Fa La La La Leads to Lunch

For Miss A, the only part of "Snowmageden" that she didn't like was the fact that missing school on Friday meant a postponement of the Music Program at the Elementary School.  Thankfully, the school had planned ahead and scheduled the program for Tuesday.  While that appeased Miss A's need to know; it also meant that Dad would not be able to attend as he'd be traveling.  I think Mr P took the news the hardest; he's not missed a music program in eight years! (Wow, we've been at the elementary school too long)  Thankfully Mom to rescue, I told them I had purchased the DVD of the program and when it arrived we'd have a Premier Party with popcorn and the all the fixings!

For a girl who doesn't really like performing in front of a crowd, singing, or dancing; she sure loves the Music Program.  This year, she was chosen to have a special part in the 2nd Grade portion of the show; she was a boomwacker.  Just in case you don't know what that means (like her mother), it means you hold a big stick and stomp it on the ground.  It makes a loud booming sound.  According to Miss A, it was an amazing experience.  Sadly from my view from the audience, I could see her but not get a good camera angel.  Let's just say, this girl can really rock the musical instruments.

I loved watching Miss A and her friends sing and dance.  I must admit that that our Music Teacher should win a prize for getting 600 students excited about music and ready to perform.  The show is really amazing.

Keeping up with tradition, I signed Miss A out after the morning performance so we could meet some of her friends and moms for lunch at Fuddruckers.  This could be one of Miss A's favorite parts of the day.  I love it too, but mostly because its so fun to see Miss A and her crew of giggling little girlfriends.  It's loud and crazy, but boy its a sight that makes your mother heart sing.

Maybe postponements make you appreciate the small little things even more!

Snowmageden or Welcome Home

All week while we were enjoying the sun and warmth of Southern California, the boys were back at home holding down the fort and going to school and work.  Somebody had to do it!  They would call and text us with news of an impending snowstorm that forecasters were saying could bring 7 to 14 inches to our town.  Way to narrow it down meteorologists.

We arrived late Tuesday and I knew that Wednesday would mean a fast trip to the Grocery Store, laundry and prep work on the house to get it ready for "Snow Day" children.  I might not have mentioned that while the girls and I were gone, the boys were homeless as we were having hardwood floors put in on the main floor.  They didn't have it too bad, however, as they stayed at my folks.  Indoor putting is right up C's alley.

However, the dust that the floor process left behind was something else.  The boys had moved all the furniture back into place, but there was plenty for me to do to get the house back in order; all the kitchen chairs were in the basement and needed felt pads, the shelves in the Family Room were a mess of dust, and of course the kitchen counters and cabinets had a layer a few inches thick.  Nothing a little elbow grease couldn't handle, but of course the cleaning had to wait until I could restock our fridge and cupboards. Something about being "gone" for more than a week didn't leave much to eat!

So, after a marathon shopping trip and an equally exhausting afternoon of cleaning, sweeping and dusting I was prepped for Snowmagden.  Mr C's school which never cancels due to snow (the joy of a boarding school) was even preparing for the worst and cancelled school for Thursday and parent teacher conferences that evening.  Because this would leave the boys a four day weekend, we invited a Korean Student to join us for the Snow Storm.  Nothing like being in a real home with a roaring fire and a family during a snowstorm.  June Woo was thrilled to get out of school for a few days and enjoy home cooking.  After a week away from my family, I was even excited to cook!

Wednesday night the snow was still nowhere in sight, but the schools cancelled.  The rumor was that the snow would start Thursday at about noon and would fall 2 inches an hour.  By one o'clock on Thursday, the weather people had redeemed themselves and the flakes began to fall. However on our second day of "Snowstorm Nemo," we only had about 8 inches of snow.  Not quite what we were anticipating, but at least that meant we wouldn't be stuck in the house for days!

By Friday afternoon we were off to "burn off some steam" at the gym.  Playing racquetball, ping pong and shooting hoops together is a great way to spend a snow day!

