WHAT I AM DOING RIGHT NOW

Word Search with Finn

BABYSITTING 101

Tried and Tested methods of successful babysitting.......

Make sure you have a Nintendo Wii

Horror Movie with 2 Liters of Caffeinated Soda

Internet Time 

Accepting Friend Requests on Twitter & Facebook

One on One Time with Attack Dog

Reading Banned Library Books

Don't feel to bad if the parents don't ask you to babysit again......

just remember how much fun their little one had at your home! 

Finn loved showing her how to use his computer

All kidding aside.....we had an incredible evening babysitting Chloe on Sunday evening.  It was comical watching her follow Finn around and want to try everything he was doing.  She was in love with his Star Wars computer and would take it with her to the corner of the living room so no one else could use it, namely Finn.

                          

 Chloe & Me

Anytime Kara and Mark....she is a joy to babysit! I know why mother cherishes her Saturdays with Chloe, hey that sounds like a good title for a childrens book....."Saturdays with Chloe". I just may try writing it!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

  Cherryl & Robert

  43 YEARS Today

 Balboa Park

Fountain of Love

 Love Eternal

 The look on my mother's face is priceless.

My father was leaning in....

I love you both so much and can't express enough how glad I am that you found each other and have remained friends, lovers and most importantly....my parents throughout 4 decades!!!!

Love always,

Tiffiney

THERE IS A PARK...........

There is a park.......where poison oak grows under live oak trees.

There is a park.......where rattlesnakes make appearances during the heat of the day.

There is a park.....where Finn and Memphis love to play.

It is the South Buena Vista Park.

Why oh why is this their favorite park?

Isn't parenting stressfull enough without poison oak and rattlesnakes?

Last Saturday the sun was shining after 5 days of rain and thunderous skies.  The rain was a nice change to our usual weather but after a week of incessant rain, cabin fever had set in with Finn.

Grandma Violet was heading to South Buena Vista Park to enjoy the sunshine and invited Finn and I along to enjoy the outdoors.  How could I say no, especially since this is Finn's favorite park.

The lighting was beautiful Saturday!

The rain washed away all the grime and everything felt so fresh and alive.

Finn

Swingtime in the Sunshine

I forgot to mention, this park is dog friendly.  The park  provides water bowls and disposable bags for dog waste.  Sophie and Sadie had a ball.  I'll let you in on a little secret, I always feel safer at this park accompanied by dogs.  If I were a snake,  I would stay clear of  wild, slobering, overly excited labradors.

 Finn and Grandma Violet

near Indian Rock

Let me know when you want to visit South Buena Vista Park, I would be more than happy to be your guide......just make sure you wear high boots.  Teasing......or am I?

SOFTBALL SEASON ARRIVES

The Winter/Spring Softball season will be busier than last year...........two "Gustafson Girls" will be playing, both girls tried out on Sunday.  Kirra in 14 and under and Kayla 12 and under.  Due to the heavy rainfall last week, they moved the tryouts to an indoor Athletic Training Center to save the grass on the playing fields. 

Kirra ready for Catching Action

Being the amazing family that we are (yes I will brag), we were there for support, minus Uncle Todd this year....he just couldn't pass up the Colt/Jet football game.  He should have come....they had the game on at the tryout/Athletic Center, live and learn!

Praying they catch the ball, we were able to watch from above....

both girls did awesome!!

Kayla Catching

Kirra Catching

For any of you wondering how we keep Finn in such optimal physical health,

3 hours a day on and a Exercycle

Finished result.....total exhaustion! 

Batter up,
Gustafson Girls!

FIT TO EAT

Last week my mother shared some new recipes she found in the February issue of  "Living" magazine.....all heathlier versions of classic dishes.  She was kind enough to pass the magazine off to me to try them out, and try I did. 

Page 132

\

Chicken Parmigiana

(Healthier Version)

 

Recipe called for Chicken Breast (Boneless & Skinless) but I had fresh Chicken Tenderloins on hand, so I used them instead.  Coated in egg whites, Italian Parsley, Dried Oregano and Whole Wheat Crackers.

Next comes the homemade sauce, whole peeled tomates with 1/2 an onion and 2 cloves of fresh garlic, pureed in blender with 1/2 tsp salt.  You top it with low fat/skim mozzarella cheese and romano, a little goes a long way.

I love when the finished product looks like the picture.

 

Fit & Healthy

All three of us devoured our dinner, I would never have guessed it was lower in fat/calories than its more traditional counterpart.  Chloe was over Sunday night and enjoyed leftovers with me, she kept waiting for more. 

(The dressing on the salad is my Uncle Keith's Pine Valley Lodge Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe,  it makes it very hard to go back to store bought/bottled dressings and it was very easy to make.)

Let me know if you want the recipe's, I would be more than happy to email them to you. 

Here's to a fitter more healthier year!

Merci Mother!

Friday Night at the Museum

Friday night Todd took us to the Reuben H Fleet Science Center/Museum at Balboa Park to see "Under the Sea" in IMAX.  This was Finn's first IMAX film under the dome.   The Reuben H Fleet Science Center is in the heart of Balboa Park, so not only do you get to enjoy the Science Center...you can walk around and absorb all the park has to offer.

For those of you who live in San Diego, Friday is the perfect night to visit.....they call it "Friday at the Fleet" and tickets are 1/2 price. I absolutely love a bargain.

Finn & Mommy

Casa De Prada

Todd and Finn

Am I lucky....they come home with me!!!

