First off - Nicky is supposed to figure out the camera situation, and hopefully I can add some pictures to this blog soon, or at least to the next post. Now on to the news!
Taylor is excited to switch schools. We were on a waitlist for her to go to our local school, so for the past 2 months we've been driving her across Folsom to attend Folsom Hills. Great school, but we're excited for her to go locally again. Also, this school is close enough that she can ride her bike there, which she is very excited for. She met her teacher, and her principal, and they both seem very nice. I'm personally excited because this school is not Spanish magnet. Not that I don't appreciate learning the second language, but I'm concerned that it takes away time from classes like Science and Math.
As for Andrew, he has been riding his bicycle everywhere. Once he became comfortable riding his bike, he is always willing to take a ride. We often go to Winco in the morning for donuts. He's getting good at looking both ways and even likes to do little tricks like no-hand riding.
He's got such a great temperament, always willing to help out, wanting to learn about the pool pump and helping clean the filters. Both he and Taylor have been playing lots of Agricola Big and Small, as well as Carcassonne. They also ask for "Big Agricola" and we occasionally play that too.
Nicky and I have started running again, 2x per week. It's been too long, so almost like starting over. I need to get back into the water and on the bike, for more than just my ride to work. Hopefully by the next update I'll have more fitness updates to share.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
About a month ago, I was referred to a Financial Blog Mr Money Mustache. I was doing some of this stuff before, but the guy is a genius. Retired at 30 by making lots of little decisions every day that add up to big money. Nicky has been really on-board for this, and we've made lots of changes as a group:
Turned Thermostat up to 82 (From 78) (Saved $110 over past 2 Julys)
Riding Bike to work (Reduced daily mileage from 14 miles to 0) (Saved $150 @ $.50/ Mile)
Free Gym Membership (In addition to Nicky's extra income) (Saved $160)
Bringing Lunches from home (Target $1.50 per meal) (Saved $130)
Got rid of pest Co, DIY (Saved $30)
I'm sure there are more, but these are the big ones that come to mind. That's almost $600 in savings PER MONTH! On top of this, I found a good reasonably safe investment to put the money into. We've set a goal that we want to be PMI Free by Sep 2015. Thanks Mr Money Mustache!
We're getting ready to move to our new house, after some trials and tribulations, it looks like we're going to move in a couple weeks. Exciting times, the new house has everything we could want and will last us a long time as long as we take good care of it. Pool, Jacuzzi, outdoor fireplace, all great stuff!
Taylor got a brand new bike for her birthday, and she loves it. We got it on Sunday and she's ridden her bike to school twice this week already. We explained to the kids that driving your car hurts the earth a little bit each time, and they both are even more interested in riding than before. Little environmentalists!
Last new update - Soccer Season has just started, and both AJ and Taylor are on teams this year. We'll have to see how they do, but it's going to be long Tues/Thurs for a few months. AJ is super excited.
Turned Thermostat up to 82 (From 78) (Saved $110 over past 2 Julys)
Riding Bike to work (Reduced daily mileage from 14 miles to 0) (Saved $150 @ $.50/ Mile)
Free Gym Membership (In addition to Nicky's extra income) (Saved $160)
Bringing Lunches from home (Target $1.50 per meal) (Saved $130)
Got rid of pest Co, DIY (Saved $30)
I'm sure there are more, but these are the big ones that come to mind. That's almost $600 in savings PER MONTH! On top of this, I found a good reasonably safe investment to put the money into. We've set a goal that we want to be PMI Free by Sep 2015. Thanks Mr Money Mustache!
We're getting ready to move to our new house, after some trials and tribulations, it looks like we're going to move in a couple weeks. Exciting times, the new house has everything we could want and will last us a long time as long as we take good care of it. Pool, Jacuzzi, outdoor fireplace, all great stuff!
Taylor got a brand new bike for her birthday, and she loves it. We got it on Sunday and she's ridden her bike to school twice this week already. We explained to the kids that driving your car hurts the earth a little bit each time, and they both are even more interested in riding than before. Little environmentalists!
Last new update - Soccer Season has just started, and both AJ and Taylor are on teams this year. We'll have to see how they do, but it's going to be long Tues/Thurs for a few months. AJ is super excited.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
A new house, Hadoukens, and Swim team
It's been a while since I've posted, and a lot has happened.
Taylor is part of swim team, and I hate it. She likes the ribbons, but the practices are 5x per week, and every Saturday is from 630am until 11. And I don't get to watch, I have to volunteer to work the various support jobs, in addition to paying for the team fees. Forget it, I'll take soccer any day!
