Second to the right, and straight on till morning

Moved......

2008-01-16T10:38:00.000-08:00

I've moved. Still Blogger, just new address to reflect my "2nd to the right" and also because I found a new template that fit into my blog perfectly! Go check it out. Be sure to leave a comment there if you'd like me to link you. You can still find my photo blog here, and my other blogs are still linked on this blog's sidebar.

Friends for life

2008-01-14T12:10:00.001-08:00

I'm so glad my girls have their nana in their lives. They get to enjoy so many special moments......

BSM - Trading Pokemon cards

2008-01-14T10:15:00.000-08:00

My BSM for this week, is this photo of Violet and her friend outside trading Pokemon cards. Violet's enthusiasm for Pokemon has been contagious with her friends. She usually starts them off with some cards, then they get together and trade and play Nintendo Pokemon games and "talk" Pokemon. Our friend was staying with us while his mom was off having her new baby! Welcome to his little sister! Here's some other cute photos from the afternoon. Nana was here as well visiting and playing with the girls.

Nana and Livie

The Hulk & friends.........................Love her style!

For more Best Shot Mondays, visit Tracey's Mother May I!

Theme Thursday - Contrast

2008-01-09T13:45:00.000-08:00

This week's theme at Theme Thursday over at The Land of KA is "contrast". So, I took a couple of pictures to play with of some of my girl's friends yesterday and here's what I came up with.

This is an original of one of our little friends playing Gabriella from High School Musical. It was a bit fuzzy to begin with.

I converted to black & white, contrasted and sharpened. I think it actually kind of saved the picture, because I didn't really like the original. I used Windows Photo Gallery editing (on my laptop) and Picnik (free on the internet). I have photoshop on my desktop, but haven't been able to use it because the hard drive is really full, and therefore really slow. Someday I'll get that fixed.....

For more Theme Thursday participants go to The Land of KA!

PS I have a new template I want to use on my blog, but can't figure out how to apply it without losing all my links and stuff on the sidebar. If you're very blogger savvy, can you help a gal out? Just shoot me an email......thanks so much!!!

The Littlest Batman

2008-01-08T16:26:00.000-08:00

Little batman playing Wii with big sister and some friends this afternoon.

Theme Thursday - Color

2008-01-03T09:14:00.000-08:00

I have some color for ya, for Theme Thursday over hosted over at The Land of KA! Livie's loving the Diego Yellow & Blue, and tops it off with a yellow mustache!

Come check it out and join in the fun!

Unschooling Images Meme

2008-01-01T16:41:00.000-08:00

Saw this linked at Doc's Sunrise Rants. It's an Unschooling Images meme based on the Google Images meme I've also been meaning to do at some point that I've seen on several unschooler's blogs. This one is over at Relaxed Homeskool and looked like a lot of fun, so I just had to join in! Sounds like she'll be hosting the next Unschooling Voices#12. I used my images for most of them.

*Your favorite resource

*One field trip they loved and learned on

*The game they love so much they don’t realize it is educational

*What you’ve “strewn” lately

*Everyday task where they pick up lots of info

* A resource you have always wanted to purchase for the children but keep putting off

*What your kids think school is really like

* Best place to unschool

Enjoying New Year's Day

2008-01-01T14:36:00.000-08:00

Playing in the leaves, and enjoying a cuddle with daddy. What better way to spend New Year's Day. Hope yours is great too!

Oh, and by the way, Unschooling Voices #11 is up, go check it out!!!!

Baby steps.....

2007-12-31T11:09:00.000-08:00

Just had to document it....I'm walking. It's been about 6 weeks since I broke my ankle. Just baby steps, but it's something! I tried for the 1st time two days ago (29th), after some encouraging words from a neighbor who is a massage therapist. She gave me some good advice, (after receiving not much from my doctor who pretty much just said "try to start walking" after my last visit). I was kind of fearful, because everytime I would put my weight on it I would feel this tingling, kind of like when your foot falls asleep, and I just was very unsure about putting my full weight on it. Well, I held on to hubby's hands and walked across the living room. Then, down the hall and back. Now, I'm up and gradually walking more and more. My ankle gets tired after a bit and still swells up after too long on it, but it's a start. Baby steps.....I'm really excited and motivated to keep going. You really take your health for granted when you have it. I will really appreciate walking so much more now.

Sharing with Wrapped Emotions, as it is indeed a gift to be able to walk again! The Theme this week is "Gift of every moment".

BSM - Sweet Violet

2007-12-31T08:24:00.000-08:00

This is my Best Shot Monday. I've recently discovered Picnik through Flickr, where you can do lots of editing on your photos, even selective color! Lots of fun & easy to use
.
For more BSMs go check out Tracey's blog Mother May I.

Flaunt it Friday-Best of 2007

2007-12-28T10:32:00.000-08:00

For this week's Flaunt it Friday, we are looking back at 2007 and remembering what we wouldn't change for the world!!!

Spent our 10th anniversary in Cabo San Lucas and had an extremely wonderful time. I think we really needed this to reconnect, get romantic, and remember why we fell in love 11 years ago.

Came home to a safe, intact, home and to our 2 beautiful daughters, who seem to have grown a foot in a week's time! And thankful to my mom for evacuating them and our pets to safety and keeping a cool head, we can never thank her enough!!!

A new job for Dan, which enables me to continue to stay home with the girls and enjoy them eveyday as we live and learn and create.

Our first Unschooling Conference in Corvallis, OR in April, the Life is Good conference that Mary Gold at ZenMomma's Garden organized. A life changing experience that clarified and helped me to realize that unschooling was definately the path we wanted to commit to. We will definately be making the next one in May 2008.

Making new friends......we've made many new friends this year. And, some folks I feel that I've gotten closer to. I really miss my old friends from the Temecula Valley area, but it's also nice to become closer to those I have met in this area over the last two years that we've been here. It used to be so hard for me to make friends. I think that by blogging, it has actually made me friendlier and more open to new possibilities in the "real" world. I don't know if that makes sense to bloggers out there, let me know what you think about that....

Finding some really neat blogs that inspire, allowed me to meet new people, go to new places, see new things, hear different perspectives, make me laugh, make me cry, connecting with people, reconnecting with family.

Also, meeting and making friends through Flickr, and helping me to grow with my photography.

Looking through my posts from this year I just really got to reflect on all the fun things that we've done together. It makes me appreciate my health and anxious to get back on my feet again! I'm looking forward to 2008 and all that it brings and hope the best for my friends and family. Looking forward to the new babies on their way too!

Check out Flaunt it Fridays, and feel free to join in the fun!

btw, Violet had a Best of too, go here to see it, it was pretty exciting!!!!
Violet's Best of.

We had a Merry Little Christmas

2007-12-28T09:45:00.000-08:00

Santa was pretty good to us all this year. The girls received what they wanted from Santa. Violet got a Cabbage Patch doll and Olivia got a puppy, albeit not a real one, but a "furreal" one. I think they were pretty happy with what mom & dad gave them. Violet was super excited to get a Wii, and Olivia got a chopper bike, webblaster and a Imaginext pirate ship. Both grandparents were here to visit and eat with us on Christmas day. We had a prime rib, potatoes, green bean casserole. Nana brought some really good ambrosia, and some desserts. We spent the evening playing Wii sports. It comes with games such as bowling, tennis, boxing, golf, & baseball. We were all a little sore in the arms the next day! We also got to spend some time with our neighbors and Dan's brother and his family over the holidays. That's what it's about, spending time with family& friends that you love. Hope yours was spent with loved ones and that you had a wonderful time!

Violet bowling on Wii

Dad's turn

Look at that excited face, when she opened the Webblaster

We were all pretty tired the next day......including Domino, who got a present too: a catnip filled teddy bear!

Many more photos in my Christmas 2007 Flickr set.

BSM Rudolph's friendly helper!

2007-12-24T09:09:00.000-08:00

Here's my "real" BSM. I just had to get permission from her mom. But, I thought this was a really fun Christmassy photo that I wanted to share. (thank you to my friend for letting me share this!!!)

More Best Shot Mondays can now be found at Tracey's other photo blog, Mother May I

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-21T20:15:00.001-08:00

TT has a new home!

2007-12-19T14:31:00.000-08:00

Theme Thursday (previously hosted by the lovely Tracey Clarke at Picture This) has moved to Stacey's The Land of K.A. Another talented photographer, Stacey has changed it up a little and is offering some fantastic photography tips and prompts that are sure to help many improve their skills! I'm looking forward to Tracey's move to Shutter Sisters as well as continuing to visit her Mother May I blog. There's sure to be many more exciting fun times after she makes this transition, and I for one, am planning on continuing my support and admiration for her!

So, for this week's Thursday Theme we are taking "window" shots, be it a shot of a window, a shot utilizing some lovely window light, or wherever else your creative juices take you. I had some fun taking some window light shots of my girls by my favorite spot in the front room. Be sure to check it out and join in the fun!

Havent' been in the mood......

2007-12-19T12:41:00.000-08:00

I don't know why, but I just haven't been in the mood lately to blog. Maybe just burned out. I just posted an entry I had sitting in my drafts for Unschooling Voices. I had written it, and went in and edited it several times. I wasn't even sure I would post, and actually almost deleted it all together. Not sure why the hesitancy. But, I like participating and love reading the other entries. I learn so much from them. I hope our experiences help others and at least allow them to think about their own. I do like documenting the things that we do and things I notice my girls learning and just plain fun that we have, usually. I guess it's partly because of my ankle and being stuck at home mostly. It just kind of puts me in a bummer type of mood. I try not to let it.....but it does. Fortunately, I got a wheelchair delivered last Friday. It's really helped me get around the house easier, and I've actually been able to get out and about more now. We went to the town's Christmas tree lighting on Friday night, then out for some yummy Italian food at our local favorite restaurant. Sunday, we went to the movies and saw Alvin and the Chipmunks. I really didn't think I'd enjoy it as much as I did. So many funny references. I had to laugh when I heard one of the chipmunks do the "bow, chicka, bow, bow" at one point, when the man they lived with had a date and was trying to impress her. I think the first time I heard that reference was on Oh the Joys. Fun movie, I recommend it. Monday, one of the girl scout moms picked us up and we went with the troop to get some toys for Toys for Tots. We dropped off the toys at a local credit union then enjoyed a great lunch at Daphne's Greek Cafe. I enjoyed some hummus, pita bread and a nice salad. The girls both enjoyed their pita sandwiches.Then, we headed back to the Scout House and the girls made some graham cracker gingerbread houses and exchanged some homemade gifts with each other. Violet made a nice little Christmas diorama for one of the older girls. It had a Christmas tree and a kitten in it. She came up with the idea herself and made it on her own.

How can these cute gingerbread houses not put you in the mood? The girls are all so creative and it's fun to see them enjoying themselves.

I've done more in this last weekend than I've done in a month. It's been great for the girls too. I've made a few playdates for them here, and it's been so great to have friends over. Thanks to all those that have come and visited, we've really enjoyed having you here!!! Still not sure when I'll be driving so we'd love to have more......

Unschooling through the ages

2007-12-10T20:02:00.000-08:00

Unschooling Voices, Issue #11 asks: How, if at all, does unschooling look different as your child ages and grows? Is it different now than it was a few years back? What role does age play in unschooling?

Even though Violet (now age 8) only went to "school", and that was as a homeschooler through a charter, for 1 1/2 years, I felt than it did affect her in several ways. For one, once we were "required" to provide documentation of math skills based on state mandated standards she started to feel stress and came to dislike "math" greatly. When she started to express that she "hated math" to me it became clear to me that the public school system way of learning was affecting her negatively in this area. Prior to enrolling in school she never hated learning anything. In fact, she had a love of learning that, looking back, I really honestly wish had never been tampered with.

It has taken about 2 years of deschooling math for her to even have an interest in anything resembling math. In fact, today I try to avoid using the word "math". I can now see math occurring almost daily in so many different ways. I have completely let it go, and am now pleased to see it happening very naturally and on a self-motivated, need to know basis. My mom, who has been a great supporter of our choice to unschool, recently picked up a little addition practice chart board. I initially thought that Violet would have no interest in it at all. But, she started going through it, and I think she surprised herself, and found that she already knew many of the answers by heart. I recently read this page on Sandra Dodd's list of "math" in real life. There is a great link called Math A Few Words About Unschooling Math that I found myself nodding my head as I read it. Math is so much a part of normal life that I'm really surprised to see how someone could not learn it naturally.

I'm glad to say that her love of learning in other areas were never affected. She still is an avid reader, and from that alone comes everything else. She enjoys watching on line videos and playing on line games, reading strategy guides, magazines, catalogs, collecting & trading Pokemon cards, watching W.I.T.C.H., Avatar, & Pokemon on TV. They both enjoy a science group that we go to. We started an American Girl club based on the American Girl book series (historical fiction). Going to 4H, where she helps out with craft group, scrapbooking, & photography. Girl Scouts. Several different park days, one being a wide mixture of homeschool types, and one an unschooling group.

