BACK TO SCHOOL MOTTO

The waiting is over.......thank you all for voting!  I received countless emails and texts from you all and appreciate your input.  Our family 2010-2011 school year motto is:

"Soaring to Excellence"

Setting the Table & the Theme

This time of year is always special to me, some of my happiest moments from childhood were from Back to School.  Our mother always made sure we went back to school with new shoes, new clothes, new lunchboxes, new school supplies....times 4!!! I don't know how my parents did it but they did.  I am eternally grateful.

The new school year was a time of enrichment & growth for me at Ole Hanson Elementary School.  I can still remember my mother driving us to school the week before to see the class rosters posted and to find out which teacher we were assigned to & to see if any of our friends were in the same class.   

I want to make sure my child has the same fond memories of this time of year as I do.  We started the school year motto last year with great success and will continue all the way through to college!  Postivie thinking!   

 

 Back to School Dinner Menu

****

Sparkling French Pink Lemonade

Spring Salad with Basalmic Vinegrette

Roasted Garlic Cauliflower & Brocolli

Mashed Potatos with Turkey Gravy

Cheddar Chicken

Corn Muffins

A Toast to a successfull new school year!

Finn loved Toasting

(Toasting glasses compliments of Aunt Kara,

a birthday gift 10 years ago..Merci!)

Hungry?

Before Finn went to bed tonight, we read the following books:  Marley goes to school & If you take a mouse to school.  They were specifically chosen for this night before Finn heads back to school tomorrow as a Pre-K student. 

 

 (Checked out from our local library)

Our evening was a great success!  Finn is now fast asleep and I am doing dishes, endless dishes.  I made everything myself except for the sparkling pink lemonade (thanks Trader Joes!) 

Here's to the new school year and Soaring to Excellence!!! 

THURSDAY AFTERNOON

What to do on a Thursday afternoon?  

Todd & I were both home  early from work today and wanted to take Finn somewhere fun.....we didn't have enough time to head to Sea World or the Zoo, we needed something we could do outside &  not too far away.....

My darling husband was struck with brilliance.....he said "Let's take Finn to the La Jolla Cave! 

Of course....THE CAVE!

You can imagine how quickly Finn ran to get his shoes on when he heard the word "CAVE".  We piled in the car with sturdy walking shoes on and headed down I-5 to La Jolla.

Ready to descend?  It was a little different descending this time compared to previous visits....I had Finn with me this time and there were moments of terror as I envisioned him slipping and falling to the Ocean waiting below.  Keep in mind, the steps are wet & slippery with over 100 years of grime & sludge...so my terror was certifiable.

Finn taking it all in

(This is the view after descending 145 steps through sandstone that opens up to the Pacific Ocean)

Have you ever been to the La Jolla Cave & Shell shop?  It is a must if you are ever in the area and don't mind a little climb.

After our ascent, we headed over to Seal Beach/La Jolla Cove.  Finn loved the Seals, we even saw two whales passing by not too far from shore.  Do we really live here?  By live here, of course I don't mean in La Jolla but in a greater range......San Diego! 

Todd & Finn waiting for a wave....where did they go?  They were crashing overhead a minute ago?  Notice, I am standing back...protecting my camera of course.

  

 Ahhhhh.......there they are! 

Would you like to know what I loved most about this afternoon? 

I spent it with these too. 

BLUE SHARKS - 1ST GAME

All right already.........after numerous requests from family and friends here are the highly anticipated photo's from Saturdays Game, Blue Sharks vs. Blue Jedi's.  

Finn is number 7

Let the game begin!

Finn taking after his mother......

socializing instead of listening to the coach!

This is BU05 level......

where the strategy is Bumble Bee Swarm! 

They all swarm after the ball. 

Finn's Groupie's

Look at number 7....woo hoo

Go FINN

Good Game Hand Shake

We have conflicting scoreboard tallies, AYSO shows 4 to 3 in favor of Blue Sharks but parents say it was a tie at 4-4.  Either way, it was a fabulous start to the season.  I can't thank our families enough for their love and support.  Finn was the only child there with two full sets of grandparents.......Lucky little boy,

our number 7.

