Week 12

Welcome back!  We're on spring break here and enjoying our time off.  No real plans, just trying to slow things down a bit and catch up on stuff at home.  It's actually nice having the week before Easter off to prepare, and we also have Justin's birthday which falls on Easter so I need time to put stuff together for that too--double whammy!  Hopefully we'll squeeze some good family fun in there as well.

Here's how last week went:

Day 77- Monday, 3/18/13
Today at work we made a huge batch of antigen slides.  This is tray 1 of 6.  It always reminds me of baking when I have to move these large trays around, but the end result isn't nearly as sweet.  At least we are able to sell the slides which helps bring money into the lab and helps keep my job funded.

Day 78- Tuesday, 3/19/13

Brandon thought it would be funny to spread wood chips all over the back walk, but I was less than thrilled so I handed him a broom to clean up his mess as a consequence.  Unfortunately, it wasn't much of a punishment.  He fussed at first but then ended up having more fun with the broom than he did without.  Boys!

Day 79- Wednesday, 3/20/13

Wednesday nights are brutal.  Why does everything have to happen on Wednesday?  Can't we share the love with the rest of the week?!  It was another day where I had to be in 3 places at once, and my tag-team partner was in Reno for March madness so something had to give.  Dinner was a quick grab and go.  At least the kids were happy with Subway.  Tyler's foot-long is in the fridge waiting for his return from an away swim meet.  I didn't see him until almost 9 pm tonight after one of my late meetings--Crazy!

Day 80- Thursday, 3/21/13

The mustard is in bloom.  I love seeing the huge yellow fields this time of year.  Brandon helped me walk Bella, and we couldn't resist taking a picture or two in all this spring glory.

Day 81- Friday, 3/22/13

This is one of Rusty's new favorite spots to bask in the sun.  We get great afternoon sun shining through the sliding-glass door, and when I can't find him after work, I know this is the first place I should look.

Day 82- Saturday, 3/23/13

I'm prepping for dinner and poor Justin is working on homework his first day into spring break.  He has a lot to do over the next week but is resourceful and made a plan to spread it out and pace himself.  He's a trooper and although he'd rather look out the window right now, I know he'll eventually get it all done and still hopefully have time to enjoy his break.  His biggest motivation is his birthday coming up at the end of it all.  He knows he'd rather have more free time then than now to play with all his new gifts.

Day 83- Sunday, 3/24/13

John and Tyler spent the afternoon fixing the fan in Tyler's room.  The switch went out, and Tyler has been without light for the past week.  Three trips to Lowe's and three hours later all is good.  Tyler learned a thing or two about how what seems like a simple home fix can quickly turn into a major ordeal--good life skills!

That's it for now.  Thanks for stopping by.  Have a happy Easter and see you next Tuesday.  We're expecting rain, but I'm hoping for sunshine.

 

Week 11

Another week come and gone.  This is the last week before spring break.  The kids and I are looking forward to the time off.  I just wish they didn't have projects to work on over break.  It's nice to have the extra time, but also a pain to have it hanging over your head especially when you want to have other plans.  There will be a planet report with poster, science fair project with poster, and an ancient history biography that involves not only a paper but also a costume and backdrop.  Did I say spring BREAK?  Ack!  At least my older one has his finals right before break so no projects for him--just high school swim practice very early every morning.  *sigh*  Guess I'll worry about all that next week.

For now, here is how last week went:

Day 70- Monday, 3/11/13

Awww . . . sunshine and fresh blossoms.  It truly is spring here.  We spent a lot of time outside all week soaking it in.

Day 71- Tuesday, 3/12/13

Brandon and I are going to start working on putting his baby book together.  It sucks to be the last child, but better late than never.  He's actually excited to help, and if I had done it when he was younger we wouldn't have been able to do it together.  Hopefully we'll make good progress over spring break.

Day 72- Wednesday, 3/13/13

In honor of Survivor night John made a rice dish for dinner.  LOL!  Yummy orange chicken.

Day 73- Thursday, 3/14/13

Another great day outside.  Brandon is wonderful about getting his homework done and then taking the dog out to play.  She's resting in the cool grass after a nice game of frisbee.

Day 74- Friday, 3/15/13

This is how Justin unwinds after a long week.  School is very draining on him so he looks forward to Friday nights when he has no homework or worries and can just draw and create.

Day 75- Saturday, 3/16/13

John and Tyler having fun rock climbing at the Rocknasium gym in Davis.

Day 76- Sunday, 3/17/13

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  I took the boys out after lunch for one last Shamrock shake.  The McFlurry is for John who hates mint.  We were kind enough to bring him his own special treat.

Wait!  One more . . .

March's Family Photo

We had such good family fun at the Rocknasium that it seemed like the perfect place for our monthly family photo.




That does it for this week.  Thanks for stopping by and hopefully I'll see you all next Tuesday.

