might be lost on these three, save the pizza place near this old school.
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
hot and crowded... but still magical
This has been the busiest fall break here yet, but we are still having a great time.
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Monday, October 12, 2015
A Swimming Kind of Morning
With Daddy at work, we hit the resort pools which boast several water slides, a massive splash park and a huge pirate ship. Who needs Disney?
Saturday, October 03, 2015
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Fishing with Papoo
The kids have been BEGGING for someone to take them fishing. Fortunately, Grandpa (called Papoo) was up to the task. He outfitted then with poles, hooks and the whole lot. He's getting a workout, though, as the first several fish garnered lots of "I am not touching it" shrieks! When I left him, Grace was in the lead with four bluegill to Grant's one!
Thursday, September 24, 2015
October's Challenge--Read... and read some more
Did you know that reading for just SIX minutes a day can reduce stress by 68%? Check out this great little article on the power of reading!
I don't need a lot of push to read... but with TV season gearing up, I thought it would be a great time to challenge ourselves to read... and read a lot.
So, this month, the challenge is to read FOUR books. I don't care if you want to sit in the corner and read Harry Potter or if you are going to tackle Dostoyevsky; the choice is yours.
I'll try to update you on what I am reading. I might tackle all new books, but I also might slip in a favorite.
Join me... please.
I don't need a lot of push to read... but with TV season gearing up, I thought it would be a great time to challenge ourselves to read... and read a lot.
So, this month, the challenge is to read FOUR books. I don't care if you want to sit in the corner and read Harry Potter or if you are going to tackle Dostoyevsky; the choice is yours.
I'll try to update you on what I am reading. I might tackle all new books, but I also might slip in a favorite.
Join me... please.
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
September's Challenge--The Art of Saving
This summer was our big trip out west, and I had prepped, planned and saved for that trip for some time. It was a GREAT trip!
But, we also realized that we had to use a week at a condo in 2015, so last month, Bret and I had to find some place else to go in 2015. Woe is me, right?
But, we know we're not going to have a ton of money to spend on this second trip... so I need to save an extra $500 to make it happen. The cost of the gas will already be covered (gas is so cheap now, I could do budget cheerleading moves about it); our great condo is covered, but that $508 price tag to get a family of five into the Magic Kingdom for one day is looming in front of me!
So, my goal this month is to save $500 IN ADDITION to what I am already saving. I need this money to be "extra," or I can't justify spending it on a second vacation. I already save money each month, but that savings has a purpose: retirement, a bigger emergency fund, college accounts the kids, or our next car--so this needs to be on top of all of that!
For me, there are two budget categories that stick out the most as a possibility for reduction for the month: Entertainment (which includes eating out) and Household (which for us is clothes, groceries, household products, etc). Additionally, I will try to sell some stuff on Craigslist to make it happen.
So, how about you join me? Couldn't you use some extra money in the bank? Maybe $500 is just too steep for your personal situation and your personal budget? Maybe you don't really have that kind of wiggle room... I get it! I bet you can, however, come up with a number that makes sense for you. It's got to be big enough that it hurts a bit... changes your habits at the grocery store or the food court (or lack thereof), but it also has to be doable.
For me, $500 is the sweet spot. It's enough of a change that it's going to take daily (if not moment by moment) intentional decision making (and a month of meals of rice and beans), but it's also by no means impossible.
If you need help thinking through this or setting up a budget, let me know. I simply LOVE talking about and planning budgets--sticking to them is a whole lot less fun! ;)
But, we also realized that we had to use a week at a condo in 2015, so last month, Bret and I had to find some place else to go in 2015. Woe is me, right?
But, we know we're not going to have a ton of money to spend on this second trip... so I need to save an extra $500 to make it happen. The cost of the gas will already be covered (gas is so cheap now, I could do budget cheerleading moves about it); our great condo is covered, but that $508 price tag to get a family of five into the Magic Kingdom for one day is looming in front of me!
So, my goal this month is to save $500 IN ADDITION to what I am already saving. I need this money to be "extra," or I can't justify spending it on a second vacation. I already save money each month, but that savings has a purpose: retirement, a bigger emergency fund, college accounts the kids, or our next car--so this needs to be on top of all of that!
