Piano Recital 2010

It is March and people tend to talk about being lucky. Well, I'm lucky all year. My parents live across the street from us and my VERY talented mother teaches my children how to play the piano. She also teaches some of our cousins. Every year she puts on two recitals, one in Long Beach and one in Santa Ana. I think she currently teaches over 20 students.

We enjoyed the recital and made it through our jitters. This was Brooke's first, she has only been playing for about 5 months!

Ben is really getting to the point of putting feeling into his pieces.

Jillian I believe is also pretty new to playing. She did a fine job.

Birthday party at the cemetary

Sage and Brooke wanted to celebrate their Dad's birthday (Brian Salice) at his grave marker. So we had a picnic featuring some of his favorite things to eat.

You may wonder if we were the only living people doing this, but no, the place was actually very busy on a Friday evening. Several other families were gathered and decorating for Easter. Some were busy cleaning the grave marker they came to visit.

The girls talked about their Dad and played Daddy says (similar to Simon says). Of course, we sang every birthday song that we know.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

It was hot, hot, hot today (maybe 85)! The kids wanted to run in the water. They used a bucket and a broken umbrella to do fun things with the water. Of course, we had to have smoothies for snack...that always cools us down.

Perry joined Zeus as he dried off from being coaxed into the water.

Then we had a very GREEN dinner. Green pancakes, green milk and green eggs. Here is evidence that Zeus eats off the table. While I was taking the picture, he was licking the syrup off of my plate.

Happy Birthday to Me!

29 all over again...

Thank you all for making me feel loved and appreciated. It all started a week ago Friday. My parents took Lee and I out for lunch at a nice restaurant on Pine Ave. called Le'Opera. I had thee best Butternut Squash ravioli topped with Sage ever. Great time! On my actual birthday, I went to lunch at El Torito (for free - birthday coupon) with my parents. Ate their delicious buffet - made to order fajitas with hand made corn tortillas. Are you guessing that I have gained 5 pounds? The kids came home and I made strawberry/banana smoothies. Then I ordered my favorite thing: ribs and mashed potatoes (had a coupon at Naples rib company for $10 off). Earlier in the day, Brooke helped me make brownies. We had that with mint and chip ice cream. Brooke's favorite part was licking the bowl and then letting the dog lick it up after her.



I opened up presents from Lee and the kids. They all did a great job of picking out Reese's pieces for me, a few shirts and the MJ movie "This is It." My brother sent movie tickets, others gave me money, Gift card, chips, wonderful cards, facebook wishes and lovely lip gloss. A few kind souls wanted to be nice to Lee and gave me a new piece of lingerie. I am also looking forward to a steak lunch with my favorite gal, Tami. Blessed indeed, right?



I had so much fun on Friday night as 8 ladies came over to my parent's house (they went to a movie) and played games until a little after midnight. I was in heaven! We ate the most delicious pizza cookies topped with ice cream. Yummy! They were all such good sports to let me play about 4 different games with them. Oh what a night...



In addition to a Kohl's gift card, Summer gave me two $10 off of a $20 purchase. So I was able to get a $50 dress that was on sale today for $30, out the door for $20. That was a deal, especially since it is my favorite style and fabric for a dress. Sage found a nice $20 shirt that was marked down to $4. The fun part is always in the dressing room. Sage asking me why I am putting so many things in the cart to only come out of the store with 2 things for me. They just don't fit or look right!



Still have shopping to do. I am looking for a nice painting to go in our front room.

Flowers for my Birthday!

Don't think for a minute that I took out the strawberry plants. They are still producing really well. Read below for the description (can't seem to move it).

Dad loves pansies - cute little faces. Also snapdragons to give some height.

So my birthday is coming up and my Dad asked me what I wanted. This is unusual because he usually just gives me cash and I take 6 months or so to spend it. I told him I wanted him to help me shop for flowers and then help me plant them. I asked for this because I knew he liked to work in the yard; his yard is always immaculate. Lee would like to buy me flowers, but I like the kind that keep blooming...otherwise I feel a bit wasteful. After 2 short hours, everything was done. I hope that they come into full bloom soon! Can't wait to post those pictures :)

Impatiens (not spelling??)

This is the dwarf tangerine tree that Libby asked for as a birthday present. My parents gave it to her. It is thriving and has blossoms on it.