The Anti-Minivan

Back in August, I decided to trade in my SUV for something that was a little friendlier to our bank account. I had originally been looking at the Mazda CX7 (which I admit, I still like), but then this little beauty caught my eye. It's a MadzaSpeed 3, which I've since seen described in reviews as a "compact outlaw," a "turbo-four mighty mite," a "road rocket," and a "blazing buggy." It's a 6-speed manual blast o' fun, and I've been enjoying it immensely in the 6 months or so that I've had it. Jim did his first mini-mod to it yesterday (love the new red brake calipers!), adding just that little oomph of sporty style to it. It's the only one of its kind in the carpool line at school, that's for sure!

Breakfast of Champions

For a few weeks now, since getting a free sample at the local supermarket (gee, thanks, lady in the green apron!), Erin's been asking me to buy whipped cream so she could make a fancy hot chocolate drink at home. I finally caved yesterday, and this morning, Jim made Erin the concoction she was looking for, chocolate syrup and all. She was so happy with it she insisted that it be my POTD. Who am I to argue?

School Spirit

Today was Spirit Wear Friday at Erin's school, and the kids were asked to show their school spirit by wearing the school shirts. Being the resident paparazzi (i.e. the yearbook mom), I was there to capture the kids in their finery. They were all quite enthusiastic about being photographed for the yearbook, but none more so than my own in-house model, who made sure to get her picture taken with all of her favorite people, including her friend Becca here. OK, twist my arm and I'll take the pictures.

The Lookout

A few days a week, I walk with friends down at the beach. It's a lovely walk, giving us great views of the surf (and surfers waiting for that perfect ride) and that marvelous sound of the waves crashing. I can't get enough of it. Today we took a different route to the end of the path. Coming back, we had this pretty view of one of the (now-vacant) lifeguard stations and a rocky area of beach not used by visitors. It was so peaceful I just knew I had to get a picture of it.

Sad Mr. Scarecrow

Back at the beginning of the school year, there was a happy-looking scarecrow in the garden plots at Erin's school, guarding a crop of corn stalks. I took a picture of him then, thinking how bright and cheerful he looked in the then-cloudless, blue sky. The scene today was quite different. The garden is in desparate need of attention (which, hopefully, Erin's Girl Scout may provide as part of their Bronze Award project), and the scarecrow is looking rather sad.  Poor thing...

Spring is Springing

This is our second Spring in southern California, and I'm starting to remember where are the beautiful things will pop up. This beauty is at the end of our driveway with a few of its friends, and for the last few days I've been meaning to get a picture of it before it's past its peak. I just think the colors in it, the purple and yellow, are so pretty!

Bring It!

Today was just the 3rd practice of the Spring soccer season, but the defender in Erin is coming out! During the team's scrimmage at the end of the practice, Erin was ready for whatever the opposing group was going to send her way, and was able to keep the ball from getting to their goal, even taking a nasty tumble in the process. As I've said before, she plays to win!

That's a Lot of Cookies!

Erin did a great job during the Girl Scout cookie sale last month, selling around 130 boxes of the sweet, addictive things. We picked them up yesterday, and only then did it become clear how many boxes 130 really is.  This is a lot of cookies!  I have to admit... selling was a lot more fun than delivering is. LOL!

Technical Reading

When I first heard about the Amazon Kindle, I was intrigued. I'm a gadget geek (and an early adopter to boot) and thought it was neat, but I also didn't know if I'd like reading on it. I'm a book lover. I love the experience of reading, including holding, feeling, smelling, etc. the book itself. Then I saw a Kindle in person and knew I had to have one. I've now had my beloved Kindle for almost two years, and I've never regretted it for an instant. It's without a doubt one of my favorite purchases ever!

Miss Independent

Erin is 9, and is at an age where she waffles back and forth between wanting to be treated like a child and wanting to do more things by and for herself. I'm all for the latter, and have been trying to teach her more skills to allow her to take care of herself and things around the house. Once in a while, though, she surprises me with what she wants to learn to do. This afternoon, it was drying her hair. Now usually she fights me tooth and nail about having her hair dried at all, so I figure if she wants to do it herself, that's fine by me!

Ahoy, Matey! (Plus a bonus pic)

All year, Erin has been very excited about an overnight trip that 4th graders in her school get to take where they spend the night on an old-fashioned ship, pretending to be 19th century sailors. In her school, they call it the Pilgrim Overnight. Well, that day has finally come, and this morning, she was beside herself with excitement on her way to school. She had a big bag filled with her sleeping bag, clothes, and a bowl and spoon, and she was ready for anything. I'm sure tomorrow morning, when I pick her up, she'll be completely exhausted, but I can't wait to hear about her adventure!

And today's a two-fer day!  I took this picture at Erin's soccer practice yesterday, and just had to share it.  When she started playing (less than two years ago), Erin was terrified of getting into any situation where she might have an encounter with another player. And now, she PLAYS, and plays to win. In all honesty, this encounter wasn't nearly as nasty as it looks in this picture. But still... it made me chuckle.

