With Pop, G and Bumper. Have a look!
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
FESTIVITY AND ARTISTRY COME TOGETHER
Tonight we decorated Christmas cookies! Here you will also see a couple of pics from tree cutting and decorating last weekend.
The tree now has a small stack of presents below it and the cookies are drying and getting ready to be packaged. Today we finalized our menu for Christmas Dinner at our home (only the second time in history that we are hosting Christmas Dinner - it's the big time over here).
Life is rather good today.
Merry Christmas.
The tree now has a small stack of presents below it and the cookies are drying and getting ready to be packaged. Today we finalized our menu for Christmas Dinner at our home (only the second time in history that we are hosting Christmas Dinner - it's the big time over here).
Life is rather good today.
Merry Christmas.
Monday, December 10, 2007
A PIGS TALE
My baby girl was in her first play. Charlotte's Web. She shone like the tiny little star she is. I could not possibly be more proud and she could not possibly have been more tired at the end of her opening weekend. And closing weekend. Four shows in 3 days. She is amazing.
Have a look:
Madigan (butterfly), Tessa (Wilber), Cali (Charolette), Montana (owl).
Maddy Pierce (fair goer), Madigan (butterfly), Montana (owl) and Jaina (bat).
What a big girl.
Have a look:
Madigan (butterfly), Tessa (Wilber), Cali (Charolette), Montana (owl).
Maddy Pierce (fair goer), Madigan (butterfly), Montana (owl) and Jaina (bat).
What a big girl.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
LITTLE RUNNING MAN
Here is the little man running in his first 5K race.
Heavens to Betsy! Isn't that just amazing!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
READING A BOOK OR TWO
Levi is learning to read. Actually, he's reading. It is amazing. We spend a lot of time doing this:
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Thursday, November 1, 2007
ALL SAINTS DAY
We're having a lovely day after Halloween. Last night was magical. For the first time in these kids lives we got to trick or treat in the mountains. And by "trick or treat" I mean schlep all over hill and dale in the pitch black of night to collect about a pound of candy. We all earned our extra calories last night!
Hope your holiday was safe and fun.
Hope your holiday was safe and fun.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
SO I'LL UNPACK MY ADJECTIVES
Our family got the complete Schoolhouse Rock collection. SO FUN!
It was a hairy bear, it was a scary bear. We beat a a hasty retreat from its lair.
INTERJECTIONS! Show excitement or emotion and are generally set apart from a sentence by an exclamation point or by a comma when the feeling is not as strong.
Verb - you're what's happening. Seriously.
Rufus Xavier Sasparilla
Rube's favorite. I think because it has football in it. Whatever, three really is a magic number.
My personal favorite! "We the people, in order to form a more perfect union..."
It was a hairy bear, it was a scary bear. We beat a a hasty retreat from its lair.
INTERJECTIONS! Show excitement or emotion and are generally set apart from a sentence by an exclamation point or by a comma when the feeling is not as strong.
Verb - you're what's happening. Seriously.
Rufus Xavier Sasparilla
Rube's favorite. I think because it has football in it. Whatever, three really is a magic number.
My personal favorite! "We the people, in order to form a more perfect union..."
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
THESE KIDS ARE BORING
OK, they aren't really. I am just saying that because I feel awful about not writing anything about them for so long.
There is actually a lot of news. For starters, Levi made a goal in his game last Saturday! He is the second person on his team to make a goal this season. He's the man!
We don't have any photos of that. Of course. But we do have a picture of Madigan's New Halloween costume!
This costume thing has been a bit of a complete nightmare. If you mention "Costumes Express" or any of their affiliate companies to me in passing conversation my head is likely to blow off. Just so you know.
Wednesday was an inspiration very late in the game. Guess who suggested it. Oh, that's right. Me.
Won't she look good? I think so too!
Also, my kids took some scary photos:
Maddy, with her best scary look!
Levi's giving it a shot.
