Camping at New Brighton!

Last night we returned from two glorious days of camping at New Brighton State Beach . Now, I can't claim to be a super outdoorsy girl, but I just had the best time. Among the highlights:

Pirate treasure: So we went with two other families, and one of the dads prepared a special surprise for the kiddos. Before the trip he created a pretty elaborate map of the beach, that included an 'X' to mark a treasure spot. On the first day, while the kids were busy playing in the sand, the dads buried the treasure (a cigar type box decorated with a skull and cross bones). Conveniently, there was a big 'pirate looking' boat far in the distance that the kids spotted. Anyway, the map was placed in an old bottle that the dads 'discovered' washed up on the beach. The kids - all aged between 3 and 5, went bananas, followed the map, found a marked 'x' in the sand in black charcoal, and dug up the box with their shovels. There were bracelets, necklaces, gold coins, and light-up trinkets. Very cool.

Seals, Sea Otters, and dolphins: We saw all of these creatures. Some up close enough to see their eyes. It was insane. As the kids played, the adults sat in their chairs and just marveled at all of the animals, particularly the seals that were thisclose to us. I was so excited I ran out into the water a few times in my yoga pants - I swear I'd be able to touch them. I ended up almost waist high in water and very close a couple of times, until I feared one might feel threatened and bite me. There is something about seeing sea life in its natural setting, that is just cooler than the aquarium (which I also love).

Miss P's Willingness to try new things: As I've mentioned, P is quite tentative. I'm no wild child myself (except for when it comes to seals, apparently), so I understand. Yet, I want her to have fun experiencing life, so I try to give some healthy pushes. Anyway, one of our current goals is to get her out and riding her bike more in new territory and on anything other than a perfectly flat road. On this trip, she and some of the other kids did loops around the campsite including some minor uphill and downhill, and made some progress learning how to coast and break when going faster than she'd like. She also began the trip not wanting to go anywhere near the actual ocean water and ended it taunting the waves as she ran in and out of the surf. Hooray!

And everything else: the 'big kids' each told a ghost story (unprompted by adults), did puppet shows, and played for hours. We ate like kings: hot breakfast, yummy salads, roasted veggies, kabobs, chicken, homemade tortillas, s'mores, and a fresh berry pie from a farm. E said it was better than we eat at home (oops!) But mostly it was so nice to be in the fresh air, away from home, 'unplugged,' and just having fun. I even found time to read my latest book. Now for me, that is a vacation. : )

Pinkalicious Party Planning Part 2

After deciding on our theme, the first decision was, where to hold our pinkalicious party? Home is too small (and did I mention I will have returned to teaching full-time that week?) So, we are going with cucina bambini -- a local children's cooking school. While checking it out, the owner and I roughed out a plan a little different than their normal format, as I'm hoping to really do up the cupcake theme.

Here's our schedule: kids arrive - do a craft, Pinkalicious story is read, kids make cupkcakes, while they bake, kids make frosting, then kids sing on karaoke machine and do limbo dance, finally kids decorate cupcakes and eat. As kids leave, they take with them a green apple wrapped up with a little message that says something like, 'remember to eat me and other green foods!' Or, 'To keep from turning pink, eat me!'

This stuff was basically accomplished Monday afternoon/evening. Tuesday morning I hit the ground running to shop for the perfect craft, since it is not supplied by Cucina (they typically cook a whole meal instead of just cupcakes). The drama began once we hit (the first) Micheal's. My requirements: craft had to somehow fit with our theme, work for boys and girls between the ages of three and five, and not be too messy and cumbersome. Quite a list. After searching the aisles and racking my brains (tiaras cute, but what will the boys do?), I finally asked the store manager politely if she had ideas for a simple craft for five year old girls and boys that might work for a cupcake themed birthday party. Her response (paraphrasing): 'I'm not actually very crafty. I'm truly baffled by your request' (said in unfriendly tone.) Note: Micheal's good for its prices (if there is one near you, GO for their huge dollar clearance deals right now!), notsomuch for customer service.

Anyway, after much searching, while P was saying 'are you kidding me, let's get anything, by the way, watch me play wind-up toys', I finally struck gold. In the 'wooden craft' section were crafty kit necklaces of varying themes, like frogs, hula girls, etc. I let out a little scream as I found .....cupcakes! (Pictured at top). I was able to score 5 sets there at the Westgate location, drove later to the Coop location - nada. Finally found 4 more sets at the SJ Coleman location. Not sure how many I'll need for girls, since attendees are not yet known, however I did get plenty of the 'masculine' : ) monkey necklaces for the boys. By the way, the kits were $1 each. Not bad.

Later at home I decided on doing the cost friendly 'Evite.' However, in my loopy state, I opted to forego the regular styles, and create my own 'pinkalicious' evite. Did you know you could create custom evites? What fun! It is still a work in progress.

Now it might sound like I'm going a little overboard, but do you know what I could have done??! As I did my online research, I learned that pinkalicious is not only a book, but also a musical (think 'legally blond,' I guess?) And, that tons of other little girls have had these parties. I could have purchased a special pinkalicious dress for Miss P and ordered one of many custom invitations I saw. One thing, I really did want to do was order a book for each guest - but that sadly looks too pricey.

Anyway, P is looking forward to her party and is enjoying telling people about it. However, I know that I am the one who cares about the little details. I love to do themes and be creative and go big for all three of our birthdays (since we don't do a lot of entertaining the rest of the year).

Oh, ha - one of the best parts. Cucina Bambina has kind of a grown up lounge, for the parents to chill in and have snacks and watch while the kids play at the party. I know I'll be in the thick of things, taking pictures and such, but I'm glad (some of) my grown-up friends can relax!

