Reading is to the Mind...

Over the summer, I devour books like food. Every night before I go to sleep, I read, read, read. While the girls are in the pool, I read. If I'm waiting at the dentist or the doctor's office, I read.

During the school year, the pace slows in favor of more quality time with my family. But during the summer, all of us read. (Pictured are the books I've read this summer!)

So far, my favorite this summer is Pride and Prejudice. I refused to watch the new movie until I'd read it, and while I've many books in the same genre...Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, and Emma, I had never read Pride and Prejudice. I thought it was wonderful, and I bought two movie versions from Best Buy to compare them.

On my list to read next: Wicked, A Prayer for Owen Meany, The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters, Girl Meets God, The Red Tent, Bee Season, Jewel, The Mermaid Chair...and the list goes on!

Reading has always been important in my life. It saved me from the boredom of being in my parent's restaurant growing up. I read about The Little Princess, losing her fortune with the death of her father, being made to live as a servant in the boarding school she used to attend. I read all of the Anne books, and felt like I lived on a little island in Canada where neighbors gossiped and meadows flourished with flowers. I rode with Laura Ingalls Wilder in a covered wagon as Pa searched for work during the long winter in South Dakota. I admired Jo from Little Women for cutting her hair to help her family. I cried reading many times: In Bridge to Terabithia when the little boy died, in Rilla of Ingleside when Walter died in the war. (And in any book when anything cruel happened to an animal!)

Reading opened up my mind to new perspectives during college, when I read all kinds of multicultural literature like Tracks, The Color Purple, Woman Warrior, and The Joy Luck Club. It made me appreciate the world from a greater perspective than my small town could offer...

Now, if I attempt to put Emma and Grace to bed without reading them each a book, they feel that a great injustice has occurred. We read picture books (the same ones over and over and over) and chapter books (I love that their little imaginations will form pictures without pictures!). Right now their favorite book is Fancy Nancy, pictured above. I love reliving the joy of books with my girls. It's like visiting old friends. Another favorite experience is to listen to Jeff read aloud to the girls. He does all of the silly voices, the lines filled with animation and fun. Reading expands your mind, inspires you, and bonds you to those around you. It has an amazing power to do all of these things.

Now if this isn't an English teacher's advertisement for reading, I don't know what is!

If you have a favorite book or a recommendation, hit reply and let me know what it is!

Swimmin' at Auntie Danielle's Pool

We spent yesterday at Auntie Danielle's house swimming in her pool. She and Jason put in a pool last year. It has a waterslide, grotto, and lots of rocks to jump from. Danielle and I spent the day relaxing and hanging out by the pool; later, we ate dinner and swam with the kids. That's one of the things I love about Murrieta...we have the most warm, summery nights, where you can swim all day and after dinner too. We don't turn on the television until the evening because we're too busy all day enjoying it outside. :) We also had fun doing crazy things to Ian's hair. (Poor Ian...he's a good sport being the only boy among the girl cousins.) Later, Grandma Otti and my mom came over and got into the jacuzzi. I know that I only have four weeks of true summer until school starts, but I'm enjoying every minute!

My next entry will feature all of our camping pictures. Jeff and I bought a trailer, so this Wednesday will be our first camping trip in it. We have plans to go to Julian, the beach in Ventura, and Bishop for my friend's wedding in August. More on this later. I'm so excited!

Our Neighborhood on the Fourth

Our neighborhood, although in Southern California, seemed to be transported to a more simple time and place yesterday for the 4th of July. Neighbors got permission from the city to close off the street. People set up booths for face painting, hat making, and fingerpainting. There were water balloon tosses, and a giant, bouncy water slide. There was all kinds of food, and people brought their bbq's and coolers right out to the street. The finale was bike decorating and a bike parade up and down the streets, with all of the kids riding their decorated scooters, bikes, and little cars and jeeps as patriotic music played.

I found the whole event to be just darling! In 2006, sometimes it seems as though we pull into our garages and never step outside to form a true community with our neighbors. The girls got a taste of what is was like for me, growing up in my little Rocking K neighborhood, going home when it got dark, running wild with all of the neighborhood kids.

In Ray Bradbury's novel, Fahrenheit 451, the character Clarisse reflects, "No front porches. My uncle says there used to be front porches. And people sat there sometimes at night, talking when they wanted to talk, rocking, and not talking when they didn't want to talk. Sometimes they just sat there and thought about things, turned things over. My uncle says the architects got rid of the front porches because they didn't look well. But my uncle says that was merely rationalizing it; the real reason, hidden underneath, might be they didn't want people sitting like that, doing nothing, rocking, talking;, that was the wrong kind of social life. People talked too much. And they had time to think. So they ran off with the porches. And the gardens, too. Not many gardens any more to sit around in. And look at the furniture. No rocking chairs any more. They're too comfortable. Get people up and running around."

I hope that our generation is able to slow down. To enjoy each other. To read! To sit and talk on the front porch (or the back patio). To enjoy nature. To sit around the table for family dinners at night. I hope Bradbury's prophetic words (written in 1953, before big screen tv's, cell phones, and all kinds of other distractions) will reverse with our generation. I hope that we value human connections more than anything else.

