California

Pro's and Con's

of living in California

Con: Running the AC on September 16

Pro: Being able to go swimming after Elias comes home from school. (By the way, I expected Elias to come home completely worn out from a busy day at school. But despite all the wiggling his teacher is complaining about, Elias still comes home very hyper and needing to release alot of energy.

I don't know if this is a pro or con, it's just a part of life living in California. I have heard several comments from teacher and mom during recess that the balls keep flying over the fence into the Earl lot. It finally dawned on me what they meant when I saw a sign in the school parking lot. "Cast and Crew may not park in this parking lot". Apparantly the church/school that Elias is attending is next door to where they film "My Name is Earl." I have never seen this show before but if you see it this year and there are some kids yelling in the back ground listen for Elias.

Missing Brother

First Day of School

Yesterday was the day. My little boy started school. I wondered if I would be one of the moms wiping away the tears, but mostly I was excited for him and excited for the time I would have with just the girls. At one point this afternoon Emma asked me if I missed Elias. "Yes," I said, "do you miss him?" "NO," she replied. Now that's sisterly kindness. This morning, however, I couldn't tell who was more excited, Elias or Emma. They were both up 1 1/2 hours earlier than normal. Elias couldn't sit still and Emma couldn't stop asking questions about Elias's school. At breakfast this morning Emma prayed that Elias would have a good day at school. It's a moment that I will always treasure.

Isn't that the biggest back pack you've seen for a kindergartner? Because he's and all day kindergartner California law requires they have naps. They have mats to lay on but they are suppose to bring a towel to lay on to make is a little more comfy. I bought a nice big plush towel and then realized it was going to be stored in his backpack. And because he's and all day schooler he needs to bring his lunch, so Elias has this nice big three pocket backpack. When I was in his classroom I noticed a majority of the kindergartners had roller backpacks. This is some hardcore kindergartnering we are doing.

I'm excited about this school year. I get the benefit of homeschooling and yet Elias will still be in a classroom. He will be in school Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and then Monday and Thursdays I get to home school him, not just homework, but a full day of school work. I'm excited to be so involved but to also have a break and let someone else do the curriculum planning. It's a small class as you can see, 7 Kindergartners and 5 1st graders, and his teachers are so wonderful. I'm very excited to see how Elias grows this year as I'm sure it will be a stretching experience for him and me.

Tomorrow is a home school day. Elias isn't home yet from school today but I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of my syllabus for tomorrow. We'll see how it goes. I'm excited about doing school with him, but uncertain how to keep occupied an 18 month old who has already started a fire

in our kitchen and created more messes then my other two combined. I'm envisioning lots of playpen time.

YUMMY

In our home - We like our sweets!!!

Our neighbor dropped off a plate of cupcakes the other day. One little piggie had two without asking. I am partially to blame, I did leave them in full sight on the kitchen table. My question, however, is why did she decided to wear them.

My husband has been talking alot about funnel cakes lately. I'm not sure where this has come from. In our 7 years of marriage we have never purchased a funnel cake. We have often walked by a funnel cake stand and come close to buying one, but then sticker shock sets in and we keep on walking.

The other day Alex tells me he's found a recipe for funnel cake on the internet and he's going to try it. I then start asking some questions and find out he's only had a funnel cake once in his whole life. I don't know if you can tell but he's using an old ketchup bottle to dispense the batter. It turned out pretty well, but I'm still finding powder sugar in little crevices.

Food, Flight and Family

The best place to eat a burger

There is an In-N-Out Burger right by the LA airport. The planes literally land right across the street.

If you're an awesome photographer like my sis-n-law you can get some really cool pictures. Click here to see.

Family Fun

Cousins, Cousins, Cousins

We were invaded by a swarm of cousins and we loved every minute of it. And this time no one had to sleep in the shower. Great fun was had by all.

The key to taking 9 kids and only 4 adults to the beach - count often. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 - yep we got them all. Well, except for once, but thankfully the wondering child had gone inland instead of the other direction.

And just for the record this is only 9 out of the 21 grandkids on Alex's side. It's quite a loud occasion when we get all together.

Just a few other pics of having fun with the cousins.

She looks surprised but it was quickly followed by a giant grin. The girl is a fish and loves the water.

Summer Days

Another Day at the Beach

I would really much prefer to live closer to family, but since we don't I'm glad it's close to the beach. It's so much fun.

Would you like a little sand
with your sandwich.

YUMMY

Don't ask me, I just took the picture,

but apparantly she doesn't mind sand in the mouth.

And then a little peace and quiet for mom and dad.

Brooke

This is What Happens...

when a close eye is not kept on Brooke. Evidently she turned on the back burner starting a little fire and tons of smoke. Thankfully it was Alex who found the flames and calmly extinguished the fire because I'm pretty sure I would have panicked. Good news though, I get a new dishrack. The old one was getting a little small for our growing family. And just for the record I don't usually keep the rack on the stove top, I just needed some extra counter space today.

Personal Best

A New Record For Me

I had my week's laundry (just clothes) all washed, dried, folded and put away by 9:30 am. Yep, you read that right 9:30 AM. This is my personal best record. To qualify, however, I had it all sorted and ready to go yesterday when I found out that the laundry room in our apartment complex was closed for repairs. So first thing this morning my laundry was ready to go. I climbed out of bed and in my pajamas (I'm sure no one could tell) walked down the short sidewalk to our laundry room and got an early start (truth be told I only got myself out of bed at 7 today). It also helped that my husband was home and was feeding the kids breakfast while I was folding the first batch. And thankfully the two older kiddo's are big enought to fold the entire white load and put them away. Although, I have often longed for the day when I don't have to go down the outside stairs, down the sidewalk and through the parking lot to do launry, I do enjoy being able to wash 3 loads at a time. It sure does speed things along. So really it wasn't just my personal record it was a group effort. I'm not trying to gloat, although, I have a very sinful heart so I'm sure there is that selfish motivation, but I'm again trying to monument that not all days end in a flop. There are days when things run smoothly and I get to enjoy the fact that my plans hadn't battled against God's plans.

More Please

One of Those Days

Every once in a while one of these kind of days happen. It's been a joy to be a mom today and I'm documenting it so I'll remember the good times. Somehow my mind remembers the tougher days, but let this be a monument that there are good days. The kids were by far not perfect (although this picture was the first shot in the series), but they were better behaved than normal.

Silly Things I'm Thankful For

1. The swimming pool in our apartment complex and for how well the kids sleep after a long evening swim.

2. A son who can sweep the kitchen floor (I hate that chore for some reason).

3. Fruit loops (I'm sure a bowl of fruit loops has got to be less calories than a bowl of ice cream)

4. Fixed plumbing in the apartment complex laundry room, clean laundry soon to follow.

5. Air Conditioning!!! (And a gracious husband who after seeing the electric bill still lets me run the air conditioner)

6. Days like today :)

This is Elias and Emma mimicing their silly Grandma and Grandpa with Elise.

Summer Days

She's Wet

And these are the culprits.

The rule: Get permission before squirting someone.

Unfortunately for Brooke she can't talk and thus her wants and dislikes are up for interpretation. I think for the most part, this time Elias had the right interpretation.

I think she's thirsty