tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50879001775074262572024-02-18T18:05:00.633-08:00PB and Angst: Tales of a Gen-X SandwichAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12090603767379702578noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087900177507426257.post-4726260399971797642016-02-29T19:16:00.000-08:002016-02-29T19:16:21.608-08:00Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss (Lunch) Day 1This week my youngest daughter's school is observing Read Across America week by <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">celebrating Dr. Seuss's Birthday. It's not unsusal, but it's always fun. </span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The theme today is Fox in Socks, the children are all wearing mismatched socks and here is F's lunch. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Hope she enjoys it!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simple Nutella and fresh strawberry sandwich with more strawberries and cheese-its on the side. </td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12090603767379702578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087900177507426257.post-85307963312035660372016-02-11T19:20:00.000-08:002016-02-11T20:50:12.504-08:00The Past Three Months <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrHFxvsJ_zM2be9fx2HcYtyKxryWSdPiT9Hqgt3flXwAXpSEk2WLfc_zCnjafWg5GBvPCE84hrCK2O5VIdA1l0zFLtvmcMaxgGrar-P2Ax8vTvF6y5Ni7i-Iy0PtEBUhdOQeklOTwyV8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-02-10+at+7.17.22+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrHFxvsJ_zM2be9fx2HcYtyKxryWSdPiT9Hqgt3flXwAXpSEk2WLfc_zCnjafWg5GBvPCE84hrCK2O5VIdA1l0zFLtvmcMaxgGrar-P2Ax8vTvF6y5Ni7i-Iy0PtEBUhdOQeklOTwyV8/s200/Screen+Shot+2016-02-10+at+7.17.22+PM.png" width="129" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">12/8/15 at the ER with a smile on his face. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">(This Post is the first about my father. It is an attempt to recreate what has happened over the past few months.)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;">The last time my dad, Bill, was able to visit our house was for my youngest daughter's birthday on November 19th. At the time he had been ill for a little over a month. First we thought he threw out his back, later he was told he was reacting to a flu shot. </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;">On December 8th he was in rough shape. My sister and mom took him out to the ER where they spent most of the night. At that point he was diagnosed with pleurisy and sent home with medications. </span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A week later I got an urgent call from my mom. Bill was feeling really bad, REALLY bad and wanted to be taken back to the hospital. She didn't want to make him wait in the ER for another 7-12 hours and didn't know what to do. "Call 911" was the best I could suggest. Earlier in my life I learned that that is the best way to get seen in the emergency room and this seemed like the time to use that lesson to help my parents. My sister and I joined them and we waited to get him help and hopefully, some answers. They ran several tests including a CT scan. From the ER he was transferred to our local Kaiser Hospital and admitted. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">They did an MRI, another CT scan, two ultrasounds and other tests. He was poked prodded and pinched. Thankfully we got a commitment from the doctors that they would not discharge him until 1) His pain is managed 2) We knew what was causing this 3) We knew he would be safe to go home.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still Smiling!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Some of the tests they needed to run were scheduled to go into the late hours and then they were rescheduled for the next day. Sometimes his positive attitude showed some signs of stress but only a little. We spent most of the Christmas holiday waiting, speaking to his three doctors and oncologist.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">In 2009 Bill was diagnosed with prostate cancer. They said it was the good kind. Incapsalated and slow growing. Bill opted for watchful waiting, hormone treatment and a change of diet. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">It's probably no surprise that the prognosis was related to the prostate cancer. The MRI showed lesions on his spine, two masses in his lower back (attached to his spine), and the cancer had metastasized through most of his skeleton. That thrown out back from October was likely the masses. The pleurisy was possibly broken ribs caused by fragile bones and normal activity.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">He is 83 so none of should have been shocked, but we were. </span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12090603767379702578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087900177507426257.post-21992893062194550332016-01-06T17:20:00.001-08:002016-01-06T17:20:40.502-08:00New Year's Lunch Resolution for 2016<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">According to the USDA "Americans waste enough food every day to fill a 90,000 seat football stadium."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I'll be honest, I struggle with my kid's lunches. I feel like I am always trying to figure out how much food is enough to send and I am often frustrated with how much comes home, and shocked at what comes home. In an effort to have less food go into the trash I am scaling back, bento lunch boxes have always been our favorites for lunch anyway, and I appreciate how they allow me to control the portion sizes my children take to school each day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Here are the lunches I sent earlier this week. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OwsyXQxZwK_9qosq7RxBV-ik9c8l4ehwyilT1qdq9WLUaHS79VDeyiFgulOmZZsrIdPVQkzctDvYblSYsvJRXHUVVPE-VnIRVG_G1q1Wgdgjn1trbkwpkO0BbmXgCvfl7Me77wRUp_8/s1600/IMG_9743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OwsyXQxZwK_9qosq7RxBV-ik9c8l4ehwyilT1qdq9WLUaHS79VDeyiFgulOmZZsrIdPVQkzctDvYblSYsvJRXHUVVPE-VnIRVG_G1q1Wgdgjn1trbkwpkO0BbmXgCvfl7Me77wRUp_8/s320/IMG_9743.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Half sandwiches. On the right are cucumbers with <a href="http://www.tajin.com/" target="_blank">Tajin</a> in the heart, and a 100% juice Caprisun. On the left, pretzels, a yogurt and a cutie. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4Q0ZReYC6eE9-4NKFmljvgRH7TDi0krU0dpk0ZE3GDsbY9MG-lzDRfZPBqQUKi0aNSRXJgOqAEDqCG2zgRdCDBEh1yyEVPAFF-EReOyYh_jsnMgkjuJex6yMINGCxGvus5RPs6CPMrc/s1600/IMG_9745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4Q0ZReYC6eE9-4NKFmljvgRH7TDi0krU0dpk0ZE3GDsbY9MG-lzDRfZPBqQUKi0aNSRXJgOqAEDqCG2zgRdCDBEh1yyEVPAFF-EReOyYh_jsnMgkjuJex6yMINGCxGvus5RPs6CPMrc/s320/IMG_9745.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A close up of one</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Each time something comes home I am going to try to figure out if it's something they didn't like, didn't feel like, or if I sent too much food. This day the juice on the right came home and so did the cutie. At least we are getting closer...<br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Happy New Year!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12090603767379702578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087900177507426257.post-39511921682066520702016-01-03T16:19:00.001-08:002016-01-06T15:58:26.812-08:00Of a Visiting Carrot<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Today the most awesome carrot came to visit our home. Her name, Elizabeth, Liz for short. </span></div>
