Stage fright

This is Jr. at VBS. He looks like a deer caught in headlights. I think he may have stage fright. He did not do one hand signal or utter one word of the song through the whole thing. 

Damian at VBS

Damian is the one in the back with his thumb up. 

Vanessa-a crew leader for VBS

 

Cookies and cupcakes

While reading one of my new favorite magazines (Cookies) this morning, I came across an article on San Francisco. They showed many places to visit there and one of them was a restaurant called Miette. The picture showed an awesome looking cupcake that this restaurant sells. It got me thinking (and craving) cupcakes. So for my son's 3rd birthday on Sunday July 16, I will try to find a really good cupcake recipe. While I was searching the net for a recipe I came across a really neat blog called cupcakestakethecake. While looking through all the delicious pictures of cupcakes (you all need to check this one out), I found a really cool restaraunt located in NYC called Burgers and cupcakes. Now, I live in Oahu so this is not an option for me, but my parents live in NJ and occasionally go to New York, so they might be interested in checking this out. Once they see the awesome pictures on the cupcake blog, and then check out this place's website, I think they might want to try it out and report back to me. Cupcakes seem to be all the rage right now. With places like Sprinkles cupcakes in California, popping up all over country, what can one do but jump on the bandwagon. I think I might. How about you?

Wonder Pets

A while back my sister blogged about kids tv, check her out at Forks and Chopsticks. She did mention The Wonder Pets, but I don't think she likes them. I do know that my grandson Julian, who is 1 1/2 , just loves them. I think all of his little friends do to. I guess in this new generation of kids, Wonder Pets is like teletubbies, Damian's favorite (he is now 7), and Barney was Dominic Jr.'s favorite (he is now 8), and Brandon's favorite was Power Rangers (he is now 14), and Vanessa's favorite was Smurf's (she is now 16), and Josh's favorite was Heman (he is now 20), and Kira's favorite was Strawberry Shortcake (she is now 22), well you all get the hint. Different strokes for different folks. What are some of your favorites from the past?

Target, Target, Target

I was reading a post at twinadoMommy and she was saying that Target was her second home. Well It got me thinking of how Target used to be my second home. We had one in Washington, but when my husband got stationed to Hawaii, lo and behold, no Target. Did you all hear that? NO TARGET. Of course we are lucky enough to have 5 WALMARTS. As I was reading her posts It refreshed my serious withdrawal problem from Target. I have not thought about it too much over the years, but when I saw those cute hats twinadoMommy had on her twins (of course the twins are too cute), I remembered all the cool stuff I am missing because of NO TARGET. So anyone who feels sorry for me please e-mail your Target and ask (No Beg) for them to build one in Oahu on behalf of me. Thank You and happy shopping to all of you at (you guessed it) TARGET!!!!!

New blogs

I found a few new blogs I really like. They are in my link section. I love the pictures of the twins at twinadoMommy. They are so cute. Please check them out and let me know what you all think.

fallen and serving members of the Military

Here are a few links for our men and women of the military. Some who have fallen and for those who still serve: This page is really nicely done. Please check it out at www.geocities.com/ep892/Sept11Tribute.html
A song for the military. I think very well done.

VBS

The kids are going to Vacation Bible School this week. Every year they love doing this. Every year they have a different theme. This year it is "Fiesta". My son's love this since they are half Mexican. My older daughter is a crew leader. The crew leaders help with the kids in doing their crafts, learning their songs and dances, and other assorted duties. Do any of your kids attend VBS? What is everyone else's theme?

Some gave all

I came across a link I would like to share. It is a website where you can remember a fallen soldier. Please check it out. I think you will all like it.

Magnetix man

Dominic Jr. is very artistic and every day you will find him doing something artsy. The other night he decided to make a man out of his magnetix. I think it is pretty cool. I took a picture in case one of his brothers wrecks his creation "unknowingly", and also I wanted to show you all his work.

 

The great escape

Here he is trying to escape for the 60th time today at least. He can climb this fence in about 20 seconds at the most. I have met a few other spiderbabies and found out he will probably be a climber forever. He seems to enjoy the climbing as much as the escaping. This was similar to what my older one used to do when in Head Start and the teachers knew pretty quickly he was quite impulsive. Obviously he had ADHD. I don't know if this kid will, but he does act rather impulsively all day. I know many impulsive toddlers but kids like this take it to a whole new level. I will keep you all posted on his many other escapes.

Another day in the lazy days of summer

Darrian loves playing in this corner of the yard. We owned a sandbox, which he rarely played in, but for some reason he loves the dirt in this area. All day he spends time digging and then transferring some of the dirt onto the patio, and all day I spend sweeping it back into this area. I know sooner or later he will grow tired of this task, but so far his interest seems to be holding. 

Darrian

Darrian

 

My son Josh

Here is a song that Josh wrote me for mothers day. Be advised it is rap and has a parental advisory. There are not a lot of bad words, I think only 1 but you have to have advisory for this. when you get to the site scroll down to the song titled mom and click hi fi.

CHECK THIS OUT!!!!!

This is the coolest site I have found. These guys are stationed in Iraq and are writing songs to pass the time. This site may take awhile to load but be patient. Also this is an ameteur recording but I think it is pretty darn good.

