Wild Island Family Fun with Papa and Yaya

What a fantastic day we had! It was one of those all day jammed-pack-with-things-to-do type day.

We started at Costco with a free teacher appreciation breakfast... hooray for free lime cilantro shrimp!

Next it was off to the race tracks. The girls were very excited!

However, Maria wasn't quite able to push hard enough on the pedals. So she wasn't able to ride. I'm so proud of her, even though she's sad, she never throws fits. (Plus we rode on the big ones with her as a passenger)

Christina was born to drive.

It's funny because really, this is where I learned to drive. My parents would take me here as well as droves of friends. They are the best!

Next we had a great game of bumper bowling. It was very cool with all the black light!

However, black lighting in the Pirate Cove was quite scary mixed in with all sorts of eerie noises. We didn't last past 2 holes.

Fortunately, the workers were very understanding and we traded in for a game of golf outside. It was finally cooler weather and we even needed sweaters!

Maria loved getting the ball in the hole!

Look at that form!

And the best part was it was FREE! Yaya had gotten a basket with all this stuff in it and treated us to a fun day with Papa. Not to mention a wonderful dinner! Thanks again sweet elderly folk!

Art Farts August 2010

Mirror Mirror...

Our $1 mirror has turned out to be very fun. The girls love to use the crayola window crayons on it and they can see tons of green as they do their art.

Hidden Valley Garage Sale- New Yearly Tradition

Unfortunately I was not able to get the man riding on a side of a van, like a garbage person... ready to swoop in on any deal. Or of the man who had a 300 pound gut that he was rubbing, so milky white and fresh.

Jody got the fever to say the least. After 1 hour he was begging for $5 like a meth addict at a Yanni concert- it was disturbing. However, $16 later and we have surround sound in our house. Plus an additional $3 and Jody now owns golf drivers. Yaya was the bank. Thanks Yaya!! It was fun cruising around in the beast. Not to mention all the free stuff we got because people got tired and were boxing up- 4 mini loaf pans from Pampered chef, ice cream sandwich makers from Williams-Sonoma, fun snuggle pillow cases and tons of little toys we don't need. Plus a Skippyjon Jones book for 10 cents! And tons of gymboree and stride rite shoes for the girls dirt cheap.

We also started the morning right with a pancake appreciation breakfast for teachers at Office Depot minus the pancakes. It was juice and muffins. Not impressed. Not grateful. Although Mommers did win a free stapler.

Random Getting Things Done

WalMart was having a 50% off their ribbon. So that's cheap. I've been in a bow sweat shop. But they've been getting fancy and I love how they are turning out!!

I finished a valence for the girls room. Not sure if I like it yet.

Mom wrapped up a Titanic unit and I baked her class a treat. Titanic cakes. Where is the Titanic? Duh! Under the water of course. I just used ice cream cones to make the ice bergs and squished marshmellows for floating ice.

Butterfly Stained Glass Art

I find the coolest things at the thrift store. I won't even lie. 79 cents. A whole book full! We're covering our kitched windows in these! It's beautiful.

Goodbye Horrible Week! Hello Bright New Week!

2nd week of school... it better get easier.
To say last week was difficult would be putting it lightly.
Monday- School calls, Christina vomited at school because she was in the sun for 1 hour in 95 degree weather. She ate lunch, then had recess, then had PE all in the afternoon. I was in the car chanting to myself, don't panic, don't panic!
Tuesday- I keep Christina home because you're not allowed back at school for 24 hours if you've vomited. We get stuck in traffic trying to run errands with Yaya Sofia. It's hot.
Wednesday- Birthday party madness. Not to mention I forgot it was early release. My poor baby had to wait in the office, they didn't call me so 40 minutes later there's mom. Christina was having fun with another little friend who's mother was horrible like me. I hate myself. I'm so proud of her for knowing what to do. She just went back to class, the teacher sent her to the office and there you go. I'm glad she didn't try walking home and then getting kidnapped. Also, I should make mention Christina got to bed at 10PM because cliff jumping was out in the boon docks.
Thursday- I develop a gum infection. Car breaks down.
Friday- Car is fixed for a nice lump of spare change.

Thank you Lord for a new week, a better week! The funny thing, is it really wasn't that bad. But I was sure glad to be done. :)

2nd Birthday Party In One Day

After Spiros' Birthday, we headed over to a church friend's 3rd birthday. It was a princess party and Maria was in heaven. Christina went with her dad and the young men at church cliff jumping (she just swam) in the Truckee. Everyone had a good time, but it sure made for a busy day!!

Cousin Spiros' 3rd Birthday

Shot of all shots. Theo Angelo! Such a great sport!

Here's out little Diego. Can you believe it's the only unblurry picture I could get of everyone.
Preparing.
What is the key to getting unblurry ones? I tried the motion mode which turned everything too dark. Sigh.
Sometimes I wonder why I throw birthday parties and don't just do the bounce house ones. The children have such a blast. They run like madmen and pass out so nicely at night.

FHE- God loves all colors

Last week we had a lovely FHE. I had wanted to do this theme because of a recent news article of a respected woman, Dr. Laura, using foul and derogatory language on her show against black people. The girls are so quick to absorb truth, God loves all His children. It's easy.

A week ago we had gone to a community outreach meeting. I found it so interesting because they prefaced, "Our agency will be out of funds by the end of the month, but should we get a grant we want to do everything we can to help minorities receive the support they need to better their health." Sometimes there is a lot of fluff, like the $15 gift cards to Target we got for going... not that I'm complaining, but I wonder if we really value all God's children as we should. They were great about giving the dreary stats, but what they need is ideas and then to follow through. Hence, why I appreciate my membership in our Church. Funds go where they need to for the common good of everyone, programs are organized and well put together and everyone works to support each other.