Recently, we've been watching this program on TV called Kids Nation. Most of the kids showed a dislike of school, and when given the option of a video arcade or a library, preferred the video arcade. One little girl flat out said that she hated books, hated learning. We were really surprised and saddened to hear a child say that. One must wonder what made her dislike it so much. I thought it pretty ironic though, that the kids all seemed to be learning so much in an unschooly kind of way. It was funny too, that when they were initially given the video arcade many of them spent all of their time in there, disregarding their chores. I think that when a child is restricted from something, when given the opportunity they will do it all day. But as I have seen and other unschoolers can attest, eventually the attraction of it goes away, when they are not controlled from playing games and watching TV whenever they want. When Violet initially got her Nintendo she did play it all day, every day, for some time. Eventually, she got bored with it and wanted to do other things. She still plays with it on and off, sometimes several days go by without her playing it, other times she'll play with it for hours. But, I don't see it as negative thing. It's just one of her many interests. And she amazes me with the things she picks up from playing it, and the interests that it leads to. She also recently asked me to remove her TV from her room. She wanted her desk clear for her laptop and some other stuff.

Olivia (age 4) has never had any type of formal schooling. She lives life fully. Full of joy, full of interest and creativity. She's never been instructed to do something "this way" and therefore comes up with many beautiful, interesting creations. She is a highly motivated self learner. I constantly find her eager to learn. She likes to write letters, cut paper and create things from it, build things, loves to read stories with me, play games on the computer, sing, dance, play with friends. Where I see Violet hesitant sometimes, and often asking permission for something, Olivia just goes head first into things. She is sometimes fearless, but is learning about risks as we let her know what the consequence may be and assist her in making choices that are right for her. Violet was more controlled when she was younger so she usually asks first and is much more cautious. I now, often tell her that she does not have to ask (food, watch TV, etc) but she still does out of habit, I suppose.

I think that mostly unschooling looks different in our home now, because my outlook has changed. All of the things that I've read about unschooling have come true for us. There were many things that I was not sure could possibly be true, and yet when I trusted and allowed myself to be open to the ideas presented, did come true. My children (& I) are learning all the time. It doesn't resemble the learning that occurs in school, it doesn't occur during any specific hours, but I think it is learning that more closely resembles what living an authentic life looks like. Enjoying learning. Having fun. Making friends. Interacting with all types of people. Developing and pursuing new interests, letting them go. Having real life experiences. And so much more.....

For more takes on Unschooling through the ages go to Unschooling Voices. More articles to be linked on January 1st.

BSM-Eskimo kisses

2007-12-10T11:33:00.000-08:00

Olivia wasn't so cooperative about Christmas photos this year but the outtakes were a lot of fun! Sometimes those are the best! I wanted her to wear a hat like Violet, but she didn't want to. So I ended up using one wear they are at least both looking forward. I thought this one was kind of cute, though. Go to
Picture This for more great Best Shot Mondays.

And the winner is...........

2007-12-09T15:57:00.000-08:00

Thank you everyone for commenting and entering the contest for the HP Camera Giveaway! I only wish I had a camera for everyone!!!! I picked a winner using the random sequencer at Random.org.

Unfortunately, there's only one winner of the beautiful camera below, and it is the 10th commenter which is......(drumroll)

An HP Photosmart M547 Digital Camera!!!

Betty at WAYA!!!!!

Congratulations Betty!!!! You'll be receiving your camera directly from Hewlett Packard.

Contest for HP camera

2007-12-05T15:04:00.001-08:00

Be sure to leave a comment on my Contest post to win an HP camera, here.

BSM Little bookworm

2007-12-03T10:29:00.000-08:00

My Little thinker

The girls were playing around with some glasses I had laying around. Here's Livie looking rather pensive. I just pulled out East of Eden and started reading it again. It's been many years, but Steinbeck is one of my all time favorite authors and with me being laid up it's the perfect time to enjoy some of my old favorites!

Don't miss my HP Camera Giveaway. All you need to do is post a comment and I'll be having a drawing next Saturday.

For more Best Shot Mondays, go to Picture This!

Another HP giveaway!!!!! A Digital Camera!!!!

2007-11-30T17:40:00.000-08:00

Announcing another great gift from HP to give to one of my readers!!!!

An HP Photosmart M547 Digital Camera!!!

It takes 6.2 megapixel photos, has a 3x zoom lens, red eye removal, 2.4 inch display and much more!!!!

It retails for $109.99! All you need to do is leave a comment and a random winner will be announced next Saturday, December 8th 8 pm pst!!! I will notify you by blog, or email. It is not necessary for you to have a blog, though!

I'm so excited to be giving this away, and wish each and every one of you the best of luck!
Happy Holidays to you and your families!

Mandy

Oh by the way, I just found a website called Random.org via Melody's website Slurping Life (she's got some great contests giveaways going on too!) to make it nice a fair and random!!!

Picture This - Cozy

2007-11-29T17:44:00.001-08:00

Violet and Domino getting "cozy". For more cozyness, go to Picture This Thursdays.

Winners of the HP books

2007-11-29T16:22:00.001-08:00

Thank you for those that entered for the HP photobooks giveaway. Here's the winners:

Kirsten wins the 8 1/2 x 11 book
and Betty, Cynthia, and Dawn each get a 5 x 7 book! Yes, I actually have an extra 5 x 7 so nobody's a loser!!!!

Congratulations to you all! If you don't have my email, and I don't have yours, just shoot me a Flickrmail with your address by going here and I'll get it out to you!

Wordless Wednesday

2007-11-28T17:14:00.000-08:00

Just some Thanksgiving photos.....

2007-11-28T14:19:00.000-08:00

We had a fun, quiet time at my mom and dad's for Thanksgiving. Mom made these "Mayflower" ships for the girls out of yams, roasted marshmallows, cranberries, and some sails that she pulled off of the internet. Homeschooling nana they have! Olivia mostly ate the marshmallows of course, but the yams were very yummy as well. It was just my folks, my brother Martin, and us. Martin brought his dog, Lester, who is quiet excitable. He really enjoyed playing with the girls. He was a rescue dog from the Hurricane Katrina floodings. Martin was just supposed to be fostering him, but his home was not found, and Martin enjoyed him so much, that he ended up keeping him.

He brought him to our house one day, where he met our golden retriever Bone, and played with him in our back yard.

He also rather enjoyed playing tetherball. Which yes, he did eventually pop!

The girls dressed up pretty for Nana's house for Thanksgiving.

Olivia loved hugging and cuddling up with her Uncle Martin, while he read stories. Even though they don't see him often, they always start up where they left off when they see him. They both really enjoy his company.

Here's a photo of my roboleg!
Violet took this photo of my robo-leg this morning. I ended up getting about 10 stitches, a metal plate and about 7 screws in my ankle. The pain has finally subsided, but I'm not supposed to put weight on it yet, and have to go back in 4 weeks. This is a removable "boot" that goes over a sock on my leg to protect my ankle. Biggest bummer is not being able to drive. We're getting a little stir crazy here!!!

What was I thinking?

2007-11-23T14:30:00.001-08:00

I posted a contest earlier this week to hopefully give away some HP Photobooks. Okay, maybe it was the heavy pain killers I was on, but who has time to look through my archives to look for some answers to some silly questions to win some books? I haven't even had time to look at my blog this week (or the energy). Especially it being Thanksgiving week and y'all probably being extemely busy with getting ready for Turkey Day, and probably some shopping afterwards. I've rethought and I really need to make it easier. I was just trying to have some fun (or what I thought would be fun, big wrong!) LOL

Anyway, if you happen upon my blog and would like to win an HP photobook (in prior entry), Please just post a short comment indicating that you've been here and I'll have a random drawing from the names and have 3 winners! Feel welcome to post here on this post or in the prior post and I'll pull a winner next Wednesday! That easy.

Hope your Turkey Day was great! We had a great one at my moms just us and my brother came down from Monterrey. The girls had a lot of fun playing with his dog Lester. Quite a bundle of energy, he is. Post photos soon!

10,000+ Let's celebrate!

2007-11-19T18:15:00.002-08:00

***Contest edited***
Please just enter your name in the comments if you'd like to be entered to win an HP Photobook! Winners to be announced next Wednesday!

WooHoo, I reached 10,000 hits sometime today, so exciting to see. Interesting to see since I get about 5-15 comments on some of my entries, I would love to see who the rest of you are and read your blogs and find out more about you, don't be shy! I also have a very special incentive for you (see below)! Also, I really think that you would enjoy some of the fun challenges, and other fun stuff that goes on such a MamaSaysOm, Wrapped Emotions, PictureThis, Wordless Wednesdays & Flickr. Would especially like to get to know other unschoolers out there. There's some great Unshooling blog rings, check them out on my side link buttons. It is really a great way to make friends out there in the blogging world and you'll never know where it takes you...............(like here, or here, or here!) Also, through blogging, I was asked to participate in the HP Photograhics Memories Interviews with Mom Bloggers. I was interviewed by Susan Getgood at Snapshot Chronicles and received some HP Photobooks to give away!

So, in celebration, and to share the blogger love, I have a contest to announce:

Please leave a comment in the comments and I will put everyones names in a hat and pull 3 lucky winners. The 1st winner will recieve a 8.5"x11" book, and (2) 2nd places winners will each receive a 5"x7" book.

More details about the HP books:
Photo Books are a fun, easy way to create a customized, professional quality photo book at home with your inkjet printer. The innovative binding system – think of a big binder clip – lets you replace or rearrange pages and add mementos like ticket stubs or invitations. The included software has a variety of professionally designed layouts, or you can create your own with your favorite graphics package. Two sizes, 5x7 and 8.5x11, multiple colors.
An easy, fun way to create customized, professional quality photo books at home.
Professional looking two-toned linen photo book and software
Innovative binding system lets you replace or rearrange pages, add mementos
Photosmart Essential 2.5 software features a variety of professionally designed layouts
Two sizes. 5x7, $14.99 MSRP and 8.5x11, $24.99 MSRP

Available in the US at the HP Home and Home Office Store, Best Buy, QVC, Amazon.com, Staples, Office Depot and Circuit City (online only).

Through December 31, 2007, HP is offering a 20% discount on the purchase of the HP Photo Books.

If you don't win one here, there are other opportunities to win them, just check on Snapshot Chronicle's sidebar for other contests listed.

I've rethought the contest please feel free to join by just leaving a comment that you've been here and I'll consider you as entered in the contest, and I'll have a random drawing next Wednesday night!

BSM-Mr Krabs

2007-11-19T16:46:00.000-08:00

I haven't really been able to take any shots this week, other than from where I'm sitting, so I pulled this one from last weekend when we went camping at Silverstrand State Beach.This one is of my friend's cute son closely inspecting a little crab that I found during low tide. I like how you can just see his eye poking in from the corner so I chose it for my BSM. Check out Picture This for more BSMs!

There is some more from our camping weekend in one of my flickr groups here, and a couple of sunset shots on my Mailboxes etc photo blog. Have a great week all!!!

Wrapped Emotions - Today I Love.....

2007-11-17T15:07:00.000-08:00

This week's prompt at Wrapped Emotions starts with "What do you love today?"

Here are the specifics:

For this week's prompt you will need to set aside a small block of uninterrupted time. *gasp* You can do it. You need to do it. Allow whatever amount of time you think it will take to complete the project. Get any art supplies ready ahead of time. Open your art journal to a clean page, date it and begin listing the things you love today...or whatever day you do the project.No typing on the computer and printing words. It should be done in your handwriting. Make it neat, make it sloppy, make it uniquely yours. Doodle the words, fine line print, bold line print, scribble. Write horizontally, diagonally, backwards, upside down. Give the page some color and pop...paint the page first...collage the page first...color the page with marker. Do not be limited by these suggestions. But WRITE the lists...no typing and printing. What is important is that you know what you love today.One more twist...in a creative way include a wrapper from one of the things you love today (or the day you do this). Remember, if a week's project is not completed on an actual journal page, take the time to lovingly place each one into your art journal.

Being that I'm not very mobile right now, I just decided to write it on some cardstock with some regular markers. I would have loved to paint and embellish and play with it some more, but most of my art supplies are out back in the barn, and I wasn't up to trekking out there on crutches! Anway, it was still fun, and was actually a really good thing that I was able to just sit and really stay in the moment and love and appreciate the things that were right there in front of me. My girls playing nicely together, a nice quiet view through the front window, relaxing in my favorite room of the house with some of my favorite things, with my leg propped up. So here it is. Violet also decided to participate, so I'll link hers here as well as on the Wrapped Emotions page.

***oops, I forgot to add my wrapper. But my favorite wrapper would have to be my Yardley's English Lavendar talc, but since it's on a tin, I couldn't put it on anyway.

