The Three Stooges...or Stages???

                                   CJ, Billy & Ricky met when they were 4, 3 &1

While they have been busy growing  up together CJ has spent many weeks/weekends at our house. The older they get the harder it has become to facilitate such bliss. However recently they were able to celebrate the lives of George and Abe together. It was a 4 day weekend of teenage boy heaven! They concocted big plans to squeeze into the time they had together. In the effort to help I gave both of my guys $10...and Jenny sent CJ with $10 of his own. Billy & Ricky decided they wanted this to be extra special since it was likely not to happen again for a long, long time. Anyway they threw in more of their own money and a few gift cards to make the time look like they thought it should.

It all began Friday afternoon. They met at Starbucks in Riverpark.  By the time they were retrieved that evening they had conquered sugary bliss at Starbucks, taken in a movie (The Eagle) at Edwards...where they added to the diabetic coma with soda and popcorn. Oh but they ended at Jamba Juice for that touch of health. Amazingly enough they weren't really all that hungry when we met up for dinner that evening. Even though we met at Harlem Waffles and Wings, weird. Maybe not weird to normal people, but we are talkin' 14, 16 & 17 year old males! I ordered food to go and basically left it hanging around...sure enough eventually my 3 little squawking birdies showed up for their dinner. They spent the evening playing board games watching movies, playing video games and gnawing the siding off my house. Well sorta.

My boys have separate rooms. So when "sleeping" came around CJ decided to spend one night in each boys room...Okay. So seriously. Are sleepovers really necessary?  I mean isn't this the question we ask ourselves each time? At like 2:00 am! I know, I said yes. I deserve no sympathy. Speaking of which CJ spent the last night on the sofa. We have hardwood floors. He chose too though...well I guess I'll give him sympathy.

Saturday was great for Billy & CJ because Ricky was off with his Boy Scout troop for the day, they had some time alone. After they finally woke up, at like noon, they did an hour and 1/2 work out. Then they ate rich creamy goodness...acorn and leek soup. And. A. Loaf. Of. Bread. Though he will probably never admit it...I think yesterday was a bit much for Billy. I think his body wanted some real food. Also to set the record straight CJ ASKED for the soup. I wasn't going to even suggest  he eat it. They then went for an hour or so walk. Upon arrival back at the house they ate more food. Then spent the remainder of the day watching movies and playing video games. CJ brought his 360 along for the visit, but no controllers. Since my boys have a 360 fund they bought a controller....and yes they walked to get it. Ricky came home in time for more food. Then the 3 of them returned to the brain atrophying state of video games and movies.

Bright and early Sunday morning we were up and out the door to church. Next we went swinging down to Hanford with a car full of gushing, exploding, rampaging hormones for a party with CJ's parents, then back home. Ricky went to choir practice. Billy & CJ? Oh, you guessed it...more mid-semester media mania...marathon?? mayhem??? Yeah you couldn't tame those stallions.

Monday Beaufort Billy had responsibilities to tend to. It was nice for son #2 to have some time alone with C.J. However Cletus CJ & Rupert Ricky slept in till noon, they're hilarious. Then in an effort to continue with the brain dwindling experiment the zonked men-folk, looking like they'd taken a dozen sedatives watched movies and played video games. Mean while I was bakin' up some acorn,  butternut sqaush with apple sauce whole grain muffins.  I ended up drizzling  lemon and orange goop over the tops. Nutrient packed yummytime! They ate like a dozen each. Somewhere in there I kicked them out the front door (locking it) and made them go for a walk. Okay so...what of it? They needed it.

.....and, um, yeah, to all that your mind is dwelling on ....hmmm? No. I don't normally allow this. As a matter of fact I never have before. So why did I now? These boys have heavy loads on their plates. Life is tough. Work and schooling are stressful. They are on the last leg of the school year and really, really needed a break. Every teen-aged male inspires their parents to say "look another awww moment". Ten minutes later those same teens can bring their parents to the point when all they want to say to those ever hungry males is "get yourself a big-o bowl of SHUT UP!" It's a safe guess to assume these guys needed to numb out. So I allowed that. Sometimes in parenthood the right medicine is to lighten up...it's called grace.
                                                                   Here they are now.
                                                                      Cletus, 17

                                                                 Rupert, 14

                                                                 Beaufort, 16

Facebook: pushed into it kicking and sreaming... in the end I LOVE IT!!

