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!
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