Picture This: Giddy

2007-11-15T13:28:00.000-08:00

There was definately much "GIDDY-ness" going on last Thursday night. We were so very, very lucky to be invited to go see the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus Best of Both Worlds concert in San Diego. This was Violet's first time to a concert and what better concert than this. In addition, the Jonas Bros opened for her! We love to watch Hannah Montana's show on tv as a family, and love her music as well. She is as talented live as she is on the show. An excellent voice, and an excellent stage presence.

We were forunate to be guests of Hewlett Packard, who sponsored the concert, and were invited by Tracey Clarke over at Picture This. She was the official photographer for the HP guests and is promoting the My Concert memory books. I am so excited about them and can't wait to see how they turn out.

Thank you so much Tracey, we had such a truly wonderful time!

For more "giddy" go to Picture This!

I'd love to share some of the HP love, so be on the lookout for an upcoming contest!

BTW, my surgery went well. Just call me the Bionic Woman. I now have metal in my ankle. Since I now have the plate, I was tempted to ask for microdermal studs......LOL just kidding! I have to go back in 14 days for another xray, to see whether I'll need a cast or just a boot. Boot would be better because, then I can take it off to take baths/showers.

Thanks for all the well wishes..........

SNAP!CRACKLE!POP!!!!!

2007-11-12T17:47:00.000-08:00

I have so many cool things to blog about and was planning on sitting down and writing it all Sunday evening when we got back from camping, and well...........I just couldn't! Literally. We had a great Thursday evening, and yes, I promised to provide details, and will do so soon. We also had a wonderful weekend, camping at Silver Strand State Beach (also many great photos). Then, Sunday afternoon, shortly after coming home from camping, I was unpacking the trailer and well.....fell! I fell from the trailer steps, heard a loud "CRACK!" , landed on my side, in the field, next to our house! You got it, broke my ankle, and in two places! I've finally felt up to writing about it (after serious pain meds!!!!) Both the tibia and fibula are cracked, down at the ankle. I just have to say, it was the worst pain in my life, I kid you not. Dan was out back with the kids, who were on the trampoline and at the moment it happened were having a little spat, so they didn't hear me screaming out loud right away . I yelled for Dan for a few minutes and he finally heard me and came running. I couldn't move for the pain was so bad I felt like I was going to throw up. Anyway, he packed up me and the kids and I ended up in Urgent care. They took xrays and wrapped it in a splint. I was referred to an orthopedist today, and it turns out I will need surgery. It will require a metal plate inside my right ankle. So, I'll be out of commission for a few weeks. Won't be able to drive myself anywhere. And not supposed to put any pressure at all on it. I'll be getting the surgery on Wednesday, so please send some healing, well wishes my way....thanks :) The stitches should be removed after 12 days, then I'll know whether it will require a "boot" or a caste. UGGGGH!

Picture This - Memories

2007-11-08T07:41:00.000-08:00

Some HUGE memories will be made tonight, thanks to a very special person who I am so very thankful to for making my girl so very happy! Violet says a big "Thank You!" and we'll see you later!

Hey! It's Spidey Montana!

AND...............Dannah Montana!!!!

Gosh! I hope he doesn't kill me when he sees this!!!!LOL

Update after tonight, on another post!

Wordless Wednesday

2007-11-07T07:08:00.000-08:00

More Wordless Wednesdays......or Wordless Wednesdays everyday!

Wrapped Emotions - Recreate your face

2007-11-06T15:59:00.000-08:00

Wrapped Emotions prompt this week was to "recreate your face"

Below are the details:

We are going to get more comfortable with ourselves. We are going to get to know our own face, appreciate it, recognize it and love it. Whoa, get back here! Don't run away from this prompt screaming "Nooooo!!!" I'm in it with you and my face has seen better years.Hold your camera at arm's length and shoot a photo of your face. Oh hush up, yes, get that close. Don't expect it to look good, unless you're twenty years old it will probably look horrible. But we're all here together. Just face it, this is what everyone is looking at so breath deeply and take it.Upload the photo to your computer and with whatever photo editing software you are using de-saturate it, convert it to black and white. Lighten the image if necessary, make sure the image isn't too dark. Print a copy. Oh horrors! I know.Now take your pencil and trace over it...over and over and over. Every feature, every curve and line...trace over it. This is you.After working with your printed image, scan it into your computer and upload it into your Wrapped Emotions' post. Be sure to paste it into you art journal. Talk about the emotions experienced while doing this. Work at accepting and loving your face. Talk about the experience. Above all remember, if you cannot love yourself, how will others love you? How will you love others without self-love?

First of all, I had to take several photos to get one that felt right. Taken from too high up, my forehead looked huge, taken from too low, my chin looked fat. Already, you can see I'm highly critical of myself and not too happy with how I look. When I don't have to look at a picture of myself, I am okay with myself. When I look at a photo of myself, I am critical. Guess that's why you don't see too many self-portraits of me.....

However, looking at this photo of me, in black and white, I feel okay with myself. I think I look my age. When I look past the obvious things that I am critical with myself about (wide forehead, chubby chin, no cheekbones) I see the lines that define who I truly am.

One thing I notice is my smile lines on the side of my mouth, and at the sides of my eyes. People have always said that my girls always smile and always look happy. I see my girls reflections in my smiles. I think that by smiling often at your children, laughing often with them, having a positive disposition with them, showing them, telling them, that they are loved, creates happy, content children. Plus, they just make me smile by looking at them. They are such gifts. Kids need to see happy parents to feel secure and to be happy.

My eyes are happy. they are content with where they are now. They are a reflection of the beauty that I see in my world, through my family, and through nature's gifts. They are not windows to an old soul. They are of a new soul who had to experience and re-experience many things to finally get it right.

The lines created by hard times are seen on my forehead. Fortunately, they are few and small. I was once more serious, very unhappy, and thus frowned a lot. I hit some really hard lows and it took awhile to get through them. Fortunately, it was all pre-marriage, pre-children. I don't think I could have ever gotten to the place I am at, without having gone through it. And, it wasn't just unhappy teen years, it occurred throughout my 20s.

I am not a beautiful lady as lady's are defined in these times, but I believe I am close to being a beautiful person inside. At least, that's what I strive to be. I have my moments of ugly, and try to correct them and make them right. I have moments of hurt, when I allow others to make me feel bad about myself. I have moments of doubt, when I wonder if I'm still on the right path, or whether I have taken a wrong turn and need to go back and straighten it out.

Most importantly, I really need for my girls to see that I am happy with myself and that we are all beautiful people and not to compare ourselves to what others percieved beauty may be.

As far as loving oneself, I don't always love the person that I am, but I can't expect to be perfect, and I have to try to love the imperfect person that I am. It's a work in progress.....and thus the point of participating in Wrapped Emotions.

What do you see?

Enjoy your family - WE

2007-11-05T09:29:00.000-08:00

(Olivia took this photo of Violet & I)

Wrapped Emotions prompt this last week, was Enjoy your family. Being that we are unschoolers and I am with my girls pretty much all the time, I am very fortunate that I get to enjoy my family quite often! But, even more so when Dan is home too. He started a new job 2 months ago and is working longer hours. It's a real bummer and the kids miss him being at home at 430 in the afternoons. Recently, Olivia wanted to know the days of the week, in order. She'll say some of the days and try to put them in order out loud, so I've been helping her try to memorize them, because that's what she wants (natural learning occurring!). I wasn't sure about her motive for learning it, or whether there even was one, until she asked "what day is daddy home?" Aha, she wants to know so that she can know what days she can expect daddy to be home. Cool. So, with daddy home this weekend, she, they both, got to spend lots of time with both of us and I got to enjoy my family, that much more! We had been spending more time in doors, due to the air quality from the fires, and this weekend it was finally very clear and beautiful outside. So they got to spend some time on the trampoline, riding trikes and bikes, and playing "Tarzan & Jane" (Olivia's favorite pretend game-you guessed it, she's Tarzan, I'm Jane!)

Dog Pile on the trampoline with dad

We even had family time with the cats. We had fun watching them wrestle around!

(Photo courtesy of Olivia)

For more entries, go to Wrapped emotions or go to the link below

BSM-Pat a Cake, pat a cake

2007-11-05T07:08:00.000-08:00

We were sitting on the floor and Olivia said to me "Let's play pat-a-cake", so we played a few rounds, then she let me take here picture while we were playing. I set the camera on one of Violets full drawers of clothes in her dresser and put on the timer.
I love her smile here, she's really enjoying herself!

Camping lists, anime, paper airplanes, just some more typical unschooling days..........

2007-11-04T08:50:00.000-08:00

Dan reminded the girls that we would be going camping next weekend and perhaps we should start preparing and getting ready for our trip, albeit just a weekend trip to the beach. So, the girls decided to make some camping check off lists, as they've seen me do in the past when I start to get ready (or I will most definitely forget something!). So they sat down on the carpet and proceeded to write down what they will need to bring. They listed out the clothes they would need, toys that they wanted to bring, toiletries, etc. Olivia drew pictures on hers, and she wrote "Olivia's List" on the top, with Violet's help. I sat close by and watched and helped with words as requested, but mostly they just did it on their own. Afterwards, Olivia starting cutting it up (she just loves cutting with scissors!). I often find lists that Violet has made around the house. I just ran out to the car for something and found a list that Violet had made when they evacuated. It was a list of things to take with them to Nana's house.

Olivia's been creating a lot of really interesting things lately. She likes using glue to put pieces of paper together, add string and make little baskets. She made some puppets out of foam paper, yarn and Popsicle sticks. She loves putting glue on her fingers, letting it dry then peeling it off (I love doing that too!). It's funny the things we find around the house that she has created or put together. She also likes to arrange things to create symmetrical patterns. This morning Dan was fixing the kitchen sink faucet and left some tools out while he ran out to the hardware store to pick another piece that he needed. Olivia sat and played with the tools while I made breakfast. I made sure there was nothing unsafe for her to play with then proceeded to cook some eggs. When I turned around, she had made this....
As I sit here typing, Olivia is sitting next to me using blue electrical tape, lined paper, scissors, a glue stick, and cutting some bristles off of a baby hair brush! Not sure what she is creating yet, but will be interesting to see what it turns into! She also filled up a little felt heart box with some Reeses chocolate and wrote "Pokemon" on a piece of paper and glued it to the top and said "here mom, these are your favorites". Earlier she made a paper airplane for me. Interesting, I never showed her how to make one, but she made a pretty good one. When we went to the Fall Festival on Halloween, there was a games booth where they had some pre-made paper airplanes and she had to throw them through a hole on a plywood frame to get points. Although, she has seen paper airplanes before, I think perhaps it is still fresh in her mind and she decided to make her own. I told her I have a paper airplane book and asked would she like to see it. She said "no, I already made one". LOL She certainly has her own ideas for everything that she makes, and I would hate to squelch that!

Violet's found this gamer, Marriland, on Youtube and has been watching his videos. He shows his viewers how to capture Pokemon in Diamond and Pearl. She's really learning a lot from him and gets excited when she learns something that helps her catch a Pokemon that she's been trying to get. He's got a great sense of humor and a really pleasant voice, so it's fun to listen and watch. This is one of the many avenues she uses to better her game. I bought her a user strategy guide for Mystery Dungeon which she enjoys using and she loves reading Pokemon story books and watching Pokemon on TV. While watching the videos on Youtube, she often is doing something else, like drawing Anime or Pokemon figures.

This week, we went to an Anime group that meets once a month. They had a cosplay contest, where they dress up as their favorite Anime characters. Violet dressed up as Dawn from Pokemon for Halloween, so she was ready for the contest. While there she met a boy who was dressed as Ash! They really hit it off and had a lot of common interests. He loves Pokemon, nintendo and loves to draw. Also, after talking with his mom for a bit I discovered they were unschoolers! We exchanged numbers and plan to get together soon. His little sister was so cute. She was dressed up as Pikachu.

All in all, a pretty back to normal week.

Oh, and by the way, one of the creations Olivia was just making, turned out to be a little sword, handle and all! Another gift to treasure!

Princess & Spidey

2007-11-02T09:55:00.000-07:00

We went trick or treating with some friends at the downtown shops. Merchants were handing out candy from 3-6 pm. It was great to see so many people out and about after the fires. Afterwards, we went to a local church fall festival that a friend had invited us to. There were games and prizes and a cake walk. It was pretty fun. Then.......the girls wanted to experience "real" trick or treating in the evening in a neighborhood close by, that we heard was handing out treats. We ran by our house to pick up Dan, and there was one group of trick or treaters (the only that came that night) in a golf cart trick or treating at our house. The houses are all so spread out that it's really not worth it for trick or treaters to come to our neighborhood. But, we were decorated, so they knew we had candy! We went to the block that we heard about with many houses decorated and lots of kids out trick or treating. One man that was handing out candy said it was so nice to see people out and about after being holed up for 5 days. Many people stayed during the evacuation stayed in their homes, with the windows closed up because of the smoke, to protect their homes. The kids had soooo much candy by the end of the night. I hope they get tired of it soon, because I still need to recover from all the good food in Cabo! I won't say how much I gained, but let's just say, I realllly need to get back to the gym soon!

