P.E.T.

I decided to try out these p.e.t. containers for some of our home storage and emergency preparedness.  They are around $2 a container and hold about 7 pounds of rice.  What I like about them is that they are reusable.  The lid is actually also a seal that can be used over and over again.  You do need to have an oxygen packet to put on the top.  But then just close them up and put them on the shelf for 20 years.  Or use them again by refilling them with the same or another product and another oxygen packet.  The other thing I like is that they are square and fit much better on shelves and in cupboards whereas with the round cans you always have that little bit of space in-between.

50 lbs. of jasmine rice fill 7 containers.

Learning Lacrosse

Chris had a game tonight.  We played El Toro and got whupped good. 10-1.  She was in goal the first half and they gave the freshman goalie some playing time.  Chris was frustrated.  She wanted to go back in and try to save the game. Didn't happen.

 Papa Duff teaching the finer points of lacrosse.

 Running around and loving every minute of it.

As it got dark, he noticed the big bright stadium lights and the moon.  We talked about the moon.  We waved good-night, moon!

With Auntie Christine.

He was the hit of the team.  She is the youngest of a family where most of the girls are the oldest, so having a nephew was a big deal.

What a big day.  Breakfast at A's, Zoomar's Petting Zoo, Walk with Aunt Nie, and a Lacrosse game.

Even I am tired.

Aunt Nie

He is loving all his outdoor time here.

An afternoon walk with Aunt Nie.

Zoomar's Petting Zoo

We went to Zoomar's Petting Zoo today in San Juan Capistrano.  It is down by old town and the mission.

 This was the sweetest bunny.

 With the goats.

***Story:  John was so excited about the goats.  He got off the bridge and took off running after one, tripped over his own feet and face planted into the dirt completely spread out.  At first he didn't understand what had happened and then it registered.  Nats got him up and he had a mouth and nose full of dirt with a fat lip and blood dripping from the center of his top lip.  The only consolation was his naptime bottle.  He wouldn't let go of it the rest of the time. 

 A VERY pregnant mommy goat.  Her other side was the same way.  I wonder if there is only one baby in there or more and do they lay sideways?  When Natalie was picking John up, this little mama came and knocked the vege basket out of her hand and ate it up.  She was hungry and knew what she wanted!

 Beautiful turkeys.  Meredith got them to gobble. 

 There were goats of all different sizes and kinds.  It was hard to resist any of them, but these little ones just kind of steal your heart.  This one is growing his horns.

 Cock-a-doodle-do!  This guy let us know he rules the roost, and all the pens too.

 Watching the Metrolink 'real' train go by.  Loved the whistle.

 MOOOOOO.......

 Along with all the animals, there is a playground, lots of hay bales, and picnic areas.

 On the saddle with a train token.

 All done and on our way to the big country sinks to wash up and then to the car.

Tailgate lunch.

He's practicing for football season.  Haha!

He rarely falls asleep in the car, and finally gave in about 5 minutes from home.  He was so tired, he didn't even move when Natalie got him out of the car seat and put him in bed.

Breakfast At A's

One of the things Natalie really wanted to do while she was 'home' was get a breakfast burrito at A's.

No one in this house will pass that chance up!

It is truly a whole-in-the-wall place off of Avery and the 5 freeway down by Capo High School. A hangout place for the kids and others who love good-local-down-home food.

 The same gals behind the counter.

 He loves straws.  And the tortillas, chips, and scrambled egg.

Meredith and Natalie.

Vege omelet burrito, sausage burrito, and I had a bacon and Mere's left over green peppers burrito.  They all have potatoes, eggs, and cheese in a homemade flour tortilla with salsa and chips on the side.

Good fuel for our next adventure at the petting zoo.

Fire Hydrants and Pine Cones

Aunties Merezy and Nie went for their workout walk before dinner and took Johnny-boy with them in the stroller.  He discovered the chains on fire hydrants and brought home this pine cone.  He is very possessive of it.  And rocks.  Has to have his rocks.

Chocolate Chip Cookie

Christine and Sammie are under the gun to get this project finished.

Natalie made some chocolate chip cookies to keep them going.

John has never had a chocolate chipper!

 First Bite.

 A mouth full.

 Lots of gooey, warm chips on his fingers.

Yep.  He loved it.

Wanted another.

Really.  Who can resist a chocolate chip cookie?!

High Five

Auntie Merezy taught him how to high five.

Way to go, buddy.

Duff's Birthday

Duff's birthday was yesterday.

We celebrated today after church.

It was nice to have Natalie and John with us this year.  Just missing Robert.

We bbq'd steak and had baked potatoes, hunter sauce, Reading Salad, and some bacon wrapped shrimp and scallops.

His favorite cake for birthdays:  Angel Food with Auntie Coy's glaze.

It's a good one.  We paired it with some strawberries and whipped cream.

The kids got him a digital frame.

It can hold up to 4000 pictures.  Adrianne loaded it with about 100 and we had the best time watching them.  Some really good times and memories.

He will take it to the office so he can see it everyday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HANDSOME HUBBY.

You still make my heart go pitter-patter.

Piano Recital

He discovered the piano.

He is fascinated by it and prefers the lower keys to the treble keys.

 Duet with Mommy.

You should have seen his face when she sat down and started playing and coherent music came out of that new find.

First recital 'ah duh'.

John speak for all done.