tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197459332024-03-06T23:15:24.853-07:00Carpe Diem!Me and my little army, attacking each day with a vengeance!Mamacita Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11984053506182838282noreply@blogger.comBlogger274125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19745933.post-34245414187829719262014-07-02T06:34:00.000-07:002014-07-02T06:42:55.313-07:00Where Has The Time Gone?I haven't posted in um...four years? Where has the time gone? There have been some huge changes in my life, the biggest being that I am now a working mom.<br />
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Two years ago, I returned to teaching - sixth grade one year, and last year second. This year, I'm moving back up to sixth. I feel like a yo-yo bouncing around grade levels like that.
As August rapidly approaches, I'm getting more and more excited about the upcoming school year. I can't stop surfing the internet looking for teaching ideas, one of those centering on student blogging. As I read an article about how to introduce students to blogging, it dawns on me that I use to blog. And voila, here I am. I feel I should practice what I'm about to teach, perhaps try to post more often than once every four years.<br />
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Other changes, well the kids have grown. Ian is a Star Wars loving, Lego building fifth grader. Laurel is a Greek myth loving, party planning third grader. My husband, Paul, and I try to keep up with them, feeling always behind but extremely happy. Being summer time, I'm thoroughly enjoying my time with the kids. We're playing lots of board games and enjoying the pool. Life is definitely good!
Mamacita Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11984053506182838282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19745933.post-29463265448783724562010-05-11T20:23:00.003-07:002010-05-11T20:44:59.755-07:00Cute WishesTonight, Ian gets to sleep in my bed. He's the man of the house while Paul is away at a conference in Boston, so Ian declared that he gets to sleep in my bed. Fine by me. <br /><br />We laugh through our stories, <span style="font-style:italic;">Doggone Dogs</span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">Hooray for Fly Guy</span>. I tuck Laurel into her bed. Then, I snuggle up with Ian in my bed. He decides we need to look out the window and watch the planes fly by, incoming flights fly just north of our area.<br /><br />I see one and tell my little man, "Ok, Ian. There's our first plane for tonight, make a wish."<br /><br />Eagerly he nods his head and states, "Alright, Mommy," as he stares out the window.<br /><br />I have to know, so I ask, "What did you wish for?"<br /><br />"I wished for Peter to always be healthy."<br /><br />Peter is a dear friend of Ian's, that is a great wish.<br /><br />A second plane is in view. "Look Mommy, another plane!"<br /><br />"Ok, buddy, make another wish."<br /><br />A few seconds pass, and yes I have to be nosy. "What did you wish for this time?"<br /><br />"I wished that all my girlfriends will always like me."<br /><br />Secretly I'm thinking, "Well since there is more than one, I don't think that's possible."Mamacita Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11984053506182838282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19745933.post-78929653510337147372009-04-04T03:27:00.003-07:002009-04-04T03:51:04.709-07:00Cooking LoveThere are times I just love to cook and bake, especially bake. I'm not a natural at it by any means, and recipes are a must. I usually read through a recipe several times before tackling it, and then double or even triple check as I try to put the ingredients together. It takes me forever to fix a meal.<br /><br />I love to watch shows on Food Network. For a while, I thought Rachel Ray would help me get dinner out in a timely manner. It didn't work. She may be able to get the meal made in thirty minutes, but it takes me a minimum of an hour, and that's a recipe that I've prepared at least three times before.<br /><br />I think I know why it takes me so long, there are two children underfoot, or at least nearby enough to distract me. Once I realized that Rachel's kitchen was child free and mine wasn't, my frustration level significantly lowered.<br /><br />In a perfect world, time would not be an issue, there would be a kitchen fairy that would clean up after me, and my children would heartily eat everything I made from scratch as much as they do with Spaghetti O's and Mac 'n Cheese. Nothing kills the cooking mood more than a child who just picks at his/her food. Why bother doing all that work, especially when hubby has to work late and I'm the only one really enjoying the meal? I would rather spend the hour playing with my kids.<br /><br />But still, the cooking/baking bug is in me, and I occasionally try a new recipe.<br /><br />By the way, I secretly want to be Paula Deen. The woman just loves her food and she's absolutely adorable. On a show, she was giggling with glee as she made a dessert and then commented, "I use a lot of butter, because I can!" Amen.Mamacita Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11984053506182838282noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19745933.post-53890995943185978162009-03-31T06:09:00.002-07:002009-03-31T07:21:52.175-07:00The Boy Needs His SleepA lot of parents I talk to tell me their kids are done with taking naps around the age of three or four. Ian is four, going to be five in a couple months. I still have him try to take a nap. He fights it, like all kids do, and tells me, "I'm not tired! I need to play!"<br /><br />Ian's crankiness, whining and crying at the drop of a hat that occurs on non-nap days tells me otherwise. So I, the ever mean mommy, make him take a nap each afternoon. We read our stories, snuggle in bed and usually he falls asleep for an hour. He wakes up sweet, clear minded and recharged.<br /><br />This past weekend, I thought I'd relax my must have a nap rule. On Saturday, we attended a sports class and tackled trekking through Costco. He seemed alright throughout the day, showing a wee bit of fatigue come nighttime. We got together with family for a birthday celebration on Sunday. As the day ended, it was obvious the boy was overly tired. Ian was in zombie mode, not able to follow through with any directions we gave him.<br /><br />Monday, Ian went to preschool, followed by our family seeing the <span style="font-style:italic;">Monsters vs Aliens</span> movie in 3D. Again, he got no nap, instead playing games, having lightsaber battles, and building Thomas track (boy am I glad to see he still wants to play with Thomas).<br /><br />In the middle of playing a game of Mario Cart, he gave up his steering wheel Wii remote and complained of a headache. He was pale. We gave him some water and tried to get him to eat something, but he also complained of a stomachache. In the end, sleep was the only solution. He was asleep by 5:30 and did not wake until this morning.<br /><br />This morning, he is well and ready to play! I have learned something about my boy, he needs his sleep, so he will get his nap this afternoon.Mamacita Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11984053506182838282noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19745933.post-71385115632210267172009-03-07T06:51:00.006-07:002009-03-07T08:18:14.297-07:00Thomas Dies By LightsaberMy little boy is growing up. He's reaching a stage where play time is taking on new adventures. It used to be <span style="font-style:italic;">Thomas the Tank Engine</span>, now it is <span style="font-style:italic;">Star Wars</span>. Now everything he talks about and does involves spaceships, lightsabers and hiding from Darth Vader.