Memories For My Memory Bank

As my kids are getting older I am cherishing this "simple" time with them even more. Maybe not more, but realizing how quickly this time in our lives is flying by! This year, so far, I have been able to structure our days to include some well needed fun and a lot let chaos than in previous years. I always strive for relaxed holidays but I have completely failed in that area. Last minute baking, shopping, service projects... everything seemed to always be last minute! I vowed NOT to do that this year (God willing and with many of my prayers heard, this wont happen!)

My kids LOVE LOVE LOVE everything about Christmas! The music, mood, family, friends, giving and getting. I think I've implanted the love of Christmas adequately in their heads and I know I got this from my mom. She LOVES Christmas too! She always went all out in the house and on the house. Dad always went along drudgingly putting up Christmas lights galore! Mom always seemed to have it all together, never stressed, fire in the fireplace, Christmas music playing in the back ground. Now why couldn't I have gotten that amazing talent?   So far I have the lights up on the house, the kids were a HUGE help! This Sunday we plan to get our tree and the inside of the house is almost totally decorated for this special time of year. I even have a few Christmas gifts bought.

The kids wanted to make sugar cookies so we made the dough and I found a recipe that did not need to be refrigerated for hours before we cut!  With dough made and flour everywhere we began to cut cookies!

We really did have a fun time and I stayed calm, cool and collected! Yeah me! We iced and decorated to our hearts content! I even have dough saved for future cookie cutting... we just had that much fun! 

Here is where I got the Cookie recipe, I used two different types and they were both fabulous!

http://www.justapinch.com/recipes/dessert/cookies/sugarbelles-perfect-sugar-cookies.html?p=24

and

http://www.justapinch.com/recipes/dessert/cookies/cream-cheese-cut-out-cookies.html?p=6

 My hope is to inspire you to create life long simple memories with your kids, the age of your kids doesn't matter (grab that teen and cut some cookies, make holiday crafts or do a service project together) and they will remember these memories far more than the gift that was given! May this be a holiday season of new beginnings for your family, just as it is for mine! ~Nicole

Cherishing The Time. A day of apple picking in Oak glen

This picture was taken at a beautiful orchard in Oak Glen, CA.  We I decided to go apple picking during the week so that the crowds would be less and therefore the trip much more enjoyable. These are things I have to think about when planning a trip with a kid with disabilities AND a 90 year old grandma!  Unfortunately on busy days they only have a small number of apples to choose from.. this day, ONE.. yes, one! I was a bit frustrated as we can get typical Red Delicious at the grocery store. However keeping in mind WE get to pick the apples, its really the experience vs. the type, everything was going to be A OK!  Grandma was also upset, she kept wanting to try the Honey apple, but I kept telling her, its the experience and spending time together!

It was quite comical to see me trying to navigate the blind (not to him) kiddo, the 90 year old grandma and make sure the princess didn't pick ALL of the apples.   Now apple picking isn't the least expensive activity to take part in.  It was $20.00 just for a small plastic bag, half (or smaller) a grocery store bag, so we shared the bag, which also meant sharing the apple picking. So within 10 minutes or so, our bag was filled and the kids were ready for our next adventure. We were off to find a good place for lunch!    There was a quaint little place in town, Apple Annie's (I think).  They were quite busy but the food was delish! I had a sandwich, and the kids had soup and grandma chose a HUGE grilled cheese!

All in all our day went amazing! I love the time spent with grandma and look forward to the holidays with many more memories made. I just pray that my kids are soaking up the things she says, does and how she treats them.  In my opinion we are on borrowed time with Grandma... This is truly a time to be THANKFUL for.  What a wonderrful day and wonderful memories to tuck into my heartstrings.

Free or Inexpensive Family Fun in .... San Diego!

Here are some great and fun places to go with your family in San Diego!!

Top of the list are the beaches, they are just beautiful! La Jolla is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. 

Visit downtown San Diego's Seaport Village lots of free entertainment, a relaxing strolling and window shopping. Enjoy a day of hanging out in the grass and watching the many passing yachts and ships on beautiful San Diego Bay. Pack a picnic lunch or if finances allow, there are plenty of great eateries nearby. 


Enjoy free organ concerts at 2:00 pm on Sundays at Spreckels Organ Pavillion in Balboa Park. The Organ Pavillion features one of world’s largest outdoor pipe organs, a San Diego landmark since 1914, where organists play traditional favorites, waltzes and show tunes on enormous 32-foot pipes. Take a picnic or snack and enjoy the tunes. 


This sounds like a great family night!  Stargaze outside the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park on the first Wednesday of every month. The San Diego Astronomy Association sets up huge telescopes to offer guests a great view of all the stars in the night sky. When your finished go by McDonalds and grab a $1.00 Sunday for Dessert. Make it a surprise and the kids will be thrilled!!


 Step back in time with a stop in Julian, a century-old gold mining town in the Cuyamaca Mountains. Pick up a free map at the Chamber of Commerce for a self-guided walking tour of the area’s historic sites and later enjoy a slice of homemade apple pie, its a Julian specialty! This would be inexpensive. I think the pie cost 4-5$ a slice. YUMMM!!


 Take a picnic and drive to Torrey Pines State Park where you can watch talented amazing hang gliders do tricks in the strong winds that sweep along the coastline cliffs. What a great day. Add a game of kickball or frisbee.. and your set for a great day at the park! 

The famous San Diego Zoo and The San Diego Zoo Safari Park are both fantastic sites to see and with coupons and specials you can get admission in for relatively a nominal charge. and at these parks is that if you have a Person with Disability you can get an caretaker pass so one person can get in for no charge.  If you pack lunch, snacks and drinks, you can go fairly inexpensively.  A great place for a staycation!!
    

The New Children's Museum is a fabulous place to visit with family. It is located at 200 West Island Ave., San Diego, CA 92101.  They seems to have lots of hands on for kids of all ages! Adults and children are $10, children under 1yr are free.  Military with ID and seniors 65+ get in for only $5.  This friday July 27th is finger painting day!!