Mommy Knows Everything

We've Moved!

2010-02-03T13:48:00.000-08:00

A week ago we got a 60 day notice to vacate our rental house, as the owners were moving back from Asia and want to sell it to buy a home else where. So after a panicky 24hrs I found a home a few blocks away! And thanks to a brilliant move by Fred (not) a few days later we moved! It was so crazy and hard, but being able to move in immediately is what got us in a much better home. So we did it! It will take quite awhile to get settled since we did it all in such a hurry. I made a video of it from my Nexus One.

As you can see from the video, I will no longer be bitchin' and crying about my rental home! No more mold and OPP. If those things had scared you from visiting me, now you have no excuses! Once I get settled I can sit back and enjoy it and stop worrying for a few minutes.

One Year... and Counting

2010-01-08T22:33:00.000-08:00

It's official, we survived our first year in Silicon Valley! At the one year mark we packed up the family and headed to Denver. I was really afraid the visit would be bittersweet, but it wasn't. Every night was filled with friendship, fun and laughter! My friends in Denver are life long friends and no matter where we live we will make time for you all.

I know most of the country is struggling with extra cold weather, but the weather is great here. The kids usually don't need a jacket except in the morning. Sometimes we have fog, but it burns off. Walking in the hills near the house it is cooler, sometimes even frozen mud puddles. The kids really enjoyed the snow in Denver, but I think they got their fill. We are heading up to Big Bear soon and will check out the skiing and snow California style!

I have a few other projects going on and have started a blog about the Android phone. I received the new Google Phone, Nexus One, for Christmas thanks to Fred's new project at work. As you know, if you know me at all, I LOVED my iPhone. But its gone, long gone now. So I will be reviewing Android Apps for Moms, family and kids on my new blog Mommy Has an Android Now. Its a bit on the bleeding edge, since these phones aren't known at all in the Stay At Home Mom crowd. But I have a feeling they will be! These phones are more like a mini computer and completely integrated with other Google products (gmail, Google Calendar, Lattitude, Picasa, Google Voice, Youtube, etc.) which I use. If you have an Android phone, I would love for you to follow the blog and give me your input!

I also have been blogging about a new Low Sugar plan that I have been doing with Jorge Cruise. If you are interested, let me know and I'll send you a link to it. Don't read this blog unless you want to know the ugly details about me (ie. how much I weigh... you REALLY don't want to know that!). I have struggled with my weight ever since my first pregnancy and I feel like I have found great answers with this program. I have lost 27lbs during my 12 Week program, and still have more to go. Turns out this is the way Fred eats and really how I see Europeans eat and it makes so much since. I write this blog semi-anonymously, since I don't want people to know I'm fat... and yes I get the humor in that! If you are looking to lose weight or lower your sugar intake in the New Year I highly recommend Jorge's new book The Belly Fat Cure.

Of course I still have the boy's Mystery Toy Blog too. So if you don't see me doing much here, you know where I am at a least! Blogging is a way to exercise the writing muscle and I really enjoy it. I had a few blogs published last year in bigger venues, but I didn't get much pleasure from that. So I decided to write only about the things I am excited about: My kids, my new diet and my new phone!

Christmas in California

2009-12-13T15:46:00.000-08:00

The boys love Christmas! Skyler has a little Santa outfit he wears daily and you have to make him take it off for bedtime. It is a Lego Christmas for us, that is pretty much all the boys want. That, new pajamas and a little Batman and Star Wars thrown in to even things out. I want tickets to see John Mayer and Fred just got a new cell phone, so he is set.

Here Skyler plays Santa and shows you a book they got recently that they think is the BEST BOOK EVER for Lego lovers! (He fell at school and had a big scratch across his face for a week, but he is mostly healed now)

The weather was really beautiful until this week. In fact we went to the beach to take our Christmas photo and it was one of the most beautiful beach days we have had! You can see some of the photos above. But the clouds and fog have moved in. We had some drizzling rain and pulled out our warmer clothes. I really need get myself and the kids proper rain coats and umbrellas before it gets really rainy. We walk to school and it can be really unpleasant without the right clothes! The kids still eat their lunch outside at school, unless its really raining.

Fred had his One Year Anniversary at work. He still loves it and has an opportunity to do something a little different the next few months. He will be "On Loan" Andriod group. Andriod is Google's Mobile Platform, or for non-geeks their cell phone software. It's a big deal right now, and will be a very big deal shortly. It gives him a chance to be much more technical that has in a while, but be able to keep the great job he has. If you wonder what he does for "work" here is a little sample... dubbed in Russian.

We will be spending the week between Christmas and New Years in Denver. The kids are really looking forward to that, seeing friends, snow and familiar things. We are looking forward to it too, but it feels a little bit bittersweet.

Super Secret Spies and Agents

2009-11-29T13:26:00.000-08:00

Last weekend Archer turned 8yrs old and we threw a Super Secret Spies and Agents Party at a local park. The kids were divided into teams and each assigned a job. There was a Leader, Decoder, Radioman, Pack Mule, Recon, etc. They were given a list of clues and there were envelopes with puzzle pieces or bombs hidden all over the park. When they were done they put together a puzzle that lead them to a "Bomb" pinata.

The kids were the perfect age for this! The day was beautiful and the park was great. They ran from one place to another, reporting in on walkie talkies.

