~*Moved*~

All links are at tope of blogs run... but...

 

http://sacramentoboyz.blogspot.com

 

We've had many amazing changes over the summer... after swim lessons both boys can now swim, Tyler is officially riding without training wheels, and many other moments not worth missing. I appreciate every milestone, the daily "I love you" before any of us leave the house (just in case), and all the future has to hold.

Police Hand Radio

It is a rare occasion that my amazing husband actually gets to have lunch out. Normally we make his lunch, give him a water (half frozen), and lots of love and kisses. He understands when I have an appointment, or situations like today. I literally had to wait for the side door to be fixed. Mostly, I enjoy the fact our children get to see how much their daddy loves them and the sacrifices he makes. On his breaks he'll keep in touch with them through the game (sending private messages or reminders).

 

Today the man in our life had "all you can eat pizza". Where he found a hand radio, that turns out belongs to the local police? He called the non-emergency line, said the name listed on the bottom, and waited for them to pick it up. I wish I could hold his same sentiment and adoration for our local law enforcement. He called me to only say (because it was left on) how interesting it was to hear the chatter over the line. He went into detail about how they messed up cross streets to a local business for a hit and run. He was mildly excited to hear the conversations and to actually hear insight to current things going on. He has the memory of an elephant!!!

 

I told him there are probably apps for him to actually listen in much like a CB radio... he has no interest, and made that clear. But, it was interesting in the moment to have knowledge others have yet to hear about. We had a small conversation about how those that actually track police lines and learn the codes... but obviously not a hobby either of us will be taking up in the future.

 

Bottom line is that he did yet another "act of kindness" (which I love about him)... he does what is right even when no one is watching!!! ~*Grateful*~

~*Mmmm*~... Processed Dinner

 

~*Cute*~...hot dogs with spaghetti drawn through the middle. Kosher of course but I'm sure the butter to prevent the noodles from sticking wasn't the healthiest of ideas. I was lucky enough to find this on a site that has many other adorable things (I plan to do with our children as well).

 

The second thing added to the boys plate was more so adults can eat. It has the processed meat, celery, kidney beans, bell peppers, with fresh minced garlic and Cheyenne pepper over plain rice.

 

I wish I could say that I am frustrated by the fact that our boys have completely different tastes in food. The reality is, it is kind of nice to find ways to make them all happy! We still have nights when we are pressed for time and I have to make deals (such as eating a certain portion or at least the meat). No matter what is made one is always unhappy or dislikes it. Our Anthony loves spicy foods and spaghetti. Our Tyler loves his mushrooms, cream sauces, and cheese. Or how one child loves eggs and fish and the other would rather starve than eat them. The biggest thing I face is creating balance for both so they don't loose key nutrients (and why we add vitamins with dinner, multi, Omega, and Calcium).

Tonight isn't much different than most other nights... I only posted this because I have been so busy I've not had the time to sit down and actually share insight. So, before the world sees me as the annoying person to the table beside you, posting Facebook and Twitter pics of food we're about to consume... I just thought the idea with hot dogs and spaghetti strung through was endearing! I hope when my children are grown they take from memories like tonight. They are reminded of times mommy drove all over town (from store to store) to find a specific item they wanted... or how daddy sacrifices for them as well. But mostly that we have been trying to make sure they had a happy childhood (even if they came from quirky parents).

 

FYI: We rarely have much less cook hot dogs, so to find an innovative thing like this or the octopus hot dogs is kind of fun. Some day I plan to let them try bologna. I have found childhood memories of Frito chips (or peanut butter and bologna).

Look in the Mirror

 

We snatched a few ideas and rolled them into one...

 

The mirror with post-it notes came from "Super Nanny", the hearts with their strengths in life came from a parenting book. I added pictures of the boys being brothers so they have a constant reminder of their bond in life!

 

 

 

We each have our own color of post-it notes to add to the mirror the boys look into. I want them to see themselves as they read the positive feed back! We're grateful for our boys!!! And we both make the sacrifices needed so they thrive through this life...

Catch Up

I have two of the most amazing children... sorry I haven't posted as much as I would like but we've been busy "living life" instead of just existing.

