Bryce's definition of Satan

Last night during devotions...

Mom: Who is Satan?
Bryce: I know, pick me!
Mom: Okay, Bryce, Who is Satan?
Bryce: He is this person, I mean angel that is really mean and tells lies and hates God...Oh, and he is red all over!


I love how children think!

Father and Son

Tom and Bryce have completed their first week of running together. I woke up and found them stretching outside together. I couldn't resist! I had to get a picture of them. Bryce even got a new pair of running shoes from Snails Pace! He is so excited to have this time with just his dad every morning. I just can't believe how dedicated he has become...he gets up at 6 to run with Tom! Way to go Bryce!

Puppy Sleep!

Sweet Levi and Sweet Madi fell asleep while Chloe was singing on the Wii

American Idol - Wii

You have to come play American Idol with Chrissie and I! We had so much fun on Wednesday! It is kind of like Karoke...but after you complete a song Randy, Paula and Simon all judge you. It is very much like the real thing! You audition, and hope to go to Hollywood, then you can compete against the Wii or friends! Chrissie and I both love to sing! So we naturally competed against one another! We played three rounds...I won the first round...and then she crushed me on the next two rounds.

The kids love playing too! Chloe and I could play all day! (drives the boys and Tom crazy because they want to play Mario Cart) Actually a few weeks ago Chloe, Emily and I all played together and won the whole thing! We were the next American Idol! So, if it sounds like fun to you...let me know...I think Chrissie and I are up for another challenge! Anyone interested?

Trader Joe's Chocolate Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Those of you that know me well, know how much I love breakfast...it is my favorite meal! I love oatmeal with a scoop of protein powder, cinnamon and stevia, eggs with turkey bacon, egg white omelet with avocado and tomato...I could go on, but I am sure you get the point. I have always prided myself in the fact that I wake up very early to make my kids eggs before they go to school...(although that was much harder this year now that I am teaching.)

So anyway about a 2 years ago TJs stopped selling their Chocolate Chocolate Chip Pancakes. I was so sad...especially because I didn't know they were going to stop selling them...so I gave away a completely new box to a friend that was visiting from Colorado. (Colorado doesn't have a TJs...I don't know how anyone can live without TJs) Then I bounced into TJs and the shelf was empty! I thought to myself, "oh, they are so good TJs can't keep up with the demand!" I spoke with an employee who told me they were going to be a seasonal item. I went to every TJs that week...looking for one more box...no luck! I poured out my sorrow to my dear friend Carrie...who could totally relate! My kids loved these pancakes...and I liked to eat them the week before my time of the month! Months went by...seasons went by...and no CCP! I asked the employees during the holidays...but no luck...I gave up! I decided it was time to find another favorite pancake...but I never did.

Well, last week I get a call from Carrie...who was on her way home from TJs. She said, "I just bought you something that you are going to die for!" I couldn't guess...I tried...but to no avail! Then she told me...I screamed "SHUT UP" so loud my kids and hubby stopped swimming in the pool and looked at me like "You just said the S word!" Oooh you are in trouble" I quickly explained that dear Aunt Carrie had just spotted two boxes of CCPs! They were thrilled...but not nearly as much as I was! I drove over to TJs this week and bought 3 boxes! I am always going to plan on keeping one box in cupboard...just in case they vanish from TJs shelves again!

Here are some pictures of the kids enjoying their fruit and CCPs this am! They had friends sleep over again last night...what a great morning to make these again for the first time! (Bryce was sleeping at a friends house...so he isn't in the pics)I am not in the picture because it was just too embarrassing! I think I had CCP all over my face! :) Hope you run out and get some soon! Oh, they are best with a Skinny Vanilla Latte...these pancakes are my cheat once a month! Love them!

Tuesday at the beach with friends

Mom, Let's go to the beach!

I have to post this before we go to the beach! I told Levi to go get his shoes on the for the beach. He came back looking like this! He is always making me laugh.

Levi can see you!

Fun with Cuties and Siena

All the kids after lunch enjoying a Popsicle.Okay girls, smile and then jump!
NOW!
I love the shot of Chloe getting a little splash in the face!
The boys loved the cuties floaties!

Mondays we like to have friends over for a swim! We had so much fun in the pool today. Chrissie and I even gave our little ones a mini swim lesson! However, we didn't get any pictures of that! :)

Make a Smilebox photobook

A Fun Saturday at the Beach!

We had a great time at the beach yesterday! The kids buried Levi...which then gave Tom and Scott the idea to make some great looking sea creatures in the sand. The shark is getting ready to eat the squid! Check out Bryce and his skim board. I can't believe how good he is doing now! Yesterday was his first time this summer on his board! I think he will be a pro by the end of the summer. And doesn't Chloe look like she is flying above the waves?! We love our family time at the beach! Hope you can join us soon! :)

Friends and Ipods!

So am I the only crazy mom that finally allowed her child to get an Ipod? Chloe convinced us that she was ready to buy an Ipod with her birthday money. (we recently opened savings account for all three kids. Now they can start saving for things they want! We also are no longer buying them toys, electronic, etc.(exception being holidays and birthdays) They now have to save and understand the value of a dollar...something I am still learning! I don't want my children to have the same poor saving habits that I have! ) So anyway, she told us how she could put her latin CD and other school curriculum along with songs on it too! So we said yes. Tom did make her wait ten days...to be sure that she really wanted it.

So Wednesday was day ten...and she woke up asking me what time we could go to Best Buy! :) I have to admit that it has been strange seeing her walk around the house with it! She is singing while she does her chores...I think it makes doing chores more fun for her! (I know I enjoy doing laundry more when I blare the stero!) But the strangeness I feel is actually more like a sting! My baby is growing up! I am so proud of her! She had a friend over today...and while I was dipping my celery into my peanut butter (my all time favorite snack)...she and her friend asked me to listen to a song...not because they wanted me to listen to it and include me on their girl time, but because Chloe didn't know if she was allowed to listen to the music on her friends Ipod! I was so impressed with the girls. It made my tough decision to give into the Ipod feel more right. So, I approved Jordan Sparks 3 songs on the friends Ipod. I am so thankful to have a daughter that wants to do what is right...I feel so blessed to be her mom.

Levi Likes to Dive Too!

Levi learning to swim

Tuesday Family Beach Nights Are Back!!!

Tuesday nights are family beach nights at San Onofre beach. We pack a dinner and smores and head to the beach around 4:30. We usually stay until dark...but we have a busy day tomorrow so we only stayed until 7:30. There were 5 families this week. We all look forward to our Tuesday nights! I love making such great memories with the kids. I hope they continue the beach nights when they have their own kiddos!



Levi and I practiced swimming all day today...so he was really tired on the way to the beach.

But, he soon woke up and had a fun in the sand.

The kids all went down to the sand and began building away!

Chloe, Siena and Sarah...sweet, sweet friends.

Levi and Christian...I have no idea what they were discussing...but I am sure it was important!

Say Cheese!

This is our ride back home...the Kecks are having a sleep over! They sang some of their school songs on the way home....so cute!