We made the Bomb Piñata out of paper mache, our first time to do that and it was a fun family project. The cake was lots of fun! I used a ball cake form to make a bomb that looked just like the piñata, and placed it on top of a sheet cake. They each made a Top Secret Access badge, were fingerprinted and came up with their secret agent name. We put together Spy Supply Kits with sun glasses, squirt guns, magnifying glass, compass ring, pad and pencil and secret decoder. We drew on on mustaches and dressed them in a hat and trench coat for a photo for the Thank You card. It was so nice and normal to have a park full of friends and playmates!

This week also marks one year from the day that Fred and I came to Silicon Valley and found our house and school. Fred even had his 1yr Anniversary at work. Everything is going fine with both renting out our home and renting this one. Time has just flown by and we have really settled in here.

A Fair Trade

2009-11-10T22:54:00.000-08:00

We love Halloween! But I really don't like all the Halloween candy. The kids hit the jackpot this year and got tons of full sized candy bars and all their favorites. We didnt do as many houses as we do in Denver, but there was no junk.

I am on a very low sugar diet (more about that later) and haven't been tempted by their candy this year. So it doesn't bother me at all. But its just too much! Archer already threw out dozens of candy bars that didn't meet his high standards. Skyler traded everything with peanuts in it (he claims he is allergic) with Archer. Archer has one piece a day, maybe two. If Skyler is left alone and quiet for a few minutes, I can usually find him in a corner unpeeling wrappers and stuffing them in his mouth. He looks up at me with that grin and says "What?"

I think the whole Candy Witch or Great Pumpkin idea is over the top. Put out your candy and its replaced with a toy. My kids have enough toys and a birthday is just around the corner.

I read the blog of women who is renovating a second home in France (okay... I stalk her) and she had this brilliant idea to trade the candy for coupons. The coupon ideas were so sweet and family oriented I decided to do this myself! I used a few of her ideas and the rest my own. They are things that the kids love, but we never do enough of. I made most be a 5 candy trade and a couple 10 candy.

Our Coupons are:
Stay Up Late 30 Minutes
1 Hot Chocolate
In n Out For Dinner
Trip to the Yogurt Shop
Hot Tub Afternoon
Daddy Cleans the Playroom
1 Lunchables for School Lunch
Family Game Night

When I told the boys we would be doing this in the morning they were so excited! I was thinking through the ideas as I told them, and when I got to "Daddy will clean the playroom" they went crazy!! "Daddy!?!" Mind you, Daddy is in Moscow at the moment and has no idea of this plan. So I knew it was a hit and I'd get all their candy in the end. Hahaha!

I just thought this was a great way to spend quality time together and thought I would share with you all. I have to say, later tonight on the monitor I heard them plotting to give me only "bad candy" or try and trade empty wrappers.

A Visit from Grandma Omi and Halloween

2009-11-03T20:43:00.000-08:00

Fred's Mom came and paid us a visit in October! She is really good about coming each year, usually in the Fall. I have to say, I think she really enjoyed the California weather and our locale. We showed her all our new haunts including San Fransisco (The Cable Cars, China Town, Union Square, Golden Gate Bridge), Half Moon Bay and Sam's Chowder House, the Beach, Rancho San Antonio and the Farm and of course the nearest mall! We had a great time with her, and the kids loved having her here with us.

The weather is truly beautiful right now! Its in the high 70s during the day, and feels like the middle of summer. But at night it cools off a bit. Its great! I have started really taking advantage of a great park we have nearby and do a few big hikes there each week. It has been great to get out by myself for a few hours and sweat

If you know me well, you know we did lots for Halloween. I have more Halloween decorations than I have for Christmas I discovered in the move! We didn't have a party, mainly because I don't know how to have a party in a small house with lots of kids around. Adults fine, but running kids? We had a fun time at Googleween, went to a friends Halloween party, a parade and party at school and then the actual Trick or Treating. Someone in our 'hood set up a large screen in the their front yard and played The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown all night. The streets were filled with kids running around with no parents in sight, and everyone seemed pretty relaxed about the whole thing. Fred and I were very uptight, and Fred even lost Skyler at one point. Seriously! It is really dark here and there aren't street lights. We were a large group of kids with just five or so parents watching them all. We put glow bracelets on them so we could keep track of them, but Skyler bit through his and had glow stuff smeared on his face for awhile. Until he got lost... but anyways we found him. They got lots of full sized candy bars and even went to a slumber party afterwards.

At Googleween the whole family dressed up as People Who Live in Bruce Wayne's House, plus a Witch! Unfortunately the other Googlers weren't in the holiday spirit so we were pretty much the only parents dressed up... except for the MerMale (or maybe he was King Triton). Word on the street was that Googlers take Halloween very seriously, but apparently they save that for the Adult Only party on Friday. No kids invited. In 2007

That counts two years in a row I've gotten my Dutch Mother in Law to dress in a costume! She's a good sport! She had always wanted to try a Carmel Apple, and they had hundreds of them at this party!

It is strange. It was a year ago Halloween that we decide this move would happen. We were on a beach in Florida for Fall Break when we found out and then told friends Halloween day. We have lived in California for 10 months now, and I have to say, it is starting to feel like home. We have started to look at homes for sale here and are *thinking* that when the lease is up in Lone Tree we may sell it. We can't really buy here still owning that house. That is hard for me to say, but it is true.

Fred is gone for the first 3 weeks of November, Prague, Moscow and LA. I am extremely proud of him and he is doing exactly what he hoped he would be doing. And doing it well.