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Not your run of the mill carrot, Liz was full of personality and clearly here to bring some sunshine to the last day of winter break. Liz was fun, and helpful!</div>
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She visited my husband as he prepared our dinner, didn't take offense when she saw him preparing the veggies...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WV3eQmKuXtDBId5y7rt_QrD79dbpF416Fs7Fogwt3_SYZJi5kNZyPxvqK-Q-W5ew9qQTeEPN77DOTOhX7gp2QL_sTWDMxTEBS-ZwlOs3offLJIWXyiLL6-mGw2icE_FNoFXLusqRB4Y/s640/blogger-image-1674054372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WV3eQmKuXtDBId5y7rt_QrD79dbpF416Fs7Fogwt3_SYZJi5kNZyPxvqK-Q-W5ew9qQTeEPN77DOTOhX7gp2QL_sTWDMxTEBS-ZwlOs3offLJIWXyiLL6-mGw2icE_FNoFXLusqRB4Y/s640/blogger-image-1674054372.jpg" /></a></div>
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She helped me with the Christmas tree...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJ7vWcSCoNSSct01-WB3bIxx-wrlfzOcHHT0gE66nPL67EXFhsgwR8IUnMsRwByVELonSURkFGSNaT8aGtZeWdTunj3SdKrynwrbXlgm3o9xA3d4Mk3EcrAOlIjz3QLkc9Hl_CNLEE0E/s640/blogger-image-1389581929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJ7vWcSCoNSSct01-WB3bIxx-wrlfzOcHHT0gE66nPL67EXFhsgwR8IUnMsRwByVELonSURkFGSNaT8aGtZeWdTunj3SdKrynwrbXlgm3o9xA3d4Mk3EcrAOlIjz3QLkc9Hl_CNLEE0E/s640/blogger-image-1389581929.jpg" /></a></div>
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It was when she went outside to play with the kids that we saw the first warning signs.</div>
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The rabbit, typically a sweet if slightly standoffish animal, seemed a bit too interested in Liz. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCzHiu5lPugAnJeSj7VI-ecrY4UOaGogoIuB_a5MLR-hWUIwWejrE3g8QAnxmxeXnS0v5mo-70KiKpcv5uW3FO7LEgc9SPMBnPSA-wuQdqVo7wptWMGC48hP3027dcMrIB1Q1NvBFj9I/s640/blogger-image--610082099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCzHiu5lPugAnJeSj7VI-ecrY4UOaGogoIuB_a5MLR-hWUIwWejrE3g8QAnxmxeXnS0v5mo-70KiKpcv5uW3FO7LEgc9SPMBnPSA-wuQdqVo7wptWMGC48hP3027dcMrIB1Q1NvBFj9I/s640/blogger-image--610082099.jpg" /></a></div>
Buddy our dog got between them and made sure Liz was safe. (Our Hero!)<br />
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Sadly, I turned my back on Liz to help my husband in the kitchen. </div>
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When I checked on her again she was being mauled! It was terrifying!<br />
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The bunny was merciless!<br />
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Our Lil ran out crying and got between Liz and the bunny. She checked Liz's vitals and it appeared she was not breathing so Lil attempted CPR.</div>
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Her entire arm had been eaten and the damage was too extensive. Liz was left a vegitable.<br />
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Goodbye Liz Carrot. RIP</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12090603767379702578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087900177507426257.post-87521985904734637952015-10-10T11:40:00.001-07:002016-01-06T15:58:00.021-08:00Pet Parenting in the Heat<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Along with my two children, I am also the pet parent to two creatures. The first is a 3+ year old fluffy white bunny. The second is a small white puppy. </span></div>
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The bunny is free range during daylight hours and the dog comes and goes in and out as long as someone is home. </div>
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With the recordbreaking heat their survival has been a worry. I don't want them to become prisoners and so far we have been able to provide them each with relief without crating them in the house. </div>
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Here is what we do- utilizing 4 or 5 milk jugs that were previously "customized" to help in slow watering the trees is the key. </div>
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First, I bring out one of our shower buckets and dump the contents onto our cement patio in the area I know will get the least amount of sun all day. </div>
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Next, I fill the jugs with water, replace the lids, and set them out at the top of the designated area. These jugs have one to 4 small pin holes in their bottoms which allow water to leak out when the lids are loosened. Once they are in place I adjust the lids to allow a tiny bit of water to leak out. On extra hot days I also add some Ice packs, just to be safe. </div>
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This combination, along with plenty of water, seems to do the trick. Both animals enjoy laying on the cool slightly damp cement patio and we are controlling the amount of water used which keeps my anxiety at a minimum. </div>
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I wonder what other people do....</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12090603767379702578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087900177507426257.post-64269002578198658192015-03-16T22:54:00.001-07:002015-10-10T11:57:49.323-07:00Happy St. Patrick's Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Do you do silly and sometimes ludicrous things to establish family traditions or foster a sense of wonder at home? Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day and I totally forgot to get goodies to leave from the Leprechauns. I hope one of my girls lets me have their cereal! </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12090603767379702578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087900177507426257.post-55330534017468268322014-06-02T16:51:00.000-07:002014-06-02T16:51:03.355-07:00A Quick and Literal Tale<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I realized today that my children are way too literal. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Yesterday my husband, in a moment of frustration, asked her how many times he had to ask her to do something. She replied 6. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Today I asked the 7yo how many spoons of Nutella one person needs. She said 2. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Oh for the love of sweetness! What are your options when this happens? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I see two clear options in this sort of a situation-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1) Laugh</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">2) Hit my head on the nearest solid structure</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12090603767379702578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087900177507426257.post-6208889497186654912014-05-31T15:53:00.000-07:002014-06-01T16:27:45.739-07:00A Tale of Mrs. Mean Guy and How I Learned I Am NOT Mrs. BradyThis is not news, but there are aspects of parenting that really suck rocks. One of my least favorite parts of the job is having to e the bad guy. There are days, weeks, maybe even months, when I swear every other word out of my mouth is "don't" or "no" or "stop-it!" to one or both of my children. It's so tiring and frankly sucks the joy from my most inner core.<br />
