Let the celebration begin...

Tomorrow my first born turns 16! To say that time passes much too quickly would be an understatement. I really wanted to post some pictures of G-man when he was a baby but they didn't have digital cameras back then. Oh well, one of these days I'll get a scanner. G-man started his weekend with a fun-filled trip with friends to Six Flags. On Saturday, he bought himself a birthday present. He has just started getting into playing golf and really wanted his own set of clubs. He's been working hard every Saturday doing lawn care and saved himself enough money to buy his own set of clubs. He's very excited!

More to come later......

Difficult Decision

Our elementary school is on a year-round school calendar. We have 4 "tracks" A,B,C and D. Each track will be in school for 3 months and then "track off" for approximately 4-6 weeks. THis is to accommodate the large number of students we have in the schools. (Although, I hear it's declining and with all the budgets cuts we've had we may be back on a traditional calendar soon)We're "D" track so we have off the months of February, June, October. So we've been off-track since Oct. 2. There are pros and con's to both traditional and year-round, I'm indifferent to either. As you may recall, when the school year started, I was extremely excited because, finally all my children would be in school, even if it was for only 3 1/2 hours a day. It still was a much anticipated time for me. Well, after only 3 months, it's over and not just because we're off-track. Because after much thought and prayer Hubby and I have decided to home school two of our kids.
Mr. E and Liv will now be doing school at home. (Now, I'm going to babble) The idea started about a year ago when we were in the midst of Prop 8 and we thought ok, if this doesn't pass we might have to home school our kids. Well, it passed and time moves on, and I stopped thinking about it until this school year. Now let me tell you a little about Mr. E. He is such a wonderful little boy. He is the one I can count on to always be happy. He's timid and doesn't like a lot of attention but he's sweet and kind. He loves to tinker with things, build things, he's a very kinesthetic learner. He loves nature and being outside. He loves to climb, run, jump and play, all the typical things boys like to do. But when he was kindergarten-age we decided to keep him back because he just was not ready, something I wish I had done with my older son but didn't. I think it was helpful but he still just seemed to be behind. Fast forward to 4th grade, it's not getting any better. He still struggles and they are moving too quickly for him to keep up. He's a smart boy but it takes him a little longer to process information. I was just getting frustrated with the school system. He was falling through the cracks because he didn't qualify for the extra help he needed. (now I'm ranting) and there is so much wasted time at school. I can't tell you how many times my children have come home from school and told me they watched movies in class, and I'm not talking educational movies but like Disney movies. And it's seems like there is so much nonsense work anymore. So it just came down to taking responsibility for my child's education and doing what's best for him. This way I just feel that I have more control over what and how he's learning. So his last day of school was the day he tracked off.
Now, Liv, is a different story, she wants to be home schooled because of the flexibility it has and the ability of working ahead. So we'll see how it goes. It's extremely overwhelming but after 2 weeks, so far so good and I'm working with a charter school so I'm not completely on my own. I do think it will be better once Sweet pea and Little A are back in school. They can be a little distracting for Mr. E.
I always thought that I wanted to go back to school when all my kids were in school, I just didn't think it would be this way. =)

Really?

Just got this from my hubby and thought it was funny. He says his life is now complete. Who knew that's all it would take. I wish I'd know that sooner.

All things Pumpkin

Happy Fall! I love this time year! We went down to Grandpa's house and picked pumpkins on Monday. No, the above picture are not the ones we picked, sorry. The kids had a blast picking out their pumpkins and I was grateful we didn't have to pay for them. (I can't believe how expensive some pumpkins can be!) The temperatures are starting to drop, a little. Most significantly is in the morning. My 6:30am run is now done wearing pants instead of shorts. It's just harder to run that early when it's dark and cold. Yuck! The one downside to this time of year. But anyway, the last few months in my kitchen has been all about zucchini. Zucchini is very versatile, you can put it in anything and I think have. Breads, cakes, brownies, soups. casseroles. But I'm done with zucchini. It's October and that means it's pumpkin time. I love pumpkin in desserts.(except in pie, strange I know. I think it's the consistency) So of course, I wanted to post one of my favorite pumpkin recipes. This time it's for muffins. Last year it was for pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, go here if you want that recipe. It's so yummy. I wish I could post one of those pretty pictures to go with the recipe but I haven't actually made them yet this year, besides, my pictures never look as good as they do on real cooking blogs anyway. So here it goes, hope you like them.

Pumpkin Muffins

1 cup sugar
3/4 cup oil (I replace half of that with applesauce)
1 cup canned pumpkin

Mix together then add:

1 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Mix together until just blended then add

2 eggs (beaten)

Mix again, and then add 1 cup chocolate chips

Fill muffin pan 3/4 way up. Top with brown sugar and bake at 375 for 15-20 min. Enjoy!
I usually double this recipe.

*disclaimer: My recipes are not my own, they are just tried and true recipes I've acquired over the years that I know my family and friends enjoy. With that said I must thank my friend S.B. for this recipe =)

Random photos

Sorry for the mass influx of photos. But I keep putting this off saying I'll do it tomorrow and tomorrow comes and goes and it dosen't get done. So finally, I'm staying up late to get these darn pictures posted! Sisters.

Little A's first field trip. He was so excited that he got to ride on a real school bus! They went to a pumpkin patch.

If it didn't have my son's name on it I wouldn't have believed it! I think this is what you call an oxymoron. During his parent-teacher conference, his teacher did say he was very focused and was a good listener. I guess that's the important thing, he knows when and where to behave. That also explains why he's so hyper at home. He has to hold it in all morning!

Should I be concerned?

Off track fun with Papa. This time a trip to Fairytale Town.

Ironic because this is what our family was talking about being for Halloween this year.

Liv, just because, she likes having her picture taken.