My Papa used to tell SO MANY stories of growing up in South Dakota, traveling out west, and settling in Seattle. In addition he had oodles of zany escapades recounting our crazy family history. When he was around I thought I'd NEVER forget these nuggets of history, but now...they're hard to recall unless I'm with family and we jog each other's memories. Oh how I wish I would have captured them!
Recently I went out to lunch with my Grandma, kids and cousin. My Grandma began telling a story about settling in the Rainier Valley of Seattle. I quickly changed the camera mode to record and tried to capture a bit. I wish I would have gotten more, but it's inspired me to try in the future.
Here's the little tidbit I caught. It's only about two minutes, but so rich in memory-making.
We had the opportunity to experience Cars Land at California Adventure this week. Disney offered Annual Passholders one hour special event early entrance before the park opened to the general public. It was GREAT! Having this hour before the masses allowed us to take in the new land, photograph it and go on a couple rides.
If you're going to California Adventure this summer, and you would like to go on Radiator Springs Racers, I would highly recommend getting there at opening, rushing to the Fast Pass line or go on as a Single Rider. Otherwise, you're looking at a 3-4 hour wait. Who wants to spend a good portion of the day in line?
When we got in line with our Fast Passes the wait time was 210 minutes for Stand-by. By the time we got off the ride, Stand-by wait time was 240 minutes!! We don't even know how bad it got as the day went on. With our Fast Passes, our wait time was about 5-10 minutes. We rode alongside two gals who did the Single Rider line. They waited 45 minutes. Not too bad.
Here's the ride from our vantage point:
I will post more photos from our day. What a special day it was!
Historically speaking, last week honored the birthdays of Martin Luther King, Jr., Benjamin Franklin, Daniel Webster, and Robert E. Lee!
On Tuesday, January 17th we were blessed to attend a presentation given by none other than Benjamin Franklin. Coincidentally this happened to be the birth day of the famous American.
The kids also started 3-week courses on the Constitution and Earth Science focusing on geology.
We're trying something new. We might need good wishes to succeed in this endeavor, but the goal is to video the best tidbit learned by each child each week. They've been experimenting with videoing each other and I'm hoping to improve public speaking skills.
So here goes week one:
Braeden Jaron Ari
Somewhere down the line they may get a little more fancier, but for now this is as good as it gets.
Oh my word! Has this month just flown by or what? My kids have reminded me once again there are only 2 days until Christmas (really just one since all the festivities are tomorrow). Unbelievable! I don't like how quickly the days have passed. This isn't what I had envisioned for our December.
Every year I hope to EXPERIENCE Christmas in some sort of amazing way. My vision is to not procrastinate. In the perfect world I'd have presents wrapped, cookies baked, and cards sent by December 1st. Every week we'd light an advent candle and focus on why we're celebrating: Christ's birth. Then I'd spend the next 24 days laying under the tree, gazing at the lights, playing games with our kids and listening to Christmas music until we fall asleep. It all sounds so beautifully romantic. Love it!
But...
That's not my life at all.
Instead, it's December 23 and I'm behind, or maybe I'm on time (Kim time). I remind myself, every year there is onlyone year to plan and prepare, yet I still can't seem to pull it together. Recently, I read a post about moms who do a whole lot of Crazy Elf on the {Stinkin'} Shelf thing. I do not know even what this is, but there's no way I could squeeze it into the schedule. Here's the link to the funny read, minus the *!@#$%^!! words.
In contrast here's my current "To Do" list update:
I just got the Christmas cards out yesterday. Hopefully friends will receive them by the 24th, but there's no guarantee.
Packages were just mailed in the last couple days. I hope they arrive on time too. Day after delivery just isn't as exciting as before Christmas delivery.
I didn't do much baking. I did make gingerbread cookies twice, and they're cut outs, so I think they count for double points. I really wanted to give baked goods as gifts to neighbors, milkman, postman and garbage man, but it hasn't happened yet and we won't have garbage day until after Christmas. Poor garbage man.
We never got around to the advent thing. Our kids know it's about Jesus. I have to be okay with that.
I had hoped to read a book a day to the kids with a Christmas theme. Well, we only read two Christmas picture books, but they were good ones: The Polar Express and Twas the Night Before Christmas. I realize neither one was about Jesus. I hope our kids get what this celebration is all about; now that I think on it again.
I really wanted to laugh (since I can turn into a stressed-out-grouchy-Christmas-prep mom) and watch Elf as a family. It was on the advent calendar. We received it from Netflix, then we lost it. It's here somewhere, but no one is 'fessin' up to where they stashed it.
And because we can't find Elf to mail back, we aren't able to watch the other Christmas movies in our Queue. Bummer! Guess we'll have to watch them in January and pretend it's still the Christmas season.
Then there's the crafty gift project I started 3 years ago. I was going to complete it this year. It's still in the closet. RATS!
I just sat down to look at the Christmas game/toy catalog. Perhaps I'll make the online order today and place the invoice in a box for the kids. That's pretty lame, I know. Merry Christmas! Your gifts should arrive in 7-10 days.
