Thursday, March 29, 2007

James' 10th Birthday @ Legoland

3/29/97 HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY JAMES ! !

This is a picture from my new camera phone. I can't believe I forgot to charge the battery on my camera! Thank goodness for camera phones! And it is so fun to send pics from the phone to blogger! :)

Happy 10th Birthday JAMES!

Very Happy Birthday to my first baby boy James. He turns 10 today. He was born on Holy Saturday 1997!

He chose to go to Legoland for his birthday.
It was more crowded that we had hoped. We waited an hour just for the first ride on the Dinosaur rollercoaster - "Coasterasaurus".

I finally figured out that it was the Opening Day of the Las Vegas section of Miniland.
Which was cool. We've been to Las Vegas a couple times and the kids are familiar with the hotels so we had fun looking at the amazing reproductions in Legos.

They went on the "Kid Power Towers" which we had not tried before. So it became a day of things we haven't done before. Except for driving the cars which they do every time!
We went on the "Coast Cruise" boat ride, saw the 4-D movie, ate ice cream cones with the swirl flavoring - except James had a frozen root beer float. And played in the bionicle building room with Lego video games.
He chose a Star Wars lego for his birthday money from Grandma.

His dinner restaurant of choice ::::::: Red Lobster ::::
This was a big shock. We've only eaten there 2-3 times. But somehow he remembers the chicken strips and french fries. Dad & Grandma met us there when they got off work and we had a fun dinner with a hot fudge, ice cream, brownie for dessert!


Last Saturday James & I went shopping after his basketball practice and he went on a shopping spree at Target for his birthday.

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Reading - Amazing Grace For Mothers

Amazing Grace for mothers is a book being passed around the ladies in our MOMS group.

My turn!

Friday, March 23, 2007

James' prayer & cross

James wrote a prayer today.


Holy God Creator of Heaven and Earth, I am a sinner, please forgive my sinful actions, have mercy on me.

Shower me in your forgiveness.

Hosanna in the highest!

I know not what I do, forgive me and all sinners. Shower us in your forgiveness.



I'm not sure where this came from. I was cleaning upstairs and he came to show it to me.

I helped with punctuation and choosing the words "sinful actions" because he orignally had the word "forgivness" again.


This reminds me of the cross he and the neighbor boy carved a couple weeks ago.

We went to Knott's Berry Farm and he brought the soap home from the hotel.

He and neighbor carved the cross in the soap.

Setting up

today:
moving tables, moving boxes, lots of vacuuming & dusting.
moving chairs, finding photos, digging out scrapbooking supplies and carry upstairs.

I've been moving pictures from PC to laptop and am only able to go back to 2003 and a very few photos from 2002.
Derek was born in Oct - 2002 and none of his birth, baptism or newborn photos are on the computer...? Maybe the digital pictures were not "invented" yet?

I'll have to spend time scanning them. I better research the best way to do that for hundreds of pictures.

Thursday, March 22, 2007

FHC Notebook preparation / research

I'm researching other Catholic Blogging moms websites for information on
First Holy Communion notebook ideas.

Here's a website for an example of the 1st communion notebook I want to make with the kids.
http://happyheartsmom.typepad.com/photos/matthiass_1st_holy_commun/index.html


Here's one that's getting started, I really like the pages with the altar items and showing baptism.
http://sweatpea6797.typepad.com/photos/workers_first_communion_a/altar_items.html


Here is an Old Testament / 10 commandments one
http://www.homeschoolinthewoods.com/HTTA/TimelineHelps/LapbookPage.htm

I printed out the list of items/pages that Elizabeth gave everyone in 4RealLearning Forums http://4real.thenetsmith.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1900&KW=notebook
2nd post of all the pages they included.

wow Beautiful picture of Jesus giving First Holy Communion:
http://www.catholicstationery.com/79/512.htm?501

Stickers: http://www.crafterstoybox.com/store/page617.html

Rubber Stamps: http://www.catholicrubberstamps.com/

Tomorrow I'm setting up the room for "scrapbook, lapbook, notebooking" so all 4 of us can work on putting books together.
James' was 2 years ago and he could use the experience, education and re-fresher. He is the most crafty of the kids so he will love doing it.
He needs - - WE ALL need to go to confession for the Easter season.
I have to dig up photos of all 3 Baptisms and get ready for the first pages about their
namesakes, patron saints, and Baptisms.

Since I"m doing Katherine's FHC preparating at home, I will feel proud of being able to show the parish DRE and anyone else that we have taken time to prepare.

I love the idea of setting it out at the post-party too for comments from our family & friends.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Invite : Going to the Theatre

I want to take the kids to see this Theatre Production If you Give a Mouse a Cookie and Other Stories THEATREWORKSUSA

EL CAJON, CA
EAST COUNTY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER THEATRE

MARCH 28th at 12:00

Individual tickets are $10

If we get a group of 15 then the tickets are $7 (4 of us..... 11 to go)

Please Email me ASAP if you would like to go


Appropriate for Grades K - 4
Curriculum Connections: Literature Based Communication & Language Arts Music Multi-Cultural
TheatreworksUSA presents a sparkling musical revue based on popular children's books, including:
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (by Laura Joffe Numeroff) When a boy shares his snack with a hungry, demanding mouse, he learns a hilarious lesson about cause-and-effect.
Amazing Grace (by Mary Hoffman) Follow young Grace as she attempts to break stereotypes in an effort to play the title character in her school's production of Peter Pan.
Borreguita and the Coyote (by Verna Aardema) The classic Mexican tale of a little lamb, or borreguita, who uses her wits to escape a hungry coyote.
Imogene's Antlers (by David Small) Young Imogene is delighted to wake up with "cool" antlers, but soon discovers that her parents and school principals do not share her enthusiasm.
Martha Speaks (by Susan Meddaugh) The adventurous tale of a family dog who literally becomes outspoken after dining on alphabet soup.
Master Man (by Aaron Shepard) A man whose muscles are as big as his ego earns his comeuppance when he claims to be the world's strongest man in this Nigerian tall tale.
Math Curse (by Jon Scieszka) This story playfully addresses the phobia some kids have when tackling seemingly impossible math problems.
Owen (by Kevin Henkes) Owen just can't bear to part with his beloved blanket, Fuzzy - a problem, since he is about to start kindergarten. Owen's understanding mother provides a clever solution.

Suffering - Daily Prayer of Offering

The Act of Offering your Suffering to God by Kimberly Morey
NIHIL OBSTAT & IMPRIMATUR by San Diego Bishop +Robert H. Brom

"Eternal Father, I offer You all of my sufferings, (STATE WHAT IS MAKING YOU SUFFER - i.e.: my fatigue, my weakness, the loss of a loved one, the dryness in my spiritual life, etc.), along with any and all other physical, mental, emotional and spiritual sufferings, together with all of my prayers, works, sacrifices, penances and fastings, I unite them with Christ Crucified and His Sufferings, in union with all the Masses said throughout the world today, and I offer these to You bathed in the Precious Blood of Jesus, united to His Holy Wounds, with great love, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary for:
(STATE WHERE YOU WANT YOUR SUFFERING TO GO)
Grant me the grace to suffer as Jesus suffered with love, submission to Your Holy Will, patience and humility. Thank you Lord for accepting my suffering and for all you have permitted during my life. I am truly grateful. Amen."


Kimberly came to MOMS group back in January 25th and spoke about suffering and her journey to create this prayer that has been approved by the San Diego Diocese.

It has been a while since Jan and I've wanted to write about it. I just wanted to make sure I spread the prayer and remind everyone to offer up any little suffering of the day, any large suffering of the day to Jesus.

Teach our children to do the same. Even little "boo boos", disappointments, little fights with siblings. Everything can be offered up.

Often lately I've seen the quote - "Why worry - When you can pray"

Ever since this talk in January I've been offering this prayer of suffering for many things throughout the day. Often I have to Offer up a situation with a person and when all I can do is PRAY. Pray for that person to feel the love of God in their life and fill their emptiness that I believe makes them hurtful towards others.

Praying takes us and our own problem solving OUT of the situation and let's GOD IN.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Jana Alayra - NEW Album

Received an email that Jana has a new children's album.

We love all 3 albums of hers and are looking forward to getting this one.

I think we'll get the DVD with the motions so we can watch it in the car. Multi-sensory learning about God while we are driving!!