<br /><br />Last night, Paul got home just in time to help put the kids to bed. While snuggling with Ian, the conversation of course revolved around the Star Wars topic.<br /><br />Paul: Ian, did you play Star Wars today at school?<br /><br />Ian: Yes, I played Star Wars with Aiden.<br /><br />Paul: Oh, who did you get to be?<br /><br />Ian: I don't know who I was. The teachers kept taking my lightsaber away.<br /><br />Paul: Oh, what did you use for a lightsaber?<br /><br />Ian: Anything I could find.<br /><br />Paul: Next time, just use your imagination. They can't take that away from you.<br /><br />Ian (face lighting up with glee): Oh, and it can be invisible!Mamacita Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11984053506182838282noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19745933.post-82476683266693773792009-03-04T21:38:00.006-07:002009-03-04T21:50:02.929-07:00Missing DaddyHi, there, Daddy! We sure miss you. Everyday we ask if you're still on Earth, and Mommy reassures us that yes, indeed you are. You won't be gone too much longer, but we are anxious for you to come home. Here are some pictures of us for you to enjoy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh258QE5rU1pTFaMUJILtLgJMARX9BGZL20uYg1zRvCd3pDVIq-a3kdfkU7cMDb260F-WVMzIdYzST5yj1m5OIDDIieieix-Jf6pmn6Q-hwyUycZtrekdd17dFw-MZzD77ENTXS/s1600-h/light-saber.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh258QE5rU1pTFaMUJILtLgJMARX9BGZL20uYg1zRvCd3pDVIq-a3kdfkU7cMDb260F-WVMzIdYzST5yj1m5OIDDIieieix-Jf6pmn6Q-hwyUycZtrekdd17dFw-MZzD77ENTXS/s320/light-saber.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309559467510759010" /></a><br /><br />Ian is totally obsessed with Star Wars. He made a tiny red light saber out of legos.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju11FIJpTdObkB40PrG1UNYZ3hfzuj3CJKubPRQ3ZzbdOTD2VyZNimFBEnI4DEGZ4Bjl1JWuRaTcLRNMdBZJlFLuuWcPBi3uN8NRO8JyQKJohbwc3dgvfVQVQmJ-bkqnPy7UOB/s1600-h/Star-Wars-battle-ship-build.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju11FIJpTdObkB40PrG1UNYZ3hfzuj3CJKubPRQ3ZzbdOTD2VyZNimFBEnI4DEGZ4Bjl1JWuRaTcLRNMdBZJlFLuuWcPBi3uN8NRO8JyQKJohbwc3dgvfVQVQmJ-bkqnPy7UOB/s320/Star-Wars-battle-ship-build.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309559465844650178" /></a><br /><br />He's also building spaceships and flying them around the house with lots of added sound effects.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4ZykNcPBWm8L8eW4dsoY2Zh4x6r09VX_Vybw-dDpuVvxwJi0cniM_Bn_8bx8xM0BTncJUThH1aWNNrbRdfEWSRI02Rz92pkhPOU279qdwXi9KV4v8e-xkKOqPcHXClx2f_gG/s1600-h/Laurel-loves-her-kitty.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4ZykNcPBWm8L8eW4dsoY2Zh4x6r09VX_Vybw-dDpuVvxwJi0cniM_Bn_8bx8xM0BTncJUThH1aWNNrbRdfEWSRI02Rz92pkhPOU279qdwXi9KV4v8e-xkKOqPcHXClx2f_gG/s320/Laurel-loves-her-kitty.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309559462244945234" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Laurel loves to snuggle her kitty.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69OAKkgszXnLde9F2VkdgMhoCQJ94RDevgPrqu0tZ5RY4lv3P4eB8IwSqFA4TZb_VmGKWti3YB7UArslzulP-9GXGvenCPmipBBZGtqYwJKIUTSn8HSHs7g25xB81Ku38Dgzi/s1600-h/Laurel-as-Princess-Aurora.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69OAKkgszXnLde9F2VkdgMhoCQJ94RDevgPrqu0tZ5RY4lv3P4eB8IwSqFA4TZb_VmGKWti3YB7UArslzulP-9GXGvenCPmipBBZGtqYwJKIUTSn8HSHs7g25xB81Ku38Dgzi/s320/Laurel-as-Princess-Aurora.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309559460320758738" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Dressing up as a princess is an everyday activity.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4hJHXw9dqQdKoCNS2L0HX_Evlq84n9xTUUxPG19J7407_iiY0SiYWSX57lLGAhBkieq2yIy08rAN8wrQa6L6rvl1ai-no9AC6qVa_hOKr2xx70tjvjxv7yfi5W7r0fv8c7fk/s1600-h/little-waffle-eaters.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4hJHXw9dqQdKoCNS2L0HX_Evlq84n9xTUUxPG19J7407_iiY0SiYWSX57lLGAhBkieq2yIy08rAN8wrQa6L6rvl1ai-no9AC6qVa_hOKr2xx70tjvjxv7yfi5W7r0fv8c7fk/s320/little-waffle-eaters.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309559455216690578" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We would like to eat waffles at every meal, but Mommy says we should get in other foods, too.<br /><br />Have fun with your work. We can't wait to see you and hug you and dogpile on top of you.<br /><br />We LOVE you,<br />Ian and Laurel<br /><br />PS - Mommy loves you, too.Mamacita Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11984053506182838282noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19745933.post-55349724054231544482009-02-25T13:45:00.003-07:002009-02-25T13:53:30.672-07:00You Can Count on MeIan, Laurel and I are at my mom and dad's for lunch. Somehow, Laurel ends up eating inside with my parents, while Ian and I eat outside on the patio table. Ian gets to spend the night, so I talk over a few items he needs to remember.<br /><br />Me: Ian, remember to help Grandma and do what she says.<br /><br />Ian: Oh, yes, of course, Mommy. I always help Grandma.<br /><br />Me: Oh, good, I knew I could count on you, buddy!!!<br /><br />Ian ponders what I've said.<br /><br />Ian: And I can count on you, too, Mommy.<br /><br />He then points and traces along my body and counts: One, two, three, four, five, six...eighteen, nineteen, twenty! See, I CAN count on you!Mamacita Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11984053506182838282noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19745933.post-50479551974196151442009-01-06T04:00:00.003-07:002009-01-06T04:04:52.999-07:00Time suckage and insomniaFacebook has taken over my life. Um, that and reading Twilight. A dear friend gifted me the Twilight series, and so far I'm loving it! Problem is, when I find a moment to read, I fall asleep only a page or two in. The book is quite exciting (half way through the first one), I'm just a tad exhausted.<br /><br />Insomnia has hit hard tonight, up at 2:30 a.m.. I've been Facebooking and surfing the net. Now I'll try a little Twilight. Sweet dreams to all you lucky heavy sleepers.Mamacita Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11984053506182838282noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19745933.post-33236564522818365012008-12-22T14:15:00.009-07:002008-12-22T14:27:57.368-07:00Christmas CraftsOh, how I love Christmas crafts!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYd7v99ajZydBqJVTXxuoO5HOJgcUKCH7JNTFr86jzjLEubv78zK1254SPWzMOTrsfOJCnzh7BombCOxZtCtgK1hbZ-cIi3yJqdQiHQiAhQp7Xxmi0cQrNpvNEt6MP0G6rJiT/s1600-h/suncatchers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYd7v99ajZydBqJVTXxuoO5HOJgcUKCH7JNTFr86jzjLEubv78zK1254SPWzMOTrsfOJCnzh7BombCOxZtCtgK1hbZ-cIi3yJqdQiHQiAhQp7Xxmi0cQrNpvNEt6MP0G6rJiT/s320/suncatchers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282726492012489074" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Star and bell suncatchers are easy and fun to make.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXoi69-ZLr2wXQNRk7v3TnAfOON6Sx5r-4SFgGoz7PX8taym8qowVA_UiYjDJfrHntxYikpzBBkDib0BUpNhJBfTXVZK1uI4YfWoAbTSdOEIQz2Wi-zD-thB9I88AoZvWn52x/s1600-h/cinnamon-ornaments.