Vacation 2007

Okay so that was fun! We just got back last night from our 9 day get away to Las Vegas. Las Vegas in August? Well, we stayed at our friends house. Our friends weren't there so we had the whole place to ourselves. We had more space then we knew what to do with. There was a pool too so we got TONS of swimming in!!!
I never realized what little fishies my kids were til' this trip. We swam for hours and hours every day, and I don't think the water temperature could've been any more perfect. It was so nice to be able to watch them and yet at the same time relax on my inflatable lounge chair while getting a nice tan too. I also really enjoyed playing various games like "Marco Polo" and lap races, or who could stand on their hands the longest, who could do the most somersaults.....It really made me feel like I was a young kid again. Plus, not to mention watching the kids have SO much fun while having fun with them is to me a piece of heaven on earth. I LOVE watching people have a great time and smile and laugh uninhibited!
Maybe I should've started with this first but......We left for our trip on a Friday night (to avoid traffic-yuck!) and also (the hubby had a poker game and what's more is we had a better chance of NOT hearing "are we there yet?" for 3 hours the later we left) so we left around 3am (hubby's a nightowl what can I say?) and I couldn't sleep at all on the way there 'cause I felt a duty to make sure he didn't fall asleep (it was more me, than him) So by the time we got there the sun was just coming up and the kids started to awake one by one. Then we got to the house, and by this time Larry and I are exhausted and the kids are becoming more increasingly excited! We tell them to stay put in the livingroom if they were'nt going to bed, and we tried to get some sleep. Well, he got some and I got 15minutes. I got woke up with a "MOM! There's a loud beep going on and it won't stop!" So I rushed downstairs with my eyes somewhat cracked open, and managed to find that horribly loud screeching alarm! With the push of a button it had stopped. I guess they unlocked a door they weren't suppose to. So, I then went to the couch and couldn't keep my eyes open and was constantly awoke by "Can we go swimming?" and "Mom I'm hungry!".......so I finally gave up on trying to get sleep. I don't know about you but whenever I try to nap or sleep and am being interupted it only makes me more cranky, so I just don't until the time is more suitable.
I did get my second wind and we enjoyed our first day as well as all the rest with swimming,swimming,swimming and more swimming! As well as eating yummy vacation foods such as donuts, ice cream, cookies, chips and dip.........mixed in with some healthy food too of coarse, but hey we were on vacation or atleast that's what I kept telling myself. Seriously though I don't think my kids have eaten so much fruit in one week. I kept a pretty consistent bowl of cut up fruit that kept emptying before I could even finish cutting up the day lot.
There was one day that hubby took us to Circus Circus. They still were saying thank you just yesterday and that was a few days ago! We got there, ate at a really expensive, crappy restaurant where my youngest wouldn't even eat a quesadilla. Now how can you go wrong with that? SO, okay moving onto the attractions. We got our tickets (luckily the gal at the counter was gracious enough to point out where to get some coupons, otherwise a family of 6 for a daypass would be like a million dollars....instead it was half price, thank you nice lady!) Then we spent the day riding on rollercoasters, a huge watercoaster, bumper cars of coarse (they rock), bungee jumping, some 3D shows. Emma did NOT enjoy the SpongeBoB motion ride (thank God it was only 4-5 minutes! There were also some carnival games and a trashbag full of stuffed animals were won (cause we needed more stuffed animals) Oh another one Emma did NOT like was the little bumpy train coaster! There was actually a video camera in front of every car and so we got to see her expression the whole time......it was kind of funny but we didnt' want to buy it for fear of embarrassing her down the road at how scared she was :( Sounds mean but you had to be there. We ended our time there with allowing the kids to get a "build-a-fake-bear" which they've been cuddling with since.
Our time in Vegas was very bonding. Lots of cuddling, watching movies, colouring, poker (well, hubby did),fooseball, reading books, painting nails, and of coarse yes even on vacation the kids just had to make a fort changing it every five minutes making it bigger and better. I have to admit the time went surprisingly fast, but not too fast like it sometimes does. We couldn't remember the last time we took a vacation and did, well in some peoples books, nothing. No tours, no meeting up with people, no be here at this time and take this map and find huh? We came back refreshed and relaxed and very thankful for our trip!

