I-POD TOUCH TRAINING

Finn held a tutorial on the I-Pod Touch for his cousins.  They were ideal students:  attentive, followed direction and most importantly....shared.

Here Finn is showing them how to open an app,

he chose Chopper (his favorite)

Finn showing Tiago the importance of closing one app

before opening another.

Chloe was so excited by what she learned she had to hold Finn. 

 

The R & D department at Apple knew what they were doing when they created the I-Pod, it is easy to use and loved by all ages.

As shown in the photos above, 1 to 4 year olds only need a few minutes of traning and they are ready to "App" the day away! 

Now, I just need to get my hands on an I-Pad!

Hint, Hint

FRECKLES

I LOVE FRECKLES

SUNDAY AFTERNOONS

I used to dread Sunday afternoons, it meant the weekend was drawing to a close with the work week fastly approaching.  As I've grown older I've noticed changes in myself, one being my new appreciation for Sunday Afternoons.  

Each Sunday afternoon is different, I may find myself curled up in the living room chair reading a book while waiting for laundry to dry that I didn't finish on Saturday, or walking the dog to the beach, or even hanging out with family in my backyard.  

Just recently we barbequed and made homemade ice cream at the Gustafson's (ask me how that went when you see me).  Whatever we find ourselves doing Sunday afternoons, I find myself enjoying it and looking forward to the week ahead.   I am thankful I have another day on this earth, a job that needs me, and ready for the activities of the week knowing Monday through Friday, my day will start and end with Todd and Finn.

Everyone tried their hand at cranking the ice cream

(except for me, too busy taking photos)

Made in the U.S.A.

Softball in the driveway....

please watch my car...ugh.

All that is left to say is...........

enjoy each and every day, we only get to live today once!  

CAROUSEL

The Balboa Park Carousel is old, made in 1910 by Herschell-Spillman, each animal hand carved and still in use today except for 2 that were replaced in the 30's.  This carousel was the first to receive the "National Historical Carousel Award" .

Carousels bring to mind hot summer days at the Del Mar Fair and trips to Balboa Park.  Long lines were never an issue, it gave me time to search for the  perfect horse.  It had to be one that went up and down.

Chloe picked the frog,

Grandma Cher straping her in.

Chomping at the Bit...ready to go!

The Balboa Park Carousel is even more special to me because my mother rode on it as child, wonder if we ever ended up on the same horse but 60 years later?!?!?  I observed my mother watching Chloe and Finn and couldn't help but sense the passage of time. 

 

Chloe held on like a pro

Around and Around they go,

generation to generation riding by.

If the opportunity arises to jump on a carousel.....jump on! 

YOU ASKED FOR IT DEVON!

Our local NRA chapter is growing......as of right now still only family members but we are considering non-family for those desperate to join our Air Soft Chapter! 

As you can see, we do not discriminate against age or sex.  Chloe looks like she is ready to give it a try next.

Chapter 0313

Looking at this photo, you would think we were in the back woods of Alabama, we don't look one bit SoCal (except for the tablecloth), only thing missing is the wife beater t-shirts!

This is the man who started it all, he was blessed with three girls and treated us just the same as if we were boys.  He took us skeet shooting in the Ortegas and a father/daughter date could consist of visiting the local shooting range, because of this Devon, Kara and I are crack shots.

Does my father see a bear?  I can see the whites of his eyes....or wait this is Socal, did he have an eye lift!  Hey girls, don't you love the pointing finger!   Devon looks a little like Annie Oakley in this, where's your fringe Dev?  We need to get you a six shooter.

Boys of All Ages

(Sigh....his hands get me everytime)

Go Carebear!!

These photos really bring back memories, Dad always near giving us direction and guidance!  Safety was top priority as well as taking care of your fire arm.  Thank you Dad, father of mine!

On a side note:  the BB's are Biodegradable!

CATCH & RELEASE

I knew it would happen......

the day "bugs" entered my home without their consent or mine.

As housewife's we fight with whatever means available to keep spiders, insects and rodents out of our home and then one day....your very own child brings them right through the front door and places them on the kitchen table.  Pincher bugs, rolly pollies, hybernating beetle's, worms......

What can you see?

Can you find them all?

Finn could just stare at them for hours! 

We do practice "Catch & Release"

I just pray every last one of them makes it back outside.

TRUST

Trust:

firm reliance on the integrity of a person or thing.