Truly awesome banana bread

 

 

 

Quick breads

Today I made an awesome banana bread. I had tried this recipe yesterday and realized it was a hit when my 8 year old, (who won't eat any type of quick bread), declared this was the best bread he ever had and went on to beg for another piece until we finally all finished the loaf in one evening. Here is the recipe:
1 1/2 Cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 Cup sugar
2 well beaten eggs (I use 1/2 Cup eggbeaters)
1/4 Cup melted butter or margarine
2 mashed bananas
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp cinnamon
Spray loaf pan with Pam. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In one bowl whisk together flour, soda, powder, salt, and sugar. Mix in slightly beaten eggs, melted butter, mashed bananas, vanilla, and cinnamon. Stir in nuts if desired. (this is a good way to get a daily dose of Walnuts for fighting heart disease.)
Pour into prepared pan
Bake at 350 for about an hour. Let cool. Take out of pan. Enjoy
This truly was the best banana bread I have ever eaten. I made one today. I love that this recipe has no oil and is very lite in texture.

Good news

The kids will be going to Pearl Harbor Kai for the rest of elementary. Thanks to their principal they were approved for a geogrphical exemption and will be able to stay. They are both happy. This post was in regards to my previous post - Back to School.

Big Brother 7

Everyone who knows me has already heard I am a reality show geek.. It must be inherited since my parents are reality geeks also. Last night was of course the start of the Big Brother 7 season and I was really happy with the line up of people. I would make one switch though. I would of put in Bunky vs Nakomis. I like Bunky better. No offense to Nakomis but I find her a little boring. I love "Chicken George," and find him to be just as funny as ever. The houseguests didn't seem to find him amusing but they will once they get to know him and after boredom sets in. It went pretty well last night with all the fake hugging and kissing. I can't wait for "Evil Will" to start messing around. He seems to be joining up with his best friend "Mike boogie," but one never knows since Will lies about EVERYTHING, and if you don't believe me just ask him. I am so glad that Janelle and Jace put up Danielle and Allison. I love the sovereign 6 from last season and hope they do some real damage this season since they are the biggest block in the house. Maybe they can add Jace to the pack. I don't really like him but the others need some more on their side. I still love James the best. I think he might start working soon with Will and Mike if he didn't learn his lesson from season 6. Anyone else watching BB7? We also watch Rockstar. I love Tommy Lee and of course Dave Navarro. Who doesn't love Dave? They have some good rockers, but I think Chris Daughtry from American Idol should of tried out. He may already have signed with another band. I think he would of been good for "Supernova," since this will be more of a rock band and not heavy metal, but Chris can do both.

Back to school

Here in Hawaii we are on year round modified school calander, so the kids are already to go back to school by July 27th. I have been busy shopping and getting ready. I found out the 2 boys (Jr. and Damian) may have to switch schools since we are out of district. They may change from Pearl Harbor Kai to Nimitz. I talked to the principal and put in the geographical exception so I hope they get to stay. I do have mixed feelings though because Nimitz is also a good school and may even be a little higher ranking then PHK. My boys do love their school though and have gone since Kindergarten. They don't really want to change but would adjust becuse all their friends are going to Nimitz. Of course I would have to drive them if they get accepted at PHK because it is out of district but thats ok with me. Nimitz would be easier though since they have a bus and it will be right across from Darrians preschool. That would mean I could pick them up when I pick up Darrian. As you all can see it is a crazy beginning to the new year. I will keep you all posted. I hope I know soon since the 18th is uniform buying day at PHK. I don't think Nimitz wears uniforms but you never know. Any opinions on thiswould be appreciated. The pros and cons are pretty much even but the question is to switch or not to switch?

Cupcakes

 

Happy 4th of July-a little late

I found this recipe for cupcakes in Womans World magazine and I thought it would be cute to make. I had to use light blue instead of dark blue for the icing up top because I couldn't find the proper color, but all in all it looks like a flag and tasted great. It didn't take everyone long to consume these. 

4th of July

We had a nice picnic at Alisha's house for the 4th. We had all the usual stuff. Hamburgers, hot dogs, pasta salad, watermelon, etc. Later on that night we went to the fireworks where Darrian fell asleep. I don't know how you can fall asleep with all that noise, but he likes to sleep when he likes to sleep.

Alisha and Julia

Julia is all dressed in her 4th of July dress. Red, white, and blue. She looks happy for the holiday. 

Me and Miss Monica

This is on the 4th of July at Alishas house. Alisha is taking our picture after our picnic.

Jr.

He is getting ready to watch the movie. 

New friend

The boys met this kid on the beach and played with him for about 4 hours while waiting for the movie on the beach. 

Sunset on the beach

I didn't get the greatest picture because I was testing out some other things on my camera and this was not the right setting. We went to see Ice Age 2. 

Miss Monica getting ready for a swim

 

Darrian and Dad

He really enjoyed his shaved Ice. 

Christopher, Jr. and Damian at the Hale Koa

The boys are enjoying their shaved ice. Doesn't this look like a rough life? 

$.50 cents. Goodwill. Shirt for swimming

I have been looking all over for one of these swim shirts for Darrian. Finally I found this one and it goes great with his blue swim trunks. You can't beat that price with a stick. 

JNCO $2.00 Goodwill

Anyone who knows me knows I love to hunt for a great deal. I went with Monica to Goodwill while she was here and got these shirts for Brandon. 

Old Navy $1.00 Goodwill

 

Ralph Lauren $2.00 Goodwill