This Week's Menu

Rigatoni with Squash and Prawns
Asparagus and Zucchini Crudi

Taco Tuesday

Tuna Melt
Red Potato and Tomato Salad

Chicken (and rice) Soup -- Avila's Style
Taquitos

Photo from here.

Snow Day

We made it to the snow for a fun day of play with family. The weather was great, the kids had a blast and traffic home almost sucked the life out of me. But, it was worth it. Here's the highlight reel....

Uncle starts us off with a lovely back flip demonstration.

For some very odd reason I felt compelled to try it myself but since it was the beginning of snow play I didn't want to be the party pooper who gets hurt in the first five minutes of arrival. Boring, I know. But, safe. And sometimes, we must control our completely irrational impulses and live vicariously through fearless little brothers.

Christopher

Anna

Lil P
Our little 'sea otter' samples the snow...NO, it's not yellow snow!

Sledding with Dad is the best--even Liz wants in on the action.


Lil boys take on (and trash talk) the big boys with a snowball fight.

This was a much better option, in my opinion, since up until this point anyone (including Mama) was fair game.

Girls' [and Boys'] Day Out

Anna and two of her besties celebrated one of their birthdays at the American Girl doll store in LA. The best part is that the mama are good buds too. So, we had the most fabulous time heading to the Grove for the day. The training starts early: We started our morning with a 'Bucks stop. Watched the Hannah Montana movie (I will confess that I'm pretty tight with what my kids watch but I really liked this movie. For that reason, I graciously offered to sit in the middle row of the car 'with the little girls'--all so I could watch the movie too.).

We had reservations for lunch and while I am not overly impressed with the actual food, AG gets high marks for presentation. They know how to make these girls feel special.

Naturally there was a bit of shopping involved. I was impressed with the scrutiny these little ladies used when selecting to spend their precious dollars at a sometimes over priced store. You have to be discriminating and determine if you can make that item yourself, buy a better one on Etsy, or realize it is a waste altogether. All three girls made good choices and we didn't have to spend a fortune or cry our way out of the store.

All the while the girls (and Mama's) are enjoying a ladies' day out, the boys were basking in a little slice of Heaven themselves. Dad had great visions of beach fishing but really, the boys just wanted to dig, rock hunt and explore.

While we had vastly different days, in the end we all felt like we had indulged in some special-ness (I know that's not really a word). Many thanks for the great day, friends.

This Week's Menu

[Mama Out] Tuna and Sweet Pea Casserole
Greens with sliced pears

Home-Rolled Sushi
Edamame

Veggie Pita Pockets (with Goddess Dressing)
Cup of Soup (Tomato Bisque)

Pasta Primavera

Photo from here.

Art Ideas

One of our most favorite books ever is the Complete Booke of Art Ideas from Usborne. I am big fan of the Usborne series in general but this is a great book, especially for rainy (So Cal) days.

There is a great range of project ideas. Not all involve a ton of supplies and oodles of uninterrupted time (neither are plentiful at our house).

The step by step instructions are pretty easy to follow--even for a six year old. Great for gifts or a special creator in your life.

Gift Ideas and Some Stitchery

When it comes to gift giving for classmate, sometime it can be a challenge. You don't always know the child well and what really lights them up (and I am a fan of thoughtful gifts, even if they aren't for people close to you.). Do they already have that toy? What if they really hate legos? So, we tend towards gifts that are a little bit different and personalized, if possible. A good read or something creative are always my first choice.

Some of my go-to gift ideas:

: A favorite book with personalized book plates (so great for emerging readers like K and 1st graders)

: A favorite craft book with accompanying supplies

: A nice journal with personalized pencils

You get the drift.

One of our recent favorites was a little stamping kit and a homemade bag. Included in the very simple drawstring bag were fun birthday stamps, a personalized stamp with the birthday girl's name, a stitched book for stamping, gel pens and some stickers.

These bags are incredibly rudimentary but that's the level of seamstress I am right now (and I'm so ok with that that I am even posting it for you all to see. Baby steps, my friends.).

And since my little helper was somewhat fascinated with the process and allowed me to complete these, I whipped up a quick bag for him to stash his crayons in. It seemed like a win-win.

Surfing the Park

Perhaps you've heard, Southern California is getting some weather. We've been on storm watch here for some actual precipitation falling from the sky. It's nothing like the rest of the country actually gets but it's big news around these parts.

So what do So Cal kids do when it rains, you ask?

Surf the park, of course!

Extra points awarded for tricks.

P.S. The grom in the spotlight is like family to us. He has a real love for the sport and is a joy to watch in the real surf. It's not every day he gets to practice in the hood.

This Week's Menu

Breakfast for Dinner:
Poached Eggs with Mushrooms and Tomatoes
Sourdough Toast

Baked Ravioli with Chicken Sausage
Greens with Hearts of Palm and Avacado

Tostadas

Caprese Paninis
Brocoli and Cauliflower Caeser (Inspired by this recipe)

Photo from here.