Here We Come.....

This morning Caley and I went to the Jr. High to get her all registered for school. After an hour and a half at this station and that station, getting her photo taken and picking up all her workbooks and her schedule she is officially registered. Pretty pumped too I might add. She's all set except for some supplies we need to get and some runners for P.E which she'll have everyday. She's got her backpack which she has already stuffed with her clothes for our vacation.....only 5 days early. Nothing wrong with being prepared!
When we got home we looked on the schools website and figured out her walking route from class to class. Nothing too crazy! Her classes are actually quite close together. I also figured out my "Mama's chauffer schedule" I'm calling it. Pretty much that's what it will be like. I'll just get some good books, a few magazines, some lined paper for my 'lists', some snacks, and a drink. Typical chauffeur activities right?! Luckily the kids schools are super close. As much as we've been enjoying the summer even the kids are getting pretty excited about starting school. Maybe not Hannah, but everyone else.
We're planning on having our 'last' beach day on Thursday and then have all of next week to swim in a pool and have fun together too! This week the reality of a new season is sinking in. New school supplies, new schedules, .........homework hour (not looking forward to that) but I'll end on a good note.......how blessed am I to be able to hang out with my 4 wonderful kids, watching them grow (way too fast I must say) while ending one jam packed fun season with a new slate, a different kind of busy of brand new opportunities and memories. Here we come Fall' 2007!

We'll Have Fun, Fun, Fun......

Well, summer is almost over and the kids will be going back to school before we know it! They start the Tuesday after Labor Day. I'm pretty mixed about it. I really do love hanging out with them in the summer just having lots of fun and making some memories. Going to the beach, sleeping in, watching movies in our nice chilled livingroom, getting ice cream (if I keep it in the house I'll eat it all!) having BBq's, hanging out with our friends, going to concerts.....
I must admit that it will be nice to get back to a more regular schedule which = less grumpy kids. I enjoy getting up early in the morning even though sleeping in is nice in theory, I like having more hours in my day and being more productive. This summer, I've been way laid back just soaking it all in with the kiddos. Unfortunately I think they're getting on each others nerves and need to get back with their friends at school.
We've gone to the beach about twice a week and it just never gets old. I'd say 95% of the time we've seen groups of dolphins too - which I absolutely love! I think they're so playful and fun to watch. My oldest and I have got loading and unloading the car down to a science. We tried out a different beach last week that we had heard of. Would've been great for when my kids were toddlers (barely any waves) and though they were pretty bummed when we first got there, they really made the most of it and had a good time.
This week will mean finishing up back to school shopping, taking the kids to the dentist, to the hairdressers, registering Caley for Jr. High and Emma for kindergarden and then getting packed up for our vacation. We leave on Saturday for a week. YAY! Looking so forward to a week of relaxing, swimming, reading, photographing, listening to music and having a good time!