See you next Saturday morning!

STAR GAZING

When was the last time you looked up at the moon & stars?  Last week we brought home a book from the library titled "Apollo" which gives a brief description of each Lunar Landing & a list of the US space missions to the Moon.  After reading it from front to back I find myself looking up at the night sky with fresh new eyes.

Coincidentally, Friday night found us gazing at the moon/stars/planets in Vi & Gus's driveway, I can honestly say I have never hung out at the front of Todd's parents driveway in my entire life. 

I think I may join the Junior Astronomers....I loved the telescope and was amazed at how vividly you could see the craters on the Moon's surface and try and place each lunar landing Finn and I had read about only days before. 

Don't forget to look up whenever you get the chance.....you may be surprised  by what you see....... a satelite, the moon, planets in orbit.......billions and billions of stars! 

TIME TO VOTE - SCHOOL YEAR MOTTO

The 2010-2011 school year is fastly approaching.  Finn's school re-starts the 7th of September,  our nieces start Monday and Tiago has already begun.  Last year we started the school with our own family motto to follow during the school year

It's time to select a new motto and I am including you in the vote.  Below are the suggestions....let me know which you like best. 

We have our back to school dinner on the 6th of September when we will unveil the new School Motto!  We try to incorporate activities throughout the school year that tie in with our motto.

AWARD

WORK AWARD

for our

Silencer MKII

James - Quality Control

Bob - VP

Tiffiney - Ops Manager

This photo was taken this morning, minutes from our office building.  Can you believe it, the sun was finally out....guess it takes an award for excellence to bring the sun out in Carlsbad.

Go PC Power/OCZ!

BOYS vs. GIRLS

Who said Boys are easier than Girls especially with grooming & clothes?  

Remind me please, because this very morning, I would disagree wholeheartedly!!

The requests this morning:

Mom...I want a faux hawk, just like's Ethans.

Mom....Please tie my laces so they don't hang long like Papa does.

Mom...I don't want my sleeves going past here.

Mom...I want to wear shorts, not pants today.

Mom...I want to wear my cowboy boots to school.

Mom....I want orange juice not milk.

Mom...It's share day, can I bring Samson(our dog)?

 By the time I buckled Finn into his carseat this morning, I was numb. You can see I was able to style his hair into a "small" faux hawk, I tied his shoes so the laces didn't hang too low and gave him a picture of Samson swimming in our pool to show during ShareTime at school.

 In the four short years I have been a Mother I have learned there are some requests I can grant my child without too much trouble and they make Finn so very happy....and then there are those requests that all I can say is...........

ASK YOUR FATHER

HOW SWEET IT IS...............

Lennon James Serrano

Carlotta's newest Grandson visited us yesterday during lunch.  I can remember Finn being this small, now he barely fits on my lap....sheesh...if I continue with these thoughts I am going to cry all over my keyboard.

Is there anything more precious than a newborn baby?  Lennon James was over 9lbs at birth....a whopper of a boy for sure!!!  I didn't want to let him go and even tried to get his mother to give him to me.  Finn would love a little brother....sadly, she declined. 

Congratulations to Carlotta and her family,

he is a keeper!

FINN'S TURN

Here we are approaching the middle of August and it doesn't even seem like Summer has hit Southern California.  Where's the sunshine?  Where's the heat?  Should I be careful for what I wish for?

Everywhere I look I see Back To School ad's and I can't help but feel shorted on Summer.  Even AYSO/Rec soccer has begun, which only means one thing....Fall is around the corner!

The 2010 Soccer Season is extra special for Todd and I....Finn finally gets his turn.  His own team, his own uniform...his own ball.

Saturday we took Finn shopping at the local Sporting Goods store for cleats, shin guards and a size 3 ball.  I wish you could have been there too see him trying on cleats, running up and down the isles trying to find the perfect fit. 

Finn wanted to wear the cleats & shin guards out to the car.  Why not I ask you....when I turn around on the way home and see this happy little face smiling back at me!!!  Worth every dollar spent.

