Whew... an Easter Review!

I can't believe I never did an Easter Review!
I mean, it's my favorite holiday!!
Oddly enough it's also the only holiday Hot Hubby and I always exchange gifts!!!
Weird, huh?
You already saw our Eggs and our early morning.
The kiddos adored their Easter Baskets. Their favorite items were the capes from Stringbean Company...

Hot Hubby got new Rainbows and I got loads of candy and new Bare Essentials foundation. (Oh how I love a practical gift... I was just about out!!)

We headed over to my parents house for the usual home smoked tri-tip and all the fixins'! The tri-tip is the best. You should come next year and try it!
My parents throw the best Easter Egg Hunt. Some eggs are designated "big kid" eggs... as in they aren't filled with candy or stickers like the lil' kid eggs... they are filled with cash-o-la!! 

 This year, instead of one grand prize with $200 in it... OK... $20 :) There were 2 eggs with $10! Wouldn't you know it, one of the little ones got one of the $10 eggs. She threw the useless "paper" on the ground and took the candy out! HA!! We let her keep it... I mean, look how cute she is...

Here's our group shot! 

I love these folks. 

As I look at this picture the thing that strikes me most is only my parents and grandmom are blood related to me. (Not counting my children of the fetus, of course!)

I often wonder about family dynamics and relationships. 

Is there actually something about being "blood" related that makes you closer?

Is there something more powerful about the relationships that aren't blood? You know, the kind you choose!!

What makes a family?

I would love your thoughts!!

As the day wore on, it stated to get a bit chilly. Good thing we had our Lids!!

Navy Snowboarder

Pink Snowboarder

Now I'm off to the dentist to get a filling fixed. Because we wouldn't want to put Hot Hubby's bonus toward anything fun. Wahh wahhh wahhh...

PS
I've been working on something REALLY REALLY REALLY awesome with Blessed Nest and BYOG. 
One hint... 
On the first Monday of every month our three businesses will be helping you. 

Yes, Y-O-U!!

The actual debut will be Monday, May 10th! (in honor of Mother's Day)
Check back here on the 10th. I promise it won't disappoint!!
REALLY!!

Our Lips are Sealed

What do you do if you are a mom blogger with your mom blogger friends?
Make a Lip Dub of a kick a$& 80's song, of course!!
Check out me and my buds Suz (Alive in Wonderland), Marcy (The Glamorous Life Association), Andrea (Hip Moms Who Work), Roxanne (Me and My Monster) & Beckey (Hippo Brigade) make fools of ourselves...

If you can't get enough, and want to see me in all my awesomeness, check out the next one! We did it in one take with my makeshift webcam...

(stop laughing!)

Still can't get enough!?!?!?
Check out my post over at the OC Moms Blog about Facebook. I reveal some Facebook statuses that didn't make the cut!

Guys' Day Out - Ocean Institute

While us gals were enjoying some bridal shower fun (see the awesome flower bow favors), Hot Hubby took Eli out for a Guys' Day at the beach.

(Pictured large to small. We are 4.5 peas in a pod!)

The boys stumbled upon the Ocean Institute in Dana Point during a search for a fun beach. Our pirate obsessed son was drawn in by the Pilgrim, a tall ship parked in the harbor.
They paid admission ($4.50 for Eli and $6.50 for Daddy) and got to explore the institute! First was the octopus who was surprisingly more active that usual... or so they were told!

Petting the starfish and exploring the pirate ship! (FYI- Don't be late for the 11:45 tour! They got there at 11:47 and had to jump a gate to get in.)

Eli wants one of these at home. I guess the t-ball cannon isn't cutting it anymore!

Daddy let Eli do whatever he wanted... which was throw rocks. Oh to be a 3-year-old boy!

It was a good day!

What better way to top off the Guys' Day than dinner at Red Robin...

Tall Boat - Wordless Wednesday

 More Wordless Wednesday fun visit Angry Julie Monday and 5 Minutes for Mom.

Laundry break = Twilight T-ball

We were sick.

