HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to ME!!

Look what I woke up to

this morning

I waited till Finn woke up so he could watch me open it.....he started singing Happy Birthday!  It was too funny, and made me cry.  I am so blessed to be able to share every morning with Finn and Todd.  19 Years ago today I said "I DO" and today I say "I DO" again forever!

I will love you always Todd!

TOP OF THE PYRAMID

What do you do on a Saturday night.....

at my home we build pyramids with beautiful girls

 and top it with

FINN

Finn is one lucky little boy!

I must compliment the parents of each one of these girls, they have raised  young women who are sweet, well-mannered and always make time to play with Finn. 

ELF SNIPER

It is true......when Finn is not at preschool, or working with his daddy in the garage, he is busy protecting our home as the........

ELF SNIPER

(socks compliments of Grandma Cher)

How do you know you've been hit by the ELF SNIPER?  A candycane is always left at the scene.

The Sequel that was a Prequel

Can you even begin to image the great disappointment I felt after learning that Fire was not a sequel to Graceling but a prequel?

I was devastated!

I finished Graceling thinking that Fire was next in line, those of you who know me understand how attached I become to characters in books.  I still long for more stories of Stuart Little and can't believe E. B. White didn't write more of him. 

Kristin Cahsore's Graceling introduced me to  a new world and many unique character's but I was mostly fascinated by Katsa and Po. I knew they were waiting for me in Fire so I wasn't as sad as I normally am when  I come to to the last pages of the story.   How wrong I was.......

So while I wait for the sequel to Graceling, I will open the pages of Fire and try to forget Katsa and Po.  I will open my mind and heart to whatever awaits me between the pages of Fire.  I will also try and figure out what my special Grace is?  Any suggestions for those of you who have read the book and understand the question?!?!?!?!?

My book recommendation for February is

Graceling! 

P.S.  Graceling was another recommendation from my niece Kirra.  Don't you think she would make a good Book Editor?  She is always right on with her selections!

SISTERS NIGHT OUT

Last Saturday evening Kara, Devon and I went out for a late dinner at El Callejon followed by a 10:00pm showing of Sherlock Holmes. 

Some of you may be thinking....why so late?!?!?!?  By going a little later, we get to be home with the little ones in the evening,  put them to bed and then they don't even realize you are gone as you slip out the door into the night for sisterly fun! 

Best of both worlds:  

Time with children

Time with sisters and margarita's!

My Beautiful Sisters

Look how peaceful they look,

 no diaper bags, no mess on the floor, just peace and quiet.....

Until the mariachi's showed up.....

Vocal Mariachi's....

ever notice they turn up right in the middle of a conversation you really want to hear?!?

Such a lovely time being with my sisters.....

my sides hurt the next morning from all the giggling!

Here's a toast to our next "Sister's Night Out"

May it arrive sooner than later!

Homemade Valentine

This year I thought it would be nice for Finn to make his own Valentine Cards to pass out at his school party.  When I was his age, my mother always helped us make homemade, you hardly ever saw store bought. 

I figured out why store bought Valentine's have become more popular, cheaper and convenient.  After a trip to Michael's & the Dollar Tree the whopping total was $32.00 versus $3.99 for store bought.  Big difference......however the payoff to homemade and extra expense was the time and fun spent with Finn....and  his valentine cards will be unique!

Finn proud of his glitter results

Hands & Glitter

Finished Valentine for the boys in his class.  

The girls get candy bracelet's.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies & Brownie Squares

After bath and bedtime for Finn, more Valentine preparations  waited for me, homemade Crinkle Cookies for his class party.  I didn't start working on the cookie dough until 10pm and realized after reading the recipe that the dough must chill for at least 4 hours.  Quick change of plans, into the fridge the dough went, I had Todd sent the alarm for 5am so I could get up early to bake 4 dozen.

I admit, I am tired this morning......but it was well worth it.

There will be time to sleep after Finn is thirty!!

THE COLOR OF FEBRUARY

Can you think of a more appropriate color for a new sofa than RED for the month of February?  I have never owned a red sofa, have you?  It changes the feel of the room completely, bold and vibrant!

In a philanthropic gesture, my parents donated a beautiful, in almost new condition, RED sofa to our  family/TV room.  The previous sofa was 12 years old and had seen better days! 

We are all thrilled with the new addition....but Finn is beyond thrilled!  Can you tell?  He looks quite comfortable.

Thanks Mom & Dad!

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!!!