Kinda Like a Homecoming...

except that is where I have been all this time...

HOME!

This Homecoming though is referring to our blog.

6 months has passed since my last attempt to post anything...too long.

I will attempt to update a few important events and start this up again.

We'll talk soon!

Love,
Jen

Summer FREEdom.

Looking for something to do?  For free, or close to nothing?

Here you go...

Friday 6/19 FREE story hour at The Imagine U Children's Museum 10-11am.

Friday 6/19 FREE root beer floats at either Visalia A&W from 2-closing.  They are celebrating their 90th Anniversary!  (oh, and if you ever take a road trip to or through Lodi, visit the birthplace of A&W...stop and say hi to my uncle Pete and Auntie...the atmosphere is nostalgic and they serve the best chili fries and floats EVER!) 

Saturday 6/20 FREE family walk in the park at 9:00 am.  This is a Parks and Recreation sponsored event.  This week it is located at Woodland Park (Woodland and Prospect). Every Saturday is a different park, check it out here:

 http://www.ci.visalia.ca.us/depts/parks_n_recreation/recreation_programs/default.asp

Pack a snack and do something healthy together!

Saturday 6/20  FREE admission to the following State Parks:

http://www.moon.com/blogs/moon-staff/national-park-service-announces-three-free-admission-weekends-summer

Cabrillo National Monument
Death Valley National Park
John Muir National Historic Site
Joshua Tree National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lava Beds National Monument
Muir Woods National Monument
Pinnacles National Monument
San Francisco Maratime National Historical Park
Sequoia National Park
Whiskeytown Unit National Recreation Area
Yosemite National Park

Saturday 6/20 FREE movie at the Visalia Library at 2:00 pm.  

This week they are featuring The Tale of Despereaux.  This is throughout the summer, check out the other movie titles...

http://www.visaliach.blogspot.com/

Monday 6/22 FREE wii play at the Visalia Library (ages 4-11) from 12:30-1:30 pm, followed by a FREE movie, Ratatouille at 2:00pm.  This is every Monday!  Check out their blog for more listings!

Monday 6/23 FREE miniature golf every Monday at Adventure Park 6-8pm.

Tuesday 6/23 FREE skating admission every Tuesday and Thursday to Roller Towne from 10:00 am-12:00 pm (pay $1.50 for regular skate rentals or $3.00 for inline skates)

Tuesday 6/23 FREE family movie at Sequoia Mall 12 movie theater, they are playing Journey to the Center of the Earth and Mr. Bean's Holiday (your choice).  It starts at 10:00 am, but come early for seats!  Buy snacks and popcorn at regular prices or bring your own!  Don't worry, you don't have to sneak it in, they are okay with it...trust me!

http://www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx?state=CA

Tuesday 6/23 FREE craft workshop every Tuesday until July 28th at the Library at 2:00pm (you must sign up before and can only participate in up to 3 workshops).

Tuesday 6/23 FREE Teen Evenings every Tuesday at the Library!  They have wii play time at 4:30 and Alex Rider the Movie playing at 5:00 pm.  Ages 12 and up. They will play Inkheart, Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist, Harry Potter (marathon), City of Ember and Twilight during the summer on Tuesday evenings!

Wednesday 6/24 Mommy and Me...all you Relief Society ladies with little ones!

  Swim at the Degn's 10:00 am.

Thursday 6/25 FREE Skate at Roller Towne, 10-12 pm!  

Thursday 6/25 FREE program at the Visalia Library...11:00 am is Isaac the Juggler

 and at 3:00 pm are the Rawhide baseball players! They will have other programs every Thursday at the same times!

Thursday 6/25 FREE movie at the mall again...go see the other movie you didn't catch on Tuesday! 10:00 am

Not enough?  Here's more...

*Sonic's "Half Price Happy Hour" 2-4pm everyday, go treat your kids to a slush!

*Sports Park Water features are on everyday at 11:00 am until 8:00pm!

*Take in your kids report card to Adventure Park for free tokens...4 for each "A" and 2 for each   "B".

*Applebee's has their appetizers 1/2 price every day from 3-6:00 pm!

So, there you have it!

If they are still bored, send your kids to my house and they can run through the sprinklers or clean my baseboards, they are in need of a good scrub down!

I'll post more as I hear it!  Email me if you hear of anything I haven't mentioned!  And seriously, let's get the kids together!

Miss Spell.

I am on a hunt for a frezer, I mean a freezer.

I was thinking of buying a frigerater,  fridgerator, I mean a refrigerator.

Please excuse all of my spelling mistakes, you see I have been searching on Craigslist for such an appliance. If you don't know what craigslist is, ask me later.

Those of you who do know and haven't used it, use your money wisely and give it a try.

