Our San Diego Trip...

Ok, so I took TONS of pictures! But what's new...


On our way down we stopped in Carlsbad (our place of retirement) at least that's what we say anyway. We walked the flower fields, which weren't in full bloom. I would wait till April or May to go next time. The weather was beautiful. The kids played a game where they had to find different flags and stamp their passport each time. Then they went mining for gems. They enjoyed the sweet pea maze. I got lost in it and no one would help me out.
We walked in and the man insisted we hold these flowers for a picture. You can tell my husband looks thrilled. I'm just trying to not drop a baby or a pot of flowers.




While the kids found all the flags Finley just snacked on her shoe.

Everyone likes to ride on daddy's shoulders!










Someones just a little jealous! Finley's first time riding on Daddy's shoulders (she loved it) Farrah wasn't too happy.



We stayed in a beautiful hotel called Pacific Terrace. We got an awesome deal on bizrate. The only problem was the hotel only allowed 3 kids max in a room. So, we did what any honest christian would do....and snuck the other two in the back way. Shame on us, I know. Try making reservations with more than 3 kids anywhere or planning a cruise vacation forget it. They ended up upgraded us to a suite ($400 a night room for just $89!!!) It's nice to travel during the weekdays. We enjoyed the sunset.....




our room

getting some school in...



Dinner at Joe's Crab Shack...
Landen was a little scared of what we were eating.


a rootbeer toast to good times...

big girl in her high chair




Late night swimming...


Surfer girls (we didn't bring our swim suits so daddy bought us surfer girl tanks)



Then we went to Sea World for Homeschool Education day. We met up with some friends from our group (Western Christian) We got to go in early before the park opened to the public. It was such a beautiful day. We all had so much fun!




My buddy even came up out of the water for a picture:)



Smile! (Farrah is scared to death of the Manatees)



Landen was so excited to see Shamu!!!



everyone give mommy a flamingo pose..haha


Soak zone is for the cool kids..(so I'm told)



We stopped off at the Creation Museum. It basically walks you through a timeline. Very informative!!!
Austin was happy to get some information to update his blog:)


We walked through Day 1-7 of God's creation. This is Austin showing us what God did on day 7.


Then we went to visit Old Town for a nice platter of tacos and enchiladas. While there, we went to many museums. (Were museumed out!) We imagined life in early California. Old Town San Diego, the first European settlement in what is now California, is often called the state's birthplace. See we mixed school into all the fun we had:)

Dresses...

I wasn't able to get the code for the Beary Basic discount. Not my fault, but if you are still looking to get your hands on a funky and modern, yet comfortable, and very affordable dress please email me at carlsbadryan@aol.com. Make sure you leave what size (12months-6x)and the style you want.(what #) Please put Beary Basic Order in the subject line. I will check inventory on Monday and send you the link to pay by paypal early next week. I will then ship your order out once payment is received. I was trying to make it easier on all of us, but looks like we will do it this way. All dresses for Don't Blink followers are $24.99 shipping included. Offer ends Monday!!!!


The dresses on sale are as follows:

1. choose between the Kimono or wrap style




2.I like to put them with jeans or leggings too for a more casual look.



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Sorry the pictures are just random shots of my girls. I had planned to have you shop from a website. Any questions leave in the comment section.

Hold Your Horses....

and check out some of our pictures from Sunday.


We went to the Santa Anita Race track. My parents brought my brother's kids so we had 8 kids under 9. That's one 9 yr old, two 7yr olds, one 3 yr old, two (almost) 2yr olds, one 7 month old (Finley turned 7 months) and one 2 month old! whew...did I miss anyone? Aven, we missed Aven. That would of made all the cousins. Thank God we didn't lose anyone while we were there. I think my mom and I kept counting all day. The kids enjoyed picking who to root for according to name of horse or color of jockey's silks. Justin and Austin bet on two races and lost. This was a good lesson for the kids in why you shouldn't gamble.

Austin was even in charge of pushing a stroller. What a big help he is:)







Some lady came up to us and asked if they were all ours??? We wanted to say yes, just to see her reaction but said no only 5 of them are. haha.


Happy 7 months Finley


She's into blowing spit bubbles and playing with her feet.




And these two just crack me up. Farrah is in love with her cousin Cylis. She chased him around trying to kiss him.






Were packing up our books and heading to San Diego to do school this week. I love to change things up a bit and make school interesting. We will stop off in Carlsbad to visit the flower fields then hang out in San Diego. I pray the weather is good. We will visit Sea World, The Creation Museum and a few other points of interest. Thanks to my book Fun and Educational Places to Go with kids and adults by Susan Peterson. ( A must for the Southern California area.) I have planned out a pretty fun but educational week. I've checked out some books at the library that we will take along with us about the places we are going and made spelling and vocabulary words pertaining to the attractions we are visiting.
I will give out a code on Friday for all Don't Blink Followers to buy Easter dresses for around $20.00. Retail at Nortstroms for around $65. See your not just wasting your time reading my blog your saving money too:)

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

That's what Faith told me when I asked her why she thinks we should have a slumber party now when her birthday is not till June. She just said, "Girls just wanna have fun mom." She has been begging me for a slumber party. I didn't go for the sleepover part(I still have a baby who wakes up during the night) so we came up with an un-slumber party. We invited all her BFF's and threw it together last minute. We did it really cheap and easy.
We sent email invites that read:


JUST FOR FUN!

WE'LL HAVE PIZZA AND SNACKS, PLAY GAMES AND HAVE FUN BUT WILL -NOT- SLEEP !!!
COME DRESSED IN YOUR PAJAMAS, CURLERS, TEDDY BEARS, AND OTHER STUFFED TOYS ARE WELCOME. BRING YOUR SLEEPING BAGS AND PILLOWS TOO SO WE CAN BED DOWN FOR THE LAST PART OF THE PARTY TO VISIT AND HAVE FUN........BUT
NO SLEEPING ALLOWED!!!

Justin took all the kids out for the night. Faith and I got in our PJ's and were ready to party! We had tons of junk food, made crafts, played games watched a movie and laughed as hard as we could. Did I mention Brianna and I painted all the girls nails. haha. We all had a blast. I opened my mouth and told the girls next time they can all spend the night! I have a feeling they won't let me down on that promise:)

Faith's friends (who said Homeschooler's don't have friends???)



My sister Brianna (my right hand) I couldn't do half of what I do without her. She came and helped and stayed to clean up.
Thank you Bri, Love you!

Brianna we look pretty tore up in this pic so I put it to gray..I know doesn't help haha.


I don't think she enjoyed herself one bit. What do you think??? She posted her view of the party on her blog check it out... p.s. I like my pizza crispy!


Miss know it all trying to give directions lol... I am so happy my daughter has so many sweet friends:) Such a good group of girls.


I'm sure this is the first of many wild and crazy girly parties:)

Not Me Monday!

or should I say "Not my husband Monday"
Please pray for the safety of our children!
I did not just let my husband throw our kids down the stairs (concrete stairs) in a laundry basket and I didn't just stand there video taping it all. No Not Me! I would of stopped it! Not calmly grab the camera and then ask if he wants to do it again! What's wrong with me?????