Suddenly, it's Summer
What are your summer plans?Besides my quest to find natural remedies for my newly diagnosed osteo-arthritis (currently drinking cherry juice (ack sour!), taking glucosamine, and venturing into yoga and possibly pilates)...we're going to do what Californians normally do in the summer time.
Go to the beach and make kelp skirts for the mermaid of the family.
Happy Summer!
Your Job This Summer...
Two nights home.In a row!
Two Monterey weekends, Friends, Drama, 2 lovely hotels, Monterey Bay Aquarium, a week in Sacramenthell, 1 crusty hotel, A's/Giants game, Papa's birthday, Pool Party....
Crazy busy.
Now the challenge this week is to really sink into a home routine now that school's out.
Juggling an 11 year old, a 9, and a 4 year old is freakin' WORK.
The 11 year old wants a car, a phone, and money. The 9 year old wants to be outside on his bike, scooter, or swimming. The 4 year old just wants to play dolls and house and birthday party and needs someone to play with her. Every. Single. Second.
How do you solve this impossible equation?
I'm not Einstein, or that curly-haired guy from Numbers.
Did you know that guy was also in The Santa Clause, as the head elf.
What was I saying?
Oh yeah, I'm not a magician.
I'm just a mom. Who needs an activity co-chair.
Inquire within.
There's no pay involved, only being a very special part of my summer sanity.
Anyone?
Okay, a slight reprieve, you can start next Monday.
Because this week is recital week and I've got a few days filled up. Then there's Father's Day on Sunday.
And studio movie day tomorrow.
So your job is to keep me sane and the kids from burning down the house.
Because our neighbor may do that all on his own.
Another story. Another time.
Bonus to you if you can find me something to do too.
On your marks, get set, go!
Shamu, Dolphins, Flamingos, Oh My!
Finally got to editing our Sea World photos.
Such an amazing, must-see place if you're down in San Diego!
The dolphins, the whales, the shows, oh my!
Dolphins are so cool!
Could you imagine this being your JOB!?
Did you know they could fly?
Grey Dolphin CAN Jump!
Oh and the Grand Poohbah! SHAMU! I will not show you the complete drench-ification he did to our family. I was wearing white and 3 of us had to purchase clothing to change into.
We were so close we could smell his fish breath.
With 2 day passes, we saw the show from the non-soak-zone a second time.
I could totally do that!
They even have a Cirque show...stunning...hubby and I are practicing this at home.
So pretty, but stinky!
How cute is this guy?
Dude, I know how you feel!
For more winners, check out Sarcastic Mom!
Legoland, Supah-Fun!
Ever been to Legoland?
Yes, they are actually excited, although DQ was skeptical about this "seems like it's for boys only" park.
Guess who sponsors the park?!
Everything is made out of Legos!
Lego-Engineer, my hubby's next job!
K never knew of Bob the Builder, but she didn't have to be 34" to meet him.
She actually could beat him in a fight, especially with the crown on! ;)
What did I tell you?
She is a rockin' driver!
Mommy doesn't like those drop your stomach rides!
I'll stick to taking the pics!
Putting these stations in line is the smartest thing!!
Someone's wheels are just turning for his next project!
Gettin' dizzy with it!
In the end, everyone had a BLAST! Even our almost 11 year old daughter!
If you have never been to Legoland, pick up some brochures, pack up the car, and hit the road!
A Thousand Pictures Thursday: The Padres, Some Pets, and a Friar
Driving down to SoCal takes a while.
About 8.5 hours each way.
There's a lot of this...
But, sometimes there's a highway bonus, thank goodness for the carpool lane, I say!
After checking into our hotel, we still had enough energy to do a little more.
And, by energy, we mean a major league baseball game!
Home of the San Diego Padres, with the visiting New York Mets.
For $12/person we get a hot dog, Coke, and the nosebleed seats.
Only in San Diego, would the ball park come complete with a sandbox!
What the...?! Those aren't the mascots, nope.
Remember, it's called Petco Park. Those are the pets.
Oh, and there's the mostly bald guy in the robe, looking slightly perverted.
Not a Muppet-Hugh Hefner, but a Friar, or San Diego "Padre."
Um. Okay.
A little skyline.
A little Gaslamp District.
A STUNNING moon-rise over the stadium.
Last but not least, a walk-off grand slam home run.
*okay this guy didn't hit it, but he could have*
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Notes from Campsite 79
Camping isn't my 'thing.'It's hubby's thing, and the kids like it too with conditions.
Conditions meaning they get to go tubing and kneeboarding on their uncle's boat.
I can hang on a boat all day, that's not bad.
But, the whole camping-dirt-smelling like burnt marshmallows and bug spray...eh!
A few things of note that I heard each early morning...
--a guy throwing up...dude, you're STEPS from the bathroom, run!
--those huge fan boats that sound like a lawn mower, but a million times louder!
--CRAZY-ass birds! They were so loud and mocking and I wish I was a good shot with My Boy's slingshot!
--snoring, loud snoring.
--skunks tearing into our mini-cereal boxes, their favorite was Honey Nut Cheerios.
Other camping realizations...
--you never realize how loud tent zippers are when they're undone at 3 in the morning for a potty break!
--hot dogs are the easiest food to make, plus when the ice melts in the cooler, they're still okay
--ice melts fast
--if you bring meat, cook it quickly
--buy ice often
--bring quarters for the shower
Next year you just might find me staying at the hotel at the Indian casino down the road!
Already a Rebel
My youngest child has no fear.We braved a water park for the first time, easy peasy.
She wanted to go on the mega-slides, but due to a height deficiency, she stuck to the little tubes.
You're only allowed to come down the tube on your back.
She came down twice on her tummy and got a-talking-to from the life guards.
And by a-talking-to, I mean she got the whistle blown at her twice.
You hear whistles all day and no one knows what's going on.
She had no idea they meant her.
They came over to me and told me, it was her last warning.
I told the lifeguard, "she's 3!" but I did relay the rules.
She obeyed.
And, went down about 57 more times.
I Spy Something Green
Summer, doncha just love it?!After spending a lovely day at the pool, with a delicious barbecue dinner (steak and Yaya's fabulosity of a potato salad)...it was time for dessert.
And by dessert I mean getting my drink on!
Melon liqueur to be exact, Midori.
So popping out the blender we decide on Midori Sours, um yum, yum.
Think green Jolly Rancher in a glass.
Ice, Midori, and Sweet and Sour, 'tis all.
Forgive the stanky pics, the lighting in the kitchen is horrid.
Give it a little blend.
Well, a lot of blend unless you like huge ice chunks in your drink.
Sans ice, it's a simple 2 parts Midori, 1 part Sweet and Sour.
Oh the deliciousness.
Cheers!