My Favorite iPhone Apps

I made the switch to an iPhone almost a year ago and I never looked back. Apple makes everything easy. I am a busy lady and multitask a lot (sound familiar?). I have limited computer time and am on the go a lot. The iPhone helps me keep things in motion (email, scheduling, etc.) and that really works for our lifestyle.

I am sure I am not alone in this and thought I'd share some of my most favorite iPhone/iTouch apps. I'll start with lifestyle apps I use. Future feature(s) will include ones that my kids love when they hijack my phone. I'm feeling frugal of late, so most of my apps are free or almost free.

Around Me: Allows you to quickly find things that are around you. I use this app A LOT. During the holidays I wasn't about to stand in the long lines at the Post Office with my very busy little helper. So, I proceeded on with my errands and used Around Me to find a sweet little Post Office tucked a mile from me with no line. This is an especially good app if you are in an area you aren't very familiar with. Excellent for traveling.

AppBox [Lite]: This is a fun app with a few features I really use and some I just haven't spent time to get to know. I like this one for tracking special days (especially my special cyclical days, wink, wink). There is a fun countdown feature for a special date (think vacation, holiday, party, etc.). It also has a tip calculator, a unit converter currency exchange....Lots of fun stuff to help a sister out.

Amazon: Well this is obvious. I use this a lot when I am out and about. I like the wishlist feature with Amazon and this allows me to add something to my kids' wishlists, for example, right away. That's sort of how I have to roll whenever possible. It's a now or never approach, and this gives me the now. (For the record, I review my wishlists and refine my choices too.)

Amazon Kindle: I don't have a real Kindle but this makes me feel like I do. My oldest (7) is currently reading a mystery with this app. Very fun (but a bit small).

Camera Bag: Just a fun photo enhancer. There are lots of these types of apps out there. This one is pretty simple with just a few choices. I like.

Gas Bag: Best for traveling out of your normal gas station route. Helps you find the cheapest gas around you.

Pandora: Pul-eeze tell me you know of this app. It's essential for everyone. I mean everyone! It's great for listening to music from your favorite artists and some new folks in the same genre. I've found some goodies with this lovely app.

Where: Similar to Around Me. I used this one more before Around Me. It's good for more in depth local weather tracking, news, etc. More of a local barometer.

Facebook & Twitter (Echofon & TweetDeck): Social media at your finger tips at all times. Sort of a little much but there if you want it.

Surf Report: I'm just a wanna be surfer still (this summer, this summer....) but we hit the beach a lot. I like this app for checking the tides, water temp, size and basic beach conditions like sunset, etc.

I showed you mine, now you show me yours. If you have any that you love, please share. I really do love it when lurkers bother to comment.

[Update: Whether you have an iPhone or a Blackberry or a regular cell phone, you can help the Haiti relief effort simply by texting 'HAITI' to 90999. Easy and so necessary. Please give in some way.]

Photo from here.

Weekly Planner

I like the way Karen uses her planner. Mine isn't always this clean and pretty.

I have a new system I've been trying out. Certainly you've seen Lobotome's Momme Weekly Planner all over blogland by now. It's not new but it's new to me.

I like to see my whole week laid out, everything at a glance. I love that there is a section for Me Time AND Exercise and it's not counted as the same thing. One day I will actually fill those slots in and double MY TIME. Dare to dream.

Photo from Lobotome.

This Week's Menu

I'm working my way out of my meal rut, thanks to Jodie and Michelle, and trying a few of their recent favorites. Thanks for the inspiration, gals.

Thai Chicken Pizza

Orzo Salad with Shrimp, Veggies, and Pesto Vinaigrette

Chicken Piccata
Spinach

Chili
Cornbread

Photo from here.

Getting Out There

We've been hitting the trails again. This past year got us a bit off balance and we weren't enjoying as many of the simple pleasures we love so much. Over our holiday break we completely lost track of what day it was and got back out there.

Hiking the local hills with a good view of our community, not to mention some sweet sword fighting, whittling, family yoga and pick-up batting practice.

Riding through Balboa Park on a day trip south with Liz in her chariot,

(except when she tried to take a dip in the fountain), and pausing for a game of freeze tag.

Strolling beach side with family and lots of hand holding.

Next up, two new beach trails we have been dying to wander.

This Week's Menu Returns

Photo via The Bikram Diaries.

After a break from posting our weekly menu, I have been shamed back into sharing our dinners. I want the record to show that I list out what I have planned for the week and it just may not be all that. Some weeks are better than others. Some weeks I am motivated, with a plan and desire to try something new. Other times, we just need nourishment to get through.

