academy at thousand oaks: Summer Closes

Summer Camp

Sis got to attend a cheerleading camp this summer with her new neighbor friends. I think she really enjoyed it. They did floor routines, cheers, and stunts.

Ninja Date

One day, Little Man and I took Guess Who? to Kaleisia Tea Lounge for drinks, spring rolls, and shared dessert. It's one of our favorite things to do.

Family Fun Nights

Speaking of youtube...the kids got idea for taste challenges somewhere, somehow. We decided to do a Oreo Mystery Taste Challenge. Since I don't eat Oreo's, I was the one who bought the different flavors, blindfolded the contestants, and ran the show. They ate half of a cookie and wrote down their flavor guess. I actually can't remember who won? I'll ask them later and edit this if one of them remembers. It was fun, though, and instigated plenty of laughter and silliness.

Next up, on another random night was the Hint Water Challenge.

They had to guess the unidentified flavors and again, write down their answers, and I determined the winner. They had me do it next on my own, and it really was difficult to decipher between all of the tastes.

Tornado's First Job

Tornado got to work for three weeks at the Autism Awareness Shop. He had the opportunity to work at a real job, hanging up clothes, pricing objects, putting things on shelves, etc. It was a good experience for him. He had a bit of a rough first hour (which is information he said is fine for me to share on this blog), which reminded me how difficult it will be for him to have a job one day. It's all a lot to think about. Once he got past the first rough hour, he did marvelously and was able to pick one thing from the shop each week to take home as his "payment."

Extra Blessing

Speaking of baby fever (which will never go away for me), we have been so excited that one of our friends in Florida was expecting a baby. We were so invested haha - like the day she was going to find out if she was having a boy or girl, I just refreshed social media all day. :)

Sis and I went to her baby shower. She is, of course, as sweet and cute as her photos.

Fitness

Ok. Posting this as motivation. It's good to make your goals known. I have gained almost all of the weight back that I lost when I turned 40. Part of it is from being busy with moving and life. Part of it is my depressed nature that can kick in sometimes. And part of it, I wasn't born with the skinny gene but instead a wonky metabolism. Plus, I don't have a thyroid, and taking a pill everyday just isn't the same as having your body work naturally as it should. It really is always a struggle.

Birthday

Not the best photo to post immediately after talking about losing weight..I increased another digit. Sis and Ninja assembled my mousse with berries and Theo's pb cups. I would always choose mousse over cake. My birthday wish remained the same as it does every year. I don't think I can say it though, right? I think I might have said it on here before. As I type this over 6 months later, it's on track to coming true. Also, I'm grateful for life. (I think that makes #488: Hey, I just decided I'm going to get back to listing these, working toward 1000.)

For my birthday, I headed "home."

She's working so hard paddling while I'm taking selfies.

My friend Angie and I went took a short canoe trip on James River in Galena, MO. I had been determined to go floating for years now, and I hadn't had a chance. So I decided, by golly, I'm going for my birthday. I think I have only been one other time in my adult life, which is crazy. I had a few canoe experiences when I was young.

We brought a picnic lunch with us.

On the night of my birthday I went with two of my friends to Cafe Cusco, one of my favorite restaurants in Springfield, Missouri. Thankful for rivers, canoes, and these two. (#489-491)

Speaking of Grateful...

At my age, it's an interesting thing to glance at my three big kids and realize how different our lives would be had we not went forth with having Number Four. They're all pretty old and self-sufficient. There wouldn't be toys lying around and crying and so much chaos. I also wouldn't have so much of this. I tell him every day how happy I am that we have him in our lives. (#492)

I'm in no hurry for him to grow up completely. I'm so thankful for those sweet little hands. (#493)

Vegan Food

At some point I became obsessed with watching youtube videos. Not when I should be doing something else. Like when I'm in a waiting room. Or washing dishes or folding laundry, etc. I have gained a lot of inspiration for life through this newest obsession. One of my favorite things I discovered is this two ingredient quinoa bread. (#494)

Listen, if you aren't into health food and you're not really interested in eating more whole foods or less gluten/flour products, then these probably aren't for you. The base of it all is pretty bland. You can add whatever spices you want, though. I am looking forward to trying lots of combinations. For me, this whole idea is kind of life changing. I made a bunch of them, froze them, and only took out two or three thin slices to eat with my salad each day, rather than eating chips or bread on the side.

House Progress

I had kind of forgotten about this moment and this photo. This was the first room that was "done." (Thank goodness! #495) I mean, stylistically I was still moving things around and deciding what looks best on the mantel, etc. But the room was cleaned out. No boxes. "Could have company sitting around it" kind of ready. Now on to the rest of the house!

Furry Family Members

Ranger, Mabel, and Gertie

Have I mentioned how much I love my kitties and taking pics of them? I have? Here it is again...

My beautiful baby girl is named Ranger. Ninja named him that after my grandfather, who was a Ranger in WWII. We thought she was a boy. She just seemed so different than the other two. Her nipples weren't really present. She was the runt, though. Why did we think she was a boy?! It's all a little blurry right now. We didn't find out until she was like 6 months old, and we were getting ready to take her to get "neutered." I started looking and thinking hmm...I felt like such a bad cat grandma! I have apologized to her a lot since then. I gave Ninja the choice of renaming her something girlier, but he chose to let it stick. Now we say her name is Ranger Ruth.

I'm very grateful for Cali and her 3 babies.

(#496-499)

I took this photo after I put together their new "little" toy. I'm grateful Ryan didn't kick me out when he saw this in his home. (#500)

If anyone is curious, we do still have our puppy babies. I'm grateful that we still have them healthy and sweet at 9 years old. (#501-502)

Do they get along with the cats? They do! Squeals.

Days Out with Friends

summer movie with our buds

and one day with them at the trampoline park

Tornado doesn't always want to play. But he does appreciate the trampoline places. He had a lot of silly fun this particular day.

Discovering Florida

I wanted one last little adventure before the new school year officially started. I had discovered the cute little town of Gulfport recently with friends. I took the kids one day to visit. It's technically a part of St. Petersburg. I adore this area. It's worth a stop if you are in the area.