Peyton's Library Card

Today when Peyton came home from school she was sooooo excited! She ripped this paper out of her Jonas Brothers backpack and shoved it in my face. "Mom, you have to fill this out. I need to get a library card so I can check out books and go to Legoland for FREE!" Ok, ok, ok. After I calmed her down, we proceeded with our after school routine: clean up, snack and homework. She reminded me only twice to fill out the application. Torrance libraries are running an October promotion where kids will get a free paperback book if they sign up to get a library card. Knowing we had to drop Donovan off at baseball practice, I knew we could stop by the library on our way home. Once we got to the library, Peyton grabbed her paperwork but hesitated and said, " Can I wait in the car, Mom?" Of course I don't let her. (Aidan, however, got to stay in the car) Peyton was bouncing and talking non-stop the entire walk up to the door. Once inside, we had to wait, and she kept telling me," Mom, look. We need to wait for a moment." It would have been annoying if I didn't know she was so excited. We finally got our turn. The nice gentleman hands Peyton this huge decorated box which she got to open and choose any book for her to keep! She loved this!! She did a little hiphop happy dance and flashed her new card around like it was a badge.Then, she got a coupon for a free meal from Outback Steakhouse. She also got a coupon for free admission for Legoland and Sea-Life Aquarium. All Aidan could say was, "She scored!!" and " I didn't get ALL this stuff when I signed up!!" His pouting was short lived as we pulled up to our house and their friends were playing outside. Peyton had a happy day! :o)

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday

Sundays are a whirlwind at the Contreras house. We start off at church by 9am;letting out at 10:45am. We rush home so everyone can change into their baseball gear. (Richard included since he's coaching Donovan's team) Then we're off to Torrance Little League. Being this is the "off" season for baseball, the kids are playing "Fall Ball". This has a minimal commitment of an optional practice during the week and 1 game on Sunday only. Fall Ball runs from September-November. Momo and Grandpa make it most Sundays to watch the games. This Sunday Donovan and Peyton played at the same time, so Momo, Grandpa and I ran between Donovan and Peyton's game. By the time it was Aidan's game, everyone else was done, so we all sat and watched together. We were home by 5pm, but the day does feel long. I am hoping to take the camera to the field so I can capture some pics before this season ends! Funny though, Fall Ball is nothing compared to regular season Little League Baseball. Stay tuned for that chaos!! Woo-Hoo!!! :o)

Back to School

I originally set up this blog so that family near and far can keep in touch and up to date with our family. There is always something going on, and I can't always remember to send pictures to everyone of these events. There will be all kinds of stuff on the blog that encompass "Contreras Family Life".

That being said, I noticed that after I created the blog, I didn't add to it. My mission failed. So when Back to School 2009 came, I vowed two things: 1. I was going to make better meals for my "athletes" utilizing the plan ahead system and 2. I was going to update by blog on a nearly daily basis. Well, school started September 10th, and today is October 1st, so I'm just a little bit late on my second goal. :o) Here are some pics, however, of Donovan, Aidan, and Peyton's first day of school. (Sorry, I couldn't figure out how to rotate Donovan's pic,lol)

Peyton loses her first tooth

Peyton has had these loose teeth all summer long. Finally, on the day before Labor day, she decided to spend the night at her friends, Seth and Evan's, house. Knowing that their dad, Ron, (our good family friend) is our official "tooth puller", Peyton wanted Mr. Ron to pull her tooth. I wanted to link the video here, but I wasn't able to. Ron and his wife Selena, actually recorded the pulling out of Peyton's tooth and posted it on Facebook. Peyton was awesome and such a trooper. Ron and Selena tied a string to Peyton's tooth and shut the drawer. POP! Out it came. She ended up losing two teeth that night and made quite a killing from the Tooth Fairy. (thanks guys, now she'll be expecting it all the time) When I was a kid, the Tooth Fairy only came ONCE in our lifetime. That was it. Hmph! Look at those cheeks!!!! Makes you just want to sssssqqqqquuuuuuueeeeeeezzzzzzzzeeeeeee!!!!

I love this new discovery of "Blog Candy"

This blog candy is AMAZING! Arlene at Butterflykisseswithlove.blogspot.com has a contest celebrating her anniversary on YouTube. Please check out her blog to get more information. Contest ends August 23rd, so enter today~!! :o)

Torrance Beach

Torrance Beach at Sunset. Wow, Amy took an amazing picture. I know that people dream about a view like this and it's only a 5 minute drive for me. I wish I loved to go to the beach, but I don't. Sand gets everywhere! Sometimes, I feel like I deprive my kids of such a "California" experience. Then I sit in a pile of sand on my couch or see a pile on the floor of my car. UGH.