Fun in the Sun

March 2010 Scrapbook Page

Easter Gingerbread House

Lunch is so wonderful here, and the people who work here are so friendly, and of course it's so darn cute here, and it's so close to home--how can we resist:) Today's funny, one of the chickens was walking around the parking lot; the girls thought it was adorable until it walked up to them, at which point, both of my girls screamed, "MAMA!!!!!!!" ahhhhh, girls will be girls!

I LOVE Color!

I stole these (with permission) from my girlfriend L who was recently on vacation in Vegas. Why? Because I LOVE and miss color--and I thought her photos were beautiful--and these are my most favorite colors in the whole-wide world!!

A Field Trip and My Trip Down Memory Lane

We had a fun day today. We went to Kenosha where I grew up to visit the Dinosaur Museum--it's free--it's small, it's perfect. The life-size exhibits were fun, but honestly didn't grab the girls' attention all that much. They did however really enjoy the interactive area in the basement--there were some arts and crafts, books, and the most fun--the large hanging magnetic puzzles--they were really neat. I'd love to put something like that up for us--where we paint the background--so it becomes art and fun!!! After, we drove over to the music store of Kenosha where I grew up to see what was going on. Emil, the owner of the shop since I first started playing 30 years ago, recently sold the shop. So I spoke with the new owner (a trumpet player I've known from playing in Kenosha community bands)--I've always been very close to Emil, so I was sad to find out he's not doing very well.

Following, per Kevin's recommendation, we had lunch at a place downtown called Keiser's---no, it's not authentic Kenosha Italian (which they are very well known for)--but they had a decent pizza there. Per some recommendations of FB friends we then headed over to a new-to-me icecream shop called Scoops---it was so darn cute in there! They also had candy and some cute easter baskets, etc. I snuck a purchase of a couple of wicker purses which the girls will receive from the Bunny this year--and received a free large bag of mini jelly beans too---bonus. So, what could be the one thing that makes an ice-cream/candy shop that much better???? When it's attached to a classic toy store!! I loved it in there---and the girls sat and played with a Thomas train display for about an hour while I chatted with the store associate.

I then drove past some memorable locations--such as the band shell, which was built my second year with the Kenosha Pops. It's set right on Lake Michigan and is beautiful! I spent 15 years with the band and have a lot of terrific memories! The band also provides a lot of wonderful free summer-time entertainment for the community of Kenosha (they easily draw 300 or more people a concert!).

It was nice being in my old neck of the woods. We all had a lot of fun. We had a great day!!

First Time......

Without training wheels!!!!!! Age 4.5!!!!

How Sad is This...

This is Aleena, sipping her lemonade.

This is Sara, enjoying a bite of grilled cheese.

This is mama, misbehaving, as always!

So we wound up having breakfast/lunch (some would call it brunch, it was basically lunch because I never got around to making breakfast:) at the Atlanta Bread Store. My choice turned out to be not so wise--we happened to arrive at the height of the lunch rush--not a big deal, but it becomes one with impatient people and small children. The menu is way up front where you order, so there isn't a lot of time to decide; and even though I gave the girls two choices (pb & J or grilled cheese)--it still took time with two of them. And then I wound up with a very drab grilled cheese, only because of the pressure of the line behind me, and the impatient elderly woman immediately behind me (had I had a chance to really look, I would have seen the new Vegetarian Mediterranian sandwich melt, which I would have appreciated a lot more--I'm not a grilled cheese fan). So we finished our orders, I tried to gather my girls and my stuff and the elderly woman was literally pushing into me to get her order in----seriously, we didn't take THAT long! Ok--next I had to find a table and get our beverages filled---I tried to get the girls seated (next to the beverage dispenser---and let the impatient elderly couple through first --but the girls didn't want to sit by themselves in the crowded restaurant---then those goofy child proof cups with the lids and the large hard plastic straws were impossible --ughhh). So we finally sat down to enjoy lunch, including the girls' girls----the girls are slower, so I got to enjoy some people-watching and reading:) Since they have Wi Fi there, I noticed a business man sitting at a tall table--by himself---talking at his computer---I was cracking up!! This went on for the longest time, and it just looked hilarious---he was obviously in a meeting or something with his web-cam, but I've just never seen someone doing that in public, by himself:)

Anyway, why was this sad? Because as of late the only blogging material I can come up with is going out to eat? We are SO ready for a change--we are not indoor people; I've lived in WI too long and need a change of scenery--and I'm a MUCH better mom to my kids when we spend a great deal of time outdoors:D


We then headed over to the library----Sara and Aleena were quite well-behaved. Angel and Fairy were much more interested in the box of puppets than in the books--but we did get some reading in. Angel picked out a Dick and Jane book--so exciting, haven't seen that since I was about her age!! Fairy, on the other hand, chose a Berenstein Bears book---I cannot tell you how BORED I am with that series--those books literally irritate me (same with Clifford; neither J nor I can STAND Emily Elizabeth!) I don't like children's series--I much prefer the variety of books NOT associated with a series.


...that the only material I can find for blogging as of late is eating out at restaurants? We REALLY need a change :D Well, we're planning a special field trip tomorrow, hopefully I'll have a more interesting post for you.

Da Domestic Diva

Guess What? Monday's dinner and dessert---DONE---ON SUNDAY!!

Random Cute

When You Need Color in Your Life....

I was very pleasantly surprised at the Kiddie menu selection they have at Quiznos--it was pretty decent as far as "fast food" goes--Quiznos is a decent option, especially for vegetarians. They also received these nice coloring packs---Quiznos is A-ok in my book!

So my Angel Girl asked me if these chips were made in Texas. I said, I don't know, I'd have to read the package and see; so I did, and sure enough they were. This really surprised me, so I asked how she knew that, and her response was Sandy on Sponge Bob lives in Texas and she has that same ribbon design that shows on the bag (I apologize I'm not familiar with it--esp. since I have family in The Lone Star--my bad)---I'm just grateful my girls have Sponge Bob to fill in the educational gaps :O

EAT AT QUIZNO'S!!