Me, My Girls, and a Road Trip - Part 1

"I must be crazy!" That was the thought running through my mind as I left the girls HS program and the GPS said my next turn was in 300 miles. And that would not even get us to our destination. From Chandler, AZ to Calabasas, CA. Crazy. Me and my four girls going to hang out with David for the weekend- he has back to back to back (yes, that was THREE) business trips in CA and we really wanted to make sure the girls got one beach trip in this summer.

I have never even thought to do something like this, but with my big girl panties on, a few car games planned, and snacks and DVDs to last the duration we were off!!!

The girls were so excited!  They really were super well behaved the entire trip....which last 7 hours because.....

 

The heavens opened up and the rain came....hard, fast, and sideways.  Thankfully we had stopped in Cabazone to say "hi" to the dinosaurs, pee, and get some milk for our homemade brownie snack.  As soon as we got out of the bathroom this is what we saw.  Crazy.  

After leaving Burger King, crowns on and very wet we drove 40 miles an hour for about 20 miles.....we were all glad when that was over...until we hit L.A. rush hour traffic.

Needless to say, that when we arrived we went straight to Red Robin for dinner (with Daddy of course!) and then to the hotel to crash....well, for a moment before David took the girls in the hotel pool!

Friday, David had to work so my plan was to take the girls to The Grove to visit the American Girl store and treat them to a day of FUN.  Just fun.  We rarely do things like this so I knew it would be a special day.  Driving there, not fun.  Being there, beyond fun!!

The show Extra was filming and we headed over there...the girls were great.  It is not a show I watch, but I did watch Saved By the Bell so seeing Mario Lopez up close was like being a teenager all over again.  Star struck for sure.  We sweat for 40 minutes watching the segment, but for me it was worth it!

Seeing Sara Gilbert in person was pretty cool too.  Yes, my family watched Roseanne!  

Mom, can we please go to the American Girl store now?????

YES!!!!!!!!!!

I treated the two oldest to a doll hair salon treatment.  They loved it. 

Chiara watching Katelyn get her hair in a side half ponytail.  

Mayah watching Hailey get a defrizz and pony tail.

Chiara and Katelyn getting their photo with the Saige doll!

We love this year's Girl of the Year!  Saige!!!

Each of the girls wanted to get their photo in the air balloon.

Honestly, Emma's is my favorite!

Saying "Goodbye" to the Molly doll who will be going away this year.

So, out to eat at the Cheesecake Factory.  Most important...I let them ALL get ice cream for dessert.  Happy girls.

Very happy!

We loved watching the fountains. 

We went to the 3 story Barnes and Noble and enjoyed some down time with some good books!

After an almost full day we found time to ride the trolly that runs through the Grove. 

Enjoying a Jamba Juice together before we go.

After 5 hours of fun at the Grove we hit some more rush hour traffic (it is always rush hour in L.A.) back to the hotel where we chilled for a few before heading down to the shops and turtle pond. 

The day ended with a wonderful seafood dinner and some completely worn out girls.  I have to say....I was a pretty worn out Mama too!  

In the Zone!

First off, I completely recognize that it has been a VERY long time since I have blogged. I do not have make the time for it. I want to, I think of it all the time, but alas everything else has taken precedent these days.

I did not want to pass up an opportunity to write this down though.  Maybe it will help someone out there who struggles with keeping your busy (and sometimes chaotic) house clean.  I try and keep up reading "mommy" and "homeschool" blogs.  I also follow a lot of things on Pinterest in these areas.  I came across something that a mom wrote about separating her house into zones.  Every kid had a zone to clean.  I took the idea, modified it to fit our family and so far so great!  

Everyone but my 2 year old uses Accountable Kids for their day-to-day chores and responsibilities.  It works great...other than the occasional argument with my four year old about it or my two year old rearranging every one's cards!  I have been using this for over 3 years now and every time I hear a mommy friend complain about their kiddos not getting the basics done I always recommend it.  Trust me, you will thank me for it.

Due to the fact that we are home often the house can looked a little too "lived in" for me.  I accept that my house will not look as put together as I would like it, but it certainly does not have to look like I unleashed caged animals and let them reek havoc.

So, the zones.  In our home we have 5: school room, toy room, kitchen/dining room, tv room, and laundry room/downstairs bathroom (this one is also a "help another zone")
I made slips of paper that the girls can pick out of the jar.  I did this so no one would get stuck with a "zone" they hated (flashbacks to me cleaning the bathroom as my chore). Even my two year old wants to pick one...another reason to have them chose so I can monitor what she picks.  On the slip of paper it tells them what should be done in that zone.  Since two of them can read I only help my four year old with this part.

The first time was really hard for our 4 year old.  She hated every second...well, until she got to collect things in a basket from the kitchen that did not belong and then deliver them to the correct place.  I usually have to help her a bit, but it is more in showing her what needs to be done.  My older two are amazing!  Today they picked their zone, went to it, and even did above and beyond.  No complaints.  No dilly-dallying.   Done. 

I kept the praise going throughout the task and at the end.  They knew they had done well...not only in the task at hand, but in showing an obedient heart and being a good example to their younger two sisters.

This truly helps alleviate the feeling that I have to "clean the house".  I always talk with my kids that we are a team and it takes all of us to keep our home running smoothly.  I think they are starting to see that.  For now, I am most certainly sticking with Zone Cleaning.  

 

Some HighLights from AZ Fish & Game Youth Day

I love being a homeschooling family....we can work out schedule to fit our lives. What did our lives dictate on Friday??? A trip up to Ben Avery for the AZ Fish & Game Youth Day!!! It is a day set aside for educators and home schoolers (yep, just about every HS family we know was there!!!!).  Perfect.  We usually attend this on the weekend, when it is open to the public, but this was MUCH better.  I love that David took the day off to spend it as a family.  Did I mention Perfect??!?!!?!

Just a few pics from the day...

No, this is not Mayah's first time....or second!  She loves holding the snakes and was bummed that she did not get to hold the large lizard.  May have to call our friend "Wild Man Phil" for some help there!

To my surprise...ok, not really, Leah insisted she was going to hold one too!  WOW!  Notice, Mommy and Chiara did NOT!  It's a snake!

Emma.  She did great.  Not a lot for her to do yet, but she is happy waving at birds, eating snack, and not being in a stroller.  Ever.

Off road girls.  Love the helmet!

Hilarious! Notice.  No Mayah.  She did not want to put on the hair net to wear the helmet. 
Snake, ok.  Hair net, not. 

Chiara is finally EIGHT at this event and can participate in the archery.  She loves it.  I love that even in line waiting my girl makes friends with another young girl-knows her age and probably her life story by the time she went up to shoot!

Strong.  Powerful.  That's MY girl!

If there is a tent we should do some tent dancing...right Emma?!  

Inflatable canoe.  Watching them I can tell their Daddy has taken them a time or two to REI and let them get in the kyacks! Naturals!

It was a great day.  I love that my girls love being outdoors and trying new things!

Happy 8th Birthday Chiara

My sweet Chiara has turned 8. Eight? Yes, 8. 

She is mature for her age.  Thoughtful. Kind. Empathetic. Smart. Silly. Energetic. Helpful. Respectful. Yes, sometimes she is a bit too "big for her britches" (which she hears often these days), but it is a joy being her Mom and her teacher.  I love watching her grow. She can still be found dancing, or cartwheeling, around the house.  She sings loudly and has her own opinion now about what music she like and does not like.  She is becoming a country music fan and I must admit I am thrilled!!!!  She wants to do her own hair so I am cherishing the few times she asks me to do it.  She can keep a conversation on the phone (it was adorable to hear her talk to her friend Marissa in Maine!) though we are working on slowing down her speech so we can all understand what she is saying.  (I have no idea where this talking fast behavior comes from!?!?!)

I love how much she enjoys reading. Her goal each weekday is to get school work done as quickly as possible because she wants her play time and free time.  She does not enjoying writing, but she is good at it.  Let me correct that...she enjoys writing her own stories and books, but when the word "school" is attached to it her attitude toward it changes. 

She empties the sink without being asked.  She asks every day to get Emma out of her crib after nap.  She makes her own breakfast-usually an egg and cheese sandwich.  She enjoys baking and making meatloaf for dinner.  She loves, loves, loves any and every thing American Girl!!!  

I close my eyes and see myself in the operating room meeting her for the first time. Every memory as vivid as if it were yesterday.  I love this precious daughter of mine and I am honored to be her Mom Mommy.

Below are some pictures from her actual birthday and her family party at Nanny & Grampy's.  If you want to see her Birthday Photo Shoot you can check out my 4Beauty Website HERE. It should bring you to the Beauty page, but if not that is where you can find her pictures-at the top and bottom of that section.

Leah and Mayah made cards for Chiara.  I love how excited they get for one another!!!

David and I got Chiara a Betta Fish for her birthday.  "Cutie Carl Patrick, Jr" did not make it a week...thankfully "Cutie Carl Patrick, Jr II" is doing better!  Oye!

American Girl Kanani from Mommy and Daddy...she was a happy girl!

She got Lego Friends from her sisters and Papa.  Happy, happy girl!!!

A small piece of cake so she could blow out a candle on her actual birthday.
 

She wanted the organic gluten free chocolate cake we always make with a raspberry, cream cheese frosting.  Pink without food dye!  I was able to make it without any added sugar!!!  It was delicious!

Me and my gorgeous daughter (well, one of 4!)

Birthday Princess

Opening up the Saige (American Girl) book #2 from Nanny and Grampy.  We were thrilled to have Barbara, Rachel, and Nick there.  Along with Chiara's Great Grandparents and Scott & Sierra (who might as well be family!!!!)

Chiara with her grandparents.  As I write this she is up at their house for a weekend sleepover-by herself.  Special time.  She worked at Grampy's store for a bit on Friday afternoon, went out to eat and to the movies with Nanny after.  Saturday sounds like a craft fair and fun.  I am already ready to have her home.

Happy Birthday Chiara!