I know, everyone is looking for healthy recipes. Everyone wants something good for you that tastes good too. Today, I found it. the perfect, healthy, balanced meal. That even my kids will eat!
Let's start with ice cream. Everyone loves ice cream. And you know what? It's good for you. Really. It's made from milk. It has calcium and protein. So there. It's healthy.
Of course. You can add other healthy things and make it even better for you. We decided on strawberries and bananas. They are fruits. Therefore they are good for you. Two food groups down. Remember, we are going to a balance meal here.

Protein; AKA the meat and legume group. Legumes are beans. Chocolate comes from cocoa beans. Therefore, I declare that chocolate belongs in the meat group. Three food groups. And doesn't this look yummy!

What? We are missing one? The grain group; bread and cereal. Never fear. You see, we also got ice cream cones. And ice cream cones are make from flour, which was once a grain. So there. All four food groups. A healthy meal that even me kids will eat.

4th grade history: California History.

In California, 4th graders all study the California Missions. For those who are not versed in California history, the missions were churches established by Spanish priests throughout California before it became a state. The missions were supposed to help the native populations by teaching them to farm and by converting them to Catholicism.

Part of learning about the missions for many 4th graders includes building a model of one the 21 missions. I remember building mine out of sugar cubes back in the day... Now, I have a 4th grader of my own building his mission model. He chose Mission Santa Cruz.

The first buildings of Jacob's Mission Santa Cruz

The roofs of missions were build from hand made tiles. This is still a popular look in California. But, how do you get the look on a small scale? Manicotti. First you boil it until it's just soft enough to cut in half. Then you let it dry again to get the lovely half circle shape. Each one is a little different, giving it that handmade look. Then you paint each one.

Close up of the pasta, before and after painting.

Assembly of the roof, one tile at a time.

This became a family project.

The back yard of the mission. They farmed a large area around the mission. They also had lots of animals.

Jacob's fountain

We visited the actual Mission Santa Cruz. (more about that in a future blog) This is the real fountain at the current mission site.

The finished project.

The real (replica) of the mission. The original was damaged and moved a couple of times over the years. There is only one original building still standing. (More about that in a later blog too)

Consider googling Mission Santa Cruz. It has an interesting history. I am much more interested now than when I was in 4th grade. Watch for more from our trip to the mission, coming soon, when I find time...

You really just never know what will inspire a blog posting. Today, it was a trip to get a new toilet seat. Now, first there is a back story to get to why we need a new toilet seat. We have had some crazy plumbing issues in recent weeks. $8000 worth of crazy plumbing issues to be precise. Needless to say, Brian was not happy to find the toilet backed up again yesterday, after we thought we had everything fixed ($8000 worth of "fixed").

Anyway, after his battle with the bowl, he informed me that he had broken the toilet seat. I didn't even want to know how that happened, but I asked anyway. His reply? Sheepishly, "well kicking it probably didn't help." Sometimes, all you can do is laugh. Then you get to pick a new toilet seat. And there are options! While we debated the pros and cons of each seat, I felt a blog coming on and pulled out my cell phone, lol. I bet you're glad!

Option 1: This nice wooden number. Unfortunately, neither of was sure of the color of the wood our sink cabinet is made of, and we could not have a mismatched toilet and sink.
Option 2: I teased Brian about getting a nice squishy seat. He vetoed the "stick to your butt" soft plastic/vinal stuff. But, aren't the embroidered dragon flies lovely?

Option 3: I kind of favored this pretty shell pattern. It would match the shower curtain with a beachy theme. Brian's comment? "When you sit down, can you hear the ocean?"

Not really an option, but seriously, where was this little number when I was potty training the boys? How cook is this? It has a small lid and toddler size seat AND the whole lid lifts for adult use. Genius!

So what did we get? It didn't even warrant a photo, lol. A simple white wooden seat, just like the one that got broke. We are such boring decorators.

Wonderful Weekend - Part 2

Brian and I had fun letterboxing before heading back. It was a good letterboxing weekend. We found every box that we looked for! We even went on a nice hike in the San Luis Obispo hills. Well, nice is relative. I had to ice my knee after. But, we got the box. Oh, and WE. WERE. FIRST.

This was taken about halfway up the hill.

If you look to the left of the trees, you can see our car. This was taken from the same spot as the previous photo, about halfway up.

If you look real close, there is a drive-in theater down there. This is the other side of hill, from the peak.
Then we had to go home. It was so beautiful and sunny at the coast. When we reached the mountains you could see the the clouds/fog sitting in the valley. Here is proof that there is sun above the cloud layer. Then we descended into the fog. And we didn't see the sun at all today.

If you are not familiar with letterboxing, check out atlasquest.com or letterboxing.org. This is a great hobby for the family. It's a neat way to find places in your local area that you may not yet be familiar with. It's also a good way to explore new places or get out and stretch during road trips. Let me know if you give it a try. I'd love to know I've introduced someone new to it. Beware, it's addicting!