Since I have so much to do in preparation for Christmas and feel overwhelmed over it, I think I'll procrastinate a bit more and ponder a few of my Top Christmas Songs.
In years past, it seems like there were radio stations dedicated to month-long Christmas music. It doesn't seem like it's the case anymore. We've listened to Pandora Holiday Music channels. It's been nice, but I haven't been playing my fave Christmas tunes, so I thought I'd blog them. By blogging them I feel like they're getting much deserved attention.
These favorites may not be your favorites, but I like them. I was raised listening to these tunes and despite some of the crazy lyrics, I LOVE THEM! Not included are favorites like Michael Buble, Manheim Steamroller, Bing Crosby, etc. The only songs that made it to the list are the ones I've listened to over 1000 times (I'm exaggerating, but you get the idea).
I'll count down from #10-#1. #1 being my current favorite.
10. It's Christmas All Over The World by New Edition
Okay, I know I'll probably get the cheesey award for this one, but I was a big New Edition fan! The video quality here is pretty crummy, since it's a Solid Gold recording. Someone must have had it on VHS. Check out the moves!
9. All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey
I had to do it! Mariah & Christmas music from the 90's! But here's an updated {somewhat creepy} of Mariah and Justin Beiber. There's a huge part of me that feels despite how fabulous Mariah looks, looking sexy with the Beib singing All I Want For Christmas Is You is just Mary Kay Latourneau-ish creepy.
8. Christmas Wrap by the Waitresses
This song just may be on the obnoxious Christmas song list for some, but it brings back great 80's memories for me. It reminds me of high school, turtlenecks, crew neck sweaters and wandering the snowy streets of an extremely small mid-western town.
7. Rocky Mountain Christmas by John Denver
I have to give #7 to a whole album. This is one of my all-time favorite albums; probably because I grew up listening to it. My hub hates it! I torture him with the songs of Aspenglow and of course Please, Daddy Don't Get Drunk This Christmas. Not sure how that's a Christmas song and I never had a drunk daddy so this song never bothered me. It was just another track on the album. John Denver was a favorite at our home when I was growing up and I'm still sad he's no longer here.
6. Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant
This song is written in Mary's perspective. I love that! I desperately want to know what she thought and how she felt to be chosen to carry Jesus. This video was recorded at the Crystal Cathedral. I took my Grandma there a couple years ago to see their Christmas program. We had another great experience!
5. The Prayer by Celine Dion with Andrea Boccelli
The lyrics to this beautiful song are amazing! May this always be our prayer!
I pray you'll be our eyes, and watch us where we go
And help ;us to be wise in times when we don't know
Let this be our prayer, when we lose our way
Lead us to the place, guide us with your grace
To a place where we'll be safe
I pray we'll find your light, and hold it in our hearts
When stars go out each night,
remind us where you are
Let this be our prayer, when shadows fill our day
Help us find a place guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe
A world where pain and sorrow will be ended
And every heart that's broken will be mended
And we'll remember we are all God's children
Reaching out to touch you
Reaching to the sky
We ask that life be kind, and watch us from above
We hope each soul will find another soul to love
Let this be our prayer, just like every child
Who needs to find a place, guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe
Needs to find a place, guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe
4. O Holy Night by Celine Dion
"Fall on Your Knees" Brings me to tears. If you have a relationship with Christ and really know him, this song has such a special meaning. I know all heaven and earth celebrated the birth of God's son! "Let all within us praise His name. Christ is the LORD!"
3. Mary Did You Know performed by Greg Otterholt
I think the first time I heard this song Greg was singing it. We were blessed to get to know he and his wife years ago when I was selling real estate. He has an amazing voice!
I love this song because the lyrics ask the questions floating around my mind. I would love to sit down with the heroins of the Bible and soak them up, ask them what it was really like and gain their perspective.
2. Sleigh Ride by Arthur Fiedler's Philharmonic
This song reminds me of being a kid. Listening to the clomping noises thrilled me. AND the best part is the "neigh" at the end!
1. How Many Kings by Downhere
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this song! I can't get enough of it! When I listen to it, tears run down my cheeks. I'm so honored to have such a King!
Well, back to reality. Wish me luck as I try to conquer the unfinished in my life. AND....as if I didn't have enough to do I scheduled a mammogram for today!
Our oldest son is studying Physical Science this year. We've recently begun learning about atoms, molecules and chemical formulas. As mentioned earlier, teaching science is not one of my strengths. We just did an experiment the other day on water as a solvent. If you need a visual, science and I are more like water and oil. We don't mix, but sometimes we can go well together and make a GREAT dressing! I blend up what I learn, pour it on our kids and they seem to thrive and understand. Moreover, I'm so grateful for a well-written, easily understood science curriculum- Apologia. I'm also grateful when I stumble across a science resource that is informative and interesting. I hope the kids like this one!
