Cost of Living

My mom recently got a letter from her financial company comparing the cost of living from the year she was born (1946 ... sorry Mom) and now.  I thought it would be interesting to post the figures so the kids can look back years to come and see what things cost.  I also added a few of my own.

I guess these are national averages, definitely not California.


                                                    1946                  2010  
Gallon of Milk                         $.70                   $3.04
Loaf of Bread                           .10                     1.39
New Auto                           1,400.00            24,170.00
Gallon of Gas                           .16                     2.56
New Home                        12,638.00          173,100.00
Average Income               2,390.00            38,376.00
Dow Jones                              177.20            10,415.35
Postage Stamps                                                    .44
Babysitting (per hour)                                     10.00
Dozen Eggs                                                           2.99

The Supergirls!

Because most of the days I've been working have been week days, I've missed K's soccer practices so when I was finally able to go, I couldn't help but take some pictures.  She had gymnastics in the morning and that evening went straight from swim lessons to soccer practice (as fast as we can).  Whew ... what a busy day.  She seemed very excited to go but it didn't seem like soccer really kept her interest.  She kept playing with her green smock (for lack of a better word .. don't know what their called).  I will say though, that when Coach finally got her attention and she got the ball, she got 2 goals (only ones on her team).  Actually, all of the girls had a hard time focusing on playing soccer.

Love, love, love this one.

Goal!!  So much easier to get a goal when the goalie is nowhere to be found.

High fives.

It was HOT!

I'm happy to say that K's over her difficult stage (for this week anyways).  She has been super-sweet and nice.  She tells me at least 10 times a day that I'm her best friend.  Or she'll say "We're always going to be best friends, right Mama?  We'll be best friends for hundreds of years."  She constantly says, "right, Mama".  ALL.THE.TIME.  "We're walking to the car, right Mama?  This tastes so good, right Mama?  We will always be best friends, right Mama?  Lucy is a crazy cat, right Mama?  The sky is blue, right Mama?"  Over and over.

Beauty school graduate

Brian has figured out how to put K's hair in a ponytail!  I'm so glad because on the nights I work, I sleep in the next morning and I couldn't let him send her to Kindergarten next year with crazy hair.  He said he was making small talk about it with one of his patients the other day and she suggested he try it with a larger rubber band.  Well, the other day he tried it and did a great job.  Click HERE to get a good laugh at a previous attempt.

A willing participant.

Here it is.  At least it's not in her face anymore.

River Rafting - American River

Last weekend Jim (my brother-n-law) had a softball tournament in Davis so everyone came up to stay with us in Sacramento.  Congratulations to SLO-Cal (his team) for winning the Over-50 State Championship.  It was great to be able to watch them play on Sunday.  Anyways ... on Saturday Brian was working so I got a babysitter and the girls went river rafting down the South Fork of the American River.  My sister and niece had never been.  We had such a great time and can't wait to go again although we all decided we'd like something a little more intense next time.  I think we'll try the Middle Fork next time. 

Here we are before our trip.

Lacie took a picture of me while going down a rapid.  I couldn't stop laughing.

My niece, Lacie.

My mom ... pretending to be terrified.

My sister, Sue.  Funny story.  She was teasing our guide about not wanting to get her hair wet.  He told her that because she said that ... she was definitely going to get wet.  Well, not 20 minutes later, we hit a little rapid and sure enough out of the boat she went!!  She was completely drenched and he had to pull her back in.  It was hysterical.

Lacie fell backwards into the boat after "riding the bull".  That's what they call it when you sit on the front.

My turn at "riding the bull".

At picture of us with Jeff, our guide.  My mom and I went rafting with him last year and enjoyed it so much, we requested him again.

Miscellaneous

My mom wanted to take the kids for the weekend so I have the day to myself.  I work 12 hours tomorrow.  I stayed up until 1:30 in the morning last night cleaning/organizing my closet and I can't believe how good it looks.  (Thanks Mom) 

Here are a few snapshots that I've taken of the kids over the past few weeks. 

Cute one of K.  She is finally smiling normal for pictures.

We were shoe shopping for K the other day and she came across shoes that were "just like" mine.  She just had to have them and insists we both wear ours often.

M fell while we were shoe shopping and hit the metal hooks.  Poor thing.  He had this big scratch on his face for the first day of school.

Brian found an awesome website for buying discounted sporting equipment (good stuff) so he bought the kids some new ski goggles.  They got a kick out of trying them on and have been asking to go skiing.

