Tidbits

Violet decided she wanted to improve her ramen-making skills, so looked up tips online. We then went to an Asian grocery store in Canyon Country - this was the noodle aisle! We also bought a couple of the many varieties of dried boba, so she can make it at home.

Here was one of her improved soups.

I found this sweet baby oak tree on my daily walk.

Nick and Melanie housesat for my parents when they were away, so we had them over for dinner and swimming on Thursday. Cora shared her Sebby with Eloise.

We found this poor lizard squashed in our screen door - I guess we can't blame Spencer for this death!

We had Colleen, Rigo and the kids over for swimming and dinner on Saturday, and pool time. 

We forced the kids to recreate some old photos we have of them. 

My own kids refused to smile. 

Just a few years ago! Cora in the middle in black, Violet in goggles. 

Back to School!

The time has come - summer has ended and the girls have returned to school, with Cora starting her sophomore year, and Violet starting 7th grade at the junior high school. 

Last week, both girls had registration on Tuesday. Cora's went very smoothly, and incredibly fast - she was in and out in about 20 minutes.

Violet's took considerably longer, and I went around the school with her, whereas with Cora I dropped her off and picked her up when she was done.

Celebratory boba tea when we were finished!
 

Cora's first day photo - she was tired after a poor night sleep, and not exactly excited, but she forced a smile nonetheless. 

Violet also was all nerves! 

Praying they both have a good year, despite the challenges they'll face. 

This was Vi walking into her second day of school. She's thankful to be in the yearbook class and to have many of the same teachers Cora enjoyed in 7th grade. She of course has many new people she doesn't know in her classes, but she is able to see her friends from 6th grade at brunch and lunch.

Fun for Stace

On Saturday, we went to a very lovely and fancy retirement party for one of Stace's longtime coworkers. Because Stace happens to be Brian's supervisor right now, he was asked to give a little speech. 

Here are some of the crew, getting their photo taken by the party host.

The hosts' home and yard were incredible, with a stunning view of the SClarita sunset.

We had a great night, and I also had the odd experience of realizing we were out late and not-so-long-ago, we would have needed a babysitter for this kind of night. I mean, it's been years since we've needed a sitter, but somehow, coming home so late, it hit me anew how old our girls are getting.

On Monday after work, Stace and I drove 60 miles down to Buena Park to test drive a 2012 Audi TT. Stace has been looking at TTs for many months now, and we've saved enough to buy one. But, we didn't know if all four of us could fit in one, since we haven't been able to get a hands-on experience. They're quite rare over here, though we saw loads of them in England a few weeks ago.

Our trip was a success in that we figured out A) we all can fit; the back seat is tiny but the girls and I are also tiny; and B) yes, it's super fun to drive and Stace liked the feel of it. 

Once we got to see this particular car in person, we knew it wasn't the one for us, as it was too scratched up. 

The search continues!

Creative Endeavors

I've been changing a few things about what we eat lately, adding in new supplements and switching some things up. One is that I've bought some wheat berries, and ground them up into flour to make my own bread. 

Here, you can see the ground flour behind, and the berries in front. Fresh flour apparently has many health benefits you lose with store flour, as they quickly diminish with the passage of time.

I'm actually able to use my high-powered blender to make the flour. I've bought three types of berries - hard red, hard white and soft white. Each has a slight differences.

My first loaf of bread! Stace has always enjoyed baking, but I was a bit intimidated. But, we have a hand-me-down breadmaker, so I decided it can't be that hard. And, after figuring out which recipe to use, it really was quick and easy to add the ingredients to the breadmaker and turn it on.

Everyone enjoyed the hot bread and butter. 

 

I'm also trying to limit our use of seed oils, like canola, grapeseed, palm oil, etc., in favor of the old-fashioned fats people have used for centuries. It was easy to switch what I use for cooking, but then you realize all the products these oils are in. 

I'm giving up my beloved flavored coffee creamer (at least what I buy at home, not that I'll refuse to use it when out and about), and switching to real whipped butter instead of canola blend spreads. Peanut butter was another thing - what I have always bought is full of palm oil. So, I'm now making my own - SO easy with my blender.

Cora also has been creative lately - Stace brought home this cookie box, a nice heavy cardboard with a magnet closure, thinking the girls might like it. 

Cora transformed it into this amazing box for her D&D minis. 

Seriously, this is impressive. She added the red felt, the dividers, and paint, plus the logo.

Grandma wanted to do something fun with the girls, so she took them to the pottery paint shop. I love this photo of them!

Their creations turned out awesome!

And, of course, Cora has been painting minis. She is talented!

Summer Fun

So, we're in a new world of summer life, with two girls who would be happy to be home all day, playing video games, or watching things. They're not anxious to see friends, and they resist leaving the house. It's weird because I value our time together and would like to DO more fun things while they're off school, but they don't have a lot of interest.

Anyway, on one late summer day, I "dragged" them to the ice rink, where we had a fun hour-plus, getting exercise and enjoying the cold air.

We then went to the mall, where I'd recently spotted a kiosk selling genuine Dole Whip frozen dessert. Since it's now been well over two years since I've had one at Disneyland, I was anxious to treat the girls to a big one for us to all share.

Over the weekend, we donated a lot of old quilts to a high school fundraiser, where they were getting paid by the pound of cloth. I finally decided to donate the adorable Classic Pooh Bear curtains a friend made us for baby Cora's bedroom. They'd been up high in the closet, forgotten, but obviously it's past time for them to move on. I got very sad though, looking at them for the last time. 

Melanie and Ellie came over and Ellie was very gentle with Barley! 

Stace took a day off during the girls' last week off school, when he woke up not feeling well. Later, we all went out to lunch, since I had a coupon for Buy One, Get One rice bowls.

Then, we all went to play in the pool, even Violet, who has decided she doesn't love playing in the pool. 

Look at these lovely synchronized swimmers!

...Oh. 

Violet had a horrible night of sleep shortly before school restarted, and said she was up basically all night. This was how I found her at 8:30 a.m.; she napped for about two hours.

Fun fact: these couches in the game room belonged to my grandparents, who had them custom made because of their height.

Beach Birthday Bash

On Sunday, we had our first family beach trip of the year, with a lot of friends as we celebrated Colleen's birthday.

Stace helped get the kids going on an epic sand castle.

Cora helped Lucas and another friend build a log structure.

We ate well, and the weather, scenery and company were fabulous. Here, the kids are inside the trailer playing a murder mystery game.