Mama Chit Chat

16
Oct
2018

Stagecoach {2016}

categories: Travel

With the 2019 Stagecoach line up just announced, it had me reminiscing when the girls and I went in 2016. The idea started with a friend’s mom saying she was going to this country festival in the dessert and has a couple extra spots in her trailer. Well one thing led to another and 4 of us girls took a moms trip to Indio, California for a trip of a lifetime.

My wristband came in the mail and the countdown was on!

We arrived to Indio the night before, got a good night rest and were ready for day 1.

So excited to be at Stagecoach!

We dropped off our stuff off, walked around, did some activities and visited a few booths.

Unfortunately we never got to ride the Ferris wheel.

Our chair crew!

The roomies!

I love a good sunset, but the sunset in the dessert is just majestic.

It was getting dark and time for the headliners to begin. Here’s the line up.

It was getting cold and windy. So Nic and I grabbed our bandanas to keep the dust away.

Snoop dog came out as a surprise guest.

Day 2

Here’s to another day of country music and cowboy boots!

While taking a picture under the Stagecoach frame, a group of guys snuck in our picture.

We walked around a bit and checked out a couple of stages.

It was getting dark so we headed back to our chairs for the headliners to begin. Here’s the line up.

I finally found the churro cart. It was worth every bite!!

Day 3

We started everyday with dropping off our backpack chairs. These chairs were super helpful during the weekend.

Adding more wristbands to our arm party!

Remember when I said the dessert sunsets were beautiful, well the random rainbow was just magical. It came out of nowhere!

There were lot’s of random pieces of oversized art throughout the festival. I loved checking out all the pieces.

Ready for the headliners to begin! Here’s the line up.

I had such a fun experience! Can’t wait to go back!

15
Oct
2018

First Day of School {2018}

categories: Mamahood

This year (and for the FIRST time ever), both kids go to school. Sarah is in 2nd grade and Jacob is in his first year of preschool. Sarah goes everyday while Jacob only goes 3 times a week for 4 hours a day. With our new schedule I’ve been concentrating on all things home (like catching up on laundry, food shopping while the kids are in school, home projects, etc). I’ve also decided that with ALL this time I should volunteer in Sarah’s class. Then volunteering turned into being the 2nd grade room mom. I also decided with all the this time, I’d join the PTA. And because I have SO MUCH extra time this year I am now the fundraiser chair for Bingo Night. Ummm ya, I’m crazy. In the mean time I’ve taken a break from blogging. But now that we are 2 months into the school year I can focus on my little blog again.

Before school starts we have a few traditions we do every year.

After we get their school supplies list we get them a backpack.

Sarah is into all things rainbow and flippy so while out one day I saw this backpack and just had to grab it for her. Luckily she liked it! Sarah gets a new lunch box every other year, but this year the backpack came with an attached lunchbox.

Jacob is still using his mommy and me set (he got from aunt Pam) since they requested small backpacks and he really didn’t need a new one. Additionally Jacob has a snack bag he decorated during open house last week.

2. The eve before their first day of school I make a bid deal about going to school. We talk about how to have courage and be kind. I remind Sarah that we go to school to learn and time for friends is at lunch or for after school. After our little pep talk we eat dinner together. I ask each kid what they want to eat prior so they feel extra special. I also decorate the dining room a little bit. Sarah loves breakfast (a girl after my own heart) so she got brinner.

Jacob wanted mac & cheese (figures). He also wanted to help me set “his” table.

3. We took our traditional first day of school photos with the sign I printed from here.

Hoping both kiddos do well in school and be kind to others.

See past First Day of School posts here:

First Day of School 2017

First Day of School 2016

First Day of School 2015

First Day of School 2014

First Day of School 2013

First Day of School 2012

26
Sep
2018

What’s Up Wednesday {August 2018}

categories: Mamahood

I’m linking up with Mel, Shay and Sheaffer for some random monthly fun.

What we’re eating this week…

This week is Sukkot, the Jewish holiday where we eat outside. So this year we made a little sukkah for the kiddos.

What I’m reminiscing about…

Watching my best friend get married to her awesome guy! Can’t wait to see the professional pics.

What I’m loving…

It’s been cooling down! The other day it was 58 degrees when I took the kids to school.

What we’ve been up to…

Last weekend was super busy! We went to the Hollywood Bowl for the Sound Of Music sing a long, Jacob had his first t ball game, and we celebrated sukkot by dressing up like superheroes.