We finally got off our butts and started selling our house and buying a new one. Our old house will make us enough profit to make a down payment on what will hopefully be our last new address until the kids go off to college. The new house has 5 bedrooms and a pool, so lots of fun to be had there. The neighborhood is excellent, and the location is perfect. I'm very excited, but its going to be expensive... House poor is the phrase I think.
I finished my first triathlon and I did a sprint (.5mi swim, 16mi ride, 3mi run) distance. Finished in 2h7m. It was fun and I'm proud of myself for getting 5th in my age bracket.
Yesterday, AJ was on the bed and started playing street fighter. Remember he's 4 - and I started to teach him how to do some super moves. I was so proud when he threw his first Hadouken! Today he learned the hurricane kick, and maybe tomorrow is shoryuken!
Taylor is part of swim team, and I hate it. She likes the ribbons, but the practices are 5x per week, and every Saturday is from 630am until 11. And I don't get to watch, I have to volunteer to work the various support jobs, in addition to paying for the team fees. Forget it, I'll take soccer any day!
We finally got off our butts and started selling our house and buying a new one. Our old house will make us enough profit to make a down payment on what will hopefully be our last new address until the kids go off to college. The new house has 5 bedrooms and a pool, so lots of fun to be had there. The neighborhood is excellent, and the location is perfect. I'm very excited, but its going to be expensive... House poor is the phrase I think.
I finished my first triathlon and I did a sprint (.5mi swim, 16mi ride, 3mi run) distance. Finished in 2h7m. It was fun and I'm proud of myself for getting 5th in my age bracket.
Yesterday, AJ was on the bed and started playing street fighter. Remember he's 4 - and I started to teach him how to do some super moves. I was so proud when he threw his first Hadouken! Today he learned the hurricane kick, and maybe tomorrow is shoryuken!
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
School year ends and Mother's Day
I can't believe Taylor is done with the 1st grade. I still have her little fox hat from her first day of kindergarten. Where does the time go?
She is on the swim team, and after time trials she's 8th out of 25 kids in her bracket. She was ready to give up, so I took her over to see the ribbons you get for racing, and that changed her whole outlook. She was eager to race, and took 2nd in her backstroke heat.
We went to visit my mom, and it was funny seeing Taylor experience the living conditions of people who don't have much money. She actually opted to play outside instead of stay inside the trailer my mom lives in. My mom loved seeing them, and once we got outside, the kids were super happy to spend time with her.
AJ is finishing up another year of preschool, and he's growing so fast. He can do the monkey bars at the playground, and he recently went with his grandpa to the train museum. He enjoyed all the fun things there are to do there, and I think Pops liked it too. He loves playing zombieville with me, and he's such a fun kid.
Recently he had a swim lesson and he's finally getting comfortable dipping his face into the water. He's proud of himself when coach Brian asks how he's doing.
Pictures next time.
She is on the swim team, and after time trials she's 8th out of 25 kids in her bracket. She was ready to give up, so I took her over to see the ribbons you get for racing, and that changed her whole outlook. She was eager to race, and took 2nd in her backstroke heat.
We went to visit my mom, and it was funny seeing Taylor experience the living conditions of people who don't have much money. She actually opted to play outside instead of stay inside the trailer my mom lives in. My mom loved seeing them, and once we got outside, the kids were super happy to spend time with her.
AJ is finishing up another year of preschool, and he's growing so fast. He can do the monkey bars at the playground, and he recently went with his grandpa to the train museum. He enjoyed all the fun things there are to do there, and I think Pops liked it too. He loves playing zombieville with me, and he's such a fun kid.
Recently he had a swim lesson and he's finally getting comfortable dipping his face into the water. He's proud of himself when coach Brian asks how he's doing.
Pictures next time.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Witch's Soup!
Some quick notes before the pics -
On to the pics
Last week we went to the Jelly Belly factory. The kids had a ton of fun, and got to buy lots of jelly beans. I was pretty impressed to hear how far back the company had been around, and I didn't know so much work went into each jelly belly.
We had a 4-kid playdate with Linda and Aaron
And Grandma Evelyn gave Taylor a new hat!
See ya next time!
- AJ was sitting next to me on the couch, and sneezed. When he did it, he said "Sorry daddy, I god-bless-you'd all over you"
- Recently I was playing on AJ's DS, and was trying to beat the high score. AJ actually started trash talking just a bit "Dad you can't beat my score, you're too slow"
- While playing Gulo Gulo with Taylor she said "Dad, you'll never get that egg with those hot-dog fingers"
- Tonight, we were playing the new Witches' Soup game, and in this game, you have to try to be sneaky, and try to slide mismatched mushrooms in other player's cauldrons. When it was Taylor's turn to be sneaky, she got all nervous and felt bad about being a "Bad witch". So cute, we had to explain to her, for this game, it was ok to lie, and try to be sneaky. She has as bad a poker face as I do!