For more Halloween pictures go to my Flickr group. There's a photo of Violet and Olivia in their costumes, but it's marked for friends and family only, because there's some other kids in it (I'm not sure okay to post on my blog-will have to check with them) but if you know me and would like to see them, just ask. Violet was Dawn from Pokemon and Olivia was Spiderman.

Unschooling Voices #10 is up!

2007-11-01T17:17:00.000-07:00

Unschooling Voices #10 is up! If you're interested and want to find out more about what unschooling "looks" like, check it out!

Thank you mama!

2007-11-01T16:09:00.001-07:00

My mom hates to drive at night. So much so, that she will be sure to leave somewhere before nightfall, or spend the night, which she has done so on numerous times while visiting us. I love having her here. The girls love having her here. So, when Dan wanted to take just us to Cabo San Lucas for a week for our 10 year anniversary, I knew that they would be in very good hands. The extent of that I did not know until last week. She came down to stay with the girls at our house because we both knew they would probably be more comfortable here with all their stuff, their toys, books, friends. They had planned on going to our usual gatherings. There was a science group meeting in town, an American girl club meeting, and a neighborhood friend of mine was even going to go walking with her while the kids played at her house. I had every faith in knowing that our girls would be in very good hands.

We flew down Saturday morning at arrived around 4 in the afternoon. Our first evening was very enjoyable, as was our next day. My husband had switched over his cell phone to receive calls in Mexico, but we inadvertently didn't switch mine. I called the girls Saturday and everything was just fine.

Sunday, mom called to say there was a fire but it didn't sound like anything major or anything close.

Sunday evening, our town was evacuated. My mom, who hates to drive at night, drove out of town at 9 pm. What should have taken an hour took 4 hours to get to her house. She packed some clothes for the girls, took our dog, and our cat in a carrier. She packed a few valuable things. Violet brought a picture of Dan & I (our engagement photo) and a box of Sassy's ashes (because she knew that was important to me), she brought my laptop and my jewelry case.

We did not find out that they were evacuated until Monday. She had attempted to call us on my cell phone, but unknowingly the messages were not coming through. Finally, Dan's brother reached us and we learned of the severity of the situation.

I just wanted to post and say how very proud and thankful I am to my mom for being here, and for handling the whole situation so calmly. Even in her voicemails, that I later retrieved, she sounded so calm and didn't want us to be alarmed or worried. The girls have had no after effects of fear or anxiety. She kept them calm and actually, they still had a very good time with their Nana while at her home! Thank you so much mom! I love you!

As of today the Witch Fire is 100% contained. More than 400 structures in Ramona were destroyed. It burned 197,990 acres and the cost to gith the blaze is $13 million so far.38 firefighters have been injured and two civilians have died. This is just in the Witch Fire alone. My home and neighborhood are fine, but there are many in Ramona that are not.

If you would like to help out directly, there is a Witch Fire victims needs list blog and of course, the San Diego Red Cross.

Posted for my momma and shared with my friends at Picture This

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

2007-10-31T10:34:00.001-07:00

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!
Violet designed and carved this one by herself!

Wordless Wednesday

2007-10-31T09:27:00.000-07:00

***note edited photo, because Violet didn't like it........

10 years!!!!

2007-10-30T13:42:00.000-07:00

Dan & I celebrated our 10 year anniversary, and my birthday in Cabo San Lucas last week. While there, we missed the fires that occurred in San Diego. Our daughters were home with my mom and were safely evacuated. We are all home now, and so very thankful to my mom for getting them out safely! Although, we were quite worried the first day or two when we heard about it (we were on the cell phones numerous times), we were finally able to relax and enjoy our time together. I took soooo many photos (of course!!!) and have posted a set on Flickr. I'll post a few favorites on my blog too, soon. Here is Dan & I the 1st or 2nd day (notice-no tans yet!) that I took with my camera on timer. I forgot my tripod and had to use whatever was available for photos of the both of us, so you don't get too many of those. But, I had a lot of fun taking pictures of the beautiful scenery while there. It was clear, blue and warm. A huge contrast to the smoky, skies we saw as we came home on the plane. We even saw flames still burning in the hills from the plane. Weirdest thing though, as we drove into Ramona on Saturday from the airport, there was a rainbow over Ramona. And, I remembered that as we left the hotel in Cabo, Iz's Over the Rainbow was playing (and stayed in my head for a long time after), and I knew in my heart, everything was gonna be okay........
As I pulled into my mom's driveway to see the girls, Violet came running out "Mamma!!!" and gave me a huge hug and wouldn't let go. Olivia was hiding in the house and when I saw her she came running and gave me a huge hug and had the biggest smile on her face. I didn't want to let either of them go.......I missed them so much and called them 2x and 3x a day.......we're in for a huge cell phone bill! I'm so happy to be home.

10 years ago....

San Diego fires-family update

2007-10-29T09:46:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let all of our friends and family know that we are fine! I wish I could of posted sooner, but Dan & I were in Cabo San Lucas for our 10 year anniversary when this all happened, and the girls were here at our home with Nana. They were evacuated from Ramona and spent the rest of the week at her home about an hour from here. Our home, our pets are all safe. We came home Saturday, and spent the night in Murrieta, but are now home cleaning up the mess. We still do not have drinkable water, but water was given out at several local places. Thank you so much to all those that called and sorry I have not been able to get back to them all. We couldn't pick up our messages on our cell phones while in Mexico. Thank you to all for the offers of support and help. It's good to know that we have so many friends and family that care about us. We will let you know how you can help those less fortunate, if you are interested, both in our town and locally.

Thanks again!

Dan, Mandy, Violet & Olivia

My girl Olivia

2007-10-18T09:37:00.000-07:00

I just looooovvvvee her soooo much!

Some more of the kids..........

2007-10-17T08:38:00.000-07:00

a couple of kids

Isn't she just the cutest kid????

Wordless Wednesday #4

2007-10-17T08:09:00.000-07:00

for more WW go here, and for more of of the "kids" go here.

I've entered this for Shutterbug showdown's theme Hugs & Kisses, if you'd like to join in, go here.

BSM - At the pumpkin patch

2007-10-14T21:40:00.000-07:00

I just love watching her as she sits and thinks about who knows what. I hope she remembers this moment and looks back at it with happy thoughts.
For more Best Shot Monday photos, go to Picture This!
BTW, here's some more shots from the pumpkin patch if you feel like checking them out.....

Riding my trike

2007-10-12T15:22:00.000-07:00

Just some fun shots of Livie riding her trike in the back yard this morning.....

View On Black

and jumpin' on the trampoline!

and poopin' herself out! LOL

Wrapped Emotions - Go Feel Life

2007-10-11T12:48:00.000-07:00

This week's challenge:

This week let's do crayon rubbings. You will need an unwrapped crayon and thin paper such as tracing paper, onion skin paper, or tissue paper and your eyes and finger tips. During the week observe the texture of the world around you while at home, work, shopping, exploring nature, where ever you go. When you see or feel a texture that captures you, take a piece of paper, lay it against or wrap it around the object. With the side of the crayon rub across the surface, leaving a print of what was underneath it. Walls of buildings, manhole covers, tree bark, fabric...be observant...find something that speaks to you...makes you feel something from sight, then touch it.

I had so much fun with this week's challenge at Wrapped Emotions, that I made two of them. And, will probably make more with the kids (they're not interested at the moment). First, what came to mind was the typical outdoorsy nature rubbings, that I've done before with the kids; bark, leaves, rocks, etc. But, as I looked around this week, the things that stuck out to me were the things I have chosen for my home. Things that I enjoy looking at pretty much everyday. My colorful stained glass window with cats on it that hangs against our back sliding door window. A swirly patterned metal basket that hangs on my dining room wall, a woven basket, and a little gold colored wire basket that Olivia frequently plays with and always ends up out in plain view somewhere in the house. I loved the abstract patterns that it made when I made my rubbings on it. I started with the wire basket with swirly patterns on it. I was drawn to it because of the swirly designs. I just started rubbing, then thought it'd be neat to make a heart shape with it. Then, ideas just started flowing and I thought how it'd be neat to have a different background swirling behind it, so I used the little metal wire basket that Olivia plays with with a different color. I used some pastel crayons because they are just so much brighter and were easy to use. As I was sitting there working at the table I looked up and as I often do was looking at the colored glass window. It's so colorful and just puts you in a good mood looking at it. I love cats, so you see cats throughout my house in many forms. I took the paper and rubbed one of the cat profiles on the paper, then added the swirly background to it.

I then, went back and felt the textures of the original pieces. I don't know why I didn't do that first. I guess they aesthetically appealed to me first, then I remembered Melody's suggestions of touching it, physically connecting with it. I closed my eyes and felt the swirly basket on the wall. I love the curves of the metal. It's cool to the touch. It makes me think about the artist's vision and work that went into creating it. I wonder if he/she gets a sense of accomplishment or pride when creating it. I wonder if they are as happy with how it turned out as I am. I wonder if they know that it brings simple joy to another person. Then, I wonder if my art will bring joy to another person. Or, does it matter. I'm finally at a point where it brings me joy. Not only do I enjoy the process, but I get to look back at it, and feel the emotions that it brings to me.

Wow, I'm really surprised about what I just wrote. I really wasn't expecting that. I have never felt pride or contentment with something that I've created and now I'm getting to do that. It may not mean anything to anyone else, but I can enjoy it and I can be content with it, and......it just makes me feel really good!

For more of Wrapped Emotions or to join in go to the link below!

Club Mom photography contest

2007-10-11T10:19:00.000-07:00

A shameless plug to ask you to vote for me, if you find this photo worthy, for a photo contest over at Club Mom. I'm using this photo that I posted a few posts back. Thanks! And if you enter, I'll be sure to reciprocate the vote!! Voting starts 10/12/07.

Just go to this link, to vote. THANKS!!!! BTW, this is the first online photo contest that I've ever tried out for. Wish me luck : )

Wordless Wednesday #3

2007-10-10T12:04:00.000-07:00

For Wordless Wednesday

Trick or Treat!!!!! BSM

2007-10-07T12:37:00.000-07:00

My best shot Monday for Picture This. Taken at California Adventure Park while there for the Parents Blogger Halloween Reception at the Grand California Hotel. The girls and I went trick or treating in the California Adventure Park. It was a "treat" to meet Tracey Clarke as well as again seeing Elaine from Wannabehippie. More photos from our day in my Disneyland Flickr set.

For more BSMs check out this link!

Picture This - Wide

2007-10-04T07:44:00.001-07:00

Running in wide open spaces........something my girls love to do. Especially, when we go to park days with our homeschool groups. We moved to where we live now not only for my husband's commute to be shorter, but there are wide open spaces everywhere. There is a large field next to us, and many beautiful parks and areas to play in. For more "wide" pictures go to Picture This.

Wrapped Emotions - Legal Grafitti

2007-10-03T21:23:00.000-07:00

This week the challenge at Wrapped Emotions was to create Legal Grafitti.

This week let loose...get edgy with your style...free your spirit...absolutely no fear. We had enough of that last week. This prompt is not associated with any tangible or figurative wrapper. I simply want you to experience the fun of creating. This week we're working to feel the emotion of JOY. Not necessarily expressing the actual word or symbolism of joy in your art...you can celebrate shoe polish if you choose. But enJOY the process. Let's create our own graffiti.

Graffiti artists develop their own styles. They work quickly, intuitively, randomly and never stop the process to think about what to do next. You should try anything, everything...collage, paint, stains, spray paint, markers, colored pencils, markers, stencils, doodling, marks, lines, swirls, symbols, written words, calligraphy, images (photos, magazine cutouts, photocopies, sketches), stamps, prints...whatever.

Think of urban graffiti walls. The art is vibrant, multi-layered, freestyle, textured. Do not over think as you work, and do not think neat, orderly. Think juxtaposition. If you have time, go on a search for public graffiti walls in your city or search online for images. Get inspired.

So, that's exactly what I did. I got out my girls' markers and some paper and just started doodling. I've always enjoyed drawing girl's side profiles. I like drawing flowers, and I like using bright colors. As I drew the flowers and the leaves and flowers, I thought about growth. Words just flowed as I drew; peace, love, dreams, smiles, reach, souls, hugs, harmony, family, gentleness, respect, growth, fairies, make a wish. I thought about how when I walk through fear, get past the tears, get past the pain, there is always growth. And, growth of a flower bed represents the growth of me. It was fun drawing swirly shapes, abstract flowers, and writing in her hair. Violet joined in and drew one of her own. I'll post it soon. It was a fun challenge. I remember doodling a lot when I was in school, and it seems I lost the desire to doodle for a long time. Now, I get to doodle a lot, especially since both the girls like to draw and create too. We get to experiment together. For more Wrapped Emotions go to:

Wordless Wednesday #2

2007-10-02T22:06:00.000-07:00

story behind the picture:
A Superhero's View

Good things come in small packages

2007-10-02T16:01:00.000-07:00

I think it was my mom who must have told me this when I was young. I was always smallest amongst my peers, and perhaps due to my birthday, but also because I took after my little nana on my dad's side. Anyway, when I saw this link on Tracey's blog, I checked it out and instantly fell in love with the button as well as the message behind it. Also, if you remember Wrapped Emotions & Picture this both referred to Jen Lemons site when she wrote the beautiful post about her letting go of fears ritual. So, I've just added the button to the side and excited to see what transpires.
Here is their manifesto:

The Small is Beautiful Manifesto

We believe stories are valuable, no matter how many people read them.
We believe following your passion is more important that watching your site
meter.
We believe in the handmade, the first try, the small start, and the good
effort.
We believe that small is beautiful.