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXoi69-ZLr2wXQNRk7v3TnAfOON6Sx5r-4SFgGoz7PX8taym8qowVA_UiYjDJfrHntxYikpzBBkDib0BUpNhJBfTXVZK1uI4YfWoAbTSdOEIQz2Wi-zD-thB9I88AoZvWn52x/s320/cinnamon-ornaments.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282726347377006658" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />These applesauce and cinnamon ornaments sure make our house smell yummy!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The activity the kids love most is decorating snowman sugar cookies.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCl1KkkkTI6mbXp52yhcxLf0j0nsAF_nMgoJ-RjU19z9lakHAyTtOKptRtzvriVNWUQTzmmW0vka-UA_4tCFQOCMvSmRrZ7vjGzKZutZRAeW_XwRCz_mZtuxnyY8OnVdKusKiS/s1600-h/Laurel's-snowman-cookie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCl1KkkkTI6mbXp52yhcxLf0j0nsAF_nMgoJ-RjU19z9lakHAyTtOKptRtzvriVNWUQTzmmW0vka-UA_4tCFQOCMvSmRrZ7vjGzKZutZRAeW_XwRCz_mZtuxnyY8OnVdKusKiS/s320/Laurel's-snowman-cookie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282726355247587698" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3Bik6MhUlAu6XM1-4y_7jrQ00YMjAfTCYJ8mScG_NHw4HfzG9UAs7-SlKkgk1y-OzW6jtePZm3whDiggmgkUjRFBnULcx2kOFzNlCgpGrovduV5VHeFgUBogbMFY5mcCeuo0/s1600-h/Ian's-snowman-cookie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3Bik6MhUlAu6XM1-4y_7jrQ00YMjAfTCYJ8mScG_NHw4HfzG9UAs7-SlKkgk1y-OzW6jtePZm3whDiggmgkUjRFBnULcx2kOFzNlCgpGrovduV5VHeFgUBogbMFY5mcCeuo0/s320/Ian's-snowman-cookie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282726351033734978" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1PeD0k-Quo1_9xOaowrDjaJlzuOUt4-Szq3DGUexLnK74pSGU0SKRWRdgGn2CMP0Yjo1T-sa2qBhzVfu9ETNPSY30ETpwsW6q47ZVZLwU1zWaNRQh665WfkEHNOGEpMlzi6p/s1600-h/Ian-eats-snowman.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1PeD0k-Quo1_9xOaowrDjaJlzuOUt4-Szq3DGUexLnK74pSGU0SKRWRdgGn2CMP0Yjo1T-sa2qBhzVfu9ETNPSY30ETpwsW6q47ZVZLwU1zWaNRQh665WfkEHNOGEpMlzi6p/s320/Ian-eats-snowman.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282726347361167778" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG20uVGWX12BUttgZQ4Sf5K-rldlNdJHWRgjnB1RSUI04WNZGE0fiJya8xbYWEWOfcNQSRhnMWelGyW2k_k_aBpWZ1RNVmAn1VhcjgPrKjShyphenhyphenD_etzpXECRNNVKb-SzyttHGvi/s1600-h/snowman-cookies.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG20uVGWX12BUttgZQ4Sf5K-rldlNdJHWRgjnB1RSUI04WNZGE0fiJya8xbYWEWOfcNQSRhnMWelGyW2k_k_aBpWZ1RNVmAn1VhcjgPrKjShyphenhyphenD_etzpXECRNNVKb-SzyttHGvi/s320/snowman-cookies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282726356259023266" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The survivors, but they know the clock is ticking.Mamacita Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11984053506182838282noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19745933.post-25949805883657962132008-12-21T04:18:00.003-07:002008-12-21T04:57:10.265-07:00Commercial SeepageTV advertisements are seldom viewed in our household. This is largely due to us having TiVo and the fact that most of the programs the kids watch, such as <a href="http://www.nickjr.com/shows/dora/about_dora.jhtml"><span style="font-style: italic;">Dora</span></a> and <a href="http://www.nickjr.com/shows/backyardigans/back_about_show.jhtml"><span style="font-style: italic;">Backyardigans</span></a>, only have commercials at the end of the show.<br /><br />However, holiday shows such as <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058536/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Rudolph</span></a> and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059026/"><span style="font-style: italic;">A Charlie Brown Christmas</span></a> are broadcast on major networks that place commercials intermittently throughout the program. Yes, we are able to fast forward through the ads, but when I am in the middle of fixing dinner, I am not always able to grab the remote. Agitated pleas fill the air, "Mommy, bring Snoopy back!" Of course when brainwashing toy ads fill the screen, the natives settle back down.<br /><br />And so, my children are being exposed to commercials. Is it making an impact? Yes, in a way...<br /><br />I am downstairs piddling around the kitchen, when I hear Laurel finally stirring from a good night's sleep. Walking into her room, I happily sing, "Good morning, Sunshine," and lay down next to her to snuggle.<br /><br />"Good morning, Mommy," she replies and smiles and stretches. "Is today Christmas?"<br /><br />"No, Sweetie. We still need to wait six more days."<br /><br />Laurel takes this information in, smiles and states, "Yeah! Six more days 'til Christmas. And then the commercials come!"Mamacita Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11984053506182838282noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19745933.post-13611608963751345832008-12-18T14:23:00.008-07:002008-12-18T14:41:30.257-07:00Visions of Sugar BumsLaurel just before she lays down for her nap: Mommy, I'm going to dream 'bout sugar bums!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49sbWV96mfGnEAuH0rjB_2L18ymHGRuqCFMJrmAdMIY5gCPIuFsB2QWt0b31J8t-qjAWLf7gDUXnyBFif4eTr2mNGiSYADtUzCydiPG6cHV7UAxEBQykeMLTV9qSWG7_C0uVd/s1600-h/Laurel-sleeps.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49sbWV96mfGnEAuH0rjB_2L18ymHGRuqCFMJrmAdMIY5gCPIuFsB2QWt0b31J8t-qjAWLf7gDUXnyBFif4eTr2mNGiSYADtUzCydiPG6cHV7UAxEBQykeMLTV9qSWG7_C0uVd/s400/Laurel-sleeps.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281245430787508994" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">The children were nestled all snug in their beds,</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">~</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Times New Roman;" >Clement Clarke Moore</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br />Laurel's dreams of sugar-plums came true, we assembled our gingerbread house!<br /></span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSKOYV7ZHHF49e0_mUuBKO1Z3MQaWODZkC8G4k18a8Lh3t3J7Xrf_0LJwZtDvScSmi_FeuWpe1EEkgdqAuR9TtgjV0s1SM7KCQaaSZEL14dIPaZggYx7fBvtpHe_mtg-UcibR/s1600-h/Ian-ices-house.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSKOYV7ZHHF49e0_mUuBKO1Z3MQaWODZkC8G4k18a8Lh3t3J7Xrf_0LJwZtDvScSmi_FeuWpe1EEkgdqAuR9TtgjV0s1SM7KCQaaSZEL14dIPaZggYx7fBvtpHe_mtg-UcibR/s320/Ian-ices-house.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281244797657963746" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />A little icing here...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjjDm9dehRDrsbHCzODeQjwaDBbIfk6lZ1PERcbq1p_OW9SDRGMwRn5cRjkmCvN-loZxuljfIAtZ58cbsGPwXq3IilMIlvsYjzDeG7td0bcxTxgLioQahieYF142VmOU0Sze5/s1600-h/Laurel-ices-roof.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjjDm9dehRDrsbHCzODeQjwaDBbIfk6lZ1PERcbq1p_OW9SDRGMwRn5cRjkmCvN-loZxuljfIAtZ58cbsGPwXq3IilMIlvsYjzDeG7td0bcxTxgLioQahieYF142VmOU0Sze5/s320/Laurel-ices-roof.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281245068113698242" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;">and a little icing there.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggniAd49i5LMQ9hIEOAQkV8mHJORPyTiNshErj9KVb3I3BF1so_V2IIsSgM4HTc5LT7jdBDjg5LWUlt1ST3lqB-Mt8dR_ctS0qrMsfRYXqwdAYSDYj6Tru0gf390xavebJsc7n/s1600-h/Laurel-disapproves.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggniAd49i5LMQ9hIEOAQkV8mHJORPyTiNshErj9KVb3I3BF1so_V2IIsSgM4HTc5LT7jdBDjg5LWUlt1ST3lqB-Mt8dR_ctS0qrMsfRYXqwdAYSDYj6Tru0gf390xavebJsc7n/s320/Laurel-disapproves.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281244808713264514" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Laurel doesn't like what Ian is doing to the house.