A Little of This and That

November 22, 2022 ~ Girlmom ~ Leave a comment

Is the earth spinning faster than normal? Is that why time is going by at lightening speed? Wasn’t it just Halloween and now it’s Thanksgiving, I don’t understand.

This will be a catch up of whatever has happened in the last month. My memory has been failing me lately..I made a delicious curry paste from scratch and then made an even better chicken curry but I can’t for the life of me, find the recipe I used. It’s like, poof! Gone from my memory and apparently my search history too.

I do know that we took the girls trick or treating, I remember that. It was our first time since Covid and it was a lot more quiet out there than it used to be. Dark houses and the lack of kids could have been because it was a Monday, I don’t know why we can’t just dedicate the last Saturday of October to Halloween.

Like I mentioned, I made a fresh curry paste that was super flavorful and very spicy and then made a chicken curry. If I ever find the recipe, I will make it again surely. I think I served it with coconut rice but who really knows, not me.

We took the girls rollerskating with their friends and I made the most delicious Snickerdoodle sandwich cookies with cream cheese frosting. These, you guys, are ridiculously good.

Oh and we finally made it to Cutwater Spirits tasting room. The drinks were delicious, the food was just ok. Next time, because there will be a next time, there are still so many cocktails to try, we will just sit at the bar.

I also made Chrissy Teigen’s broccoli salad with cashew dressing, and it was SO good. I will post that next time.

And obviously we are watching ALL OF THE SOCCER! The World Cup is such an exciting time, especially since we finally made it back into the tournament! Big match Friday, where will you be watching our USMNT?

Spooky

October 28, 2022 ~ Girlmom ~ Leave a comment

We kicked off the spooky season with my first visit to Knott’s Scary Farm.

We went straight to an amazing looking roller coaster. The lights were all lit up and it looked like a boardwalk. The ride was so fun we did it multiple times. The downside, the exit took us into clown alley. Yes, I know that I am an adult, but I have an irrational fear of clowns…sigh, I am not proud. It took all that I had to not look them, even when they came running at me head on…Otherwise I would have cried.

We had a such good time, rides at night are just better. Parts of the park were very dark and creatures of all sorts would follow us around breathing down our necks and jump out at us. A lot of them had on shoes with metal taps so when they ran and slid at you, it made an awful sound..basically scaring the shit out of us at every corner we turned.

We were walking through a very dark area with fog machines clouding our path when we realized why so many people run in the wrong direction in horror films. You know how we scream at those idiots? Well, we were them…We had a hard time figuring out where we were and where we were headed. If was legit in danger, I would have just fell to the ground and succumbed to my death.

However, it was fun and definitely something to do again.

The girls had fun at the store trying on masks.

We hit the pumpkin patch and we made it easy on ourselves this year. We went to one in Temecula, gave the girls some money, grabbed a glass of wine, and hung out while they did all of the things. Petting zoo, panning for gems, snow cones and all of the other shit that is a waste of money.

We no longer buy our pumpkins at the actual patch which saves a lot of money. We just grab them at a local store on our way home, the girls don’t care.

Then we carve them and then they die. {the pumpkins, not the girls.}

Luckily we got a few photos of our artistry before they wilted 20 minutes later.

The next day we made Oreo bats and I realized that the girls are almost too old for these food crafts. They just want to eat the ingredients rather than create. However, I MADE THEM HAVE FUN!

These are super simple using only 3 ingredients.

Oreos, bite size Reese’s and candy eye balls. We used the oreo filling as the glue for the wings and the eyes. Pop them into the fridge for 10 minutes to set or don’t and just eat them right away.

I think they turned out cute!

The girls have their costumes and we are excited to take them out Monday night, and then go right home to inspect their candy! {aka take all the good stuff}

Just kidding, we will wait until they are in bed.

The one with all the Pictures

October 22, 2020 ~ Girlmom ~ Leave a comment

Homeschooling is really sucking the life out of me and then the teachers went and added musical instruments, shame. Sorry, but those flutes are hidden for the rest of the week.

The girls have made friends with a group of the neighborhood kids and it has been AHmazing. They are eager to get off their zooms and go outside to play. They have been playing outside until the sun goes down and have been introduced to the game Ghosts in the Graveyard We have been at the tail end of our summer weather and we have definitely taken advantage of it.

Now that the weather is cooling down we thought it’s time to decorate for Halloween.

Fall cooking has been sparse, it’s been a lot of easy throw togethers, salads, Amy’s enchiladas and anything that could go on the grill.

I did make this recipe for roasted rack of lamb and with glass of cab and a dollop of mint jelly, it was delish.

I also made a divine chocolate mousse that hales from Waters Catering here in San Diego. So rich and soooo good.

Mummies were also on the menu one night.

The pumpkin patch was a slight let down, we tried a new one and although the girls were happy with it, there wont be a repeat visit. I think they would go back and just sit in the petting zoo the entire time.

But first, the hair.

They all decided they would rather paint theirs instead of carving. SO much easier.

To round out the Halloween fun, the girls had crazy hat day for their after school zoom.

There is no shortage of things to do, it’s just wanting to do them. I really hope 2021 brings more normalcy, ya know what I’m saying?