I understand all the concerns in regards to the break down of society that so many are murmuring about here lately.

I get it, really I do.

However, Facebook has been fabulous for me. Well almost. Okay so I have one slight problem. I LOVE IT. Not the gismos and games. No, that's child's play. I love the people. I love them so much I can't wait to "talk"  each day. The updated photos are just wonderful. The problem is maintaining Facebook can be a bit time consuming. This is why I took a three month hiatus a few months back. At first I really didn't think I would return to Facebook. However a few things changed my mind.

#1Sharing the music videos throughout the month of December had been so precious to me the year before last. I really wanted to upload a daily video once again. So I did.  It sOoOo blessed me that since then I have been fairly consistent in getting a video or two up once a week. I love encouraging others. I love sharing talented christian artists in a non threatening way.

#2 Facebook had become the information station for me. It was like using the yellow pages. Whether setting a status to ask a question, or "searching" I found the inquiry was likely to be discovered at location. I liked being a part of a community of people who could give me advice on a local dentist or restaurant and vice-versa. Very convenient. I wanted that resource back.

#3 Facebook was the new way to deal with events. Invitations, thank yous, class assignments for my children etc.. Much information trickles through.Unfortunately when I backed away for three months we missed several bits of information. Oops. I really needed to get back in the "calendar" loop.

#4 I know it's silly, but when I'd log onto Facebook and a flower or hug or what ever was sitting there waiting to greet me I'd smile from my toes to the top of my head. It was sweet. Yes I could live without it, but you know...

#5 Some really awesome people from my past have found me via facebook. I just loved that. I missed re-learning about them.

#6 1st a history lesson: I refused to even look at Myspace. I reluctantly started using my email account (maybe 5 years ago). Sometime last school year I was bullied into joining Facebook. When I submitted to that, a new band of people started hard core on the "let's get Charity to text...or even use her cell phone" campaign. They won. It's only been since like June though. I can clearly hear Jenny yelling at me early last summer,  "You mean to tell me Jeff bought you this really nice phone and you refuse to use it!" To me Facebook, email and text are the same animal. In the sense that you are visiting via electronics vs face to face. When I submitted to one it was easy to follow suit with the others.When I was off  Facebook I began receiving texts like crazy!!  I guess there was/is no escaping at this point. But. That's okay. I'd rather master myself then get rid of it/them.

because....

#7 Facebook had been a wonderful tool to see a little glimpse into the lives of all my people. To me it has been a relationship enhancer...not a stunt in relational growth.

Let me give you an example. Monica, my best friend from like 4th grade through high school found me via Facebook...last summer. After the total pick-myself-off-the-floor shock of it all we had some wonderful "talks". After catching up on life over the last 10 years or so we made plans for her to come visit my house. She was just as lovely as ever. She walked in with yellow flowers, my favorite color. We talked more, and more and more. We then decided to meet for dinner with her two sisters and her mother. It was a magical night. At a later date she and I met alone for dinner. Since then we have shared in at least 4 of her family gatherings. She has scooped me up and placed me right back into her family as if no time had passed at all. We have plans in the works for more fun times to be shared. I am so grateful that she found me. I have missed her so, so very much. I have enjoyed our long talks on the phone and in person. However as two busy momma's facebook gives us the ability to grab a moment to reconnect no matter the time of day. Can I just say that is big!

Of course Monica finding me and all that jazz is just an example. I have tons of great stories brought to me via Facebook. I just need to make sure I don't log on too, too much. I'm a work in progress, what can I say.

Monkey Pod Games

    A few months back, you know before our world went noodles, "Monkey Pod Games" http://www.monkeypodgames.com/ asked if I would be willing to review a few of their games.

   I am here at last, full of chagrin..here's the story.

