angel's game

*Chris and a friend took the kids to an Angel's game this past week. This was the kids' first professional game and they had a blast.

*Kendall loves preparing/creating festivities. She likes typing up invitations, creating menus, and preparing meals. This past Friday she purchased several Halloween themed items (plates, bowls, etc.) and made dinner for the family, complete with a dance performance following the meal. :)

*Saturday morning we walked to a new bakery in town. Chris and I agreed it was the best scone we had ever had and Kendall said the same about the muffin...so I'm thinking a return visit is in our future.

*Later  we headed to the desert. We started out at Barnes and Noble and ended up at Costco.

*I think I've mentioned how much Cameron loves maps. He also equally loves his bike rides as of late. This morning on our walk, I was SO impressed when he showed me what he had done. Posted at a few places around the neighborhood, he created and posted signs with directions (i.e. naming that stretch of path, listing the miles to certain other locations, etc.). LOVE IT!

chocolate cake shake

*On Friday night, Kendall and I went out to dinner, just the two of us. I let her pick the place, which ended up being Portillo's. She loved the chocolate cake shake for dessert (chocolate shake with a smashed up piece of cake inside). :)

*Saturday morning was a big bike ride with Cam and my dad. It was the perfect weather and we had a great time.

*Later that night we had family movie night. Our recent series has been the Jurassic Park movies. We watched the latest/last one. Kendall was responsible for the dessert. :)

*Right now we are in the phase where the kids attend different church services...which means Chris and I attend different church services. While this isn't at all our ideal Sunday morning, it does allow Cam and I a long morning to kill, which makes for some good bike rides (walks for me).

*We are about to head out to the 99 cent store to get some Halloween decorations. Over the last few years I've adopted the idea of buying cheap decorations. That way, it's fun for the kids to pick out new ones each year and I don't have to find a place to store them since I can just throw them away!

*This morning, on the way to church, I decided to treat myself to a Cold Brew frosted coffee from McDonald's, only to find out they don't carry them anymore!!!! Ugh.

*Chris and I are on the last episode of Jack Ryan. It has been such an edge-of-your seat series! The kids and I watch, Kids Baking Championship on the Food Network. I like it just as much as they do!

food stuff

*I've been trying to add more protein to my diet since I'm not the biggest meat eater. My new favorite snack as of late consists of plain Greek yogurt mixed with peanut butter powder and cereal. It is such a yummy combo.

My cereal to yogurt ratio is about 60/40 because I love it super crunchy.

*Kendall is still a huge fan of Pirate Booty.

*I was very excited this week to made a veggie dish that the kids didn't like, but loved! They dipped them in either sour cream or ketchup.

 Cauliflower Fritters

*Chris and I have never been fish people. I actually enjoy salmon, but just have never cooked it and other things always sound tastier on a menu when we go out. I bought some salmon burgers from Costco, knowing how good for you the fish is. I was quite happy that the kids really enjoy them also.

life lately

*Last weekend we headed up north for the three day weekend. We had such a great time with Chris' parents and celebrating Cam's birthday with them. Some highlights:

Playing outside on the swing.

Cam's big birthday lunch with more family.

I snagged this pic without Cam knowing. When he was younger, he would always sit out with the dog...giving himself a little down time.

Happy Birthday, Cam!

Cam has really been into bike riding. He goes on a ride most every afternoon. For his cake, I made little bike paths (Kendall made the street signs) with the phone poles (made with toothpicks and dental floss) that line the majority of his path.

Poor Cam and Wayne lost hugely at Monopoly.

On our way home from dinner one night, we stopped for gas and Cam received his first lesson in pumping. :)

Theme of Cam's presents? Lego ;)

FUN WEEKEND! :)

*Celebrated my mom's birthday this past week. She sure doesn't look like a grandma of five! ;)

*What? You've never given a guinea pig and bath, complete with blow dry?

*I've started going for a walk during Cam's daily rides and he'll often meet up with me somewhere along the trail.

My walks have really become a nice way for me to wind down after my day. I've kind of become a podcast nut and look forward to listening each day.

*When we drove up north, we stopped to get what still is the BEST iced coffee around.

12

*Tomorrow we will officially have a preteen in the house. We celebrated Cam's 12th tonight and let him choose the evening's activities. He first wanted a family walk at Diamond Valley Lake in Hemet. I had never been and it's beautiful. I think next time my dad will join us and bikes will be involved.

Afterward, Cam chose his favorite food (hamburgers) at his favorite restaurant, Red Robin.  Then he chose Sonic as his dessert location. So far (between my parents and us), Legos have again been the theme of his birthday. We'll celebrate this weekend up north with Chris' parents.

*A few nights ago I tried veggie burgers on the kids. I called them "healthy burgers", so as not to turn them off right away. They were very sweet and ate most of them, however these comments were also made:
Cam: "Um, they look like our piggy food all mashed together."
Kendall: "How can they be burgers if they aren't made of meat?" (I blame Chris for that logic!)

keurig

*I've been back to work for a few weeks now. We moved locations and I decided to take on decorating our assessment room (where we meet with parents and assess the preschoolers). I was quite proud of my work, however Cameron quickly pointed out to me that I don't have enough tentacles. :)

We also moved offices and now share one big room with the district nurses as well as the Occupational Therapists. Chris bought me a, "back to school" gift in the form of a Keurig for my office. I set it up and everyone brings their own pods. I texted him a picture the day I used it.

My mom introduced the kids to rock decorating. Apparently it's a "thing" in the Redlands area. Kids decorate, hide, and find rocks in various locations. Kendall decorated an extra Harry Potter one for my office. :)

*Our back to school tradition for several years has been dinner at Red Robin the night before the first day. This year we surprised them with a treat at the end..mud pie.

*I can't believe I have a middle school kid!!:(

*I'm really into this show right now. I've read a few books written by former Scientologists and I find it all pretty fascinating and disturbing.

*Monopoly has been back in full force this summer. I would say I participate in about 10% of the games played. Chris does the rest. I like the game...they can just go soooo long. :)

return to me

*We took another trip to Thurman Flats last week with some friends. I need to remind myself not to take for granted the fact that we live so close to the mountains and beautiful places like this.

 

*Every summer we take a trip to IKEA. It's a bit of a drive, but it's something to do and the kids always look forward to the cinnamon rolls for lunch. :)

  

 

Like I mentioned, they have enjoyed those cinnamon rolls over the years... :)

  

*We've been letting Cam venture out a little further on his bike rides. He takes his walkie-talkie and has to check in every 10 minutes. He enjoys the increased independence ;)

 

*Our most recent, "family movie series" has been the Jurassic Park movies. Saturday was our last one before we have to wait for the next one to hit Redbox. :)

 

*I start work on Wednesday. The kids left yesterday for my in-laws, where they will stay for a week. This always helps us out during the time between when I start and they start school. Right now I'm relaxing while watching Return to Me. Not to sound old, but why can't they make movies like this (meaning clean) anymore??

p.s. Just want to say a big THANKS to Debbie and Wayne for taking the kids this week, especially considering my kids wake rather early...as in 4:45 this morning!!!. This is due to the excitement of being there...or maybe the fantastic breakfasts (and all other meals!) Debbie makes. :)