A Real Fall and Book Club

2009-10-21T12:54:00.000-07:00

As Fall begins the boys are settled into school and Fred is getting ready for extensive travel in Eastern Europe. I love that fact that I'm experiencing Fall for the first time in many, many years. Dont get me wrong, I love Denver. I mean, I love love Denver. But in my opinion Denver has two seasons, Winter and Summer. They are great seasons, and Winter is not anything like people think and neither is Summer for that matter. But thats TWO SEASONS. I want to see the leaves turn and fall for more than a weekend. I want hot days and cool nights for a month, not 80 degrees then snow the next day and 80 again the next! I want a Fall. And I have one now...

I started my own little Book Club here with Mom's I met at school. I dont know why I say "Moms" instead of just "Women", but they are indeed all Moms. Skyler asked "Who is coming to Book Club?". I started saying "Tom's Mom, Cory's Mom, ..." and he says "Wait, are only Moms invited?" I guess I only know Moms right now.

In case you dont have a Book Club, its not all about the Book actually. It is an excuse to get together, chat, drink wine and have a common topic of conversation, in case there are any lulls. Sounds like a bunch of Stay at Home Moms sitting around eating Bon Bons, right? Wrong! As a Mom you hardly ever have activity that is about you or make time for yourself.

When it is your turn, you pick the book that everyone reads and you host everyone at your house one evening. Most libraries have Book Club Kits where you can reserve a bag that consists of 12 of the same books and a book club Q&A with the author and additional information about the book and author. I choose the Book Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. It was a great book!

I made Tiramisu (yes me, not Fred), chocolate covered strawberries and had lots of cheeses. (If you've been to a party at my house, its my standard party fare!) Fred took the kids and Grandma out to dinner and the mall and brought them home right before bedtime, so we had the house to ourselves. I knew it was a successful when I went to kiss the boys goodnight and Archer said "Why is everyone laughing so loud, Book Club is supposed to be serious!" That's a good sign!

Of course El Goog is doing something special for Halloween. And of course its called Googleween. They have a whole party just for kids and family, so Ill have photos and a blog dedicated to that next week. Right now the boys are going to be Batman and Robin for Halloween, but there is still time for them to change their minds and they 3 parties, plus actual Halloween to wear the costumes too! So wish me luck!

The Force is With Us

2009-10-12T23:31:00.000-07:00

If you don't have boys and didnt grow up in the 70s, then you may think I'm nuts. But I do and I did, and I may be (nuts that is). I was crazy about Stars Wars, especially for a girl. As a kid, my neighbor and I would recount the previous nights dream; mine involved Mark Hamill, hers had Harrison Ford. My younger Brother was really into it and sometimes we would trade playing Stars Wars with playing Barbie Dolls. "If you play Barbies with me for 10 minutes, THEN we can play Star Wars" I'd negotiate. Sometimes the Star Wars dolls would be Barbie's children. My Brother will tell you I got the better end of this bargain, but either way I haven't played with a Barbie since then. But thanks to my boys, I'm still a fan of Star Wars.

So I was thrilled to see Star Wars: In Concert tour coming to San Jose this month! They play the score with excerpts from the movie on a big screen and a memorabilia exhibit. The boys went and really enjoyed it!

It made me think what a big impact Star Wars has in their lives. We have done everything Star Wars you could possibly do:

Star Wars Movies: All six, with the last one edited. Check

Star Wars Video games: In Lego Wii Star Wars Complete Saga you play through the scenes all 6 movies as a tiny Lego character.

Star Wars Collectibles: Thanks Ebay

Star Wars Costumes: Have you seen my family Halloween photos?

Darth Vader on Twitter? He's very witty http://twitter.com/darthvader

Jedi Training Birthday party: Again, have you seen my photos?

And ridiculous Youtube movies:

This is a passion I can share with my boys, and that surprises other Moms. But I dont have a little girl to braid her hair and play Barbie Dream House with. I play the games (and look up cheat codes), watch the movies and shows and research the Lego sets with them. At some point, when I realized I'd never have a little girl, I fully embraced being "A Mother of Boys".

I'm thinking President Obama wishes he had a break from playing Barbies too.

Suburbanites Guide to Downtown Denver

2009-10-08T19:34:00.000-07:00

I am the Guest Blogger today at the Denver Post's Mile High Mamas. Take a minute to read my
article Suburbanites Guide to Downtown Denver. I am SO excited to have my first "professional" blog post.

I've dedicated this to my late Grandpa Dale, who wrote a column his local newspaper and would appreciate this.

Is Archer is the new Amber?

2009-09-28T17:21:00.000-07:00

I was shocked today to read an article about the up and coming baby names, or as referred to in the article as "Soon to be Popular" names. And there, right at the top, was my precious unique name I found for my baby boy "Archer"!! I was shocked!

See the deal is I'm an Amber. I'm an old Amber. There aren't many old Ambers (not that I am that old). I've never met or heard of an Amber older than me. I was named after the protagonist in the book Forever Amber, published in 1944. I loved the TV show My So Called Life, and her BFF's Mother's name was Amber, but I found that outright impossible and it made the show unbelievable to me. Think about it, have you ever met someone over 40 named Amber?