Do you like to plan parties for your kids?

Pinkalicious Party! Part 1

I'm quite giddy. Miss P's 5th birthday is in 7 weeks. Right around the time that E and I will be up to our eyeballs with school beginning. So, we are being smart and planning now.
I spent from Monday afternoon to Tuesday night immersed in details and are nearly done. We are having a Pinkalicious birthday!

It at started when my mom got P the above book for her preschool graduation in early June. Allow me to summarize. The 'protagonist' bakes pink cupcakes with her mom on a rainy day. She then goes crazy for them and cannot stop eating more and more of these pink treats. She eats so many that she actually turns pink and dubs herself (you guessed it!) 'Pinkalicious.' However, like many of us females, she continues to have trouble saying 'when.' She eats more pink cupcakes, and eventually turns red. Finally her doctor helps her to see that she needs to eat a 'steady diet of green food,' in order to return to her normal pallor. The book sends a good message about balance without being preachy, and the illustrations are daring.

The book was a hit with girly girl P, and I instantly could visualize a party theme. We got serious on Monday and the event is nearly planned. I'm not kidding when I say event. We are part of a close-knit playgroup which makes it hard to keep things small (especially when you throw in preschool friends, family, and 'regular' : ) friends.) I do enjoy a thematic birthday party!

Word Wall

This is a wall in P's playroom, which I've turned into a word wall. Words pictured are the ones she can already read and write. We'll be working on words: to, the, and went, and hopefully will have those mastered by the end of the summer. (These words are helpful because they lend themselves to writing "I went to the ______"(fill in the blank). Lots of stories!

Oooh. I have a lot of posts rolling around in my head right now. Stay tuned for details on P's Pinkalicious-themed 5th birthday which I've been immersing myself with for the past few days. Today, we are off to the fair!

Ta-Da!

Well, we aren't going to be winning design awards anytime soon, but I am happy with my efforts today! You can't see our whole room, and I chose not to display a before picture :) -- just take my word for it -- big improvement! The Cinderella scheme was a big success. I couldn't believe how much I got done. It may be a bit premature, but I think P and I are hooked. I drafted a note from 'the stepmother' listing how the room should be cleaned, and had E type a response from her later. He had fun with it, and P was soooo excited. She is expecting a repeat tomorrow, I said perhaps the stepmother will give new orders next week!

Getting organized!

After our initial fun kick-off to summer, we have now been 'back in the routine' for a couple of weeks. I originally had many, many goals for this summer, but I have quickly realized that everyday demands are going to get too much in the way to complete everything. Add to that, Miss P is not participating in any daycamp programs, nor is there a 'granny camp' option. It is just she and me! (We do have a once a week dance class, and are starting some swim lessons at the end of July). Sheesh, we don't even have any neighbor kids for amusement, although we do have many wonderful playgroup and other friends to mix it up with.

Anywhoo, here is my modified list of goals

1) Spend time bonding and having fun with Miss P (before her exodus to Kindergarten): weekly day trips (we've done the beach and Oakland Zoo so far), the aforementioned playdates, and time alone just hangin'.

2) Help sharpen P's academic skills. She's already in pretty good shape, but as a teacher I know too much, and instead of blissfully sending her off as is (which would be fine), I can't help but make sure she goes in with all the basics firmly in place. Our school is really progressive academically, and I'm used to a lot of kids coming in with beautiful printing and counting to 100, etc. With her personality type, she will enjoy school more if she feels confident about her abilities.

3) Exercise at least 4 times a week for at least 30 minutes.

4) Clean out and organize two giant closets and a whole side of our bedroom (tons of paperwork to go through on a bookcase - yuck! want the bedroom to be a 'retreat.')

So that's the list. There are of course some other small to-do's, but these are the big main projects. Since I am not working and have just one little kiddo, who at nearly 5 should be able to be play independently for long periods of time, it seems like this list should be cake.

However, there is that whole 'daily demands' thing again. Add that to the fact that, although I'm a really hard worker, I'm not very disciplined when I'm not accountable and have lots of free time. I've made a weekly schedule (there are certain days for playdates or outings, certain days for getting things done, chunks for time for playing learning games, etc.) E thinks I'm crazy, and has not asked me to do any of this stuff, and would have no problem with me just hanging out with P and relaxing all summer, (bless him) but I would not be OK with that.

Miss P and I are having a 'Cinderella day' tomorrow, July 1st. Here's how it works: She helps me (or at leasts doesn't interrupt) for most of the day begin to tackle the bedroom (goal #4), and then in the evening we get dressed up and do something fun with our 'prince' : ). If I get way too frustrated, my back up is to do an incentive chart. She earns a sticker for a half? day of playing independently and being cooperative (letting me get my %$#@ done), and after a certain number of earned stickers, she may choose a small toy from Target.

I know most of you are not teachers, but do you have any goals for the summer? Any good strategies for attacking projects (with or w/o kids)?

Summer line at Target

So, I am finding the cutest clothes at Target! If you can get your hands on this top:
the 'Mossimo Black Draped Sleeve Tank' - get it! It runs big so get a size smaller than usual. It hides any tummy pooch, and has a feminine, flattering neckline, all for $12.99, or whatever. I would have gotten one in all possible colors but only could find it in white. It is out of stock online! Maybe you'll have better luck...

Besides this cutey top, I saw half a dozen other things I liked, and bought a passable swimsuit, a couple of dresses for P, and my mom got me the cutest pj's there for my b-day. Check it out!