This weekend went by pretty fast. Friday night was cuddling with the kiddos while Lar was across the street playing poker. Saturday morning I woke up, made some pancakes and forgetfully made Christian shove a big one down his throat while rushing off to play soccer. Oopsies.......totally forgot about him getting cramps. Poor kiddo was obviously hurting while playing but still managed to score two goals and the team devastated the other team with a 6-0 win. The rest of the day was birthday party limbo......and with the youngest Hampton left I called in a favour and sent Emmers across the street to sister in laws. She loves playing with her cousins. SO, while she was playing I was having some 'me-time'. I couldn't believe how amazingly tired I was, so after a nice hot bath I took a nap. I have a hard time taking them so this should explain a bit just HOW tired I really was. Then, Lar got home from the wedding he attended, the kids came home from their party they went to.....roller skating. I went to tuck Emma in bed and ended up falling asleep with her at about 8pm.
Today we woke up and went to church like a normal Sunday. Larry led worship today and I taught Sunday school. Right after church I had to go pick up my neices from a sitters, and babysit for the afternoon. It went good and we had fun :D They're quite precious! By the time I got home and ate the chinese my sis n' law generously picked up for us, I was wiped!!! I was SO hungry but couldn't eat much cause the huge mess left over from yesterday was getting to me. It's amazing at how just even getting the dishes washed makes the house look SO much cleaner! After that was done, it was already time to get the kiddos bathed and into bed......where DOES the time go?
We got the kids to bed, had to go pick up my car and then Lar and I grabbed a coffee and a decorated cheesecake. We had a quick check-in with each other while at the same time inhaling our delicious cheesecake and pecan praline latte. Our own little celebration of the beginning of Autumn :D Not a bad way to start the new season.

What Was I Thinking?

So the girls decided that they wanted to share a room again.....being that Hannah is always sleeping in Caley's bed everynight anyways. We planned bedding and colours and layout and had it all worked out. We got the bedding which was on sale this week (gotta love sales) Really cute (did I mention on sale.....yay!) and knew that we wanted a 'tan' colour.

Well, 'tan' colour is a little bit vague. Today the girls couldn't get me out of the house soon enough to go to Home Depot to get paint, rollers, tape etc...... I forgot how awful I am at picking colours. I mean, I thought I was on the right track. I remembered to atleast bring a swatch of the fabric. The paint chip matched the swatch in the store (in the horrible florescent warehouse lighting) We three agreed it looked just right!

Got home and the prep work took quite a while! I guess I should mention that naturally the girls were VeRY eager to participate in this redecorating of their room. (understandably) Well, then they decided to recruit 5year old Emma! Everything was going pretty smoothly in our rather close quarters. Besides the "why can't we just paint RIGHT now!?".....I was telling them that prep work is the hardest part of painting. Of coarse it took even longer with unexperienced minors 'trying' to help. I was determined to make the most of it though and should say we did have fun.

After a good few hours or emptying the room, dusting, sweeping, taping, priming and yes our first coat...............we realized that we didn't really care for the colour. This is the part of me that I wish was more mature, and could've just bought the quart sized can of paint, tested it out and then went from there. But NOoooooo, I had to be all excited and just had to buy the gallon size assuming it would work.

Somewhere in between checking on the other two kids I booted out and grabbing a snack, the older girls made quite......a mess would be an understatement......quite a disaster!!! They did have fun doing it, but lets just say there is STILL little painted footprints all down the hallway, and after an hour soaking in the tub, the girls also still have paint on them. I put a halt to our project and told the girls that we'd find a better colour choice tomorrow.

I think when I get a more suitable choice of paint tomorrow, I will be painting solo because the kids definately had their share of it already. Plus painting is already quite a challenge (much easier done without the kids 'help') and now I also have paint to scrub off of this and that. (We started off so well) All in all, fun times were had but I have a lot of work ahead of me. I do think a better shade of tan will make all the effort worth it though and more importantly the girls having a special, beautiful room they enjoy and smiles on their faces ;D

Things I like........

Besides family and friends which are already a given......DUH.....
Some of the things I most enjoy are...........(and in no particular order)
-birds (thanks to my Gram I have a great appreciation and awe for God when I see them)
-running
-exercising (though I should confess I haven't in months)
-coffee (YAY Starbucks)
-Ice Cream (what more can I say!) Lately it's been NY cream cheese Frozen yogurt topped w/ mixed berries
- the sunrise/set (especially by water, is like heaven on earth)
-singing (mostly when I'm alone so I can really let loose - my kids get a crack out of it too)
-spending one on one time with people
-cuddling
-seeing Larry or the kids faces light up about something ; D (LOVE that)
-photography (hope to take a class maybe this Fall)
-hairstyling
-cleaning with the music blasting
-dressing up fancy
-having jammy day
-going on trips/traveling
-making lists (not that I always 'do' what's on the list but......
-finding pictures in the clouds
-finding the face on the moon/watching the stars
-fondues.... (cheese and chocolate!)
-going to the spa (facials, massages, mani/pedis)
-reading a good book (with no interuptions)
I'm sure I could go on and on and probably left out some stuff I'll kick myself later for but it makes me thankful to think of and see these things because they're apart of my life pretty regularly. I know I am a blessed woman ; D

