Summer Bucket List #36, #45 & #46

36. Play Dress Up
Every day of summer the girls have been in dress up clothes and Diego in his wrestling mask. I only make them change when we go out and I swear the second we step foot back in the house they change back into costumes. So I think it's safe to say this one can definitely be crossed off the list. And I am not gonna lie, sometimes when we go out they're wearing costumes too. Arielle just wore one to a bbq at my sister's house this weekend. What? It makes them happy so sue me!

So like I said... we had a bbq at my sister's this past Sunday. My Dad said food and we said we're there! It's as simple as that really. The way to our hearts is through our stomachs.

Atalie was dressed for the ocassion and prepared for the party in her tummy!


And rightfully so! We had tacos of carne asada and chicken! I am a sucker for tacos.


Even Laila was having a hard time deciding on chicken or carne asada?


And after eating a bunch we all sat around trying to digest the food.


And then we all went a little picture crazy. My Dad's fiance Abby has been here from California for over a week and we hadn't even spent any time with her!


Grandpa spent some time with his #1 Baby. (Notice she is in costume)


And then he spent time with Atalie.Everyone sure has been missing Grandpa!


Then Laila and Atalie figure they could make a run for it and escape this crazy family... but I think they stumbled upon a little problem. Sometimes two heads are just as bad as one.


And by the end of the night my sister had agreed to paint my girls and my nieces toes. But not before them washing their feet because my sister has toe fungus phobia! LOL

But the girls didn't mind and instead of going into the tub they jumped right up on the kitchen sink and started washing. It was kinda hilarious.


45. Pedicures [Girls ONLY]

And they were so happy!


And I painted my nails and my sister added a design for me :)


The next morning we marked another one off our list:
46. Coloring Contest



But it technically wasn't a contest cuz there wasn't a winner.


And the rest of our time these past 2 days has consisted of:

Eating donuts


Me "trying" to get some work done on orders... but with 6 kids in dang near impossible to sit for more than 5 minute stretches at a time. They don't bug but with 6 of them I constantly need to help someone with something. And feeding them takes a lot of time out of my day.


Cousins laying together watching cartoons


And lastly, I signed my kids up for penpals. Alayna was the first to recieve a package.


It was the cutest thing! A letter, a folder to store her letters in, stickers, pens, notecards, and even address labels with her penpal's address and ours for easy mailing!


After I took those pictures Diego had also recieved a letter that he didn't see when he got the mail out of the mailbox. We found it later on that night. But he read it and they both have already written back. We just want to include some goodies before mailing them. I can tell this is so fun for them.

And then last night I was also asked by another parent for Diego to have a 2nd penpal. And he was more than happy to write to a second friend! I think I might look for a 2nd one for Alayna as well so they will be even. Anyone have a daughter around 6 years old that might be interested? She's a great penpal ;)

Kicking the Summer Bucket List

Crossing off some more from out Summer Bucket List!
3. Summer Movie Program @ Harkins

We just finished week number 4/10. So far we've seen... Clifford's Really Big Movie, Ramona and Beezus, Megamind, and How to Train Your Dragon. I love this annual thing with the kids.

15. Summer Reading Program @ Library

The kids are reading but the library isn't handing out prizes so they are un-interested in coloring their sheets. But they're still reading non-stop!

43. Peter Piper Pizza

Yesterday Diego's baseball team had a pizza party to give out trophies. So this worked for us to cross this one off our list because miraculously we haven't made it to Peter Piper on our own yet!

While we waited we were entertained by the spinning coin on our table... yup we're easily amused.


Can you tell?


That went on for 10 minutes or so and then Atalie entertained us by laughing. She randomly breaks out into laughter because she loves the reaction that we all start cracking up laughing at her! And this went on another few minutes. I would have recorded it but I was too busy laughing.


Then it was time to grub!


Alayna asked me to take a picture of her and made she was absolutely "pretty" with her smile. Dang Poser!


And of course then Arielle requested a picture and she also gave me her pose... I swear this girl can NEVER be serious.


Then the two Coaches handed out the trophies and said some nice things about each kid.


A my husband cheered a little too loud for our son. But there's no such thing as too loud when you're a proud parent.


A team picture was in order...


And then they had to let all PPP know who was in the house... D-backs!


I am gonna definitely try and get him in again next season. It was so much fun!

Summer Bucket List # 44

44. Read w/the Kids

We spent the morning watching Tangled... yet again, and snuggling on the couch the kids and I.







It was wonderful :)



Then we cleaned the house because it was a mess from having 9 kids all weekend. And then we all showered/bathed and got ready.

I decided a trip to the library was much needed. So we drove there, got a library card, and then went at it looking for books. They kids would have taken everything from there if I would have let them! Diego had his list "chapter books" and goosebumbs, Alayna wanted Olivia, and Arielle wanted Fancy Nancy!

But as for me I was in uncharted territory. I don't read. I had no idea what to look for, what I like, and I browse by what the cover looks like. If it catches my eye and looks pretty chances are I will pick it up. I ended up with a pink book, an aqua book, a purple book, and a book that says Mother on the cover... if that tells you anything. So if you have any book suggestions throw them my way. I really gotta start excersizing the part of my brain that reading is supposed to excersize.