To join us, add one of these buttons to your blog. Just copy and paste the html code to link to this page.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month-Hope has color, it's pink!

2007-10-02T10:07:00.000-07:00

In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I took these photos of some pink mandms that Olivia picked out at the store the other day that support the Susan G Komen fund. Go buy some today!

Here's a closeup!

Olivia picked some, so should you!

Hope has color, it's pink..........
http://www.komen.org/
You can sign up for a mammogram reminder here. And more info at American Cancer Society.

Violet's blog

2007-10-01T09:45:00.000-07:00

Come visit Violet, she has a new post up with some exciting news!
http://violetta0402.blogspot.com/2007/10/pokemon-festival.html

Rappaccini's Daughter

2007-10-01T08:51:00.000-07:00

This is my yummy shot for Best Shot Monday, over at Picture This. They are some Fairy muffins the girls and I made to sell at a production of Rappaccini's Daughter that Violet and her friends were in on Sunday. The recipe is in Usborne book's Fairy Cooking. They have raspberry jam in them, and taste like scones. They have a lemon juice and powdered sugar drizzled on top. Here's a whole plate of them......to share with my blogger friends!

Violet and some of her homeschool friends decided to put on a play by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Rappaccini's Daughter. It is a play about the original Poison Ivy. Violet was the treasurer and performed as the narrator.

They had an intermission, where they provided the treats, and pizza and drinks. It was held in our friend's backyard. The girls created backdrops, and programs, and dressed up as their parts. They did all the work themselves, without help from the parents. Pretty amazing group of kids!

Banned Books Week Sept 29- Oct 6

2007-09-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

go read a banned book!

Wrapped Emotions - My Ritual: A place of trust

2007-09-26T20:26:00.000-07:00

Looks like I'll be able to knock out 2 birds with one stone, so to speak, this week. Although, if you know me, you know I'd never knock out a bird! I love birds and I love my garden. Which brings me to the theme this week for Picture This Thursday, and Wrapped Emotions theme; Finding a place of trust. Both referred to this beautiful post by Jen Lemen in which she shares a meaningful ritual she created to let go of some of her fears. I'll let you read the post to see how she portrays this. It's really creative and spiritual, and I admire her and thank her for sharing her idea. It obviously touched a chord with many as you can see through this week's themes.

A ritual for me, since being able to stay at home with my girls is that I often get up earlier than they and therefore am able to have some quiet, reflective time in the mornings. I often get up, put the coffee on, then go out and fill the birdseed dish, fill the finches thistle seed sock, and feed the bunny. Often times, they are waiting anxiously as I hear them up in the trees and the bushes twittering, hungry and ready for the day, Max comes hopping over to check out his treats.

I enjoy my garden, and the little menagerie of garden friends I've collected over the last year to sit amongst the flowers.

I enjoy the creations such as the little birdhouses my father has made me, garden ornaments the girls have made, and mementos of memories that share the garden (Sassy's roses, resting place for Speedy our bird and Jack Sparrow our tadpole)

The garden is frequented by our beloved friends that have left us, Sassy is a yellow finch, Abby is a butterfly, and Sweetpea is a dragonfly. We have lost several cats over the years, but they visit us her in our sanctuary.

sometimes I'm joined by Max the bunny or

Domino, Violet's cat, a rescue cat our dear friend Renee gave to us.

I'm also joined recently by two black kittens, that we rescued from the back of a liquor store. I had them spayed and shots given. They are still too shy of me, but know that I feed them, and have been coming around closer to me as they come to trust me.

I sit, and enjoy my coffee, often with my favorite cup, my dream cup a dear friend gave me several years ago. I enjoy the start of a new day. I enjoy the beauty of the universe. Thankful that I have the life that I have. I get to spend everyday with my girls. Learning new things with them, seeing things new again, through their eyes. Thankful to my husband for giving me this. I never asked for this and yet I have been given so much.

Back to the challenge.....Finding a place of trust, letting go of fears. Many fears of my past have already left me, or at least lessened. There have been new fears to replace them, but they are not as intense, and I don't let them rule my life. They are natural fears that I either have no power over or if I do, I do my best to not let them control me and to do what I can to avoid them. I haven't performed a ritual to let go of the ones that I have, but I feel they are healthy, reasonable fears, and have no need to let them go right now, as they do not rule my life. I think that perhaps because of the life I'm living now, the choices that I've made, I know that everything is going to happen exactly as it should. For now, I am quite content with that.
If you'd like to participate in Wrapped Emotions, or just read some of the other interpretations just click below.

The British are coming, the British are coming!

2007-09-25T12:30:00.000-07:00

Actually, they're already here. Uncle George (my mom's brother) and Aunt Jan are visiting from England at my mom's house for 2 weeks. We got to visit with them one day last week, all afternoon, and the girls really warmed up to them (as they always do!) and enjoyed talking to them. We had one of our poetry readings after dinner and read from Shel Silverstein's Where the Sidewalk Ends and A Light in the Attic, also some Roald Dahl. Uncle George did a wonderful reading that the kids (& we all) really enjoyed! Especially, being told with an English accent! He acted out the parts, inflecting lots of emotions with the characters, and the kids absolutely loved it!

Olivia played usher, and showed everyone their seats.

Violet played host, and presented the readers.

She made a sign for the poetry reading and called it Poetry at Vivi's House.

Shel Silverstein is one of Violet's favorite authors. Some time ago, Violet told Nana that one day she would like to meet him, and Nana told her that he had died....Violet was really saddened by that.

Olivia's turn with a little help from Violet. The kids never get enough of this, and just kept reading more and more until it was time to go home.

Livie got mail! - BSM

2007-09-24T08:09:00.000-07:00

Olivia got this ginormous letter in the mail the other day! Wonder what it is?????
About a month ago, we entered A Little Perspective photo contest for kids. Olivia won an Honarable Mention for her photo "green swing". Check out all of the other amazing photos that the kids entered here.

She won a Club Mom water bottle

Her photo "green swing".

She also won the best prize ever, her favorite cereal! Cheerios!!!!

Which is my pick for Best Shot Monday over at Picture This, go see more there!
The contest was hosted by Picture This, Snapshot Chronicles, & The Little Zygote that could. Thanks ladies for making my little girl smile!

Wrapped Emotions: Necessary Bindings

2007-09-22T16:14:00.000-07:00

I created an art journal for my Wrapped Emotions projects I started participating in last week. This week we were to create a book to put our projects in. This is what I came up with.

I found a scrapbook for a great price so figured that would work out fine. First, I painted the outside with an acrylic paint in purple, which is my favorite color. Then I stamped it with a French script stamp with gold ink, but it came out kind of light so I just smeared some of the gold ink directly from the pad to the cover. I then stamped the title Mandy's Unwrapped Emotions (now, I'm not sure if I should have put "Wrapped", but really, it's the feelings that we are "unwrapping" that we are documenting so I guess that's okay). I wasn't sure what else to do to it, but knew it needed something. I ended up putting some flower diecuts on it with some petal eyelets, some purple sticky netting, and some tile embellishments. I get a lot of my embellishments at Big Lots, which has great deals on them, which is also where I got the scrapbook for $5. I inked the edges with an eggplant ink. I'm not completely happy with it, but not sure if it needs more, or if it's because I just really didn't have any clear idea of what I wanted so I just went with the flow and followed them as they came up. But, I like the idea of having all of the projects in the same spot so that you can reflect back on them. My daughter Violet wants to do one now to, so it'll be fun doing it together. While I was finishing it up this afternoon, they both hung out and worked on atcs and making cards, but mostly (Olivia) just cutting paper and taping it back together ; ) (and trying to cut yarn with whole punches.......)

To see my first entry, you can go to this post with was very interesting and challenging for me.

The End of Summer Concert Series

2007-09-21T10:01:00.000-07:00

As promised, some funny pictures that were taken out in the barn the other night when we were playing Rock Concert with the kids with Violet's toy electric guitar. We took turns being the "Rock Star". Sorry, none of the kids (Violet took the photos), but here's one from another entry some time ago of Violet.

Ready, set.......

Goooo!

He coulda been a rock star!!!!

to be fair, you gotta see Rocker mom with the rocker hair!
I hope Dan doesn't kill me when he sees these! Sooooo, enjoy while you can. He's gone this weekend, so enjoy them until Monday! hehe!

Picture This: Freedom

2007-09-20T11:25:00.001-07:00

For us, freedom is:
Freedom from school
Freedom to learn naturally
Freedom to be with one another and enjoy each other
Freedom to chose our friends
Freedom to read what we like
Freedom to watch what we like
Freedom to play
Freedom to eat when & what we like
Freedom to go to bed when we like
Freedom to imagine
Freedom to create
Freedom to come and go as we like
Freedom to form our own opinions
Freedom to learn about things that are important to us, things that interest us

Freedom, for us, is the unschooling path that we've chosen
and so much more..................

written for Picture This' theme this week, which is "Freedom".

More photos from yesterday. We celebrated Talk Like a Pirate Day by dressing up and playing pirates on our "ship" in the backyard.

Our pirate flag, on our pirate "ship"

Captain Livie

What does Manga have to do with writing, anyway???

2007-09-19T09:48:00.000-07:00

Manga knight that Olivia drew

a really great how to draw Manga book we picked up at the library

Olivia's favorite page, the knight. I helped her with the steps to drawing it.

Olivia drew this mini-manga knight by looking at a how to draw manga book that we checked out recently at the library. Both of my kids love drawing and writing. I have come to believe that the drawing and writing skills are closely tied together. By encouraging the drawing from an early age they learn to manipulate the pencil or crayon effectively, so that later when they are ready to learn to write, they have mastered control and it is much easier, and less frustrating for them to learn to write. Olivia's been drawing for about a year now, so I think that she was just progressively ready to learn to write. They both love to write letters, make lists, describe or name their pictures, and Violet likes to create story lines, make invitations and announcement posters, as well as many other things that she does where she is writing. The learning of grammar & spelling comes naturally when they ask me how to spell something or ask me to read something that they've written. I merely point out spelling errors and it often turns into a discussion about how same words with different spellings are used for different meanings. Olivia has been asking me a LOT lately how to spell words. Some of the letters she knows and some I show her how. I had an alphabet chart up on the garage cupboards from when we (shortly) tried to do "school at home". So, I thought it would help since she is so eager to learn letters right now, if I brought it inside. When she asks for a letter I would show her which one it is and she would look up and copy it. I love that they are learning naturally, on their own time, when they are interested and ready to learn it. That they are not being forced to do busy and repetitive work that the schools require. Thus, becoming work, not something that they enjoy. As well as all the homework that they require these days (I feel so sorry for those little 5 year olds I see carrying HUGE backbacks home from school everyday! What is up with all that homework???) I think it helps when you provide enriching materials for them to use. I always have pencils, pens, crayons and paper readily available for them. We pick up books that interest them at the library, as well as all the books that I have on hand that I've picked up at library sales, thrift shops, and garage sales. I also think that Olivia is learning to read through writing. Violet was reading first and then writing, but Olivia is a very tactile learner and therefore that is why she is writing first. I think that it is helping her recognize words through writing them. It's such an interesting process to watch and to be a part of . She already recognizes quite a few words as well as writing her name and family member's names on her own.

Olivia writing the alphabet

Looking at the chart
Olivia is a night owl. She has been staying up until 11 or 12 at night. But, I'm finding that this time of night (8-12) is when she is most alert mentally and thirsty to learn. Another reason that I don't enforce any bedtime. Think of all we'd be missing if I forced her to go to bed at 8, as well as all the energy it takes! So, even though I'm getting pretty tired by then, I encourage it and am just thankful knowing that we get to sleep in the next morning!!!

Pinball Wizard

2007-09-17T09:26:00.000-07:00

Last night we were hanging out in the barn, which Dan had remodeled to be our playroom and my photo studio. We did some artwork, Violet & I took some photos in the studio, Dan & Livie played some pinball and some air hockey. We also had a mini-concert, starring Violet, Olivia, Dan & myself where we all played some mean electric guitar (will share some photos later!) Livie was having a lot of fun on the pinball, until......she lost the ball. But, I quickly showed her she still had some balls left (after taking a photo first! Hehe!)