Before I share a Periodic Table find, I have to share a funny story. A couple weeks ago my hub happened to be home from work for the morning. The kids and I were reading about chemical formulas and elements on the Periodic Table. We were discussing protons, neutrons and electrons. After about 15 minutes, my oh-so-awesome, stylish, spiky hair, absolutely adorable hub (who happens to have a degree in Chemistry) enthusiastically walks in the room and shares some brain-a-licious Periodic Table information with us. To be honest, we weren't completely grasping what he was sharing. He then quietly left and went back to his work.
Our brown-eyed middle son, with the cutest look on his face then affectionately whispers, "He's such a little nerd."
We all laughed, not to be mean, but we all recognize underneath the stylish, athletic exterior lies a GREAT mind of a brainiac. I used to tell my sweetheart, while we were in college, he's the cutest nerd to ever walk the chemistry halls. Love that!
Anyway, back to the Periodic Table find. Thanks to The Homeschool Resource of the Day from Homeschool Freebie of the Day we found three GREAT Periodic Table Resources.
The Comic Book Periodic Table: This might be a popular find among the comic book fans. It doesn't necessarily tell you much about the element, but does give an example where and when the comic mentioned the element. This makes for fun trivia to add to a chemist's knowledge.
The link: http://www.uky.edu/Projects/Chemcomics/
Why do I do this to myself? I'm trying to be a faithful, fit paleo-eater, but I REALLY want to be a baker creating beautiful desserts and baked goods. I'm impressed by disciplined Crossfit athletes, but I'd love to cook like Paula Deen feeding family and friends all sorts of home-cooked-with-love delicious meals. Cooking and baking makes me happy. It relieves stress. But just looking at it and not eating it is utterly the pits. Oh well. It's the life. I continue to dream and bake for our family.
One cookbook I've been eyeing, but not buying is Artisan Bread in Five Minutes A Day. It's on my wish-list, but hasn't made it to the "buy" list yet.
Thanks to the gift of YouTube, I was able to find a great recipe and tried it.
It was so easy and I was so happy with the results! I think our kids were pleased with it too considering one loaf was gobbled up in minutes.
Here's the recipe:
1 1/2 tablespoons yeast
1 1/2 tablespoons Kosher salt
3 cups warm water
6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Bake at 450 for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown.
Add yeast to large bowl
Ingredients
Add salt
Add flour
Stir briefly until flour is mixed in
Cover and let rise
Allow to rise 2 hours
Looking good!
After 2 hours
They suggest shaping a grapefruit-sized ball into a loaf
Allow loaves to rise 40 minutes
on cornmeal covered wood surface
Forming more loaves
Little cuties!
Cut before baking
Ready for the oven
The stone is HOT! 450 degrees Bake for 20-30 minutes.
Done! The kids are already requesting bread bowls for soup.
I'm researching some art projects and stumbled upon this wonderful Crayola song with video. I love the kids, activity, smiles, and mood of this song! I hope our school time reflects some of the fun of this song!
While at the Ocean View Welcome Home last night a number of moms had to create human "Caution Tape" to keep the crowds back while the boys were being interviewed by the media. Mostly we had to hold back the 12-year old girls who've taken quite an interest in the boys.
While holding hands in our Momma Bear line, a couple reporters from the Los Angeles news media came and interviewed us. I shook my head no to the interview afraid of what goofy thing I may say, but the reporter encouraged us to say a few words. Here's one of the reports from KCAL.
Oops! Someone better alert San Bernadino to use spell check in sign making.
Despite the sad news of the last couple weeks, we've also been riding a wave of excitement and celebration. Isn't it interesting how life is like that. In our saddest moments, we also experience many moments of joy, laughter and exuberance.
As many of you know sports are a huge part of our daily life. Our kids play sports year-round and since moving to Southern California they've fallen in love with baseball. Perhaps it's because they can play daily in the sunshine, but more likely, it's because we are blessed with an outstanding Little League program that is second to none.
Our local Little League All-Star team has spent the summer systematically advancing through district, state, regional, and national baseball tournaments all culminating in an electrifying win over Japan today in the Little League World Series. They are the first team from Orange County to ever win the Little League World Series.
We've gathered with friends watching games over the summer, celebrating each win and today they accomplished something most little league players will only dream of: winning the World Series.
Here are a few photos of the road to the Little League World Series and the Big Wins in Williamsport.
Our cute President!
Mr. Personality
Northern California v. Southern California
This one was from the local newspaper
The Winners!
Representing West!
Bound for Williamsport
Throwing a T-shirt in the give-away.
Great commercial.
The packed, HOT hang-out.
Proud parents of Christian Catano.
Packed House!
So cute!
Mayor Carchio and my friend.
Television crews...they were ALL here! ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX
Hagen Danner's familiy
Coach Pratto and Nick Pratto
Did I mention, PACKED HOUSE!
More camera crews
World Champions! So proud of these boys!
The crowd started shouting, "USA, USA, USA!" Love this town.