Finns first practice and Team meeting was Tuesday.  He met the Coach/Assistant Coach and the other members of his team.  This also gave us the opportunity to meet the other parents and our Team Mom.  Uniforms were passed out (Blue) and a team name was chosen democratically by the boys.........want to take a guess?

BLUE SHARKS!!

When the actual practice began, I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time.  Was this really my little boy?  How did we get to this point already?  It just seemed like we did this with Kirra 8 years ago....

The boys listened to directions & practiced vigorously.  I was amazed by how well the Coach/Asst Coach kept ten 4 & 5 year olds in line.  It's hard enough with just one.

Isn't the ball supposed to go into the goalbox?

Finn didn't know one other boy on the team but by the end of practice they were fastly on their way to becoming friends.  I was so proud of Finn and amazed at how quickly he adapted to the new boys & coaches!  May this be the beginning of many years of fun-filled soccer ahead.

MOVING DAY!

What did you do Sunday? 

This is what we did....

What happened to Sunday/Funday?

 It was a family affair!

All participated, including Finn.

"It is only through labor and painful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things" - Theodore Roosevelt

BREAKFAST

MOST IMPORTANT MEAL OF THE DAY

This Morning

As often as we can, we like to start the day around the table......Finn has even gotten involved and will ask me what I am going to do at work with Bob & Jessica (he loves my office).  I treasure these mornings , even if in the moment it tends to be a little chaotic.  I always appreciate it later. 

I-PAD

Today started like any other day....

Breakfast

Prepare lunches

Drop Finn of at school

Work

Check emails

Arrange shipments

and then...

WILL walks in with an I-PAD

"The Real Deal"

Apple supporters all around....

must admit the I-Pad blows the I-Touch out of the water,

not only in size but clarity and functionality!! 

You should hear the speakers.

At my desk, in my hands....

can this day get any better?

Poor Will,

all he wanted to do was find the golden eggs in the app "Angry Birds" ....but I couldn't stop touching the I-Pad.

SIZE COMPARISON.....

MY LITTLE OLE' I-TOUCH DOESN'T COME CLOSE.

Thanks Will for passing your I-Pad around the office.  Your father is very lucky....this was Dave's father's day gift!!  If I recall correctly, he is the second father I know that received and I-Pad on Father's Day.........just on the opposite side of the country.

OKLAHOMA

Chicks and ducks and geese better scurry

When I take you out in the surrey,

When I take you out in the surrey with the

fringe on top!

come on everyone....sing along!

It's Oklahoma

at the Moonlight Ampitheater!

Season Ticket Holders

We arrived right before the gates were opened, it was a mad dash to claim your spot on the lawn.  Our seats were the best yet!!

Have a grape....go ahead,

you know you want one.

I have only seen Oklahoma once, it was a high school prodution so you can imagine my surpise and amazement at the level produced at the Moonlight Ampitheater.  The cast held their own against the multitudes of recorded Oklahoma scores that are available today.

Another beautiful evening under the stars....ughhh...let me reprhase that....under the ominous clouds that have continued to linger in Southern California for most of July.

Welcome Larry the Lobster

Update on my lobster:  He is right at home on our front steps.  Finn says hello to him every morning as we head off to school/work.

Who would have thought we would end up with a lobster from Utah?!?!?!?!?

Where in the World....

I am sure you are all wondering.....where in the world has Tiffiney been? 

Nevada - Arizona - Utah

Yes, I was on a road trip to Salt Lake City, Utah to visit our family friends Goodie & Debbie.  This was Finn's first road trip and I was a bit aprehensive to how a 11 hour journey would be for a 4 year old who can't read or watch dvd's due to motion sickness.

He was FABULOUS!

Sunrise in Nevada

Rest Stop

We had already covered about 575 miles when we hit Cove Fort, Utah.  Finn and Papa made a joint decision to pull over to see what it was all about.  It was an ideal location which enabled us to stretch, learn some history and enjoy Utah.

 

Cove Fort, Utah 1867

Cabin circa 1860's

Post Office/Telegraph Station

Pioneer Finn

Wagons West

Yes....you are seeing Gus driving 90 mph!

