My Little Swimmers

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Lily is a bit more laid back, lol - here she is taking leaves from one side to the filter on the otherside!
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

They both LOVE the water!

Two great sales!

I don't have much to blog about - Summer's great, loving the cooler (90's!) weather, Bella's loving camp... same ole, same ole!

I went to the mall today because Isabella had some Disney Dollars from her birthday and really wanted to spend them. She scored! Disney store was having tons of sales, and 40 percent MORE off of alot of them. My sweet girl loves her sister so much - she insisted on sharing the loot. They each got a cup, some jammies, a beach bag for Bella, a toy mirror/brushes for Lily and a new dress up set/clothes for Isabella's little Disney pocket dolls.
I also went into Bath and Body Works, because I've recently discovered their air fresheners - and the ones I wanted were 75 percent off! Instead of the BOG0 at 12.50 I expected, they were $3.12 each. Woo hoo!

Ok, girls are showered and watching Ber ber ber (Blue's Clues) ... almost bedtime, yeah!

Things they say...

This is where my terrible memory comes in - These girls say some of the cutest things (to me) and I always promise to remember/write down.. and I don't - here's two from Isabella today.

(While watching the gymnastic Olympic trials) WOw, Mommy! I want to do THAT when I grow up. (thinks) AND I'll be a mommy. I'll have LOTS of important jobs.

Too sweet!

(While getting in bed) Mommy, I loooove Hannah Montana. She roocks.
(Ok, the girl "knows" ONE song by HM, and where did she hear "rocks"?? ) Silly girl.

By request, last year's camp picture

First day of camp and Father's Day

This week Isabella started "summer camp" and has been so excited! She'll go Tues/Thurs for 4 hrs through August. They do crafts/songs/activities - just things that a four year old would love! I thought she would have a hard time but she did GREAT! Lily is the one that had a hard time, she wanted to stay with "mama" so bad. Next year she can go to the three year old camp - even though they insist they want to go to the same class next year. Silly girls, they sure do love each other!


The father's day picture I never posted :) Love my family!

Grocery shopping cont...

I forgot to add, two other things that are pretty new:

www.shortcuts.com allows you to put coupons electronically on your store card - around here, it's just Ralphs - but you can add these coupons and even combine them with paper coupons!

Also, on Ralphs.com you can add P&G coupons to your card (lots of BOGO ones there) and again, they come off automatically, and you can combine them with paper coupons.

Grocery Shopping

I'm getting back into my coupon cutting, sale watching mode. It seems like the cost of everything is going up, and with some planning I can really save money on my grocery bill. Here are a few things that I have been doing - hoping to share my ideas, as well as pick some up that you might be able to share!

1) coupon file - I have one that I add my coupons to each week.
2) store ads - I do check them out - but I also use these two website - both free -->
www.couponmom.com and http://www.afullcup.com/upload/ . The second covers almost any store you can think of and sometimes is a little intense (I can't believe people stockpile and shop daily!) but they are good to point out good sales going on and let you know which sales match up with recent coupons to get the best deals!
3)While I don't really "stock up" on things - unless it's a marvelous deal, I do for things like soda and meat - meat I seperate into freezer bags so that it's ready when I need it!

I hear Lily -I guess naptime didn't last too long!

Tomorrow is Isabella's first day at Summer Camp - I'm sure I'll have a few pictures so share!

Happy Father's Day!!

I have two of the most wonderful fathers in my life that I get to celebrate -
My dad has taught me patience, kindness, and the ability to find a good deal on anything ! I will always remember early mornings (before school) watching "The Fugitive" in black and white - our Fails Donuts runs that included chocolate milk, and either an apple fritter or a "chocolate bar cream filled". Yum! I am proud to say that he is continuing to make these memories with his Granddaughters. I know that they will remember watching the hummingbirds with Baca and Bada/Gramma, walking through the Christmas lights and finding the dancing snowman, and curling up in the recliner for a good book. Thanks Dad, for the memories, and for being such an awesome example of what DADDY means! I love you!

(Sorry guys, I couldn't resist this one!)
The other father I have in my life is my honey. Alex is such a loving, fun Papi. The girls run to him whenever he comes home - and love to cuddle with him when he's sleeping in the morning. Lily's favorite part of the morning, I'm sure, is sitting on his lap for breakfast - one plate, one meal, two forks (or spoons). The best part? He doesn't mind one bit. He cherishes those times! Alex likes to make special memories with the girls. Going to the movies was once a Bella and Papi activity - only recently did Mommy get invited to join. Also, I think that the girls inherited my sweet tooth, because just about once a week, they beg Papi for "spinkle" donuts! They love going in their jammies and picking out their own treat.
Something that means the world to me is that Alex works so very hard so that I can be home with the girls - a true act of love for his family. I love you!
One year ago!
Happy Father's Day!!

Where do I start?

This is the part of blogging that gets to me... I have SO many things on my mind, I don't know where to start!
*I had an awesome playdate today with a friend from high school. Jaime and I have girls just about the same age, and her sweeties, Ali and Mia and just too cute. I crack up at the four of them together! I forgot my camera, but I'm hoping we'll get together again soon. She was such a great hostess! Lots of fun. Crazy- does this mean we're "all grown up" now? Ah!
*I've waited 4 1/2 years to clear my credential, out of the five allowed. I really don't even know where to start with that fiasco, but I'm just praying that God allows for a smooth process and that I get it all done! This is one of those things that I'll do "next semester, when the girls are a little older"... and that time is HERE!
* The gym and I have been close this week :) I think I'm out of my slump. Yeah!
* My sweet Isabella does not like to go to sleep at night. It seems like bedtime takes forever! She asks sweet questions, but how can a girl who doesn't nap, and runs around all day, not be beat?? Agh!

I guess I had more to say than I thought... sorry it's random rambling, but isn't that what blogging is all about :) ?

GO LAKERS!!

'Nuff said :)

and we have... pee pee!

The challenge lately has been potty training. I'm not one to push - but Lily has been asking to sit on the potty and wear chones (Spanish for underwear), so I figure why not follow her lead. Problem is, she likes to sit there.. and then go play and pee. Not nice. I kept up on her this morning and we got it in the potty. Woo hoo! This means good things for the future, and a few tough days (weeks?) ahead.
Other plans for today?
We're off to see Kung Fu Panda with Papi today - yeah!

Happy Birthday Noah!

Last week my sweet Noah turned one! We drove over to Redlands yesterday for his birthday party. He had so much fun! Here he is playing a little B-ball - . See you soon Noah!

Yesterday was also a big day for Carla - she graduated high school! Hard to belive she was SIX when I met Alex. I'll have to find a picture from way back then... here she is yesterday with Alexa (who, BTW, was three when we met - and is going to be a sophmore this year!) - Congrats hun, love you!

Picture practice

Finally...

I've really been wanting to start a blog .. for a couple reasons - One, to share pictures and stories with family and friends .. and two - because I seem to forget the fun things, the silly things, and the hard things that happen in our day to day life. I figured this was a great place to reflect on those things, and kind of "think out loud".

As I begin, I'm sitting in the computer room with Miss Isabella Samantha - my 4 1/2 year old Princess - she's on her little laptop working on greater and less than - and Miss Liliana Grace is enjoying a much needed nap! Papa Bear is about to go to work - so the girls and I will run some errands this afternoon.

I wonder if I"m brave enough to also use this as somewhat of an accountability tool in my weight loss/exercise/running journey.... we'll see!

As soon as I figure out how to post pictures, they'll be up!