Friday, April 29, 2011

Friday: A Family Lives Here - Exhibit 4


I'll be posting each Friday with the same theme of "A Family Lives Here". Hope you like it. Hope you join in on the fun.


 Exhibit 4:

The first weekend of every April and every October is General Conference for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We get to have Church at home, via the TV. We get to be uplifted, in our pajamas. 

For the last few years I've also been tweeting (@QueenScarlett) it as part of the #twitterstake.  

In case you were curious - it's two, two hour sessions on Saturday and Sunday, with a two hour break between each session.

I wanted to show what conference time looks like in our family. It starts at nine in the morning, and looks like this to begin.


Let me zoom out so you can see the 3 loads of laundry that need to folded on the couch to the left. I just happened to notice that the girls weren't in pajamas. They love to put on dresses. They change multiple times a day. Me - I'll stick with pajamas and robe, thank you.





We really are watching conference. Check out the pile of towels to the left that also need to be folded. They are a bit flat, because earlier the girls were using it as a mountain to jump off of.


Every conference, I bake something. This year it was carrot cake cupcakes. Time to eat...





As the sessions continued... we discovered blatant evidence of little people, occupying themselves, while still near the sound of the TV.




I am grateful they entertained themselves, all the better for me to listen, and tweet away, to my heart's content the messages that most touched my soul.



When we chose this house model, I had visions of my future kids, daughters were always on my mind. These future girls would sashay elegantly down these double access stairs to the awed expression of their future dates. 


I didn't have any inkling of parenting at that time, but am utterly thrilled, that their young imaginations never stop coming up with creative uses for these stairs.







Cheers!
Is there some place in your home 
that your kids gravitate towards?


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We're like detectives, scouting out evidence that a family lives here.
Join me by posting a proof of family, with your commentary.
Then, tack on my button and include it in your post. 
Remember to add your link via Mr. Linky.
Ready, set, go! 

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Love Science

My 6YO is currently learning about the rain forest. She is responsible for putting together a project showing the forest floor after spring break. Given we had two weeks for spring break, (this week is our last) I thought it would be a perfect time to head to the California Academy of Sciences Museum


The museum renovations are beautiful. Golden Gate park is a place I want to spend days just lazing about, walking and enjoying the tranquility there.

the roof of the museum

One of my friends, Frances, from my middle school/high school days designed two of the pedestrian walkways in the museum. I am so proud of her, and thrilled that I was able to walk on something she created. I have many fond memories of sleep overs, roasting gummi bears over candles, and hanging at the club. We never did burn down anything.


this is a flying snake...yes, you heard that right, a flying snake. 
I am never going to a real rain forest.


If you go - buy your tickets online. I used a code I found in my AAA magazine (code: 900102) to get discounted tickets. The code is valid until May 29 for up to 4 tickets per purchase. I also printed my tickets out beforehand. I like to be prepared.

It's best to arrive as close to the opening of the museum as possible. In this case, M-F it opens at 9:30am. The first thing we did was head straight to the tickets for the planetarium. Tickets are free, but you need one to be able to attend a show. Shows are on the half hour. Kids have to be four or older. My 6YO loved it. She's loved planets since she was 18 months, and could tell you in any order which planet was in which spot. So she was, quite literally in heaven. My 4YO was a little nervous. In fact, at one point in the movie it had us traveling from the depths of the darkest ocean back to land, my 4YO said, "oh phew, we're back on land." 



Entering the forest floor!


After that we headed straight to the rain forest. It's housed in a giant dome, keeping it properly humid for a real rain forest. The ramp you walk on takes you in a circular path so you experience all the levels of the rain forest: forest floor, understory, canopy, and emergent layer. Yes, I had to ask my 6YO what the levels are... because I couldn't remember, and learned about them from her.

I loved how the birds flew freely around in the canopy layers, and the butterflies just flitting this way and that around our heads.

As you travel through the levels of the rain forest you find different creatures that reside there, and information about their habitats, eating preferences, and enjoy the fascinating oddities found in the rain forest.



 I can't remember what the name of the spider is - but there's a face on that spider. 
Dude, I'm not kidding. It is creepy. Do you see the blue-ish face? It's there I swear.


