Question with a 5yr old.

I saw this on Amanda's blog and had it on my Facebook page. Figured I'd put it here too, for the people who don't Facebook.

Questions to Declan:
1. What is something mommy always says to you? That you love me

2. What makes mommy happy? When I kiss and hug you.

3. What makes mommy sad? When I hit you.

4. How does your mommy make you laugh? By tickling me

5. What was your mommy like as a child? I don't know...

6. How old is your mommy? 35 (I was at the time)

7. How tall is your mommy? 1170

8. What is her favorite thing to do? Scrapbooking

9. What does your mommy do when you're not around? Gets us surprises sometimes.

10. If your mommy becomes famous, what will it be for? For being fun.

11. What is your mommy really good at? Getting fun toys

12. What is your mom not very good at? Racing

13. What does your mommy do for her job? taking care of all her babies

14. What is your mommy's favorite food? lasagna

15. What makes you proud of your mommy? When you hug me.

16. If your mommy were a cartoon character, who would she be? I don't know that one....

17. What do you and your mommy do together? go places

18. How are you and your mommy the same? we both have blue eyes

19. How are you and your mommy different? we don't wear the same shirts

20. How do you know your mommy loves you? because we do fun stuff together

22. Where is your mommy's favorite place to go? to Green Tangerines

23. Where do you play? at school

24. What will you be when you grow up? an atrist

Getting my Nutrition learn on...

I've been taking a class on Traditional Nutrition and Eating Sustainably on a Budget. Let me tell you how much I am *loving* this class! Last night we learned how to plan meals and what staples to stock in the pantry. This Saturday we are meeting at the Local Farmer's Market, and the following class is at Whole Foods. Amanda, a Nutrition Educator has a website: http://www.mydailydiner.com/ where she posts her weekly menu and other great info.

I'm also taking a Parenting Class through the hospital. I just got done with the first 2 week class on "Getting Your School Age Child to Co-Operate" and this week we start a new series on "Setting Limits." I look forward to getting as much out these classes as possible.

The school year is winding down. I can tell the kids are getting ready for summer. Declan asked me if he can wear his jammies all day during the summer. I've got D and T signed up for a few little day camp activities so we don't die of boredom.

We have also been a little more actively looking for a homestead out in the country. With the majority of the houses on the market here being short sales, we're not holding our breath. We've been poking around out in Shingle Springs, and would like to head in that direction.

Well, I'm sure I could upload some recent photos, but I'd have go downstairs to get the cable and I just don't see that happening right now! So, sorry, I realize a post with no photos is boring.

Well?

What do you think of the new pretties on my blog?

Maren's own post.

Let me tell you about this little Maren we have here. Declan and Teagan call her "Missy" or "Miss Miss." She is smart. Scary smart. For Easter, she saw the eggs around the yard, and got the shopping cart to collect them. The other evening, Greg and I were sitting at the kitchen table and she comes by with the foot stool from the bathroom, so she can see into the drawers in the kitchen. T R O U B L E

When I put the 'blockade' up at the loft, if she didn't go over it, she climbed through it...

She just wants to be one of the big kids. I think she spent so much time watching them from the Excersaucer, she couldn't wait to be one of them.

She likes to play dress-up too. I saved the princess/fairy Halloween costumes so Maren can play too. She looks so cute, wearing her princess dress while pushing a truck on the window sill in Teagan's room.

I was putting clothes away in her closet when I heard all this commotion in the hallway. Crashes, grunting, but no cries. A minute later Maren comes walking past with no pants on. I figure they were too big and fell off while she was pushing the walker down the hall (and they were size 12 mos.). It only slowed her down because she probably tripped! A minute later she came out of Teagan's room wearing high heels.

Well, thanks for reading about Missy Maren. I noticed she is missing from many of the pictures I load of the kids. She is usually napping when I take pictures I guess.

This...

Recently unemployed Stallion, looking for a 1 trick pony... *wink, wink*

When I got in the car to take the kids to school this morning, I saw this. I asked Declan why his Pinata was driving my car, with $12 cash in his hoof. He just rolled his eyes and told me, "Dad must have done it, Mom" sheesh. When did Greg and I get so dumb??? =)

The Par-tay...

Do you like the photo I chose to sum up Declan's party? Let me point out the various reasons I picked *this* photo:

~I particularly like that the dog is whizzing on the tree.

~The boys pushing and shoving each other while attempting to get in line to hit the pinata.

~All the while, Declan is oblivious to any of it, getting his own little groove on!

I set up stations to decorate cookies and door knob hangers. The cookies were a hit, I think 1 kiddo made a door hanger.

After the pinata, we went to the back yard. I had put little squirt guns in the pinata, and the kids filled them up with the water from the sand & water table. It was crazy. Greg brought out the big guns and got all the kids wet.

Once that got a little too loud and wild I redirected to opening presents.

In the end, Declan had a blast, I was hoarse from trying to be heard, and the yard and house were a mess! I have a feeling they will remember this birthday though!

Ohhh yeah....

It is officially spring in California. One day it's 96 degrees, the next is a high of 74 and windy. God knows I love the temperature, but save me the allergies. Puleeze. So we had an Easter egg hunt on Easter. It was basically over before Greg, Maren or I was up... I awoke to voices that sounded like they were in the back yard. Got me a little grumpy, to be honest......

Later in the day we went for a bike ride, I broke out the Lincoln Townbike... with the bike seat for Maren. Greg pull Declan and Teagan in a trailer on his bike. We *must* be a sight to be seen. I am beginning to embrace the fact that I have become entertainment for others. Anywhooo.... here is Maren and I on the beach cruiser.

I've created this barrier to keep (or at least slow down) the kids out of my scrap area. I had to move the gate from the loft to the top of the stairs. Although, there are days I think it would be safer to just leave the stairs open, and keep the gate at the loft....

Maren has only been walking for a few weeks, and she already climbs up on stuff, usually with something sticking out of her mouth, so she can impale herself on it if she were to fall.

The school year is winding down. Which reminded me that I had offered to make a scrapbook of the school year for Declan's teacher. Lord, why do I commit to these types of things??? I'm going to have to get busy on that. Other than that, we pass the days playing dress up, and battles with action figures. I found the harmonica that I had put away (for good reason). The kids had a blast with that. I took the new "Spring Kids" picture the day they were all playing with it. Hopefully no one is sick =)

We are having a little birthday party for Declan at our house (may the force be with me) on Sunday. I told D he could invite 5 of his friends, and we are pretty sure 4 of them are coming.

Other than that, I went to see a nutritionist speech last night. It was pretty inspiring. She talked about buying fruits and vegetables at the local Farmer's Market. I think we should live where I can ride the Lincoln Townbike (need to get a straw basket for the front) to the Farmer's market every Saturday morning. You know, along the coast... LOL!