   I agreed, HELLO who in their right mind would turn away  free family night activities. Well we thought it was awesome. As a matter of fact Ricky said he was going to get on the blog http://mostlysanevincents.blogspot.com/ he shares with his brother and write reviews on all the activities he loves most. Of course he was banking on an array of bliss-filled packages arriving on our doorstep. That was short lived.

   The games arrived. We played the games. Life went nuts. We packed the games...and the laptop.

  We are now, obviously back to our normally scheduled program....well enough to share our experience with you anyway.

   The first game we tried out was "Ludo"  which is basically "Sorry"  To put it simply we loved it! It's easy to set up, easy to understand! This game is great because you can grab some quick snacks for the game table, set up the game in a giffy and you're ready to go! This provides some great time w/ the fam. without the gloom of "a game that will never end". No fear of brain cells that are too overwhelmed to "get the instructions" Understand I am  not insinuating that it is without challenge. It is a game of wit and strategy.  This particular version is actually a wooden box. When you open the lid, where the pieces are stored, it becomes the game board.  It latches shut with loops of red rope and two pegs, which is brilliant.  We have enjoyed sitting on the back patio sipping blueberry tea and playing this new awesome wooden game. Because of its travel ease, we've also taken it on a picnic with us. We plan to take it camping this summer. http://www.monkeypodgames.com/Wooden-Ludo-Large/M/B002XF4OZM.htm

  The second game we tried out is called the Soma Cube. Like, Ludo it is a wooden game. Both are aesthetically pleasing earning them a position on the wooden games shelf in our living room. You know vs the second class citizen shut away in the closet... umm the cardboard and plastic games.

    Anyway....Soma Cube is a set of wooden pieces, your job is to take them apart and put them back together in 240 different ways. The first day we played we where on the middle of the floor. The two boys and I had our heads in a triangle. Our bodies were shooting out from the game that lay in the center of said triangle. After reading the instructions several times we finally figured out the step by step directions for the first construction. The next step was going through the process alone with only the figure of a finished construction pictured. This proved to be MUCH harder. That day we only found two more solutions.  The next time we pulled it out we placed it in the middle of the table. We were stumped on a particular figure. One by one through out the day we continued to go back to that table trying to find the new solution. We needed a new way to build. We couldn't conquer it, so we'd walk away. It followed our thought's, so we'd go back and stare at it. This game is kinda like a cross between the family jigsaw puzzle endeavor and the let's try and conquer the Rubic's Cube generational curse.  http://www.monkeypodgames.com/Soma-Cube-3d-Large/M/B0012LJAMA.htm   We loved it! We hated it! We wanted to pull out our hair, We wanted to throw the pieces across the room. Non-the-less when we finally did feel the victory of conquering one of the figures we were on a natural high!


   Thank You Monkey Pod Games for giving my family these beautiful, sturdy, mind stretching games!!!