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3msfjDl9v1s1InrW4lnqxmFas_6XPYCjlRH6iHQuPuoLfruPNKA8T72ikYkX6qkVev-kxManPbo4b9BZVhIiYSaBvRvPY1kUwKu0MWzeenr5qIyr79CcFocABWeU6iSaHPHIc/s1600-h/Laurel-helps-with-gbrd-roof.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3msfjDl9v1s1InrW4lnqxmFas_6XPYCjlRH6iHQuPuoLfruPNKA8T72ikYkX6qkVev-kxManPbo4b9BZVhIiYSaBvRvPY1kUwKu0MWzeenr5qIyr79CcFocABWeU6iSaHPHIc/s320/Laurel-helps-with-gbrd-roof.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281244817944367618" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;">But finally she buys into it and helps out.<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90_iYznTouo7qi2PX6LSTE5PTIKyDAXwKeLRtOHj-2eOOTov1DcddwdMw6Je2huV3ZktWktk0yjqCKYb0xZdrJJDKLIeSKR3O8t6f_cfb54qrKaDJwQb5sFOsB0shmn4OQjVS/s1600-h/kids-with-gingerbread-house.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90_iYznTouo7qi2PX6LSTE5PTIKyDAXwKeLRtOHj-2eOOTov1DcddwdMw6Je2huV3ZktWktk0yjqCKYb0xZdrJJDKLIeSKR3O8t6f_cfb54qrKaDJwQb5sFOsB0shmn4OQjVS/s400/kids-with-gingerbread-house.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281246973691454050" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The kids had a great time making the gingerbread house. I'm sure a little bit of candy will be missing from it each day, and I will continue to find candy on the floor and sugar on the walls until Easter.Mamacita Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11984053506182838282noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19745933.post-54681491248673510662008-12-17T14:13:00.002-07:002008-12-17T14:23:34.397-07:00Stockings<span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house<br />Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.<br />The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,<br />In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">~Clement Clarke Moore</span><br /><br />I don't know about that "not a creature was stirring" bit, for certainly someone in this household was stirring in order for this to happen...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcsdX-0bdiCc05GMBext5CnWJt-yJGowD2lQSlaQSBjwCZjZLKHoGgqOoZIz95ji0XNp-FKr5RrZIalmGvNoW4L26vgWgeRXf12wQr7Vo0KF1epX9M7iOEI_-LKGGU0XWEwwD/s1600-h/Ian's-socks-ready-for-Chris.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcsdX-0bdiCc05GMBext5CnWJt-yJGowD2lQSlaQSBjwCZjZLKHoGgqOoZIz95ji0XNp-FKr5RrZIalmGvNoW4L26vgWgeRXf12wQr7Vo0KF1epX9M7iOEI_-LKGGU0XWEwwD/s400/Ian's-socks-ready-for-Chris.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280870746836427570" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Me: Ian, why are your socks on top of your dresser?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Ian: They're ready for Christmas.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Me: Christmas?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Ian: Yes, Mommy, you silly. I'm putting toys in the stockings for all the little children.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(If you look carefully, the socks do have bulges and there are toys sticking out a couple of the openings.)</span><br /><br />Santa, do you have need of an extra set of hands? This boy is ready and eager!Mamacita Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11984053506182838282noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19745933.post-92189752939884460952008-11-02T07:14:00.002-07:002008-11-02T08:41:18.240-07:00Trick or Treat?When I was kid, Halloween and trick-or-treating was a huge ordeal for residents in my neighborhood. Everyone seemed to participate: those with children and those without, younger families and older families, even the grumpy old man who lived next door (sure we were scared to ring his doorbell, but who's going to pass up an opportunity to get even more candy?)<br /><br />Over the last decade, I've noticed trick-or-treating has started to dwindle. Different organizations such as churches and malls have taken it upon themselves to provide Halloween parties, fall festivals, or trick-or-treating within their own parking lot, calling it trunk-or-treat. I understand parents wanting to provide safe Halloween celebrations for their children. But one advantage to trick-or-treating within your own neighborhood is conversing with your neighbors, hopefully getting to know them a little bit better.<br /><br />As we took our own two children out for trick-or-treating, it saddened me to see so many dark houses. This year, I'm guessing maybe only 20 percent of the residents in our neighborhood participated in this Halloween tradition. It was also sad to see so few children out trick-or-treating.<br /><br />Do I need to change with the times and find some alternative Halloween celebration? I hope not. The few neighbors we do know, really got a kick out of seeing the kids in their costumes. And for a few moments, we conversed and giggled together. I guess our little family will continue this tradition until we're the only ones left with a brightly lit porch light.Mamacita Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11984053506182838282noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19745933.post-39412248761449458482008-11-01T15:04:00.003-07:002008-11-01T15:12:42.435-07:00Happy Halloween<div style="text-align: center;">Wishing your family a spooky Halloween night, from Tink...<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoF8g1gKIbm_uQ5Glo79JRKuXBu5oXSRHPFsjwLroziVbRm2AwCqa3Ux1sNWiNooYJFjTyxr7lJrVNx0AI3K1x1Dx12nkFDwTPGnI6dpclDCWmB1oxuxF7fkY1dyAswu42vB9m/s1600-h/Tink.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoF8g1gKIbm_uQ5Glo79JRKuXBu5oXSRHPFsjwLroziVbRm2AwCqa3Ux1sNWiNooYJFjTyxr7lJrVNx0AI3K1x1Dx12nkFDwTPGnI6dpclDCWmB1oxuxF7fkY1dyAswu42vB9m/s400/Tink.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263814832655267570" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">and Wall-e.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvb5mzEyxjKXtyaLaR3XDILge2wsx-VpO94X21dOBvQsuo2woxp_LPd6VZiVLFmrA-58zpnyp-1NNmgvzjevz1bxmEUThKrh-AUjhlx4NTJgUUc4aXwSueD3eJlWl2e317L05/s1600-h/walle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvb5mzEyxjKXtyaLaR3XDILge2wsx-VpO94X21dOBvQsuo2woxp_LPd6VZiVLFmrA-58zpnyp-1NNmgvzjevz1bxmEUThKrh-AUjhlx4NTJgUUc4aXwSueD3eJlWl2e317L05/s400/walle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263814831166142370" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZrSxGcS4zC4NmNdOnA-swVfbnYVxGoUEcilughGFrEAx2oHO2-L4ugBbKCVdiLAZjkwmDJP296p6bU_l3WxzeYCiu8OfCGWfSCH_raTd3a1nJKpJDW8IcCcQmmZsne2Sljd7/s1600-h/pumpkins.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZrSxGcS4zC4NmNdOnA-swVfbnYVxGoUEcilughGFrEAx2oHO2-L4ugBbKCVdiLAZjkwmDJP296p6bU_l3WxzeYCiu8OfCGWfSCH_raTd3a1nJKpJDW8IcCcQmmZsne2Sljd7/s400/pumpkins.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263814836796535682" border="0" /></a>Mamacita Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11984053506182838282noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19745933.post-43757164703342787812008-10-29T05:56:00.002-07:002008-10-29T06:38:35.156-07:00Three, Two, One...AAAAHHHHHH!!! We're at the final days of prep for Halloween. I LOVE this holiday. It's become one of my favorites. Decorating, thinking of crafts, getting creative with costumes, carving pumpkins, reading spooky stories, trick-or-treating, it's all good.