Book Review

So, here's my first review for the EW Summer Reading Challenge at www.bookingmama.com.

I read Half Life by Roopa Farooki.
Hmmm...well, it's the story of 2 good friends who reconnect after 2 years apart. It's told in present tense and in flashbacks, and also through different characters' eyes (which made it very interesting). I couldn't stop reading it, very easy to read, but when I finished, I realized that I didn't really like the book! I couldn't stand the main female character, Aruna! I didn't like any of the choices she made, and she was a true b*tch! She treated the men in the story horribly, but they adored her! I know she was seriously flawed because of her life experiences, but it didn't endear me to her at all. I liked the male characters much better, especially Jazz. The storyline was intriguing, and not what I expected at all. However, there were a few loose ends that were never answered for me, and the ending was terribly sad (in my opinion). It's not that I don't mind sad endings...love Kate Morton's books...but this ending didn't work for me...I did enjoy that it was about a different culture: Singapore, India (love reading books like that), but out of four stars, I would give it one. That being said, I liked the writing style, and I would read another book by this author!

Summer highlights so far...

So what have we been up to???

Swimming...in Steph's pool, at the club (thanks to swim lesson and tennis), anywhere we can! Except poor Spencer now has swimmer's ear, so he's out of commission until at least Wednesday...
Cooper decided he loves the pool, and is about to start week 4 of swim lessons! We'll make him a swimmer soon!
This one loves the water, too, and can't wait to start swim lessons next summer...though I have a feeling she'd do fine this summer!
Cooper finished his first t-ball season. Daddy helped out, which Cooper loved!

Joe and I spent a weekend away...the highlight was a show at PCPA's outdoor theatre in Solvang!
Spencer took tennis lessons and fell in love with tennis! He wants to take another session this summer...we'll see!
Summer school...OK, so honestly I am a summer school drop out...,but we are still working in their workbooks, reading tons of books, doing the summer reading program at the library and Barnes and Noble, taking walks, and lots and lots of play! And we know how important play truly is! One look at my living room/playroom and you'll see trains, little people, cars, legos, markers, play food...i love how the boys are playing and getting along (mostly)...so I thik they are having a good summer and learning! But we are trying to take "field trips"...here we went to an organic dairy farm. The kids had a blast!

Cooper picked those pose...hahaha, my little model!
That's it for now...going to play!

10 years ago...

...Joe and I were married today! It was a great day, full of fun and family and friends....can't believe it has been 10 years since that day...and now we have our wonderful family...I love you, Joe!

Father's Day

For Father's Day this year, we took Daddy miniature golfing. For lunch, we celebrated with a mexican buffet at Grammy's, then whisked him away to Boomers! He said it was his best Father's Day ever. :-) Happy Father's Day to the best Daddy ever!

Summer Reading Challenge

OK, so I stumbled onto this blog, via the LA Times, and since reading is a HUGE part of my life....I have decided to join this reading challenge! I am dipping into the challenge as a guppy...mostly because I am worried that most of the books will be on a waiting list at my library. I am excited to read some of the books on the list (Entertainment Weekly's summer reading list), so do YOU want to join me???? Look for my reviews...coming soon!

SORRY, the picture is not coming up for some reason...here's the link: www.bookingmama.blogspot.com. Check it out!

What's Happening??

What have we been up to? Not sure why this is typing underlined...please ignore...but besides looking cute lounging with a toothbrush ?!?....we have....
finished up 2 weeks of swim lessons, and finally got it the last day! Argh...oh well!
Went to Gilroy to visit Aunt Jenny who was visiting her in-law's and nephew and niece.

Partying with a pony! And this cute guy turned 7!
And this sweet guy turned 5! Making sure no one blows out his candle....

Made our summer list...shamelessly stole this cute idea from another blog.

Working on our workbooks
Here's Cooper again showing he's 5 with his birthday doughnuts....a tradition around our household!
Went to the Carmel beach...and froze...but the boys loved every minute, making sandcastles and outrunning the waves.
Played at the Dennis the Menace Park in Monterey. If you haven't gone, get there...so much fun...a real train to climb all over, fun equipment, paddle boats...we had a blast!
Started that day off with fun at Casa de Fruta!
Spencer blowing out his candles, and yes, blocking his little brother and cousins from blowing out the candles!