If you don't know...well now you know

   I love me some game playin'! I 've been known to get a little excited while at it too. I'm probably the most exuberant of the bunch, like a crazy person at moments. Yes, she of the Vincent tribe is a real game goober. So it's great that I married a man who also enjoys an impromptu flee to the game closet...or bookcase, cuz that's where the pretty ones are stored...or that one over on the side table. Psst...I love you Jeff! Oh! Is it any wonder that we have raised us up a couple of gamers?
    Now I'm not talkin' bout this highfalutin' new fangled video game phenomena. Rather I'm referencing the plethora of card games and board games available to families. Games where wisdom is dispensed, brains are stretched and families conversate therefore bonding. Yeah, that type.
   It's amazing to me when I hear that families don't play games together anymore. Especially when you consider the games on the market for every age and any personality. I remember watching my Grandfather play Parcheesi on his front porch with the neighborhood men, I tell my boys this every time we play. I'm sure they rolls their eyes. I remember playing the memory game with my Grandma as a little girl. Then watching her play the same game with my sons. Now I watch them play the same game with their toddler cousins. Then reminisce with their older cousins about "games" gone by. My brother, Eric, bought Billy & Ricky a game called "Don't wake Daddy" when they were little. It was kinda like their real life, because Daddy worked nights at the time!
  Apparently word leaked out that Billy likes playing games. For every year that he was part of We Got The Beat, a children's percussion group, he received a Connect Four game. Yes. Every year. Not only that, but one year he also received a Connect Four game from my brother Jimmy, My Mom and the Shugert family. Although it was a pain to return each and every extra Connect Four game we kinda miss the "tradition" now that Billy has out grown the game. Speaking of  little ones, when Ricky was just 5 and 6 years old he played with CHEFA's Chess team. I still remember my tiny guy carrying his own chess board. He was so serious about his "appointment". This was big time! I remember playing Hi Ho Cheerios, Candyland and Go Fish. Too bad no one will play those anymore. They are still fun. P.S. Isn't it funny how many little kids call Go Fish "Gold Fish"
  Though none of us have enough time to do a Chess club or any thing of the like we still find time here or there to play a game. Both boys look forward to games night with friends and family. These can be well planned out or super last minute. Games are just fun. Come on you know its true. Just give yourself over to them. Of course pretty much every American knows the joys of classics like Uno, Twister and Stratego. Maybe you've even heard about Swap, Blockus or Settlers of Catan. If you've happened by our house and stuck around long enough for the games to pop out you've probably been harassed persuaded to play those along with us. If you've ever been on a road trip or camping with us then surely your have played candy poker, Hit the Deck or Charades. The last game night we went to Ricky played Categories and had a blast. None of us had ever played before. Hmmmm, Grandma's take note!

  *Side stepping for a sec. The Grandma's buy games at Christmas that are not to be tampered with until New Years Eve. This is an  awesome  tradition that started when we had tots we needed to entertain on a long night.

   We always enjoy ourselves. However the best times are on rare lazy days and it kinda just happens. Hang out with my teenagers. Eat food. Play cards. I love that!

These are only a few stories I chose to paint. We have enough for a gallery. If I have succeeded in convincing you to grab your people and get your game on. A nice thought of gathering around a table in time for some Super Bowl half time bonding. Here is our list of THE 12 BEST GAMES EVER (and also how my boys were introduced to each game) for you to utilize. No. I mean it. Go for it baby!

  *Battleship (a few tutorial lessons from Bobby & Henry , then it was passed down)

  *Uno (from me!!! "All is fair in love & Uno")

  *Hit the Deck (Meme put it in their stocking)

  *Swap (Bought to play with my aging Grandmother. We we searching for a way to enjoy spending time with her. Most especially time for her to share with my boys before God called her home....She cheated at that game, I tell ya she did. That turkey!)

  *Apples to Apples (Again Meme one Christmas. This game is played almost every time the kids have a party or sleep over)

  *Monopoly (Uncle Jimmy. This is like the longest game known to man kind. They play it every time CJ comes to stay with us...for the week. Or when we used to go to the beach with Jeff's parents...for the week!!

  *Risk (Granny bought this for Christmas in a nice wooden box...she is responsible for all the wooden games on our shelves)

   *Clue (Another Granny Christmas purchase. She even bought them the movie "Clue" which just made the game even more fun)

   *The Memory Game (Grandma T. (as B&R call her) gave me the original one she played with my siblings and I when we were little. Hey come to think of it she had a game closet too. Maybe this is all her fault influence. You know I do realize my kids are too big for this game. However I say it belongs on this list do to its sheer power to get them to sit still FOR A VERY LONG TIME!)

   *Blink (A stocking gift from us. I was awesome...now Billy has passed me up. Someone please go buy this game and study hard. When you at once become awesome, come immediately to my house and give Billy a proper beating! I will provide food)

   *Candy Poker (Papa Jim & Aunt Ceci taught them how to play a few different games actually. The fire caught and now they host gatherings with each guest bringing their sweet of choice, basically everyone ends up with a trail mix of sorts.