What I’m dreading…

Flu season! Eek between Sarah’s bad ears and no family help, it gets hard.

What I’m working on…

With both kids in school now, I have all this free time. I joined the Bingo committee at Sarah’s school and then the next thing I know I’m the committee chair. I’m also the class room mom and I volunteer in the kids classes. Next year I’ll learn to scale down.

What I’m excited about…

My sister, Oshrat is coming this weekend! Yes it’s only been 3 weeks since I last saw her, but she missed me so much that she’s coming for some fall fun this weekend! See her last fall visit here.

What I’m watching/reading…

Hi, my name is Sharon and I am a Reality TV junkie. Here’s what I’m currently watching.

As for books I’m currently reading Reese Witherspoon’s Whiskey in a Teacup. I’m loving it so far!

What I’m listening to…

A few friends and I are going to see Dierks Bentley’s concert next month so I’ve been listening to his music recently. My favorite song is Black.

What I’m wearing…

My home tee. I miss my family in Florida.

What I’m doing this weekend…

We have plans to go to the banana festival, taking Osh to goat yoga, dinner with Oshrat’s friends, Jacob’s baseball game, a birthday party and some sight seeing.

What I’m looking forward to next month…

Celebrating 10 years with guy!

What else is new…

I’m loving these microwaveable pancakes by Kodiak Cakes. I like the cinnamon and maple flavor.

Question of the month is: what is your favorite way to eat or drink pumpkin?

Seriously though! I love and eat as much pumpkin as possible in October and November!

Happy Wednesday!

20
Sep
2018

Tuesday Talk: Routines

categories: Mamahood

Today is Tuesday Talk where once a month, I link up with Ashley and Erika who host this fun little blog link up. Every month, we chit chat about anything and everything. Today’s topic is School Routines, but after talking to my friend Whitney I realized that I should share my routine for the whole day.

7:15 am Sarah’s OK to Wake! clock turns on. She gets dressed and does her hair (she’s currently into brushing her hair and spraying a detangler and putting on some accessory in the mornings).

7:30 am My alarm goes off, hubby wakes up Jacob and we all head downstairs.

Hubby get breakfast started while I complete their lunches (I make most of it the night before). I unload dishwasher and then meet kids in car.

8:00 am Out of the house (still in my pj’s) and off to school.

8:20 am Back home and ready for a cup of coffee.

8:30 am Jacob and I watch a show. I check email and social media.

9:30 am We go upstairs, get dressed and get ready for the day.

10:00 am I make breakfast or meet a friend for breakfast.

10:30 am Adventure with Jacob (library, play date, play place, etc)

12:30 pm Lunch

1ish Back home for nap

1:30 I plan dinner, clean up toys, do a load of wash, email/blog, and/or watch show.

2:45 pm Pick up Sarah

3:00 pm Homework, snack, go through backpack.

4:00 pm Outside play with neighbors

5:00 pm Start dinner prep. Kids watch show or play independently.

6:00 pm Dinner with the family

6:45 pm If we have time and the weather is nice we take a walk around the neighborhood. In the fall we feed the neighborhood bunnies our leftover veggies.

7:00 pm Bath and books

7:30 pm Books, prayer, Jacob goes to bed

8:00 pm Sarah reads (part of homework), prayers and Sarah goes to bed

8:30 pm and on Clean up kitchen, make lunch, hubby time, blog, etc.

A few notes: If you have been reading my blog for a while, you will realize we are not morning people. So we rather sleep an extra 30 minutes then hang out in the am.

I don’t have a bunch of alarms that go off all day. This routine is simply a timeline for when we do things. Kids get sick, we have a school event, sports, family is in town or a kid doesn’t nap. Life happens and we just roll with it, but this way we know what to expect.

What does your routine look like? What do you do differently? I’d love to know. Please comment below.

17
Sep
2018

Fun Box

categories: Travel

After visiting both Museum of Ice Cream and Candytopia I knew I had to check out FUNBOX when it came to town. This time I bought my whole family for a fun adventure.

What is FUNBOX? It’s an interactive walk-through toy land with 24 large art installations and exhibits. Antonio Nieves, the founder of FUNBOX, collaborated with artists, engineers, and designers from all corners of the world to design and construct these 24 experiences. They used over 60,000 pieces to make FUNBOX a reality, including: Pool Noodles, Sticky Notes, Bananas, Flowers, Giant Crayons, Teddy Bears and much, much more.