Doesn't she have some cute little cheeks? And, she always wears her Superman undies backwards, so that she can see Superman in the front when she looks down. Pretty smart, wouldn't you say?

Didn't ya know? Sticking out the tongue always makes for a better game! Also, she decided to wear some orange ink on her face!

"Darn! Lost the ball!"
This last one is my favorite for Picture This, Best Shot Monday.

Livism: Wake Me Up When September Ends

2007-09-16T15:50:00.001-07:00

As Livie was going to bed the other night:
Me: Goodnight, Livie
Livie: Goodnight, mommy
(pause)
Livie: Mom, wake me up when September ends.
Me: Mmm, (chuckling to myself) okay
(pause)
Livie: because September ends in 5 seconds.

In case you're not familiar:
Wake me up when September ends by Green Day

My other favorite Green Day video: Working Class Hero

Check it out!

October 24-Historical Meme

2007-09-15T10:49:00.000-07:00

I read this historical tag post at From Under the Clutter and it sounded like fun to join in. Here’s the deal. Go to Wikipedia, type in your birthday without the year. Then post 3 events, 2 births, 2 deaths, and 1 holiday that occurred on that day. So here goes:

October 24th

Events:
1593 - Alleged teleportation of Gil Perez. (we could have taken a few pointers from this guy here)
1857 - Sheffield F.C., the world's first football club, is founded in Sheffield, England. (included because I was born in England)
1861 - The First Transcontinental Telegraph line across the United States is completed, spelling the end for the 18-month-old Pony Express. (thought this very interesting!)
Births:
1936 - Bill Wyman, English musician (The Rolling Stones) (Yeah, Rock and Roll)
1947 - Kevin Kline, American actor (Love this guy!)
Deaths:
1972 - Jackie Robinson, baseball player (b. 1919) (love that he's the 1st black American to play major league baseball)
2005 - Rosa Parks, American civil rights activist (b. 1913) (what can I say, amazing woman!)
Holiday:
United Nations Day (charter 1945) (cool, huh?)

Wrapped Emotions - Unwrapping Emotions

2007-09-14T18:14:00.000-07:00

This week I decided to participate in a challenge over at Wrapped Emotions where the goal is to unwrap your emotions though various challenges. I picked a tough week to enter, as this challenge was very uncomforable for me!
Here is the challenge as written on Wrapped Emotions:

With your digital camera in hand...and I know you have one because I see the photos you post on your blog...step forth into the world. A public place, not your living room or Aunt Bessie's kitchen. Think of places you frequent...a park, a museum (where cameras are allowed), a store, a playground, but do not be limited by my suggestions. Find an object or objects that you have seen before...by objects I mean anything from buildings to poles to poodles to garbage trucks, anything. Lie on your back on the ground or floor and snap at least one photo from that vantage point. Relax. Unless you choose to lie on the floor of a public restroom, you will not die from an onslaught of bacteria...remember we are unwrapping the mind of such binding thoughts. Hold on to the emotions running rampant through your body as you do this and use them in finalizing your creation.

I carried my daughter's Power Shot around with me this week because it was smaller than my Nikon D70 and I knew that it would be less conspicious (what does that tell you right away!). We went several places this week and there were several opportunities, but alas, I chickened out. We went to Michael's (craft supply store), a Halloween costume shop, a pool supply shop and even the park, and I either (conveniently) forgot to take it into the store, or to take the photos when I did have the camera with me.

As the week wore on, I kept thinking about it, and was thinking about what was holding me back. No big deal, right? But, I really had this fear inside about what people would think, how stupid I would look, and that I would have to explain myself to others. This really turned into a much more difficult task for me. I am really quite an introverted, shy person, and don't like to have attention brought to myself.

Today, we had plans to go by the pool store again, then the library and then I promised the girls that we'd go by the thrift store. So, I thought for sure I'd have an opportunity, again.
First we went to the pool store. It is a small store and there were several customers, some who knew the shopkeeper and/or each other. So, I knew I would feel really uncomfortable doing it there. Next, the library. I thought for sure, I could probably lie down in the children's book area and take one from there without appearing too conspicuous. As we walked in, we noticed there were crafts going on. So, we headed over to the craft room where the girls were invited to make tamborines. Interestingly enough, instead of following the samples that were made, both girls made alternative crafts with the supplies. The samples were of a hexagon shaped tamborine with the bells around the edges and designs on the top, a star shaped tamborine with bells around the edges and designs on top, and a circle, the same. Violet decorated hers by gluing the applications to a star and also gluing the bells on the topside and declared it would be a tree topper for Christmas. Olivia decorated her hexagon shaped tamborine by gluing the applications both on the top and the inside of the the tamborine and making a face out of the applications and gluing the bells all over it.

The reason I point this out is that I can clearly see how creative, out of the box thinkers my girls are, completely uninhibited by what others think about their projects, uninfluenced by how the other kids were doing theirs (following the samples exactly) and yet I was struggling with even attempting to do my project.

We picked up some books we had on hold, checked out a few more, and proceeded to leave. I didn't even think about the project again until we were walking out the door (again, conveniently, or perhaps subconsiously?). As we were walking out, I thought, I really should do this. What am I fearful of? So I asked the girls if they wanted to help me with the project. They instantly said "sure!" No hesitation at all!

The library faces a square grassed courtyard area. There is a sheriff's station to the left, a vaccination clinic to the left, and a courthouse directly across. Small, and not very busy, however, still a public place, and still a bit intimidating to one who does not like to draw attention to oneself!

I had to gradually get to the point where I was brave enough to do it. And, I think, had my kids not been there, I probably would not have done it at all! First, Violet did it. She lay on a bench in front of the courthouse and took a picture of the shade covering and the sky. Next, I took one as I layed on a bench and pointed the camera toward the sky. Then, Violet layed down on the ground next to the flag pole and took one straight up. Olivia was running around the flag pole and would look down at Violet as she took her shot (btw, great picture, see below). At this point, there were people looking out the building from a counter that was in view. I really felt quite silly, but just proceeded to ignore their looks and proceed with the challenge. A rather rough looking guy came out and sat down next to where my purse was sitting on the bench and lit up a cigarette and started chatting on a cell phone. Violet quietly told me she didn't like the smoke. So I walked over and got my purse and the books and moved them a little closer towards the sheriff''s station. There were some crepe myrtles that were beginning to lose their flowers standing over the grass area and the flag was limply hanging above. I decided to really do it (not just lie on the bench, I felt that was cheating!) so I layed on the grass and pointed the camera up towards the flag and crepe myrtle and took my shot! Mission accomplished!

On my way home, I thought about why it was so hard for me. My girls have no problem with creativity and doing things that others might judge or think strange. Is it only kids who feel this way? Do we lose this at some point when we grow up? Or, is it taken away? My children have never been to school. They've never felt judged by peers. They've never felt that they have to act a certain way to fit in. Was it school that changed me? I'm not really sure. But, I'm really glad that I decided to go through with this challenge and I hope that it "unwraps" some of my fears and insecurities through doing things that I'm not used to doing.

Olivia attempted it too!

And, I love this one that Violet took!
If you'd like to see more entries for this challenge, go to the link below. Be sure to let me know you did, I'd love to read yours!

MSO-Ambivalence

2007-09-14T14:07:00.000-07:00

HATE-------------------------LOVE!
For MamaSaysOm's theme this week which is Ambivalence, I thought I'd share some photos which portray Violet's love/hate relationship with my camera. Sometimes, she's lovin' it, sometimes she's hating it (usually when I'm going camera crazy! Can't help myself!) . She actually took the second one of herself. And, you can tell, she's really lovin' it!!!

A new Do!

2007-09-12T11:01:00.000-07:00

Lately, Olivia loves to cut any and everything. Even though the girls got cute haircuts a couple weeks back, Olivia decided she needed to cut her hair again, because apparently, she "can do it better" than "that haircut place"!!!! She also decided to cut up a birth certificate a few weeks ago! I really have to keep an eye on what she cuts up! I try to provide her with fun stuff like magazines and coloring books, etc. to cut, but I don't always catch her in time, like now!

note added (after commenter Anna's question):

You can kinda see it in the museum post (2 posts down) She had an A-line cut, long in front and short in back, but now there's a few short strands in the front on both sides. She's a tomboy and always calls herself a boy, so maybe she really does want to go shorter (she once claimed she wanted a buzz cut "like dad's").....she still likes me to put a pony tail in the back, even though it's short and pretend she is Shang from Mulan (a Chinese warrior)

Back to the future in our good old living room!

2007-09-12T10:51:00.000-07:00

The other day Violet told me that she wanted to make a time machine and asked if it were really possible. I told her I didn't think it was possible to go back in time, but that there were many things that have been invented over the years that people thought would be impossible. So, she decided to make a time machine. We called a neighbor for a cardboard box, then she used a small Whiskas box with a pencil in it (the gears), a mini-globe (to show where we were going), a slime detector (mini-lava lamp), a little action figure (when you hit the top of his head you could talk to people-you could interpret their language in a minute) and a pillow and goggles for the operator of the vehicle. And, one more thing, Olivia! She was the operator. The girls got inside and we shut the box, and vrroooooom went to other times! The went to Ancient Egypt, Rennaisance England, early American (Cowboys and Indians). When it got dangerous, they hopped back in their time machine and came home! PS, the dog toys in the picture were their food! Yummy!

A Night (or rather a Day) at the Museum

2007-09-12T10:23:00.000-07:00

I asked the girls if they wanted to go the Natural Museum the other day, but they really didn't feel like going out. So, we decided to make our own museum. It was a mix of Natural museum, art museum, and a music museum. Violet and I took turns being the tour guide and Olivia dressed up and pretended to be a young Chinese tourist. We have fun dressing up and walking around with a fake British accent (guess we picked that up from Night at the Museum!) and sharing what we knew about the various pieces in the museum such as the Egyptian pieces, fossils, dolls from around the world, kimono, to name a few. We also had a music museum with many different instruments; marachas, drums, flutes that were for the "kids" who visit the museum to play with.

The fossil and Egyptian table

some fossils

the art gallery

BSM-Sending a Letter to a Friend

2007-09-10T09:27:00.000-07:00

I picked up these Super Hero stamps at the post office last time I was there, knowing Olivia would get a kick out of them.

Of course, when she saw them, she immediately decided to write some letters to some friends

Her favorite being little Elex, who we saw a couple of weeks ago, when we met them up at Solana Beach.

Which leads me to my best shot Monday, this shot of Olivia mailing her 3rd letter to Elex in two days!

For more Best Shot Monday photos, go to Tracey's Picture This. Check out her great tutorials that she did for HP as well, they are really good!

Not back to school!!

2007-09-07T08:19:00.001-07:00

Bungy!!!!!
Originally uploaded by mandaroo63

While other kids were showing up for their 1st day back to school last week, my kids were jumping on a pile of pillow in the front room!
Geronimo!!!!!

Picture This - Exposed

2007-09-06T09:55:00.001-07:00

Olivia looking at the lagoon
Originally uploaded by mandaroo63

There's a great picture that I have of Olivia completely covered in talcum powder from head to toe that would be perfect for Picture This' theme this week which is "exposed" but is reserved for family in Flickr.......
So I looked through my stream and it made me think about how I try to expose my kids as much as possible to nature outdoors. To appreciate the beauty we see in nature. To learn about it and care about it. This morning as we laid in bed and looked out the window, we enjoyed the finches on the thistleseed sock, twittering and fighting over their place on the sock. Livie and I counted them and talked about what they were doing and what they must be thinking.

For more Exposure, go to Picture This!

Please, also, take a moment to read my prior post for Exposure about Jena 6, and the injustice that is taking place at a High School there. Thanks!

Jena 6

2007-09-05T10:04:00.000-07:00

My mom sent me this information this morning, so I went to the link and read about it on Snopes.com and then looked at some more news reports on it on the internet (just search Jena6) as well as on Youtube, and I really feel it is important to sign the petition and sharing the information with others, since it is not getting the national coverage that it deserves. Please read about it, if you have a moment, and sign and help out in any way that you can, if you feel as strongly as I do about racial equality........
http://www.snopes.com/politics/crime/jena6.asp
http://www.colorofchange.org/jena/
Here's a pretty fair representation of it on Youtube:

Concentrate-BSM

2007-09-03T09:43:00.000-07:00

for Best Shot Monday over at Tracey's Picture This. Come join the fun!
Here's a few more cute ones taken at mom's with her new camera. Olivia loves cutting paper, drawing, writing, taping and gluing.

Picture This Thursday - Pretty

2007-08-30T09:35:00.000-07:00

This picture came to mind for Tracey's theme this week of "pretty". This was taken 3 years ago when Violet was actually still 4! She was so girlie girl! Loved to play dress up with her friends. She was dressed up for a recital in Temecula where she danced to a song called "Cutest little piggie". It was her first time on a stage, and she did so well! It was a fun day! Violet did some hip hop last year, but really hasn't been interested this year. Except, when the radios on or we're watching HSM!!! Go see some other "pretties" at Picture This.