After the rain forest we headed to the aquarium and the California Coast. We enjoyed the anaconda and the accompanying hole where you can stick your arm in to simulate what it would feel like if an anaconda got a hold of your arm and squeezed it for 11 seconds. I have a feeling a real anaconda would not let go after 11 seconds.



The docents are around all over the museum with fascinating information and exhibits to touch. Apparently, my 4YO wanted to see if the snake skin left a smell.



There were also eels. You know, Ursula's buddies? They had a palm panel next to the eels that would give you a slight shock, simulating if Flotsam and Jetsom did Ursula's bidding. It was getting close to lunch time so we headed upstairs to see the white crocodile, the penguins, the water show and adorable, fluffy chickens. There were still so many interactive exhibits we didn't get a chance to experience. I would have liked to spend a few more hours there, but lunch was calling, and I wanted to leave San Francisco by two, so we could avoid traffic coming home.

We loved the museum. It's beautiful, clean, the docents are helpful, and my girls enjoyed it. My 6YO who is naturally inquisitive felt right at home and was so tickled by everything she saw. My 4YO will probably be more excited in a year or two. She has a bit less stamina than her big sister, so leaving at two was just about her limit.

If you live relatively close to SF - you've got to see it. We tried visiting the museum three years ago, instead my little one fell into a Japanese koi pond. I am so happy we finally made the visit. If you're in the area - definitely put it on your must see list.

6YO was willing to touch the snake.



When asked what their favorite part of the museum was:
6YO - The planetarium
4YO - The butterflies


On our way home.
4YO: Are we still in San Francisco world? How many minutes until we're in our world? 


She also calls it "grandma's world" when we go to the bay area to visit.





In the center of the museum there's this beautiful atrium with a water show for the kids, 
lectures and hatching chickens.



I bought the girls some astronaut ice cream from the Museum store because, it reminded of me when I was in eighth grade and we went to the Smithsonian for our East Coast trip. I bought astronaut ice cream then too. I also bought a "LOVE Science" shirt for both of them. I'm hoping that their inquisitive minds, and love of science becomes a lifelong pursuit.


The incredible, edible egg... 





By the way, what are you doing on Friday?

I'll be posting "Friday: A Family Lives Here"

Will you join me?


Here's the button.

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Here are some previous posts. I hope you join in on my weekly carnival. I love visiting and discovering what you're all doing as you gather evidence in your own homes.
 


ps. I kept forgetting to ask someone to snap a shot with all of us... alas...will have to do so next visit!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Getting old


I was taking stock of all the white hairs surrounding the front of my head when my 4YO walked into my bathroom.


I yanked out one white hair out to show her.


4YO: These are like my teacher's at preschool.

QS: *kneeling* Yup. Look all up here, I have a lot of white hairs.

4YO: *concerned puppy dog face* Oh no mom! Are you getting old?

QS: What do you think?

4YO: No way. I don't want you to get old when I'm grown up.

QS: Why?

4YO: Because I want you to be my mommy always.

QS: *pulling her up into my arms* I will be your mommy always, no matter what.


I am the luckiest mom in all the world.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Happiness Post:: Post 22



Sunday Brunch = Happiness


Have I ever told you how much I enjoy a fabulous Sunday Brunch? Eggs Florentine/Benedict, smoked salmon, omelettes to order, fresly made french toast, from scratch baked goods, waffles, bacon, salads, fresh fruit and fresh squeezed orange juice.


  

Then mix in family and friends and voila... happiness.


 


Cheers!











ps. join me on Fridays for A Family Lives Here!
Exhibit 1
Exhibit 2
Exhibit 3


Here's the button for each Friday! See you soon!


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Monday, April 25, 2011

The frivolous side of our Easter



Frivolous... and adorable.





Before you ask... no I didn't make the aprons, I'm not that kind of mormon. I'm the kind that buys them from Pier 1. The baskets? Why. Target of course! I am the kind of mormon who is owned by Target.








 







Our housing community holds an annual Easter Egg Hunt, and we've gone nearly every year. It's great, we get there about 5-10 min before the egg gathering and leave about 10 minutes after it begins. This year we headed right off to brunch. Ah, brunch.








Below is stinky, sweaty mommy who had time for one weights class at the gym, and then rushed home to get the troops up and moving for the egg hunt. Good thing there's no such thing as smell-o-blog, eh?

