Mother's Day

These are the cute projects the kids came home from church to give me for mother's day.

I always love to read the answers to these kind of questions.  Apparently cooking is a big deal to Brielle this year.   She even said she meant 'supper hero mom', but couldn't figure out how to spell 'supper' rather than 'super'. :)

The reasons why they love me, and what they think make me happy is very telling of their personalities.   

Dodger Game Night

At the beginning of May, we had a fun family outing attending a Dodger Game.  James and Uncle Ian found a great deal on tickets and we were all able to gather to celebrate Abigail's first birthday together at the stadium.

Brielle was very excited to see Jack Robinson's number, as she did a report about him at school this year.

We brought in a picnic dinner and enjoyed watching as the Dodger's one another game.  The kids thought the 'Kiss Cam' was especially funny.  :)

Brielle 8-Year-Interview and Stats

Brielle 8-year Interview and Stats

My name is: Brielle (aka Ellie, Bo, Bo-Bellie, Miss Biscuit)
Height:  56lbs (54%)

Weight:  4ft 5.75in (96%)
Sleeping: about 11 hours (7:30pm-6:30am)
Hobbies: Reading-every chance she gets, Volleyball, Biking, Piano, Swimming.

Brielle's Response to her 8-year-old Interview Questions 

What is your name? Brielle

When is your birthday? May 4th

How old are you? 8

Who is your mommy? Megan Finlay

What does your mommy do? She watches Preston at home while we are at school and she cooks meals.

Who is your daddy? James Finlay

What does Daddy do? He works as a veterinarian at City of Hope

What is your favorite color? Blue

What is your favorite song? Everything is Awesome

What do you want to do when you are a grown up? Teacher

Where do you want to live when you grow up? In France, Paris
What is your favorite food? Lasagna

What is your least favorite food? Corned Beef and Cabbage

What is your favorite animal? Zebra

Where do we go to church? In Azusa

Why do we go to church? So we can learn things about Jesus Christ.

What is your favorite movie? The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.

What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Cotton Candy

Where do you like to eat? Souplantation

Who is your favorite person? Mama, and Daddy

Who is your best friend? Allison

What is your favorite book? Diary of a Wimpy Kid

What is your favorite thing to do? Read

Anything else you want to say? No

What are you excited about with turning 8? Going to Europe!

Palm Desert

The kids and I joined got to have an overnight stay out in Palm Desert, thanks to Grandma Finlay who was at a conference and willing to share a room with us.  While Margaret was installed as 2nd Vice President of SCAG (The nation's largest planning organization), I kept the kids out of the way and busy.

The putting green was a fun distraction when it was too windy for the boat tour.

The hotel grounds were beautiful and fun to explore.

And the kids especially loved the many rainforest birds housed there as well.

Before heading back we went hiking in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountatins.

Luckily in May it was still cool enough, and we actually just finished the hike before a rainstorm blew in.

Preston seemed to enjoy the hike as well.  At least he slept right through it.

We loved the sand creatures by the visitors center

And the hands-on learning as well.

Fly on the Wall-Friday

It's been a couple months, so time to track again what is going on at our house on a 'typical' day.  We've made it back to Friday, so here is my report about Friday, May 1st.  Every hour on the 30 minute mark.

4:30-Nursing Preston
With Preston sick the last couple weeks, I've felt like I have a newborn again.  He hasn't been sleeping well and is asking to nurse more both during the day and night.  Since I'm up anyway, I'm reading scriptures while nursing.

plan for the day

5:30-Running
Listening to: NBC Nightly News
I tried going back to bed after being up with Preston, but couldn't fall back asleep before my alarm went off at 5, so my day started earlier than I wanted.

6:30-Getting Ready
Got daily habits done and am finishing getting myself ready before heading down to get everyone breakfast and out the door. Kids alarm set to go off at 6:35.  James up and starting to get ready.

7:30-Driving to School

Listening to: Articles of Faith songs
Friday is still our review day on the way to school we go through the Articles of Faith.  I usually stay for the assembly at the school Friday mornings.  This one Brielle got her certificate for finishing the math program for the year.