Actually touching each other.  Lately, the only time they will

K was in school one morning and I let M choose what he wanted to do.  Would you believe that he wanted to take his camera to Old Sacramento to take photographs?  Oh yeah ... he's just like me.  We had the best time walking around, taking pictures of everything.  He talked me into going to the Train Museum, Evangeline's Costume store and Candy Heaven.  It was a great morning.  He's so much better when he's not competing with K for attention.  Here's a phot of his with a scary mask on.

1st grade has been going well so far.  I love his new teacher and so does he.  She sent a paper bag home and asked M to fill it up with things that describe him and bring it take to school.  He took back his photo album (because he loves taking pictures), his small microscope (because he's so observant) and his Lego guy riding on a motorcycle (because he's so fast!).  How cute is he. 

Also during the Open House, we were able to read some of the work he'd done.  They had an "All About Me" book and M had written that he either wants to be an Archaeologist or a ROCK STAR!!  Where did that come from?

Lots more to blog about but I want to go get my chores done around here while my helpers are gone.  Have you seen the Bernie Mac where he tries to motivate the kids help around the house so he makes a holiday called "Fix em' up, clean em' up day?"  Well, I'm having a holiday today.

M's a big First Grader

I've lost my blogging mojo lately.  I have not been in the mood to blog or even take pictures.  Last weekend we went to Shasta Lake (beautiful) and didn't take a SINGLE PICTURE!!  It was our last getaway before M started school.  We camped with my friend Misty and her husband and kids, Misty's parents and Grandma and our friends Anna and Alex.  We relaxed by the water, rode the wave runner and just hung out.  We all had a great time. 

M had a meet and greet with his new teacher yesterday.  I can already tell that she's going to be wonderful.  She seems enthusiastic and great with the kids.  She even sent M a postcard last week in the mail.  It read as follows.

Dear Mason,

Welcome to our first grade family!  First grade is a fun and exciting year.  I can't wait to meet you and our new friends on Wednesday!

Smiles,
Mrs. _____

How cool is that? I don't remember teachers sending me postcards in the mail when I was in school. He had his 1st day today and came running in to tell me that she is soooooo nice. He said he liked her a lot.

A cute one of them at the Meet and Greet.

M and one of his buddies from last year.  Glad they are in the same classroom again.  Boys will be boys!  Silly.  The classroom was so cute ... each table even has centerpieces!

My big boy.  All grown up ... I have to admit ... I had to hold back the tears just a little.

See what I mean about the classroom.  She has lamps everywhere and everything is neatly labeled and in it's place (and I mean everything) even the kids supplies.  It's warm and cozy.

Books ... neatly sorted.  Is this classroom ready for 20 first graders?!?

Cozy.

Looks like a lot of fun to me.

My big boy and I.

I worked last night until 1:30 am and had to rush to get ready this morning.  I was lethargic.  Of course, we were behind on time so I only had a second or two to get a picture.  Thank goodness, I got some yesterday.  I think I must have my white balance set on cloudy or something because they all turned out blue.  Oh well, what can I do?  He's still using his Star Wars backpack and his Scooby-Doo lunch box because he didn't want new ones.  I thought for sure he'd want a new lunch box but he couldn't find one he liked.

He looks so much more grown up than he did last year at this time.

His 1st day of school picture from last year (Kindergarten).

Weekend getaway to Lake Tahoe

Brian's parents watched the kids last weekend so Brian and I could spend some time alone for our 8 year anniversary.  We haven't been out of town alone since sometime last year when we had an overnight in San Francisco.  Rest and relaxation was what we were looking for (with a little gambling too ... come on ... you know me).  We gambled for a while on the first night and came out $100 ahead.  It was a great night.

We went on the Tahoe Queen for a dinner cruise.  I can't tell you how nice it was to be able to talk to each other.  It was fun ... I'm glad we went but the food wasn't very good!!  Self portrait time.

Emerald bay at dusk.

We took a hike to Fallen Leaf Lake and then onto Floating Island Lake.  This is Fallen Leaf Lake with Lake Tahoe in the background.  So, so beautiful.

The 2 of us.

Floating Island Lake.  Why is it called that?  I didn't seen any island ... maybe because it is supposed to resemble an island.  I don't know.

Another one.

Having cocktails at the Cabo Wabo Cantina.  I'm not the slightest bit intoxicated in this phot.  Brian's cheek is pushing my right eyelid down.  Just have to clear that up.

WARNING.  My mother called me the other day and suggested that I start posting/talking more about us (Brian and I).  She thought that when the kids were grown, they'd love to hear more about our interests and lives.  I have to say that I agree ... I'd love to know more about my dad.  Sooo, I'm going to make an effort to do that.  If it's boring to you all, I'm sorry ... just skip over it.  I may even interview Brian or something.  He'd love that (not).