    *Chess (Papa Jeff, Dad (Jeff) and Aunt Mary all added to this knowledge. My sister Bethany bought the game)

In light of national friendship day, this post and the next few will honor my girl friends

Regina

1. Regina hosted a girls night out party....and got her ears pierced. She is the first Mom I've known to do that.

2. Regina has an RV in her drive way filled with games, videos and snacks.

3. Regina introduced me to Lewis Creek.

4. Regina & her girls are our board game buddies.

5. Regina was the first person I informed when I moved up to Coarsegold.

6. Regina is the toughest softy I've ever met.

7. Regina is true to her beliefs, what richness in her spirit.

8. Regina delights in her faithfulness to do her best mothering, consistent in her homeschooling efforts, what zeal she brings to the table!

9. Throughout the years our like mindedness has continued to bring us together in sometimes unexpected ways.

10. Regina remembered our love of fruit popsicles and brought "the right ones" to us, just cuz.

11. Regina took my Ricky aside and helped him with his baseball woes. She painted a smile on a difficult day.

12. Regina, myself & our families enjoy hiking together....we talk, talk, talk the whole time!!

Dorie

1. Dorie & I along with our husbands solve the worlds problems via conversation. The four of us sit and talk for hours and seem to never run out of solutions.

2. Dorie challenges me to eat better, she is a wonderful nutritionist.

3. Dorie & her family shared a cabin with us at Huntington lake. We enjoyed time down at the lake as well as a brisk hike & lovely picnic sitting on boulders amongst a trickling creek.

4. Dorie, and her family introduced us to rock climbing.

5. Dorie is secretly silly, as is Jet. I like her spunky side. Her smile is infectious.

6. Dorie is an awesome hostess. We always enjoy time at her house.

7. Dorie 1st words when she walked into this new house were "Oh Charity, this is you". She just understands what I had to speak to others.

8. Dorie is lovely. She has been kind and honest-a refreshing spirit.

9. Dorie (& Jet) have an amazing slide show of their trip to the Mount Everest area. Dorie cracked me up, as she relayed her story. I'll never forget, she said she was disappointed at finally viewing Everest after all the hype. She had the feeling of "That's it?"

10. Dorie, our children & I had an Egyptian feast in celebration of the school years study in ancient civilizations.

11. Dorie is style. Dorie is grace. I want to be Dorie when I grow up.

12. Dorie is easy to talk to. Dorie is easy going. Streamlined and not fussy. We have had a picnic in Peoples church parking lot and at a local park & the only requirement was shade. I appreciate her accommodating nature. Dorie is a jewel.

Jenny Dawn

1. When I go to Jenny's house, I take my shoes off. I know I will be there for a while. She makes me that comfortable. I can be me.

2. Jenny & I drove to Aptos (& went by Mount Madonna hee-hee) to get Eddy-Bo. This is the dog she pushed for Ricky to get. Jenny's dog Mandy is our Leroy's Mama.

3. Jenny or I used to call each other-we'd talk virtually everyday. We'd share our dreams to come & the life we were currently living.

4. Jenny & I shouted obscene things into the night outside of our apartments. Our units were side by side. CJ & Billy had a system of morse code that they played each night as their beds touched the same wall. In this same complex we had a neighborhood party complete with ferrets (due to a Fresno Heat Black out)

5. Jenny..& her family served me a "special plate". If you receive your meal on this plate everyone present has to pay you a complement..I cried.

6. Jenny is Genuine. She is honest. She doesn't pretend to be something she's not. Jenny is tough, but she is fragile.

7. Jenny sneaks her special desserts past the kids & husbands to share with me every holiday.

8. Jenny & I decorated her house until we were delirious. We hung a picture upside down & eventually we couldn't even see the nails on the wall to hang other pictures. We fell to the floor laughing trying not to pee our pants.

9. Jenny made my boys custom quilts, throw pillows & pillow cases with her own two hands.

10. Jenny reminds me of the simple joys in life. To be still. To read my Bible. To rest.

11. Jenny & I have looked in tidepools, fed squirrels, watched elephant seals, gone to rivers and beaches. We have walked to neighborhood ponds. We share a love for Gods marvelous creation.