 

I guess I should play catch up?

 

Fourth of July was pretty low key... we hit Old Sacramento! We were accompanied by many others. It was kind of nice to watch the fire works reflect off the river, see those in boats gathered in, and even more crowded the docks.

We went to the State Fair, which was a huge let down this year. I can understand why the numbers were down (wasn't crowded and over heard another person state they went on a Friday and so dead they had no lines for rides). Most was based on Michael Jackson, and the rides from his actual collection. I wish I had saved the time and money and stayed home. On a positive note we did learn about "Fridgets"!

Our seven-year-old son has always been creative, not just highly intelligent. He's been making videos with his new tablet (got it this week, Tabeo proved to be junk and break down too much). Basically, he's addicted to Angry birds (yes, still), been watching Youtube videos others made with toys, and than making his own. I guess at some point he found Magisto through the app store and has in such a short time been making his own videos. He's writing scripts for his little brother to act out while he basically films. I guess I should just be thankful he's eating up the memory on his tablet and hasn't uploaded anything through my account (set up on his tablet). We've even watched his videos using the minions from Despicable Me 2 toys (with Psy music, Gangnam style).

The spraygrounds haven't been as appealing as years past. I have had to bribe them with slurpies just to get them outside. This year the boys are more interested in the pool. They prefer to use the water squirters and pool toys (they swim to bottom to retrieve). They would much more prefer creating a bunker in their bedroom to indulge in their tablets. They don't even have as much interest in their videogame systems or television. Considering the introduction to this year's summer vacation it is perfectly understandable.

......................................

I almost forgot... Despicable Me 2 was well worth the trip to the theatre!!! It is one we'll be snagging when it hits DVDs.

Book Sales

There is nothing I love more than driving by a store and seeing an upcoming sale. I love to watch even thrift store signs... "next Friday we'll be offering 25% off all merchandise". IT IS FOR THE BOOKS!!!

I adore seeing the signs on our local library about upcoming sales! Because there is nothing I love more than to stock up on as many books as I can get my hands on to expand the minds of my children. I would be in heaven if I had a continual flow of books for them to read. I love reading out loud to them, articulating my voice for the characters, but more so when their daddy reads to them. My husband and his boys have a personal thing involving the book, "Where the Sidewalk Ends".

Friends of the Library Book Store

440 Elkhorn Blvd., Ste 7, Rio Linda

Friday-Saturday, 1-6pm

http://www.facebook.com/TheFriendsOfTheLibraryStore

I wish the library had added more opportunities over time to have more book sales. I've found over the years they've gone from every other month to every three months. Than you have to compete for books you'd like to read and for pleasure with those scanning to find books they can re-sale. I've this past year started to attend even less book sales just due to the fact it isn't worth being stepped on as they try and get to books faster than you can move out of their way. The last book sale I attended a woman holding a smart phone scanning books above my head literally stepped me on.

On a positive note... we keep our bookshelves stocked! I have found picking books up sporadically at places like Costco helps. And I love how Costco seems to be geared towards education like we are. If I can keep my children ahead of the curve, it is worth spending a few extra dollars.

June Showers?

 

Well, April was a dry month... "April Showers Bring May Flowers" wasn't told to Mother Nature! Here it is now the end of June and we finally have rain. Just enough it can't be seen as a sprinkle but not enough to be a real soaking rain. We're thankful nevertheless.

 

We teach our children to "dance in the rain". I even set up scrapbooking sets to prepare for "April Showers" only to be disappointed. April's rainfall was like going to the zoo to find all the animals are hiding in their enclosures. Let down!

 

I am grateful there is some rainfall now much like nature should be. Now the animals, plants, and lack of moisture might have a soft touch to a harsh summer ahead. I look forward to many trips to the spraygrounds and slurpee after!!!

 

.~*~._.~*~._.~*~.

 

SUMMER IDEAS

 

Google Camp (online)

https://plus.google.com

 

Home Depot Kid Workshop

http://workshops.homedepot.com

 

Sac Kids

http://www.sackids.org

The month of June is a cultural experience with Egypt