Mommy of Many®

You know I’m ALWAYS on the hunt for cool, FREE, fun for the kids. Being new to the area, I’ve been keeping my eyes and ears open and in the last week I kept hearing about the lights on Pebble Creek Dr. Last night, when there was nothing but boredom and bickering at my house, I told the kids to load up and be ready for something great. I managed to convince even the teens to get in the van (a sure sign that extreme boredom had been reached!). Off we went to find the lights. On the way we found some great houses in our own neighborhood and a house not too far away that modeled itself after the famous internet video of a light display playing to Trans Siberian Orchestra’s Wizards of Winter. Good Stuff! Then we found Pebble Creek Dr. Oh MY GOODNESS!!!! House after house of themed light displays. We were in a long line of cars that drove very slowly through the loop. It took us about 20 minutes to creep through the neighborhood and the kids were constantly finding something to shout out about-”Look! Frosty! It’s Charlie…”. We saw many, many favorite characters and amazing decorative feats! There’s even a red wishing well in front of one house that’s playing a video and is a drop-off point for canned food to benefit the hungry. If you’ve never been over there and are local, GO! And if you HAVE gone, go again! We will.

The only problem I can see is that when we were on our way home, we were saying our night prayers and Lex had this prayer, “Dear God, please let my house look like those houses for Christmas.” Yeah, I whole-heartedly believe in the power of prayer, but I am no Christmas light’s genius!

Doing the Dance of the Children to Other People’s Talents~

Yesterday I had the fun of being the Story Time reader at our local, Big Spoon Yogurt. 3, holiday-themed books were preselected, the room was rearranged and kiddos and mommies came in to enjoy some yummy yogurt and listen to some Thanksgiving fun. I’ve always enjoyed reading to my little ones and thought being able to participate in this monthly event would be fun. I was right!

Every 3rd Thurday from 1-2pm Story Time can be enjoyed, complete with a free 4 oz. yogurt for all listeners 6 yrs old and younger.

If you missed out on this month’s Story Time, be sure to mark your calendars for next month and THIS Saturday, November 19th from 1-2pm a Free and Fun special Holiday craft is being offered. A complimentary hot chocolate can be enjoyed during this craft time. Go! Free fun is my FAVE!

Big Spoon Yogurt, serving up yummy yogurt and a lil extra fun on the side.

Good Stuff that helps me keep Doing the Dance of the Children with a spring in my step~

Nothing spectacular has happened, we didn’t go to a parade or win the lottery, but having the extra day to just be has felt SO good!

On Friday, 11/11/11, we celebrated Max’s 9th birthday. It was cloudy out, so we chose to spend a couple hours at an indoor playplace-Wacky Tacky. It was crowded and full of the energy that kiddos with a day off have to burn! Tristan and Max especially liked the foam, air guns. They spent quite a bit of time shooting at anything and everything. When as much energy as possible was expended, we headed home for lunch. Then it was present time! Whoo Hoo! In the last few weeks, we’ve discovered the Plasma Car. One of our neighbors has them and the kids really fell in love with riding them. So not only did Gabi get one for her bday (pink, of course), but Max is now the happy owner of one in yellow. These really are great! They hold up to 180 lbs, sit low to the ground and require nothing but kiddo energy.

Then we enjoyed a nice dinner and dessert was some special Daddy n Max time at a frozen yogurt shop that also boasts a hot chocolate bar! Yum!

Yesterday we ran errands and spent some time visiting with a friend that was up from Pacific Beach. The kids enjoyed some time finding items to add to their Christmas lists at Barnes and Noble while I got to hear what’s been happening at the beach. A great afternoon!

This morning has been leisurely, with kids waking up one-at-a-time over the last couple hours. Max has been taking his Lego Creations vehicle (another bday gift) apart and rebuilding it into one of the other vehicles it’s capable of making. This would NOT of been a toy I would’ve enjoyed. I want things put together and to perform whatever function they’re created to perform, but Max and Tristan both LOVE taking their Legos apart and recreating over and over again. The difference between girls and boys? Or the difference between brains that function at what’s been deemed “genius” level and those of us who have regular ol’ brains? Who knows! But I’m glad they have so much fun with it all!

So it’s Legos and Apple Crumble muffins for breakfast and onto a Sunday that will involve some leftover homework, the beginnings of a school project, church in the evening and then youth group.