Monday, March 19, 2007

PARK DAY - - St. Joseph's Day

ST. Joseph's Feast Day


Let’s go to the park!!
Monday - - March 19th 9:30 a.m. Princess Del Cerro Park



I organized a Homeschool & Preschooler's PARK Day for today. Everyone had a lot of fun.


The bigger kids played a lot of soccer and everyone enjoyed the equipment.


See you next month!

Saturday, March 17, 2007

Happy St. Patrick's Day




Look back to my St. Patrick's BreastPlate post.

Have a wonderful Day!

Check out the LOVELINESS of ST PATRICK'S Day FAIR at Tales from the Bonny Blue House.


We are so busy today painting the family room. Yesterday I was doing the primer trim painting until I ran out. Geoff brought home a new can and finished up.

Today he's doing the painting and I'm helping a little with the trim.
I'm mostly doing laundry - 5 Loads!

YUMMY - - Dinner from OutBack Steakhouse!!

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Mother & Daughter Bracelets

2 bracelets I made last night.

Michele - Mom, January, Garnets & pearls
& Dorothy = child, December, Blue Topaz & pearls

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

errands - Lunch & Legoland

Busy day - but no schoolwork! The kids are happy. OK I'm happy too..... It's is so wonderful to be able to decide not to do any school and run errands and go have Lunch with Grandma today.

We picked her up at her office and took her to Trophy's. YUMMY.
The kids love eating there, me too.

Stopped in Verizon to look at the phones. I want to get the new "Chocolate" phone but I had to look at it first. I'll order it online so I can get the pink "strawberry" one. Grandma had them look at the battery on her phone.


Later today she ordered a new phone - She thought she was getting the pink chocolate one like me but actually ordered the PINK Razor phone. She's happy with it's slimness.

I wanted a phone that you don't have to FLIP open. It is so "Star Trek" to flip open a phone...........................



Anyway, then we were on our way to Legoland. NO they were not OPEN today :(
but we had to go all the way up there (about 35 miles) to exchange our membership cards for new ones and get pictures taken again.

It was worth it -{ well maybe, maybe not - since we were there an hour and a half 2 - 330
waiting in line } BECAUSE they gave each of us a FREE admission ticket.

SO we have 4 free tickets. Geoff doesn't have a memebership - so now we don't have to get him one. My mom wants to go once so that will use them up.


Next we were on to Mervyn's for new shoes. James needed new shoes and new basketball shoes. Katie & Derek sort of needed new shoes and found some they liked.

Derek's are so cute and he picked them out all alone, while I was helping Katie choose a color, I just had to get them.

The deal of the day - I hope -was that I had 20% off everything and they were on sale. And best of all they had Heelys on sale. So marked $65, on sale for $49.99 and after 20% off only $40 each. Even the Cashier was shocked that they were $50 and she didn't have to buy 3 pair!

Luckily we all agreed at dinner the other night that they would get Heelys for Easter.

So they are hidden away in the garage. James knows about the bunny and Katie is on the fence but they are not allowed to spoil it for Derek - he's only 4!

But they will be from us and since I got a good deal, they can still get a toy from "The Bunny"!

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

*- 37 !*

#37 - NO that is not how old I am! It is how many things we checked out from the library today. 5 videos and 5 books on CD

I'm embarrased to say that we have only discovered the library system in the past year and happy that we are going even more in the past few months.

I'm proud to say that is because I have a whole library of books here in our home - so I never felt the need to borrow more.
I bought so many books while I was in college and getting my teaching credential = for my potential, future classrooms.
Then as an Usborne Consultant, I have hundreds of books from Usborne. So there are plenty of books around the house. But I only have James that can read - but he is not interested. Katherine is just starting to read - and she is very interested. She checks out the most books.
We've been going to the library about every 3 weeks now, when books are due obviously, and I let the kids checkout as many as they want.

This was quite the jackpot though. I've read of moms taking laundry baskets to the library to carry home their books..... hum.... maybe next time.

I went with a list of 15 books. 2 for me [ Icon Painting and Saints of the California Missions] and the rest for Derek to do the activities at KizClub.com
I have a lot of the books but needed 3 Eric Carle books, It Looked Like Spilt Milk (which we couldn't find the book so the Librarian let me borrow her BIG book.)

The books on CD are: Junie B. Jones Aloha-ha-ha! and Jingle Bells, Batman Smells.
Cam Jansen and the Ghostly Mystery and The Magic Treehouse Books 9-15

Now if we only don't lose any ..... and get them back on time!!