So, maybe there is a nugget of inspiration for your weekly menu, or maybe you can tell which weeks I'm relying on some favorites. Either way, don't be afraid to chime in with your menu plans for the week. I'd love to hear them.

Veggie potstickers, tofu, carrots and brown rice
(Two out of three of my kids devour my tofu bites. And the brown rice? Nature's broom, as my Dad calls it. What better way to detox from the holiday richness than some good ole brown rice?)

Ravioli with bolognese sauce
Greens with marinated cannellini beans and bermuda onions

Chicken soft tacos

Mini tostadas
Spanish rice

Crisis Averted

Just two days before the scare..Looking good for a gal of her age, wouldn't you say?!

Phew. We had a close call on New Year's Day. Our beloved Lizzy fell very ill. She is about to celebrate her 12th birthday so a little illness can really throw a gal of her....maturity.

Perhaps it was the NYE party and all the [nearly] fatal treats we served to little people (who proceeded to drop and grind into our carpet, likely cleaned up by our faithful Liz). Or maybe it was just a our horrible bout of stomach illness that transferred to K9 proportion (Is that even possible?). Either way, we've had a few lessons learned.

1. From this day forward, we are celebrating every. single. day. our dear Liz is with us.

2. We've made a pack to send her out big and have some good things on the books for her this year. She has to stick around to enjoy them.

3. Whenever we have a party, she will be safely tucked away until all potentially lethal food (like chocolate and grapes) is far from her tongue's reach.

4. Little people will eat outside or at a table. No walking and eating (sounds like a fun party, huh?!). Not just for Lizzy's sake, but also for my carpet's. Let's bring some civility to the youngins.

So, I am relieved to report that Liz is mostly back to normal and we are off 'watch'. It was dicey and there were a few days I was actually afraid to check her. I tell you with full conviction, I am not ready for the circle of life to hit her. I plan for her to break all Labrador records and live many, many, many....more years. Deal?! (There is nothing wrong with denial! Leave me be.)

New Year's Soup

We had a fun casual soiree last night to ring in the new decade. I sent guests home with some essential foods for good prosperity. New Year's Soup (lentils and black eyed peas on NYD = a must) and a petite calendar from Little Brown Pen.

We stuck to custom with a grape for every bell of 'midnight' for the kids and added what is sure to be a new tradition with a pots and pans parade around the neighborhood (remember we celebrate at 9 with the kids, EST).

Sending good vibes for a prosperous new year to you! Off to make some yummy soup...

The Reflection Post

Image from here.

What day is it? Ah, it's so refreshing that our days don't own us and I actually have to take pause to consider the answer. We've had a wonderfully restful holiday with good family times that had become a little less frequent than we like.

We had fallen into some kind of a funk. A bit of a pit, if I may say. And with the commencement of a new decade it's nice to have some anticipation for good things to come. I, for one, am happy as all-get-out to welcome the new year.

You know that feeling of swimming up stream and just getting tired? Why....so....hard? Well, I'm sort of over that and ready for things to flow a little easier. Wouldn't that be nice?! This has been a good break for us to pull in and do what we really enjoy. Step off the track and just BE, as our most authentic selves. Clarity and simplicity are guiding us and we welcome a little more balance in our lives. (Exhale)

I love a good barometer reading when the kids have spent oodles of time together and still want to have a slumber party in the bunkbeds. Got to love some regrouping.

Cheers to you and yours and hoping you have a safe and enjoyable NYE. May 2010 be a much better year for all!

P.S. Don't forget to check out the blue moon tonight.

Party Perfect

Thanks for the blog love on Party Perfect. Sara featured Parker's party on her fabulous blog (a daily read for me) and we are so tickled about the photo she chose. It just makes us giggle. He's a funny little guy, huh?

More on the party here.

Three Little Monkeys

Jumping on the bed...None fell off to bonk their head.

Phew! Enjoying vacation together. Hope you are too.

P.S. We ended this day with a fun little game of "We're the parents and you're the kids" (role reversal). Top Ramen and fruit cup dinner with a side of hot cocoa and ice cream dessert. Clearly, it's a fun little exercise for both sides.

Hey, don't judge. We'll take the break where ever we can get it!

Blessed

Sending you good tidings for a very Merry Christmas. Our celebrating begins today and we feel so blessed in so many ways. May your holiday be merry and bright.

Pardon the fuzzy areas. Some of the particulars of our family have been whited out to protect the innocent (who don't even know I share as much as I do.).

Gift Giving

Last year we received the Artisan Bread Book (Thanks, Pam! Best gift ever.). At first I thought, "Well this is sweet but I'm not much of a baker. It's too precise for me." But then we learned how simple and tasty and completely open to possibility bread making can be. We've barely even deviated from the basic recipe since we love it so much. (And we eat enough veggies to not be concerned with carb loading, so bring it on!) I'm hard-pressed to find a meal that isn't made better with fresh bread.

