The Hawk

I was sleeping peacefully in bed when I heard a loud noise and glass shattering. I ran to the living room to find both boys snuggling on the couch watching cartoons. 10 feet behind them was a shattered window and a hawk scampering on the ground. Yes. A hawk flew through my window. Yes. My children were oblivious. (They only looked away to say "it wasn't us".) The hawk was a beast. Hopped back up to the window and braved shards of glass to get away from the screaming crazy lady. No. It wasn't hurt. Someday I want to be a hawk. But not today. Today I get to be on the clean-up crew. **sigh**

Thanksgiving 2012

Another lovely day with the Darr and Clark families.

H2012

Halloween was another success. Cheap costumes, too much hair, loads of candy, hanging with our buddies. What could be more perfect on a crisp Autumn night? Oh yes... Mimi and Papa drove down and surprised the boys. Not quiet the reaction we were expecting... they were definitely shocked, but were stoked in their own little way.

Julian Mining Company

Took the kids to the annual field trip at The Julian Mining Company. Not a lot of mining happened. But we did see some goats, played some games, made some candles, went on a hay ride, and squished some cider. Well worth the trip, after all... it's only 3 minutes from the house.

PUMPKINS

Made some apple pie. Carved some pumpkins. Drank some cider. Roasted some seeds. Had some fun! It's starting to feel like Fall around here!!

The Patch

It's suppose to be fall... but by the 80 degree weather here in SoCal... you would never know. So, what better thing to do in this 80 degree weather than go to the pumpkin patch? Right? I mean... if that won't get you into the fall spirit... I don't know what will.

Today we headed out to Nates Butt Farm  Bates Nut Farm and met our friends... drum roll please.... The Darrs. Yes yes... I know. ALL of our holiday traditions involve the Darrs. They just can't get away from us. We spend Easter with them, we make sure to go to the patch with them, we gather with them at Halloween and parade our children through the streets of Oceanside together, we make sure to meet them at The Wild Animal Park for Holiday Nights, and who knows? Maybe this year we may just show up on their door step for Christmas morning as well. Hey! That's not a bad idea. All kidding aside. We love the Darrs. When thinking about moving... The Darrs are on the top of our list of the most missed things in SoCal. They currently occupy the top five slots. We have been super blessed by them and their friendship. Plus, it's fun watching our kids grow old together. Because that is what they are... o.l.d. Stinkin' old.

Anyway. I digress. Without further ado...  photos from The Patch.

You will be pleased to know... our BIG MAC's weighed in at 81 pounds and 42 pounds. At 49 cents a pound...  they were worth paying to bring home... hopefully they won't become rotten.

Mira Mar Air Show

In the off chance that we move sometime in the near future... move like away from San Diego, I've been wanting to squeeze in a few 'wish-we-would-haves'. On my list was the Mira Mar Air Show. Not sure if it was on J's or not. BUT! Since it was on mine... HE took the boys while I WAS AT WORK. Oh well. I hear they had a wonderful time. And when I say "hear" I mean I was able to sit with Mason on the couch for an hour and a half as he recounted every little detail for me. So really... it was like I WAS THERE!

Half way through the night I receive this text from James 'So we're standing around looking lost. a guy comes up and asks us if we're going to the show. gives us some tickets... box seats. we are right out on the runway.... cool.'

Yeah.Not.Jealous.At.All.

 Next on my list... renting a boat and fishing on Lake Cuyamaca. Might have to wait for Big Guy (aka: Papa) though....

Homeschooling at its finest....

Sunday in the Park.

Well... we needed to do something to burn off all that sugar. Because really, who makes geometric shapes out of marshmallows without eating a few, or in this case... half the bag? The last time I was up in Oregon, Mimi sent me home with some airplanes for the Little People. I couldn't think of a better day/evening to head to the park and test them out. They may have only lasted 15 minutes... but we for sure got our $1.99 of fun out of them.

"Sunday School"

 Aaaaahhh the joys of homeschooling. The flexibility of catching up over the weekend. Wait. Who am I fooling? The kids were driving me bonkers today! So I decided to pump them full of sugar spend a few minutes sorting/classifying/and working on geometric shapes. Phew. And I thought today was going to be boring. Wait until after dinner when I break out the flashcards and force them to earn their desert! Fun times in the Schertz household. Fun times indeed.

The Mister

The Mister is uh-mazing. Like you didn't already know this? Amazing that he can look inside of an engine and know what things are. Amazing that he has the courage to take some of those things apart. Even more amazing that he can figure out how to put those things back together. Last month we bought a new head gasket and radiator. Last month, with assistance from a friend/mechanic, James tackled replacing the parts on the Jeep. This month we'll be rollin' in two vehicles. Oh what a relief.

Surfer Boy

Took the kids to the beach. Half way through I noticed that the camera was on the wrong setting. It made for some quite over exposed photos. ***sigh***