Wonderful Weekend, Part 1

Brian and I escaped to the beach this weekend, without the kids. I really needed the break. Life has been kind of crazy since before the holidays. And it was perfect. It was sunny and warm. I was so tired of the fog and the cold. I didn't even realize it. But, I missed the sun. I am such a California girl.

Those who know me know that I love signs. I love taking pictures of signs everywhere I go. This one just struck me as funny. Don't feed the... whaa? Seals? Sea lions? Still makes me giggle!
I've been to Morro Rock many times. How is it that I didn't know that Morro Rock was a volcano? Well, there was a volcano there at some point. Now the rock is a lava plug. Considering the frequency of earthquakes in the area, I wonder if the rock could be dislodged...and if it were... The things I think about.

The beach at Morro Rock is one of my favorite places. I love the way the waves crash on the rocks and spray up several feet (like 20+) It's awesome! Of course, a still photo just doesn't do it justice.

Me and my honey

We also got some good letterboxing in. "Under the gaze of Lady Liberty." Only significant to those who know the significance, but it made a nice picture.

In December, before Christmas, we took the little boys to the beach for the weekend. When it's cold and rainy (or foggy, which is normal, but it was rainy) here, it's usually warm and sunny there. And it was true for this trip. We had an especially fun time playing in the sand this trip.

Jacob and Nate working together!

Our family sculpture of Jacob! This was fun.

Sunset on the beach
Day 2, more sand play and beautiful weather

Jacob's sand castle

Brian's and my sand sculpture

Attention to detail

Not sure about that hair

Beware the rising tide

A family tradition!

It was fun to stand on the peer and watch people who noticed the mermaid on the beach. It was a fun trip. I think it's about time for another trip. Hmm, I think tomorrow would be a good time.

12 of 12 ~ November. Thank you to Aimee for introducing my to 12 of 12. Here are 12 random photos of my day yesterday, the 12th of November.

9:57am ~ Thanks Jenny for the reminder.

10:02am ~ Good morning sunshine. Teenagers and mornings without school don't really go together.

10:20am ~ I wonder how many time my washing machine has been on 12 of 12. It seems I am doing laundry every day. And no the kitty didn't get washed. She's just nosy.

11:30ish ~ Since Shawn was going to his dad's and Nate was at my dad's, Jacob and I needed something to do.

12:00ish ~ Making mini cupcakes, with Reese's chips. 12:15ish ~ um, this is my spot, notice my laptop.

12:30ish ~ These could be the best cupcakes EVER.

12:35ish ~ Again?

1:00ish ~ When we were out, Jacob also chose yarn for his teacher's scarf. I love that he likes to do this. That's one less gift for me to make!

1:00ish ~ Quality time together. Another Holiday gift.

6:30pm ~ Jacob got to chose dinner. Great choice.

6:45ish ~ I love conversations with Jacob. He's so animated.

It was a great day spent with Jacob. I do not get a full day with just one child very often. I hope days like this leave good memories for them, as they do for me.

I survived my "unplugged weekend." We went out of town for the weekend, without my laptop or my cell phone! The only electronic item was my camera! About 11am yesterday, after printing off some letterboxing clues, we hit the road. (If you are not familiar with letterboxing check out atlasquest.com) First, we drove north to Fremont to pick up Joshua from school. It's about a three hour drive, so we planned some letterboxing to "stretch our legs."

Our first stop was Mission San Jose, which ironically is NOT in San Jose. One of the great things about letterboxing is that you get to see places you might not have otherwise, and sometimes you learn things. Jacob is studying California history this year and the missions are part of that. I think this one is less popular than some of the others. Maybe, we can model this one for his spring project. Anyway, there was (note past tense) a box in the mission park.

I love the architecture of the missions.

The next stop was a small park in Fremont, with a very cool train that you can climb on, and a letterbox. Don't worry Aimee, I'm not giving anything away, they aren't even close in this photo, lol.
This is Nater Tater's first letterbox, well his first with his own personal stamp, carved for him by Aimee when we were in Seattle this summer. He loved it. I think we may have to do more of this now that he is into it.

Jacob has had his own stamp and book for a couple of years now. He had fun, but doesn't seem to be as into it as Nate.

I love it when letter box planters are creative in their clues. Our next box led us to another park, the clue included a list (i.e. Locust, Locust, Dr Suess, Dangerous, Locust, Redwood, etc) Joshua realized that it seemed to fit a row of trees.

Dr. Suess, can you see it?

Dangerous, would you want to climb this tree?

Our last box of the evening. It was getting to dark to read the clues, much less find what you we were looking for. I love this photo, just wish Joshua were in it too, but he was behind the camera.

Then we drove to Monterey. There always seems to be a pillow fight when we stay in a hotel. Tradition? Maybe, it's because there are SO many pillows, lol. Always makes me smile!

We almost got rained out today. But, a little rain can't keep my beach bum out of the sand.

Same goes for me. I am drawn to the ocean.

And what's more fun than puddle jumping in the parking lot?

It was wonderful weekend. It's nice to be connected again. But, I would totally do it again, no phone calls, texts emails. And I didn't miss anything earth shattering! Hope you all had a good weekend.