Those of you who are searching and aren't successful in finding what you are looking for, here is a critical tip for you:

MISSPELL 

Yes, don't type refrigerator for weeks like I did.  It will seriously limit the availability.

Do try

fridge

frige

refridge

refrige

frig

frige

Then move onto...

refrigerater

refridgerator

refridgerator

frigerator

fridgerator

and so on.

What you will find in doing such a search:

*You will NEVER spell refrigerator correctly again.

*You will find endless variations of misspelling and become proud of yourself when you think of frezer instead of freezer (trust me).

*You will eventually find what you are looking for, and for a great price.

Oh, and I haven't found a freezer yet, so if you know of one...

Pleze lit mi no.

Sidewalk Sale.

Saturdays are for doughnuts 

and yard sales

and making memories.

Tuesday PART TWO.

Tuesday, June 9 

PART TWO: 12:15pm

While at the park, Molly invites us to play at her house for the afternoon.  We agree that Max will ride with her as I will need to make a stop at home for Sam's much needed blanket.

We then decide I should definitely stop by Target and pick up two large fountain diet cokes for us girls...50 cents each (what a bargain).  One dollar and 9 cents later, Sam and I were all filled up and on our way out the double doors. 

I don't mean to boast, but if there is one thing I can master, it is pushing a baby in a cart while holding a beverage. 

My self confidence was tested however as I decided to nestle the second soda inside the cart (in the corner, for support) while maneuvering my way to the car.  What I completely neglected was the pad of metal speed bumps...the cup was quickly emptied all over the asphalt!

I went inside for a refill, fearing I looked gluttonous.  What kind of person buys two sodas...and then immediately comes back for a refill...at Target?  Pride aside, I had a friend counting on me.

It didn't take long and I was on my way home for the blanket. Remember?  Okay. 

As I walk into the house I smell smoke.  I see smoke.  I am choking on smoke.

I frantically run through the house to find...NOTHING! 

Puzzled, I go to the kitchen one more time and open the oven.  I find this:

Our busy little Sam, who loves buttons, must have pushed the "Clean" button before we left for the park. Oh, my little helper! The biggest disappointment:  my secret cupcake hiding spot has been revealed.

Luckily, there wasn't a fire.  Luckily, it is still 80 degrees and I can air out the house.  I just look forward to the day I stop smelling like a camp fire.  

Purple Passion.

It's summertime and my blender is buzzing.

Smoothies are one way for my family to get in the proper amount of servings of fruits and vegetables. 

Yep, I said vegetables!  Here is our favorite...

2 cups packed, freshly rinsed spinach leaves 

2 cups frozen mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, etc.)

1-2 cups cold water

1 banana

Blend spinach, berries and 1  cup of water until smooth.  Add more water if needed. Finally, add a banana and blend again.  

This will make 2 large smoothies.

Thursday night is "Salads and Smoothies" Night at Molly's and I can't wait to see what my talented lady friends whip up!

I'll be bringing this!  

A Case of Mistaken Identity.

Tuesday, June 9th

PART ONE: 11:45 am

It was a lovely day. 80 degrees. Blue skies. Slight breeze. A perfect day at the park.

I was holding Sam on my hip while I pushed my friend Molly's little girl (who Sam and I equally adore) on the swings.

Suddenly (and I mean SUDDENLY), I was approached by a late teenaged girl who was mistaking me for her "Aunt Maria".

When I say approached, I really mean she ran to me and embraced me. Her embrace then became a bear hug as she mumbled "Aunt Maria, Aunt Maria, I love you."

Her caretaker rushed over just quickly and apologized several times while trying to pry, yes PRY her hands from my body. All while the girl began pecking my neck with kisses.

The caretaker immediately instructed me to tell her that I was not in fact Aunt Maria and so I did...several times. I told her I was Jennifer and not Maria and she then told me how much she loved me, all while continuing to hold me. It was at this point I became concerned because I still had Sam on my hip and so I called out to Molly to come help me...but she must have not heard me or was in shock because she continued to sit!

side note: I truly believe that Molly would have come running if she realized the death grip that this girl had on me. I still believe her when she said she was in shock...we are still friends...and I will continue to adore her kids and put my life in danger for her if needs be.

So it wasn't long before the caretaker untangled the girls arms from my torso and I told her as she pleaded to stay with me that I would see her later. She insisted on knowing when and I said later in the day. Luckily, that was good enough for her and she went onto to her picnic under the arbor.

I then returned to my friends and out of politeness, we inconspicuously began laughing. Hysterically. Molly then praised me for my calmness and Chris who all the while nursing her baby, called me an angel. As for the rest of my day, I have been repeatedly humming the tune "How do you solve a problem like Maria" from the Sound of Music...go figure!


Stay tuned for PART TWO of my day...oh, yes there's more!