A good weekend!

Doing the Dance of the Children and Feeling Thankful For All of It~

Yesterday Lex and I headed over to Big Spoon Yogurt to watch Max enjoy the rewards of selling LOTS of cookie dough. After all the yogurt fun was over, I saw a sign announcing Craft Time from 1-2 on the first Thursday of the month. Hey! That was right then! So we decided to stay and check it out.

The day’s craft was a Turkey Cookie

Look how happy his is!

So, for all you local Mommies and Daddies with lil ones, who are constantly on the look out for free fun, make a note that Big Spoon Yogurt on Sunset hosts Craft Time from 1-2 the first Thursday of each month. The craft is free and so is a 4 oz. yogurt for any lil fun seekers who are 6 yr old and younger. And that’s not all! On the 3rd Thursday of each month, also from 1-2, they host Story Time! I LOVE Story Time! I love it SO much, that’s I’m going to be this month’s reader! Whoo Hoo! Come on out and join me!

I hope to see you there!

And until then, I’ll be here, as always, Doing the Dance of the Children~

Now that the house is unpacked, school’s in full swing and we’re settling into a routine, it’s time to start getting out and exploring our new surroundings. We’re learning what’s out there and figuring out what to fill our days with that fits M.O.M.’s criteria of-Entertaining for multiple ages, doesn’t require special equipment and is inexpensive. Today we explored Old Town Sacramento with my sister. It fit all the criteria. We ate lunch at home, packed our drinks and snacks and headed out.

I was worried about finding parking for my van, but was lucky enough to find a convenient spot, right away. Whoo Hoo! Our lil visit to Old Town was starting off on the right foot! Our first stop was a candy store. Everyone got to pick out a couple of pieces each. There was much negotiation, but they eventually got the message that they really REALLY were only getting to pick out 2 pieces each.

Then we spent a bunch of time in Evangeline’s. There aren’t any pictures because I was too full of busy worry that I was going to either lose a child or end up with an accidental shoplifter. They enjoyed the shop and I was happy when we were regrouped outside.

I love this pic of Lex! When everyone else was looking out over the water, he was chillin with his drink and his candy. He was just so content.

There was plenty of walking around and seeing what we’d like to come back to do another time. We want to make a trip to the railroad museum in the near future. We’ve always enjoyed the one in Balboa Park and I think it will be fun to see what this one has to offer.

We found some shade and relaxed for awhile. We’re still getting acclimated to the heat and being outside and wandering around tends to leave us hot and sweaty…which we’re just not all that used to.

Gabi took pictures of some old train engines.

The kids had fun with this gold panning station that’s in front of the History Museum.

We checked out a family adventure store and the kids each picked out a few pretty, polished stones to bring home.

We ended our outing with samples at Danny’s Mini Donuts. The kids have always enjoyed going to Krispy Kreme to be able to see the donuts being made and  here, the experience was recreated-in mini. The owner was super friendly and didn’t seem overwhelmed with his tiny store suddenly being filled with kids who wanted to take advantage of his sign that read-”Free Sample”. Don’t worry, I made a purchase for me and my sister. I wasn’t going to let the him hand out all those samples and not buy something yummy!

We had a 2 hour adventure in Old Town, spent about $20 and had a great time. A perfect afternoon adventure!

Doing the Dance of the Children~

Too often we forget to tell people what we need or what we may be looking for, which eliminates the chance for people to help or offer ideas

This weekend I was looking for something to do with the kiddos. We don’t know our area very well yet, so I’m not locked into all the places and opportunities that are available for families. After a little thought, I decided to put up a Facebook post asking locals for their best ideas for what the kids and I could do to fill our day. BUT, it had to fit this criteria-Fun AND Free. Soon after, I received a message with an invite to spend the day at a friend’s ranch. She lured us with such enticing offers as-miniature horses, a quad, turkeys, a garden and junk food. The kids (all of them!) were in!

Off we went, not sure what to expect or how long we would stay.

The boys leading Lex on a miniature horse ride

Gabi and Maddi visiting the horses

Max, Tristan and Gabi chillin in the hammock with the kittens

Anna and Maddi spent a good portion of the day giving rides on the quad. I let Maddi take me out. She was sensitive to the fact that I’m not a thrill seeker and wanted to go slowly.