12. Jenny's family started calling me Charity Annie & now many many people do that too. Jenny's family also taught us how to properly sing the birthday song as well as to release our fear of flatulence.

My Jacki

(First off my step mom's name is Jackie, that's my Dads Jackie. That is why I call this lady My Jacki.)
1. Jacki & I sang "Froggie went a courtin'" and many other nursery rhymes. We got our groove on during a road trip in a car full of teenyboppers.(and at a gas station music blasting, windows rolled down)

2. Jacki & I love Lays BBQ chips, Pepsi & Snickers bars. They make us happy.

3. Jacki & I like long talks over Hot Tea or Coffee

4. I got to be one of the first people to meet Jacki's first Grand baby, little Miss Miley Elizabeth.

5. Jacki & I..& our kids dressed up in the goofiest outfits we could find in the goodwill and took pictures. We had our own little "fashion" show right then and there.

6. I got to celebrate Jacki's 1 year anniversary of her store with her. I helped her in the Dog gone Cute Costume Contest. "Puppy Love" who lives across the street from my in laws won 1st place.

7. Jacki has trusted me with her thoughts. She has cried. She has laughed. She has let me in her heart.

8. Jacki taught my boys about Top Roman Noodles, Kool Aid, Coffee Creamer in Milk and many other FUN things to consume.

9. Jacki taught my boys to make Tortillas as we celebrated Cinco de Mayo together. Jacki & I held an art co-op together.

10. Jacki & I shot boogers at each other, got in trouble for climbing on art structures, traveled hours and hours to get a pumpkin...cuz the ones at the market weren't good enough & scraped the top of her truck in a parking garage in Sacramento. We like field trips.

11. Jacki makes a side dish of her Broccoli Salad without bacon for me because she knows I don't like to eat pork.

12. Jacki & I watched as our kids made Lemonade for a stand by the road.

Delightful!

These are our borrowed jewels.

Lizzy & Fiddy-Foo

Elizabeth is the studious, artistic, quiet thing....

Trisitea is lightening in a bottle.

Glorious Boredom

Our days have been spent in a cycle of staying up much to late and in turn sleeping in far to long.

We have been busy: laying around reading and movie watching!

Some of us like to mix things up a bit, taking boredom to an art form.

Last night I laid out on the trampoline for a long time, just starring up at the star filled sky.

Yeah, its a hard life.

Okay, so maybe that was bit of an exaggeration. We are writing newspaper articles, keeping up with our blogs, cleaning, caring for pets, organizing closets & drawers, planning for the next school year etc...etc...However we really are getting some much needed boring down time.

Broomball

Have you ever experienced this or ever even heard of it? Basically you are playing hockey with broom looking thingys on ice wearing tennis shoes. B&R played earlier this month with CHEFA, This activity started at 10:00 p.m. & we got home around 1:ish. I don't know why, but this is the time the Ice skating rink has always chosen. Billy's friends chose to be the green team. Ricky relented to the girls on his team & so he was on the pink team. Being the ham that he is, he embraced it. He tied the pink piece of fabric around his head like a babies head band & swung his hips around while out on the rink. His team didn't win, but he didn't care anyway. Actually I don't really know whose team won to tell you the truth.

Chaffee Zoo

B&R attended the Chaffee Zoo Young Naturalist Winter Camp over Christmas break. This gave them a chance to get more intimate knowledge about exotic animals. It was an opportunity to gain hands on Zoo Keeper skills. The camp also gave them an inside view to the happenings at our local Zoo. They enjoyed the behind-the-scene tour aspect as well. I am still hearing stories about the "characters"they met. They went on a guided tour of the Zoo, which gave them lots of information on specific critters such as names & personalities etc....They both had a lot of fun, even though there was mucking involved.

Here are two fun facts for you.

Ricky thought it was funny that one of the Elephants doesn't like people with curly hair. She won't let them come near her. Apparently one lady endeavored to conquer this . She ended up wearing a hat (hiding her hair) & the elephant excepted the situation.

