Riding with 3 wheels

After much encouragement to go on a different kind of bike ride, Brooke did it. She insisted that she did not want to take a ride with Lee around the block. After going once with Sage and myself along for moral support, she kept going solo (with Lee) until I think they made it around 4 times.

Mom's weekend to Palm Springs

Poker winner, look at all those chips. Please let me have my moment, it will probably be my first and last. Many straights and salty treats (notice my fingers in the bowl) later, I won! This wasn't even the extent of all the shopping bags. It was a delicate art to get everything back to Long beach.

Shopping for a few treats at the local Vons.

All of us to dinner:PF Chang's - so fun to eat family style. Ladies present (from L to R): Laura, Lisa, Staci, Jenny, Holly, Kim, and Edie.

No kids, no husbands (except via phone) and all the sunshine your skin can soak in. What a glorious time to shop, eat, laugh, exercise (tennis, walking, jogging) and share in life's precious moments. Of course, I can't share too much information because it is too personal. Ed, my step-dad, owns a place in Palm Springs that provides a nice nesting spot for us to stay a few days. Some of the highlights were "sharing" meals, tennis, jacuzzi time under the stars, Target shopping all 3 days (Can you say "Clearance"?), makeovers, games (I wear my own imaginary Poker crown until next time). We are all moms of wonderful children at all different stages of life-what a blessing to have one another. This was our 3rd annual, so to all those moms out there that couldn't make it this year, get ready for next year.

MLK day: I have a dream of an aquarium...

Photos are courtesy of the aquarium :)

They say that this tiger shark does not think of humans as food. Anyone want to test it out?

At school, the kids learned about the who and why we took the day off of school this past Monday. I am trying to take full advantage of when the kids are out of school. We spent our day at the aquarium in Long Beach. My brother and his wife gave us passes for Christmas and we intend on enjoying them. Since it is located near our home, I decided to spend a few hours: perfecto! They all were left wanting more, what will we see next time? I have never seen the sharks being fed before, the kids were lucky to be up against the glass to see it all. They have a large whiptail ray in with the sharks that would swim up against the glass while taking a bite, showing every last bite to us. Of course, we all enjoyed touching the sting rays. The kids all learned a lot feeding the lorikeets. They are very friendly, but sometimes start flying through the enclosure at great speeds in groups. The volunteers kept telling us to stand still, like a tree to keep from getting hurt (the birds I mean). I can say they touched my hair, Sage's cheek was brushed with a wing, etc. My personal favorites are the sea otters; they now have 3. My Brooke loved the fact that one of the otters is also named Brooke. We witnessed them being fed as well.

Sage's jewelry box

Sparkles all around...

Another project that was worked on during the "holiday break" from school was a jewelry box. Sage asked Grandma and Grandpa Loveridge for this very item for Christmas. Can you believe it, they gave it to her! It came with some markers and jewels to stick on the box. It also came with a necklace and bracelet for her to decorate. She took several days to work on all the items until she felt it was completed. I think she did a very thoughtful job.

Piggy Banks and Skull

Combination of rub ons, sharpie and blue paint.

Brooke liked the pink paint and puffy sparkle stickers.

Libby enjoyed the magenta paint, it took 2 sessions, while the paint dried. She added rub ons later.

Perry used it all...paint, sharpie marker, rub ons and his own saying, "cha-ching"

One day we worked on a project...design your own bank. Grandpa Reynolds (via his personal shopper) gave the kids a box of ceramic banks and supplies to decorate them. Big surprise was on the inside: money! They each had their own idea of what their bank should look like. I think they turned out really cute.

Goodbye Science Cube - Hello Aquarium

Yesterday, we spent several hours at the Science Discovery Cube in Santa Ana. We have enjoyed our membership this past year. Some of our favorite exhibits were Clifford and the Human body. The kids also enjoyed learning about Tigers (especially the rock wall that lit up). To make it special, we let all the kids participate in the Dinoquest (a really cool scavenger hunt). Each child receives a wand (transmitter) that keeps track of each fossil you find. They have organized "missions" for individuals to complete. Then you get rewarded with a cool token at the completion of each assignment. IMO, this is most fun for kids ages 7 and above.

This year we will be making our way to the Aquarium in Long Beach. A membership was given to our entire family by my brother and his family. Thank you. Can't wait to touch the sting rays and feed the lorikeets!

Dogs, dogs, dogs

We are taking care of our neighbor's puppy, Emmy, for a week. Zeus is getting a lot of exercise. Emmy loves to pounce and run and CHEW! Poor little thing is such a puppy. We are all working hard to train her, but it is so tempting for her to steal things and go chew them. Lee and Libby took her on a bike ride, she is in great shape!