Ironic that as I write this, I sit and type at a glowing computer screen!

More Fourth of July Pictures

Twins With a Camera

The Culprits: Emma and Grace Smith
The Weapon: My Camera

The girls confinscated my camera and took all of these pictures, which I found later as I was loading photos onto my computer.

It's funny, the things five year olds like to photograph: Emma's breakfast waffles...Sophie... Our new dog, Marty...Themselves in the bathroom mirror...Gracie being silly. I didn't include the two pictures of our ceiling fan or the many pictures of elbows, dog tails, and Jeff's nose. :)

Graduation Day

Emma and Grace went to the most adorable preschool on earth, Murrieta Ranch. At preschool, they were able to play in a playground that had a sandbox inside a barn, a Thomas train, and another playground called Old Town. On the premises of the preschool, they have two baby goats named Sugar and Spice, two giant pigs named Hugs and Kisses, and various ducks, chickens, doves, and birds. Their teachers were so sweet, and the atmosphere was so warm and comforting. The front room of the school always smelled like cinnamon candles!

Today, the girls graduated from pre-K. The graduation was absolutely hilarious. The kids rocked out to the "Rock and Roll ABC's", and each preschooler had a speaking part, telling the audience what they'd like to be when they grow up. (At least half the class wants to be veteranarians, including Emma. Grace wants to be a "house builder".)

I don't remember preschool graduation being that big of a deal when I was little, but for the girls, it was huge. It was an even bigger deal when Grandpa Tom and Grandma Kelly painted the car and brought balloons, and my mom and dad brought the girls flowers. I can't imagine what it's going to be like when these girls graduate from high school and college. We feel so blessed by them that the whole world seems to celebrate their milestones and accomplishments. As a mom of twins, I especially feel like each step is a moment to savor. I get to go through it with them once, and I'm enjoying every bit.

We finished the evening by letting the girls choose where to eat for dinner. They voted on Mimi's Cafe, which they think is the fanciest restaurant on earth (I think that's so funny!) They love the chicken decor in the restaurant, and Emma is addicted to the corn chowder! PLUS, what is the dessert for kids at Mimi's? Worm cups...chocolate pudding mixed with oreo crumbs (the "dirt") and gummy worms. Not too bad to top off a graduation day!

Legoland

We finally made it to Legoland in Carlsbad. The girls had a lot of fun, and we even took them on their first roller coaster (the Dragon...small, but packs a punch!) We saw Lego villages and cities, rode Lego rides, and drank overpriced Legoland coffee. The girls loved driving their own Lego cars, and they each got a driver's license. When I told them that I was relieved...they could drive themselves to school from now on, I was met with screams of, "NO WAY, Mama! We're not ready for that yet!"

Notice my little actress Grace in the trashcan/monster picture...she's a born actress! I can't wait to be a drama mom! Emma, on the other hand, got a much bigger kick out of riding the Lego horse.

Overall, we learned that even at 6'5", my husband can fold his legs into a very small rollercoaster car WITHOUT complaining AND the smaller the kiddie ride, the longer the line. Next stop, Disneyland...or better yet, the beach!

Ghost Towns and Twin Adventures with Flat Stanley

We visited Calico ghost town last weekend.
Interesting. Not as cool as Bodie, near Bishop, which is an actual, deserted, creepy ghost town. This ghost town was more like a tourist attraction...a money makin' machine! Apparently, the man who owns Knott's Berry Farm had something to do with it. Instead of empty, dusty buildings filled with ghosts, Calico gave us crowded, dusty buildings filled with tourists and cheaply made, overpriced souvenirs. We did see a peacock and a school that the girls called the "Little House on the Praire" school. (I've been Tivo-ing Little House episodes and playing them for the girls. They are just like me when I was little...obsessed with Laura Ingalls. God bless Tivo!)

The true news of the adventure is that Flat Stanley joined us. Flat Stanley was mailed to me in an envelope from Cole Canyon Elementary addressed to "Anty Dawn" from Ian. I am supposed to take Flat Stanley everywhere with me for two weeks and then send him back with records of his adventures. (See Flat Stanley at the ghost town with Grace in the picture below...)

So far, Flat Stanley has visited Hotel Circle in San Diego for AVID training, eaten at the Cheesecake Factory, and shopped at Fashion Valley Mall. (He liked the Cheesecake Factory the best! Like me, he adores the coconut chocolate cheesecake that tastes like a Mounds bar.) The flat, adventurous little Stan has not only been to Calico, but also four wheel driving through the desert, and to my high school classroom (he's a pretty popular dude!). If only I could take Flat Stanley to Europe or something....ahhhhhh.

