Piece of {Lego} Cake

So we are working on this Lego Character display (to be posted) and I thought it a Brilliant idea to just sort through the Lego pile. Yep, just casually collect the pieces scattered around and piece all the characters together before their new home is ready. Because that would only take an hour or so. NO. We were two hours in & I think I was trying to remember the last time I felt so annoyed & defeated. I would like to point out that this was about lunch time so we took a break. Unfortunately,  I am very busy doing everything else on my list to return to the dungeon, I mean.... Maybe tonight I'll have a helper older than 7 & one of those new action films playing.

Happy Tuesday-

Stephanie

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Weekend Bonding

My husband doesn't always have the most consistent schedule. He works with VFX & Advertising which means that during those ever important deadlines times we barely see him. Last month he was working 19+ hr days and it was all a blur. I think the kids went a week without seeing him & that's ok. 

When he is here he is present and tries to maximize his time with each kid which can be a challenge. Props to him for trying. He loves to take them to the museums, trails, exploring events or incorporate them into a design project. When all else fails he'll invite them for some video game time or a movie which I have become OK with. 

  

 Making plans to modify the fort loft bed.

Quality time with a loved one is awesome no matter who it is with. 

Happy Sunday. 

-Stephanie

Museums Rock

We love museums. It doesn't really matter how many times we visit, something new catches our eye & new memories are made. 

Last night we were invited to join the cousins for a special night time visit to the Shark Lagoon at The Aquarium of the Pacific. The darkness of the night added a little bit of suspense to putting your hand into the shark tank. It suprises me how kids are oblivious to the weather when they are having fun. It was a bit chilly for SoCal but this didn't deter them from sticking their arms into touch the hammerhead sharks or fake dodging the water being shot out of a fishes mouth in the playground area. Nothing matters when you're enjoying life to this extent.

Back to museums. They are fun, exciting & educational. It's like taking a grand trip without the hassle of leaving on one. We enjoy the post visit car conversations because each kid has their own favorite that they are excited to share. 

Many museums offer a FREE day once a month. This information can usually be found on their website and is a good thing to have for planning or if a spur of the moment adventure is needed.

Should you be in So Cal this month, the LA Times released a list of museums that are offering free admittance on January 25. I'm hoping to visit a new one.

http://touch.latimes.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-78821455/

Let me know if you make it out to one of the museums. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

-Stephanie

Breakfast Wars

Around here breakfast is pretty important.  And, not in the traditional " breakfast is the most important meal of the day, now EAT!" sort of way.

 Truth be told, I'm not a breakfast person. I would be content to sit in a chair and secretly listen to the happy chatter as they pour themselves a bowl of breakfast delight but the two youngest (and my husband) Love breakfast.They love a FULL breakfast. I think they also enjoy the sitting around the table discussing dreams, plans or ideas. It's a type of bonding for them & a lot of morning silliness comes out.

Luckily for me I can sometimes get away with simple French toast if I distract them by creating it into shapes and putting a pattern on it by using the panini press. That and a small 4oz cup of chocolate milk rescue me from an hour+ midweek production. It could be worse. I could ignore them(but not really).

How do you handle the whole breakfast deal?

Stephanie

A New Year and a Confession

As our children began to grow older, (more like spring up overnight), I began to pull back on posting to any social media sites. In an effort to protect their privacy as they matured I ended up stopping a laundry list of wonderful things that gave me an outlet and allowed me to document their everyday adventures. I didn't realize the impact of my actions until last month when all three children piled into our bed and took short walk down memory lane. It appears that there was much that they forgotten  about which only surfaced on their memory after a stroll through this blog.

I find it quite comical that they are more than disappointed in my choice to stop posting their every move when so many kids would love to have a little privacy from the outside world.

So to appease my children, and those interested in our journey, I will begin blogging again this year. I am hoping for it to be full of new adventures & experiences that all will enjoy.

To a new year full of the greatest memories that will hopefully live on inside.

Happy 2014

-Stephanie

 This New Years Eve decoration was created by painting designs onto some tracing paper we had. 

We used gold & silver craft paint to create the same design on two sheets. Once dried, we used an accordion fold on both and secured them together in the middle using bakers twine. We carefully unfolded the paper and used a basic glue to secure the open edges together. Finally, we secure the pieces on the wall in front for small white lights as seen below.

The kids had a wonderful time helping with this project.

-Stephanie

Beach Love

There is something magically simple and romantic about impromptu trips to the beach.  It may be that the moments or hours before (depending on how many kids you have)  are never filled with the excitement of making certain everyone has a towel, snack, drink, flip-flop or two.

My heart always blooms when a quick decision to alter from the plans end us up at the beach. The sea spray on my check and the rhythm of the crashing waves makes me feel like one with the earth. Glancing over at my son and I'm filled with happiness at the excitement and wonderment in his eyes as if it was the first time to enjoy the sand.

Today's trip proved to be the perfect retreat from the everyday ritual and has prepared us all for the days ahead.

Wishing you a very happy and refreshing Sunday.

Beach Hike

We moved to a new city along the California coast and come to find out it has about 31 different hiking trails.

This past week we had the opportunity to enjoy one of these trails and ended up on the beach of Abalone Cove. What a treat! Quietly hidden away, this small cove is home to some beautiful creatures.

We had a wonderful time exploring and I hope that you enjoy the pictures.