Now, I'll just admit that Snowmageden was not the welcome home I was hoping for!  Come On Spring!

Saving Goodbye to the Sunshine

After spending nearly a week in the Desert, it was time to return to our "real lives."  However, before we left we listed off our Top Ten Things we'd miss.

1.  Sunshine
2. Grandparents
3. Warm Temperature
4. Flip Flops and No Coats
5. The Pool
6. Palm Trees
7. Flowers and Green Grass
8. Patio Time with cool drinks, puzzles and long chats with the Grands.
9. No Schedule and Relaxation ( this might have been the Mother's number one!)
10. Swimming

I think we could have stayed the rest of the winter.  In fact, both girls offered to be home schooled if I'd let them stay until Spring. The fact that the news reports showed that upon our return we'd be bracing for a Winter Storm with 7 to 10 inches of snow expected did not help our desire to return.  As we sat on the tarmac in Phoenix, I told the girls to soak up the sunshine and the look of green grass as it would probably be awhile before we saw them again.

At least, we had the excitement of seeing Mr P and Mr C upon our return to make the trip home worthwhile.  Otherwise, it might have been hard to convince ourselves to get on the plane!

Our trip to Palm Springs was amazing.  Thanks Nana and Papa for letting us invade your little portion of heaven for a week!

Living Desert: Leopards, Geckos and Giraffes

We are Zoo People.  Almost as much as we are Children Museum people.  However, because we live not too far from a World Class Zoo, we are a little jaded on what zoos we are willing to visit.  The Living Desert is definitely worth the visit. Part of it's charm is that its a great glimpse into a climate and animal life that is so drastically different from what we are use to in the Midwest.  The Palm Trees alone are worth the visit.  Add in a live animal encounter show with flying birds, climbing animals, and Zoo Keepers with a sense of humor its something you don't want to miss.

What we really love about the Living Desert is that you can see the animals up close in their natural habitat.  As Miss A said, the Giraffes are "Really Really Tall!"  Look at how cool the telescope is for looking at the Giraffes and Friends.

Since we were skipping school a few days on our trip, we tried to "learn" as much as possible on our visit. We got a behind the scene tour of the Animal Hospital on site and the docent let us touch a Ram's Horn and a set of Antlers from a Buck.  Amazing to touch and feel the difference between the two! We also got to see the exam room for the "large hoofed animals" and the sling they sit in while being examined.  Miss M decided right then that she's sticking with human nursing, no Veterinarian setting for her!

Another favorite spot at the Living Desert is the Amazing Train Display.  When Mr C was little, he could have spent the entire day watching the trains go on "adventures" ranging from the Golden Gate Bridge to Mt Rushmore.  Let's just say that there are some very talented Train Volunteers that have created a display that really shines.

For a few minutes, we contemplating taking another hike in the California Mountain, but when we saw that the shortest trail was over 3 miles long and that there were warning signs about taking water, a cell phone and letting someone know your plans; we got nervous.  Miss A said she'd rather ride the Tram around the Zoo, it seemed safer!

Spending the morning walking among the animals and soaking in the Desert was a perfect close to our vacation in California.

Children's Museum: A Walk Down Memory Lane

We don't go to many Children's Museums anymore.  Sigh.  The joy of children growing up.  At one time, we  planned our vacations around where the best Children's Museums were located.  The Palm Dessert Museum has always been our our short list of favorite places.  Back in the day, we would take Mr C all on his own, as his sister M was too young to go along.

Now, it was Miss M showing Miss A the "ropes" so to say and helping her along the way.  It's amazing how much stays the same as both girls most favorite spot at the Museum was Painting the VW Bug.  The moment we walked in the museum, it's almost like the girls had their eyes set on nothing else but painting the car.  Of course, can you blame them; donning a paint apron, slippers and a big paintbrush.

The Ropes Course was another classic favorite, but Miss M admitted it's a little more challenging when you aren't that much taller than the ropes.  Guess she has a point.