Howard Stern once said all girls named Amber grow up to be strippers. But that is a different generation of Ambers. When I was 18 or so, suddenly Amber was the new Ashley, and every little girl running away from her parent was named "AMBER!!". When my Mother picked it, it was throughly unique and even scandalous. See the Amber in Forever, was adulterer. And now it is common (not adultery, the name). Is the same thing going to happen to my Archer?

We wanted a unique name, but not weird. Original, but not difficult to pronounce. Im a big fan of the Johnny Cash song "A Boy Named Sue", but I didnt want to give him a name to teach him to be tough. "So I gave you that name and I said goodbye, I knew you'd have to get tough or die".

He isnt named after the Scott Bakula character on Star Trek Enterprise or Mister Archer from the Age of Innocence (sorry Kim!). Apparently there is a character on Private Practice named Archer, but my son is 7yrs old, and that show is new. He was named for his astrological sign, Sagittarius, the symbol of which is an Archer. Its unique, without being weird and original, but not hard to pronounce. While I know he's not the only one, to this day, I have never met another person named Archer.

After being shocked (for several hours, actually) I decided to read the whole article. And actually, I don't believe it for one second. Other "Soon to be Popular" boys names? Hugo (Someones been watching too much Lost), Caspian (Prince, perhaps), Lachlan (Isnt he the favorite Murduch son) and my favorite Rufus (no comment). No, I dont think these names will be screamed out on playgrounds in the next few years. I think we're safe!

Post Script:
When I read this entry to my Archer, he said "No, I hope Im still the only one".

Crocodile Cake

2009-09-17T16:55:00.000-07:00

A few years ago I made Skyler a Crocodile Cake for his birthday. It was actually really fun to make and turned out good. So this year we decided on a Croc Hunter theme and decided to make the cake again. I couldn't find the instructions I had used to make it the first time and looking at photos it seemed more complex then I remembered. So this time I decided to document it, just in case we do this again.

You need:
1 Bundt Cake - Made from Cake Mix #1
1 Loaf Cake - Made from Cake Mix #2
2 Cup cakes - Made from Cake Mix #2 3 Marshmallow
Several Green Gum Drops
4 Chocolate Chips
Pastry Bag with Star Tip
2 Cake Mixes
2-3 Cans of Vanilla Frosting (Don't use the Whipped)
Green Icing Tint (Don't use food coloring)

Day Before: Use one whole Cake Mix for Bundt and the other for the Loaf and Cup Cakes. Bake per instructions.

Open two cans of frosting and add the Green Tint. Just use a very small amount at first, a little goes a long way. Mix them up at the same time so the colors will match, add half of one can to the pastry bag and put it all in the refirigerator so it can set up. You may not need the 3rd can. I find that the frosting gets hard if you frost it the day before, so I wait until the day of.

Day Of: Cut the Loaf Cake to be shaped as the Crocodile's head. Cut the Bundt Cake into thirds with one section angle cut through the middle (for the sloping down tail). Cut the Cup Cakes in half to be the legs. If there are any gaps in body, I use slices from the extra cup cakes to fill this in. Frosting alone cant do that.

Use the Star Tipped Pastry Bag to make small stars all over the cake. I start at the bottom and do a line all across, then move up. Its a little difficult to do the two tight curves, so start there. Refill the bag as needed, but keep the frosting you aren't using refridgeraged. The Star Tips hide a lot of imperfections in the cake.

Place 2 Marshmallows at an angle on the head and ice the sides and back for eyelids. Use a small amount of icing to attach Chocolate Chip pupils. Add the other 2 Chocolate Chips for nostrils

Cut different sized slices from the last Marshmallow with sissors and use as teeth. I let my kids do this part! Take two Gun Drops and roll them out with a rolling pin. Sprinkle with sugar if they stick. Cut out to be the claws. Place on the foil next to the legs. Cut several Gum Drops vertically into 3pcs and place down the spine. This is another part the kids get to do!

Things Are Going Swimmingly

2009-08-31T23:18:00.000-07:00

Skyler turned five last week. I can't believe my little baby boy is a five year old Kindergartener. He was SO excited about his birthday. In the past he could care less, but not this time. Thursday was a very big day for him. Thanks to everyone who called and wished him Happy Birthday, it meant a lot to him (and to me).

The kids are doing great in school, no troubles or tears, which I know a lot people having issues with. Skyler is so thrilled to spy Archer sometimes on campus and he has made a handful of friends. So cute! Today we started homework and boy is it going to be harder with two of them! Apparently 2nd Graders are expected to do about 30 minutes minimum each night and Skyler mostly has to write his name several times! He hates it! "I WANT to write the "E" capital, so Im going too!!!" Soooo that will be a struggle. His cuteness quotient equals his stubborn quotient. And he's a pretty cute kid, so wish me luck.

Im really debating making them do homework directly after school, before Wii and playtime, but it seems too much after a full day of school. So I have to figure that out. I'd love to hear your opinions on that, so comment below.

Along with school starting and Skyler turning five, there was fire at our neighbors house. It was all very exciting and I was the lucky person who got to call them to tell them. I woke her up on vacation at 2am in London to say "Has anyone told you about the fire at your house today?". Its a long story, but I learned that I would word it differently next time.

And finally, we are really starting to feel at home here. Its taken eight full months, but the kids and I have real friends and people I think we will know for a life time. I have coffee with girlfriends and go for walks with them. I started a book club that will meet soon. And life goes on...

I got a new waterproof camera and wanted to share with you some video and photos we took with it.