The Reward

On my morning walk at the beach today with some friends, we took a slightly different route in which we climbed a (very steep!) hill behind the Ritz Carlton hotel.  By the time we got to the top, all of us were winded and in need of a quick rest. How nice that there was a gazebo up there with Adirondack chairs overlooking the beautiful Pacific ocean! Sitting there for a few peaceful minutes, we all felt rewarded for our efforts!

'Tis the Season!

Erin had her first practice of the Spring soccer season yesterday afternoon. She's very excited that this season, both of her coaches are girls - in fact, both are high school seniors who have been playing soccer themselves for over 10 years! I love seeing how much Erin's skills have improved in the year since we've moved here, and also how much she really loves playing the game. Can't wait to see how her team does! These are her new cleats. She'd been complaining that her old ones felt a bit tight. No wonder... These new ones are one and a half sizes bigger than the ones we got her just this past August!  Yikes!

Packed!

One thing you can say about us, we don't pack light.  LOL!  We're all ready to go on our 3-day getaway cruise on the Carnival Paradise! This is a trip that Jim surprised us with on Christmas morning, and we've been counting down the days ever since. It's just a quick trip to Ensenada, Mexico and back, but we're really looking forward to getting away and spending a few days on the Pacific!  Paradise, here we come!

Tools of the Trade

Anyone who knew me before we moved to California knew that I had two mottos. One was (and still is) "One and done!" regarding having only one child. The other was "I don't cook." (In fact, a good friend once visited my house and, upon seeing the pile of mail on the gas burners, said, "Uh, Sam, you know that flames come out of that, right?") But in the last year, that second one has changed... a lot! Since losing my job, I have become a full-time stay-at-home-mom, a role that I never in a million years thought I'd either have or enjoy. And as part of that role, cooking has become part of my daily routine. I'm happy to say that not only do I actually enjoy it, but I'm getting pretty good at it. Am I a gourmet chef? Hardly. But I'm learning, and enjoying it more and more all the time.

A View from the Trail

This morning, as I try to do a few days a week, I went for a walk with some of the moms from Erin's school. Today we decided to do the Aliso Summit Trail, which travels up and around the rim of the canyon right near my house. The weather was quite brisk this morning, but the skies were wonderfully clear! From the top, we had a wonderful view of the ocean, and could even see Catalina Island way off in the distance. I especially loved the little wispy clouds that were hanging in the canyon. I love where we live!

 

Study Hard

Ah, the after school hours. Time to hunker down and get that pesky homework done. I love watching Erin concentrate on her schoolwork. I can almost see her gears churning (almost said grinding - that wouldn't be good!) as all the new ideas and knowledge sink in!

A Lifetime Love

I've been a voracious reader since I was a child, and as such, libraries have always been magical places to me, places where I can get lost for hours just browsing the isles. This morning, I was in Erin's school library and found myself staring at the rows of colorful books. How can a child not love being there. Just think of all the adventures you can go on in books!

Curiosity did what?

Why is it that you can buy a cat all kinds of cat-toys that jingle, roll, and do other things to catch their attention, but they still prefer to play with things that aren't theirs? Why is the pencil, doll accessory, or USB plug (yes, we now have TWO useless cordless mice that don't have their plugs!) so-o-o-o much more enticing than the catnip-filled jingly ball?  It's a good thing she's so cute...

Sugar Rush, Part Deux

Erin's candy selection from last night's excursions to Powell's Sweet Shoppe was so colorful, I just had to use it for my POTD today. Let me tell you, though... The kid kept a very close eye on her stash while I was working with it, worried that I'd sneak something if she wasn't looking. She must get that trait from her father.  ;)

Sugar Rush

Ooh... Nothing beats a good, old-fashioned candy store! Of course, the candies sold these days cost far more than a penny, but there's still something about all the canisters all lined up that takes one back.

Silly Puss

Today's picture is truly just for kicks. As I was doing some work in our office today, I heard a strange scratching sound coming from the laundry room down the hall. I snuck down there and found this... Mia was fascinated by the tumbling laundry going around and around in the washing machine and was trying to, well, I don't have a clue what she thought she could accomplish here.  Silly cat...

Spring is on its way!

I was at school this morning taking pictures for the yearbook (but didn't think the pictures of Water Bottle Wednesday would quite cut it for this assignment), and noticed that the trees in front of the school have all of a sudden burst into full bloom. How lovely! And a sure sign that spring can't be that far away.

Fresh Baked

Today was baking day at my house, and I had both blueberry muffins and French bread going at the same time. To say that the house smells wonderful is quite an understatement!

An Apple a Day

They say an apple a day will keep the doctor away. What they don't tell you is that when you take pictures of the produce in the local supermarket, you get some pretty strange looks from both employees and shoppers alike.