One Must Have Tea

When you are five, Spring Break can be stressful. After all, you have the full attention of your mother for two long weeks. Your weary body has traveled to locations such as the water park, the beach, and the ice skating rink (again), and even (gasp!) the dentist. You have spent mornings pondering what you'll have for breakfast....will it be Honey Nut Cheerios or French Toast? Your days consist of swinging on your swingset, loading Barbie and Ken into a horse carriage for a tour, capturing bugs in a bug jar, painting Easter Eggs sparkly tie-dye colors, and swimming in your auntie's pool. With such a busy agenda, things can get a bit hectic! What to do? Why not gather with close friends who are under the same kind of stress and unwind with an afternoon tea? And not just tea....BUBBLE GUM tea and a chocolate chip scones, peanut butter whip sandwiches, and miniature cakes. Feather Boas and fancy hats are a MUST. After all, being a lady of five is such an important endeavor. One must ready herself for Kindergarten, earn stickers on her behavior chart, AND not harass the pugs. My, my!!

We Love San Diego!

We spent yesterday in San Diego with our friends, the Saylor family. They had a beautiful camping spot right on the bay. From their campsite, you could see the buildings of downtown San Diego, the Sports Arena, Sea World, and the hills of Claremont where the lovely USD campus rests.

Todd and Nicole both teach for the Murrieta School District. Nicole teaches with me at Murrieta Valley. She is off right now with their new baby Sophie who is just adorable and reminds me of Gracie when she was a baby. (She even puts her little hands above her head like Grace did.) Their other daughter, Josie, is a wonderful friend of the girls. The three of them get along splendidly; they spent yesterday at the campground park and in the sand near the water's edge. We stayed until dark, bbq'd burgers, and had smores and my new favorite treat, brown bears (which is bisquit dough on a stick cooked over the fire and then dipped in butter and cinnamon sugar...oh my!) Ironically, it was rainy in San Diego until yesterday! The girls and I had the perfect day...it was sunny and breezy and just beautiful. I love the beach (always have!). Also, I'm NOT pregnant! I know the picture above makes me look it...my dad calls it my maternity shirt. Yes, Neil Zakar, the man who wore a "No Cerveza, No Trabajo" hat to meet my first "boss" in college, likes to comment on my wardrobe. Hee hee!

Vacation, Bishop Style

Our friends Christine and Jonathan just emailed us these pictures from our vacation last Thanksgiving. We had so much fun, spending four days outside of Bishop in a cabin (the girls called the cabin "The Cabinet"). Much of our journey consisted of enjoying the great outdoors. We spent a lot of time on trails, four-wheel driving into the back country. I took everyone to see the infamous "waterfall in a cave" in Buttermilk, which was just as beautiful as I had remembered. (It took me forever to find!) We even found a few patches of snow for the girls to play in, and visited the Bristlecone Pine forest. Lots of fun!




























Also, our dog Sophie came along (Acer, too old and crabby, vacationed in Havasu with my parents' pugs, Noel and Peggy Sue.) Sophie's boyfriend is Christine and Jonathan's dog Chip, proving that size doesn't matter...only the love in your heart. Hee hee!

Where Does the Time Go?

When you have kids, everyone says the same thing.

"It'll go by really fast."

But...gosh. You think that people just say that to remind you to enjoy each minute. You think that they're just saying it to help you through those stressed out days, when children draw on the walls or spill glue in the carpet. But they're saying it because one minute you're in the hospital, learning how to bundle a baby, burrito style, and the next minute you've got five-year olds!

The two pictures above are proof. Not long ago, the gals were babies in their bassinet (picture 1), or three-year olds on my lap for Valentine's day hugs (picture 2). Now...well, I'm scared to blink, because they'll be ten! Sixteen! Thirty! Where does the time go?

Meggie and E-Man

My niece and nephew, Megan and Ian, are such huge blessings in my life. I remember when my sister had Megan; I was an overworked college student living in Huntington Beach, newly married and finishing my teaching credential. Danielle was taking some classes at Orange Coast College at the time, so she'd drop little Megan off with me. Megan was only about 18 months old, but I used to crave those visits. I would take her to the grocery store and pretend she was mine. We'd buy balloons and stuff to make cookies and go back to my place to make a big mess. She used to call me "Da". Now, I am affectionately known as Auntie, and she still likes coming over to my house to make crafts. She is wonderful with Emma and Grace, and they adore her. The only reason Emma won't let me cut her hair into a bob is that she wants it "long, like Rapunzel and Megan."

Ian is the sweetest, most sensitive boy we know. He likes hanging out at our house in general. Ian also loves to tell the girls "tall tales". For example, they say things like, "Ian said if you save a sea shell long enough, it'll turn into a sand dollar" or "Ian says that Santa goes to all houses...even the bad kids' houses!" To Emma and Grace, Ian is the guru of all that is knowledge. They have a hard time believing me if Ian says something is true. He's older...he knows things!

I am so lucky to be an auntie who lives nearby. I told Danielle and Jason that I will probably torture the kids once they go to Murrieta Valley High School. Can you imagine? "Megan! Hiiiiiiiiii! It's AUUNNNNNNTIE!" Although I must say that I was doing AVID interviews the other day at the middle school, and I saw Megan. She not only talked to me, but hugged me tightly in front of all of her friends. Maybe I'm only dreaming, but I don't think she'll ever pass up an Auntie hug, even if it is when she's in high school.