Oh, this is better. I think the snot helps.
Watch out Halloween freaks! This year the Zamoras intend to bring the scary!
Mwaaahhhhh!
There is actually a lot of news. For starters, Levi made a goal in his game last Saturday! He is the second person on his team to make a goal this season. He's the man!
We don't have any photos of that. Of course. But we do have a picture of Madigan's New Halloween costume!
This costume thing has been a bit of a complete nightmare. If you mention "Costumes Express" or any of their affiliate companies to me in passing conversation my head is likely to blow off. Just so you know.
Wednesday was an inspiration very late in the game. Guess who suggested it. Oh, that's right. Me.
Won't she look good? I think so too!
Also, my kids took some scary photos:
Maddy, with her best scary look!
Levi's giving it a shot.
Oh, this is better. I think the snot helps.
Watch out Halloween freaks! This year the Zamoras intend to bring the scary!
Mwaaahhhhh!
Sunday, October 14, 2007
LABOR DAY KID SOUP
On labor day weekend we spent a lovely day with our friends at their beautiful beach house in Pajaro Dunes. My camera ran out of batteries, but our lovely host sent me some of her amazing pics. Have a look:
The view from the house.
At the end of a long day chillin' at the beach the kids really need to relax. Thank god for the hot tub.
Maddy and Davin sneaking in a hug.
WHEEEE!
Levi is ready for a nap in the car on our drive home.
Here we have two, count them two, Levis. Sweet.
The view from the house.
At the end of a long day chillin' at the beach the kids really need to relax. Thank god for the hot tub.
Maddy and Davin sneaking in a hug.
WHEEEE!
Levi is ready for a nap in the car on our drive home.
Here we have two, count them two, Levis. Sweet.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
MAXIN AND CHILLAXIN
Here is my Maddy Girl in her new bankie, made special for her with the snazzy "Dance" theme by my mom's friend.
Levi's new bankie is a wonderful baseball theme. Perfect for this boy with the amazing pitching arm.
They are the perfect size for cuddling up on the sofa.
Or, as we like to say - chillaxin. Cause we are very street and cool.
Monday, October 8, 2007
WE ALL HAVE TO GROW UP SOMETIME
Lisa, Tammy and I are friends. For more than a dozen years. And now we are big girls with families and stunningly beautiful children. No, really, totally beautiful children abound in our presence.
Don't take my word for it. Have a look:
Lisa and Ryan, her youngest.
Tammy's daughter Emily and husband Steve.
Tammy's youngest, Meg. With a delicious sticky face!
My mom, Tammy, Meg and Steve's mom take a rest. Wrangling kids can be exhausting!
Lisa's older son Jack and Levi.
Oh, yeah. You know what time it is. That's right. It's hat time. Here is Emily in a sparkly cap.
Maddy looks hungry. Or something else. I'm not really sure what that look says.
Jack is under that football hat. I swear.
Ah, the old basketball and hoop hat. Slimming.
Is it Howdy Doody Time?
What's this?
Pizza Hat, DUH!
See what I mean? Beauty abounds. It's hard to be us. But, clearly, someone's gotta do it...
Don't take my word for it. Have a look:
Lisa and Ryan, her youngest.
Tammy's daughter Emily and husband Steve.
Tammy's youngest, Meg. With a delicious sticky face!
My mom, Tammy, Meg and Steve's mom take a rest. Wrangling kids can be exhausting!
Lisa's older son Jack and Levi.
Oh, yeah. You know what time it is. That's right. It's hat time. Here is Emily in a sparkly cap.
Maddy looks hungry. Or something else. I'm not really sure what that look says.
Jack is under that football hat. I swear.
Ah, the old basketball and hoop hat. Slimming.
Is it Howdy Doody Time?
What's this?
Pizza Hat, DUH!See what I mean? Beauty abounds. It's hard to be us. But, clearly, someone's gotta do it...
Thursday, October 4, 2007
IF THEY WEREN'T SO CUTE...