We ended up with 26 books total.



And right away we sat down to read.










But it was interrupted after a while by a fantastic lunch. You know corn on the cob, seasoned fries, chicken nuggets, and pasta salad... all leftovers thrown together from the day before's lunch and dinner. Oh and I made Jello for the kids and put them in the gerber containers I had been saving from Atalie... they loved that they had their own personal serving.



Arielle didn't even complain and she usually has something to complain about.



And the rest of my day was spent reading to my kids. I haven't even started my own books yet. They just want me to read them stories all day long.

Have I mentioned how much I love the Fancy Nancy books?! Man I had read them before and I still just love them. And Arielle loves them too. She has to have her Fancy Nancy doll with her while we read.

Summer To Do List

With only 1 more days until the kids are on summer vacation (yes I look forward to this) and all the ideas swirling through my little head... I thought it would be a fun idea to make a Summer To-Do List! So the plan is to try and do all of these things before the end of the summer, take pictures, and then blog about it. I am pretty excited! Most of these things involve the kids but I also added some personal ones.

Here is the list I compiled. Think I can get it done? There is only one thing on there that I am iffy about... but we'll see! Now I challenge you to go and make your own!

Summer Bucket List:

1. See Cars 2
2. Go to California
3. Summer Movie Program @ Harkins
4. See a movie at the Drive-in
5. Read a Book
6. Disneyland
7. Have a Summer Party
8. Take a Roadtrip
9. Go out for Ice Cream
10. Fly a Kite
11. Do a Craft
12. Go Roller Skating
13. Bake a Treat
14. Make a Fort
15. Summer Reading Program @ Library
16. Do a Puzzle
17. Have a Picnic
18. Movie Night @ Home
19. Splash Park
20. Eat Watermelon
21. Children's Museum
22. Enjoy Popsicles
23. Take Diego on a Date
24. Take Alayna on a Date
25. Draw with Chalk
26. Have a Water Balloon Fight
27. Grow a Plant
28. Blow Bubbles
29. Make S'mores
30. Have a Slumber Party
31. Camp
32. Go to the Beach
33. Get a Sno Cone
34. Have a Tea Party
35. Back to School Shopping
36. Play Dress Up
37. Play Mini Golf
38. Go to a New Park
39. Cook a New Recipe
40. Date With Hubby (Somewhere we've never been)
41. Swim
42. Paint
43. Peter Piper Pizza
44. Read w/the Kids
45. Pedicures [Girls ONLY]
46. Coloring Contest
47. Game Night

And here is our printed version that I taped to our fridge so we can actually see where we stand! The kids were so excited to see some of the things I chose... they are looking forward to this summer for sure!

30 Day Challenge - Day 9

Day 09 - Five Thing You Would You Like To See Change

1. The Economy
2. Joe Arpio as Sheriff
3. The price of gas
4. My weight (that involves work though :P)
5. A higher balance when I check my bank account!

30 Day Challenge - Day 8

Day 08 - Someone you think would make a good president

George Lopez



We need a Mexican president. He's funny. And he's real. He'd get my vote! Watcha!

30 Day Challenge - Day 7

Day 07 - Favorite cover of your favorite song

I have way too many favorite songs... so how about I switch it up a bit and give you my favorite covers? These are songs that even though I like to original... the cover is just even better! And I am gonna give you 3... because yes, I am that indecisive.

1. "Use Somebody" Original: Kings Of Leon Cover: Paramore
I love love love Hayley Williams voice. My goodness can that girl sing!


2. "Hallelujah" Original: Leonard Cohen Cover: Jeff Buckley
One of my most favorite songs... and definitely my most favorite version. I can listen to it forever!


3. "Hurt" Original: Nine Inch Nails Cover: Johnny Cash
Everyone might know this already as the biggest debate over which is better. I am here to say I love them both in their own ways. I do not listen to Nine Inch Nails and only first heard the song with Johnny Cash. If you know me then you know I am fascinated with Johnny Cash and his life. My favorite movie is Walk the Line y'all. So immediately I couldn't help but feel all the emotion in his version. But when I realized it was a cover... I found the NIN version. And I really really like it. Sometimes you can't tell it's the same song. Well I'll stop rambling... I've included both versions for your listening pleasure :)

30 Day Challenge - Day 6

Day 06 - Earliest thing you can remember

Sheesh I guess it has to be my 3rd birthday. I vaguely remember the house... our old house before moving to Arizona. I remember what I was wearing. The cake. My Pillow People that I got as gifts. When I was younger I though it was all like dreams or just something in my head. Until one day my Mom and I were looking at old pictures and I found one from that day and all of a sudden it clicked. That was my memory! I asked her and she told me it was my 3rd birthday. If I had a working scanner I would post a picture. I was so darn cute too.

30 Day Challenge - Day 5

Day 05 - A thank you letter to someone who has changed your life



Dear Diego,

Of all the people I know and of all the situations I have faced in my 26 years of life... you are the person who has changed me the most. I can say it was me and take the credit but really... it was ALL you. I can say my Mom, who helped me grow into the person I am today, changed my life... but really she didn't. It has always been you.