We arrived in Salt Lake City Friday evening, we checked into the Salt Lake City Hilton, dropped our bags and headed over to the Goodwins home which was about a 15 minute drive from Temple Square. They had dinner waiting for us, Dorado (caught by Goodie) and a Cranberry Jicama Green Salad (fresh greens from Debbie's garden). It was the perfect way to end our first day in Salt Lake City. 

The next morning Finn was up bright eyed & bushy tailed as usual so Todd, Finn and I had the hotel valet arrange a taxi to take us to the Capital Building & the City Library.  We had a little time before Goodie & Debbie were going to pick us up for lunch.  

Utah State Capital Building

Size Perspective

The Capital was BREATHTAKING

(Check out Finn & Todd's feet....no DNA testing necessary)

Can you honestly expect me to visit Salt Lake City without going to the library.  I had heard the building was an architectural wonder and not to miss it.  I didn't want to leave......they even had all glass elevators.  Todd had to drag me out.

Library Courtyard

Debbie & Goodie picked us up at our hotel at 12:30 for a journey to Emigration Canyon to visit the famous Ruth's Diner. It lived up to it's name....the Mile High Biscuits were heavenly, but must say the company was even better!  One of the things I love best about Debbie & Goodie is just hanging out and enjoying each other.  Good ole family fun!! 

History of Ruth's Diner

Ruth's Diner - 1930

Don't we look hungry?

World Famous Mile High Biscuits

There goes my diet!

Debbie * Goodie * Todd

One of my favorite photos of the trip! 

Happiness

Goodie & Todd leading the way

into East County Scenic Drive

After lunch and a Scenic Drive the boys headed to a Gun Shop in Temple Square that Todd and I had found on our morning walk through downtown, while Debbie took us off for girl fun, we visited her grandmothers home, and shopped till we dropped at Tai Pan Trading.....aka: Violet's Disneyland. 

Debbie's Grandmother's home.....

Iron Creations handmade by Debbie's father Larry. 

I fell in love with the lobster.

I soon learned from Abby that it was a scorpion...

to me he will always be  a lobster.

Tai Pan Trading Wholesale Warehouse

Carefully wrapping Violet's purchases for the trip home

After Shopping we all met back up at Goodie & Debbie's for dinner...conversation...margarita's. 

Backyard Patio Fun

Saturday night, Whitney's boyfriend rode over on his new bike.  He built it himself, we were all impressed especially Finn & Papa.  All good things must come to an end...so we said goodnight to the Goodwins and headed back to the hotel for a late night swim....and I mean late night...we didn't get back to the hotel till 10:40pm.

Finn swimming with his grandparents.  Can you see the pool depth marker? 4' 1/2" This means Finn can't touch the bottom.  See Finn?  He is swimming on his own to the side.  Woo Hoo!  Swimming lessons are paying off.  We closed the pool down at midnight.......

This is what you have after midnight swims.....a sleeping 4 year old boy!  Now I am going to take time to brag, I am his mother so I am allowed.  I had no idea what to expect with Finn as we embarked on this journey, we knew going in that it was going to be a whirlwind....he exceeded all expectations!  I have one special little boy, he humbles me and makes me a better person.  He handled each and every situation on this trip like a pro.  You would never guess he was only 4.  I am honored to be his mother, blessed to be in his life and thankful to God for giving him to Todd and I.

Sunday morning after hotel checkout we headed over to the Goodwins for Breakfast and our last visit before heading back to California.  You would never believe what was waiting for me in their frontyard......

MY LOBSTER!!

Thank you Goodie & Debbie....

he is already happy and content on my front porch. 

Our last photo before we left.....why are goodbye's so hard?  Todd fell in love with Utah.  I know we will be back soon to visit the Goodwins as well as my cousins who live nearby.  You haven't gotten rid of us yet Goodie & Debbie!

Homeward Bound

Lavender Fields as we were leaving Utah

Sun setting in California

For those of you who would like to see more photos of this journey, click on the Smilebox link below.

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