 

Week 10

Welcome and happy Tuesday :0)  What a great spring-like weekend!  Sunday was so nice especially after a rainy week.  Too bad we had one less hour to enjoy it.  Hopefully there will be more to come. Is it spring break?  I'm so ready.

Here's a look at last week:

Day 63- Monday, 3/4/13

These are the last of the winter berries in our backyard.  This bush will bloom out with tiny yellow flowers in a week or two so I figured I'd better snap a shot before the beautiful red is gone.

Day 64- Tuesday, 3/5/13

Brandon was feeling sick after school and laid down for a bit on the floor.  Once he felt better he decided to do some homework and Rusty supervised.

Day 65- Wednesday, 3/6/13

Today was a minimum day so Justin had extra time to squeeze in some reading just for fun.  It's not often he does that, but Brandon got a new book order, and Justin took a liking to one of the books.  It's a character book which is right up his alley.  He loves reading about new characters.

Day 66- Thursday, 3/7/13

I'm waiting to pick Justin up from a field trip.  His 6th grade class went to see a live performance of Beauty and the Beast in Sacramento and didn't get back until after 5 pm.  Once I collected him and immediately dropped him at home, I ran off to snack bar duty for the booster's club. On my way there I passed Tyler getting ride home from swim with one of his friends.  Crazy day!

Day 67- Friday, 3/8/13

LOL!  I found the cat like this, and I'm not sure if he's decided he likes it or not.  The culprit is Brandon.  He's obsessed with wrapping Rusty up in blankets. 

Day 68- Saturday, 3/9/13

He's had a nice long break over winter, but now that spring is almost here Tyler has to resume his lawn mowing and pool sweeping duties.  At least it's a really great day for it.

Day 69- Sunday, 3/10/13

It's another beautiful day and more yard work to do.  I'm finally getting around to finishing my winter pruning.  This electric trimmer sure helps a girl out.  It felt so nice to be out in the sun today with no wind.  I don't really mind yard work when the conditions are right.

That's it!  I'm looking forward to a warm weather week.  We might even see temps in the 80's tomorrow!  Thanks for stopping by.  I'm linking up at the following locations for inspiration.  Check them out.

 

Week 9

Welcome back to another Tuesday.  Last week wasn't so bad whit John being in Boston.  I survived as a single parent reminding myself to just take one day at a time and do the best I can.  It went much better than last time, but I'm happy to have him back. We're all looking forward to a more normal week.  My boys were troopers last week really stepping up to do their part and help out or be independent when needed.  It's nice they are at an age where I can count on them to do that. The weather last week helped too as it was very spring like--nice and sunny which kept everyone in a good mood.  I wish it would last but we're expecting rain tomorrow.

At any rate, here is how last week went down:

Day 56- Monday, 2/25/13

The school is collecting "Pennies for Patients" so Brandon raided our penny stash to fill his box.  He'll also be taking other coins to "silver bomb" rival classrooms as they compete for a pizza party.  

Day 57- Tuesday, 2/26/13

Rusty prefers the dog's water bowl to his own and really seems to enjoy joining her at the watering hole.  At least Bella does not mind.  We'll have to get them a bigger bowl to share.

Day 58- Wednesday, 2/27/13

Guess what time it is?  We got our Girl Scout cookies last night so Justin enjoyed a couple after school today.  Thin Mints are his favorite.  Personally I like them all ;0)

Day 59- Thursday, 2/28/13

The weather has been absolutely wonderful this week and now all the trees are in bloom.  I want to get a picture of our tree out front in each season this year and today was the perfect day for a spring shot.  The pink blossoms are so pretty and can be found all over the neighborhood.

Day 60- Friday, 3/1/13

Happy March!  Brandon and Bella pose for my monthly marker as they rest after playing fetch outside.  Brandon has been a big help entertaining and exercising the dog out back this week while some of her walks have been sidelined in John's absence.  I don't think she minds one bit.  She loves this boy and his company.

Day 61- Saturday, 3/2/13

John is home doing what he does best--grilling meat.  He's prepping steaks for dinner while both pets beg underfoot.  Must smell good!  Rusty is easy to see, but Bella also has her nose in there.  LOL!

Day 62- Sunday, 3/3/13

Tyler spent the weekend at Brennen's house playing D&D with his friends.  I snapped a picture while picking him up since it has been a big part of his life for the past few years.  They do this often and really seem to enjoy it.  Just after collecting him I took all 3 of my boys to Supercuts for a trim.  It's the first time I've taken them somewhere for a cut!  I have always cut their hair, but I need to let some things go especially on my weekends when free time is so precious.  I must say it was nice to have all three done in about 20 min when it would have taken me at least 1 1/2 hrs plus clean up.  Well worth the money!

That does it for now.  Thanks for stopping by and see you next week.