Kindergarten, Baby

2009-08-20T13:28:00.001-07:00

Today Skyler went off into the big world of Kindergarten. I'm sure this is way more tramatic for me than it is for him. Only later when he is grown will he realize this is the moment his life changed from my innocent little baby boy, to a big boy with his own life. I feel like I did after graduating college.... like what's next. What do I do now?

When Archer was born I slowing began the process of shedding my old self. Now I was a Mom. Not a professional or someone who was an expert in her field. Just a Mom. I hate it when people say "You're not JUST a Mom". But I am, and that's okay. What's my occupation: Mom. I learned to love almost every second of it.

I didn't cry today, not full out. Just a little teary eyed under my sunglasses. I remembered the day I realized I was pregnant with him. It was a surprise. It was just before Christmas and I was feeling grouchy and irritated. And friend said, maybe your pregnant. And I thought immediately "I can't be pregnant... oh my God I AM pregnant!".

I remember the moment my contractions started and the night he was born. How he was colicy and then croupy, and born a redhead. He was wirey and stubborn from the day he was born. He was going to sleep when he was damn well ready! Not much has changed, except the red hair changed to bright blonde, and he learned to love being cuddled and hugged. He has turned into Dad's boy and a Sauer through and through.

I remember my first day at Kindergarten. I wore a green coat, road the bus and was a Green Bird. We moved out to the country that year. I threwup a lot in Kindergarten, usually during snack time, and one of the ladies from Allen Pharmacy would pick me up and take me to spend the rest of the day behind the counter with Daddy. Apparently Fred disliked Kindergarten so much, they took him out altogether and kept him home. I wonder if Skyler will remember this day too.

In the morning after Archer's dropoff, a 1st Grader was crying, screaming and throwing a fit "I want to go home! I want my Mom! I don't want to be here!" The teacher was saying "I hear your words" as the boy kicked and threw a first rate fit. We walked on by and it broke my heart. Skyler said "That is not going to be me". And it wasnt.

So I realized that starting Kindergarten is more about me, then it is about him. To him its just another school, he just goes more often. But for me, today was a life changer. Unlike Skyler, Im just sure what the change is yet.

Found: One Lemon Tree

2009-08-16T20:32:00.000-07:00

Look what I found in my backyard! A Lemon Tree! It is back by the sandbox. Fred was sitting in the hottub (shocking, I know) and said what is on that tree over there. I couldnt believe it! There were just three others starting on the small tree, but they were really small and still green.

We also discovered a peach and pear tree on the other side of the house. Unfortunately the squirrels got to them before they were ripe and took all but few of them. But a Lemon Tree? Im constantly getting them from the neighbors and have a million uses for Lemons. Very exciting!

We planted lots of tomato, peppers and basil earlier and just added rosemary, cilantro and lavender.

Favorite Things - California Edition

2009-08-14T15:54:00.001-07:00

A while back I did a list of my favoite things about Denver, or what Id miss most. I got several comments that I was concentrating on the negative and should have a positive list about California instead. Well, hold your horses folks! Its takes time to really like a place, and I had lived in Denver for about 15yrs.

So after 8 months or so here, Im ready to declare a few of my "Favorite Things - California Edition". To start with, I cant believe I live in California! And our little Prius takes weekend drives across the Golden Gate bridge and racks up huge parking fees in San Fransisco parking lots. Growing up in Prattville, OK California was like the promised land. Except my Mother told me that California was about to fall off the Continent. I learned a long time ago, people are people the world over. We all really have the same goals and ideals. Religion and food seems to be the biggest difference. Same thing holds for California it turns out!

So here we go:

1. I can be sitting on the beach in less time than it takes me to get to Colorado Springs from Lone Tree. I love the beach. Even if it can be cold and windy.

2. Frozen yogurt and gelato shops. Instead of eating out, we hit these up for dessert sometimes. Honey or Lavender gelato. frozen yogurt from a Koolee machine!

3. The weather. Not too hot, not too cold... its juuuuuust right. This summer has been amazing. I hear the Fall is hotter than summer and the Winter is rainy. But I like it.

4. The flowers and vegetation. Everywhere you turn something is blooming and growing.

5. The pool. I love the pool. The kids love the pool. My Dad promised to dig a hole in the backyard and make us a pool, but it never happened. I finally have my pool.

6. Archer's new attitude. He has found a new confidence from being "the new kid" that he didn't have before.

7. We can take a California vacation, without getting on an airplane. Driving to San Diego, via Santa Barabara and Santa Monica, was a great easy trip this summer.

8. Seeing fruits and vegitables at the market that I have neither seen nor heard of before. Pomelo, Jackfruit or Cherimoya anyone?

9. Fred LOVES his job. Seriously, he almost skips in the door each night with a grin on his face. Some days I want to smack it off, but mostly Im happy for him ;-)

I couldn't come up with 10 things, sorry. Give me a few more months, its growing on me.

I also have a list of things I hate, mostly the spiders (They are everywhere!), earthquakes (I had a dream the big on hit last night) and renting. But we are settling in and enjoying our time here.

Whats for Lunch?

2009-08-05T10:37:00.001-07:00

I need ideas for the kids lunch boxes, especially now that Ill be packing TWO! What are your lunch box staples? Their favorite lunch? Your favorite to make?

Neither of the boys will eat PB&J (after a yr at a nut free school) and Archer wont eat lunch meat (I know its my fault, Im working on it). They like Chocolate Sandwiches, which is basically peanut butter made with hazelnut. But the other Mom's at school frequently comment that I let Archer eat that every day! They arent very nice comments.