More to come...happy summer to you!

For Vicki

(BFFs forever...Brian, Joe, Chip)

Sorry....I never got to post about the Hattons visit to CA! (Now that I'm on break, I can go back and share some past events!)

Chip, Vicki, and Lily spent some time with us, and we had a great visit! Cooper immediately declared he was going to "marry that girl" (Lily). It was very sweet! We wish they lived nearby!

Summer School

Excuse the no pics post...one of these days I will spend the time getting my pics onto the mac instead of only my pc laptop! I have been using the mac a lot more...though mostly because the laptop is super old (almost 5!) and the boys love to use it!

it's officially summer for us!!!!!!! YAY! We are enjoying our days...we jumped in with swim lessons right away, and yesterday spent a family day in Monterey doing all those things we want to check off our summer list...train and carousel at Casa de Fruta, Dennis the Menace Park, paddleboats, Carmel beach, clam chowder in a bread bowl on the wharf...it was a great day!

Today Joe let me sleep in on my first day off, so our "summer school" didn't start yet! Yes, I am doing the Brown Summer School. We are studying a theme a week, and that includes books from the weekly library visit, art project, field trip, etc. I bought the boys a workbook for Grade 2 and K, so they are working on those everyday, as well as time for reading. The time is pretty structured in the morning, starting with chores, walk, breakfast, workbook and learning time, reading block, etc. But the afternoons are pretty free, plenty of time for park, walks, bike rides, playdates, etc. this week we aren't starting with a theme yet. We are coming up with our weekly themes, organizing the overflowing art supplies, starting journals, workbooks, and schedules, signing up for library summer program, swim lessons, etc. We have a visit to a friend on Wednesday (Hi Kim!) and a birthday celebration on Friday, party time on Saturday. But I am excited. I have my own list of summer projects and reading lists. I will share as we go along.

Here are some links to see some great and fun "summer school" ideas:

* http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/ (She is doing a Funner in the summer series...scroll through some past entries like THIS one to see how she is doing her program!)

*Like her summer list ideas: http://megduerksen.typepad.com/whatever/summer-list/

*Another idea about themes http://cleanmama.blogspot.com/2010/05/messy-monday-routines-week-style.html

EDITED: here is another post from my fav blog about summer schooling: No More Summer Mush Mind and the one that got me thinking about my summer school!

Anyone else doing "summer school"? don't get me wrong...we are playing and lazing around in pajamas and breaking out the board games (Battleship is a current fav) and being bored (well, not yet!)...but I also want to capitalize on my kiddos interests in learning. they are at such a perfect age! Loving it!

Cooper graduates!

Cooper is now officially a pre-school graduate! Here he is, with our beloved Mrs. Rodriguez, about to walk down the aisle. Afterwards with Mommy and Daddy

Not sure why this came out sideways, but with two friends having cake, Brandon and Luke.

With Spencer and Jake

At home, ready to enjoy his graduation cake!

No jokes about how it's just pre-school...I know, I know, graduations can be overdone sometimes, but this one is so cute! We LOVE Merced Parent Pre-school!!!! Can't wait for Kendall to attend!

May days

Hello there....really need to pay more attention to my poor neglected blog...noticing no one is leaving me comments anymore...is it because you are tired of waiting for me??

We have been busy busy busy...as you all have, I'm sure! I celebrated my birthday, on Mother's Day! 2 special days rolled into one!

Packing up my classroom because...I get to move back to Peterson and teach my favorite grade next year, 3rd! yippeeeee....so thrilled...I get to be with my kids again! SO happy!!!!!!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

I honor of Mother's Day on Sunday...here's a piece on good parenting suggestions I really enjoyed (and enjoy the pics of my sweeties!).

http://71toes.blogspot.com/2008/02/7-motherhood-ideas-i-love.html