Here is a happy picture from rehearsal:
And here is Levi, looking on:
These two kids. These kids right here. They barely survived this morning.
Sakes alive.
And here is Levi, looking on:
These two kids. These kids right here. They barely survived this morning.
Sakes alive.
Monday, October 1, 2007
A IS FOR APPLES TO APPLES
We've been eyeballing the game "Apples to Apples" for a long time. The problem was the game's age range. Nine and up for the "Junior" game, and 12 and up for the regular game. Twelve and up? For a card game? I don't know a single 12 year old who wants card games for any gift giving event. Whatever.
Anyway, we have nearly bought it a bunch of times, regardless of the age limit, because it looks so fun. I had determined that I would partner with Levi and it would be great. No problem. But then we would balk. Cause it just wasn't perfect.
But guess what? They released a "Apples to Apples Kids" game for 7 and up. Levi is nearly 7! How perfect is that?
So today we bought it! And we played it! SO MUCH FUN!!
Here is the site where you can find out all about it.
In the event that you decide to pick your self up a game I have learned that there are alternative rules (with kicky little alternative names!).
Enjoy!!!
* Apple Turnovers: The roles of red and green cards are reversed, with players using adjectives to describe the given noun. This can be stymied by the relatively low number of green cards in the box (a third as many as reds).
* Crab Apples: The red apple cards are judged on how unlike they are to the green apple card. The card least like the green apple card wins.
* Big Apples: Two or more players boasting that the judge will pick their card can agree to each wager one of their green apple cards. If the judge selects one of their red apple cards, that player wins the green apple card and all of the wagered green apple cards. If the judge does not pick one of their red apple cards, the wagered cards are forfeited to the bottom of the card stack.
* Apple Potpourri: Each player selects a red apple card from his or her hand before the judge turns over the green apple card. After the red apple cards are played, the judge turns over a green apple card. As usual, the judge then selects the winning red apple card.
* 2 for 1 Apples: The judge turns over two green apple cards to start the round. Each player selects the red apple card from his or her hand that is best described by both green apple cards. After the judge selects a red apple card, both of the green apple cards are awarded to the winner.
* Apples Eye View: The Judge must pick a red apple card based upon the point of view of somebody, or something else (a house cat, Rush Limbaugh, Bill Clinton, a speck of dust, etc). The player to the left of the Judge determines which point of view the Judge must use for that round.
* Apple Traders: To stir things up, on each turn, each player selects one red apple card from his or her hand to pass on to the player on his or her left. Players pass the cards after drawing their seventh card but before the judge selects a green apple card.
** Here is Cal. She watched us play the game. We tried to let her have a turn but she only licked the cards. Which is rude! To say the least! So she is no longer allowed to play. But we still love her.
Anyway, we have nearly bought it a bunch of times, regardless of the age limit, because it looks so fun. I had determined that I would partner with Levi and it would be great. No problem. But then we would balk. Cause it just wasn't perfect.
But guess what? They released a "Apples to Apples Kids" game for 7 and up. Levi is nearly 7! How perfect is that?
So today we bought it! And we played it! SO MUCH FUN!!
Here is the site where you can find out all about it.
In the event that you decide to pick your self up a game I have learned that there are alternative rules (with kicky little alternative names!).
Enjoy!!!
* Apple Turnovers: The roles of red and green cards are reversed, with players using adjectives to describe the given noun. This can be stymied by the relatively low number of green cards in the box (a third as many as reds).
* Crab Apples: The red apple cards are judged on how unlike they are to the green apple card. The card least like the green apple card wins.
* Big Apples: Two or more players boasting that the judge will pick their card can agree to each wager one of their green apple cards. If the judge selects one of their red apple cards, that player wins the green apple card and all of the wagered green apple cards. If the judge does not pick one of their red apple cards, the wagered cards are forfeited to the bottom of the card stack.
