happy 216

216. this yummy wreath i got from williams sonoma!

where's waldo?

happy 215

215. waking up to these two iron-men reminds me of what i love most about being a mom: the imagination & innocence of children.

big bang fridays

light up the halo!

"the price of freedom is written on the wall"

i forgot my camera, so the pictures are blah... but, going to the traveling wall in laguna niguel to remember the vietnam war was nothing short of amazing. it included a tribute chronicling all the wars in the USA (including the current war on terror) which gave me a chance to talk to the kids about what it all meant. it was nice to stop, ponder & remember the sacrifice made for our freedom. kitty & larry told us a few of their wartime stories which is always fascinating to imagine what it must have been like.

God bless America.

happy 214

214. my new blog... gardner girls cooking green.

forks over knives

this movie was an amazing documentary about the benefits of adopting a plant based, whole foods diet (some of which include actually reversing & stopping certain conditions in their tracks such as: type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, cancer & heart disease). my mom treated me, allison & the guys to a special movie premiere in la jolla that was catered by whole foods market. we met some amazing people (including Rip from Engine 2's Diet) who participated in a panel discussion after the movie. if you haven't read (or heard of) The China Study, Eat to Live or The Green Diet (by my good friend mary jolley) this movie is a good summary of all of these ideas & studies. it's a must see movie, for your health & your life!!! don't miss it!

i love how the knife at the bottom is a scalpel. touche..

happy 213

213. these two knuckleheads.

happy 212

212. this thought.

back to my roots

just in case you don't recognize me =)

mom's day celebrations...

hank had a preschool show where he gave me a rose, homemade cinnamon roll & sang (among other songs)...

Skinny marinky dinky dink
Skinny marinky do
I love you

I love you in the morning
and in the afternoon.
I love you in the evening
and underneath the moon

Skinny marinky dinky dink
Skinny marinky doo
I love you

faith gave me jolly ranchers, a drink, a handmade banner, told me i was 105 pounds & 8 feet tall & sang a dozen songs incuding....

Mama Paquita, Mama Paquita,
Mama Paquita buy your baby a banana,
A ripe banana and a papaya,
A ripe papaya that your baby will enjoy!
Mama, mama, Mama Paquita, Mama Paquita,
Mama Paquita says "I haven't any money
To buy bananas and ripe papayas,
Let's go to Carnival and dance the night away!"

Mama, mama, Mama Paquita, Mama Paquita,
Mama Paquita buy your baby some pajamas,
Some new pajamas and a sombrero
A new sombrero that your baby will enjoy!
Mama, mama, Mama Paquita, Mama Paquita,
Mama Paquita says "I haven't any money
To buy pajamas and a sombrero,
Let's go to Carnival and dance the night away!"

grace made me a book of coupons which included washing the family dog & a tv show of my choice! she also sang "mother i love you" to me...

this little guy made me hungry & tired... he has a few years to make up for it =)

i love being a mom... it's the best job on earth.

busted!!!

my sweet firstborn just turned nine. the years are flying by too quickly & i wish i could stop time. we partied at dave & buster's this year with a few of her closest friends...

i love you baby girl.