some of my favorite things

i just love these pics, so i had to share.

back to my roots!

santa maria that is! i was born in sm and left when i was about 7. we went back this weekend for a quick trip. and a trip it was! i went by my old house on broadway (ming, remember by carls jr.), saw where my dad and i used to go on walks, hung out with family. we also went to Jocko's in Nipomo. total hole in the wall, but THE BESSST STEAKS ever. they raise their own cows, everything is FRESH. seriously, it was the best. it was so nice. we totally relaxed as my cousin gemma took care of us. we are always treated so good when we go there.

here's some shots:

at gemma's:


pismo beach:

the besssst ever clam chowder (we've been told this line was "short" that day):

random
asia, kymora's roll dog.

the crew:
that's it for now! thanks gemma, peter and asia!

so impressed

i love this girl. i am not the mom who sits w/her kid to do homework (sorry). kymora's always just done it on her own. i explain it once and she delivers. yes, i know she's only in 1st grade and it'll get harder etc etc... but i found a list of spelling words buried in my paper work on monday. how about the test is oh, on thursday. 50 words. yes, 50. so, i made her write down all the words on her flash cards. by the end of dinner i quizzed her on 30. done. bam. no going over it one more time. 20 more to go tomorrow and we are good.
on monday, she also had to memorize a poem for friday. my mom went over it with her a few times and she's got it down.
this may be normal, for you moms, but i was impressed.

we've always bumped heads (since she was 2) we are too much alike. i just hope that she isn't like me when it comes to excelling in life. like all you moms (all 3 of you) that read my blogs, we just want the best for our kids.

sidebar, she's been such a big help at home. entertaining her brother, comforting him if he's hurt, giving me a hand w/her chores: drying dishes, putting away laundry, making her bed.. i love her.

kainoa carsie

that's what he says his name is.
noa, can you eat peanuts?
response: no, no. noa get sick.
noa, who dropped the grapes?
response: carsie did.
( i reach for muelu's food)
response: mommy, no touch daddys food k? daddy get mad. daddy sasa you.

this kid totally cracks everyone up. he's 2.5. he copies kymora allllllday. he always wants to go to ate's 'soccer game'.
right now he still loves cars, toy story, little einstein's and cheetah girls. yes, cheetah girls. he dances to it. i think he has a crush on raven simone. lol favorite song: taria (santeria) by sublime. all day he asks us to play it.

he's a character at the least. the man of many faces and expressions. too cute.

kanioa and kymora. reason enough.

lately, i've really been working a lot. i miss my kids. for lent (yes, i said lent) i'm making a little more effort to spend quality time w/my kids when i get home. not just turn on the tv, cook, and send them off to bed. isn't that a sad promise? spend more time w/kids? it should be automatic.
i've really been torn between work and home the past couple months. i was offered a chance to get promoted, and i had to turn it down. i keep wondering if i made a mistake. but, i realized that when my kids are older, i'd regret not spending enough time with them and not turning down the promotion. when i'm on my deathbed i'm sure i'm not going to say, 'i wish i spent more time at work making money'.
i just do not want to miss out on my kids. plain and simple. it may seem odd that i don't want to climb that career ladder, but honestly, it's just not important to me. soo, i'm staying that little human resources person. not making six figures. but i'll be the mom who never missed a game, who volunteered in class, made cupcakes, valentine decorations, read cars books over and over again, went to the park, pushed the kids on the swing, played guitar hero, made hot dinners, cold sack lunches, combed gum out of their hair, gave hugs and kisses, kept promises, put the kids on time out, stopped fights, kissed owies, etc etc etc. my decision is sounding better already :)