                 The Dome..........recently renovated!

After the film we headed to the interactive part of the Science Center which is free with your ticket purchase.  There are many different exhibits and experiements that are hands on and perfect for all ages.  We will be coming back soon, we stayed till closing!! 

See you at the Fleet on Fridays!!!

1976 Revisited

Last week I revisited 1976.......no I was not on drugs and I didn't time travel.  I was dropping my son off at preschool.

It was early morning, chilly outside.....Finn and I had walked into the drop off vesitbule, I signed him in and then proceeded to his classroom.  When I opened the door I was instantly surrounded with warmth from the heater & Peter, Paul & Mary's rendition of "Puff the Magic Dragon".  One of Finn's classmates was playing this song while reading the book that accompanied it.......there were about 15 children in the room, many of them with haircuts and clothing similar to those from the  70's. Amazing how fashion keeps recyling itself, it all added to the sense that I had experienced this before.

After hugs and kisses with Finn I headed out to my car, I found myself crying as I drove myself to work.  I wasn't sad, I was overwelmed by the feeling of being thrown back to my childhood and also realizing my childhood was over and Finn's was just beginning.   

 

Time moves swiftly....

enjoy each and every moment.

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY ALLIE!

Welcome home Allie girl. I can't think of a better way to spend my birthday than in Jamaica on my own private beach sipping Jamaican Rum Punch.  Did you remember to bring me one?

Can you believe it.....my sister Devon's birthday is the 14th, my sister-in-law Allie's is the 16th and my sister Kara's is the 18th.  All Capricorns.....my brother should be thankful all three of them don't live close by, I hear from a reliable source (Violet) that Capricorns can be stubborn.  I'm going to pay for that comment......

All kiding aside, I wish we did live close enough to celebrate all three birthday girls together, what a fabulous Girls Night Out that would be. 

Glad you are home safe Allie, can't wait to hear about your trip and most importantly, when are the pictures going up on your blog.  I will be checking your blog hourly.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAREBEAR!! AKA: KARA

Kara - Mark - Chloe

I'm sure you were all expecting it....knew it was coming, today is my first sister's birthday.  Like Devon, she was also born at South Coast Hospital in South Laguna,  she arrived early in the morning.  She couldn't wait any longer to meet her older sister. 

My mother had the same OBGYN , Dr. White with all four of her children, go Dr White!   His son took over the practice and is still delivering babies in South Orange County!  In a world of constant movement and change it is nice to know that Dr. White Jr. is still delivering life into this world.

It has been a pleasure watching my sister grow up.  From childhood, college, marriage to motherhood....we've shared it all.  I can't imagine my life without Kara, she has such a sweet, kind-hearted soul and always tries to see the best in everyone and in all situations.  I always feel calmer in her presence.   

                                 

Aunt Kara with Chloe, Finn and Tiago

Tiago is going to be a heart breaker....

looks a little James Deanish in this photo!

We love you Aunt Kara, 

Carpe Diem!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEVON

My youngest sister was born today, on a cold and cloudless night in South Laguna (thanks Farmers Almanac). 

I am blessed to not have one but two sisters to call my own.  All three of us have the same mother and father, in case you were wondering, haha!

I have shared many wonderful moments with my sister Devon but the best to date has to be motherhood.  We embarked on the journey of motherhood together in 2006, both of us first time mothers with no idea of how our life would change forever. Can it really have been almost 4 years ago? 

Devon has been a constant companion on our many quests to the San Diego Zoo, Seaworld, Playwerx......as recently as last Saturday we took the boys to Balboa Park & the Zoo.  I am thankful for her time with Finn and I and look forward to the years to come as mothers and sisters together!

I love you Devon!

Enjoy your special day......

Freakish Weather

If you own a tv, radio, I-pod or a basic car stereo you can't have missed the current global weather conditions.....freakishly cold temps & record breaking snowfall throughout Europe, Asia and North America.

For whatever reason (global warming.....nah) Southern California is experiencing the opposite, higher than normal temps. The weather has been exquisite......I just want to sit outside, sip ice tea and watch Finn ride around the culd-de-sac on his Star Wars bike.

I had scheduled Monday off and decided to take advantage of the fine weather by hanging out at the Zoo with Finn. We are the proud owners of annual zoo passes, thanks to my considerate and thoughtful parents (Christmas present).....a gift I plan on using obsessively.  I do obsessive well!!

Finn loved the Spitting Camel

Wise boy staying out of spitting range.

I've heard of letting sleeping dogs lie....but how about a camel? 

Have you ever seen a camel sleeping?

I never have...another reason I love the zoo...

you never know what you will see!

The new Elephant Odyssey Exhibit brought tears to my eyes.  They finally have a home closer to their natural habitat, the Zoological Architects created a habitat  that looked like it was picked up out of Africa and dropped into the San Diego Zoo.  My pictures don't do it justice.  The Elephants have been in the same enclosure/viewing area since the 1950's......definitely their time for "home improvement".

Entering the New Elephant Odyssey

In the Flesh & Tusks

Finn turned into Jungle Boy.....

new children interactive exhibits throughout the Odyssey.

Finn getting a closer look at the California Sun Bear

maybe a little to close....

Afore mentioned Sun Bear, he was quite focused on Finn. 

He kept walking back and forth in front of the security moat....

wonder what he was wishing for?

Right out of Harry Potter

The Snake wanted Finn's Ice Cream Sandwich....

it kept following each bite he took.

Scary.....

hissssssssssssssss