to share the chatter

she talks, and talks, and talks and then talks some more...

just thinking that part of my job is to be there for her to share all she needs to chatter

so I will keep listening and smile as she goes on and on....

I Heart Saturday AND.....not UN-packing

Packed last night for a Spring Break trip.

We were off to Central California. I could not wait.

Matt got a sore throat.

Matt got a fever.

We made it as far as Pasadena.

Turned around.

Packing is better than unpacking.

more matt madness

really just a bunch of pictures from our few days of February fun celebrating Matt.... big brother's gifts always come with lots of layers....

and another...

last one...

well worth it!

somehow when the kids opt for no birthday party...

what was once thought to be a cost effective plan...

becomes kinda costly...

bring on the dragon sushi

add a little Sherlock Holmes...

a quick meet up with Mam and Pap....

for even more...

he loves golf balls...

especially when the box is loaded with some cash...

as always... - it was FUN celebrating YOU my boy!!

field trip...what is that?

Some of our best memories as a home school family are going on field trips. If we don't take advantage of getting out behind the desk (kitchen table) every now and then I think we miss out on great learning experiences, SEEING what we are reading about and just re-enforcing that learning is fun and is all over life!

Well, with one in highschool on a traditional schedule, offering me less flexibility, my 3rd and 5th grader have been a little cheated.

I am going to play some catch up with Matt and Bria over this last quarter and get out more. We plan a Legoland day, Balboa Park day, a visit to the Inland Valley symphony and Huntington Library...'cause those are just a few of my favorite places :)

A few weeks ago we took off to Forest Lawn in Glendale. My first visit and I never knew that the "builders creed" for this memorial includes the idea of bringing the beauty of our historic world to the lawn. The mosoleum has replications of several Michalangelo sculptures and Leonardo's Last Suppper on stained glass. Our visit included a show featuring the two artists in costume talking about their lives in Italy and what was going on when creating their most famous works of art. Well worth the trip. It is an excellent presentation they do throughout the year.

After meeting Da Vinci in real life, I gave Matt a little kit and he was able to build the artists version of the flying machine.

Since we were in the LA area we took the chance to eat at the German deli Schreiners in Montrose.

Over half of Bria's sausage went home to big brother!

I Heart Saturday....and then some more

....this is my friend Bria (totally ripped off her name to give to my girl)

We grew up together as she is the little sister to my best friend through jr high and beyond.

Now she is a loving mommy and has a much more grown up blog than me.

Her blog is called.....and then some more

Love what she says about HOPE ....and many other topics like motherhood, marriage and her walk with God.

Totally did not ask her permission to do this...so I will go do that right now...hee hee

great read aloud...

Vinegar Boy -



We are enjoying reading this aloud with Matt and Bria. Really takes them to the events surrounding Christ on the cross.

I Heart Saturday AND......mancala

I love it 'cause they get it out so often and play it in the early mornings or just before bed....

it's one of the few games they play where they are quiet and don't end up fighting!