Date Night

A night without the kids... and a party with dancing and fun music from the 80's & 90's... Can we do this every Saturday night??? Well maybe not every week, but a little more often sounds like a good idea to me.

Looky What I Found

Elijah has become the notorious "Phantom Photograher" around our house. He loves my camera and when he gets his hands on it I am guaranteed to find some surprises... BUT NOTHING prepared me for these photos. I think I laughed for 5 minutes straight! Rich shaved his goatee last week for his Sherriff's Academy run, but apparently he tapped into his inner-Poncherello (you know the cop from Chips {circa 1984}) part way through the shave and Eli caught it on my camera...
I couldn't possibly keep this one to myself- Enjoy! These pictures were also a special little find because Eli loves his Wall-e's so much. It's adorable to me that he set up his shots ... He has a future with Disney/Pixar I think.

Birthday Bliss

I have to admit that 30 came a-knocking on my door on Friday... and I was a little sad. Did my youth just disappear? Am I officially a grown-up? YIKES! was what I kept thinking- I still remember being 17 like it was yesterday.

However, 30 I am... and thanks to my family, friends, and surprisingly my students, I had a BLISSFUL birthday. My day began with a birthday song and a special breakfast sandwich from the Rich & the kids. At school my students sang me a few wild renditions of "Happy Birthday" followed by some cake & gifts.... after a surprise like that, we gave up on work and watched "Mulan". At lunch my wonderful friends showered me hugs and gifts and even my favorite chicken salad... then we went out danced to "Cotton-Eyed Joe" with our students for spirit week. We had a family dinner at Outback and some shopping to close up a nearly perfect day. I could happily reflect at the end of the first day of my 30th year and be thankful for all that I have.

Eli doesn't look as excited about the elliptical that I got for my birthday as I was... here I come rock hard booty! :)

My friends are so sweet... I loved all of your thoughtful gifts.

A new office workspace- clean & organized also brightened the b-day.

Laura took me out on Sunday for a day of wine-tasting to ring in my 30's. We began at noon and tasted... and tasted... and took in the beautiful view.


Cheers to the next chapter... may it be my happiest yet.

Eli Goes to the Ballet

Elijah and I went to the ballet performance of The Little Mermaid. It was such a great experience for both us. I especially loved seeing how interested he was in the dancing and the story. He said that he most liked the bird character in the show (he was modeled after Scuddle for you Disney junkies). He also liked Ariel - "She was the good character", he said.

Pre-show excitement! He wanted them to turn the lights off sooner so that the show would start.

A nervous little Eli told Ariel, "I like your dancing. You were pretty good."

He also got a chance to meet his favorite bird character.

This dancer was the "other woman" in the story who tries to steal the Prince away.

All-in-all it was such a special time. I just love how creative and open his mind is...

PS: While we were at the show, Rich and Sierra went on a date to the fishing show in Long Beach... pictures to come :)

Getting Back In the "Blog" of Things

I've been so out of touch with blogging... and I haven't been carrying my camera around too much lately either- but I'm back! I've gotta do it. Keeping touch with friends & family through the blog has been so fun....

So, here's the latest- Rich has a goatie (go-T, Gotey???) I don't know you spell it- or how to kiss it for that matter. It feels kind of weird, but that's probably too much information;) Next up, Sierra is addicted to the tiny little "poop machine" (as Eli calls her). Tinkerbell is a feisty little addition to the family, and she is cute, BUT when in the world do Ch-Weenie dogs stop piddling all over the place?

Two weekends ago it was freakishly hot (in the 90's) and the kids busted out the umbrella's, the garden hose, and had a great time. I love the way the bright umbrella looks against the sun and her rosy cheeks.

Okay so check back. I'll be back to posting every few days:)