Our Summer 2014 Road Trip - Part 1

This year for our summer vacation, we opted to take a road trip. A very long one. We started by heading West to L.A. and then by going North up the Pacific Coast Highway. We had great intentions to stop along coastal towns and look for other beautiful vistas. However, we underestimated the time driving the PCH would take. We were trying to get to the Bay area before night fall... so we had to limit our stops along the way.

Thankfully, we were able to stop at Moon Stone Beach. The beach was enchanting. The weather was perfect.

Here is a picture I posted to Instagram:

Just breathtaking, really.

Nico made sure to collect some sand/stones to bring home; it's tradition. Of course, nearly a month later, that "tradition" is still sitting in Ziploc bags in our garage. I need to figure out a project for them.

The kids both had a good time driving up the PCH... and they were pretty patient. Which made the drive easier for Marcos and I.

Even though days 2-5 were full of fun, we would definitely love to do the first leg of PCH over again and make those stops sometime. Maybe just the two of us?

How Summer is treating us so far...

We are in our second week of Summer around here and so far, so great. I LOVE Summer. Bottom line.

Isabel, Nico and I were alone on Memorial Day (womp womp), so we decided to head out for a drive and a picnic lunch. We ended up near the Salt River and got some fresh air. We weren't out long and we didn't do much, but it was nice to be out and about and not stuck in the house.

This past weekend, we were at Wal-Mart and I decided to grab a few family games. Which is totally against my better judgement, seeing how any and all board games we've ever owned were ruined by some kids I know. Money lost, pieces in the trash, boards colored on, etc. But since they ARE 18, 15 and 7... I thought I would try them out one more time. And it's been worth it!!

Besides Monopoly Empire (which is different than the original), we also purchased Yahtzee and Uno.  I think all the games have been great for Nic... counting, reading, learning to be a super winner and not a sore loser.

Last night, Alex had his friend Jose over, so we played a few rounds of Uno. I am pretty much a champ. :)

Finally.... as far as updates go... Alex has a new job!

Not really  his name badge, Photoshopped it for the sake of this post.

This is a blessing for us/him. It's regular hours (if you count 4pm-1am regular)... guaranteed 32 hours a week unloading trucks at Wal-Mart. He's nearly done with school, just one more Math test to go. He passed his SS, Science and English GED tests (in lieu of graduating), so we are just waiting on that last one. I know graduation season was hard for him as he should have been up there with his friends. We all have take different paths in life. This one for him isn't bad, just different than I would have hoped.

All in all, it's been a fantastic start to Summer for us. We've been busy, but have also found time to relax. We've had great food.... and plenty of sweet iced tea.

Summer Printables

Can you believe that May is way underway? And that before long, summer will be here?
Crazy...
I decided to celebrate the fact that in only a few short days, my kiddos will hanging out with me for two whole months (can't decide if I am happy or sad about that!)...
Here are a few free summer printables for you! You know, to get you in the spirit of all things summer! :)

Download them below...






Enjoy!


P.S. I know that teacher's aren't really giving dirty looks, right?! It's the song lyrics. I had to stay true to Alice Cooper! :)

See who I am linking to: ---> 

Summer Nights

Seriously... I love summer nights. My fondest memories of my teenage years were when I lived in Ft. Knox, Kentucky. My friends and I would stay out late, either "walking the block" (don't take that the wrong way, it was so rated G. Okay, maybe PG-13), or hanging out in front of our house.

I've always wanted that for my kids - to have a place they can hang out at, stay out late and talk with their friends. Our neighborhood is able to offer that.  I've mentioned a few million times, we have a park and basketball court right in front of our house. I love being able to sit outside and watch the kids, or peek my head out to call them in when I need them for something.

Alex and Isabel asked if they could go out again tonight to play some ball. I obliged; after all, The Voice was on, Nic was asleep and Marcos was working beside me on the couch.

In that first picture... that third person that doesn't belong to me?! I wonder if that's the sudden interest in hanging out late at the park. lol...  Her name is Krystal, she's the niece of our new neighbor - she visits quite often! She's the same age as Alex, yet her and Isabel get along too.

Hey - if they are out doing something active, instead of staying couped up playing video games or Facebooking, then I am all for it!

'sides... that's why momma has the house in front of the park and a camera! =)
I know ALL the tricks!

2/3

I am here to tell you that someone at Isabel's school must like me.
Scratch that... they LOVE me.

¿Porque? - you ask...

Because today is Alex's first day of summer.
I have 2/3 of my kids home for another few days.

On June 2, I will have 3/3 (or 100%) of all of my kids home.

Have a few days to get used to have more than just Nic home is a blessing.
Soon I will not only be Bank of America worker by day, I will also be maid, chef, referee, concierge, AND INSANE!

So thank you, Isabel's school, for a little lead time! =)

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P.S. Just wanted to give you a random warning. The domain I currently use is just about up for renewal. I've been toying with the idea of changing it to just my name, so that I can then change the header whenever I want and it has no affect on how one gets to me. That means you will need to save the new URL and go there (I don't think I could get it to forward automatically). Does that scare you?!
Still a work in progress, we will see!

Winding Down

It's the last Thursday night left of the school year; summer is upon us.
I get to spend the next two and a half months with these guys:

This picture is old - from last year. The kids look soooo young!!
I could point out the flaws (on me, of course... the kids are perfect) - but why?! I remember the day so clearly... one of my favorites!

As Alex is working to finish up a few missing assignments (erg!!), Isabel is outside working on her softball pitch and Nic is watching Curious George on Netflex. I was finishing up a few reports for work (now blogging)... and the love of my life is in the kitchen making BBQ wings and steak fries. He just got back from Wal-Mart... had to pick up the fries. He brought me a package of Oreo cookies [to share, of course]. He loves me!

There has been so much going on lately... with work, landscaping, the kids & school - I've been overwhelmed. Some might think I've been distant. Not on purpose... Just trying to figure out how to deal with things that are quite new to me. I have to put my Fab Five first, right?! I have to put the effort in... that's the fine print on the marriage license and birth certificates.

Hopefully things will continue to wind down and we can get back to life as we know it.
I am ready for a slow and sweet summer.

Odds & Ends : Befores & Afters

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind.

Wasn't it just yesterday when we were enjoying summer break and all that it brings?

Countless hours of swimming.

Hanging out at the farm, dealing with not one, but two mamarazzi's.

My Graduation.

[love this pic]

 Visiting the lake. Doing a little fishing.

Being lazy at the beach.

What a great summer we had.

Now, it's back to being busy, hitting the books, and, of course, counting down until next summer.

Speaking of hitting the books...

Alex brought home some tests/quizzes yesterday.

An A on his Spanish test.

An A on his Science test.

And an "I am not sure yet" on his Language Arts test.

Very proud of that kid.

Isabel tried out for, but did not make, her school's first play of the year

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

She took it well.

Heck, she auditioned well.

She now has the experience of auditions under her belt,

and she will knock 'em dead next time.

Very proud of that kid.

Nic went with us to check out the new house yesterday.

We just wanted to make sure it was still there.

Here's a before and an after for ya.

BEFORE

AFTER

Ain't she pretty?

=D