If you will it, it is not a dream

What I learned last week:

1. Leaf mold is not toxic, therefore the $3400 remediation/repair that was originally quoted to us was a scam. Some people are not 100% honest.

2. Buy a new mattress, end morning back ache. Turns out that was a better use of our hard-earned money.

and

3. If you will it, it is not a dream.

Guess who is so cool even when he's not slicking his hair back and wearing leather jackets and riding motorcycles?

Seriously, people, that's me WITH THE FONZ.

He came to the girls' school and read an excerpt from one of his books, but most importantly he TALKED to the kids. He walked among them, took their hands, and told each one of them that they were SPECIAL. He said "if you will it, it is not a dream".

He co-writes books about a boy with dyslexia, because he grew up with it himself. He had such a special message, and he was funny and engaging. Our school enjoyed his presentation.

And, I TOTALLY MET THE FONZ!!!!!

A Toast to Mother's Day

For Mother's Day 2009, we tried something new. We met our friends, the Zavolta family, at Malibu Family Wines. We took a picnic. We bought a bottle of wine.

It was fabulous. (And I hear those of you who KNOW us...we aren't REAL wine drinkers, but when in Rome...or Malibu as the case may be...)


Here is where you can buy the wine, or "take a flight" (which is a sampling). Next time we plan to take that flight for sure!

This is a man who knows how to treat his wife right on Mother's Day...

Brookie made this bag in Brownies. I love it.

It was a perfect day...a perfect setting...don't you agree?

Those in the family who would like to see more pictures can check out the Shutterfly site!

Sunday, Monday, Un-Happy Day!

Oh what disappointment. You may remember how I've mentioned that occasionally our school is able to get a "celebrity" to come to an event. Last year we had Dakota Fanning, and earlier this year it was Cody Linley.

The children knew who these people were, oh yes indeed.

But today...today was supposed to be Mr. Henry Winkler.

The Fonz.

I was SO excited! (The kids? Had no clue who he was.) Took time off work to volunteer at the Book Fair, attend the parents' pastry & coffee hour, (er, which I totally would have done anyway) and to see Fonzie. Um, I mean Mr. Winkler.

Did you know he's an author? Of children's books? He is! Stories of Hank Zipzer...a dyslexic fourth grade boy.

But his filming schedule was changed, and he had to cancel. He promises to reschedule. I will keep my fingers crossed!

Until then....ayyyyyy!!!!!!!

When the LIGHTS go down in the city...

Friday night, this is where we were....the legendary Whiskey a Go-Go on the just-as-legendary Sunset Strip. The band is Lights, and it is a tribute to the music of Journey.




After a baby-sitter scare (our sweet Emily was in a car wreck - she's fine, her car is totaled), and a super-mom rescue (Shan took both girls for the night so I could still go to the show), August and I met up with friends for dinner and headed to the strip.

Our friends enjoyed the show...and they are good friends, too, because August didn't go on until after midnight! That's late for people of our advanced ages. So, thanks to Steve and Stacy, Barb and Rob, and Cynthia and Lee for coming out and staying up LATE!!!

We got to the Whiskey at the SCHEDULED start time of 11 p.m., only to learn that it would REALLY be midnight, so we went across the street to Hustler of Hollywood.

That was interesting.

Stacy almost bought some red sequined, fringy boots. But she didn't. They were very Dorothy Gale goes Girls Girls Girls (dancing down on the Sunset Strip). {Can't seem to get off the lyrics theme...}

She looks good in red, as you see here...but they weren't comfortable as it turns out.



Lastly, one would think that after all these years of going to shows and taking pictures and being a person that LOVES a good picture, that I would have a camera that takes a decent picture in a dark club.

But, clearly, that is not the case.



But you get the idea...cute guitar playing husband, excellent music, good times! The show was excellent! This is only his third show with this line-up, and he's happy to be playing with them and they are happy to have him!