MSO-Quest

2007-08-29T08:03:00.000-07:00

Yeah (little pat pat on the back), this photo got featured on Mama Says Om's theme for last week, Quest. And , then I realized I never even posted this photo on my blog, from when we went to Solana Beach last week. Anyway, thought I'd share it here. It's a fun picture of Olivia running out on a quest to conquer the sea! This week's theme is cooperation, in case you'd like to join in the fun!

Feel the rain on your skin!

2007-08-26T21:54:00.000-07:00

I was going to title this entry "what about math", but changed it to the above for the 1st photo which so much better exemplifies our lives! Running outside on an end of summer morning after a thunder storm to embrace the rain and catch raindrops on our tongue!!!! But, something I want to write about is one question that frequently comes up when others ask me about unschooling, which is "how will they learn math, how will they learn spelling, how will they learn the basics?" I know unschoolers who still use a curriculum based math program for teaching their children math. They are still not completely trusting unschooling. It has taken me a while to feel comfortable even defending this concept when I was not completely sure about it myself. But, the longer we have been following this path, the more I do trust it and am now able to share that belief with conviction to others. Today, was one of those days. I was talking to some other homeschoolers about charters, tests, field trips among a few things. And, the math question came up. It finally comes easy for me to say the things I know to be true, for us. My children are always learning. Learning from experiences that happen every day. There are too many examples to even outline here. It is all in the way we percieve things. One mother who is with a charter was describing their days and things that they do and talking about having to pick up the school resources and how they have been having so much fun and learning so much during the summer, that she really wasn't looking forward to it and wasn't sure what to get. I think she heard herself say, that they are learning more during the summer......anyway, that's what I heard! Another friend, told me recently she is only with the charter for the resources that she is given. I can only tell them what is working for us. I know that the testing that they require for children starting with grade 2 is detrimental to many. It hurts their self-esteem to be compared to others, to be measured as a success or failure dependent on their scores. It creates competitive natures (I know, some people think that's a good thing, I don't! Why do you think so many people have to be 1st at everything.....grocery store lines, cutting you off in traffic, 1st to buy this game or that game!) I know the schools need it for their charters to go on. But, at what costs? I've seen children hurt by it. Charter resources are a bribe. Resources are found in many different ways. We pick up books, games, toys, cdrom games for next to nothing at thrift stores. I frequent book sales, library book sales, warehouse sales for deals. We watch tv programs, play on the computer. We do LOTS of art! We have get togethers with other homes/unschoolers for different projects, that the KIDS have asked for; drama club, book club, High School Musical premiere party, tea parties, science camp, American Girl club. These activities do not have to cost a lot of money. We pool our resources. Work with what we have. Use the internet for ideas. We have girls scouts, 4H, and many, many play dates and park days! We create our own field trips, often with other homeschoolers. Discounts are available at most places, and many places offer free tours for homeschoolers. As far as math, examples include; Violet was nominated treasurer for her play group (they are putting on a production of Rapaccini's Daughter by Nathaniel Hawthorne) and they will be making their own baked good and refreshments and be selling them at the show. She wants to buy a wii, and is figuring out ways to raise the money to buy it for herself. She decided she will create a new blog and sell some of her artwork on it. She also decided to sell one of her Nintendo games and went on the internet to determine what the going rate would be for it. She cooks. She made us yummy chocolate chip pancakes this morning. She asks me questions, and I sit down and listen and show her how she can figure something out. We count her money quite frequently. She may not learn the multiplication tables at the same time as her school peers, but I am confident that when the need arises she will memorize anything that she feels that she needs to (you should hear her name off all the Pokemons and their stats!) I never make her write anything. And yet, she frequently writes letters to friends and family, she makes menus, she writes in her diary, she writes comic strips. Olivia has started writing over the last few months, and she does not read yet (although I'm sure she recognizes quite a few words already-she read "Cold Stones" quite easily the other day!) She writes her name on her own. She asks me how to write something and I help her with it. She looks at words and copies them. She loves arranging things, and playing matching games on the computer. She also, like her big sister, loves to draw and especially loves to cut paper! She loves to put together and take apart things. She loves to help her daddy! Natural learning occurs ALL THE TIME!!!!! Even when we don't notice it. There are several books that I've read over the last few months that have really helped me see this. Here are a few:

Parenting a Free child an unschooled life by Rue Kream, Moving a Puddle my Sandra Dodd, Teenage Liberation Handbook (not too early to read it, even if you don't have teens yet), has some really great ideas for kids to do to follow their dreams and passions (and adults too!). Some other great books; How children learn by John Holt, Dumbing us down by John Taylor Gatto, Why Johnny can't read by Rudolf Flesch

Sounds like a lot, huh? But, I just want to show how it works for us, and am happy to share it with others who have questions about it. Mostly, it's fun to hang out with your kids everyday and get to see the learning and growth occur within them. The love of learning that occurs. The special moments, like seen above in the rain picture. It's not for everyone. But it is for us! : )

Out of the Blue and other fun stops in Solana Beach

2007-08-25T15:48:00.000-07:00

We haven't made it to the beach as much as we'd like to this summer, but Friday, we found a new spot that we really enjoyed and met up with some good friends while there. In fact, my friend was the first to introduce me to unschooling and had referred me to some good books about unschooling. While she is taking more of a classical approach and with a charter now, she still follows her children's interests and provides them with some very enriching activities. In fact, she was Violet's art instructor at one point, and we still continue to seek her advice on art related questions. She gave me some really good advice about providing Violet with good quality art supplies. I've been giving them the kids paints and pencils, and now I think I should go out and get some good stuff and see what happens! It was a very uncrowded beach, unlike some of the other S. Ca beaches and we enjoyed walking along the Solana art district and had some coffee and goodies before heading home. There were many artsy shops and interior design shops in architecturally appealing buildings. There were garden shops, sculptures, paintings. there was even a doggy fashion shop (which was open) which had designer doggie duds! Some of those outfits were nicer than stuff I wear!!!! Unfortunately, most of the other shops were closed. But, we were able to enjoy from the windows and will plan another trip to come back soon. On the way there, we crossed a bridge over an Amtrak railroad track that ran alongside PCH and we stood in the middle (of the bridge) while a train came rumbling by underneath us, blasting it's train horn. The kids got a kick out of that (and I admit, I rather did too!!)

We really enjoy spending quality time with our friends, relaxing and catching up and just having a wonderful afternoon. Here's a few more photos from the day, and there are plenty more on Flickr.

A beautiful tile mosaic of a mermaid in front on Out of the Blue.

A really interesting store we found called Out of the Blue. Unfortunately, closed at the time, but definately a place worth revisiting!

Playing in the water:

Today, I fed my neighbor's pony, Snickerdoodle and brought along my camera since it was early and not too bright out yet. Here's a few shots I took and of course, more on Flickr! : )

Mr. Rooster to you!

Drying Sunflower

We're all in this together!

2007-08-19T21:51:00.000-07:00

My friend Dawn had this great idea that since the girls loved High School Musical so much and were all looking forward to the premiere this past Friday night of High School Musical II to have a premiere party. We invited a few girls and invited them to come dressed for a premiere or as their favorite characters. The girls enjoyed playing some Twister Moves and then playing outside for a bit before coming in for a red carpet entrance (down the hallway on red towels!) to the main theatre (our front living room). They arrived on the red carpet to silly interviewer Dan (my husband who interviewed with an Indian painted gourd!!) who asked them about their dresses, hair stylist as well as what they were looking forward to in the movie. We enjoyed some pizza, popcorn, and cake and ice cream while enjoying the new movie's premiere. It was really quite good and had a lot more singing and dancing in it then the first movie.

Oh, and yes mom, the girls both got hair cuts!!! Don't they look so cute?

Best Shot Monday-Fun at the Children's Museum in Chino

2007-08-19T21:37:00.000-07:00

Thought this was a fun shot of Olivia getting ready to bite into a big piece of chocolate cake at her friend Evan's 4th birthday this weekend at the Children's museum in Chino. It was a really neat place, and we've been there before. It's a great place for a birthday party for little ones. They have rooms with different themes like; fire dept., post office, store, plumbing, science, farm, stage for puppet shows and dress up clothes. Evan and his sister have both had several birthday parties there.
Here's a few other shots from the day.

Violet as a fireman

Olivia and the puppets

Livie on play equipment in the farm room.

Check out more Best Shot Mondays over at Picture This.

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's Olivia!!!!

2007-08-16T09:58:00.000-07:00

I took this photo for a FUTAB (Feet Up, take a break) photo a few weeks ago, but felt it tied in perfectly for Tracey's Picture This theme this week of "fly".
Olivia is forever the little superhero that defies all limitations, flying through the sky, in her Superman cape and of course beautiful smile that softens all evil doer's hearts!!

"Kiss"

2007-08-12T12:37:00.001-07:00

Collages by Violet & Olivia. The girls and I tried our hand at collages this week. I've really been inspired by Mademoiselle Helenina. I bought one of her collages recently and am so pleased with it. Olivia made hers with stickers and ink. Violet used magazines, watercolor and gesso.

Dan & I picked a cooler full of grapes from our grapevines yesterday. There were soooo many, that we bagged up a lot of them and will be handing them out to friends. We had mostly small, sweet green ones but also a few of the red grape ones. I'll have to call my friend Amanda at Growgreengrapes and find out her recipe for the yummy jelly she brought me when she was out here.

Violet has had an earache, so I had taken her to the dr last week and he put her on antibiotics. Then, she came down with a cold and it started bothering her again. So, yesterday I took her back. She felt much better by the time we left (it's always so much worse first thing in the morning!). As we were leaving the parking lot, I saw some black kittens in the corner of the parking lot. We walked over there and saw three black kittens and the mother came trotting along soon after. They were not tame at all and would not come to us. I decided we were going to rescue them and see if we could get them spayed and neutered and shots. My friend Renee had done this in the past, in fact that is how we got Domino. So, I called her and got a lot of good information such as where to get them spayed, and to get reimbursed for it, and she loaned me her trap. So far, we captured the mom, who is pregnant, again! And two kittens. Unfortunately, one got loose this morning and I still haven't caught the third. So, I am going to keep trying. I think it will be a great experience for the kids to see the mom give birth and for them to socialize the kittens so that we can find them homes. As for the kittens she has now, they are several months old and quite wild. I will try to tame them as much as possible and either keep them on our property or try to find them homes.

Hanging around - Best shot Monday

2007-08-06T13:35:00.000-07:00

This was my fave of the three (other two below) of Olivia playing on the swings. She'd lay over it and swing around and around. It amazes me she never gets tired or dizzy. She is definitely my extreme sports kid. This shot is for Picture This' Best shot Monday. ( I went back in a lomo'd it with Dumpr for fun, and like how it turned out.) For the original see here.

She's so full of joy!

Have a great week!!!!

"I'm ready for the beach, mom!!!!"

2007-08-05T12:33:00.001-07:00

"I'm ready for the beach, mom!!!!"
Originally uploaded by mandaroo63

Just had to add this photo, because I thought it so funny, and definately "unschooly" even though she decided to wear her swim suit instead!! My kids dress themselves and even if I think it might not be a good idea, I may tell them why I think it might not work (too cold, too hot), but it's their decision. Today, Violet wore some camy pants and a white tankdress over it to play at the neighbors, I said "cool!" I love that she has her own fashion sense and is not influenced by others.

So busy I don't even know what to title this!!!!

2007-08-05T11:44:00.000-07:00

Our friends down the street inviting our kids to go riding with their kids at another neighbor's house one evening this week. The girls really enjoyed riding around the ring with them. Olivia rode with our friend Gabe and Violet rode by herself. She did pretty well even though she has ridden in about a year (with girl scouts last year). Olivia had fun and wanted to ride "again & again". Afterwards the kids were running around playing in the dirt, they were soooo dirty when we got home. They had this funny dog who looked like the Little Rascals dog, who would run around in circles backwards. It was the funniest thing! I'll take a video next time and post it on our blog. We also went to a birthday party & the library's summer reading party in which they had a magician who performed with animals. He made a boa appear out of a burning frying pan, a hedgehog appear out of a bag, a dove, a tarantula and a chicken appear out of thin air. Was pretty cool and they cooled off with some ice cream afterwards too.

We went to the beach Friday with our friends from our old girl scout troop. It was nice for Violet to see her old friends, she was really excited about it all the way there. Violet tried some boogie boarding and they all caught a lot of sand crabs and made a sand castle with some other kids on the shore. Unfortunately, while in the water, one our friends got stung by a jelly fish. Then, suddenly there were about 10-15 other kids who also got stung and were all crying while their mothers tried to cool off the stinging at the outdoor shower. You never seen the water clear out so fast! Poor kids! They soon forgot about it and were all running around playing again. We had some more fun playing at the park across the street and hung out until the sun went down, then headed home after the traffic had died down some.

