Spring Break

Spring Break we found ourselves - you guessed it - in Long Beach.  We were going to go to Catalina but the kids really wanted to stay in Long Beach.  The weather was beautiful.  It couldn't have been more perfect.  The girls reminisced about when they were just wee ones and could ride on the little toys.  They gave it another try for old times sake.

Easier said then done.

Each day we made at least one bike trip into town.  Each day we made at least one trip to Yogurtland.  Oh my is it yummy.  You get to pour your own and they charge you by the weight.  Yummy. This is Danielle's yogurt.  Please note that her foot in the picture wearing her cute new sandals and turquoise nail polish.

Ok, this right here is heaven.  Mint and Chocolate mixed together with Oreo cookie on top.  The Strawberry Bannana with strawberries.  Yumm.  I would have taken a picture of Ken's creation but he was already digging in.

Tomorrow back to reality.

Thoughts

B. D. Gulledge : I used to sit on the banks with a raft and watch the water roll lazily by. One day I pushed my raft into the shallows of the water and found the water moved swifter than I thought. My raft was actually a boat. Then, after some time, I rowed my little boat into deeper water. There were great storms, mighty winds, tremendous waves, and sometimes I felt so alone. But I have noticed my little rowboat is now a mighty ship manned by my friends and loved ones; and beautiful calm seas, warm sunny days, and nights filled with comfortable dreams always double after a storm. Now, I could never go back and sit on the bank. In fact, I search for deeper water. Such is life when lived.

Your Invited

Little Rascals

For Christmas my Dad gave me a few CD's of old family photos.  When I came across this one my first thought was I am related to Alfafa on Little Rascals.  Look at that tie with the little overalls.  The best part is the hair cut.  All this little guy needs is a little hair sticking up straight in the air.  This picture is a classic.

Then check out this little gem.  That's my Uncle Ken with the hat on and my Dad in the front. Check out those chaps.  Them's big boy chaps.

There must be a little Darla in this picture.  Look even in the picture someone is being a little rascal.
Finally one that isn't as old as the others (circa 1969).  These three little rascals - Jill, Troy and Lisa.  Look at that -- just the way I remember. Matching outfits.  Check out the way I used to be able to pull off pink hot pants.  Oh for the good old days.

The Other Mother - Lisa

A few years ago I picked up a little book called Coraline in the children's section of the bookstore. I remember reading it and thinking that it was really kind of unusual and strange for children.

Now just a few years later it has been made into a movie. Done by the same director of The Nightmare Before Christmas it looks very intriguing. In the story Caroline goes to a different world where all the adults have button eyes. See above, that is the Other Mother Lisa. At first the Other Mother seems much better than her real Mother. But as you might quess, the Other Mother isn't really what she seems. I have read the book and not seen the movie but I say don't be afraid of it. It's a good ol' fashioned fright for kids that's not too much. Now I am talking about older kids. I wouldn't read it to a 5 year old. How about 5th grade and up. Also check out the movie website it lets you make your own button-eyed picture as well as other entertaining activities. You could make an Other Mother picture for your own children to remind them to love you the way you are! Finally as always read the book before you see the movie.

Snow What!

Last week the mountains were covered with snow and I wanted to take my girls to do some pictures. On Tuesday after work I told them to glamorize and load up some lip gloss and a chair so we could go to Wrightwood. Our trusty driver Cap'n Ken drove us up and I got a few shots off the side of the road. Here are my Girls looking cute as ever.


I told them to toss some snow


Cap'n Ken thought meant he was suppose to throw snow also.

This is what happened when he realized he wasn't suppose to throw snow.

There wasn't much sun when we got there so Ken thought we should chase the sun. We drove through Wrightwood and down past the Girls camp to Jackson Lake (which is really a pond). When we got there this lovely lady and her dog were there. She had gotten locked out of her car. I took pictures and Ken tried to get her car open with a hanger. It was getting very cold and starting to get dark as well. She had walked to a nearby cabin and used their phone to call her husband. She just got the message machine. Her dog had the most beautiful eyes. She had the most lovely French accent.

We tried to talk her in to coming with us into town where we could get cell phone reception until she made contact with her husband. She wouldn't budge she was sure she would be fine. She mentioned the picture taking and said she dabbled in photography of horses. She mentioned she posts her photos on her website. I got the URL . OK if that is dabbling then I shouldn't even get out my camera .We drove into town and tried tirelessly to get in touch with her husband. Then we called AAA to come unlock the door for her. They said they needed at least and hour and a half to get there and then they kept calling us because they couldn't figure out where we were. We stopped at the store for munchies while we were waiting.


Finally we decided to go back to the lake just to see if she was OK since it was dark and cold. She was gone. When we got home Ken contacted her through her website to make sure she was OK.

Now I didn't mention that in the midst of all this we shoveled snow into the back of the truck so that Dani could leave it on Cameron's front yard as part of her invitation to Backwards.

Pictures taken - check
New friend rescued - check
Tasty Snacks - Check
Backwards invitation - Check
Beautiful snow and sunset - Check
A few hours of out of the ordinary family time - Check

This just in: a link to the photo's from Christine that she took of her dog that same day before we arrived. Almost enough to make me want a dog.

My Valentine

val·en·tine
Pronunciation:\ˈva-lən-ˌtīn\
Function:
noun
Date:
15th century
1: a sweetheart chosen or complimented on Valentine's Day
2 a: a gift or greeting sent or given especially to a sweetheart on Valentine's Day ; especially : a greeting card sent on this day b: something (as a movie or piece of writing) expressing uncritical praise or affection

I love my Valentine!