More summerfun : D

Just thought I'd throw in some recent photos of our fun summer so far.
Out in the pool making the best of it.....Emma was a grumpygrump and did NOT want her photo taken! I told her we'd use it as evidence of what a grump she truly was ......later.
Every Sunday after church the kids like to jam on the drums and piano, this time Lar let Chrish rock out on his guitar.
I actually got the kids (1/2 fish 1/2 human) to get out of the water and pose with me! Emma gave me a nice big hug!
Emma and I were cozying up at our beach bonfire which was a bit chilly but made for a good excuse to cuddle.....YAY!
Looking at the photos of the girls on my lap.....I didn't realize what good photographers they're becoming.....Caleybear (almost as big as me) ......and Hannah is trying to catch up to her.
Lil' man posing with mama's sunglasses on ;D
Emmabear running around the beach with her red dress (using it as a cape) being 'Supergirl!'

Licence to Play

Yesterday was the much anticipated day away with my friend Amber! Being that we both have four kids, it was a much needed escape from the tedious everyday demands that are both hard work and pleasurable at the same time. We wanted to make the absolute most out of our day away as we could possibly squeeze in so we started our adventure at 7am. It's probably already apparent where we went, but I'll just say it anyways, we went to get coffee first though our excitement was a buzz itself.

We then headed to the beach, and while our gabbing and catching up distracted us from our planned route, it turned out for the better because we ended up going to a wonderful restaurant called 'Plums' off of E.17th St. in Costa Mesa. We had both been taken there a couple years ago by another friend of ours and loved it! I just could never remember how to get back. We gladly stuffed our faces and savoured every bite. Definately a place to go again, and again, and again!

We then drove along the coast even stopped by to check out 'Crystal Cove' which is now State owned and is a really cute little beach village literally steps away from the beach with a restaurant and little store. After we checked that out we headed for our original destination, Laguna Beach. Found a rather peculiar parking garage......"leave our keys? yeah right!" it WASN'T even valet! After that was settled we walked around some of the shops and then set up at the beach, bringing only the essentials (being sunscreen, water, beach chair, towel, sunglasses and of coarse some trashy magazines to read - gotta keep up on all the celebs) and not the usual truck-load of stuff we normally bring. It was amazing! We could lay down! Even close our eyes, face a-w-a-y from the water, you don't even know how exciting this truly was! I, me, Cherie even took a nap! It was magical!!! Went to grab some lunch on a rooftop with a beautiful beach view, pigeons grabbing food by our toes, and enjoyed a delicious lunch at "C'est La Vie", went back to the beach for a while with none other than 'Starbucks' enjoying the crashing sound of the waves and a beautiful bridal party getting married on the beach.

We eventually decided to pack up and head to the Irvine Spectrum. At the Spectrum we just 'had' to grab some cheesecake, of course! Walked it off a little looking around at all the cute little shops, and then saw a late showing of "LIcence to Wed" which I thought was rather cute and the audience was laughing pretty much throughout the whole movie. I always get a kick out of other peoples laughs ; D

It really was a great day! I'm very thankful to have had the break and time to miss the family as I'm sure they did me.