For some crazy reason Billy called his belly button a Motmot when he was a baby. No, we could never figure out why. B&R discovered an exotic bird at the zoo called..yep, you guessed it, a Motmot, who knew? Billy managed to get a picture with his cell phone.

Adventuring with Huey & Dewey........

This was a fun filled weekend.

 
Friday Jeff & I went on a date etc. Billy & Ricky (Huey & Dewey) went to a Contra Dance lesson, dinner with their friends & a Bible Face off, Operation Christmas Child, game playing, dessert eating night.
Saturday We finally made it over to the Underground Gardens. Very impressive! This was of course sandwiched between soccer, music practice & a fencing project.
 
Sunday We hiked The Way of the Mono Trail after church (Bass Lake) with the Orazem family. We had a lovely picnic lunch at the summit with an wonderful view of the lake & some nice fall colors. We moved our party down to the lake, then over to the patio outside of the Starbucks/Jamba Juice area, and finally to their house for a pizza dinner & video games. A simple 1 hour-ish hike turned into a whole day together.

Photo Scavenger Hunt

The Boys both participated in a Photo Scavenger Hunt throughout the shops at River Park. Again, they were not placed on the same team-no biggy. They were given a list of places to go. On that list were also assignments to be completed at each spot. Such as "go to Target & find a shield, take a picture using it" or find the big horse & play horsey" This horse is obviously in front of P.F. Chang's. These photos were open to interpretation & you got points for the most creative choices.
After the Scavenger Hunt the crew went to the new Me & Eds across from Edwards. They had an awesome time in the giant new arcade. Billy's team won. The prize was pizza gift cards. Being teenage boys, they bought more pizza right then & there. FOOOOD!!!!!!

The Big Fresno Fair

We went to Educational Day at the fair, which got us in free! I'm so glad I no longer have kidlets. I always felt the need to go over the history of the fair, its importance yada-yada-yada.....I mean they let us in for free. The boys have the story down, so I'm done.
We watched the pigs races, looked at giant produce, rocks, art, watched break dancers & ate our favorite Fair Foods.
Since today was also Christian Day we stayed after all the schools went home. Then it was off to the Midway. Billy & Ricky had earned enough money from their Grandparents to buy wrist bands for the whole day. So off they went to this ride & that ride over & over again!
We ended our day at the Newsboys Concert, one of Billy & Ricky's favorite bands. They were Awesome!!
We all had a great time. The boys had enough money left over to buy a Newsboys Souvenir.

Fun times with Garage Band

Billy & Ricky were part of a group who took a class at the Apple store in Fashion Fair. They were taught how to use the program Garage Band. They received a certificate of participation, a tee shirt & a CD of the music they created. The best part is that it was all free. Go Apple! I'm sure you can guess that this program is going to be used quit a bit in this household now!

Busy days

The boys have been more busy than me. I have been cherishing some longed for time alone. I just wish I could have the time & not be sick. I certainly would be able to enjoy it more!!

Billy sorted & bagged beans while Ricky loaded & carried boxes of food items to crates at the Fresno Food Bank. They were both on a team of teens helping to design a teeshirt for the Fresno Rescue Missions new Teen Volunteer Program.

Both Boys have been taking Contra Dance lesson in preparation for the Civil War Ball this spring. Billy has been taking a series of classes at the Fresno School of Missions (an African praise & worship drumming class dealing with the book of Psalms)

Ricky has been playing Flag Football & Soccer at CHEFA's Sports Saturdays.

Although I like my peaceful lonesome time. It is great that we have kids that still want to be with us. Jeff & I both know we don't get to have them for too many more years. So we like to do something special just the four of us from time to time. Recently we went to the Corn Field Maze & out to dinner at Applebees afterward. We laughed a lot & had a really great time.

Believe it or not we actually canceled a lot of events this month due to sickness. We have never been this sick as a family. We are FINALLY feeling sooo much better! Heres to better health in November.

Today I had the Boys get out their travel book/memory book, oh whatever you want to call it! We haven't spent much time on these books lately. We were able to update them, well the written part anyway. I need to print a bunch of photos for each boy & then we will be caught up. hmmm, well until the next event away!