It's Sunday morning, and I just now, after a good night's sleep, feel recovered!! Woo hoo!!!

Reading with the Stars

Only in LA can your school have a PJs and Books night with a "celebrity" guest reader.

Last week was Literacy Week at the girls' school...teachers wore Cat in the Hat hats around campus, bookmarks and books were made in the library, and on Thursday night...we had PJs and Books!

This is fun just because. Because the kids go home from school and get into their pajamas and come BACK to school for storytime. Parents and teachers read to the children...big kids gather in the gym, little kids in the library. The middle schoolers come to the library to read to the little kids.

Kennedy & her friend read a story to a large group of restless, but cute, children.

The children were all restless & anxious...anxious for the arrival of this year's celebrity reader. This boy played Hannah Montana's boyfriend, Jake Ryan, on an episode of Hannah Montana. Everyone knew who he was...most of the parents knew who he was because he was on a season of Dancing with the Stars. Those who didn't, knew him from Hannah Montana.

Personally, I have to admit that I knew him from his Hannah Montana fame. I've seen one episode of DWTS in my life and it wasn't his, so....

Anyway, Cody Linley (oops, almost forgot to tell you his name!) was late. But when he showed up (darn that LA traffic), he was alone with no entourage. And he was the nicest, most accommodating, most patient guy. He was energetic with the children. He wore funny striped socks under his boots. He signed autograph after autograph and smiled for each and every kid. He was an awesome guest and I hope that he goes far in Hollywood because he's so darn sweet!

Oh! And Lori informed me that he is from Lewisville, TX. A little tidbit that I had forgotten when I was talking with him and taking his picture for the yearbook page on PJs & Books. A bonding moment lost...ah well.

The next celebrity reader will be an event in April, and the rumor is that our reader will be...The Fonz. Ayyyyy!!!!!!!

(So what if the children have no idea who he is? This one is for the parents, especially the ones who thought that Fonzie's girlfriend, Pinkie Tuscadero, was COOL.)

I love L.A. - The Sunday Drive

While much of the country is fully experiencing the season we call "winter", those of us living in Southern California this past weekend were decidedly NOT experiencing anything remotely resembling winter.

And this is one of the many, many reasons why I LOVE L.A. Just like the song, I sing it in my head sometimes...especially on days such as we had this past weekend.

It was gorgeous, and we decided to take a Sunday drive to Malibu to be near the beach.



A Sunday drive in my, ahem, NEW (to me) CAR! Yes, it's true...I am BACK IN BLACK. Now that's more like it. It's cute, and sporty, and the children still fit in it. And here's a tip for ya...if you want to buy a used car, buy one in Beverly Hills. (Another reason to love L.A.!) Not only will you feel fancy in the showroom that doesn't even have a car lot attached to it, you can find cars that might be, say, 3 years old with only 13k miles on them. I did NOT transpose the 1 and 3, that is thirteen thousand. See, in BH people either 1) don't drive their cars that much...the Farmer's Market is just a few miles away or 2) they own SEVERAL cars, and maybe this one is just a weekend car!

It was the perfect weekend car this weekend...it was the perfect car to drive up the Pacific Coast Highway in, all the way from Malibu to Oxnard!

The children were hungry. There are not very many choices of food between Malibu and Oxnard. FINALLY, we circled back to Malibu and ended up in Paradise Cove. The strawberry mojito was a deviation from my usual choice, a margarita, but it seemed appropriate for the day.

...
Brooke was very thirsty after our long Sunday drive!

Some show-off shots...ha ha, look at our weather! We are at the beach! It's February 1, and the sun is shining! Did I mention that we are at the beach?

Below is a shot of a little girl that wanted to walk in the sand, but it was getting late and Kennedy had homework, so I told her no.

...

Does this look like she listened?

But, really, who could be mad. It's Sunday, it's beautiful, and why shouldn't see be able to put her toes in the sand?? You enjoy it, Brookie!!!!

I love L.A.