On to the pics
Last week we went to the Jelly Belly factory. The kids had a ton of fun, and got to buy lots of jelly beans. I was pretty impressed to hear how far back the company had been around, and I didn't know so much work went into each jelly belly.
Lots of fun, and I recommend anyone who lives nearby check it out sometime.
We got in some good board gaming time, both myself at Sac Conquest and with the kids.
Taylor has been doing swim clinics in preparation for swim team
See ya next time!
Monday, April 8, 2013
SacConquest
So last weekend was SacConquest. Board gamer convention. I had a lot of fun, but mostly because I was gaming with Travis, Ian, Dan and Josh most of the weekend. Got in good games of Cosmic, Rex, Memoir 44 overlord. The unexpected hit was Battlestar galactica. I had never heard of the series really but the game pulled me in. I've now watched the entire mini-series, and am going to start watching the seasons.
Good times!
Also, we had our 3rd family meeting week, and it's very interesting. The kids are involved and we're seeing improvements in what they do. More cleaning of the house than before and working toward filling their jars. Taylor is excited for Incredible John's Pizza!
Good times!
Also, we had our 3rd family meeting week, and it's very interesting. The kids are involved and we're seeing improvements in what they do. More cleaning of the house than before and working toward filling their jars. Taylor is excited for Incredible John's Pizza!
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Happy Easter 2013!
Just a quick update. Easter with the Woods and then at Meme's house. The kids loved hunting for eggs (What kids don't?).
Also, Taylor had spring break this week, so she went to the zoo and saw lots of cool Peacocks!
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Agile Family Meeting
Inspired by a recent TED talk, we decided to try out "Agile" family meetings. Not being familiar with it in software development sense, I had no idea what to expect. We sat down with the kids and explained that we would be meeting weekly to discuss ways our family can adapt to our growing, changing kids.
We threw out a few ideas that we each wanted to try. Setting the table for meals, a reward jar, cleaning up dirty laundry and things like that. Ultimately we decided on two things: setting the table and reward jars. Then we decided on the rewards to work toward- zoo trip, food delivered, setting off fireworks, ears pierced.
After that, we ended the meeting and the kids set about earning their first marbles. They were super eager to help, and the house was cleaned in record time. We'll see how this goes but we're off to a great start.
We threw out a few ideas that we each wanted to try. Setting the table for meals, a reward jar, cleaning up dirty laundry and things like that. Ultimately we decided on two things: setting the table and reward jars. Then we decided on the rewards to work toward- zoo trip, food delivered, setting off fireworks, ears pierced.
After that, we ended the meeting and the kids set about earning their first marbles. They were super eager to help, and the house was cleaned in record time. We'll see how this goes but we're off to a great start.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
PunchKickRun
So not too long ago, we took Taylor and AJ to Burger King, and they start showing us their Karate moves on one of pillars in the kid-play area... I feel sorry for the pillar, it was not prepared for the beatdown it received.
Also, this week Taylor did the FoxTrot, a fund-raiser for her school, and she ran a full 8 laps. I realize I have no perspective on whether that's a lot or not, but since it's MY kid, I'm gonna go ahead and declare it the greatest thing ever on the earth. Yay Taylor, congratulations :)
AJ has learned to do the monkey bars, and we're going to take a video and post it here soon, but apparently he decided he's able to do it, and he just swings from one end to the other. I know, lots of kids end up doing it, but it's new for him.
That's it for now!
Also, this week Taylor did the FoxTrot, a fund-raiser for her school, and she ran a full 8 laps. I realize I have no perspective on whether that's a lot or not, but since it's MY kid, I'm gonna go ahead and declare it the greatest thing ever on the earth. Yay Taylor, congratulations :)
AJ has learned to do the monkey bars, and we're going to take a video and post it here soon, but apparently he decided he's able to do it, and he just swings from one end to the other. I know, lots of kids end up doing it, but it's new for him.
That's it for now!
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Learning to play the Piano
Short update today: Both Taylor and AJ are getting pretty good at playing the piano. They love to sit down and start banging away at the keys. Taylor can play London Bridge, Happy Birthday, the Taylor Swift "We're never getting back together" song, a piece of Lady Gaga Paparazzi.
