saturday

*All week Chris and I had been brainstorming what to do yesterday knowing how hot it would be. The desert was out (I'm all for hot weather, but I'm not going to put my kids through 120 degree heat just to have something to do!). Anything else we thought of was either going to be too crowded or too expensive.

So...we started out with a bike ride to the donut shop before things heated up too much.  It's nice now that I can actually get a jog in while the kids ride. :) They like it better since they don't have to stop at every street and wait for me to catch up walking.

That was followed by the library where we also checked out a movie for the afternoon. We watched Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.  I had not seen it in probably 25 years. What a cute movie and boy did it made me excited to show the kids other ones like Swiss Family Robinson and Pollyanna. :)

It was a low key day but pretty fun. :)

*One more day until the end of the month and I'm proud to say I only went about $15 over my goal of spending $375 on groceries. :)  I will say that Monday morning will include a LARGE grocery trip as our fridge looks like a single person lives here. :)  However I made it through the month (almost) and I'm pretty darn proud! :)

*While I'm a HUGE, HUGE chocolate fan, I never really crave chocolate bars.  I more want brownies, cake, or cookies.  However when it does come to straight chocolate, I've decided that Dove by far is the best when it comes to the dark variety.

*I'll be honest and say that this past week Chris and I had a serious discussion about giving Zoe away. We are tired of the chewing, digging, and the money we spend on her upkeep.  The kids like her but don't play with her as much as we had hoped. She also tugs nonstop when I attempt to walk her.  However when we broached the subject with the kids, Cam did NOT take to it.  AT ALL. Looks like Zoe is here to stay. :)

the past few days...

*Camp TLC (like VBS) started this week at church.  The kids are having a great time and I'm really enjoying teaching my cupcake class.  Here is one from today...

*We recently discovered a bike path near our house that is great practice for Kendall.  No cars, just a straight path. She's getting better and better.

*Tonight Chris took Kendall to "Daughter Daddy Date Night" put on by Chick Filet.  Each girl got a rose and Kendall's favorite part was a chocolate fountain. :)

*Costco trip today:

-Eggs
-Feta
-Frozen veggies
-Bananas
-Tortillas
-Skinny Cow

I don't remember the last time I made an impulse purchase as I'm trying super hard to stick to our grocery budget.  However when Chris told me about this chocolate hazelnut whipped cream he saw at Costco last week, I've kept thinking how yummy it would taste on my Skinny Cow concoctions. So I broke down and bought some today...and I'm just about to head into the kitchen to give it a whirl. :)

so far...so fun :)

Since logistically it wouldn't have worked for the four of us to go up north to my in-laws this weekend, Chris and I decided to have a daddy/Kendall and mama/Cameron weekend. Chris and Kendall left yesterday morning and my little guy and I have been enjoying lots of one on one time.

Knowing Cam is not my "find something to do and fart around" child, I knew I needed to plan lots of activities.  Yesterday morning we started out with a fun playdate in Oak Glen.  The afternoon held his last swim class :(

This morning we stopped to get him his favorite bagel at Panera Bread, then met my parents for a fun bike ride.  My sweet dad had driven out to Riverside the day before to scope out a bike trail he had heard about.  The trail starts out at an awesome park (that we will definitely be returning to!!).

We partially followed the Santa Ana River Trail and afterward my dad and I started brainstorming ways to make a ride to the beach happen (adults, not kids) because it was really fun.  Cam enjoyed it as well, despite a few, "(sigh), how much longer?"

Right now I'm relaxing while Cam watches a new Anime movie (I still cannot understand the fascination with these movies!) we found at the library.  Tonight is a birthday party for a school friend and tomorrow is church and going to see Monsters University.  :)

randoms

*Last night I had leftover spaghetti sauce.  I decided to make "spaghetti pizza" instead of noodles.  I made this crust, which was really tasty.  I just topped it with the leftover sauce and some mozzarella cheese.  It was super yummy...

