some cute pics

Hot, hot, hot. Here we are beating the heat in Oak Glen. By the way, if you ever go with your kids, go to the candy store because these cute little marshmallows are only 50 cents and provide a fun treat. :)




Chris and I got a big laugh out of this pic because it looks like he is about to punch her, rather than kiss her. :)


p.s. How may men in their 60's can take a 50 milke bike ride with their friends? My dad is quite a guy! He's in the yellow and this was at a bike event in Ensenada.

random

*I love this pic my parents took at the L.A. Fair. Cam had a wonderful time and even got to have a slumber party at their house afterwards.



*Cam's school had, "bring your favorite food" day on Thursday. I thought it was such a cute idea. They each had a chart of the foods brought and a column of "like" and "dislike". The only food he didn't like were the chicken nuggets. He, of course, brought donuts with sprinkles. :)

*This morning was a rougher morning. The low point was when Cam sat, teary eyed, staring at his breakfast. He wouldn't eat because he had just heard a little cry fit from Kendall (I was actually in the garage with her...not even in the same room). It was difficult to get him to eat and get out of his funk, making him late for school. I was sad and discouraged. I had my moms' group and really didn't feel like going, nor doing anything but staying at home with Kendall. But I made myself go (mainly because I had signed up to bring bread). I'm really glad I did and it was fun to eat a good breakfast and talk with the other moms at my table.

*Speaking of bread, I made probably the best coffee cake I've had to date. Here is the recipe and it's super easy.

*I feel like Kendall's language has been taking off the past couple weeks. She is SOOO cute to listen to and has not only been repeating more of what we say, but remembering the words later. I could listen to her sweet voice all day.

*"The Event", was a hit with us and we will most likely season pass it.

*The thief who stole my backpack also rented two Redbox movies before we cancelled the card. Barbie and My Little Pony. Really, Mr. Thief? That is how you rent your kids movies???

*Chris's parents got the V-Reader for Cam for his birthday. He ADORES it. It isn't often he requests to play with a specific toy, however this one is ALWAYS asked for after dinner. It's a fun toy that reads books and then has games that have to do with the story's content.



*Why is the sound of water so calming? Our neighbors have three fountains in their front yard. Cam and Kendall play with them often and I always find myself enjoying the sound of them.

embracing my patheticness (yes, I know that isn't a word)

Today my parents picked Cam up from school to take him to the L.A. Fair. Last text I got was that they were enjoying a funnel cake. I can't wait to hear all about it. As with every day, I had a blank slate of an afternoon to fill with Kendall (she only naps in the morning). We started out at Barnes and Noble, where she snuggled almost every stuffed animal they had on display. We next headed to Target. I honestly had absolutely nothing I needed to get. I almost left my wallet in the car, however rethought that after my incident a few days ago. :)

As she was running around the clothing department, I found myself thinking, "Am I the only mom to come to Target with no intention of buying anything?" This trip for us is actually not unusual at all! I often frequent stores like Target (or Big Lots and Marshalls, which followed today's Target visit) with the one goal to A) Let my kids walk around and look at things and B) Kill time. However I soon decided that I don't care if it's pathetic. My kids are getting out of the house, seeing new and interesting things, and I'm given a break of providing my own entertainment for them for a couple hours. So I'm embracing my patheticness!!

Dear Mr. Criminal,
What an interesting strategy you had yesterday. Wait until a mom comes to pick up her son from school. Correctly assume that she would leave her backpack (purse) in the front seat while she went to pick up her kid. Use those precious 5 minutes to smash her window and steal the backpack. You were also so quick! Using my credit cards within 10 minutes of your theft! Wow! And to then use my Starbucks card to get yourself a treat? Job well done.

Sincerely,
Kelly

Yes, my car was broken into yesterday and my wallet and phone were among the most valuable things taken. The creepy part is that we really do think someone was watching, just waiting for someone to drive up, knowing they would leave their belongings in the car since they just had to run inside. I think even more frustrating than my stuff being taken (because you can cancel credit cards), was the $300 we will now have to pay for a new window. I could think of A LOT of other things that money needs to be spent on.

Chris came right over and helped talk to the police and wrangle Kendall. Cam's sweet teacher let him stay in class for 45 minutes while we worked things out. Not the best day, but at least we are all safe.

p.s. That isn't a pic of my window...just one I found.
p.p.s. Yes, I assumed this was a male (by referring to "him"). Yes, I know women commit crimes too. :)

show and tell

Each week, Cam has show and tell at his school. He gets excited helping me pick out what he is going to bring. We had been playing with one of my puppets and he was excited when I suggested he share, Matilda. :) We always rehearse what he will say when he shares his toy, since this is a big social situation for him (making eye contact with the other kids, talking to them, etc.). He still has never said what we rehearse, but we'll keep practicing. :)

Before we practiced, we played his new favorite grape game with dad. After he got the giggles out, we rehearsed with Matilda.

numbers

100.5: Temp my sweet boy went to bed with. He has been running a fever for 2 days now. Today he fell asleep while playing in his room at 4:45. We scooped him up and put him to bed for the night.

22: Pounds of chicken we BBQ'd, bagged, and froze tonight. We are set for months!

$5.30: The cost of my Frugos yogurt tonight...had I paid. I had my free one off my punch card so I LOADED it up!

4: Times Chris had to put Kendall's clip back in her hair when they were at the mall today. I need to teach him how to put it in so it will stay :).

$10: What I will try to get for my Baby Bjorn tomorrow at a freinds' yard sale. They are letting us put a few things out. I think that is a pretty good deal considering how much those things cost!

11: Number of Fresh Beat Bands we have on Tivo.

5: Clifford the Big Red Dog books I got from the library. He is Cam's new favorite.

0: Probably the number of people I know who are also NOT on Faccebook. Not quite sure why I can't bite the bullet.

one million dollars

A while back I posed a question to some of my friends. When I ask this, you might think there is no right answer. You would be wrong. There IS a right answer.

Would you be willing to have your taste buds removed for 1 million dollars?

The right answer? Absolutely not!! Now, before you give me your song and dance of 1. It would be so cheap because you wouldn't want to go out to restaurants all the time 2. You could eat so healthy at every meal 3. It would be super easy to lose weight... let me say that I agree with those points. However you must really think about what you are giving up. Don't you look forward to a wonderful meal out at your favorite restaurant? Smelling brownies baking in the oven isn't quite as good as actually tasting them, right? Isn't it fun to make Christmas cookies and sit down together for Holiday meals? There are SOO many wonderful events that are based around delicious food. I would argue that you wouldn't enjoy Christmas dinner if you had to stare at all those faces of pure delight (induced by yummy food), while you ate food that tasted like nothing.

So, while I would love to hear your thoughts on the question, I do reserve the right to argue with you if you disagree. :)

p.s. And how long would one million last you anyway!??