pink Chinese slippers, child size: $0.99
matching blue Chinese slippers, adult size: $0.99
gas to and from the dollar store: about $0.99
another Mother-Daughter moment: priceless!
(* Click HERE for Reasons #1-10, a.k.a. "THANK GOD FOR LITTLE GIRLS")
Friday, May 25, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
CLOUD THIRTY-NINE
These happy grins are the best birthday present any Mom could ever get.
This year, my birthday came right in the middle of Spring Break. And, if you ask any of my kids what they did for Spring Break, chances are you'll get just one word out of them: picnic. Indeed, that's all we seemed to do for two weeks: 1) Find a park, 2) Eat, and 3) Play.
And, with the advent of today's mega-one-stop-shop supermarkets, picnics couldn't be easier to plan. In fact, I came out with four easy steps for a foolproof picnic HERE, just based on our recent Spring Break jaunts.
For my birthday, however, we mixed things up a bit. The kids and I were in the mood for something hot this time, so we drove through Taco Bell for a 10-pack of bean burritos prepared just the way we want it: with green salsa and onions. YUM!
Now, this would normally be an issue right in the dead of winter, with five gas-making factories in our family, but since we were headed for the park, with its wide-open spaces, I figured we were in safe territory.
So we went to the park, stopping at home first to leave a note for Dad. I knew Lorenzo would try to take off early from work so he could join us for my birthday. Sure enough, I was thrilled to see my husband's familiar blue sportscar pull up just as the kids made a beeline for the playset.
Now my birthday was complete!
When the sun finally set, we headed home to light the candles on my gourmet cheesecake brownie. Don't let the size fool you. That thing was so rich, a tiny wedge was enough to satisfy my cravings for both brownies and cheesecake!
And then we retired for the night. The very first night I was 39. Thirty-nine.
Sigh!
I guess I can now resign myself to the fact that I'm officially pushing 40. But that's okay.
These happy grins are the best birthday present any Mom could ever get.
This year, my birthday came right in the middle of Spring Break. And, if you ask any of my kids what they did for Spring Break, chances are you'll get just one word out of them: picnic. Indeed, that's all we seemed to do for two weeks: 1) Find a park, 2) Eat, and 3) Play.
And, with the advent of today's mega-one-stop-shop supermarkets, picnics couldn't be easier to plan. In fact, I came out with four easy steps for a foolproof picnic HERE, just based on our recent Spring Break jaunts.
For my birthday, however, we mixed things up a bit. The kids and I were in the mood for something hot this time, so we drove through Taco Bell for a 10-pack of bean burritos prepared just the way we want it: with green salsa and onions. YUM!
Now, this would normally be an issue right in the dead of winter, with five gas-making factories in our family, but since we were headed for the park, with its wide-open spaces, I figured we were in safe territory.
So we went to the park, stopping at home first to leave a note for Dad. I knew Lorenzo would try to take off early from work so he could join us for my birthday. Sure enough, I was thrilled to see my husband's familiar blue sportscar pull up just as the kids made a beeline for the playset.
Now my birthday was complete!
When the sun finally set, we headed home to light the candles on my gourmet cheesecake brownie. Don't let the size fool you. That thing was so rich, a tiny wedge was enough to satisfy my cravings for both brownies and cheesecake!
And then we retired for the night. The very first night I was 39. Thirty-nine.
Sigh!
Running after them keeps me young!
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
SWEETS FROM MY SWEETS
This year, Valentine's came one day early for me.
I was home, fighting the flu. My temperature reached 105 the day before. I also had pink eye on both of my eyes, earache on both of my ears, and a very sore throat which would later be diagnosed as tonsillitis.
Yes, I clearly needed some emergency lovin', and my family was only too happy to step in.
Lance and Daddy were the ringleaders, by virtue of being the only ones who were well. Reanna, who kicked off our big family flu love-in, was still checking in at the 100s, and Troy, who was home from school for almost a week, still ran 104 the day before. Unbeknownst to us sick folk, the two conspirators had already cased nearby supermarkets the day before for chocolate-covered strawberries, Mommy's favorite Valentine treat. Since none were being offered this year, they found the next best thing:
Just to let you know, I didn't mind sharing top-billing, as long as it was clear those strawberries on top were mine.
I guess I'd better explain. See, now that Reanna's big enough to understand, the boys decided that Valentines would be all about the girls in our family, not just Mommy. So aside from us sharing the cake, both of us got balloons too. Mine had a personal message from Daddy, while Reanna's displayed her new title, "Valentine Princess". I also got a handmade Valentine, especially designed by all of my boys, which was my most treasured present of all.
Finally, the tea was ready. We sang "Happy Valentine's Day" and blew the candles. Yes, candles. By now, you should know that no cake would ever be complete without candles in our home.
And then we attacked that picture-perfect cake. Yum.
We spent the rest of the evening making homemade Valentines to be given to Lance and Troy's classmates, but the biggest and best Valentines got to stay home with me.