I love this definition, it defines this picture better than any other words I could put together.  Do you have trust in a person or thing?  As children we establish trust in our parents, we learn quickly to rely and depend on them above all others.  As we grow and mature we find trust in relationships outside our family structure.

I found trust in my husband.  No matter how upset he may get at me or how annoying I can be.....I know without a doubt that Todd would never let go!  I may not live in the Taj Majal, or sport a 5 carat diamond but the trust I have in my husband is priceless. 

Seeing my son put this same trust into the hands of his father takes my breathe away.  If anything were ever to happen to me (God forbid)....I know my husband would be there for not only my son, but his parents, my parents and his nieces & nephews. 

Could this be why he has such large shoulders and hands, to carry the weight of trust I have placed with him?  

Finn in Fins

Finn in Fins

I've always wanted to say that.

Making Adjustments 

Grandma Violet and Pappa called to tell us they found the perfect Fins for Finn.  As it turned out Todd and Finn were already in the pool so they stopped by to see them put into action immediately!

Finn swimming to his Daddy

Thanks Vi & Gus, I'm sure the fin's will be put to good use!

SOFTBALL WITH CHLOE

Softball Saturday

I couldn't have asked for a better day, the weekend was looming before me, the sun was out and Chloe would be spending the day with us.    

 Beautiful Girl

 She was trying to figure out if the umpire made a bad call.

Biggest difference between Softball & Soccer?

Snack Bar

Finn's Aunt Angie bought him a ring pop, Chloe was trying to figure it out. 

Next time she visits a game with her mother we will see if Kara will let her have one.

Kayla and Chloe

Kayla & Chloe off to the Bull Pen

 Chloe & Kirra

(Chloe was very popular)

Chloe and her Uncle Todd

You must be impressed with all the sun protection.

We kept hats on everyone!

Checking out the Team

My favorite part of life.....

surrounded by family!

Chloe sporting Finn's Camo Hat 

I can't keep my man out of the trees!

Kayla up to Bat.....they won!!

TIME TO GET A PATENT

Do you have a toddler that eats their boogers?

Or worse, a teenager who hasn't learned this is a nasty habit, let alone unsanitary!  Finn recently learned from an older child at school that you can eat your boogers.  It has been driving Todd and I crazy, let alone the instant gagging that hits the back of my throat every time I see his booger clad finger heading towards his mouth.

I found the perfect solution for me and you,

the Booger Defelctor!

This works on any age group,

boy or girl.

One Size Fits All

(Adjustable Head Strap Included)

I am accepting orders,

and yes.....

I do offer friend/family discounts! I believe in nepotism.

I am willing to sign a non-disclosure agreement before accepting your order, to protect your privacy of course. 

To Dye an Egg or Not?

This year we barely made it........I realized Saturday evening (the night before Easter) that we hadn't colored Easter eggs yet.   We were heading back home after spending time with Aunt Scotty in San Diego and I realized I hadn't even boiled the eggs yet!!  If you know anything about dying eggs, you can't dye them warm....they need to be cold (this helps with brighter more vibrant color). 

Am I a poor mother?  I was boiling eggs in my kitchen at 7pm which means coloring wouldn't take place till after 9pm once they had the chance to chill a little in the fridge!  Finn's bedtime is normally 7:30pm to 8:00pm.....he didn't make it on time.

This year I strayed from Dudley's Color Kit which I've worked with since childhood.  I just knew this new system of "Spill Proof" Cups would work. They DID NOT!  I learned quickly, not to stray. 

Excitement still there even though we were approaching the 10 o'clock hour.......Finn couldn't believe we let him stay up so late.

Don't you just love Todd's gloves? 

I'm sure Dr. Sperber would approve!

Check this out...instead of using the empty egg cartons to store the finished eggs in, I used the plastic apple trays from Costco.  They worked perfectly!

Whew....we made it this year, just barely!!!

Zoo with the Family

Spring Break arrived and with it Aunt Scotty!  Since the girls were out of school and Finn's preschool decided to jump on the band wagon and close down for two days, I took time off of work to go to the zoo with the fam!   We had a fabulous day. 

Feeding the Giraffe's Cookie Biscuits

This was as close as Finn would get.

Even Grandma Violet  stepped up to feed the Giraffe's

This is our Easter photo for this year!!

Finn and Kayla prepping Chopper for Artic Circle

Ready for Take Off

Aunt Scotty, Val and Violet on the Express Bus

Where did Finn and Kayla go.....I only see Monkeys?