AJ can play London Bridge and the same piece of the Taylor Swift song. Its not a huge selection but he's not even 5. I've been thinking about getting them into lessons but we'll have to see if they keep an interest in playing.
AJ can play London Bridge and the same piece of the Taylor Swift song. Its not a huge selection but he's not even 5. I've been thinking about getting them into lessons but we'll have to see if they keep an interest in playing.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Taylor interviews a fish
Taylor had her talent show recently and she did excellently. She had the audience laughing and she has a good stage presence. Here's the video!
I attribute her excellent performance to great writing :)
So what's new with us?
Taylor got a report card today from school, and she's doing Good/3 in every category, scoring highly in math and reading. The only 'S' she got was for staying on task. Takes after her dad, easily bored and needs a challenge to stay interested.
Taylor has been taking swim lessons, and recently signed up for swim clinic/swim team. She's been very excited to join the swim team and this is the first year she's been old enough. Her coach says she's very ready and she can do backstroke a little and freestyle she's swimming like a fish.
Tia recently gave us an upright piano, and Taylor has taken a real interest in it. She's good at playing and she's even written her own little song. This skill I can say definitely did not come from me, she gets music talent from her mom.
As for AJ...
AJ loves to dance. We'll put on the radio or the keyboard and he likes to get jiggy. I'll try to get Nicky to record a dance video and add it to the next update.
For Christmas he got a Nintendo 3DS, and we downloaded Super Mario Brothers (the NES, 1984 game). He loves it! He jumps the bad guys and we play it together. He's my little gamer buddy, and he's already better than me at the swimming levels.
The other day, AJ got in trouble at school for bad words. I was really worried, and on the way home, I asked him, "What did you say at school today?".... the offending word? "Booty". I wasn't sure how to respond, so we had the "Some words are ok at home but not at school" conversation. You know what his first response was? "Can I talk about Pirate's Booty?"... Great, a 4 year old rules lawyer.
A while back, we were driving through Mill Valley, and out of nowhere, AJ says "mmm Barbeque Chicken!". He's such a huggable friendly kid, and it's the simple pleasures that make him happy.
Here's some pictures:
So what's new with us?
Taylor got a report card today from school, and she's doing Good/3 in every category, scoring highly in math and reading. The only 'S' she got was for staying on task. Takes after her dad, easily bored and needs a challenge to stay interested.
Taylor has been taking swim lessons, and recently signed up for swim clinic/swim team. She's been very excited to join the swim team and this is the first year she's been old enough. Her coach says she's very ready and she can do backstroke a little and freestyle she's swimming like a fish.
Tia recently gave us an upright piano, and Taylor has taken a real interest in it. She's good at playing and she's even written her own little song. This skill I can say definitely did not come from me, she gets music talent from her mom.
As for AJ...
For Christmas he got a Nintendo 3DS, and we downloaded Super Mario Brothers (the NES, 1984 game). He loves it! He jumps the bad guys and we play it together. He's my little gamer buddy, and he's already better than me at the swimming levels.
The other day, AJ got in trouble at school for bad words. I was really worried, and on the way home, I asked him, "What did you say at school today?".... the offending word? "Booty". I wasn't sure how to respond, so we had the "Some words are ok at home but not at school" conversation. You know what his first response was? "Can I talk about Pirate's Booty?"... Great, a 4 year old rules lawyer.
A while back, we were driving through Mill Valley, and out of nowhere, AJ says "mmm Barbeque Chicken!". He's such a huggable friendly kid, and it's the simple pleasures that make him happy.
Here's some pictures:
Friday, February 15, 2013
Daddy Week
So this week, Nicky has been gone in Hawaii, so I've been off work for vacation, and spending time with the kids. I've had a lot of fun with them, and I really am enjoying the people they're going to become.
Taylor is so opinionated and unwilling to compromise. At 5:30 AM, when she insists on sleeping between me and AJ, to the point where she climbs over us, waking us up, it can be annoying, but I try to reassure myself that as a teenager, it's this same characteristic that will keep her from doing really dumb things just because her friends ask her to. That's what I tell myself anyway!
She's also wicked smart. She has her talent show skit completely memorized, and I rarely have to work with her on her homework. Her greatest weakness is that she's too smart for the work she's doing, and she ends up rushing things because they're too easy. Sounds like her dad..
I need to make sure I spend some one on one time with her, I want to see just which board games she can handle. If I don't keep her challenged and interested, she'll get bored and lose interest.
Andrew is such a kind, warm brother. I asked him tonight if he thought we should get his sister McDonalds... without hesitation he cheered "YEAH!". If I had asked her, I'm not sure if she would have even said yes, let alone said it with so much excitement.
