Basketball

I had a great weekend! On Friday night, Allan took me to my first professional basketball game. It was so much fun! First we went to Philippie's in LA which is this very popular french dip sandwich place. I have to say that it was just okay. I love french dips too. It would be better for lunch and is very family friendly, but not worth my date night. But then we hurried to make it to the Staples Center to see the Lakers and Sacramento tipoff. We had really good seats that Allan got for free (free is always good). The Lakers were down by about 20 points at one point and we cheered for them but they ended up losing by 5 points. Bummer, but I still loved it!

Then on Saturday, I had the opportunity to see another really exciting basketball game. This time it was my four year old, Benjamin's team. They call themselves Happy Feet. And boy those feet were happy. Benjamin was cracking me up. The boys are four to six year olds. Benjamin is one of the youngest and of course the shortest, but that didn't stop him. He was all over the court chasing after any kid with the ball (mostly the other team). He stole the ball away at least three times. He held his hands up high to block the ball. One time the ball bounced right to him. He stopped and paused probably thinking, "Now what do I do with the ball?" He tried to shoot the ball in the basket, but instead threw it right to the other team. Victoria and I shouted and cheered for him! Afterwards he said, "I didn't get a trophy." I smiled and said, "Benjamin, you get a trophy at the end of the season or after about six games." I'm still smiling. Watch him dribble, lose the ball, and then get the ball back on this video.

What are you filling your head with?

I love to read! Allan loves to read! And best of all my kids love to read! One passion of mine is for kids to really enjoy reading. We read to our kids everyday and have been doing so since they were babies or young toddlers. Now Benjamin and Elizabeth can't read yet, but they will very soon. Since we started homeschooling the kids in September, Victoria and Nicholas have been able to spend even more time reading on their own time. We go to the library almost every week. If there is a movie out based on a book I try to have the kids read the book first and then the watch movie. I'll admit I haven't done that every time. I told Nicholas and Victoria that before they saw "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" they needed to read it. Nicholas was not happy with that because he saw the size of the book. Honestly, it is a difficult read for a 2nd grader, but he met the challenge and loved it. The kids are doing book reports this week and it is fun hearing them summarize the book to me. Plus, they choose 5-10 vocabulary words that were unfamiliar and now their vocabulary is expanded.

Here are some tips that I've learned along the way:
-get them books that they're interested in (Ex: If they like dogs, get them books about dogs) *especially if they don't like reading
-have books or appropriate magazines all over the house (bedrooms, bathrooms, living room, dining room, your car, etc)
-take them to the library, bookstore, used bookstores, etc. (spend time reading there)
-get books that you read when you were little (if they are still in print)(I have at least 40 or more that my parents saved from when I was a kids)
-be an example and let your kids see you reading
-take turns making up stories or tell stories about when you were little (be creative)

I have a lot more tips but these are a few easy ones. Nicholas has been reading "The Indian in the Cupboard" which is a book I fondly remember my 6th grade teacher reading aloud to our class. He is reading all four books in the series. It is so exciting to hear him excited about the story and we can talk about it together.

I know that I've spent so much time watching TV or a movie that really wasn't worth me watching. I have to consciously say, "Is this worth my time?" So I ask, "What are you filling your head with?"

It's the Thought That Counts

On Friday, Allan brought me a beautiful bouquet of flowers. It wasn't my birthday, our anniversary or Valentine's Day, but just because he loves me. Ahhhh! How sweet! I can't help thinking about gifts he has given me over the years. Allan's love language is not gifts. When we were first dating, his sisters would help him pick out gifts for me (thanks Anna & Liz). Some birthdays were pretty good like when he drove to Big Bear and back and surprised me with this painting that I saw and wanted. Then there was the birthday when he gave me the matching drapes to our comforter. Umm..... I had him take those back. I know, I know, he tried. One year he bought me workout clothes. Honestly, I was pretty disappointed. I just wanted him to get me jewelry or other non-practical things. After being married for 14 years, Allan and I have learned to accept each others differences and I have learned that "It's the thought that counts." He loves me enough to buy me flowers, See's candy, candles, beautiful paintings, and even drapes or workout clothes. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful man in my life who loves me for who I am.

Happy Belated Birthday Elizabeth!

We celebrated my sweet Lizzie's 2nd birthday last Thursday, January 13th. I can't believe that she is two!!! I remember 2 years 8 months ago when I told Allan we were going to have our fourth baby. He said, "No way!" and I said "Yes way!" So here we are 10 years later with four kids still laughing in amazement. On her birthday she enjoyed her favorite meal of spaghetti and a yummy cupcake to top it off! We were so excited at choosing the different cupcakes flavors to eat that we forgot to sing happy birthday to her. We did sing to her but it was after she had frosting all over her. Let me tell you, this girl can eat. She wants everything that everybody else is eating. She is always getting into something or on top of something (lipstick, counters, etc, etc). I've been working with her on saying two instead of one for her age. She refuses to say two and when we ask her how old she is she says, "Three-a". She does take care of us by making sure her older siblings get their vitamins, picking up their trash, and getting their shoes out for them. She really is a sweetie pie and gives the best hugs. I am so glad that God blessed our family with our beautiful Lizzie! She brings great joy into our lives.

Why "There's No Place Like Home" ?

My kids have been telling me to do a blog since they see me read family, friends, and strangers blogs. The fun part was coming up with a name and seeing their reactions to some of my titles. I really like the movie the "Wizard of Oz"! I sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" to all four of my kids when they were babies and sometimes I still entertain them with that song. The main reason I chose this title was because I love being home. I grew up in a loving, caring, and comfortable home. I knew I could always go home to my parents and no matter what I told them, they would still love me and help me through anything. Now as an adult I love the home that Allan and I have created for our family. At the end of a busy week the kids ask, "Do we have to go anywhere?" and "Can we just hang out at home?" There is just something about laying on your own couch and sleeping on your own bed. It's nice to be used to where everything is and the noises everthing makes. You're used to it and it feels comfortable. I hope that I will always have a home that Allan wants to come to at the end of a busy day. I look forward to the kids bringing over their spouses and their own children. So at the end of the day I click my ruby red slippers and say "There's No Place Like Home."