Sunday, October 02, 2011

California Life - Some Kooky Stuff Going on in our Neck of the Woods

Below is not a great picture.........but Blake doesn't know how to use our camera, either.  (That statement's getting old, huh?")

Don't worry.  I'm about to launch into a tutorial program.  Hopefully we'll be better soon.  Like, in about 6 months.

So, what in the world is going on in Southern California? 

Glowing tides.  It's super cool.  A simple explanation:

By day, a red tide is unsightly and uninviting, with water the color of coffee. But at night, during this unusual phenomenon caused by a plankton bloom, the waves are a brilliant, almost neon blue. This wonderfully surreal scene has played out almost nightly along San Diego beaches for several weeks, luring spectators with cameras and video recorders.


*Courtesy of Pete Thomas, GrindTV.com.


The best of what Blake got:


It's fantastic to see in person.

A video taken from GrindTV.com.  This shows it in action......much better:



So, in the spirit of our recent oceanic find, we headed down to the Birch Aquarium in La Jolla. 






I wonder what her little 4 year old mind is thinking?



This aquarium is not world class by any means, but beautifully located on the cliffs overlooking La Jolla Shores.  Fantastic views and lots of hands on exhibits.







"Act like the shark is eating you, kids!"

((((((Parenting at its finest, people.)))))



This was cool.......look to the right where you see a mini beach set up......this shows the kids (and me) how the tide rolls in.



Back home for a lazy night.  I was in bed by 8:30pm after reading.

I know.  My night life is at an all time high.

On the agenda for this week:

*Pumpkin patch visit, hopefully.  Want to return to Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center. 

*Big project for Carter at school.  I volunteered last week to help outline a few dozen 5th graders on large butcher paper.  That wasn't awkward at all.  Now, they'll take those outlines and fill in anatomically correct organs and such.  Lord help us.

*Prep for Coco's visit.  11 days!  We can't wait.

*More fall projects and decorating. 

*Work on my 'bizness', Mommy's Little Secret.  I have changed the cost per hour to accommodate those projects I will work on at home.  Seemed unfair to incorporate fees associated with tasks that will have me driving all over town.  So, now, I'm charging $10 and hour for my time......plus expenses (baking supplies, gas, etc.)  I've mostly had interest in headers so far......that would put a header at around $10, if not a little less, fyi.


Come check me out, folks!

That's about it for today.  Off to church with the kiddos.  Carter and Jack started CCD a few weeks ago.  Carter HATES it.  I reminded him that I did, too......it's a Catholic rite-of-passage........so he just needs to get over it.  If not, I'm going to start dragging him to mass before or after, which will result in blood shed and a possible revoking of our parish membership since there is no nursery or cry room for Jack and Lainey.

I LOVE the Catholic mass procession, but can absolutely see how it's super boring for kids.  So, for now, they'll suffer through CCD and receive their sacraments with a smile on their faces, damn it!

That sounded wrong.

Later!

13 comments:

Kristen said...

Here's my guess to what her 4 year old mind is thinking:

My pig tail bling is baller.
My outfit kicks ass (but not ass, probably butt. 4 year olds don't use bad words, right???)
My brothers are crazy.

Super fun pics- the family pic is awesome!!!

Dee Stephens said...

Cute pictures. Love LC's pigtails. No worries, I was in bed by 830pm last night too and I have no kids. Hubby was out partying down watching the VT game at a friends. I opted out...oh..exciting life indeed...

The Soladay Family said...

The Starnes crew is growing up. They looked so big in the pic of all yáll together!

Merry Mack said...

I've been to that place! We took Missy Mack there when she was almost two. That tide business is amazing.

Grumpy Grateful Mom said...

Your last paragraph made me laugh. We're not catholic, but my girls don't like going to church either, at least not the main meeting.

Your pictures were so fun! After a day like that I would have been in bed early too. :)

Mom of 12 said...

Love the pig tails! So cute!
Sandy

FROGGITY! said...

hey there! yes, i have been bad. :( life is CR A ZZYYY. (currently luke has a stomach bug, so i am forced to stay at home today!)

happy belated to lainey. she is a little princess it looks like! doll. and the boys are handsome as ever. y'all have such a fun life!

not so scary halloween was AWESOME!!! y'all are gonna have a blast. :) i promise to check in more often. really do miss blogging.

Tutus and Choo-Choos said...

The catholic church part is funny. Seriously, what kid likes to go to church every Sunday? You should hear my kids complain and they go to catholic school every day.

donatelli98 said...

So what do you charge to come to Phoenix and take pictures with the camera you don't know how to use? I can't put you up at the fabulous Villa Donatelli (sounds lovely huh)??

Sara said...

Damn it, my kids WILL BE religious if it's the last thing I do!!! Hahahahaha. Love it.

Love that Lainey is the only Starnes kid that acted like she was getting eaten by the shark. Jack and Carter?? No interest.

M.R. said...

Those tides look amazing!

I would love to see them!

Looks like a lot of family fun @ the aquarium!

mindofmr.blogspot.com

Jodee said...

Oh my word! Those shark pictures are a hoot! Love, love, love all of your fun outings! Just wish we lived closer! Say hi to our fam when in Valley Center!

Wiz said...

The wave pictures are incredible! I bet that would be so neat to see. I have never been to So Cal but hope to change that in the next couple of years!