The whole fam-damily!

Throw-up was involved.

I took a break from laundry and the hubby and kiddos got outside for some twilight T-ball.

As if you need another reason to live in Orange County... check out this sky.

 Eli starts his first T-ball team next month. Hot Hubby is more than excited!

Cora could care less.
Our tee is from Nannie and Nonno... we mostly use it as a pirate cannon!

I'm sure you're wondering why the kiddos aren't wearing Lids... they are in the laundry! They are washer/dryer safe, you know!

Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day 2010!
I thought I would share a little Earth Day fodder...
*If you're a OC local head on over to the etnies company store and buy a pair of shoes.
Why? (you're thinking)
The answer:

Decline a bag or bring your own reusable one and get 10% off!!

I had the chance to visit etnies about 6 months ago and I can honestly tell you that the founder/owner, Pierre Andre Senizergues, of etnies has a passion for the environment that is infectious! My favorite quote from Pierre that day was,

"We can make a bamboo shoe, but if the process of making the shoe still generates the some carbon emissions, what's the point?"

WOW! I had never thought about that! When we buy organic, we assume the factory making it is Green. That may not be the case!! etnies switched factories and was able to decrease 20% of their carbon emissions! Check out their Eco-Audit here. It will make you proud to buy the shoes! Plus they are really cute.
See:

*You all know I'm big on saving. I really believe every penny counts!! Show your kiddos with Pennies for the Planet that even one person donating one penny can make a big difference for the environment.

Funding from this year's Pennies for the Planet program will protect endangered coastlines, including:
~Safeguarding Louisiana coastal marshes and helping to support the scientists and volunteers restoring them
~Protecting nesting shore birds like the Western Snowy Plover that live on California's sea shores, and
~Restoring Florida's Panther Island to improve the water quality and habitat for endangered Florida panthers, wood storks, and gopher tortoises.
This program is geared for school age kiddos (starting with 2nd grade) but I'm sure you can still donate. You probably won't qualify for the prizes... BUT it's not about the prizes anyway... it's about teaching your kiddos that they can have a positive impact on the environment! Visit Pennies for the Planet for all the info!

Summer Lid!

If you wear a Summer Lid...

No one will notice you're in your underwear...

(Eli threw up before before coming into the Swapper so Hot Hubby stripped him down and came in anyway. We fit right in. How great is that Lid!?!?)

More Wordless Wednesday fun at Angry Julie Monday.

Swapper overview and bullies...

Hello my friends!
We had a blast at the Swapper yesterday!
I'm pretty tired today... so tired that I let the kiddos eat fruit snacks for breakfast.
REALLY!
Here is a whrrl overview of the OC Marketplace and a bit about Claim Jumper's awesome customer service last night!! 
Wow... impressive!!

More check-ins at OC Marketplace

Powered by Whrrl

More to come!
 
But while you wait for the post comment on this story about how I dealt with Eli and Cora Jane's first bully at Chick-fil-a over at the Orange County Moms Blog. 
Warning: I won't be getting the Mother of the Year award.

OC Marketplace Invite

Eli's Lids will be at the OC Marketplace tomorrow all day long.

You should come visit.

REALLY.

It's the longest day ever.

REALLY.

Please come visit.

Pretty Please... with Hot Tamales on top!

We'll have a full stock of Lids and tees.

AND there will be a preview of our new Summer Lid.

AND we'll be sharing our booth with...

Sweet Lily Tutus,

Sewing the Seed,

and Baby Dayzed.

If that doesn't entice you enough... you can pick up some awesome produce there.

**WARNING: Read this before going to the Swapper.**

Vital information you should know first!

Admission is only $2 (kiddos under 12 FREE)!
at the OC Fairs & Events Center
88 Fair Drive - Orange County Fairgrounds
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Lids, Legging and Snap Peas...

A perfect brisk Spring walk needs:
Lids...

...Leggings... (get em' here)

...and Snap Peas!

Visit Angry Julie for more Wordless Wednesdays!