So give me your best ideas for a well rounded healthy lunch that the kids might even eat!

Thanks! Amber

North of "The Bridge"

2009-08-02T14:09:00.000-07:00

We spent some time this weekend North of San Francisco in Sausalito and Tiburon. I even took video as we drove over the Gold Gate Bridge for the first time. Unfortunately the video was sideways, as I was using Fred's Google Phone and wasnt familiar with which way with up (a common problem I have). So for now, lean your head to the left ;-) The hack of my iPhone stopped working because of an update in iTunes software, so I cant take video from it right now and have to use his phone to do it.

Our friends from Denver, the Kragels and their family, were here and it was a good excuse to venture a little further North. The "Bridge" had been a little intimidating to us I think! It was so beautiful there with all the hills (who knew there so many hills and mountains here?!) and the fog hanging half way down. It was a great sunny day, with that spooky fog always threatening to come down the valley.

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The boys have spent hours upon hours in the pool this summer. They swim sometimes twice a day and have lunch and snack poolside. Skyler has become a great swimmer and they have even learned to dive. Video proof below. They are "Brown as Beans" as Grandma Doris used to call me.

We have really enjoyed all our visitors from Oklahoma and Denver! Its makes it feel like this is our home. Its good for the boys to see friends they have known since they were little, and for Fred and I too. No more visitors unti end of October though! If you are also reading the boys blog The Mystery Toy Blog we intended that for the kids to read. Friends, cousins, etc and tried to make it kid-centric.

Also, I have a new phone number. If you didnt get an email from me with it, please send me a note and Ill forward it to you. There is also a button on the side of the blog that says CALL ME. You can do it from there too. It is a Google Voice phone number and calls both my home and cell numbers so you dont have to guess where I am anymore!

Please remember you cant see the videos or all the photos in the email. You need to go to the blog to get the "Full Experience". Enjoy the rest of summer!

Alcatraz and Santa Cruz with Visitors

2009-07-28T18:18:00.001-07:00

The Marin's were in town recently and we had a great time with them! The boys were glad to see Katie and Charlie, and I was glad to stay up late, drinking wine and having adult conversations.

We spent a great day in San Francisco with them and finally made it to Alcatraz! The boys have been begging for this since we first got here. Archer was especially interested in the Indian Occupation of Alcatraz island after the prison closed. I visited Alcatraz in 1994 and they have changed the tour a bit. The kids really liked it, but were spooked during the audio tour about the Great Escape. Archer had trouble sleeping for several nights, which is funny. There are plenty of scary and disturbing things about Alcatraz, but he was frightened by a misunderstanding in the story telling!

We also visited this great Mexican Naval (apparently they HAVE a Navy) ship the Cuauhtémoc. Its was really beautiful big tall masted ship and they were so polite and friendly onboard. The kids loved this and so did Michelle and I! They also all got their Jr Ranger Badges at the National Maritime Historical Park. We ventured to North Beach for dinner, which we had not visited yet. We are usually too tired from a day at the wharf to do much else! So we thank the Marins for showing around SF a but more.

We also finally made it to the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz. Every time we get near there Im reminded of the movie the Lost Boys, and when they first arrive in town spray painted on the back of a billboard it says "Welcome to Santa Carla, Murder Capital of the World". That has always stuck with me and I cant relax in Santa Cruz (Santa Carla) because of that! Hmmm, I thought I Archer was silly for being afraid of the Dummy heads in the Alcatraz escape.... Pot, Kettle.

I have also just discovered that Fred has never seen The Lost Boys, so Ill Tivo that later and

re-freaking myself out. Thanks Youtube! (Yes, Google owns Youtube too)

We have been in California for seven months now and we have had seven groups of visitors. That's a pretty good track record. Possibly more visitors than we had in Denver over several years! In fact we have visitors this week too, so eight groups!

As promised many months ago, here is a link to Fred's Blog. You can see, he was busy in June! He has upcoming trips to Eastern Europe and a few shorter ones here and there. He does a lot of local speaking engagements too. I think I can speak for him and say he loves his job and comes home with a huge smile most days.

The boys were starting to get bored with summer break, so they are going to Art Camp this week. They are really enjoying that and I think Skyler needs a little help to learn to work more independently. School starts August 21st...

** You may have to go to the BLOG to see the movie clip/slide show **

40 is the new... OLD

2009-07-11T12:47:00.000-07:00

We are settled into summer and having a good time! The weather here is so incredibly mild. Middle of July and really not have AC is not problem accept for a few days here and there. Hot enough for the pool, but not HOT. Id say it has been in the 80s mostly. Basically the same weather as April. The pool finally warmed up and the kids swim at least once a day. Sometimes again after dinner. I havent heard "Mommmm, Im bored" so far this summer! I had a few classes planned, but they all fell through or were cancelled. Lego, Zoo Tycoon and the pool are our summer plan.

Skyler is getting even blonder and is swimming really well! What a relief! Archer's hair is super long and he is taller than ever. There is a teenager lurking in there.... They are getting along great and play endlessly together. I hate to arrange playdates because it seems to throw off the dynamic.

I turned 40 last week. Boo, hiss. I dont really want to be 40, but its better than the alternative, right? Fred sent me to a spa for the day, bought me a Chiminaya, made a bunt cake (roll eyes) had a family over for a BBQ, and had a date night (sushi and The Hangover). All the weekend of the 4th of July! Maybe 40 wont be so bad after all.