<br /><br />But, of course there's a but, I tend to be a perfectionist. For the anal side of me, there's never enough time to get everything done that MUST be done. And, I over plan and don't spend enough time actually doing things.<br /><br />Laurel will be Tinkerbell. We bought her dress and shoes/slippers. Easy, right? NOT. I found out on a trial run that the dress is too big and the shoes won't stay on her feet. Taking in the dress is not that big a deal, except that I DO NOT sew. I do not own a sewing machine and refuse to get one. Why? I just don't like to sew. However, I did learn how to hand stitch in a junior high school class, so I dusted off my extremely underused sewing kit and set it out for one of today's tasks.<br /><br />As for Laurel's slippers, hmmm. Fortunately, there's a bit of gold lace across the top. I bought some elastic gold cord and just sort of weaved it along the edge and thought we'd tie them on her feet. Then a spark of creativity came into play: I weaved gold bells along with the cord. Now when she walks/runs/skips Halloween night, she'll sound like Tinkerbell. Cute, huh?<br /><br />Now, I'm starting to think about Tinkerbell's hairstyle. Sure, I can do a ponytail on the top of her head and add a little bow. But, oh no, the perfectionist in me nags, "You can do more!" The problem is, I'm not exactly a hairstylist. My idea of fancy IS a ponytail. All last night I tossed and turned thinking about this little detail. I finally decide at five this morning to get up and turn to Google for help (I heart Google). Within minutes I find a site that gives me peace of mind: <a href="http://shedoeshair.blogspot.com/">She Does Hair</a>. The wonderful woman of this blog demonstrates how to achieve the <a href="http://shedoeshair.blogspot.com/2008/10/halloween-hairtinkerbell.html">Tink hairstyle</a> step by step with pictures. She explains it so well, I think even I can do it. Today, Laurel and I will do a dry run. I just need to purchase some hairspray and possibly some glittery hair stuff.<br /><br />As for Ian's costume, um, well, let's just say I've been very busy painting and cutting and Googling (of course), and making many trips to the craft store. I swear the cashier looked at me yesterday and muttered, "What? You, again?" <br /><br />Yes, me again, I have made about a bizzillion mistakes.<br /><br />Have I really been to the store that much? Let's just say, Laurel, all of two and a half years old, knows the layout of the store well enough that she can locate the felt and glue sections without blinking an eye. "Over here, Mommy," rings through my ears as she and I trod through aisles of crafty fun.Mamacita Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11984053506182838282noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19745933.post-74500247804782142632008-10-22T14:12:00.023-07:002008-10-22T14:44:41.322-07:00Farm TimeOur quest for fun lands our little family at a farm. This is the third year we have gone to Schnepf Farms. Some things we have done before...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZ5wuOdq7rnQFrPRYDjDlJtE9lDF8sayUc-erSk_nS_FPwr4cRQbfPJ_Rncf39mc9AJAuduU10HLhyphenhyphenRVRvsNlQImF7Z2E0KcKOup2gGXpE9-5N9ol_zWU4Bqu7Fyt1KElUlMG/s1600-h/SF-Ian-and-goat.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZ5wuOdq7rnQFrPRYDjDlJtE9lDF8sayUc-erSk_nS_FPwr4cRQbfPJ_Rncf39mc9AJAuduU10HLhyphenhyphenRVRvsNlQImF7Z2E0KcKOup2gGXpE9-5N9ol_zWU4Bqu7Fyt1KElUlMG/s320/SF-Ian-and-goat.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260089462172217394" /></a><br /><br /><br />The goats and other farm animals were quite patient with us.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWI9uO7QbAuWafuQVSzXq2LXg-8eiZEjs0DYei68L9BKzHj7vRWdz6qvCpIsAnTniV1ZCgTryiRdtGP6eLihUNoCs9jmvUKo_dQnYbwjBhWhcvsOYCIIOxBID2lBT3id9HUO2n/s1600-h/SF-slide.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWI9uO7QbAuWafuQVSzXq2LXg-8eiZEjs0DYei68L9BKzHj7vRWdz6qvCpIsAnTniV1ZCgTryiRdtGP6eLihUNoCs9jmvUKo_dQnYbwjBhWhcvsOYCIIOxBID2lBT3id9HUO2n/s320/SF-slide.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260089941987622658" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We had to ride this monster slide. Climbing up the hill ensured both kids were tuckered out by the end of the day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgEQtiH0cKd6z-JRbHZuHxEHF27Pup3l2JNeibrwI0YTpy-18w4ByPte6PSjPcEHgij6A94tySZAgGwE7xoVdyDiHgdMDro-DQAvSgjeQ4q03BY6hzriGaNHA-JFPSQVMSUhJ/s1600-h/SF-family.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgEQtiH0cKd6z-JRbHZuHxEHF27Pup3l2JNeibrwI0YTpy-18w4ByPte6PSjPcEHgij6A94tySZAgGwE7xoVdyDiHgdMDro-DQAvSgjeQ4q03BY6hzriGaNHA-JFPSQVMSUhJ/s320/SF-family.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260089457539247762" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Thank goodness we brought the wagon or we'd have had to carry both of them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8rgY_AmrqR9_aAqrzNAceRg4UcZSc-slh7iKoGIsxjv41mfAQxjaPQW9yh4CMikBLMp0k5GdaUjqmMaeh8WjHvGvSE1gD9lsj4wJZSPRFLL5S5wlPR7Fj8dOln40CPPog9ci/s1600-h/SF-corn-on-the-cob.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8rgY_AmrqR9_aAqrzNAceRg4UcZSc-slh7iKoGIsxjv41mfAQxjaPQW9yh4CMikBLMp0k5GdaUjqmMaeh8WjHvGvSE1gD9lsj4wJZSPRFLL5S5wlPR7Fj8dOln40CPPog9ci/s320/SF-corn-on-the-cob.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260089456918890210" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Corn on the cob is a must!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9orPN-awGMwo9IDKieEhRLIHZSDcWRLU4vA2d65hzajuGwJIbE2jQjDWoh90oB1shizAKm_7FSiighshppncPYSDYDg07_J3ig3lAj8LqbLorxRKJZFjJWQPk_kbVR4bsyZo/s1600-h/SF-Laurel-among-pumpkins.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9orPN-awGMwo9IDKieEhRLIHZSDcWRLU4vA2d65hzajuGwJIbE2jQjDWoh90oB1shizAKm_7FSiighshppncPYSDYDg07_J3ig3lAj8LqbLorxRKJZFjJWQPk_kbVR4bsyZo/s320/SF-Laurel-among-pumpkins.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260089794231296274" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_9fEs3m4-CcrfVmfKMc6XbNMWXt_BKCEZQJ8IimIOdvh5-fGMISvAv71esiTz9P9pVbWYc1yOSw8tc6wOGkLDwEiSZU7L4gd2qow6slQIYwklwrqL3JAnefLmM3Ai3QDTXj7/s1600-h/SF-Ian-among-pumpkins.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_9fEs3m4-CcrfVmfKMc6XbNMWXt_BKCEZQJ8IimIOdvh5-fGMISvAv71esiTz9P9pVbWYc1yOSw8tc6wOGkLDwEiSZU7L4gd2qow6slQIYwklwrqL3JAnefLmM3Ai3QDTXj7/s320/SF-Ian-among-pumpkins.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260089463904071570" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Of course we had to pick pumpkins!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKcPu6b_zPz87Zapj97fxRpg6qTY7Pyy4UJVACman1TwZaNdKdg0z4AVTqU3Lk_ySXjYICspxIgj1vj2R2dHF6xGYEeAp7hYMh6G4mNUYTJEsuaTMKR2tlXMZWTtOln2eu7ZR/s1600-h/SF-Laurel-picks-a-pumpkin.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKcPu6b_zPz87Zapj97fxRpg6qTY7Pyy4UJVACman1TwZaNdKdg0z4AVTqU3Lk_ySXjYICspxIgj1vj2R2dHF6xGYEeAp7hYMh6G4mNUYTJEsuaTMKR2tlXMZWTtOln2eu7ZR/s320/SF-Laurel-picks-a-pumpkin.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260089797128099058" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />With so many cute pumpkins to choose from, it's hard to decide.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And some things the kids tried for the first time...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLWAKp-ee763g6IbXsWoaq4eyCNg_9RBVR3wwIR0O6Iuq5wZOwc3q2KytZUjxE80GNPsBY5MWySznZMEcxZIq9bqG19ys8AKptw5dMaK9j_l6guDjUrupNwCpd-dwLj_6tj7m/s1600-h/SF-Ian-flies.