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As an aside, my sister and I didn't always get along, but I can't believe we would have survived to see 10 if we had behaved the way my kids do. In my fantasies my girls are best of friends and ultimately these fantasy children of mine become strong, polite young women who have a deep bond. I am even OK with the idea that they will gang up on us, their parents. I picture a happy Jan and Marcia Brady, sure they fight but within 20 minutes they are sharing sweaters and working at the ice cream parlor together. Is it really too much to ask?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj56hcD663MF9jI73eq7jqktfjBKigUnJ0twkCuuddpZFSWEVfiRODo8cu4Qzy_gMHmKK4g6QMwj_IyT0R64I0PoiZSdWKdromWHESPaJp0GTFdPtHimCG5t5aJZ_Jwz1LeXCs0BHdvRf8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-05-31+at+3.04.16+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj56hcD663MF9jI73eq7jqktfjBKigUnJ0twkCuuddpZFSWEVfiRODo8cu4Qzy_gMHmKK4g6QMwj_IyT0R64I0PoiZSdWKdromWHESPaJp0GTFdPtHimCG5t5aJZ_Jwz1LeXCs0BHdvRf8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-05-31+at+3.04.16+PM.png" height="191" width="200" /></a></div>
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Sorry, now back to reality. This past April after hosting a birthday party my 7yo daughter got a coupon for the Build-a-Bear Workshop down by Disneyland. Today was the expiration date. Earlier this week I told both girls that we could go and use this coupon along with the left over gift cards I had from the party, today, Saturday. The caveat? They needed to behave. I thought I was setting the bar low. Honestly I did. I didn't want to let this discount expire any more than they wanted to skip a trip to BaB. I should also add that nearly every Saturday the kids and I go to a restaurant about 10 miles from our house and meet family members for breakfast.<br />
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Here was the basic plan when I got up this morning. Let the kids sleep in. Get them dressed and out the door by 8am, be to breakfast by 8:30, then from there if all has gone well we would go over to BaB.<br />
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It started going south about 15 minutes after they got up. From the start they were arguing and grumpy with each other (strike 1). They didn't do what I asked them to do in preparation for leaving the house but instead said "hold on I am doing…." (strike 2). They constantly interrupted the adults at breakfast, didn't eat the meals they ordered and refused to sit in their seats (3, 4 and 5). I could go on. The 4yo took her sisters 1 Direction trading cards and colored on them (strike 6!) There was crying, there was baby talk (OMG I HATE BABY TALK!) and there was basic rudeness. I swear I reminded them over and over again about the promised trip and the consequences of their behavior. Honestly I did, before, during, and after.<br />
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Finally breakfast was over and we got in the car. The first thing out of both their mouths was "let's go to Build-a-Bear!" I'm sorry. WHAT? Somebody needed a reality check, for sure! Had we come from the same restaurant? Did they even understand what the expectations had been? Who did they think they were fooling with this sunny declaration? Had they recently been hit in the head and lost their memory? Why, oh why, could they not just behave?!<br />
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I know that I am not Mrs. Brady because if I were I would have been able to make some sweet and simple statement and they would have had a total attitude adjustment. Instead we had this….<br />
Me "Girls, what did I say you needed to do to earn the visit to BaB?"<br />
Them "We needed to get ready quick, listen and be good."<br />
Me "How do you think you did?'<br />
Them <i>silence</i><br />
Me "Honestly, how do you think you did?<br />
7yo "badly"<br />
Me "….I am sorry to have to say this but we can't go to BaB today or I would be teaching you the wrong thing."<br />
Them <i>crying and begging</i> <i>lots of "we will be good now!" and disingenuous promises that involved the rest of the day </i><br />
Me "Please stop. I am not changing my mind, we will do it another time, IF you shape up."<br />
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And so instead of going and having a fun morning building stuffed animals we filled up the gas tank and drove through the car wash. Sadly they have continued to bicker and jump all over each other for the slightest offense and so as of now they have also lost TV (although I would pay anything to be able to just chill on the sofa in front of some cartoons right now.) It is honestly hurting me as much as it is hurting them.<br />
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Fingers crossed they start getting their act together. We have three more days until they are out of school and the prospect of being home with them fighting and baby-talking for the next few months makes me want to run away and join the circus.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsulUMFgBUjzyGHcpprMnseKNY-U7-Kxbpv3A2wLXLx4jOHVjCAo2lurH-forLlna9wjj2WQAGvsTcjctjDHS6NjZPqEFTKek_IB_5QLMhkQHQJoeLi4Z7vGvG01HV_3AN8-1pJyRpMio/s1600/Mad+mommy-p1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsulUMFgBUjzyGHcpprMnseKNY-U7-Kxbpv3A2wLXLx4jOHVjCAo2lurH-forLlna9wjj2WQAGvsTcjctjDHS6NjZPqEFTKek_IB_5QLMhkQHQJoeLi4Z7vGvG01HV_3AN8-1pJyRpMio/s1600/Mad+mommy-p1.jpg" height="320" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portrait of me by 4yo- I named it Mad Mommy</td></tr>
