Graduating From a Public High School IS NOT FREE!!!

Let me start off first by saying how proud and excited I am that Joshlyn is graduating.  


With that said, HOLY CRAP IT's EXPENSIVE!!!  I was not prepared for this.  No one told me that I had to pay for this and that and that and this at the end of the school year.  I mean, I knew that it was expensive to register and enroll a student, but more if they are seniors. 

Grad Night - $140.00

Senior Trip - $77.00

Senior BBQ - $12.00

No cameras at graduation so Grad picture - $12.00

Prom - $60.00

Cap and Gown - $50.00

Adding the senior picture to the Yearbook (no, it is not free) - $32.00

I feel like I need to take out a small loan just so my senior can be a part of the senior festivities. 

I know that they do not need to go, but what parent wants to say, "hey, we can't afford this, so you might need to miss it"?

Anyway, guess I will figure something out.

STUPID PUBLIC SCHOOLS!!

see kate sew: epic letterpress giveaway!

see kate sew: epic letterpress giveaway!: "Lifestyle Crafts sent me this L Letterpress machine to review. Until recently, I didn't even know it was possible to letterpress at home. (W..."

The Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheese Cake.

 This Delicious treat is called, 

The Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheese Cake.

I have been exploring the different uses of cookie dough.  I know you can eat it while baking cookies, but what else can you do with it?  

TA-DA!

I wanted to bake something awesome for my dads birthday yesterday, So I searched my favorite food blog,

And found this rich treat,

It was so simple to make and I had all the ingredients on hand, so I went to work.  

Dad just returned from El Salvador with some terrible bug, so he could not eat it.

Don't worry dad, I will save you some.

Eddie tasted it for me and loved it.

So here's to another successful cookie dough recipe.

Yum-O!!

Have You Discovered Gymboree Play and Music Yet?

One of my all time favorite places to go with my kids is

Gymboree Play & Music.

I can't get enough of their programs.  They offer so many different classes for my little friends ages Birth to 6 years.  

Play and Learn is the most popular class offered at Gymboree.  This program encourages development and learning through play.  There are 7 different levels offered at Gymboree and each level is specifically designed to support my kiddos growth.  In each level, children are encourage to learn, grow and develop at their own pace in a fun, environment.  

From sensory stimulation to problem solving games and story telling, the classes use PLAY-based activities to stretch the body and mind.  

I love the fact that the learning and growing is all accomplished through play time.  Play is what children do best and how awesome to be encouraged to play and learn.  

"Gymboree's 'follow the lead of the child approach' helps young children learn 'how to learn' and supports them in becoming confident, lifelong learners."

–  Claire Lerner LCSW, child development specialist, Director of Parenting Information and Resources at ZERO TO THREE®

I take my girls to the drop in School Skills program once (sometimes twice) a week.  I adore the School Skills program. It fits my needs as a mommy of 5 as well as the needs of my very active, very curious 3 and 5 year old.  

School Skills, Encourage curiosity and build self-confidence in your preschooler through art, science exploration, play and more. Teachers also read children's books that explore and nurture key social and emotional skills, engage in activities that require cooperation and self-awareness, and encourage communication with peers.

This school skills class includes both independent and group learning activities to promote the important personal and social skills your preschool child will need for a successful transition into school. 

I highly suggest taking a Free Trial

class today.  

I attend and teach at the Irvine California site on Dyer Road.

They have and amazing April promotion of 50% off the first 2 months of a new class.  This is amazing.  You get 2 months for 1/2 the normal cost.  

If you are looking for something to do with your little one, Gymboree is the ONLY place to go.

Have fun!!

This is what I want TODAY!!!

Steve Madden 'Perrin' Boot

 

These are fabulous and I can't help but drool over them.

 

Villa Girls FINALLY on the Basketball Court

I finally signed Madison and Jacquelynn up in Boys and Girls Club Spring basketball.  I know right, it is about stinking time!  I'm not sure why I waited so long.  Eddie and I both love basketball and we both want our girls to play.  It is NOT cheap to put 2 girls into basketball at the Boys and Girls Club, which is strange to me because It's the Boys and Girls Club.  I'm still confused.  Anyway, so after out tax return came in, I went and signed them up.  It looks like kids are not playing in the B&G Club anymore.  Enrolment for 2nd grad was so low that they are combining 2,3 and 4th grade.  Yikes!!  We shall see how it turns out.  Eddie and I are going to coach.  They start this Tuesday and the girls are excited.  We even took them out to buy their first pair of "basketball" shoes.  So fun.  Madison hopes to be on the purple team just like soccer and Jacquelynn.......well I'm not sure if she knows what is going on yet.  Go team!

 Here Mdison is going through the ranking process.  Since she will be playing with older girls, they need to balance the teams out.  So they put the girls through a try out process.  It was cute and Madison had a great time.