A-Z+J+C+B+R

Okay so we decided to try this activity. Each of us wrote what we first thought of, for each letter of the alphabet. Its supposed to represent who you are. We tested our friends to see if they could figure it out. Here are our results. How well do you know us?

A-Adventurous
B-Bungee Jumping
C-Chin Ups
D-David
E-Eddy
F-Father
G-God
H-"Hi!"
I-Ikkyowaza
J-Jeremiah was a Bullfrog....
K-Kite Surfing
L-Loco (as in the crazy chicken)
M-Martial Arts
N-Never Give Up
O-"Oh My Gosh, Becky"
P-Push Ups
Q-Quack
R-Rhode Island
S-Sweet Tea
T-Tap Out
U-"Ussins"
V-Vincent
W-Warriors
X-X-Men
Y-Yellow
Z-Zorro

A-All In
B-Billy
C-Charity Anne
D-Down by the Bay....
E-Eric
F-Fun Times
G-Gone on a Trip
H-Hallelujah
I-Ikkyowaza
J-Jesus (With hands Raised)
K-King of Kings
L-Lassen Volcano Park
M-Martial Arts
N-Nikkyowaza
O-Ocean Breeze
P-Penobscot Bay
Q-Queen of my Heart
R-Robertitos
S-Sancification
T-Training
U-Unity
V-Vincent'e
W-Window Licker
X-X Throw
Y-Yahweh
Z-Zion

A-Ambidextrous
B-Blazing Skies
C-Colorful Scenery
D-Davith
E-Everyday Wonders
F-Flap Jacks
G-Georgia Sweet Tea
H-Have at Thee!
I-Incredible
J-Just Hangin'
K-Kenya
L-Lupine
M-Mama
N-New England
O-Oceanic Currents
P-Platypus
Q-Quagmire (Old English Swamp)
R-Rio Grande
S-Serengeti
T-Tapioca
U-Utopia
V-Vanguard
W-Westfold
X-X Marks the Spot
Y-Yeller
Z-Zephyr Cove

A-Adventuring
B-Billy
C-Casa de Fruita Coffee & Chocolate
D-Dancing in the Rain
E-Enchanting
F-Family
G-Genuine
H-Hey, That's my Chicken .......
I-International Pajama Day- Go Ceci!
J-Jeffrey
K-Kittens
L-Laughter
M-Mexican Food
N-Next Stop?
O-Oh Give Me a Home Where the Buffalo Roam.......
P-Periwinkle & Belly Button
Q-Quaint
R-Ricky
S-Snowflakes aggghh Serenity
T-Traveling with Teens
U-Up Up Under the Umbrella its Starting to Rain...........
V-Variety
W-Wandering in the Woods
X-Xavier Aldo Rufus
Y-Yellow Flowers
Z-Zoom (the cereal not the show)

Girls in White Dresses........

.....with Blue Satin Sashes. Snow Flakes that stay on my Nose & Eyelashes. Silver White Winters that Melt in Spring. These are a few of my Favorite things.

I Just Love The Sound of Music! I Used to Watch it with My Mom & Sisters Every Year. Now I Make My Family Watch it Too!

These are a Few of my Favorite Things!

~Babies Fresh From a Bath in Terry Cloth PJ's
~Baby Animals (Even the Baby Rhino we saw at the San Diego Wild Animal Park was Cute!)
~Ice Cold Sweet Tea
~A Clean House
~Walking Barefoot on Lush Green Grass
~Beautiful Sunrises & Sunsets (My favorite time of day is dusk. These Hills look Golden, not Burnt!)
~Fresh Snow on Tree Branches & Wooden Fences
~The Sound of Laughter (A Babies Giggle, Smiles on my Whole Family)
~Big Fluffy Clouds
~Watching Water Glisten on a Lake or on the Sea.
~Mexican Food
~The Freedoms Being American Offers Me (Homeschooling, Attending the Church I choose & Eating whenever I want to)

Try to be Thankful Today! Shower your loved ones with Affection. Let down your Guard. Find Joy!