So, Saturday was a a pretty mellow day around the Hampton house. Larry had to go to a 3 hour mandatory class to be an assistant coach on Christians soccer team (already starting in August) While he was out doing that I was hanging out with the kiddies enjoying 'not' having to be anywhere in the a.m. or do anything particular. Now as I'm writing I'm realizing that I may have already blogged about this day. So I may have also already mentioned that I went to breakfast with my girlfriends, and then later went shopping with Donna and our girls at Fashion Island which was a nice change from the regular quick trip to Target (which I love it's just that variety is nice too)
All of us were apparently sleepyheads on Sunday 'cause we all slept in! Luckily Larry didn't have to lead worship Sunday morning. We all had our 'one hour' clean up which feels more productive when everyone is helping clean up the house. Goes by faster too ; D
Larry decided to take us all out for lunch to our usual ' Pancake House' which is always a treat! Then we went to the beach to meet some family and friends for a beach bonfire at Balbo Pier. We got there around 4pm and left around 9ish. My sister in law brought this 'super-roaster' which is much like a metal tree that can roast somewhere between 20-30 marshmallows at a time......let's just say we only used that once. The kids of coarse 'had' to roast their own which thanks to my good friend Marianne who gave us these totally great marshmallow roasters (you can roast 4 at a time) everyone had something to roast on. We all had a great time and left pretty tired!
We then had a rough early morning. Lar and I were alarmed at about 5am when Chrish came in crying because he was sleepwalking and bumped his head so hard on his bookshelf that he got a narly goose egg! We brought him in bed with us and put an icepack on his head for over an hour.....swelling gone down a bit.....but still visible. Monday (today) was his first day of a one week baseball camp which he was really eager to go to. So, I told him we'd go and see how he felt. Well, he's quite the trooper because he had a super-long day basically being up since 5am and being at camp from 8:30am-3:30. He had a great time though. Got some home runs and struck people out.......that's my boy!
Tonight Larry's at band practice (he's got a gig tomorrow night) so the kids and I are having egg salad sandwiches for dinner and going to cuddle and have a mellow, relaxing night : D Thank God for cuddly kids.......YAY!

Catchin' Up!

This last week consisted of beach days on Monday and Thursday, the kids surprising us with a breakfast on the patio (scrambled eggs, oj, and some fruit) it was a great start to the day ; D , then another surprise of turning the garage into a 'restaurant'. The kids got all dressed up fancy, had centerpeices on the tables, music playing, a menu with food choices, Chrish played the piano for us, Emma and Chrish danced, massaged us and kept heaping lots of hugs and kisses on us. I guess Christian thought it would be a nice idea for mom and dad to have a date. Caley and Hannah were very professional in catering to us. A precious moment I will remember always! Yesterday being Friday Dara invited the kids and I to come over for a swim. We first walked to the Spectrum to grab some lunch (love those Big Macs) and then went for a refreshing swim. Came home for a bit, and then went to the beach for 'movie night' and saw 'Over the Hedge' which was quite funny. I loved being at the beach to enjoy the sunset, the smell of the bonfires, the cool crisp air, and the you could really see the stars pretty well too.
Today after lounging around the house this morning taking it easy, my sister in law Donna, my friend Marianne and I went out to a favourite restaurant of mine " Pancake House" which is always SO delicious ; D I then came home, took an actual nap...was interrupted (that's why I don't nap usually anyway.....interupted sleep makes me cranky) Then Caley, Hannah and I went with Donna and her two little ones to Fashion Island (an outdoor mall) for a few hours which was something different than our normal weekend activities.
Up on my calendar for tomorrow.......cleaning up the house in the a.m. and then planning on going to the beach in the afternoon and enjoying a bonfire and some yummy marshmallows. Looking forward to it - should be fun!

Summertime Fun....