 

Sunday the girls requested an in-home egg hunt. They remembered that one year we were infested by disease and had to stay inside. Apparently, they quite enjoyed it. We also got them Tangled for Easter.



This is us, taking pictures even though we were already late to Church. These memories last longer.



Happy Monday! 
Hope you had a lovely Easter. 
Cheers!

Friday, April 22, 2011

Friday: A Family Lives Here - Exhibit 3



I'll be posting each Friday with the same theme of "A Family Lives Here". Hope you like it. Hope you join in on the fun.



Exhibit 3:



If you came to visit my home, this is what you'd find on the inside of the front door. You'd also find works of art taped, or glued to the various walls around the house.



You might also notice the small book case overfilling with shoes, some sparkly, some strappy, but all girly. Perhaps, you might trip over a few. Step lightly now.





You would also find stray toys, hanging out, just where their playmates left them.





Maybe you'll stay and play a tune.

Cheers!



Other Friday: A Family Lives Here Exhibits


What would a visit to your home be like?





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We're like detectives, scouting out evidence that a family lives here.
Join me by posting a proof of family, with your commentary.
Then, tack on my button and include it in your post. 
Remember to add your link via Mr. Linky.
Ready, set, go! 



Thursday, April 21, 2011

GNO

I love the spoon shape.

Last week my husband scored a ticket to go to the first SJ Sharks playoff game. My husband is a huge fan of Bay Area sports. He's currently glued SF Giants too. 



 Somehow they thought it would be a great idea to sip their juice and water at the same time for... watered down juice?
 


Since he was going to be gone for the evening on Wednesday of last week, I told him I would take the girls out for dinner. He thought it was a great idea, and I agreed of course.
 

They used to need the plastic chop stick helper clips - they don't need them anymore. 
Oh yeah... Asian genes baby. 
 
  

So Wednesday evening we headed to my 6YO's favorite Japanese restaurant. We took these cute pictures and texted them to my husband. After we'd gotten home my husband called and said, the pictures were cute, but his SJ Shark game was Thursday, not Wednesday. Turns, out Wednesday he was just working late.



Apparently, I pulled another Joey Moment.


So there really wasn't anything to do, but to repeat our GNO the next evening. (Oh, darn.)


Have I told you how much I love having daughters?


Even with the tears that happen at least 2-4 times a day. Then there's the emotional breakdowns, the whining, the "she's being mean to me", the tattling, the talking at the same time....


At our favorite thin crust pizza place. Dessert, the giant cookie w/ice cream on top.

Somehow, those moments are instantly forgotten when they cuddle with me, kiss me, or pummel me with a bear hug and tell me that I'm the "best mom in the whole world, best baker, cooker, or the nicest"- because they are so easily pleased with the surprises/activities and places we go.

Have I also mentioned how sweet they can be to each other? They encourage, teach, share, defend, comfort, giggle and whisper secrets as sisters do. Those moments make me deeply happy.





It's in those complete moments that I have a zen moment. I thank the Lord he gave me sweet daughters.


Here's to many, many more GNOs with my little, adorable crew.


Cheers!



By the way, what are you doing on Friday?
I'll be posting "Friday: A Family Lives Here"
Will you join me?

Here's the button.




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Here's my post from last week. I hope you join in on my weekly carnival. I love visiting and discovering what you're all doing as you gather evidence in your own homes.
 

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Makes me want to dance...



... or do some controlled slow-motion running.




Genki Sudo is the singer out in front. He was a retired mixed martial artist. That's not all, he writes, he's a musician, dancer, actor and his Buddhist philosophy is "We are all One". Dude is cool.




Happy Wednesday!
Cheers!

ps. this makes me so excited for SYTYCD! I love great movement. I've been missing watching creative, well-choreographed live art.

Spring Break report:
Day 1 - mail taxes, thai lunch, red light/green light in the light rain drizzle and frozen yogurt
Day 2 - Rio (the movie) with friends - loved it (better than Hop) and lunch.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Happiness Post:: Post 21


Happiness is...



being a girl





being the big sister






being the little sister





being sisters




As a woman, a daughter, sister, wife, mother... being a girl, makes me happy.

Cheers!





ps. every shot taken with my iPhone, except for the little mice on my 4YO's nose.


pps. join me on Fridays for A Family Lives Here!
Exhibit 1
Exhibit 2

Here's the button for each Friday! See you soon!

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