Surprise for the Kids

SHHH. We have a surprise for the kids today   : )

 After a short school session we'll be heading off to visit Mickey!!   We've had annual passes as a family for years and after Lauren's arrival last year we visited Disneyland about 4  times before our passes expired.  Lauren liked seeing "Mupmy Moosh" (Micky Mouse) as she called him, but was still in the adjustment phase where everything else was a bit overwhelming.

 Plus since she was only 36" tall at the time of her arrival she was very limited with the rides she could go on since Disney's height requirement for most rides other than little kids ones requires a minimum height of 40".

In the year plus since Lauren's arrival, we've been active in helping her body continue to heal from all the early health issues she had, and have worked to reverse the malnourishment diagnosis she recieved at her original doctors visits here.  In addition to healthy food, we added vitamin and probiotic supplements to help her body be able to absorb the vitamins from the food she was getting. The side benefits to her have not only been no further hospitalizations, overall good health, but the fact that she is now at 7 years old 40" tall !!!  YAY.

Hannah's a huge Disney fan and has been wanting to return. Our other goal of paying off all our debt, just hasn't made it a priority.  With only one consumer debt left to pay off and at 0% it will be finished this August, we set aside funds to treat the family when we received our State tax refund. This way we stay true to our goals and bless the family as well.

So we will be heading out in a little bit to enjoy a day at DIsneyland.

Will post our pictures tomorrow.

Trip Down Memory Lane

Have you ever had a time when a site, smell, sound or experience has triggered a series of memories?  This happened this morning when I stepped outside in the early morning chill.  It was particularly foggy and when the cold, damp breeze hit my face I was suddenly transported in my mind to a memory of when I was 6 and living in England. There were many cold mornings like this waiting for the school bus that came flooding back.  The times I'd get to the bus stop early to hand my few pence to the clerk at the corner sweet shop and buy salt and vinegar crisps to munch while waiting for the bus.

The walks down stone or brick alleys with friends or to the old Primary School before the new, modern one we took the bus to opened.  Memories of mincemeat tarts we were sometimes treated to at school when the upper grades had their home ec classes and baked these goodies. Remembering my best friend Wendy who lived with her parents across the street from us, and that I was 12 when I was last back to visit with them. Wendy was the one who helped me when while riding my bike I fell over the handle bars and split open my nose and upper lip.  How perfect that she grew up to be a nurse and is married with two grown kids of her own.

Semi-detached house like the one my best friend Wendy  lived in.

I remember the fisherman and his wife who would sell from the back of their truck the fish he caught and cooked along with chips.  They served them wrapped up in white paper with newspaper around each portion to keep them warm.  This was so delicious eaten with a bit of malt vinegar.

SOOOO many memories came rushing to mind that I got on the computer and looked up Eynsham to see what I could find.  I wouldn't know my way around the township today, but there are still historic buildings and charming classic old stone houses that I remember so well.  I spent a good hour online looking up sites around the town.

St. Leonard's on High Street, Downtown Eynsham

Cemetary behind St. Leonard's

  Visiting the website of the Upper Heyford Airbase where my dad was stationed when his squadron was reassigned there from France.  We lived in England for a year, before my dad left the Airforce and took a pilot position with Western Airlines in California.




High Street, Eynsham



1967 Picture of gate at Upper Heyford RAF Air Base

It was an amazing trip through a set of childhood memories and a particular place and time that was sparked by something as fleeting as a foggy morning breeze blowing across my face.

Street Scene in Eysham

 

Last Spring Cleaning Challenge Post

Spring Cleaning Challenge

This is the final post for the challenge we committed to at the beginning of the month. Though this will hardly be the last area of clearing up and cleaning out it is the final one for this month's official challenge.  It served it's purpose in getting me back to my beginning of the year commitment to organization.

  It has been really useful to get rid of clutter and be able to find things and just have messes gone.  This last post is a mess that was never supposed to be there in the first place.  In January we made a blog post called  "Lemonade" when our water line to the refrigerator had been leaking and ruined a good section of the kitchen floor.  After pulling it up we decided to lay a new kitchen floor.  The boards that were not messed up, because of the size of the kitchen would still cover a good section of flooring, so we set them in the back room as we dismantled the kitchen and they wound up sitting there for several months as we laid new flooring then moved on to other projects.

We've decided to save these to use in the shed once cleared out and use it as a pool cabana, because of it's close proximity to the pool area.  After moving the flooring for now to the garage I then just had to get the game room decluttered and gave it a quick cleaning.  Found I have room along the back wall area where I can add shelves to be able to store the kids DVD's for easier access in this movie and game area.