Carnival of Homeschooling #63

YEAH my first entry into a CARNIVAL!!! tears of joy!!
Please go check it out!! Read about what homeschooling bloggers are writing about.

http://whyhomeschool.blogspot.com/2007/03/carnival-of-homeschooling-63.html

With the recent switch to day light savings time, it is a good occasion to reflect on the concept of time. In this, the 63rd Carnival of Homeschooling, we will present some of the different ways homeschoolers use this valuable resource. We've also included some fun quotes on the topic of time.


Thanks for including us!!

?Winter??

Sunday it was 87 degrees on the way home from Mass.

Monday - - - it was 92............HOT HOT. I was talking to the contractor about putting in a pool.

TODAY it is supposed to get to 88........ so far, very nice at about 77.

It is amusing to read all the blogs with pictures of kids sledding and all the snow, while we are in shorts and tank tops here in San Diego.

Friday, March 09, 2007

St. Joseph Novena


Novena to St. Joseph - Begins Today
Feast of St. JosephNovena Dates March 10-18, Feast Day March 19


O good father Joseph! I beg you, by all your sufferings, sorrows and joys, to obtain for me what I ask.

(Here name your petition).


Obtain for all those who have asked my prayers, everything that is useful to them in the plan of God. Be near to me in my last moments, that I may eternally sing the praises of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Amen.


(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be)


THANK YOU to A Catholic Mom in Hawaii for the reminder.

Her Source: EWTN

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Day 12 Prep for Total Consecration

Just a sentence from Day 12 - - applicable to this Lenten time when we have chosen to fast and sometimes find it so difficult to break a habit(s) we want to be rid of or desire the thing(s) you are to be fasting from.

.....It is harder toil to resist vices and passions, than to sweat in bodily labors. He that avoideth not small faults, by little and little falleth into greater. Thou wilt always rejoice in the evening, if thou spend the day profitably.....

fisheaters readings & prayers

Tallest Buildings in the world

James was learning about measuring feet, yards, miles today. We had to find the height of the Empire State Building.
This site links to from building to building around the world. We were looking for the tallest.
Sears Tower, Taipei 101 Amazing.

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Day 11 Prep for Total Consecration

from Fisheaters.com
Day 11
Imitation of Christ, by Thomas á Kempis: Book 1, Chapter 25
On the Fervent Amendment of our Whole Life

When a certain anxious person, who often times wavered between hope and fear, once overcome with sadness, threw himself upon the ground in prayer, before one of the altars in the Church and thinking these things in his mind, said "Oh, if I only knew how to persevere," that very instant he heard within him, this heavenly answer: "And if thou didst know this, what would thou do? Do now what you would do, and thou shall be perfectly secure." And immediately being consoled, and comforted, he committed himself to the Divine Will, and his anxious thoughts ceased. He no longer wished for curious things; searching to find out what would happen to him, but studied rather to learn what was the acceptable and perfect will of God for the beginning and the perfection of every good work. "Hope in the Lord," said the Prophet, "And do all good, and inhabit the land, and thou shall be fed of the riches thereof."

There is one thing that keeps many back from spiritual progress, and from fervor in amendment namely: the labor that is necessary for the struggle. And assuredly they especially advance beyond others in virtues, who strive the most manfully to overcome the very things which are the hardest and most contrary to them. For there a man does profit more and merit more abundant grace, when he does most to overcome himself and mortify his spirit. All have not, indeed, equal difficulties to overcome and mortify, but a diligent and zealous person will make a greater progress though he have more passions than another, who is well regulated but less fervent in the pursuit of virtues.

Prayers for the 12-Day Preparatory Period

rubber bracelets - a second life

I know you have tons of those rubber bracelets around the house, in drawers, toyboxes, etc.

I've given them a second life by giving everyone a different color bracelet, writing their name with sharpie and

then putting them around the tops of water bottles.

Now the formally half-empty water bottles mixed up on the counter can find their rightful owner!

100 Reading Lessons #1


We started Lesson 1 today.
Derek was quite excited.
He already knew the sounds that
m & s made! I was surprised!!

He was most excited when we got to Task 6 - Sounds Writing.
But writing m & s were not enough!