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Well readers? Do you have any parenting advice? Over the counter meds I should try on days like this? <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12090603767379702578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087900177507426257.post-60059845822285507022014-05-16T17:54:00.001-07:002015-10-10T11:59:19.375-07:00Awesome Sesame Noodles<br>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Today was a school picnic for F, the 4yo. It's a potluck event and so I decided to make my very favorite Sesame Noodle dish which was given to me nearly 20 years ago by a friend. It's slightly spicy and sooooo good!</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Sadly I forgot to take a picture of it but I did send some in the 7yo's lunch so can show the bit she took with her. </span><br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1UJ_L7Zp0OIsBIWJyNhyphenhyphen_8M4J4HVkJP8tVdOURz2B3pARy03U6fTwySIuOi4u254_-mdh01JLJ8Ev6NHFeTqK4bcB2ZM0uTR4Rx2_cAJAfvKJzvrXOBlpE5n5HF37LWlCAVrQmApStM/s1600/IMG_2746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1UJ_L7Zp0OIsBIWJyNhyphenhyphen_8M4J4HVkJP8tVdOURz2B3pARy03U6fTwySIuOi4u254_-mdh01JLJ8Ev6NHFeTqK4bcB2ZM0uTR4Rx2_cAJAfvKJzvrXOBlpE5n5HF37LWlCAVrQmApStM/s1600/IMG_2746.jpg" height="320" width="318"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">L's lunch- PB sandwich, apples, and yummy sesame noodles</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">For those of you wondering how to make this, I am posting the recipe here. Please let me know if you have any questions or comments! Enjoy!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Sesame Noodles </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Quantity Ingredients </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1/4 c. soy sauce</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">3 T. Sesame Oil</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">2 T. Red Wine Vinegar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1 1/2 T. Sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1 T. Chili Sauce w/Garlic (Sambal Oelek)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">12oz package Chinese water-style noodles or spaghetti </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">4 green onions sliced</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">2 T. Cilantro, chopped (I use an entire bunch but just the leaves)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">2-4t sesame seeds (I use toasted and normal)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Blend marinade ingredients until well combined (can be done a day ahead, cover and chill). Bring to room temperature. Cook noodles al dente, cool and toss with marinade and remaining ingredients. Serve chilled. This works as an entree and feeds 4 or as a side and feeds 8-10. </span></div>
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<br>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12090603767379702578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087900177507426257.post-5840589967524795862014-04-25T23:13:00.001-07:002016-01-06T16:08:06.543-08:00A Tale of a Birthday LunchToday is my eldest daughters birthday, I wanted to something a little special for her so I made her a cupcake sandwich.<br />
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The sandwich has Nutella in it and the rest is very straight forward with apples and goldfish crackers. Simple, right?</div>
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At lunch I also took cookies and 8oz bottles of water to her class. Birthday girls' choice. </div>
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It was a busy day but well worth it to see her smile. </div>
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Happy 7th Birthday To my first born! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12090603767379702578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087900177507426257.post-13880338441136543592014-04-21T14:05:00.000-07:002014-04-21T14:33:05.889-07:00A Tale of Being Thankful<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I got a text today from my husband that simply said "Mike passed away yesterday" while I was leaving my neighborhood Starbucks. I sat in the car and cried like a baby, or as I am sure the customers leaving Starbucks thought, I cried like a crazy lady. Well, my apologies to the fine people who happened to pass me at that time but sometimes these things really can not be helped. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Here are some things you should know about my friend. He was a really good guy. A devoted husband, father and musician. He had an amazing memory for the names of designers, strength beyond his size, and an uncanny (some might say slightly freaky) ability to look at a woman and not just guess, but KNOW their dress size. I don't know how the hell he did that but it was truly amazing. Mike also had the ability to make people feel welcome and I know there was a large group of the local community who loved going into his shop to spend time just talking to him. That's the kind of guy he was. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Here are some things, beyond what I wrote above, that I admired about Mike. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The way he looked at his wife. He was one of those guys who you knew by every thing he did, that he really loved his her. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The way he openly adored his son. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The way he talked to my kids like real people. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">His energy and enthusiasm. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">His excitement for, and knowledge of good design. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">His ability and willingness to listen to people. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">OK. So to be honest I know he was not perfect. None of us are. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The last time I saw Mike was a couple of months ago when we got together for breakfast. This was something we had come to do over the years, we would go to their house, they would come to ours or we would meet at a local restaurant or a museum. This last time was just after he had finished up some treatment or another and before he went in for surgery on his neck. He was in pain and had been sick for a while. If it were me I would have been just grumpy and totally miserable to be around. Not Mike. He was his normal affable self. Ill never forget some of the things Mike has said to me over the years. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">No one lives forever. It may be a disappointment to some but I simply can't believe there is a magical after life we go to after this. I believe that it's what we do in this life that is so very important. It's who we love, who we help or learn from, what we do that counts. Perhaps this is too simplistic but I believe that as long as I remember those I have cared about who pass that they live through me. As long as I remember the lessons I have learned from them and share those lessons, they live through me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I am a better person for having known Mike. Not because of his death, but because of his life. Honestly I don't have much more of a tribute to pay to anyone. I am thankful that I knew him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My hope for all of us is that no matter how much time each of us has on this earth that we are able to love whole heartily, listen when children speak to us, find the time for our family and friends, and face each day no matter what it brings with an energy and enthusiasm like Mike would. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12090603767379702578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087900177507426257.post-39744195096735571352014-04-20T09:15:00.001-07:002014-04-20T09:17:17.536-07:00An Easter Tale, shared from my local NPRI love animation, and even at 45 still watch cartoons all the time. So this morning when I saw this on the internets I had to read it! Hope you enjoy it too!<div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img alt="" src="http://a.scpr.org/i/a71f4f9e2fe810bac32e667fe1092c30/82526-eight.jpg" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: 243px; width: 586px;"></span></div><div><br></div><div><a href="http://www.scpr.org/programs/offramp/2014/04/15/36963/find-easter-eggs-in-your-favorite-animated-movies/">http://www.scpr.org/programs/offramp/2014/04/15/36963/find-easter-eggs-in-your-favorite-animated-movies/</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12090603767379702578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087900177507426257.post-38908225436871462952014-04-02T17:00:00.000-07:002014-04-27T06:54:19.505-07:00Tale of a Traveling Octogenarian<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I realize as I sit here and type this that my parents are prepping me for when my children are older and begin to leave the nest. Anyway that is what I am telling myself. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I also say things like "This is good practice." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">or "It's all part of the cycle." and "You can't hold on too tight." The last thing I want to be is one of those helicopter children. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Well, easier said than done. Back in late January my dad announced that he was going back to the mid-west to see his sister and aunt and to march in the St. Patrick's Day parade in his boyhood town. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">So I'll tell you the truth, I was nervous just thinking about it. Having just visited this same state myself less than a year ago I know that there is nearly no way to get a direct flight, that the weather is unfriendly at best, and frankly that it's not the place he remembers. I find f</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">acing TSA daunting and I fly fairly regularly!</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I can only imagine what you are thinking right now as you read this- He is an adult. The man is in his 80's! He's educated! He worked in aerospace and traveled all the time! Heck, he took me on my first trips to Europe!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QJrnYJDGYKO7GxYldRNjwUFYEhbxG_i235MSZszhekpF4mggXmVsDq_Pw-rrzQqukE0_y_lSKNLzVmz-_VGZZAcRrzeRyX2x2jpxa3MwCiDjd9nxcs0jnKCQnme9yc5GNhvb0iDn4V4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-04-01+at+10.54.33+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QJrnYJDGYKO7GxYldRNjwUFYEhbxG_i235MSZszhekpF4mggXmVsDq_Pw-rrzQqukE0_y_lSKNLzVmz-_VGZZAcRrzeRyX2x2jpxa3MwCiDjd9nxcs0jnKCQnme9yc5GNhvb0iDn4V4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-04-01+at+10.54.33+PM.png" height="200" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is my dad as a fresh faced young man</td></tr>
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He was a police officer and faced bad guys! He raised two daughters. Even more impressive he was on the S.W.A.T. Team! That man traveled across the country on route 66 to get to California. And to top it all off he survived the depression! What is my problem?! It's not as if he has not been around the block a few times and I know it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Over a few weeks we worked details out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Flights (booked)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Rental Car (booked)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Airport shuttle (booked)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Place to stay (organized by my aunt, thank you!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Packing instructions, reviewed, explained, and discussed several times. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We talked about it all. What shoes to wear to get through TSA quickly, the weather and the appropriate clothing to pack. EVERYTHING. If I had been sending my 6yo off to visit family in the mid-west I could have just done it for her and it would have been less worrisome in several ways. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Time to admit something I guess. I am constantly worried for my parents. I think unfortunately for me I often project negative outcomes to situations which they seem to pass through with little to no damage. I know this, but that does not calm my fears. Who am I to discourage him? He and my mom had allowed me to study abroad at 21 (I know that technically I didn't NEED their permission but that's beside the point) and he has been supportive of my career and the traveling I do. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">When the time came I knew I had to let him follow his heart and that everyone involved would regret it if he didn't go see these important people in his life.</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> I told myself "Flying to see Aunt B isn't hurting anyone." I also reminded myself that "there would be help at the airport if he needed it and he would be with friends and family once he arrived at his destination." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">D-day came and went. I saw a few photos that my cousin and aunt posted on social media but that was about it. He was scheduled to be gone 12 days. On day 11 I phoned him to let him know I would be at the airport to pick him up as planned. He sounded happy and ready to come home. What more could I ask for?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The next night at 9:30 I headed out to our local international airport to pick up my Dad. 80+ years old and still traveling here and there. Maybe with a bit more support, but getting it done just the same.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just returned from his trip to see family in the mid-west.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It warms the heart to see people you love do what makes them happy. Don't you think? </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12090603767379702578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087900177507426257.post-7457174953473194892014-04-01T21:46:00.001-07:002014-04-01T22:03:33.359-07:00A Tale of an Ocean Themed Spring Break<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This week my kids have gone back to school after spring break. After a week, it's a shock not only for them but for me too. Homework, alarm clocks, backpacks and lunches. OH MY!