Miss M did find a new hobby in creating a Short Action Film complete with moving figures, sound effects, and changing backgrounds. Maybe this will spark some interest in the fancy digital video camera we have collecting dust at home.  Miss A found a few hidden treasures digging in the archaeological exhibit.

Of course, our final two favorite spots were the Pizza Shop and the Grocery Store.  Miss A allowed me to be the cashier, but then asked to borrow money to pay for her groceries.  Guess some things never change.  I bet we spent a good half hour restocking the shelves, ringing up the groceries and talking about how the cat and dog food cost more money than the fresh vegetables and that the cookies and frozen pies were the most expensive of all.  Not sure these were current grocery store prices and they seemed to cater to the health crazy California shopper!

After working up a good hunger shopping, Miss A and Miss M treated me to some fresh pizza.  The Brick Oven really did a great job of making even the simplest of pizza topping taste extra good.  Either that or the Pizza Chefs just did a great job laying out the pies!

We had a great morning at the Palm Dessert Children's Museum and I loved the girls enjoy this trip down memory lane.

Climbing Mountains In California

When we arrived in Palm Springs, Miss A was quick to point out that the mountains looked like a perfect place to go on a hike.  That girl has talked about our trip to the Colorado Mountains nearly weekly and has already planned our trip there this summer.  In every conversation, she talks about climbing a mountain.  Whether it be Loveland Pass or the ski slopes at Keystone, she is determined that this summer we will conquer a mountain.

On Sunday afternoon after Church, the girls, Papa and I decided that this was the perfect opportunity to climb a California Mountain.  We packed some water bottles, put on our tennis shoes and headed out to a perfect climbing spot in Palm Desert.  The trail was winding and steep, but the views were fantastic.  We didn't make it all the way to the top.  We got a little nervous about the grade, that we were going solo, and not sure about the climb back down.

Let's just say it was little more rocky and rugged than Colorado.  My dad's comment at the start of the trail was that many get stuck coming down, and had to be rescued.  Miss M might also have been a little nervous that we would run into California wildlife also known as snakes.  If you know me at all, that's really all it took to get me thinking that every dirt hill and crevice in the trail was a snake hole.  Thanks Miss M.

I didn't let fear ruin my fun though.  We climbed to our hearts content and then when we thought it was time to go back down, we did.  Of course before I sound too cocky, I do have to admit that the climb down is the tough part.  With only a few hundred feet to go, Miss A slipped and fell on the rocks and skinned her knees. It was one of those moments when you know a guardian angel is "catching your child" because her slide very easily could have been down and over the mountain.  Thank God is wasn't.

A little cleaning with a towel which I just happened to have pack in my bag and some fresh water and she was good to go.  We told her it was a California souvenir.  The tough cookie she is it didn't stop her desire to keep going and she might have even suggested another trip to climb later in the week.  While that plan didn't happen, we are already planning our summer climb in the Rockies.

Valentine's Day in the Desert

While I might not have been with all my sweethearts for Valentine's Day, I must say that laying out by the pool isn't a bad substitute!

We had a fabulous day in the desert and then that evening took a little trip to downtown Palm Springs to explore the Art Museum and Street Fair. Miss M and Miss A enjoyed the Art Museum.  They both fell in love with the Teddy Bear Chair and are scheming about how we might be able to use our overabundance of Build A Bear Animals to form our own chair.

Nana and Papa's friends; Fred and Ethel (might not be their real names) were a little "stiff," but we enjoyed seeing how they really soak in the atmosphere of the Museum, you might even say they "fit right in."

Our Valentine's Day dinner was al fresco at the California Pizza Kitchen allowing us the opportunity to chat, people watch, and soak in the warm weather.  After dinner, we strolled along the Street Fair; checking out the latest must have items and the eclectic foods and treats. Miss A even ran into a celebrity!  Her most memorable moment however was at the Marilyn Monroe Statue where she begged to have her picture taken from the backside!  Love that girl's sense of humor.

A perfect Valentine's Day in the Desert.