* Apple Potpourri: Each player selects a red apple card from his or her hand before the judge turns over the green apple card. After the red apple cards are played, the judge turns over a green apple card. As usual, the judge then selects the winning red apple card.
* 2 for 1 Apples: The judge turns over two green apple cards to start the round. Each player selects the red apple card from his or her hand that is best described by both green apple cards. After the judge selects a red apple card, both of the green apple cards are awarded to the winner.
* Apples Eye View: The Judge must pick a red apple card based upon the point of view of somebody, or something else (a house cat, Rush Limbaugh, Bill Clinton, a speck of dust, etc). The player to the left of the Judge determines which point of view the Judge must use for that round.
* Apple Traders: To stir things up, on each turn, each player selects one red apple card from his or her hand to pass on to the player on his or her left. Players pass the cards after drawing their seventh card but before the judge selects a green apple card.
** Here is Cal. She watched us play the game. We tried to let her have a turn but she only licked the cards. Which is rude! To say the least! So she is no longer allowed to play. But we still love her.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
OFF WE GO A HAUNTING...
Halloween is coming! One of my favorite holidays! And the bigger the kids get the funner it is! We all indulge in the silliness, and the dressing up is so much fun.
This year Maddy will be a Sweet Witch:
Levi will be a Death Eater (Harry Potter style):
Rube and I are thinking of getting "His and Hers" costumes for the first time in out relationship. From the difficulties we've had agreeing, it just may be our last! Keep your eyes peeled for a middle aged pair of zombie samurai and geisha.
Anyway, we are looking forward to a month of scary celebrations and festivities!
This year Maddy will be a Sweet Witch:
Levi will be a Death Eater (Harry Potter style):
Rube and I are thinking of getting "His and Hers" costumes for the first time in out relationship. From the difficulties we've had agreeing, it just may be our last! Keep your eyes peeled for a middle aged pair of zombie samurai and geisha.
Anyway, we are looking forward to a month of scary celebrations and festivities!
Sunday, September 23, 2007
NUMBER ONE GIRL CHILD - SANS CAST!
BTW - Maddy got her cast off! SWEET!
She about pitched a fit when I wanted to take a picture of her arm without the cast as proof. I said we needed to show what it looks like now. She said I should use EVERY OTHER PICTURE from her whole entire life.
Sometimes I feel like she's not supportive of my hobbies. I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'.
She about pitched a fit when I wanted to take a picture of her arm without the cast as proof. I said we needed to show what it looks like now. She said I should use EVERY OTHER PICTURE from her whole entire life.
Sometimes I feel like she's not supportive of my hobbies. I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'.
KICKIN' IT - NEW SCHOOL
Here is my boy! Playing soccer! For the first time!
He was all over the ball. Running and sweating and hardly even slipping in all the mud.
It would not be possible for me to be more proud.
Here is the recipe for the BEST EVER homemade granola bars that we served for after game snack. One very complimentary parent accused us of setting the bar way too high. You decide for yourself.
(P.S. - I used honey instead of corn syrup, no chocolate chips, no sunflower seeds, and double the dried fruit. Which pretty much means I didn't follow the recipe at all. But apparently I made good substitutions! YUM!!!!)
He was all over the ball. Running and sweating and hardly even slipping in all the mud.
It would not be possible for me to be more proud.
Here is the recipe for the BEST EVER homemade granola bars that we served for after game snack. One very complimentary parent accused us of setting the bar way too high. You decide for yourself.
(P.S. - I used honey instead of corn syrup, no chocolate chips, no sunflower seeds, and double the dried fruit. Which pretty much means I didn't follow the recipe at all. But apparently I made good substitutions! YUM!!!!)
Sunday, September 16, 2007
MMMMM - CHEESY!
Today is Sunday. We at Casa Zamora enjoy a lovely breakfast every day, but we especially enjoy weekend breakfast.
Today I was making waffles for the family when I recalled something my friend Laura shared with me about waffle making. Her husband has diabetes and in his childhood home they made cheesy waffles instead of the sweet variety.