The big fireworks display in this part of the Bay Area is at Shoreline Amphitheater which is just across the street from El Goog. So we watched from there and didnt have to compete for parking or a seat. We just had to listen to geek know-it-alls discuss the physics fireworks. I prefer dumb people who just say "Ewwww, Awwww".

We have more friends from Denver coming this week. Yea! The boys are excited too see friends and so are Fred and I. We are finally going to do Alcatraz! Ill let you know how that goes. We have waited so long and built it up so much, I hope it lives to up their expectations.

I introduced the boys to Micheal Jackson's music. It was on TV so much and Archer kept asking "Who's that lady?" so I told them the story of MJ. The G Rated version. They were amazed at his performances as a child, and like the videos for Scream (its in space) and Thriller (who doesnt like dancing zombies). Seems like a lot of not so old people died the week I turned 40.

Summer Vacation

2009-06-29T21:48:00.000-07:00

We just returned from a week long trip to Southern California. We decided to drive and take in the sites of California along the way. Supposedly the drive is 6 hrs to San Diego from here, but we took our time and stopped along the way. The main point of the vacation was to hit up Legoland for a few days.

We took the 101 South after Fred got off work on Friday and first night we stayed in San Lius Obispo about 3 hrs South of here. Crappy hotel (thanks to a baseball team of 9 yr olds running wild) but a neat town.

The second and third night we stay in Santa Monica, just West of LA. When Archer was a baby we spent the 4th of July weekend in Santa Monica and really loved it. So we took the kids to the beach (crowded), the 3rd street Promenade (crowded, but has a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf), La Brea Tar Pits (fantastic!). For Father's Day the boys took Fred to Medieval Times and they had a great time yelling for their Knight. We also have a sushi favorite restaurant in Santa Monica, Sushi Roku, and we decided to go even with the kids. They were the only kids in the place and we all had a great time! We fed them before, and Fred and I had a date night with the kids across the table! We kept them busy and said if they could eat all their rice with the chopsticks they could have ice cream afterwards. It worked!

The traffic in the LA area is just so ridiculous! Night, day, weekend, weekday, doesnt matter. The traffic doesnt move and its packed. It was bad enough for the weekend, I dont know how people maneuver it to get to work.

Finally we headed down to Carlabad, which is just North of San Diego. Carlsbad is right on the coast and it is where Legoland (=Holy Grail) is located. For the neophyte Legoland is like Disneyland, but with everything made out of Legos. Okay, its not THAT cool. Some stuff is made out of Legos, some stuff is based on Lego toys. The boys really, REALLY love Legoland. So we did two days there this time.

We also visited Seaworld, and as expected Skyler fell in love with Shamu. Shamu! Shamu! Shamu! Shamu was pretty cool I have to admit. Skyler also wanted to ride some of the more adventurous rides and Fred took him on one. Archer wont go near most of the rides! I kind of "accidentally" took Archer on Tower of Terror last year, and it traumatized us both.

On the way home we headed straight back on I5 and minus the minor emergency (see previous post) it probably would have taken only 6 hrs. We had a great vacation! Usually our trips are 4 nights max, so it was nice to really get away for so long. The boys were so great and got along so well. They really made the trip a great time!

How Far Can a Prius Drive With No Gas?

2009-06-27T23:00:00.000-07:00

We just returned from a week long roadtrip to Southern California, including Legoland, Seaworld, Santa Monica, Santa Barbara and basically everything between here and there. Other than Europe, this is the longest vacation we have ever taken! It was nice to really settle in and fully enjoy each place. Ill post all about the trip, especially Legoland later. But the big news is that was ran out of gas on the way home.

Dad always told me that on a road trip, never let a car go under a 1/4 tank and I have always followed that rule. Apparently, Fred has never heard of that rule! We were in I5 in Central

California where signs identified this patch of desert as a "Congress Created Dust Bowl" and enjoying the sites of dust devils that looked like actual tornadoes and 104 degree temps. When BEEP! said the Prius. I asked "What was that?" "Gas" was the answer. Are you kidding me? We had never driven on this long stretch of highway (we went South via 101/1) and it was a desert with 20+ miles between exits. One minute later the engine turned off and we coasted to the side and thankfully under an overpass.

Anyways, we called AAA and about an hour and 2 gallons of gas later the car still wouldnt start and had all sorts of emergency engine lights were flashing. The kids were very hot and thirsty, somehow we had no water in the car! So they towed us to the next exit 17 miles away.

Fred was convinced we were having some engine problem and I was convinced we were out of gas. He insisted we were not of gas. The tower said something like 8 out of 10 times any problem he gets called on for a Prius is due to it running out of gas. And the Prius owners usually think they aren't out of gas. After it was filled with gas and started a few times it was fine. So after 2hrs or so we were on our way again.

I understand his thoughts. The Prius gets almost 50MPG and on the last bar he estimated he had 2 gallons left, so we could certainly make it to the next stop. But it turns out (after a little research on the iphone while waiting in the sun) in high heat the Prius's gas gauge is wonky and 50MPG is an average. Some miles you may get bad mileage depending on the terrain.

Im sure he will be following Dad's 1/4 tank rule on a roadtrip from now on.