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Not that we did a lot, vacations are more stay-cations in our house. My husband and I both had to work so the kids were home with their babysitter all week. But never mind that. L, my 6.75 yo started a unit on the Ocean in her 1st grade class and so the one thing we did over this break was visit an aquarium and then have a short, and chilly afternoon at the beach.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 4yo and the 6.75yo ham it up at the Cabrillo Aquarium in San Pedro, Ca.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It was a fun day but the altered motive was to get the girls excited about ocean life and this precious resource. L has a diorama to do before the end of the month and frankly I was hoping she would get inspired. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">To keep things ocean-ish I have also been trying to send her with ocean themed lunches (SHOCKER!) So here we go, here was Monday's lunch. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWbeox3UvARNaz3E3BsLhgCHWZuUmrMyksiLkdgG1gw1mWy-cd3nIFHJnpi-HFgvOAo9SMdIGAKS2w8XzaBIjpQbdAkMGEaA1om8QEu1iQcLzdWGNZvL29V_56An_xq7kFpIrmytUfkQ/s1600/IMG_1932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWbeox3UvARNaz3E3BsLhgCHWZuUmrMyksiLkdgG1gw1mWy-cd3nIFHJnpi-HFgvOAo9SMdIGAKS2w8XzaBIjpQbdAkMGEaA1om8QEu1iQcLzdWGNZvL29V_56An_xq7kFpIrmytUfkQ/s1600/IMG_1932.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PB & J Angel Fish and Manatee along with apple slices, string cheese and bear cookies (so frustrated that we didn't have goldfish crackers)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRIwcwaVPmgb9eEWItARIlUjmUCyORHP1zIfGq0iX4V7R46YB3QJrp82TaSJYi3n0ALxMTcotzE0Ptp5CEBJ9bIYwKA6C0lxhu8a0v1tlPf5FZ7Xmlr4-nWan9Ghemu7YhZwou9i28Mg/s1600/IMG_1931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRIwcwaVPmgb9eEWItARIlUjmUCyORHP1zIfGq0iX4V7R46YB3QJrp82TaSJYi3n0ALxMTcotzE0Ptp5CEBJ9bIYwKA6C0lxhu8a0v1tlPf5FZ7Xmlr4-nWan9Ghemu7YhZwou9i28Mg/s1600/IMG_1931.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close-up of AF and Manatee</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">IDK if this will help her get going on her diorama but at the end of the day we had a nice day and put our toes in the sand. Thanks <a href="http://www.cabrillomarineaquarium.org/" target="_blank">Cabrillo Aquarium</a>! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12090603767379702578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087900177507426257.post-12280037374003933392014-03-16T22:01:00.001-07:002014-03-16T22:01:07.752-07:00A Tale of St Patricks Day Lunch<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Tomorrow is St Patrick's Day. Now, we are not religious at all, but I was brought up to be connected to my Irish heritage and cleche as it may be St. P's Day is a part of that. I try to make it something my kids can connect with as well. Tomorrow I have a long work day ahead of me so we celebrated tonight with corned beef and soda bread. Yum! </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZTotV5OgHod-9-N32V6d4PwgG4l3y9OoNEvb3Ju26LO9hkG0z4GoDRSI_XrhsnRJy1i2owvmAMsTFhKzYENBCWUNvPsIW9RgDsPFMKDuV1yMzCHWA_OD56JkIW5YaqACfSho6khsz28/s640/blogger-image-671256725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZTotV5OgHod-9-N32V6d4PwgG4l3y9OoNEvb3Ju26LO9hkG0z4GoDRSI_XrhsnRJy1i2owvmAMsTFhKzYENBCWUNvPsIW9RgDsPFMKDuV1yMzCHWA_OD56JkIW5YaqACfSho6khsz28/s640/blogger-image-671256725.jpg"></a></div>Corned Beef!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpq4552aBkLW_mGC0opqJ1WEF9ePIc7JUGdGzEFMOWm_8d7XvrqVLrSlCL_7jzrZok5WhsSwDjVdO-fs_Fy0mCip1yi1VvQOGCrHhe2WjqYy46PDa8BT-oJK1a6aSve_YWlqjalG0ZDo/s640/blogger-image--440851316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpq4552aBkLW_mGC0opqJ1WEF9ePIc7JUGdGzEFMOWm_8d7XvrqVLrSlCL_7jzrZok5WhsSwDjVdO-fs_Fy0mCip1yi1VvQOGCrHhe2WjqYy46PDa8BT-oJK1a6aSve_YWlqjalG0ZDo/s640/blogger-image--440851316.jpg"></a></div>Soda Bread! </div><div><br></div><div>For lunch tomorrow I am sending my daughter a four leaf clover for lunch, apples and one big cookie. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4k1YqsM8ey6QlEx7-Fs9Uc061K5vNxEEu2in0AgXmZaRVTFjb_WGrHbKrBcpKBCpuoUVRFibOpRi2_X7vcbA3uD0LDo72fzsWEv6pQDve8g9IRnDfmN_a4JRp6Nj1kPemo04v1cVKuM/s640/blogger-image-442595870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4k1YqsM8ey6QlEx7-Fs9Uc061K5vNxEEu2in0AgXmZaRVTFjb_WGrHbKrBcpKBCpuoUVRFibOpRi2_X7vcbA3uD0LDo72fzsWEv6pQDve8g9IRnDfmN_a4JRp6Nj1kPemo04v1cVKuM/s640/blogger-image-442595870.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyWnWp47RRrNq3RZlEKnZlpCJsejg_c0uLTycGA8s9ky4NtjM3Pbl0Cdl2i6KYWGwginQAEh3N5CQ4ESyzOV1YvXTT4gKZvKGKhVONluZyuuQdg3GJLfYQAvZIIN5tZe0QOKf2PGlroQ/s640/blogger-image--591425096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyWnWp47RRrNq3RZlEKnZlpCJsejg_c0uLTycGA8s9ky4NtjM3Pbl0Cdl2i6KYWGwginQAEh3N5CQ4ESyzOV1YvXTT4gKZvKGKhVONluZyuuQdg3GJLfYQAvZIIN5tZe0QOKf2PGlroQ/s640/blogger-image--591425096.jpg"></a></div>Happy St Patrick's Day Everyone!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12090603767379702578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087900177507426257.post-56849580549858339542014-03-15T20:48:00.001-07:002014-03-22T13:02:30.596-07:00A Bunny TaleLast summer my kids found a bunny in our neighbors roses.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwaLPmFrM_DRKsiLjTP8ftwc3_npjZn2lJOrnGMeP5Id1sPmV7kOUcZ3s405AgaCXiGV-hkaB333L8ibbf0qiHRa9D_k6D2Zr8MBsGJNrEx48Jfa51U5hEuWimWFhyiCTejKhRlOMnaq4/s1600/IMG_1429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwaLPmFrM_DRKsiLjTP8ftwc3_npjZn2lJOrnGMeP5Id1sPmV7kOUcZ3s405AgaCXiGV-hkaB333L8ibbf0qiHRa9D_k6D2Zr8MBsGJNrEx48Jfa51U5hEuWimWFhyiCTejKhRlOMnaq4/s1600/IMG_1429.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the kids feeds our new bunny a treat</td></tr>
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The poor little guy was clearly someone's pet that had gotten loose. No one in our neighborhood claimed him and within a day we had a new pet.<br />
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Anyway, Spring is here and so I made a lunch for the 6yo that looks like the bunny.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12090603767379702578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087900177507426257.post-67949031025280178332014-03-14T08:12:00.000-07:002014-03-14T08:12:21.189-07:00Tale of a School Spirit Sandwich<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Friday is School Spirit day at my daughter's elementary school. When I have the time (aka get up nice and early) I try to make her a lunch that reflects the school mascot which is a bee. I didn't sleep much last night so I had plenty of time to think about what to do today. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Here is her painted bento lunch for Friday March 14, 2014. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I hope she likes it!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGu4W_QHMQKKT21rxJ8alYFN89-KkqDsz_OLbyQpX68p5HVp0DQQzeIbij9GfHnSSiiQG-Nqi-Wep7C4vZzikuQaR2ZEcFzr8oFu96ejgmLndUhmi5sKXpb2SLSjs7E88Dk1yHzp8lew/s1600/Full+Lunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGu4W_QHMQKKT21rxJ8alYFN89-KkqDsz_OLbyQpX68p5HVp0DQQzeIbij9GfHnSSiiQG-Nqi-Wep7C4vZzikuQaR2ZEcFzr8oFu96ejgmLndUhmi5sKXpb2SLSjs7E88Dk1yHzp8lew/s1600/Full+Lunch.