This is just some of the wonderful produce we picked and brought home to enjoy.

We ended up spending several hours enjoying the fun and relaxing day.

Bottom line, if I hadn’t put the word out, this invite wouldn’t have come in. Don’t be afraid to let people know what you’re looking for or what you need. Good Stuff happens when you do!

Doing the Dance of the Children~

The end of summer is around the corner and Skyzone Sports in Rocklin is making it easy to get a little last minute fun in before we all head back to school.

Come out Wednesday, August 10th for Skyzone Sports’ Customer Appreciation Day Event. Discount jump tickets will be offered all day and from 12-3pm you’re invited to participate in contests, giveaways, food offerings, face painting and more!

Join me and some of my kiddos for an afternoon of fun!

Doing the Dance of the Children and Getting Ready for Some Serious Jumping~

My kids have come to count on a visit from a tricky leprechaun, each year on St. Patty’s Day. They spend great amounts of time brainstorming the design of their traps and exactly what they will do when they finally DO catch that tricky lil leprechaun. Last night was no different! They broke out bowls and the tambourine, a pocket watch, various pieces of Tupperware and pieces of train tracks. Oh the traps they built! There was lots of talk before they finally went to sleep. And when they woke they were only slightly disappointed to find that even though their well thought out traps, indeed, lured a tricky lil leprechaun, they had not been successful in catching him.

Our leprechaun likes to speak in rhyme. This is the note he left behind.

Max’s trap, ruined by the leprechaun, but at least the lil guy was good enough to leave behind some sweet treats!

Max, gathering his loot.

Gabi’s trap, tipped over and missing the golden pocket watch she had used as bait. Left behind was a green carnation and some sweet candy.

She was excited to have been visited!

The 3 trappers and their note. I love the look on Max’s face (“I’ll get you yet!”)

Doing the Dance of the Children on St. Patrick’s Day~

March is all about rainbows, the beginning of spring and leprechauns.

Here’s a fun way to review the #’s you’ve already learned.

Give each child a 1/2 Dixie sized cup of Skittles and a paper plate

Have them gently pour the cup out, onto the plate

Have the kids separate the Skittles into piles of each color and then ask them to count one color at a time, moving through the colors of the rainbow. We found that using 1/2 a cup was a good amount because they were familiar with those #’s. Any more than that was confusing for them (we did this 2 days in a row, as with all of our projects, and on day 1 we filled the cups and it didn’t work well). The BEST was when we got to Blue. There are no blue Skittles in a regular pack of Skittles, so it was a great lesson in “0″ and “none”.

We went around the class through each of the colors, charted the kids’ answers and then totaled each child’s Skittles. We then talked about less and more and left the chart up for a couple of days.

Doing the Dance of the Children~

In preschool we get to celebrate everything twice-once for the kiddos who come on M-W-F and again for the kiddos who come on T-Th. So today we got to celebrate St. Patty’s Day a day early and the Leprechauns didn’t disappoint.

Wee footprints were left on the tables and along the floor.

The kiddos brought in their homemade Leprechaun Traps. So cute!

We didn’t catch any leprechauns, but we DID get some tasty treats. We will try again tomorrow!

Last night I was able to get a few rounds of Uno in with my younger kiddos. They sure cracked me up!

My first 3 games were played with Gabi. She brought the deck to me and asked if we could play. When I said “yes” she said, “Great! But I warn you-I’m VERY good!” And dang if she wasn’t! She won 2 of the 3 games we played!

Then the boys wanted to get in on the fun. Max and Lex came over and I had a game with the 2 of them. I was really surprised at how well Lex (4yrs) played. He was holding one of the cards where you lay it down and then pick the color for the next player to lay down. Max was to go after him. So he turns to Max and says, “What color to you want, Max?” Max answered, “Blue”. Lex lays down the card and says, “yellow!”. I was so impressed with his ability to understand the strategy of the game. Max and I both started laughing and Max says (in true Max form), “Clever!”.

Game night-Good Stuff!

Doing the Dance of the Children and Having a Little Fun~

Seattle in January, with all it’s grey gloom, didn’t detour my friend, Pilar, and I from having a FANTASTIC Girls Weekend!