Long Time, No Blogging

2009-06-04T23:06:00.000-07:00

We have been really busy the last three weeks. We've had visitors every weekend for the month of May! Family members from Tulsa and friends from Denver. It has kept us busy, from Monterey, the beach and San Fransisco. Both Archer and Skyler had friends visit, so it was special for the whole family.

While Dad and Rita visited we went to Half Moon bay. We started to turn West we saw a big cloud/fog bank on the hills and sure enough it was cold and cloudy at the beach! So not the best beach day! I think Ill get wet suits for the boys, since the cold doesn't keep them out of the water at all. Nor does the fact that I never bring towels...

They didn't get to see Fred much. In fact I think they were here for two full days before they saw him AT ALL! He was busy up in San Fransisco at a big conference. Here is one of the interviews he conducted and explains what he is up too. He is now traveling Asia doing the same things there.

While Fred was goofing around, they gave me the day off and I ran as fast as I could to a day spa. I REALLY appreciated that. Actually they gave me the night off too, and Fred and I went to dinner (Shabu Shabu anyone?!) and a movie (Angels and Demons).

The boys actually have a few new things for their Mystery Toy Blog too, so be sure to check it out with your kids and leave them a comment.

I always have more photos than I have words to spread the photos among! So Ill post a separate Slide show of them. I really love my iPhone for that fact alone. I never go more than a day or two without taking a photo. Not to mention I always have a video camera with me! Very handy. Ive had trouble with the iPhone lately though and Im blaming Fred. This was actually his phone (mine was an original iPhone, not 3G. I started using his "better" iPhone when he got an Android phone). When it was his phone, he would put it in his back pocket AND SIT ON IT, just as like an everyday thing. In case you don't know the iPhone screen is just glass. Glass. He also didn't use a protective cover/case. So now its mine and in hot weather the screen scrambles and it completely stops working. So if I go missing and you are unable to call/text/email/facebook/twitter me, I've died from inability to find my way home without my iPhone's GPS.

Love from Cali...

2009-05-17T13:34:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day and Wrong Way Fred

2009-05-17T12:15:00.000-07:00

We have had a busy week! Mom and Mike were here for a week and then we met up with some friends from Denver for the weekend.

For Mother's Day we went to San Fransisco and I was able to take Mom for afternoon tea at the Crown and Crumpet. The thing is, I LOVE afternoon tea. LOVE IT. Endless tea pots (Lapsang Souchong please) little sandwiches with the crusts cut off, scones with clotted cream and jam, and the chocolates and pastries. Actually, I dont really like the last layer. (I'd trade you a scone for a chocolate any day, in case we are ever at tea together. But trading for food seems unlady like...) The tea place is in Ghirardelli Square and we sat outside and had a view of the Bay and started with Champagne. It was great(*huge smile*)! Tea makes me happy.

We did the submarine at the wharf again. The boys love this and we should just get a membership to it. We need to spice up the trips to San Fransisco for the boys, because we seem to do the same things each time.

Photo by Golden Gate: Check.
Unsuccessful search for cheap parking: Check.
Ice Cream at Ghirardelli: Check.
Watch seals at wharf: Check.
Forget to book Alcatraz: Check.

We are going again next weekend (more visitors from Denver) and the weekend after that too (Dad and Rita are coming) so we plan on actually booking Alcatraz ahead of time and actually doing it. The boys are desperate to go on a boat. We also want to ride bikes/walk across the Golden Gate, do a harbor sailing trip, ferry to Sausalito and make it to Union Square.

I also introduced Mom to Ikea . Its awesome. It took all day. We even had lunch in the cafeteria. Then also introduced her to Iced Tea with Pearls (Bobo or Bubble tea). Its also awesome. Its tea with little tapioca balls in the bottom that you suck up through the straw. I dont like tapioca, but I love this tea and its a special treat Ill save for visitors! Kim and I tried it together and were hooked (after being mildly grossed out)!

Saturday we went to Monterey to meet a family from Denver here for a convention. One of their younger kids came up with Rotovirus so we just took their son that is Archer's age to lunch and then to Del Monte Beach. Had a great day at the beach! Flew kites, dug in the sand. We ended up having him stay the night and met up with his parents at the airport this morning. At the beach the boys found huge clusters of ladybugs. Here they are climbing all over Archer!

Fred was in a strange mood and both Sat/Sun constantly made wrong turns and missed exits. Constantly! Even to the airport, to places we had been before. Id look up and say, hmmm this doesn't look right. I'd say "You know you missed the turn for (Monterey/Gilroy/Airport/San Jose/Los Altos/)". Somehow he always said it was my fault. Apparently the aloof comment 10 minutes ago about crooked streets in California was actually "Is this my exit" and I'd apparently answer "No, it is not, keep driving". By the way, that never happened.

The kids have decided Dad likes to take the LONG CUT, as opposed to the much preferred SHORT CUT. We will call him WRONG WAY FRED or LONG CUT FRED for a few days until he turns back into his superhero self that can navigate the autobahn or Paris subterranean parking lots with ease.

For Mother's Day the boys will be giving me a full service spa treatment. You read that right... they didnt get me full service spa treatment, they are giving me full service spa treatment. Painting my toes, foot/back massage and facial. Its all part of the California Budget Deficit plan. I'll let you know how it goes, but I'm looking forward to it. Its scheduled for this afternoon.

Slide Show From Take Your Kids to Work Day

2009-05-04T22:57:00.000-07:00