8:30-Cleaning Kitchen
Listening to: The Mom Hour Podcast
Starting laundry, unloading dishwasher and cleaning up breakfast.  Preston is 'setting the table' which he likes to do.

9:30-Finishing Shopping List
Didn't get my shopping done yesterday, because of an appointment-so going to fit it in today.

10:30-Library Story Time

Preston loves going to the library.  The toddler story time is a good mix of music, dancing and play time with a few short books that the attention span of this age can handle.  He loves the parachute and the craft projects.

11:30-Unloading Car/Preston Lunch

Preston is eating mashed potatoes and raspberries while I get the groceries out of the car.  Got to Costco before going to the library, but decided not to stop at the grocery store after because Preston needed a nap.

12:30-My Lunch/Computer Time
Listening to: Pediacast Podcast
Got Preston down for a nap.  I usually like to do computer work first after getting him down so he doesn't get distracted by my noise and want to play with me.  Currently working on our May budget while eating a taco salad.

1:30-Cleaning Projects
Listening to: Marathon Training Academy Podcast
working on cleaning projects, currently getting laundry folded that I washed earlier today.

2:30-Driving Home
Listening to: Imagine Dragons-'On Top of the World'
Went to the school office after getting the kids to get some paperwork filled out for Brielle's upcoming independent study while she is on her trip.

3:30-Helping Brielle 

Got snacks for kids and started homework.  I am working with Brielle on her homework project (describing the attributes of her 3D shape creature) while Ethan and Preston play upstairs

4:30-Reading 

Brielle played with Preston while I worked with Ethan on reading and piano.  Now everyone is melting down so we're taking a break to read.  Sounds better than it actually is.  Preston is not happy with the book choice, so he keeps grabbing my head and turning it to look at his book.  So I am reading one page of the big kids book and then one page of Preston's books and switching off back and forth.

5:30-Outside Time 
Getting wiggles out before dinner.  Brielle and I are practicing volleyball while Ethan and Preston do stomp rockets.

6:30-picking up James 
Got kids showered and started feeding them dinner.  Annie came over to watch them and get them to bed while James and I went out for date night to celebrate our anniversary today.

7:30-Car Wash
Loved our Sushi, got to the restaurant at the perfect time before it got crowded and dinner went faster than expected.  Just left the restaurant and decided to stop for a car wash, since none of the kids were with us we could vacuum out the car easier.

8:30-Grocery Shopping 
Almost went to get dessert, but it was too crowded and we decided against it.  So, stopped to get the last few things I needed on the grocery list.  Shopping together is always fun.

9:30-Getting Home 

All the kids are asleep and Annie said they had a good time together before bed.  I love being able to get home to a quiet house.

10:30-Watching a Show 
James and I decided to continue our date and watch a show together before heading to bed.  Feels good to sit and relax and the end of this day.

 didn't quite get everything done today, but close.  Time for bed!

Brielle's Birthday

Brielle turned 8 on Monday!  She and her cousin, Abigail (who turned 1) got to celebrate together on Sunday night with a friends and family dinner.  Brielle was really excited that Abigail was born so close to her birthday and they have a special bond.

For birthdays at our house you get to decide the menu and don't have to do any jobs.  I asked Brielle what she wanted to do for her birthday and she said she wanted to read all day.  So, after she got home from school she did a lot of reading on her kindle.  We then got to go have another smaller family dinner and a sleep over and Grandma and Papa Finlay's house.  She was a very happy girl.

Requested menu this year:

Sunday Birthday Dinner- Beaurox, Broccoli Cheese Soup, Caesar Salad and Watermelon

Breakfast-Crepes (make sure they include raspberries, bananas, nutella and whipped cream she specified)

After School Snack-Caramel Popcorn

Monday Birthday Dinner- Lasagna, Breadsticks, Caesar Salad, Pineapple

Brielle requested an Eiffel tower cake.  She is very excited for her upcoming trip to Europe, especially getting to go to Paris. She couldn't decide if she wanted chocolate speckled cake, or flourless chocolate cake, so I suggested we could do both and make it in the shape of an 8.  She was pretty thrilled with that idea, and had a great time decorating it.