*Yesterday we went to the Fingerprints Museum.  The kids adore this place.  It's kind of a Pretend City on an Inland Empire scale...hehehe :)

I love how Kendall was so into playing with this dollhouse, yet she NEVER plays with the one she got for her birthday!!!

*Yesterday I told Cam if he tattled one more time I would take away a minute from his computer time. Sure enough he tattled. He then asked, "Mom, will you add that minute to tomorrow's time?"  Um... no!!! :)

*I thought his exit from the opening limo was super cheesy, but Zak is actually now my running favorite.

*Lately we've started "throwing away" Kendall's bad attitudes.  I also eat them (which involves putting the attitude in my mouth and then telling her what disgusting thing it tastes like).  It actually works pretty well and helps her snap out of it.  However sometimes I do need to eat it more than once. :)

a day of firsts for kendall

First 1st:
Today we practiced riding without training wheels...or at least attempting...

Second 1st:
I've grown tired of the same lunches I feed the kids.  It's either PB sandwich, grilled cheese, or a tuna sandwich.  Despite turning their nose prior when I've had them taste refried beans, I decided to make them give it another try. Granted, I used a little incentive in the form of one of those cookies I blogged about yesterday, but they actually liked their first bean and cheese burrito more than I thought!!

Third 1st:
I have been dragging my feet on getting rid of the pacifier ("pie") simply because I've heard kids many times give up their naps when you take it away.  However when we went to my friend's house this past weekend, she told Kendall all about how her daughter had a visit from the "Pie Fairy" and was left with a Pillowpet.  Kendall really latched onto this idea and thus, today the Pie Fairy paid a visit during nap.  I put the Pillow Pet in a pretty bag and even had a card from the Pie Fairy telling her what a big girl she was. We shall see what tonight brings. I'll admit I'm a little nervous about how she'll sleep. :)

amazing friends and amazing cookies

Today we drove out to OC to visit my friend Jen and her family.  We had such a fun time as adults as well as kids (the kids get along great which is always fun to see).  They swam and swam and are both heading to bed early tonight. :)

I recently came across a cookie recipe which uses avocado.  Since my kids rarely eat them, I thought hiding them in a cookie was a good idea.  These cookies are AWESOME. 1.You cannot tell in the least that they are made with avocado 2.They are sooo fudgy and rich. 3. For a cookie, they are pretty darn healthy. I love, love, love them!!!!

The real recipe has more chocolate chips and double the sugar, neither of which were needed.

Flourless Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 avocados
1/2 cup plus 2 tsp. packed brown sugar
1/2 cup dark chocolate cocoa (I buy dark at Walmart & I think it's needed since I cut down on sugar)
2 tsp. baking soda
2 eggs
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Mash avocados with a fork.  Add remaining ingredients until well combined.  Drop tablespoon-fulls onto greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 for approx. 8-10 minutes.  I let mine underbake so that they appear almost doughy still when I take them out.  YUM.

summer fun

In the hopes of alleviating the, "What are we going to do today?" question both kids give me each morning, I created a summer calendar.  I'm still working on the concept that just because there is a calendar with some events already on it, doesn't mean that every single day of summer will be filled with fun outings. :)  We are still working on that concept :)

Today one of our activities was a super cute craft I found on Pinterest for Father's Day.

We also went to the grocery store.  Why?  Because given the choice of ANY dessert for dinner tonight (to celebrate kinder graduation), Cam chose Jello.  Really?  Is he my son?  Blek!!!  I tried for at least cupcakes or something!!!  Nope.  Strawberry Jello it was! :)

my kinder graduate

Today Cameron had his kindergarten celebration at school.  He had been a bit emotional about it the previous day, but he did great and it was a sweet time for the parents and kids. :)

And now to swim lessons.  We started Monday and Cam has LOVED it.  He is fearless and it's so fun to watch him.  Kendall...hmmm...not so fearless and not so in love with it. :)  The statement, "Are we going to go under water?" is heard quite frequently, with tears thrown in occasionally.  Cam spent most of her lesson today in the restroom so he wouldn't have to see her cry.  I know she'll get better, though, so I'm not too concerned. :)

Quote of the day from Kendall:

"Mom, how does God get us to heaven?  Do we just jump really high (demonstrating to me her best jump)??"  :)

weekend

Yesterday morning started out with our yearly tradition of going to the Cherry Festival parade. The kids loved dancing to the various floats blaring their music.  I know this is my second video I'm posting in only a few days (and I never want to be one of those parents who thinks everyone is as interested as I am in kid videos), but this is TOO funny not to share.  It's only 15 seconds :)

Last night we went out to eat with some friends, whom we hadn't hung out with kid-free in far too long!  And thanks to a giftcard I had saved from my birthday, our night took place at only the best...The Cheesecake Factory. :)

Yesterday morning Chris accidentally missed his bootcamp class.  After posting why he has missed it on their Facebook page, the owner texted him exactly what exercises they did.  So this morning we went to the park and while he blew me away, I did the best I could in keeping up. :)  The kids surprisingly played well the entire time!

You can tell by his face that this was AFTER the workout. :)

I just love this sweet pic of the kids during what I'm sure will be today's highlight, a trip through the car wash :)

randoms

*My stance on "no nuts in dessert" has softened.  I realized this the other day when Cam asked me what my favorite candy bar was and I answered Snickers and Peanut M&M's.  Fruit and dessert is still a big no-no. :)

*I'm REALLY enjoying the new show, Family S.O.S with Jo Frost.  It is a tad disturbing to watch and makes me sad, but on the flip side it has some really touching/redeeming parts.

*Last night was leftovers and I reheated some enchiladas for the kids from the freezer.  I realized I can't freeze sauce that contains milk.  It came out quite chunky.  I also bombed with their veggies as the squash I bought in the bargain bin at our fruit stand tasted nasty.  So basically their whole dinner was a bust. They were quite excited when daddy offered to take them to Wendy's for a cheeseburger. :)

*Bachelorette talk: I could tell from the first five minutes of each one on one date this past week that it wasn't going to work.

This guy just didn't rub me the right way...

What a sweet guy...but just not spunky and outgoing enough for her...

spelling bee

You know when you have those moments where you just feel like you love your kid so much you could burst?  While I realize that sounds cheesy, I write it because I know any mom can relate. :)  Last night was one of those moments as I watched our little guy stand up on a stage in front of tons of people.  He had won his class' spelling bee and was able to participate in the school wide spelling bee.

I can't begin to tell you how cute he was up there at the microphone. He was so composed and so completely opposite the kid who, three years ago, buried himself in his teacher's chest during his Christmas performance with his Autism preschool class.

While he exited during the second round (he misheard "end" and spelled "and"), his little cheering section consisting of us and my parents couldn't have been more proud.  Here is a 20 second clip...

I asked him what treat he wanted afterward for doing such a great job.  A donut it was. :)

what we've been up to

*This past weekend we went up north to my in-laws' to celebrate my MIL's retirement.  Her retirement party was really fun (37 years!!), despite me not taking one picture :(  We also:

...went to Bravo Cheese Farm (a fun stop if you are on the 99)...

...played in a golf tournament (Chris, his dad, brother, and aunt)

...went to school with Chris' mom on her last day.  The kids got to play games with her students, like wrapping Cam up like a mummy. :)

*I attempted a cash envelope system for groceries last month.  I gave myself $375.  I'm proud to say that I only went about $15 over. :)  Granted, we went out of town last Wednesday with a very low fridge, so I'm not assuming we'll hit this amount every month, but I feel like it's at least a good and reasonable goal.  I love doing cash instead of hassling with writing everything down or keeping receipts. :)

*I introduced the kids to Adventures in Odyssey recently.  I LOVED, LOVED these when I was a kid.  Luckily my parents kept all my cassette tapes plus had a cassette player I could borrow to try them out on the kids.  They both really enjoy them and I'm excited to have something else in our arsenal for road trips.

*Last night I made a delicious couscous dish.  It was so fresh tasting and both kids really liked it!!  I made a few substituions veggie wise, but the dressing and fresh parsley I think is what made it so great.