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PB&J sandwich with apple slices and cookies</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQhfojYLWseNuAbw4eULHPY6HCzvdZUzxNd-WS7EGtc0WZvAfTxBVClUJMVk2SMwer-u6oumSBvithT2L8Zmb-ShJvDuBJbLgvqeVt9H1x-q0iOh3d0X54uBZTeKabHIxvz_5dzlIzp0/s1600/bee+sandwich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQhfojYLWseNuAbw4eULHPY6HCzvdZUzxNd-WS7EGtc0WZvAfTxBVClUJMVk2SMwer-u6oumSBvithT2L8Zmb-ShJvDuBJbLgvqeVt9H1x-q0iOh3d0X54uBZTeKabHIxvz_5dzlIzp0/s1600/bee+sandwich.jpg" height="313" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close-up of today's sandwich</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12090603767379702578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087900177507426257.post-62743001523214940722014-03-11T16:45:00.000-07:002014-03-11T16:45:00.810-07:00A Tale of Tuesday's Lunch<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Here is the lunch that went with L today. It's a pb&j sandwich painted with food coloring. On the side she has apple slices and a rice cake snack. To tie the the two boxes together I used the disposable grass for bento lunches my last remaining silicone flower and leaf (where do they go?) </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6uEa1Pbm8VvPNQrhqPjGfR1mzQuN6oizyporv2cjKPY5tMyIwfhsu3ieDVfGILjRiFda4vYSfydAFIqeLoF_bxudMXztpW6Vi9sLR9VLDVQAxjQqLDPPhh3fn1uQJ68qlSD3JU8jWiQ8/s1600/IMG_0847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6uEa1Pbm8VvPNQrhqPjGfR1mzQuN6oizyporv2cjKPY5tMyIwfhsu3ieDVfGILjRiFda4vYSfydAFIqeLoF_bxudMXztpW6Vi9sLR9VLDVQAxjQqLDPPhh3fn1uQJ68qlSD3JU8jWiQ8/s1600/IMG_0847.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">To rid the sandwich of it's crust I got used a sandwich sealer that I got at Northgate Market and made by Wonder Bread. It's a fantastic little device that seals the sandwich and removes the crust. The final product is similar to an uncrustable but you are in control of the content of the sandwich and the type of bread used. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5CDgN7voR38ZzSjKE2U_gyfu2zLrGF8xIRFY5z92g89KRlLvUpHGpSPbje2yuY3NwW2VSpFEBAqy4PAufW-S93356RVqAqTQRh0wdBVXQaUC-b6w33Eer8AtzdzP1WIfQtv4t0TOmkg/s1600/IMG_0849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5CDgN7voR38ZzSjKE2U_gyfu2zLrGF8xIRFY5z92g89KRlLvUpHGpSPbje2yuY3NwW2VSpFEBAqy4PAufW-S93356RVqAqTQRh0wdBVXQaUC-b6w33Eer8AtzdzP1WIfQtv4t0TOmkg/s1600/IMG_0849.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small; text-align: start;">Ta-Da! The finished product. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Happy Tuesday!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12090603767379702578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087900177507426257.post-5250455785779155272014-03-10T15:47:00.000-07:002014-03-10T15:47:07.813-07:00A Tale of…Doctors Orders<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">At my last physical the Doctor told me I need to increase my calcium intake. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Today while looking for something to eat for lunch I found a half eaten pint of Ben and Jerry's Mint Cookie Ice Cream and was confronted with the question:<i>If I eat it for lunch, am I following Dr's orders?</i> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxP55Uoh5FgT0rhhBRNxQlsK4rz9GOrRs4RhFUdUyVvf6EhbMBzcpYbo71JpL-ZE4bshEHz0jB57ZEv3P8Av6c4UK2X0VdTixKzr1eK2SuIDNMf96kR7ucVKo7f4Q7cE7oeJiULhVPQI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-10+at+3.42.59+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxP55Uoh5FgT0rhhBRNxQlsK4rz9GOrRs4RhFUdUyVvf6EhbMBzcpYbo71JpL-ZE4bshEHz0jB57ZEv3P8Av6c4UK2X0VdTixKzr1eK2SuIDNMf96kR7ucVKo7f4Q7cE7oeJiULhVPQI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-10+at+3.42.59+PM.png" height="320" width="274" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12090603767379702578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087900177507426257.post-87546355527482748432014-03-06T08:20:00.001-08:002014-03-14T22:10:05.047-07:00A Tale of Thursday's LunchThis week in school the 6yo is studying the life cycle of butterflies. Last night we spent time looking at different illustrations and graphs of the life cycle and stages. We talked about the process and tried to remember each stage by more than one name (larva and/or caterpillar), and at dinner we talked about how the butterfly's tongue works.<br />
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This morning while making her lunch I made her a lunch fitting someone studying the butterfly.</div>
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I thought the yogurt covered rasins were a bit like eggs...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxp6PlLK9zf3tf6YmlWY4W3HdupSK21w-BIXxBu_mfNZGHppM91bI9g4ECe9HafF3Q47rBnS0QB8m-ZzAH48i5qx6KGbkcFWshRuyXUlJvhJK2cWzCvYpj8W1sb0_iogRhIKgVlZFcWE/s640/blogger-image-764078013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxp6PlLK9zf3tf6YmlWY4W3HdupSK21w-BIXxBu_mfNZGHppM91bI9g4ECe9HafF3Q47rBnS0QB8m-ZzAH48i5qx6KGbkcFWshRuyXUlJvhJK2cWzCvYpj8W1sb0_iogRhIKgVlZFcWE/s320/blogger-image-764078013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I hope she likes it! Happy Thursday! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12090603767379702578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087900177507426257.post-91449789496391934912014-03-05T08:04:00.000-08:002014-03-05T08:04:47.612-08:00A Tale of A Hump Day<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This week's hump day is hitting hard at my house. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Last night we went to a family event and didn't get home until nearly 10:00. Not too late, until you consider the kids are accustomed to going into their bed between 7:30 and 8 with lights out at 8. The 4yo actually turned to me and said "Mommy I think it's past my bedtime" last night. Thankfully she doesn't have school today but the 6yo does and it starts in a little over half an hour. As for me. I got to bed at a normal time, actually maybe a bit early. SO why am I so darn tired today? NO IDEA. My guess is the change in schedule. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Anyway, this morning I woke with a start at 6 on the dot already 45 minutes behind schedule. WTH? I seems I forgot to set my alarm. D'OH! Well, I am more or less caught up but still feeling sluggish and in need of a laugh. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">In the spirit of Hump Day I wanted to share this clip from the 1990's tv show Friends. It's one of my favorite story lines and the reaction of the friends is priceless. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do and wish you all Happy Wednesday! </span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12090603767379702578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087900177507426257.post-90691793357052494632014-03-01T21:32:00.001-08:002014-03-01T21:32:40.227-08:00A Tale of Three LunchesHere are a couple of the lunches from this week. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG68Kap-iUX1WEP4P-y-2v0tTeFUngEkzm1ZHrhJUeeQMjpgy_9bitUzh6rsicnz_vXp0UPNFeFNYlprOb_BA8Z-bp5KnpkX9YUn-I0aVeoP7d8A9jJe0SRT8GjRHBQO6S7jxIrJufnt4/s640/blogger-image--1327659710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG68Kap-iUX1WEP4P-y-2v0tTeFUngEkzm1ZHrhJUeeQMjpgy_9bitUzh6rsicnz_vXp0UPNFeFNYlprOb_BA8Z-bp5KnpkX9YUn-I0aVeoP7d8A9jJe0SRT8GjRHBQO6S7jxIrJufnt4/s640/blogger-image--1327659710.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Oh so simple, yogurt covered raisins, a couple of cookies, and a simple sandwich.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOUmnq9vaLPR6j7mc87D_9PdqnFh3s_1MaQlGRlhW-KURgIUG4zWUIul9dUqtiLv44AlD16Mfy9XFfz7T-6EiUZKmLOvboyLk3aeGnUI69IWxL63pV45Q-9PG8zZ5GSCqhktrCtOWx1o/s640/blogger-image-1830937821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOUmnq9vaLPR6j7mc87D_9PdqnFh3s_1MaQlGRlhW-KURgIUG4zWUIul9dUqtiLv44AlD16Mfy9XFfz7T-6EiUZKmLOvboyLk3aeGnUI69IWxL63pV45Q-9PG8zZ5GSCqhktrCtOWx1o/s640/blogger-image-1830937821.jpg"></a></div>Another quick flower with apples and a couple whoknew cookies.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKHO7LibYAg78WwCR-BrtxaGgJ2Q0pxJNokVekRR7UEZNJLD03euk4eQ5PJLFQtV9q6KwmOMdLR0hhbSKK7rPogMoEZlv6AVYwtDIkfVg99LCAofdNiBrlujgdH4yC66aHGBhjNQY05w/s640/blogger-image--2015954485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKHO7LibYAg78WwCR-BrtxaGgJ2Q0pxJNokVekRR7UEZNJLD03euk4eQ5PJLFQtV9q6KwmOMdLR0hhbSKK7rPogMoEZlv6AVYwtDIkfVg99LCAofdNiBrlujgdH4yC66aHGBhjNQY05w/s640/blogger-image--2015954485.jpg"></a></div></div>Anticipating St. Patrick's Day and Easter with a clover and tiny bunny, gummy hearts left over from Valentines Day, cookies, apples and pears. </span></div><div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12090603767379702578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087900177507426257.post-18665484372364769052014-03-01T06:49:00.001-08:002014-03-01T06:49:35.505-08:00Tale of a Confused MomMy children have an alarm that is set for 6:35 Monday through Friday. On Saturday we have a standing 8:30 breakfast date but I let them sleep until the last possible moment. Strangely the past few days they have started getting up before my alarm, not their alarm, but almost an hour earlier than that. What is going on?!?!?! I need that time to do stuff, like shower. This has got to stop.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12090603767379702578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087900177507426257.post-32076282950238783542014-02-18T23:28:00.002-08:002014-02-18T23:29:27.445-08:00A Tale of Tuesday's LunchHappy Tuesday! I've been a bit lazy about posting the lunches I've made for the Creepy Kids. Here is a fairly simple bento I did today for the 6yo. Pb&jelly on wheat with apples and 3 ginger snaps.<br />
Seriously so simple!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12090603767379702578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087900177507426257.post-42812526810833139352014-02-13T17:30:00.000-08:002014-02-14T22:30:21.647-08:00A Tale of the Tooth Fairy and El Ratón Pérez<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week my 6yo daughter lost another tooth. This kid. She didn't even bother getting her first tooth until she was 13 months old and now she can't seem to keep them in her head! Anyway, the tradition in my family was the Tooth Fairy and both my sister and I had special pillows our mom had made for us with little pockets on the front for our teeth. I remember mine had lace around each side and a snap on the pocket. We loved having this special pillow just for our tooth mail and I can see now how smart my mom was for employing this technique back before Pinterest or other crafting social media outlets. Seriously, who is capable of finding one tiny tooth in the dark under a pillow without waking up the (already suspicious) child asleep in the bed? Not this mom! Im just not that stealth and my kids are far to easily disturbed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About a year ago, when her first tooth was showing signs of evacuation I set to work making a tooth fairy pillow for L. For her special pillow I recycled a pink cable-knit sweater and used some ribbon I had on hand for a handle. I made it tooth shaped-ish and included a pocket with a heart on it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think it turned out cute.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back to my story. On Monday she lost another tooth early in the morning just after the girls got up. When their babysitter arrived L ran to her and told her about her tooth. To this Tia (this is what the kids call her) said in Spanish "El Raton will come to the house tonight!" this had us both a bit worried. I don't know about you, but having a rat come to my house, sneak into my daughters room, and take her tooth is slightly unpleasant. But whatever, right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That night as I was putting the girls to bed L said to me "Mommy, if the Tooth Fairy isn't real, would it be you or daddy that was doing it?" to which her sister (the 4yo) said "Duh! Mommy! Cuz fairies are girls!" which put them both into giggles and thankfully changed the subject. This comes after a conversation she had with my husband at Christmas where she explained to him that she was fairly sure that Santa doesn't exist. Six years old. Ugh. Anyway, already on to her I had prepped myself. We put the tooth in a tissue before putting it into the pocket. The Tooth Fairy replaces the tooth in the tissue with the money (and sometimes glitter) like magic! So I had a tissue from the same box in my pocket with her money and as I put them to bed I replaced switched out the package and took a huge sign of relief as I shut the bedroom door. Good thing I did the old switch-a-roo! Because with her parting words she warned me that she was planning on staying up all night to see the Tooth Fairy and find out how it all worked. HA! HA! Victory for now!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next morning she was so cute. She came out and asked if we could look up Tooth Fairy traditions around the world and find out why Tia had said a rat would come to the house. So we read about the traditions of the Spanish, French and Italian speaking parts of the world that believe a mouse comes to their homes and takes the teeth. Sometimes the mouse or rat had a last name, Pérez, and sometimes it was the mouse of the teeth. We also read about what people did before these traditions started and how parents would burry or burn children's baby teeth to save them from witches or help usher their spirits into a favorable afterlife. Our favorite of all was the regional Scottish myth which blended the story of the fairy (which seems to originate in Scandinavia) and the<i> </i>Ratoncito by making it a mouse fairy. How cute is that? </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Hey look! They even made a movie about El Raton!</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After all of this the good news is that I am still able to outsmart my 6yo <i>for now anyway…... </i></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12090603767379702578noreply@blogger.com0