Supper in the monastery

Since we're still in the Middle Ages (in our studies), we had supper like the monks in England. Lentil soup, home baked (but not authentically "crusty") bread (with no butter), apples and cheese, and water. And... Silence!

Milk shopping

What is the difference between these 3 jugs of milk?

According to the code on the back that shows where the milk is from...

Only the price!

Crazy that all 3 are from 06-2238, Alta Dena Dairy!

Why pay the extra 2 bucks?

Ministry in the apartment complex

Our apartment complex has a little community center where kids can go for tutoring 2-3x/wk. We try to head down and my kids use the computer lab to work on khan academy or typing  while I attempt to help other kids with their homework. In his way, we have got to know about 25 kids in the complex and some of their parents who come by. We also get to know kids at the playground and have met another 20 or so that way. Most of the parents only speak Spanish so my language skills are definitely challenged and growing daily! The kids have resolved to throw out French and learn Spanish instead. We pick up picture books in Spanish at the local library to try to grow their vocabulary.

I have also been attending a Bible study in Spanish in one family's apartment. Though I've not taken my kids yet, the kids who come watch a Bible video in Spanish while the parents are studying. It's a very basic study of foundational truths. Perfect for the community that is traditionally catholic.

I hope to have a kids Bible study once a week in the summer and maybe carry over into the school year now that I've seen that many kids are frequently at their leisure about the complex after school hours.

Looking forward to all the Lord has for us in this place. 

First bike ride of the year!

The bikes were still stored at my dad's until this week. But we made room in our garage, changed a flat, aired up all the tires and headed out.

We visited a new (to us) park - Gilman. And the kids hiked around, played, and found frogs.

Just as we got to the park Sy got a flat and I had left the patch kit on the shelf in the garage. ): so everyone moved up a bike and I walked/ran with Sy's little bike for a little over a mile til Scott rescued me and picked up the bike on his way home. Then I just ran the last 1/2 mile alongside the kids on bikes. Fun day!

CA African American Museum & Science Center

CAAM totally inappropriate for children and a sad representation of the African American community (in my humble opinion). But so much so that I told the lady at the entrance desk who replied "well, I guess there are more art than historical exhibits right now."

I asked about the class of 6-year-old school children, wondering if their parents knew that going to the "African American Museum" was so graphic and inappropriate. If I was a parent signing a permission slip, I would never had guessed what my child would see!

My 4 actually asked why anyone (including me) would bring children here. 

Needless to say, our visit was brief - like 10 minutes to see all 5 galleries brief. 

If we want to learn about African Americans, we'll have to find some other resources. 

On a happier note, we visited the science center today and found new exhibits. Some we missed during our last visit at Christmas time, some that had changed. 

Nixon Library today

We went (along with half of so cal) to the Nixon Museum today in honor of Presidents Day. We'd been once before but have learned more about Nixon since then making it more interesting this time. Also, since we last visited the whole Edward Snowden/NSA thing has happened, Bengazi has happened, and in general our government and leaders (not naming any names) are not trusted making Watergate look not so bad. I know I'm oversimplifying it, but that's just my opinion. 

Birthplace and Marine One

Hanging out with the Russians. 

Living with a singleton

The boys are at a birthday party so Ky and I baked cookies. WOW! Check out my kitchen! Sink empty. Counters clean.  The last batch was in the oven and all the dishes were already done! The things you can accomplish with just 1 child! 

( I probably shouldn't post this with such amazement, because my kitchen always looks like this, right?)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Blueberry pancakes that Jo made for breakfast. Flowers and chocolates and gifts. It's a good day. 

Party at tutoring. No homework today!

Brea JV boys soccer takes 1st in league

Scott's high school team placed first in league! Super fun. This was the final game of the season between Brea and ElDorado. Whoever won the game got first place. Scott's/the boys' club team was invited to watch and we all expected a tight game but Brea was ahead 4-0 at the half! They won 4-1. It was a great game, but a little anti-climactic as the final game for first place because it was so lopsided.

Scott had a great season overall and enjoyed the opportunity. 

Pizza and game night

Make your own pizza night!

We're copycatting our friends' who invited us over 3 weeks ago to share in their weekly tradition. Now it has become ours. Here's the yummy recipe! It's super fast because it's no rise dough! Yay!

A quick hike before the rain

We did a little local history today by visiting the Olinda museum and trail right here in town.

The museum was closed but we won't mind going back. The trail was fun. Longer than I expected - almost 2 miles.

Here's Sy emptying his shoes 1/2 way up. 

As we made our way back to the car, it started to rain. Perfect timing. 

Earthquake!

Today we had 6-7 earthquakes every couple minutes for over an hour! In fact, they're still going!

After much observation, investigation, and experimentation, we found there were 4 trucks out on the main road CREATING the earthquakes ON PURPOSE. 

Turns out the Linda 2D Seismic Survey is doing an experiment of their own. They shake the earth in these giant trucks and collect data from some receivers they put in the ground earlier. When they're done, they'll dig up the receivers, analyze the data, and have a better understanding of fault zones and natural resources in the area.

Several guys were on hand to answer questions of passers-by. One gentleman even helped our elderly neighbor cross the street. (She had a matching vest.)

Fun for them... A little scary for us!

Kik wanted his own photo memory.