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLWAKp-ee763g6IbXsWoaq4eyCNg_9RBVR3wwIR0O6Iuq5wZOwc3q2KytZUjxE80GNPsBY5MWySznZMEcxZIq9bqG19ys8AKptw5dMaK9j_l6guDjUrupNwCpd-dwLj_6tj7m/s320/SF-Ian-flies.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260089470141949042" /></a><br /><br /><br />Flying is a huge hit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROFti63h03X_r5dTC-KzijJzJ6Co2y_vkKm9Ch-k1qbhttA5pGZAdDqIi2K8_JZNHAWq4EVQ4wQ8VFEUV7kq1uaFKiSjklm6ZrrKOZ2ipuOORmhnVgEiwj1O3iAwJ1d0tC12N/s1600-h/SF-trapeze.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROFti63h03X_r5dTC-KzijJzJ6Co2y_vkKm9Ch-k1qbhttA5pGZAdDqIi2K8_JZNHAWq4EVQ4wQ8VFEUV7kq1uaFKiSjklm6ZrrKOZ2ipuOORmhnVgEiwj1O3iAwJ1d0tC12N/s320/SF-trapeze.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260089943395899298" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Laurel wants to join a circus just so she can be the trapeze artist.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiut4igZtw0oB82Gtw90a_2RA_CEEgULQyvf5YugYUPgU1v2dT6MB7ga8xszobDcvuDOqphNr_3HTq0VomiCVzEaq43rF_03muJbQG0AdRQ0pZOInljLXgbKCyGX-fFZgrxRDpq/s1600-h/SF-pony-ride.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiut4igZtw0oB82Gtw90a_2RA_CEEgULQyvf5YugYUPgU1v2dT6MB7ga8xszobDcvuDOqphNr_3HTq0VomiCVzEaq43rF_03muJbQG0AdRQ0pZOInljLXgbKCyGX-fFZgrxRDpq/s320/SF-pony-ride.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260089801192734546" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />My little girl had to ride a pony. She chose the biggest one. Not exactly a <span style="font-style:italic;">pony</span>, is it?<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9DTm0vhD2QHQW7BLvBx14D9a-aYPz4Qui3ZCYW-bdBky6F-uh2j73KDt1oHafUppMF7kdi2VIWmB6r-uROeYeTVgCAompfSA6gGsayh-e5wapBoPZiBqhe-goPDn9EdN2IK3/s1600-h/SF-Laurel-overheating.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9DTm0vhD2QHQW7BLvBx14D9a-aYPz4Qui3ZCYW-bdBky6F-uh2j73KDt1oHafUppMF7kdi2VIWmB6r-uROeYeTVgCAompfSA6gGsayh-e5wapBoPZiBqhe-goPDn9EdN2IK3/s320/SF-Laurel-overheating.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260089794134043634" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Oh, my, we're overheating. What to do, what to do? I know...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahs-az3Ett3NoLbSvDWgGemHkmgLz5-xaRm-A4KsJwmB3HtTK-i8zmx6esF1RDJRp3YZiDVZ8uDxlV05l5akx9d705_iMG-xMlaqKrfnxeyUVw_CCDERTU_oWj9rZ0cxdAGzb/s1600-h/SF-ice-cream.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahs-az3Ett3NoLbSvDWgGemHkmgLz5-xaRm-A4KsJwmB3HtTK-i8zmx6esF1RDJRp3YZiDVZ8uDxlV05l5akx9d705_iMG-xMlaqKrfnxeyUVw_CCDERTU_oWj9rZ0cxdAGzb/s320/SF-ice-cream.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260089792166924674" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />...<span style="font-weight:bold;">eat<br />ice cream!</span>Mamacita Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11984053506182838282noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19745933.post-51639837233834723982008-10-15T06:54:00.000-07:002008-10-15T06:55:54.429-07:00Something I Never Thought I Would Say to My SonIt's almost bedtime, so our little family busily cleans up the toys downstairs. I notice Ian is wearing Laurel's princess shoes, a common sight these days.<br /><br />Once finished with picking up the day's mess, I announce, "Alright guys, it's time for bed. Let's go upstairs and put on your jammies."<br /><br />Ian meets up with me at the bottom of the stairs and states, "Mommy, I'll race you upstairs."<br /><br />"No, Ian, I don't want to race you while you're wearing heels."Mamacita Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11984053506182838282noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19745933.post-1727168101762959702008-10-13T21:06:00.004-07:002008-10-13T21:22:55.654-07:00Ian, the Chip Eating SoothsayerIan sits with Laurel and I eating lunch. Like most times before, he happily munches on his potato chips first. About halfway through, he briefly stops to inform me, "Mommy, when I'm done eating my chips, I'm going to ask you if I can have more chips. And I know you will tell me to eat my sandwich first."<br /><br />He then returns to crunching away on his Pringles.<br /><br />A couple minutes later, he finishes and asks, "Mommy, may I have more chips?"<br /><br />I simply reply, "Ian, what do I usually tell you?"<br /><br />He smiles and answers, "To eat my sandwich first."<br /><br />I laugh and say, "Ok, Ian, go for it!"Mamacita Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11984053506182838282noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19745933.post-5069262461831444702008-10-04T06:11:00.003-07:002008-10-04T15:24:22.620-07:00Still HereWe're still here, just busy. I've been wanting to post more about our California trip - the beach, the aquarium and Legoland, but of course life interrupts and the computer is not cooperative in allowing me to view, let alone edit pictures. Sigh.<br /><br />Recently, Ian, Laurel and I had a wonderful opportunity to spend a week at a friend's time share beach house in Rocky Point, Mexico. My friend brought along her two children, so there were us two mommies and four kids ages 4 (Ian), 3 (Riley), 2 (Laurel) and 1 (Connor). <br /><br />The beach was awesome. At low tide, there were tide pools everywhere and we could wade in the water and chase Kermit Crabs, fish and some other bigger crabs. I have to laugh because not only do my kids cutely say "Kermit Crabs," but so does Riley.<br /><br />On the last day we collected seashells in our buckets. Ian excitedly scooped up piles of tiny shells. Looking inside his bucket, we discovered it's entire contents were on the move. I informed him he needed to release his prisoners. We then tried to find unoccupied shells, a difficult thing to do. After rinsing the shells and laying them out to dry, we found several still had residents.<br /><br />Non beach activities included making bracelets, a huge hit with Ian who made about ten of them. The kids also loved frosting, decorating and eating cupcakes. Of course the week was a huge party, so we made crowns. There was lots of chasing, singing, reading books, coloring, watching movies, Laurel and Riley pretending to be princesses and playing in a bunkbed turned castle, some squabbles, some crying (and not just by the mommies), and sweet hugs.<br /><br />A wonderful week!!! Hopefully, if a certain computer gets fixed soon, I'll be able to post pictures.Mamacita Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11984053506182838282noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19745933.post-83083564864564044282008-09-09T14:30:00.004-07:002008-09-09T14:47:25.983-07:00Vacation: San Diego ZooWe're home and ready to rest after a week full of activity.<br /><br />We of course had to visit the San Diego Zoo. It's amazing, and enormous! We chose to walk instead of taking the tour bus. Believe it or not, the kids walked the entire time. Well Laurel did anyway, Ian maybe let us walk him in the stroller for about 500 feet's worth. I'm guessing we must have walked at least three miles, probably more.<br /><br />The animals are amazing: koalas, gorillas, gobs of snakes, grizzly bears, pandas, and the usual lions, giraffes and elephants. A couple of our favorites had to be the polar bears...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBi-Sc9Eaf8d9DapBmUpXhJlB2vFBfkSH2ZFsCv8MwSLBFKsnTD8JADdJs0CPVASGu6clJ1y5B_nR7lKzfaIXeKZgtU4Ht-1LLBLithMOaW4iGlWoNuNUzVV47F2jr1047ANpm/s1600-h/polar-bear-with-ball.