Back in November, Pilar’s husband contacted me and asked if I would be interested in coming for a weekend of relaxation and visiting and to serve as Pilar’s Christmas present. YOU BET!!! I didn’t know exactly when the trip would take place, but I was up for working it out. This last weekend was it. Pilar booked us 2 nights at the Westin, Seattle (I should add, here, that Pilar’s a travel guru and she booked us a room through a discount site at an AMAZING rate!). A super, convenient location! We walked to everything we did. I have to admit that it was a weekend filled with TONS of wonderful foods. Good thing we were walking!

Pike’s Place-full of wonderful shops and restaurants!

We took advantage of the great cheeses, meats and other wonderful things to eat at DeLaurenti. We brought everything back to our room, opened some wine and feasted! Brad, our helpful cheese-monger pointed us to Maximilien for lunch.

We chose the Express Lunch. I had the salad and Pilar started with the onion soup. We both chose the mussels. Mine were in a white wine sauce and Pilar’s were seasoned with plenty of bacon.

I hadn’t had mussels (this way) before and started out a little hesitant, but soon tossed the utensils aside and got in there with my hands. YUM!

Pilar and I, enjoying our Creme Brulee

After lunch we walked around and I noticed the gum wall. Ick! But since I was chewing gum, I decided to add to the attraction.

There it is-my gum, forever immortalized!

Before we went back to the room, we stopped in at Serious Pie, were we had eaten the night before. We NEEDED to add their Kale Salad to our evening’s menu. If you ever get the chance to drop in there, be sure to have this salad! DELICIOUS! We actually tried to replicate it at home, the following night (yup! 3 nights of Kale Salad! I’ll post our version of the recipe soon).

Just check out that beautiful Festival of Foods! We had no knife, so in true M.O.M. improvising fashion, I washed the nail file and we used it for the cheese. We also used the glass table top, on the bed, as our table. Good Stuff!

A great weekend! Being Pilar’s Christmas present is a job I’d take on ANY time!

Now it’s back to real life and Doing the Dance of the Children. You can bet I’ll be adding a Kale Salad to it~

I don’t usually write about work, but every so often, we do a project or have an event that’s too good not to share.

Yesterday the teacher I work with came up with this fun and beautiful project. It did take time, but the end result is worth it!

You will need-

Brown paper bags

red, yellow, green, brown, copper and gold paint

Paper plates

Wire, ribbon or string (we used copper wire)

Leaf templates

Scissors

Glue sticks

Tape

Cut brown, paper grocery bags. Use the 2 large portions. Discard the rest. Crumple each section.

Cut the center out of paper plates (we saved the centers for future projects).

Cut out leaf templates (we got ours from familyfun.com)

Dilute red, yellow and green paint with water. Have children paint the entire section of bag with each color, encouraging them to overlap colors.

While bags dry (they dried quickly), paint each of the paper plates with brown paint. If you are working with younger children you may want to paint the wreath portion for them. Older children can do this step while they are waiting for their bags to dry.

Then have the children sponge gold and copper paint onto the dried and painted bags.

Use a toothbrush dipped in brown paint to lightly splatter across the bag.

Let bags dry.

Trace the leaves onto the painted and dried bags. Cut out the leaves. Have the children use glue stick to glue the leaves around the painted paper plate wreaths.

Cute wire, ribbon or string, loop and tape to the back of the wreaths.

Fall Leave Wreaths!

We love how these came out!

What a full day!

The kids woke up early and were anxious to get on their costumes and get to school for the carnival. I ended up with 4 Sailor Scouts, Superman, a Mad Scientist and Mark Surge-A Lego Hero Factory Character and I was Minnie Mouse.

Everyone had a great and tiring time at the carnival and I want to say THANK YOU to our good friend, Maria for making the girls’ costumes! Over the years, she’s made so many costumes and dresses for my kids that she deserves a public round of applause!

My high schoolers collaborated with friends and they dressed the part of the Sailor Scouts and Tuxedo Mask, from Sailor Moon.

Everyone was so cute!