We started the exhibit in the teddy bear tunnel. Sarah wanted to pose with the teddy bear key chain she was given as a gift while waiting in line.

Next up was the crayon room and sea saw.

To walk through the next room you go through a beautiful tunnel of hanging flowers.

We walked into a room filled with balloons. Kids had a blast here!

Around the corner was the post it room and pinata horse. My usually very smiley boy would not sit still for a picture. Sarah on the other hand was all smiles this day.

Next up was a room where kids got to climb a poop emoji and across from it was a Simpson’s upside down room.

Then it was time for the pink pig room. Sarah got to feel what it’s like to sit in a piggy bank.

Nearby was the angel wings room. We each took our turn being an angel.

The kids went bananas in the next room.

Hear no evil, see no evil.

While waiting for a timed room the kids ran up and down the noodle hallway. Hubby and I had fun running in and out as well!

Next up was the rainbow throne. The kids and I sat together in this room.

While we waited for the timed room, we danced out our sillies on the light up dance floor.

The “star” room as the kids called it, was worth the wait. We got 2 private minutes to dance around, play and check out the lights.

After the “star” room was the ABC room. We each found our first letter of our name and sat in the bench waiting our turn for the next room. You couldn’t touch the letters in the room so that kinda sucked.

The last and final room was also timed so we hung out with a few emoji’s and some more cool post it notes in the hallway.

Swimming in the Fruit Loops pool was definitely what drew me into the FUNBOX, but I wasn’t a huge fan. The spoons were too big for the space and the fruit loops weren’t soft like the marshmallows in Candytopia or like the sprinkles in Museum of Ice Cream. However the idea was really cute and the kids had fun.

Jacob was more interested in stacking the green “Cheerios” then taking pictures.

All in all it was a fun Sunday adventure with the family!

Here’s the scoop!

Buying tickets online are encouraged, but some walk ups are available throughout the day.

Ages 13+: $17

Ages 5-12: $12

Ages 4 and Under: High Five with a FUNBOX Employee

FUNBOX hours are:

Sunday-Thursday: 11AM – 7:30PM

Friday: 11AM – 8PM

Saturday: 10AM – 8PM

24
Aug
2018

Friday Favorites

categories: Mamahood

Today I am linking up with Erika, Narci and Andrea to share our Friday Favorites.

ONE

Now that I will have more time with both kids in school I decided I should join the PTA in Sarah’ school. Since Jacob is still home with me I took him to my first meeting. He did so well! I was once again reminded why I love being home with him. He’s just the sweetest. He colored, ate snacks, and just hung out with me.

TWO

And because I have all this time now I decided to volunteer in Sarah’s class once a week and even agreed to be her Room Parent. #WHYCANTIJUSTCHILL

THREE

Jacob and I went on a brunch date with his friend Dawson this week. We sat at a super cute cafe that overlooks a small airplane runway. The boys were in heaven!!

FOUR

I heard this quote the other day and automatically saved it. This quote totally reads to me.

FIVE

This week we also signed up for Girl Scouts. Because again we aren’t busy over here. #ITHINKIVELOSTMYMIND

Happy Friday, friends!

20
Aug
2018

Monster Jam

categories: Travel

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, then you know I try to find activities for the family to do on Sunday’s. So when I heard about an event where monster trucks compete and do tricks I knew Jacob (and Sarah!) would love to see it. This past weekend hubby and I took the kiddos to Monster Jam.

It was loud, it was entertaining, it was a bit dusty and it was oh so cool!

Did I mention it was loud? Oh man was it loud. Jacob, age 3 was super scared.

But after we put on his ear protectors, he adjusted well.

Even sister Sarah, age 7, wanted to wear them. Hubby and I brought ear plugs, but didn’t end up using them.

I highly recommend ear protectors for everyone attending. Prior to buying our tickets, a few people suggested we sit in the top section to avoid some of the sound. I feel like that was a great tip. Between the noise and seeing everything at once it was a great move.

Cool fact: There were TWO female drivers. One was inside Wonder Women and another in Monster Mutt Dalmatian.

After a few tricks and a rollover it was time for ATV competition.

After the ATV competition we had a 20 minute intermission. Kids got a treat and little stretch break. PS Thank you to my MIL who happened to have gotten him a Monster Truck shirt last year. It came in handy.

Next up was the Speedster competition.

Our favorite part was the last round when the Monster Trucks had a freestyle competition. This is the round where they crushed cars, did tricks and lot’s of donuts. So fun!