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBi-Sc9Eaf8d9DapBmUpXhJlB2vFBfkSH2ZFsCv8MwSLBFKsnTD8JADdJs0CPVASGu6clJ1y5B_nR7lKzfaIXeKZgtU4Ht-1LLBLithMOaW4iGlWoNuNUzVV47F2jr1047ANpm/s400/polar-bear-with-ball.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244139620509611794" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdizuHVmdxeLSWAXYVgOzrWlBjDWfQsyaf_5aVkmsU-mIkUxuB7CHU2m67-Vq4Cu5cOhoOkNsZ-ZjEDD0wmEBdGq4Z2l7SzJtHRtzKgn-6bwHJSlhSzTBttU-Mw3Fc-YcbSTv/s1600-h/Ian-and-polar-bear.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdizuHVmdxeLSWAXYVgOzrWlBjDWfQsyaf_5aVkmsU-mIkUxuB7CHU2m67-Vq4Cu5cOhoOkNsZ-ZjEDD0wmEBdGq4Z2l7SzJtHRtzKgn-6bwHJSlhSzTBttU-Mw3Fc-YcbSTv/s400/Ian-and-polar-bear.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244139620460148354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8_iyIRAoKXQ5JCmc4DCsgYK3C5Pie2EjI3m4EQGBn4gD3m_Sweevin_WHfuMRNnR58l0Z5gjxqQ0J7Rvr0CJE57B0gmY6npZmcmUaDtbsF6sxvhlMlzwf8lsi6CVoSqUNIcY/s1600-h/polar-bear-swimming.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8_iyIRAoKXQ5JCmc4DCsgYK3C5Pie2EjI3m4EQGBn4gD3m_Sweevin_WHfuMRNnR58l0Z5gjxqQ0J7Rvr0CJE57B0gmY6npZmcmUaDtbsF6sxvhlMlzwf8lsi6CVoSqUNIcY/s400/polar-bear-swimming.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244139627801862834" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">...and the hippos.<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTvF5eJRauCqFZnazTAGa-IYkX2PFIKo-YxVvV40qKmPI7RghbksUINX2HueJdFCttZgUQRRVmQ3q_T1yD0jjei8O6NKpsZeDB5nAN1yG7MPi8Olkps2hYNaRQEKUDRmDQOgk/s1600-h/Laurel-and-hippos.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTvF5eJRauCqFZnazTAGa-IYkX2PFIKo-YxVvV40qKmPI7RghbksUINX2HueJdFCttZgUQRRVmQ3q_T1yD0jjei8O6NKpsZeDB5nAN1yG7MPi8Olkps2hYNaRQEKUDRmDQOgk/s400/Laurel-and-hippos.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244139628197217554" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My personal favorites were these three.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fYn1iXeXUipgwVDiYC4XrJTPi4s7W5WrRNz6V0UEeKhHwLcCVS4_GPNxTDp6MXHoK71nwoNkYhs6JSxV5gjSa2GSiNuFCl2YbMVApZ1Q9iP0-PZiupoKavasD3UWhaPvNDbP/s1600-h/Paul-with-kids.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fYn1iXeXUipgwVDiYC4XrJTPi4s7W5WrRNz6V0UEeKhHwLcCVS4_GPNxTDp6MXHoK71nwoNkYhs6JSxV5gjSa2GSiNuFCl2YbMVApZ1Q9iP0-PZiupoKavasD3UWhaPvNDbP/s400/Paul-with-kids.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244139634285391026" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We easily spent seven hours there and didn't see everything. Next year we'll take a different route to see the rest. It's definitely a zoo worth visiting.Mamacita Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11984053506182838282noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19745933.post-46118211440891598222008-08-31T06:03:00.001-07:002008-08-31T06:05:15.174-07:00C is Also For...<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">C</span>alifornia and<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> C</span>arlsbad. <br /><br />Legoland, here we come!!!</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></div>Mamacita Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11984053506182838282noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19745933.post-50470688349488214182008-08-29T14:32:00.016-07:002008-08-29T15:26:04.177-07:00Today's Post is Brought to You by the Letter...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6S-DY1bwQNaDyIgTzaPn3uKyAfF54nameWA6GjF518men6gTs5qxinNVqq2tr0XXI7j3lW8uDLed1iz_sTgzDa0WxTXC-o147e4_Ux2d7r_ZNokIuszQU8ajpuipEp0Ep15a/s1600-h/C-is-for-cottonballs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6S-DY1bwQNaDyIgTzaPn3uKyAfF54nameWA6GjF518men6gTs5qxinNVqq2tr0XXI7j3lW8uDLed1iz_sTgzDa0WxTXC-o147e4_Ux2d7r_ZNokIuszQU8ajpuipEp0Ep15a/s400/C-is-for-cottonballs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240056050750191874" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >C</span><span style="font-size:180%;"> is for<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >c</span><span style="font-size:180%;">otton balls and ...</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-ctU9_mTwCKg3A7mB6lGR1699NcauEFQ54TC-eiWzd3KlH_GfxdkrIaO52JTeH4NTtAJnkKEX7xkDxA3OYLoD8-sAq4ZXwjw57o3iudvV1g07wtStmHVyV6vPZtiQFcEospk/s1600-h/cookie-adventures-masterpie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-ctU9_mTwCKg3A7mB6lGR1699NcauEFQ54TC-eiWzd3KlH_GfxdkrIaO52JTeH4NTtAJnkKEX7xkDxA3OYLoD8-sAq4ZXwjw57o3iudvV1g07wtStmHVyV6vPZtiQFcEospk/s200/cookie-adventures-masterpie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240056514083656834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >c</span><span style="font-size:180%;">ookies,</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiui16dmjMGG2qS5_czUu3eo2RZsMEsDPQSzBdDxkX9-kSsivQoKVsRKWDfY1BLUorhfa-0cPOwjv6Wu6tXtpCOglO2yKdjf_enw4Psd1Sr7wxzbtx6UDWSU_L0EQkXghCb1zvg/s1600-h/cookie-monster.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiui16dmjMGG2qS5_czUu3eo2RZsMEsDPQSzBdDxkX9-kSsivQoKVsRKWDfY1BLUorhfa-0cPOwjv6Wu6tXtpCOglO2yKdjf_enw4Psd1Sr7wxzbtx6UDWSU_L0EQkXghCb1zvg/s200/cookie-monster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240061012975244290" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">C</span>ookie monster (of course), </span><br /></div></div><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSogPXQHQ9hngW90WwFS7jM_m57_Gqrt6LGetiEhZ1vXS3GrBXP2Gu2UsO9FrKGc0J-F5yrt8epff9uL34mZh9YgI8jFdkl6Ydi0q7104N4x_woKt8k6-rTC3KLeWlgNZQOaVw/s1600-h/strawberry-cupcake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSogPXQHQ9hngW90WwFS7jM_m57_Gqrt6LGetiEhZ1vXS3GrBXP2Gu2UsO9FrKGc0J-F5yrt8epff9uL34mZh9YgI8jFdkl6Ydi0q7104N4x_woKt8k6-rTC3KLeWlgNZQOaVw/s200/strawberry-cupcake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240063205189099362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">c</span>upcake,</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCj8wIj5INLvq5NwlrTrm378dFxIV9oYwustoLFqVgu1AnN2gT-IlESW6wsft8fkpK3en5VGJJHTh4cMmmaGd-ZyJi22LANJ_6ujgsA7AECGX2E8YHX9ok1QieUco0DJLm-YF/s1600-h/Laurel-crying-black-and-whi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCj8wIj5INLvq5NwlrTrm378dFxIV9oYwustoLFqVgu1AnN2gT-IlESW6wsft8fkpK3en5VGJJHTh4cMmmaGd-ZyJi22LANJ_6ujgsA7AECGX2E8YHX9ok1QieUco0DJLm-YF/s200/Laurel-crying-black-and-whi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240062561092649586" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">c</span>ry, </span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivv5iZnejuhGBmmm_0wmi-LQB6gh30g0a7AeO6RkYgGsIJuT9Fj6dsvZKVWBsneT_ZVo0SCU2UneJvRaoHQIqoql7OYQK2fltviOkGiTQZcPfjM1LDxmB_0VDkNffN6qrYfPLD/s1600-h/cars.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivv5iZnejuhGBmmm_0wmi-LQB6gh30g0a7AeO6RkYgGsIJuT9Fj6dsvZKVWBsneT_ZVo0SCU2UneJvRaoHQIqoql7OYQK2fltviOkGiTQZcPfjM1LDxmB_0VDkNffN6qrYfPLD/s200/cars.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240061006537011986" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">c</span>ars,</span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhLQ3J8JmXsk_xCu7_oMjIJGhH98DUnW774Kb1d7KsqgCIWzHPGg_Kc4D2_gW6QLuK2SV0ZChW_CEDuIzl3oPbTQ9kRqjfd_53LySdJ_hV7DnkSQYBVKLLPhsZv3Nesft70yD/s1600-h/crusts_edited-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhLQ3J8JmXsk_xCu7_oMjIJGhH98DUnW774Kb1d7KsqgCIWzHPGg_Kc4D2_gW6QLuK2SV0ZChW_CEDuIzl3oPbTQ9kRqjfd_53LySdJ_hV7DnkSQYBVKLLPhsZv3Nesft70yD/s200/crusts_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240061021145950258" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">c</span>rust, <br /></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwlGOWRwU4U5akCUeUbqxQWkxoRswBPeEpEc4lMb9rr2Dob7N955mqbKQychss4692MWlcEuuKUouSd70ynf1IR6j_SoSCWUa1XAKtZqehAlZ8iOtCbJzWS4AuZkoVAN3cOjb/s1600-h/carrots.