I realize that it's been a bit since I last wrote......just a little bit busy around here. (and I thought things would slow down in the summer) Just a different kind of busy. We're enjoying our time though, having sleepovers, going to the beach, eating yummy watermelon and berries, going to blockparties, waterballoons, slip n' slides, pools.........on another note....cleaning out the garage (it HAD to be done), giving the kids extra chores so they can save for a ? , how many times can you wash a beach towel before it starts to wear out?, cleaning out the cooler ( I just did that ....again? and again?), paper plates....I use those a lot in the summer ( I call it having 'grace' on myself...and saving water and energy right?!)
Okay back to the more fun part about summer.....I SO enjoy the kids little toesies and little bum cheeks that are SO pinchable. My kiddos are like little fish that won't come out of the water much. They like to boogie board, find seashells, baby crabs, dig huge holes and make forts in the sand. We enjoy our yummy picnic lunches, and of coarse ice cream! That's a must! I pray that there is ice cream in heaven.
Since getting out of school June 14th, we took a weekend trip to Palm Springs, gone to the beach, had VBS (vacation bible school - the kids enjoyed that a lot), Hannah has started vocal classes and spends a lot of her time now practising with karaoke cd's....so sweet!, a few pool parties, many sleepovers, we saw a few movies......enjoyed Evan Almighty, Shrek 3. I celebrated my birthday (does age REALLY matter?) Just kidding, I'm 32 years young and proud of it! (most days) We had a fun time at our neighbourhood block party for July 4th. We stood in our street to see a great view of the fireworks show that we wanted to skip the ridiculous traffic for and were happy we did! Oh, how could I forget.....Christian (forcefully) took out his first tooth....what can I say, the kid really likes money! He does look really cute I must say. We've had lots of cuddle time and I'm planning on making the most of our 59 days left til' the first day of school.
I plan on having a few beach bonfire parties, lots of more beach days, LOTS of more ice cream ; P , lots of yummy smelling sunblock ( I keep those companies in business) a nice vacation with the family, and who knows what else there might be......Hope yours is a wonderfully happy, safe summer ; )

Our Palm Springs Trip

On the last day of school, I loaded up the car and then picked up the kids for a four day trip to Palm Springs. My friend Amber and I brought our families to share a 2 bedroom condo and vacation together as we did last year. For three adults, and eight kids....it went pretty smooth. I don't think the temperature got over 105 F. Which for the desert is pretty good. Let's say we were in the water most of the time and at the peak of the heat we went to our condo to hang out and lay low. All my kiddos are like little fish that don't want to get out of the water. Emma surprised me with her confidence and independence in the water and actually was the hardest to get out. We had a great time swimming and going down the water slide again and again, the kids played in the well-chilled activity room which has arcade games, crafts, free movie with popcorn. We were back in time to celebrate and have a bbq for Fathers Day with some of our family.

jUnIoR HirE

My oldest is now officially a Jr. Higher. She's ready but I don't know if mama is! I can remember like yesterday staring at her delicate little tiny fingers and watching her eyelids flutter as I held her fast asleep. Now she's as tall as me (not hard to do when you're only 5'4) but none the less she is growing up faster than I'd like. I do have to say that although the lovely ' hormones' have made themselves a home in her rather early, she can be quite a caring, helpful, mature, beautiful girl that I love and enjoy (most of the time) being around. I'm very proud of her and honoured to call her my own. She told me now that she's in Jr. High she wants me to hire her to babysit and do things around the house to earn some money.
They had quite the elaborate party for the kids. People put a ton of time, money and generosity into making it a very special day for all 60 graduating kids. It was a pirate themed party which took up the whole park with a bunch of different stations with fun activities for the kids, airbrush tatooing, an amazing treasure chest cake one of the very talented moms made, the macharaina, and tons of pirate flags and decos all around. I personally got there at 6am to help set up and stayed until 215 to help out. Very exhausting, but super-fun day! The kids had a blast which was most important!
The day before this was the kids combo class party which was a luau and it was fun helping out with that one too. I so enjoy watching the kids have a great time and getting to meet their friends they spend most of their time with. The last day of school which was June 14th I picked them up at noon and we headed out for a weekend trip to Palm Desert. That deserves its own blog so more on that later..........