He wanted - and did - flip through the book and write all kinds of letters!
Katherine helped him see his name and her name in "little" letters. She & I wrote in purple and all the blue is Derek's.

Monday, March 05, 2007

temperature today

So Far Today - - High: 83°F
sorry folks in snow!

Sunday, March 04, 2007

Joseph & Moses

On the way up to L.A. the kids watched Prince of Egypt and then Joseph, King of Dreams.
Thinking they didn't have any more movies, they watched Joseph again on the way to the hotel, and again on the way home Saturday night - although they all fell asleep.

On Sunday, they were watching it again to and from Church.
As we arrived home my husband, who was driving and hearing the movie - for the first time - was not familiar with it. I said it was my 4th time hearing the movie in 3 days.
He asked if I was tired of it, and actually I said I would like to sit and watch it since I've listened to it 4 times and there are some scenes and facial expressions I would like to see. (I'm a visual person)

I HIGHLY recommend both movies!!!

Saturday, March 03, 2007

Knott's Berry Farm



The next morning Snoopy came to visit everyone at the breakfast buffet.

He hugged and kissed James & Katherine, but Derek was hiding under the table.

"Snoopy looking for Derek"

Friday, March 02, 2007

Field Trip : Icons from St. Catherine's Monastery


Today we drove from San Diego to Los Angeles to the Getty Museum. We left at 10 a.m., stopped for lunch at 12 and then we were on the Getty's Tram at 2. The Tram takes you up the hillside from the parking lot to the gorgeous museum. The parking is $8 and the museum is FREE. There 4+ buildings of amazing art and sculpture, beautiful gardens to explore, fountains, an amazing view of LA and a couple places to get food.
We were there to see the Icons from St. Catherine's Monastery at the foot of Mt. Sinai.
It was quite crowded, but that was to be expected. The last day is Sunday for the exhibit. I thought of it as my pilgrimage. Driving 3 hours with 3 kids to a museum. We were barely there when they were asking to leave. I cheered them, taught, read, encouraged, scolded, demanded and everything else to make it through.

There is a Family (children's) room we went to next. There they colored masks and can touch and look and be kids.
While the kids colored, I looked over the maps and remembered the Van Gogh - Irises. I said we had to at least see that painting so that we could tell dad about it. Geoff and I went to the Getty before kids (and before it was in this location, It used to be only at the Malibu Villa). We purchased the poster of Irises and it hangs in our dining room.

So they moaned the whole way over to the west building. There were several other Impressionists in that area. Monet is my favorite. Then I coaxed them into the North building 2nd floor to see several galleries with pictures from the life of Christ.

Finally we were on the tram ride down and Derek says "can we come again?" Of course at first I was stunned, but then knew that there was another motive......... "Because next time we come I'm sitting in that front seat of the tram to look out the window!"
Well I don't know when we'll be coming back 3 hours to ride the tram??

Traffic was terrible! We were stuck in LA bumper to bumper - - but it was 5:00! We had a schedule to keep and the next stop was the American Girl Store. It was only 11 miles away, but it took an hour.

Katherine was excited to be back at the store. We went in November for an early birthday present with a girlfriend and grandma. She got her first Doll - Jess. Today she got Coconut and a dress that was on sale. We probably would have skipped the side trip, but we were picking up Nicki for her best friend so they didn't have to order it online and wait.

We would have had more time, but we left and hour later than I wanted and we actually stopped for lunch in a restaurant and that took an hour. So we were a couple hours behind schedule.

NEXT stop......... Knott's Berry farm. We were to be there by 8 p.m. for a special visitor........

Snoopy came to tuck the kids in.

We barely made it in time.
Derek liked seeing Snoopy in the hallway, but once he was inside our room, he was nervous.
He kept his distance and chose to be on the pull out bed. Snoopy was great about taking pictures. Dad was running the video camera. Snoopy gave the kids chocolate "bones". Derek dropped his and Snoopy tossed it to him and it hit him in the face. SO Snoopy felt bad and gave Derek some extra hugs, kisses and a tickling on his tummy. (When you go to the Knott's Resort Hotel, ask for the Snoopy rooms. They are all down a Peanuts decorated hallway, and the rooms have Peanuts artwork and bedspreads.)
And after he left we went to dinner at TGI Friday's.
The next morning Snoopy came to visit everyone at the breakfast buffet.