Finally, had to show this.  Hannah loves board games and has been after Kevin to play one with her. He's been so busy that he's had to keep putting her off. Finally on Saturday evening he committed to spending time with her on Sunday.  So Sunday morning after making her bed she set up the game complete with dolls to be her "helpers" and was all set for Kevin to be able to join her later in the day .  It was just cute to have dad sit there as she explained the rules, then play the game.  She proudly announced her victory at the end and even got him to join in again later that evening along with Cameron. 

Lauren was busy logging time watching educational DVD's as she played with her Legos. Not only does she enjoy this, but it's really helped her language skills.  She enjoys sharing what she's learned from her lessons.  I love the fact that she just thinks it's entertaining and isn't aware it's part of school!!  Sneaky mom : )

Date Night

On Friday night's Cameron usually attends a young adults group, but since he chose not to go last night Kevin and I thought we'd take advantage to get out for the evening while he graciously watched the girls.  "Date nights", for us unless it's a special occasion will generally be dinner and a trip to Lowes.  I know how boring.  Not for us though since projects are a common interest.  It's a chance to get out, enjoy each other's company, talk at our leisure and maybe find an idea for the house that inspires or is needed.

Last night we had a nice Italian meal at Raviolis Osteria. I've included some images borrowed from their web site since I didn't make a point to bring my camera. It was really good, especially the creme brulee we couldn't resist for dessert!

Then instead of our usual trip to Lowes it was a fun filled cruise through Sam's Club to pick up items we were really short on.  Ah the joys of responsible parenting  : )

Today I got outside in the cooler morning to paint the rafter area around the new roof in preparation for Kevin and Cameron putting up fascia board and new guttering.  While I was busy with this the girls played with Hannahs remote control car then decided a game of tag was the best use for it. Kept them busy and burned some energy while I worked.

Have a great day!

Visitors

Visitors.  This consists of two categories wanted and unwanted.  Yesterday we were able to visit Amber and Eddie at the home we helped them move to from their apartment about a month ago. These are temporary lodgings for them as they've been blessed with 6 months of no rent for house sitting in return. We can safely say we fell into the category of wanted and invited guests!!

Fixing us a delicious meal

My Girls

 

Today after watching a squirrel behaving strangely from the barn window I walked back in the pool area right near where the girls had been playing this past weekend and found this unwanted visitor.

Our first of the season and since rattlesnakes are territorial we made sure to let it know this was our territory.
Kevin quickly took care of it with one head shot and Cameron added another tail to his collection.

Sunny and Warm

This past weekend was beautiful.  The sun was shining and temperatures reached into the upper 90's. We took full advantage to get some yard work done around the pool. Flowers are blooming and looking really pretty.

Because of the bright sun we set up a shade canopy for the girls to retreat under when necessary. While they played with their bubbles Kevin and I began to take care of the weeds and plants that were getting a bit out of hand.  We'll need to keep at this to really see the progress we want, but we're off to a good start for this season. Cameron was off playing baseball with a group of friends so he managed to get out of this yard work session.  We let him know we've saved more for his help the next time : )

We decided to let the chickens on the pool side of the fence to help with bugs and weed control in some of the planter beds around the pool.  Took a bit of coaxing to get them out of "their" yard, but once over they loved scratching and picking at bugs and plants.  Will have to do this a bit more when we're out there working. 

Week Three of Spring Cleaning

Another week down in the Spring Cleaning Challenge.  This time it was the master bathroom's tall linen/storage closet.  It was a time to clear out electronics like an old ultrasonic contact lense cleaner that I definately haven't needed in years. Both Kevin and I had Lasik treatments done 5 years ago!! Old electric toothbrushes that have been collecting dust, and a lot of outdated lotions and other products that got shoved to the back of the cupboard and aren't good anymore.

BEFORE

I used plastic storage boxes to organize and better store First Aid items and made easily identifiable and accessible kits.  In general just getting things properly sorted for a more efficient space.

AFTER

Oh, and a quick garden update.  With the warmer weather a lot more has been sprouting and growing. We've had to drape bird netting over everything because the birds kept uprooting  my small seedlings. Our first few squash are growing as these plants seemed to be the quickest to get established and we'll be picking these in a week or so. The girls are really excited to see the changes, especially where their sunflower seeds have now grown into almost foot high plants. What a thrill it will be for them when they finally flower!!

Garden photo with all the bird netting

Yellow Squash, Corn and Yellow Nasturtium

Loads of these this year so our garden is really reinforced with fencing!!!