School Events

field trip to the pumpkin patch. the yellow bandannas were to keep track of all the HMCDS kids. and our group was one of the smallest by far. there were bus loads of kids-- like a convention for little people. the girls rode on their first bus. momma realizes buses are prob the safest mode of transport, but the 5pt harness on the bus still helped.

HMCDS nature event with crafts, a trek to the creek to scoop tadpoles, sagvenger hunt and bonfire. we didnt stay late enough to make smores or camp out. the girls did wolf down some roasted hotdogs by the communal fire-- do they always eat like this at school lunches? is it just momma they wont eat for?!

the great depression

is what eric is calling it. suzy orman (per the oprah show) advises at least 8 months of savings, cause that's how long it might take to find another job. the financial powers are forecasting it will take 10yrs for the economy to turn around(!!!)

it's not sexy, but frugality is in.

i listened to a segment on NPR that other day, they interviewed ppl in their 80s who lived thru the 30s depression. they remember how the 20s was an era of parties and excess before the stock market crashed. to them it feels like the same bad cycle. today we've become a throw-away society, always wanting new, bigger and designer-- regardless if we can afford!

what's wrong with an older but functionality deck, or EUC (excellent used condition in ebay lingo) kids clothing and toys; or original but presentable wood floods. yup, that's our house and that's what the kids get. and the peace of mind we get, by not being in the hole.

we do splurge on family trips, parties, extracurricular activities/classes for the girls,,, cause life is about experiences, not things.

but my dear hubs wants to tighten the money belt even further. DIY haircut:



savings $12/mo. the word jagged comes to mind (-:
(the gunk on their chest is vicks vapor rub, since preschool = cesspool of germs)

his next target, netflix. savings $200/yr. thanks goodness, tivo is paid for!

Greetings fm Florida!

we had a GREAT time, highly recommend tampa for younger kids, who aren't ready for disney yet. with busch gardens africa, lawry's interactive zoo, florida aquarium and the hotel pool -- we never made it to the beach! some of the top highlights: riding a camel, feeding a giraffe and have its purple tongue lick your hand and seeing a real-life hippo!

going off season is a huge plus (we are an anti-crowds family). absolutely no lines, it felt like we had the whole park to ourselves. the girls loved the dinosaur carousel, and they were able to ride it over and over again w/out getting off.

we end up not needing to rent a car. next to the hotel, there were restaurants and a cvs w/in walking distance-- for the girls' pedisure run. the shuttle fm best western to busch gardens ran only twice daily. which was fine, since right after lunch, the girls would nap in their (inclined) stroller for about an hour (a full stomach combined with the riding motion= dreamland), then we were off again. who would have thought we could spend 14hrs at busch gardens africa. we only had to cab a ride to the zoo; and the aquarium was on the way to the airport.

after this trip, we cant wait until the girls turn 5--- so we can experience the wonder of disney and all its parks. eric has a co-worker who goes every year, he got hooked as a child-- now i think i know why-- afterall, it is 'the happiest place on earth'. Happy Anniversary baby!

School Time

pics fm the girls' first day of preschool (photo op) and class picture day.

the girls are going 2 days a week, for four hours each. it's a play-based philosophy, so the girls have a lot of fun with their new friends! they've already bought home tons of art work. the school is on a 5 acre farm, so they have pet bunnies, hamsters, chickens, goats and a couple of (older) horses-- for riding in the summer!

we started out w/a transitional week, where i would be with them each day, but then less and less. on the day they were on their own, laurel cried, but was fine w/in minutes (i snuck around back & peeked in the window---she was snug in ms.brownlyn's arms--- who coincidental is shaped like our nanny, maria :-)

even now, they're alittle shy at drop off, but then dive right into the activity. it was hard leaving them at first, they seemed so lost, but when they come home happy and chatty about their 'black and white bunnies', their 'two' friends--- i know it's good for them. and they're learning every class, our nanny is a good care-giver, but she's not a teacher and either am i. it's amazing how advance kids are now, give them the right tools and opportunities, they'll take off!

PS, i was nervous of the girls regressing w/potty training-- esp since they had to graduate immediately to the BIG potty--- but they did wonderfully. i always made sure they went at drop off and pick up, so they were comfortable w/momma there. it also helped there are two other little girls potty-trained (out of a class of 10). now at home, they fight for who gets to go on the big potty first! sometimes peer pressure is good (-: