Have Courage and Be Kind...

 I took Emme to see "Cinderella" today.

Her brother didn't want to go "...its for girls!).

This little 4 year old sat through the whole thing.  You could hear

the other little girls talking about different parts of it during the movie.

Hubby and I had gone to see it the other day.  We'd seen so many previews

that he actually wanted to see it!  Must say he really enjoyed it.

I think that I appreciated it even more this time.  I had read about the dress, so

I paid even more attention to it (all those bitsy lights that make it sparkle).  Amazing!

Me said her favorite part was the pumpkin turning into a coach and

all the animals.

I can actually say that the ball dance scene is probably my 

favorite.  I know that the actors worked really hard on that because of the dress.

(so I wonder if Disney will rework all of their Cinderella products to go along with this updated version?) 

I was thinking about the overall theme to the movie.  It's really not "every girl gets a prince".

it's...

even as Cinderella and the Prince are leaving her house, she shows kindness

to her step-mother by forgiving her.

Isn't this what we want for all of girls?

Girls can do anything as long as they have the courage to try.

Kindness is so unselfish.

This are the traits that I want for my granddaughters (even their mothers).

** Emme told me that I couldn't be a Fairy Grandmother, even if I knew all the words,

because I didn't have a magic wand!  well that makes sense.  Bibbidy Bobbidy Boo!

Trustworthy...

yesterday Grey received an award at school for

"Trustworthiness"

The principal talked about the traits of being trustworthy...

always being a good friend,

always doing your best,

and always telling the truth.

These are all Grey.

Greyson and his really good buddies

So proud of you Grey

and so very glad I got to be here for this special award.

Grandparents Day 2015...

one of the reasons I'm in San Clemente is for "Grandparent's Day"

at Our Saviors.

This is the 7th time I've attended one of these.

As I was sitting there I was thinking that next year will be Jack's last year there

and it will be the last Grandparent's Day.

A little sad.

The 4th graders put on a violin performance.

(Jack said that he was "air playing"

during the classroom visits, Jack

showed me everything that he'd been working on.

4th grade is the year of THE mission report...

I always enjoy the interview.

as Jack's special lunch, he wanted to go to Ruby's for

hamburgers.

It's nice to get to spend just one-on-one time with him and just talk.

Love you Jackster!

Throwback Thursday...

March 1967

Doheny State Beach (before the harbor was completed)

first date with my very best friend and life partner...

my  Terry

even today he has the very same classy style he did so long ago.

he still had that same board, a Wardy, until we moved here.

Geoff had used it in vintage board contest.

I remember it was a little overcast.  We met two of his friends there and one of them

took this photo (finally developing it months later...Nov 1967)

Terry had a red, 1956 Porsche coup with surf racks (wish we still had THAT).

Years and years later, I would find those same blue/black Op trunks in the bus!

This first date was 

not long after asking me that faithful question while doing a surf check at

Newport Pier, "has it been like this all day?"

3 months later we were married.

Flashback Friday...

early 1980's

Harold Ambuehl Brownie troop bridging up into 

Jr. Girl Scouts.

Dorothy Sisola and I had this same troop from when they were Brownies

until they left Juniors for middle school.

great memories of Camp Sherman

Cookie sales, campouts, Disneyland,

Christmas progressive dinners and good fun!

Final Favorites From Christmas...

just some random favorite photos from Christmas 2014

so that I'll always remember this amazing holiday season

Crackers and Dinner...

we changed things up a little bit this year with dinner...

Terry made a turkey the night before and sliced it up and

then we made a ham also.  Not quite as much work.  It was really 

a great dinner.  How do mashed potatoes taste so good?

my friend Roxie, from school, is studying in London for a year and a month ago she sent

me a set of "crackers".  We used to do these years ago with my in-laws.

The kids loved them!

I don't know if it was because these actually came from Great Britain or what it was, but these

were great!  The prizes weren't made of plastic, but metal...a mini screwdriver set, yoyo, bottle opener, etc.  The kids all wore their crowns.

Thank you so much Roxie for sending these.  I think they need to be a new family tradition!

Christmas Morning and Geodes...

we went over to Traci's, not too early, on Christmas morning.

Chloe wasn't quite sure exactly what was going on.

Jack asked what Chloe got for Christmas and Traci answered, "a home".

which was very true for this special little rescue dog.

we went over to Geoff & Bri's for an early lunch

oh this little girl...

Greyson got a geode kit, so there was much time spent

breaking them open and looking at them.

it was nice that it wasn't too cold and everyone could be outside for a while.

It was a nice day because it was so mellow.

Christmas Performance...

Last Friday we got to go to Miss Emerson's Christmas performance at her

pre-school.  She was so darn cute.  She knew every single song and all the hand motions.

it was so cute when she spotted her cousin Jack in the audience and gave

him a big smile and a wave.

she was so cute when Santa came in.  She doesn't really care for him and

was trying so hard not to cry.  We were so proud of her.

proud parents

Emme and her BFF, Luca Bella

Mrs. Smith and her sweet little class.

so glad that we were able to be here for this.

We love you Emme!

Oh Christmas Tree, 2014 edition...

One of our family traditions is the decorating of the 

tree at the MH.

Our tree here is just a smallish, artificial tree with multi-colored lights.

What makes it so special is that it's decorated every year by the grands.

All of the ornaments are unbreakable, so there isn't any worry 

about spoiling anything.

We noticed this year that now the tree is decorated all the way to the

top because the kids are so much taller, they can go all the way up.

Emme got to help poppa put on his "cherished Mexican (ugly) ornament"

it was Laurens turn to put the star on the top...they take turns every year.

these four are the most cherished things of all

(yes, even Chloe got into the picture)

We love this four and love this tradition.