July is half way through. July 16, 2008

We can’t believe how fast the summer is flying by.  It’s already the middle of July.   The kids are loving their summer camps.  Actually, Kiley and Ethan are loving their summer camps.  Harrison on the other hand could probably take it or leave it when it comes to his camps.

We have had a busy couple of weeks as always, our friends from Sacramento came and visited us for a couple of weekends in July.  We were a bunch of tourists and hung out in Monterey most of the time.  

There is a new hotel there called “The Clement” which is part of the intercontinental hotels chain.  It is really nice and a great addition to Monterey.  You actually feel like walking around there now instead of feeling like you might be mugged.

 

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a block away so it is really great for families with kids.  In two days, we went to the aquarium three times our friends went another 2 times without us…good thing we bought the season pass.  If you have never been to the Monterey Bay Aquarium it is a definite must see…the kids absolutely love it!

     

The fires are still going on here in Carmel Valley and Big Sur.  The air is pretty bad with ash and smoke.  We’re just dealing with it as best we can, keeping windows shut and staying indoors as much as possible.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer.  Come and visit us!

Our Little Picasso May 16, 2008

Tonight we attended the 15th Annual Carmel Youth Art Show where our “E” won first place in the “painting” category.  We are very proud of  him.  Here is his masterpiece.

 

 

Happy Mother’s Day! May 12, 2008

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mommy’s out there. I hope you had a wonderful day with your families.

We had a great mother’s day.  My MIL and FIL  are here in Carmel Valley visiting for the weekend and we went to one of fave restaurants here called Tarpy’s.  The kids were great at brunch and all day pretty much.  go figure.

We lazed around downtown Carmel and then had dinner at another great restaurant in Monterey called The Whaling Station.  We are now home and exhausted!

What did you do for Mommy’s Day?

“I Was A Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids” May 5, 2008

That’t the title of the book I just read.  It was fun to read and very true.  It’s about the misconceptions we moms have about how it is to be a “perfect” mom.  I know I struggle with this everyday with our three children.  I don’t volunteer on my kids PTA, I don’t schedule a gazillion playdates, I don’t even take the kids to every single birthday party, nor do I bake or cook gourmet meals every night.  Now before I had kids, these are all the things that I said I would be doing because I was going to be the BEST mother.  If I held myself to that I would be voted the WORST mother ever.  I do realize I can’t do it all and I struggle with going to work or not working but at the end of the day I am a better mom working.  I couldn’t do this without Hubby T’s support and help.    The kids are so lucky they have T around all the time, I mean I know most kids their dads work all day and come home for dinner but T is there after school. 

This weekend was just another one of our busy weekends.  We went to a pool party at a friends home in Carmel Valley and had a fun time. Tonight we went to a silent auction/fundraiser for our boys preschool. It’s amazing how much money is going to be raised at this little fundraiser, almost $40,000.  Our preschool is just wonderful, the teachers and the administrator have really done a terrific job and we really appreciate them.  Our boys are so confident and happy there.

 

 

Just a quick update May 3, 2008

It’s been a while so I thought I should give a quick little update on what’s been happening here with us…when we moved here last year, I took a Full-Time job working as a Store Manager for a luxury retailer.  This is the first full-time job I have had in several years and with it came alot of change for all of us.  Hubby T is still running his business from a home office but he gets to leave the house to go into a detached office (a.k.a old garage/laundry room).  Our neighbors have dubbed him the “home father”.  All three kids are in school, K is in the third grade, E is in Practice Kindergarten (that’s what we call it because he’ll be going to Kindergarten again next year), and Baby H who is not a baby anymore is in preschool (3.5 years old).   The boys really love their school, it’s a really quaint little school in Carmel Valley that really is more like grandmas house but it’s an actual school.  They love it there, we love it and believe it or not the teachers seem to love it too!!!

K is still adjusting to her school and has made some friends, I’m thinking that 3rd grade is the start of the drama years.  She is quite the little woman these days.  We have noticed that there is a big difference from age 7 to age 8.  Most days she is our sweet little angel and some days she is just a little sass…

Thank goodness for Hubby T, he really does more than his share of the “family” work.  He’s home when the kids get home from school and does the pick ups after school.  That has really made going back to work easier.  I do miss being home with them but at the end of the day I think that I am a happier mom working and mommying.  I’d say the biggest challenge for us these days are “what’s for dinner?”

We have lived here in Carmel Valley for almost a year and we like it.  It’s very beautiful and near the Ocean which we love.  We live in the valley where it’s a little more rustic than Carmel, it’s a little strange as T and I see ourselves as more city folk.  We’re still adjusting.

So that’s all for now….

 

 

We’re Back….again! May 3, 2008

 

 

Welcome to the new family blog.  I know I tried this once before and failed at it but I realize now it is important to keep it going.  Why?  Well I’ve realized that we are all very busy with our own lives and that sometimes keeping in touch isn’t that easy and that the lack of communication is not lack of interest in each other.  Now, I know the life of this family isn’t that exciting but I thought it would be a great way to keep in touch with friends and family.  For me anyway sometimes it’s easier to get on the web than pick up the phone especially after a long day.  So I hope you check in with us from time to time and let us know what is happening with you!