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwlGOWRwU4U5akCUeUbqxQWkxoRswBPeEpEc4lMb9rr2Dob7N955mqbKQychss4692MWlcEuuKUouSd70ynf1IR6j_SoSCWUa1XAKtZqehAlZ8iOtCbJzWS4AuZkoVAN3cOjb/s200/carrots.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240061026334506066" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /><br /><br />c</span>arrots,</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQRCFPSgZxSkjrvfWmpbin1CvBH2WaspeWNWlA6__kxMpHtWnxRR2dwD9ULSxmeyt6jBu1S7Zt46qXPe2xwlpFttZvgYUQSDmDlWfsi8rLWAwfsrQqohbFJ_PJX12uvchbNri/s1600-h/crazy-hair.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQRCFPSgZxSkjrvfWmpbin1CvBH2WaspeWNWlA6__kxMpHtWnxRR2dwD9ULSxmeyt6jBu1S7Zt46qXPe2xwlpFttZvgYUQSDmDlWfsi8rLWAwfsrQqohbFJ_PJX12uvchbNri/s400/crazy-hair.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240056062850856450" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;">...and<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> C</span>RAZY HAIR DAY!!!<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Ian loves his preschool, but I think I'm having more fun. Let's face it, it wasn't his idea to fix his hair like that. This shows more of what he really thought about it...</span><br /></div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzpwzr3J0fwslSlKAS7LVVaeUPX88C9ik_N6gF8ASFT9c28Yo_rFq_CPPsY58vMrqDea4-NGlvfrKw-oAWYH3zyy-dVf89a5xIiWwWHg7ENkcUktoJrBwz9tN8fp7yv9rVPL5/s1600-h/crazy-hair-hmph.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzpwzr3J0fwslSlKAS7LVVaeUPX88C9ik_N6gF8ASFT9c28Yo_rFq_CPPsY58vMrqDea4-NGlvfrKw-oAWYH3zyy-dVf89a5xIiWwWHg7ENkcUktoJrBwz9tN8fp7yv9rVPL5/s400/crazy-hair-hmph.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240067971028767634" border="0" /></a>Mamacita Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11984053506182838282noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19745933.post-50141532967542606102008-08-27T14:24:00.003-07:002008-08-27T14:34:48.826-07:00Toddler EmotionsToddlers cracks me up...<br /><br />Paul, Ian, Laurel and I have just finished swimming. We have taken all the boats, styrofoam noodles and squirt guns out of the water. Paul is reconnecting the pool vacuum, while the kids and I put the toys away onto the patio.<br /><br />At one point, I turn around and catch Laurel sitting at the pool edge, dipping her feet into the water. This is a big no-no, especially since she does not yet know how to swim. She knows better, so I immediately sit her in a chair on the patio for two minutes of time-out.<br /><br />Oh yes, there are tears. Between sobs, she screams, "I am very angry...and jealous!" Then very softly, she whispers, "And I love my mommy."Mamacita Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11984053506182838282noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19745933.post-53143613089263550482008-08-20T16:40:00.006-07:002008-08-20T16:59:02.314-07:00Fill One's SocksAs a mother of a preschooler and a toddler, I usually dress quickly in order to save precious seconds. Simply, I wear jean pants, shorts or capris so I easily match my bottoms and tops. As for socks, I have a bountiful drawer of white socks. Easy, right?<br /><br />That's not always the case. On more than one occasion, I've noticed my socks felt slightly tight, leaving me pondering if they shrank in the wash. Upon further scrutiny, I notice they look a bit different from the norm. Then it dawns on me, "Oh, these are Ian's socks!"<br /><br />Is it possible that my four year old has feet almost as big as mine? Evidently it's close enough we can almost wear each other's socks. No wonder we're spending a small fortune on footwear for our <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">wee</span> man.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvgYjTVdsyVoEdAy8gJZU2WSdvKH4Snhl4L-J6XbKWU8mFwQbJsroR6QTBqGV1w0FyETUGZcxXjF5dMCOt7iBJiF126rXcC7rgLFz9RE_dKEFDMzHs5S6RwrRgBmTpbI18ixlb/s1600-h/socks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvgYjTVdsyVoEdAy8gJZU2WSdvKH4Snhl4L-J6XbKWU8mFwQbJsroR6QTBqGV1w0FyETUGZcxXjF5dMCOt7iBJiF126rXcC7rgLFz9RE_dKEFDMzHs5S6RwrRgBmTpbI18ixlb/s400/socks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236748980659741282" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Bigfoot may be out of a job soon.Mamacita Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11984053506182838282noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19745933.post-48778071545121015632008-08-17T14:33:00.003-07:002008-08-18T06:44:51.203-07:00Back to School MemeEvidently, my mind is blank about what to blog about, so I need to steal others' ideas. <a href="http://baseballsandbows.blogspot.com/">Lauren at <span style="font-style: italic;">Baseballs and Bows</span></a> did a <a href="http://baseballsandbows.blogspot.com/2008/08/random.html">back to school themed meme</a>. With all my teacher friends heading back to work, and all the wonderful kiddos I know excited about going back to school, I think it is a great idea!<br /><br /><ul><li>In kindergarten, I remember each child's chair had a cover over the top of it with a huge pocket on the back of it full of crayons. I even remember the fabric was a bright yellow with pictures of Raggedy Ann and Andy on it.</li><li>In first grade I got to ride in the school float for the city's parade. My mom had sewn a prairie dress that I wore to school, and the teachers thought it would be perfect.<br /></li><li>My best friend, <a href="http://www.stellabobella.blogspot.com/">Stella</a>, and I were in the same second grade classroom. I really don't remember much about that year or hanging out with her then, but we are still friends after 30 years.</li><li>Third grade was horrible, due to a dragon lady of a teacher. If we were too talkative, she would tape our mouths shut with masking tape. One poor girl got in so much trouble, the teacher put tape on her mouth and around her hair.<br /></li><li>In fourth grade I started playing the flute. I loved it, and the piccolo later on, and become a serious band geek. My mom must have been seriously bummed, since I started hating playing the piano, and would only continue piano lessons for two more years. Oh how I regret that decision now. As for the teacher, he was ok, except his punishment for inappropriate behavior was to put some sort of hot pepper flakes in our mouths.<br /></li><li>Fifth grade, hmm, another wicked teacher, although she liked having us perform short plays and had us try out for parts. I don't remember any of the plays we did.</li><li>Sixth grade was a lot of fun. Volleyball, softball, basketball, you name it, I loved sports! Slam books were a huge hit. Anyone remember making or filling those in? I remember taking my <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merlin_%28game%29">Merlin</a> game to school, and of course the teacher took it away. Our school had a book character parade, and I dressed in a white jumpsuit like Princess Leia from <span style="font-style: italic;">Star Wars</span> episode V.</li></ul>Anyone else have some school memories they would like to share? Let me know, I'd love to read them.Mamacita Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11984053506182838282noreply@blogger.com8