So, for our close friends and neighbors this year we (really, David) baked bread wreaths for gifting. I coupled it with an amazing Tuscan Seasoning (to be mixed with vinegar and EVOO) for dipping.

Parker helped D with the mixing and shaping--adding a very important dash of love. And my other little elves delivered the fresh warm bread. I can't confirm it but I believe there may have been some doorbell ditching involved. 'Tis the season?

Jesus replied, "I am the bread of life. No one coming to me will ever be hungry again."
--John 6:35a

Out-of-School Sanity Saver

I'm sort of digging these giant family fun pads. I picked up a Search for Santa pad at Costco and we've had oodles of fun with it. We gifted a search to some of our friends (I suspect there was some doorbell ditching involved). We also used them for festive place settings with the cousins.

There are two levels of play so it appeals to a broad range of kids. There is basic beginner hidden item search (with pictures of what is hidden) and also a longer, more challenging list of items to be found (no pictures).

Thought I'd pass along a little vacation fun in case you're looking for a good travel activity or just have some cabin fever kiddos.

P.S. We also picked up a Spot the Difference family pad (you know, spotting the differences between two pictures). One of those pages clocked in a good 30-40 minute activity. Who doesn't appreciate a good half hour of calm and quiet searching?!

For The Love of Writing: Love Journals

One of my favorite gifts to bestow on new couples is a love journal. The beauty of the book is it's compilation of love letters to one another in one place and over time there is a wonderful story that evolves. My husband and I have one and while it isn't a daily journal by any means, it's fun to write a little something special to him and then hide it in his work bag or in his sock drawer, you get the picture. Then, he returns the treat, when I least expect it.

Since I have emerging writers who could certainly use a little encouragement and even a little trip down story lane, I decide to start the same thing with them. I just jazzed up some composition books and wrote a little something to get them started. The rules are simple.

1. They can write about anything they want to.
2. If they want me to write back or contribute to a story, they just have to leave their journal on my pillow.
3. There really aren't any rules.

I have some fun story starters that we can tap into if we need to. Initially I anticipate some love notes filling the pages of our books. It's supposed to be a gift for them but I am excited about what is to come from their sweet little minds and hearts.

Holiday Hostess Gift

Holiday Remarks & Replies is a hoot of a hostess gift. It's especially suitable if your host and hostess have any sense of humor. I have just discovered there is a whole line from Knock Knock. Good to know.

P.S. I partnered mine with a fun snowman sponge and a unique sugar spoon.

Super Parker Turns Three

I've been a little lax about posting lately. Please forgive me but a little restorative break is required at times. The holidays seemed to sneak up on me, partly due to a stomach monster that has invaded our house and won't leave. It has completely worn out it's welcome!

Invitation art was commissioned by none other than super Adrienne.

Anyway, slowly and surely I will make my way back to posting. Let's start with a little summary of my babe's third birthday.

A few things you should know about Parker:

: He has an alter ego: Parker Man, or Super Parker
: Spaceships, rockets, and capes are big hits for him
: He may or may not be his father's son as he does not care to have the birthday spotlight shine on him. In fact, when it does, he tries his best to deflect the attention with a very strong protest to move on.

: He has not responded well to me taking endless photographs of him. He may actually hate my camera ("No more pictures, Mama!"). This makes capturing him an especially crafty feat. I can really sympathize with the paparazi.

: We are big fans of small, intimate parties. We've done the big ones and much prefer a sweet managable gathering of little people; especially for my 'shy' guy. Incidentally, Parker's closest friends are all girls. He doesn't know or seem to care. (This may bode well for him in about 15 years.)

Cape and mask custom from Super Fly Kidz. Wristband from My Family Ties.

Simplicity was a big part of his birthday this year. We opted for a fun play date at one of our favorite parks in Laguna. We were rained out of our original party date but rescheduled to the following day (another advantage of a small group). It turned out to be a beautiful fall morning. Perfect for a picnic. We had hot spiced cider, deviled eggs and pumpkin bread with cream cheese dip for the adults.

The rocketship was the obvious meeting spot.

For the kiddos we had essential power packs with 'Super Parker Power Water" (I'm a big fan of DIY water bottle labels. Easy and fun.). We topped it off with our favorite sparkler candle (The spectacular affect was not all that pleasing to the birthday boy. I may have to tone it down for him in the future. Dang!).

The party favors with power gumballs, a mix of PJ's favorite tunes (He WILL NOT move beyond John Mayer's cover of Crossroads. I won't lie. I'm a little proud of his choices.). We also had custom wristbands made for each of his little friends. A big hit, I tell you!

It was a fun celebration of Super Parker turning three. We slipped in just a bit of attention on the birthday boy, but not more than he could stand.

What We've Been Up To...

: Advent fun : Trimming the tree : Decking the halls