Saturday, Violet & I worked the 4H food booth at the local country fair. It was the hottest part of the day (11-3), and was about 91 degrees out when we left. UGGHH! It was HOT! But it was a good experience for Violet. She enjoyed it when it was busy and she was able to pull orders (mostly cold drinks), but got bored and a little antsy when it wasn't . Dan ended up coming by with Olivia eventually, so I asked her if she wanted to go with him and she promptly answered "YES!!!" Unfortunately, we had missed the deadline for the fair entries in which we were going to put some of Violet's scrapbook pages that she had made, so I will post them here for all to see ; )

The Flower photo page pictures were all taken by Violet.

Creatures in the night

2007-08-01T15:15:00.000-07:00

In the middle of the night last night, I stepped into my dark hallway, after leaving the kids with a movie on in their room, and felt this sharp sting on my foot. I screamed and turned on the light to see this little guy scuttling down the hallway! I'm okay. He isn't poisonous, but oh what a scare!!! Dan came running out of the bedroom to see what was going on. I stumbled to the bathroom and put a wet wash cloth on my foot, while he attempted to catch the little guy. I threw him a cup from the bathroom and he caught him then put him in a baggie. We called poison control, because we really had no idea how poisonous they can or cannot be. Poison control said not to worry, it was rare to find toxic ones in this area. Dan stuck the baggie in the garage last night and today we went to check on him. He was still alive in the baggie, so I moved him to a fish bowl. Come to find they are very hardy and adaptable. They can tolerate extreme temperatures and live on as little as 1 insect a year! They are from the arachnid family (spiders). Of the 2000 species only 30 or 40 are toxic enough to kill a human. I'm not sure what kind this one is. I'm going to try to identify him on the internet and will post it if I find it. Last night, Violet asked if she could dissect him. But, since he's still alive, we are going to observe him for a while and learn more about him. Then, I'd like to take him (FAR!!!) away and release him. We found a good article about them on the National Geographic's website.

Say cheese!!!!!

2007-07-31T10:44:00.001-07:00

Haven't been posting as frequently lately. Been taking lots of photos, and playing around with Photoshop and Flickr mostly. I have a lot of fun participating in the Flickr group pools.
Two in particular that I enjoy are Color My World Daily and FUTAB. Here's a few photos that I've taken for the different themes that they have. It really improves your photo taking skills in that you have to try to compose particular shots, or colors, or other themes that they may have. There are also many groups that help you with techniques. I've been quite addicted to it lately! The kids have joined in the fun and have taken some photos for A Little Perspective, which is photos by kids. Check them out if you haven't already. You can look for particular groups that might interest you ( I looked up cottages for mom and found some neat groups), or nature journaling, ATCs, artists groups, photoshop groups, portrait groups, starting photo businesses.....you name it, it's out there, or you can always start your own group. You can look up types of photos by tags. You can tag your pictures with descriptions and then look them up and see what else is out there. Explore is really fun to check out also. It has pictures in it based on interestingness. That's what I've been up to and of course the kids and I have been having fun going to parks, and hanging out with friends. Will hopefully have another post up soon!

Photo taken for Color My World, theme: orange toy

Photo taken by Olivia for a Little Perspective

Photo I took for FUTAB (Feet up take a break). Oftentimes, Violet helps me out with ideas for the themes. And she now wants to join Flickr on her own and join in the challenges. Will post links once she has that going.
It's a lot of fun, and you meet some really nice people who comment on your photos and you comment on theirs. Check it out!

Best shot Monday for Picture this

2007-07-23T10:51:00.000-07:00

My best shot for Monday for Picture this is Olivia playing with the tether ball in our backyard yesterday. The ball had just hit her in the back and she just thought it was so funny! I love her smile in this one.

More summer fun, and.....some sadness

2007-07-22T16:35:00.000-07:00

We enjoyed a slightly overcast day down at Bonita Cove where Dan's company had their annual company picnic. They really go all out and include lots of fun stuff for the kids to enjoy. They have bounce houses and slides, crafts tables, bubble tubs, and they had a Mad Scientist table where the kids got to make some slime.

They have a great raffle, unfortunately we didn't win anything, but they were giving away huge plasma tvs, electric tools (it's an Electrical company), ipods and other cool stuff.
The girls got some tattoos, I forgot to take a picture, but Olivia, of course, got a Superman emblem, and Violet got a wolf and a tribal feather one on her leg. Olivia got a balloon sword.
The girls had a great time, and we got to sit and visit with some of Dan's co-workers. He works for a pretty great company.
Friday, we enjoyed dinner, a movie, and some ice cream afterwards with our neighbor friends. We had Italian food and saw Ratatouille. We all really enjoyed the movie. The kids were sitting in front of the adults, and it was so funny, watching the little ones laugh out loud (big belly laughs) and making cute comments. I don't know if it was more fun watching the movie or them!
Afterwards, we enjoyed some Baskin Robbins ice cream. Mmmmm, good ending to an enjoyable afternoon with some good friends!

Sadly, we lost two more pets this weekend. We lost Speedy our parakeet and Jack Sparrow, our tadpole. I feel completely responsible and very sad for my daughter's sadness. The bug sprayer company came by and sprayed around our house. I brought in the dog, cat and rabbit. But, completely forgot the bird who was in her cage which is hanging on our patio, and the tadpole who is in a bucket on the patio. I feel so completely bad about it, and it was hard to tell Violet about it. She was very sad and we held a little garden ceremony for them both. She made a marker and we said some kind words about them. They will both be missed.

Although Violet was very sad about them both (it happened yesterday) something unusual (or maybe not.....) Violet was very interested in seeing what happened to the baby bird that we buried earlier in the year, and wanted to dig him up and see what happened to him. We had a discussion about decomposition and what occurred to his little body, and she was still interested in seeing it. So, we proceeded to look for him, but unfortunately, could not find him. I'm sure this will lead to further interesting discussions and I will try to be prepared with hopefully useful, information if she asks (if you know of any good children's books covering this, I would greatly appreciate it....) I find it interesting that she has no fears about it and is truly interested in it. I remember being really freaked out upon finding a dead baby bird on my way home from school one day when I was in Jr. High. I always had a fear of dead things, and had no interest at all in dissection or further inspection of them. And yet, she is very interested in this kind of thing. I want to assist her in pursuing her interests, but not completely sure how I will handle it. After all, I'm only 30+ years older, now!

Drip & Dry

2007-07-19T11:33:00.000-07:00

We went to the homeschool park day yesterday where there are some sprinklers for the kids to play in. What better place to get a picture for Picture This' Thursday theme of "drip".
Here's Olivia playing in the sprinklers

and here she is drying off as she strolls along the little creek below the sprinklers.

It's a really nice park, very beautifully landscaped. I'll post some more pictures I took there on my Mailboxes blog later on.
Check out more takes on "drip" at Tracy's photography blog, Picture this.

On friendships & family

2007-07-15T10:53:00.000-07:00

I really don't like moving. I haven't really moved all that much, or all that far. But what I don't like about it, is moving away from dear friends & family. I also don't like it when they move away. What I do like though, is that the friends that are true, you keep in touch with no matter what. Some of my true friends came and visited this week. I have known Tracy for probably close to or more than 20 years. We lived together at one time. We got married a few years apart. We had kids very close together. In our early single years, we had a lot of fun & wild times together, went through several boyfriends together, worked together, & we traveled together. And, we have remained friends through these many years. Our families have remained very close, and we enjoy spending times together camping, going to the snow and sharing time happy times at our families' birthday parties. This week she came down with her two children Hailey and Evan for the night. They live about 2 hours away from us now. So I really appreciated her making the drive. Hailey & Violet are 4 months apart, and Evan & Olivia are 4 months apart. Hailey & Violet share many interests and get along wonderfully. With Olivia being such a tomboy, she also gets along wonderfully with Evan. Evan showed up with his sword, and you couldn't have found a smile bigger anywhere than on Olivia's face. They got along very well the whole time they were here. Violet & Hailey would disappear in Violet's room for hours, playing Nintendo, playing with dolls, trading clothes, giggling and sharing secrets. Olivia & Evan would play knights & kings with their swords and capes, play with the cars, and mostly chase each other around. We enjoyed swimming, and later the kids enjoyed popsicles. I had some long, interesting discussions with Tracy about the public school system. She teaches school at a low performing school in the Los Angeles school district. Although it sounds that my friend is doing the best she can given the guidelines she is provided by the school, and I know that she is a fantastic teacher, I can't help but feel sorry for those children that are missing out on so much in life as a result of the current processes that occur in the school systems, particularly in that area. It takes very special teachers such as herself to provide & to fit in some extra enriching activities for them to enjoy and learn from.

We also spent this week with new friends. We went to a local birthday party for two little friends, a brother and sister who we met early in our arrival to this town. It was a horse-themed party, as our little friend loves them very much. There was pin the tail on the donkey, slipping & sliding and pool time, feeding the (real) horses carrots, a My Little Pony pinata, and just lot of fun playing and the mommies talking and enjoying the yummy cappicinnos that my friend made. As homeschoolers, I almost think it easier to make new friends, as you actively seek out playmates for you children by joining local sports programs, homeschool groups, and joining other group activities. We enjoyed having some fellow unschoolers over for swimming and fun. I always enjoy the conversations we have about schooling and unschooling and sharing our philosophies, experiences and ideas.

I've been lucky to make another new friend recently, who actually lives down the street from us. Her boys are 3 & 7 and get along great with Violet & Olivia. And bonus, Dan & her hubby get along wonderfully as well. We've already had a few bbqs together, and all enjoy each other's company. She's a working mom and very involved with her boys. We've recently began walking in the evenings and I really enjoy our chats. It often takes me back to when I was working and really makes me admire how hard it is for working moms to handle all that is on their plates.

I also really, really miss being closer to my mom & dad. Instead of a 20 minute drive they are now about an hour. So, we've been unable to see them as often as I'd like. Violet is visiting them this weekend and I'll be picking her up tomorrow. I'm sure they will have a lot of fun thrifting, and hanging out together (they always do!!!)

I've received several phone calls this week from friends far away (Dani, Amanda, Jenny) and want you to know how genuinely good it makes me feel to hear your voices. Through good and bad, I treasure our friendships immensely and am thankful you are in my life. I hope my children's friendships are as dear and as lasting as ours.

To my other friends and family (those overseas as well!!!), we miss you, and wish we could see you more often. So, consider that an open invitation to come on down and visit. And always remember, we're only phone call away!

Swimming, cherries & bbqs!

2007-07-07T12:52:00.001-07:00

Olivia's cherry face
Originally uploaded by mandaroo63

You know it's summer time here! Lots of juicy fruits, lots of swimming in the pool and definately lots of bbqing going on (much too hot to cook inside). It's been close to 100 here. We went up to Julian on the 4th to see their parade and it was 99 degrees there. We ended up heading out a little early, it was just too hot and not enough shade up there. But, it was a nice little parade. Lots of their historical society members dressed up as soldiers, miners, ladies of the evening, and more. Also, Ramona's rodeo princesses on horseback, lots of classic cars, marching bands, girl scouts. It was fun, but would have been even better had it been a little bit cooler. We came home and cooled off in the pool. Then, later in the evening went to the high school for fireworks. My MIL Shirley and hubby Don drove down from Chino Valley, AZ to visit with us. The last couple of years we spent the 4th at their house, but this year we invited them down so we could see our hometown's fireworks. It was really nice. There were fun activities for the kids; throwing wet sponges at other kids (heads poking out of painted signs holes), horsehoe throwing, jumpy, and even a bang up an old car with a big hammer. Violet and her friend Cade tried that one. The next day my mom and dad came down with my brother Martin who is visiting from out of town and we all bbq'ed and swam. It was a little cooler, so was very comfortable and fun. The girls really enjoyed having both grandparents and uncle Martin visiting.

Last week, we went to Del Mar Fair where the girls had a great time riding all the rides, eating lots of yummy foods, and checking out the exhibits. It was Violet's first time on a roller coaster ride and both she and Olivia really had fun. They also went in the funhouses with all the mirrors and rocking steps and slides. We checked out the livestock animals and saw some local 4H pens set up. We went over to the photography exhibit, and I actually got a couple of ribbons for some pictures that I had put in. The kids were more excited about it than I was! It's a pretty nice fair. We left when the girls started getting tired and it started cooling off in the evening. They both won a couple of little stuffed animals when they threw darts at balloons. It was a really nice time.Violet got her face painted in some really beautiful colors.
We also went to a 2-day science camp at a friend's house where they made "blubber", created a volcano effect, made crystals, made boats out of a plastic substance tried them out in the water to see if they'd float (they didn't-too heavy), and several other activities.

Submitted to Picture This theme for Thursday which is "Fair" for more takes on the theme, go to Picture This.