So, I gave it a shot. And you know what - they were great! Levi was the first to taste and he was instantly a fan. When I made more Madigan and I were also converts! How fun to have a new delight!
We didn't put anything on them, we just ate them plain. This would be good instead of toast with eggs because the cheese gets quite crispy and delicious.
So now you know. When making waffles add some cheese. Either to the batter or just sprinkle some cheese on the top of the batter before you close the iron. And then - YUM!
Today I was making waffles for the family when I recalled something my friend Laura shared with me about waffle making. Her husband has diabetes and in his childhood home they made cheesy waffles instead of the sweet variety.
So, I gave it a shot. And you know what - they were great! Levi was the first to taste and he was instantly a fan. When I made more Madigan and I were also converts! How fun to have a new delight!
We didn't put anything on them, we just ate them plain. This would be good instead of toast with eggs because the cheese gets quite crispy and delicious.
So now you know. When making waffles add some cheese. Either to the batter or just sprinkle some cheese on the top of the batter before you close the iron. And then - YUM!
Sunday, September 9, 2007
WE'LL SLEEP WHEN WE'RE DEAD
Saturday night was the official birthday party for Madigan's 10th year. This wraps up a week of minor celebrations, and therefore needed to be a blowout. This party - this slumber party to end all slumber parties - did not disappoint. Please enjoy a few pictures of the lovely and delightful girls that made our lives a little more fun and funny one night in September 2007:
Madigan - Welcome to the party! Hope it is all you ever wanted.
J, Maddy's friend from the new school making monkey art on the deck before the sun sets.
A has found some scissors (which were hard to find beneath all the craft paper).
Here is some of the monkey art.
N was enraptured with the paper and glue.
Smile for me C.
How about a cheesy one H?
Here is the product of all that hard work! Monkey pictures for Maddy and to take home. So beautiful!
Next was time for cake. Yum!
Following presents and a round of indoor jump rope, H takes a rest.
T and her turnip. Peas in a pod.
Even better than the dancing in Pulp Fiction, M is bringing the moves!
H is having a deep thought, as the girls were wont to do.
No more pictures, please.
Everyone was lying down for quiet time before 11:30. The last little eyes closed at around 12:30. Manners were observed. Candid conversations happened around this adult (a huge compliment). No voices were raised, no feelings were hurt. Overall the perfect sleepover.
Thank you for letting us have your beautiful small women for an evening. It means the world to us and our own special girl. We will remember this night fondly for years to come. Actually, this is the slumber party that may ruin all others because it went so well.
Perhaps we should quit while we are ahead...
(Please check out all of the pictures from this great night at my flickr account.)
Madigan - Welcome to the party! Hope it is all you ever wanted.
J, Maddy's friend from the new school making monkey art on the deck before the sun sets.
A has found some scissors (which were hard to find beneath all the craft paper).
Here is some of the monkey art.
N was enraptured with the paper and glue.
Smile for me C.
How about a cheesy one H?
Here is the product of all that hard work! Monkey pictures for Maddy and to take home. So beautiful!
Next was time for cake. Yum!
Following presents and a round of indoor jump rope, H takes a rest.
T and her turnip. Peas in a pod.
Even better than the dancing in Pulp Fiction, M is bringing the moves!
H is having a deep thought, as the girls were wont to do.
No more pictures, please.
Everyone was lying down for quiet time before 11:30. The last little eyes closed at around 12:30. Manners were observed. Candid conversations happened around this adult (a huge compliment). No voices were raised, no feelings were hurt. Overall the perfect sleepover.
Thank you for letting us have your beautiful small women for an evening. It means the world to us and our own special girl. We will remember this night fondly for years to come. Actually, this is the slumber party that may ruin all others because it went so well.
Perhaps we should quit while we are ahead...
(Please check out all of the pictures from this great night at my flickr account.)
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