At age 17 I was scared to find out about you. I had a flood of emotions run through me. Worry. How on earth would I be able to be a mother? I didn't even like kids! Sadness. I didn't feel like I was worthy enough at that age to have someone as precious as you. Afraid. Afraid that I would never be the kind of mother you deserved. But then ultimately excited. As you started to grow within me... suddenly I didn't feel so young anymore. I felt like I needed to step up and be whatever it was you needed me to be. And although I didn't know exactly what that entailed when you were born and I was just 18... I knew I had to just take things as they came.

And when you were born you comepletely changed me. My outlook on life was different. Everything was happy just because you were there by my side. Your smile made me smile. Your laugh made me happy. And although I still didn't know which direction my life was headed, all I knew was that you were the single best thing that ever happened to me.

The timing may not have been perfect... but who is perfect anyway? I learned that with you I made mistakes and I still continue to make them even 7 1/2 years later. There's no right and wrong way to parent you but I am learning as I go along. Learning that you changed me into the kind of person who lives for her children and all she wants is her childrens happiness.

Becoming a mother changed me.

30 Day Challenge - Day 4

Day 04 - What you imagine paradise to be like

I imagine paradise to be just somewhere where I am with the people I love the most and laughing. When my family and I get together it's nothing but non-stop laughing. Every time. So paradise would be like a family reunion. Oh and maybe someone giving me a pedicure too ;)

30 Day Challenge - Day 3

Day 03 - The five songs you would have with you on a desert island and why

1. I Will Survive: Gloria Gaynor - Cuz I would... somehow


2. Crazy: Patsy Cline - Just seems to fit... kinda. And I need a little country.


3. Not Afraid: Eminem - No time to be afraid son!


4. Airplanes: B.o.B/Hayley Williams/Eminem - I'd need a wish... Hayley Williams... and Eminem... need I say more?


5. Spacebound: Eminem - It's my favorite song at the moment and if this was right now that I was on a desert island then I'd have to have it.


(Really I'd just have all Eminem CDs with me... he's my favorite! His album recovery is Awwwesoooome!)

30 Day Challenge - Day 2

Day 02 - Something that inspires you

These people.


Seriously.

My kids are the ones I live for. I do everything I do for them. The inspire me to want to be a good mom. They inspire me to take up my crafting. They inspire my photography.

And my Mom. She has always inspired me. And now that she's gone I find my self always thinking... WWMD? (What Would Mom Do?)

30 Day Challenge - Day 1

Some of my cousins do these challenges on their tumblr accounts so I figured I start mine here and you all can link up if you want! (If you've already done them just backlink every day se we can all read them!)

If you're not doing these challenges feel free to start with us! If anything it can be a good way to get new readers to your blog :)

Here's our first 30 day challenge:

Day 01 - Guilty pleasure
Day 02 - Something that inspires you
Day 03 - The five songs you would have with you on a desert island and why
Day 04 - What you imagine paradise to be like
Day 05 - A thank you letter to someone who has changed your life
Day 06 - Earliest thing you can remember
Day 07 - Favorite cover of your favorite song
Day 08 - Someone you think would make a good president
Day 09 - Five things you want to see change Day
10 - A dream you had this past week described in detail Day
11 - Favorite picture ever taken of yourself Day
12 - Your favorite musical artist’s life story
Day 13 - A memory that never fails to make you laugh
Day 14 - Best mashup you’ve ever heard
Day 15 - A moment, phrase, or song that has changed your life the most.
Day 16 - Something that you want to do within the next five years.
Day 17 - What you want to remembered for.
Day 18 - A picture that makes you feel
Day 19 - A passage from a book that has touched you
Day 20 - A band that you immediately liked and the song that made you like them
Day 21 - Your favorite medium of art.
Day 22 - Someone you would give your life up for without question.
Day 23 - Most awkward first impression you feel you’ve ever given
Day 24 - Something you did as a child that other people remember you for.
Day 25 - Something you would do if no one stopped you or if you knew you wouldn’t fail.
Day 26 - Your definition of love.
Day 27 - Your definition of the meaning of life.
Day 28 - A moment you remember being completely happy in and a description of why you believe you were. What is your definition of happiness
Day 29 - What you live for.
Day 30 - Ways you believe you have grown over the past thirty days.


Day 01 - Guilty Pleasure

My guilty pleasure?

Buying craft stuff. I mean Hobby Lobby is like my Disneyland. I seriously gravitate towards that stuff like a magnet! I haven't scrapbooked in 6 years and I still find myself buying pretty scrappbook paper vowing to myself that one day I will use it for something. I literally have a whole scrapbook tote FULL and maybe even overstuffed with an entire collection of paper that spans through 6 years. But it's not just paper... I have ribbons, paints, adhesives, embellishments, stickers (oh the stickers, I have an accordian folder FULL), fabric, wood shapes, wood boxes, wood frames... the list can really go on. I can't help it! Maybe one day it will all get used.

At least I can justify that the ribbons and embellishments are all now being used for bows!