For me, there are two budget categories that stick out the most as a possibility for reduction for the month: Entertainment (which includes eating out) and Household (which for us is clothes, groceries, household products, etc). Additionally, I will try to sell some stuff on Craigslist to make it happen.
So, how about you join me? Couldn't you use some extra money in the bank? Maybe $500 is just too steep for your personal situation and your personal budget? Maybe you don't really have that kind of wiggle room... I get it! I bet you can, however, come up with a number that makes sense for you. It's got to be big enough that it hurts a bit... changes your habits at the grocery store or the food court (or lack thereof), but it also has to be doable.
For me, $500 is the sweet spot. It's enough of a change that it's going to take daily (if not moment by moment) intentional decision making (and a month of meals of rice and beans), but it's also by no means impossible.
If you need help thinking through this or setting up a budget, let me know. I simply LOVE talking about and planning budgets--sticking to them is a whole lot less fun! ;)
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Cheap Labor
These two give a killer (I mean, really, really good) foot massage, and their going rate of $4 an hour can't be beat (plus Friday and Monday free, according to them). This is the best 30 minutes of my day today, even if it confirms they have no business scruples.
Monday, August 10, 2015
Sunday, August 09, 2015
Post church exhaustion plan
Working well, so far... They appear none the wiser that a 6:30 bedtime is looming.
Thursday, July 30, 2015
First Day of School
....and just like that.... they start second and third grade IN THE SAME CLASSROOM! Is a bottle of scotch an appropriate Christmas present for a teacher?
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
August's Challenge--The Early Bird Gets the Worm
I used to be a morning person. Then, I became a mom. I think that explains things.
But, for the month of August, I want to get up an hour earlier than I normally do. The few times I have done this throughout the year, I am amazed at how much I get done in that hour and how much more smoothly the rest of the morning goes.
There's lots of research out there that shows how waking up early really does have a positive outcome. People who get up early are:
1. Less likely to blow off a workout!
2. Are less depressed.
3. Eat healthier (actually eat 250 fewer calories a day)
4. Are more cheerful
5. Are more proactive in business
6. Make more money
and the list keeps going!
So, I'm going to get up during the weekdays an hour earlier than normal, and--don't type it, don't type it--I'm going to do the same on the weekends too.
I tried not to type it. I tried to give myself a "break," but I really think good things are going to come from that early morning wake up!
So, who is up for 31 days of early rising? Please don't make me do it alone!
But, for the month of August, I want to get up an hour earlier than I normally do. The few times I have done this throughout the year, I am amazed at how much I get done in that hour and how much more smoothly the rest of the morning goes.
There's lots of research out there that shows how waking up early really does have a positive outcome. People who get up early are:
1. Less likely to blow off a workout!
2. Are less depressed.
3. Eat healthier (actually eat 250 fewer calories a day)
4. Are more cheerful
5. Are more proactive in business
6. Make more money
and the list keeps going!
So, I'm going to get up during the weekdays an hour earlier than normal, and--don't type it, don't type it--I'm going to do the same on the weekends too.
I tried not to type it. I tried to give myself a "break," but I really think good things are going to come from that early morning wake up!
So, who is up for 31 days of early rising? Please don't make me do it alone!
Tuesday, July 07, 2015
Knotts Berry Farm
For our last day, we are at my childhood amusement park with cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandparents... for my kids, this is as good as it gets.
Sunday, July 05, 2015
Thursday, July 02, 2015
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
A Gorgeous Day for a Ride
We had a nearly perfect time with Uncle Richie, save for Grant veering into traffic a time or two.
Monday, June 29, 2015
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Movies, trampolines and burgers
With some cool weather and rain in the forecast, we finally went to the movies today (Inside Out) followed by Grant tackling the bungee trampoline. Trent has been super tired today (vacation overload), and not even famous milkshakes and burgers at SnoFlake helped.
Friday, June 26, 2015
Pope Beach
A day of swimming, burying kids in the sand, paddle boarding, kayaking with uncles, and playing with cousins. Simply perfect.
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