Indeed, what could be sweeter?
This year, Valentine's came one day early for me.
I was home, fighting the flu. My temperature reached 105 the day before. I also had pink eye on both of my eyes, earache on both of my ears, and a very sore throat which would later be diagnosed as tonsillitis.
Yes, I clearly needed some emergency lovin', and my family was only too happy to step in.
Lance and Daddy were the ringleaders, by virtue of being the only ones who were well. Reanna, who kicked off our big family flu love-in, was still checking in at the 100s, and Troy, who was home from school for almost a week, still ran 104 the day before. Unbeknownst to us sick folk, the two conspirators had already cased nearby supermarkets the day before for chocolate-covered strawberries, Mommy's favorite Valentine treat. Since none were being offered this year, they found the next best thing:
Just to let you know, I didn't mind sharing top-billing, as long as it was clear those strawberries on top were mine.
I guess I'd better explain. See, now that Reanna's big enough to understand, the boys decided that Valentines would be all about the girls in our family, not just Mommy. So aside from us sharing the cake, both of us got balloons too. Mine had a personal message from Daddy, while Reanna's displayed her new title, "Valentine Princess". I also got a handmade Valentine, especially designed by all of my boys, which was my most treasured present of all.
Finally, the tea was ready. We sang "Happy Valentine's Day" and blew the candles. Yes, candles. By now, you should know that no cake would ever be complete without candles in our home.
And then we attacked that picture-perfect cake. Yum.
We spent the rest of the evening making homemade Valentines to be given to Lance and Troy's classmates, but the biggest and best Valentines got to stay home with me.
Indeed, what could be sweeter?
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
BACK IN THE TRAIN GANG
The Christmas Train, Sierra Railroad Dinner Train
December 12, 2006
Remember THIS?
These pictures were taken on the Sierra Railroad dinner train two years ago. Well, now, we're baack... with a slightly older cast this time around!
Troy's kindergarten class went on the SIERRA RAILROAD Christmas train for a field trip, so of course the rest of us just had to tag along. Well, most of us, anyway. Poor Lance couldn't join us because of school.
There was a strange feeling of deja vu as we waited to board that train. Two years ago, we capped our Thanksgiving dinner train trip by watching the newly-released movie, "The Polar Express". This time around, we were living it. The Christmas train's theme is...you guessed it: "The Polar Express"!
All the children were dressed in pajamas, their favorite stuffed toys in tow...
They also had elves, a conductor, and pajama-clad attendants serving cookies and hot chocolate.
But nothing compared to the grand finale of the trip: a visit from the man in red!
It was such a joy to see the looks of wonder cross my children's faces.
The train ride ended shortly after that. As we stepped back down on the tracks, we saw Santa one last time. He gave Troy a hug. The smile on my son's face was just priceless.
And now, all my kids are tucked warmly in their beds, with visions of snickerdoodles most likely dancing in their heads. I'm ready to retire myself, still hung over with the magic and wonder of it all. Who knows? Maybe I'll wake up to the sound of a steam engine waiting to pick me up in the middle of the night.
Now that's a pajama party I wouldn't want to miss!
The Christmas Train, Sierra Railroad Dinner Train
December 12, 2006
Remember THIS?
These pictures were taken on the Sierra Railroad dinner train two years ago. Well, now, we're baack... with a slightly older cast this time around!
Troy's kindergarten class went on the SIERRA RAILROAD Christmas train for a field trip, so of course the rest of us just had to tag along. Well, most of us, anyway. Poor Lance couldn't join us because of school.
There was a strange feeling of deja vu as we waited to board that train. Two years ago, we capped our Thanksgiving dinner train trip by watching the newly-released movie, "The Polar Express". This time around, we were living it. The Christmas train's theme is...you guessed it: "The Polar Express"!
All the children were dressed in pajamas, their favorite stuffed toys in tow...
They also had elves, a conductor, and pajama-clad attendants serving cookies and hot chocolate.
It was really good hot chocolate too, rich and creamy with marshmallows floating on top. Kids and kids-at-heart savored the sugar rush as they stared at the passing scenery. We sang Christmas carols, the parents getting a glimpse of the upcoming Christmas program, as their kids proudly demonstrated their sign language skills, singing and signing "Silent Night". The hobo from the movie came and sang to each table, and the kids got to sit on the floor in the train's aisle as an elf read them a Christmas story.
But nothing compared to the grand finale of the trip: a visit from the man in red!
It was such a joy to see the looks of wonder cross my children's faces.
The train ride ended shortly after that. As we stepped back down on the tracks, we saw Santa one last time. He gave Troy a hug. The smile on my son's face was just priceless.
And now, all my kids are tucked warmly in their beds, with visions of snickerdoodles most likely dancing in their heads. I'm ready to retire myself, still hung over with the magic and wonder of it all. Who knows? Maybe I'll wake up to the sound of a steam engine waiting to pick me up in the middle of the night.
Now that's a pajama party I wouldn't want to miss!
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