2020….How it started

How it’s going

Pumpkin Patching

November 6, 2016 ~ Girlmom ~ Leave a comment

We managed to visit three different pumpkin patches this year. I don’t think this is something anyone needs to do, but the kids had fun.

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We took a day to check out the Ramona pumpkin patch. We also tried the famous cinnamon roll at the Ramona cafe…way overrated and then on to a few new wineries.

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Averi had her first ever pony ride, you can tell from her face that it was exhilarating.

We painted pumpkins before school and then met Kaili for her Halloween parade.

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After a mediocre dinner and a total meltdown from Averi, the girls were ready for some Trick or Treating.

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Momma lasted about an hour and a half and then I was ready to get the girls to bed.

I think we successfully nailed October this year!

Trick, Treat and Tennis

November 10, 2015 ~ Girlmom ~ Leave a comment

Averi had a hard time waiting around for the sun to go down, she was one un happy camper.

Kaili was just eager. We were going to Trick or Treat with her little neighbor friend, I think that was the most exciting part.

By the time we were ready to head out, everyone was in a better mood.

Averi went up to a few houses and then happily sat in the stroller taking it all in. Kaili went for about 2 hours, we finally had to drag her home to get the baby to bed.

The next morning they were both up early, as always, and thanks to DLS time ending, sleep has been shit ever since.

We spent the following weekend in Orange county watching the two final matches of the Tennis Doubles Masters. Even though the kids were in the beginning stages of colds, they did pretty good. I was thankful to have family support at the final to help wrangle the kids so I could enjoy the match, because it was a good one.

Nick and Wags, Champions once again.

I was dreading the drive home, traffic looked bad and both kids were on their last leg but they were fine. Both slept part of the way and I think they were so done, they didn’t even have the energy to cry about it.

Don’t Call me Pumpkin, Pumpkin.

November 4, 2014 ~ Girlmom ~ 3 Comments

Halloween anticipation was immense for a certain 3 year old. Every year we have gone to Bates Nut Farm pumpkin patch where she pets the animals, rides a pony and as a bonus gets a pumpkin, because let’s be honest…pumpkins are boring after a pony ride.

We got a little crafty with the pumpkins this year and sadly, I can’t blame it on Pinterest.

She knew what she wanted to be for quite a long time and she stuck to her guns, good thing because I bought the costume in early October. But her dinosaur costume wasn’t the easiest to maneuver around in, so she had a two costume Halloween.

Fairy Princess at school.

Scary dinosar at night.

I was a very proud mom watching her trick or treat. She was amazingly good, polite and so darn cute. This costume beats Elsa every day of the year!

Halloween in Photos

November 1, 2013 ~ Girlmom ~ 2 Comments

Along with Kaili’s early rising she has also lost her taste for breakfast. Before heading to school I asked her if she wanted to eat something, “yes chocolate!” Damn kid, it’s 8 in the morning.

Our school had a Halloween party and I went to ~~watch~~ help. I walked in and caught K “playing” a game.

Her and her bestie had fun together playing the piano, dancing, playing and I led the kids in The Spooky Walk….It’s like I never left.

Kaili was highly intrigued with the story time/ puppet show set up. So much so, that she inserted herself into the show.

After a gourmet lunch of pizza, I dragged her home for a much needed nap.

We took Kaili out trick or treating with some friends and she outlasted us. She wasn’t quite sure what was happening in the beginning but she quickly caught on. All said and done I think she liked the free candy thing but every dog she came across was way more intriguing.

I vow to retire this outfit now.

8 Easy Halloween/Fall Art Activities

October 31, 2013 ~ Girlmom ~ 1 Comment

1. Paint a pumpkin

2. Footprint Ghosts

3. Shape Jack O’Lantern

4. Handprint Spiders

5. Fall Art

6. Q-tip and finger paint a bat.

7. Sparkly Pumpkin

8. Tape resist Jack O Lantern

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

October Dinner Theme {Halloween} In Pictures

October 29, 2013 ~ Girlmom ~ 2 Comments

This months dinner theme was to make a dish that has to do with Halloween, I am actually surprised in all these years we haven’t done this yet. I made Jason Vorhees’ ribs, pumpkin patch hummus and ginger pumpkin cheesecake bars.
Somehow I screwed up the cheesecake bar crust, I must have measured wrong and I over cooked it. The outcome, flavor wise was good but hard and chewy. The cheesecake part was delish.

Pumpkin + black bean chili

Shrunken head roast surprise

Mummy bacon

Cheesy fingers

Severed fingers

Jason’s ribs

Creepy egg eyeballs

Guacamole pumpkin surprise

Spider cupcakes

Ginger pumpkin cheesecake bars

Kitty liter cake

The girls had fun playing together aka destroying the house.

Kaili wasn’t too fond of Chris’ costume.

Cutest couple goes to these two.

Friends don’t let friends give their baby toy guns.

Another successful dinner party. Culinary wise, this wasn’t our best but we sure had fun.

Halloween [Pin]spiration

October 24, 2012October 24, 2012 ~ Girlmom ~ Leave a comment

1 week until Halloween. Did you make all the crafty decorations you wanted? How about those cute pumpkin cupcakes? No? Well you have time so here are some fun ideas.

For the Children’s Halloween Party

Spider Eggs