He's obsessed with Super Mario brothers right now. He plays it every chance he gets. Right now he can't get past the water levels, and he comes over "Dad can you win this level"... it's so cute and I love that he wants to play with me. We played castle smashers for an hour tonight... he's already my little buddy.
I have to remember, with all the things he does, he's still only 4. It's hard for me not to hold him to the standard I hold Taylor too, but for being 2 years younger, he keeps up pretty well.
I'm actually kind-of glad that Nicky went away. When she's around, it's easy for me to just ignore the kids and let her handle it. This kind of one-on-one time with them is awesome, and I need to make sure I do it more often. For Nicky's peace and sanity, and so that I don't miss my kids growing up.
Taylor is so opinionated and unwilling to compromise. At 5:30 AM, when she insists on sleeping between me and AJ, to the point where she climbs over us, waking us up, it can be annoying, but I try to reassure myself that as a teenager, it's this same characteristic that will keep her from doing really dumb things just because her friends ask her to. That's what I tell myself anyway!
She's also wicked smart. She has her talent show skit completely memorized, and I rarely have to work with her on her homework. Her greatest weakness is that she's too smart for the work she's doing, and she ends up rushing things because they're too easy. Sounds like her dad..
I need to make sure I spend some one on one time with her, I want to see just which board games she can handle. If I don't keep her challenged and interested, she'll get bored and lose interest.
Andrew is such a kind, warm brother. I asked him tonight if he thought we should get his sister McDonalds... without hesitation he cheered "YEAH!". If I had asked her, I'm not sure if she would have even said yes, let alone said it with so much excitement.
He's obsessed with Super Mario brothers right now. He plays it every chance he gets. Right now he can't get past the water levels, and he comes over "Dad can you win this level"... it's so cute and I love that he wants to play with me. We played castle smashers for an hour tonight... he's already my little buddy.
I have to remember, with all the things he does, he's still only 4. It's hard for me not to hold him to the standard I hold Taylor too, but for being 2 years younger, he keeps up pretty well.
I'm actually kind-of glad that Nicky went away. When she's around, it's easy for me to just ignore the kids and let her handle it. This kind of one-on-one time with them is awesome, and I need to make sure I do it more often. For Nicky's peace and sanity, and so that I don't miss my kids growing up.
Friday, January 4, 2013
The Holidays and Other Happenings
Just saw this old post. It was written in Jan, but just now posting
Holiday season 2012 was filled with lots of fun and great memories. We are fortunate to be able to spend Christmas with both sides of the family and it's great to spread out the Christmas cheer a bit.
Our kids are so lucky and definitely didn't do without. We decided to get each kid a Nintendo DS. We weren't sure if AJ would be old enough to handle one, but he's holding his own. They are playing old school Super Mario, Club Penguin, and a bit of Spider-Man. Of course, there's many built-in features that they are loving too like Face Rangers and their own little audio recorder. For AJ, the sound recorder trumps the other features by far. Anything that involves making tons of noise and nearly blowing out speakers is a plus for AJ. Taylor and AJ got together with their cousins Ben and Lily for some great DS download fun as well. The DS's appear to be fairly sturdy: Only one exchange on Taylor's because she jammed in a game incorrectly and AJ's stylus seems to be holding up alright despite the blunted tip. All in all, a great purchase that they will definitely continue to grow into. I asked Taylor what her favorite DS feature is and she exuberantly replied, "EVERYTHING!" Guess we get an A+ for our gift this year.
Holiday season 2012 was filled with lots of fun and great memories. We are fortunate to be able to spend Christmas with both sides of the family and it's great to spread out the Christmas cheer a bit.
Our kids are so lucky and definitely didn't do without. We decided to get each kid a Nintendo DS. We weren't sure if AJ would be old enough to handle one, but he's holding his own. They are playing old school Super Mario, Club Penguin, and a bit of Spider-Man. Of course, there's many built-in features that they are loving too like Face Rangers and their own little audio recorder. For AJ, the sound recorder trumps the other features by far. Anything that involves making tons of noise and nearly blowing out speakers is a plus for AJ. Taylor and AJ got together with their cousins Ben and Lily for some great DS download fun as well. The DS's appear to be fairly sturdy: Only one exchange on Taylor's because she jammed in a game incorrectly and AJ's stylus seems to be holding up alright despite the blunted tip. All in all, a great purchase that they will definitely continue to grow into. I asked Taylor what her favorite DS feature is and she exuberantly replied, "EVERYTHING!" Guess we get an A+ for our gift this year.
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