When I left the preschool carnival and took Luke-Xavier over to the big carnival at the main school, I started to look around for Gabi. I wondered if she’d be ok, wandering around and checking out all the booths. All the kindergartners were over there, but I was just nervous that she may not find what she wanted to do, or know to go get her drink and snack, etc. After I stood in line with Luke-Xavier for a few games, I finally saw Gabi. She was with Tristan (my 5th grader) and a couple of his friends. Tristan was holding her gloves and goodie bag for her and they were all making sure she had gotten her snack and that she was having fun at all the games. I was so impressed and proud! These 11 yr old boys were kindly helping a 6 yr old girl and when they saw me, they didn’t run over and ask me to please take her, because they’d been taking her and could they please just go around together now and not have her tagging along! It was one of those parenting moments where you know your kids are going to be ok. That somehow all the times you’ve gotten after them for being mean to each other or not helping each other have actually made an impression on how they think. Not once did Gabi come looking for me or did the boys walk away from her! Everyone had a great time.
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After we got back from the carnival and picking up the high schoolers, I asked if I could, please lie down for 1/2 an hour. About 10 minutes into my rest came *knock, knock, knock*. It was Gabi. Very calmly, she said, “Lex is playing with fire”. When I opened the bedroom door, I could smell that something was burning (or had been burnt). Sure enough, there was paper on the floor that was completely blackened and there was a scorch mark on the floor! I told Gabi that this was EXACTLY the right time to tattle!

I had a talk with Lex and this was his 4 year old thinking-”I caught the paper on fire and I tried to blow it out, but it kept coming. So I thought I needed water, but I couldn’t reach it and I knew I needed to yell out for an adult, but I thought I’d get in trouble”. I pointed out that he ended up in trouble anyway and that whenever there’s trouble or something scary that he needs to “yell out” for someone.

Scary!

Doing the Dance of the Children and Feeling Proud of Gabi and Tristan’s Decisions~

Sometimes you come to a place where you clearly understand your strengths and your weaknesses. Tonight was one of those times.

I opened an email from my 2nd grader’s room mom that said that they were looking for people to offer up their talents to the kids. We could come in and spend an hour teaching the kiddos anything from games to cooking. “Yippee!” was my first thought. But quickly, I started wondering what the heck I could teach 2nd graders. *Think, think, think* I’ve had 6, 2nd graders before now. What have I taught them? What have I brought to their little lives that would be fun and inspiring to teach kiddos that don’t live under my roof?

Let’s see…all of my 7 and 8 yr olds knew how to-properly brush their teeth, lay out their uniforms for the next day, put their laundry away, clear their places at the table, unload the silverware from the dishwasher, play outside with a younger sibling, read to themselves or a sibling, unload their laundry basket in the laundry room, find a pair of socks in the sock bag/basket, put away 25 toys in the playroom, get all the trash out of the van/car, get the mail, unload groceries from the car, entertain a younger sibling, run a bath, wash their faces, say their prayers, offer something up for the good of something bigger than themselves, take a trash bag out of the bathroom/kitchen and reline the can, switch milk from the freezer to the fridge if the milk in the inside fridge is being used up, boil water for hot cereal or top ramen, bring a diaper and wipes to me or Dad or an older sibling and dispose of the used diaper, make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, make a Nutella sandwich, open a yogurt, pour milk, make a glass of ice water, pull a chair up to the counter to get a snack/paper/pens/crayons…,

Ok, you get the idea. I realized that what I’ve taught my kids is how to be self-sufficient when they need to be. They will not go hungry, naked or terribly bored. But then I had to pause to think of what FUN things I’ve taught them. Surely I haven’t just taught them how to work. Surely they know how to PLAY!

Oh yeah, they know how to have fun! They know how to appreciate some music, tell a joke, make a scavenger hunt, fill an entire street with sidewalk chalk drawings, roll down a hill, pretend, make up a song…

But how do you translate those things into something to teach OTHER children? How do you give others a love of the ocean, an appreciation for seeing where ants will lead you, for digging until you can’t dig anymore?!

Wow! I guess what I’m best at giving my kids isn’t how to knit, speak a foreign language, make origami pets or play an instrument. What I’ve given my kiddos is Life Skills! Now that I’ve realized my strength, my THING, how the heck do I give it to a classroom?!

Tell me what you would teach your child’s classroom. We all have special talents (even if we find it hard to identify them). What’s yours? I had one mom suggest I teach them what it’s like to be blind or sight impaired. I liked her ideas. What are yours?

Doing the Dance of the Children and Trying to Make it Fun~