say towels.  

I know, your thinking "Towels?"

It seems my towels have procreating lately, because I tell you....I can not go into ANY room of my house and find any less then 3 towels....usually balled up and wet on the floor!!! GRRRR!!!

The really funny thing about this is.......there NEVER seems to be a towel when I need to take a shower!!!!


2. Did anything go not quite as planned on your wedding day?


Yes, but only I and one of my bridesmaid knew of the issue.  

I had requested a particular DJ for my wedding, the same DJ that had been at said bridesmaids wedding just two months before.

When my new hubby and I arrived for our reception we were greeted by a DJ I had not requested, and who I did not particularly care for!!  

However, I did not allow the DJ debacle to ruin my day, I was waaaaayy to happy!!!

3. What is your favorite summer smoothie recipe?


I'm not really a fan of smoothies...................brain freeze people!!

But, on the rare occasion I do have one it usually strawberry.

4. What is the weather like where you are?


Well, we have been having not so pleasant heat waves on and off for weeks now. Today it's expected to reach high 80's, which is about 20 degrees cooler than it has been.

5. What is your favorite book to read to your kids?


I love reading them the Magic Tree House books. We love the adventures and I love the history they teach the kids.

Friday, July 12, 2013

5QF





Join the fun oved at Five Crooked Halos

1. Would you rather pay for house cleaner or spa day?

While I LOVE LOVE LOVE a good massage, I can say handsdown I would rather pay for a house cleaner!!!! I HATE HATE HATE cleaning and to have someone else do it for me would be better than any spa day!


2. Who plans what gifts you get for holidays, you or your spouse?

If we are talking about the gifts we give our kids, that's 100% me. If your talking about gifts Hubby gets for me, then I would say the breakdown is 50% me (I'm really good a giving LOTS of hints!), 40% our kids (They are really good at remembering my hints!) and 10% Hubby (he drives to the store and pays for it!).

3. How many hours of sleep do you get? Do you need more?


A LOT!!!! I go to bed about 11 each night and if I can wake on my own it's about 10am. Occassionally I will take a nap in the early afternoon if I had a restless nights sleep, and my naps are usually about an hour.

4. Do you like your hair long or short?


Honestly, I don't really have a prefference. I have had my hair really long (butt-lenght) and I've had a short bob and every length in between. Currently my hair is just below my shoulders. I have an appointment for a cut/color next week and I'm thinking about going to a long bob, just above my shoulders. I guess it all depends on where I am at in my personal style of the moment.

5. When was the last time you were pulled over and what was it for?


Hmmmmm, I think it was about two years ago. My registration was expired by about 2 months...OOPS!! Thankfully the officer was really nice and gave me a warning and said to get it done ASAP and let me go on my way. :-)

Monday, June 3, 2013

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?


Friday, May 31, 2013

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.

Friday, February 1, 2013

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) Poster
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) Poster
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) Poster
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) Poster
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) Poster
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) Poster
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) Poster
CHiPS (1977-1983)
This was another show I watched mostly with my brother and LOVED!

One Day at a Time (1975) Poster
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) Poster
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) Poster
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) Poster
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!!









Friday, January 4, 2013

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