Independence Day!

To most of the U.S., yesterday was a celebration of our country's independence, but to Amira and I it's even more special........it was Amira's birthday! So forevermore the entire country will celebrate her birthday with fireworks.....lol

She had a fun birthday filled with swimming, pizza, watermelon, mint-lemonade, presents and sugar-free pineapple upside down cake.

Since the 4th of July is a difficult day to gather people together as usually they are spending the time camping or with their own 4th of July activities, we have opted this year to split her birthday celebration into two days. Today, we'll be going to the swimming pool and having some splashing fun with some of her friends.

I just love kids and the things they say. Yesterday we were getting ready to go swimming and Amira wanted to put on her new skirt she got from a friend. The skirt was a little big for her so I suggested she wear one of her skirts she already has in her drawer. She went and picked out her pink shirt and as she was getting ready to put it on, she looked at me and said, "I don't know if it's going to fit because this is a 5 year old shirt and I'm 6.......it might be too small".

Having a day

One never knows what to expect during commute time in Los Angeles.

Kitchen Advice

Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of an ice cream cone to prevent ice cream drips.

Just suck the ice cream out of the bottom of the cone, for Pete's sake! You are probably lying on the couch with your feet up eating it anyway!

To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes.

Buy Hungry Jack mashed potato mix. Keeps in the pantry for up to a year.

When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead and there won't be any white mess on the outside of the cake.

Go to the bakery! Hell, they'll even decorate it for you!

If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato and it will absorb the excess salt for an instant 'fix-me-up.'

If you over-salt a dish while you are cooking, that's too bad. Please recite with me the real woman's motto: 'I made it, you will eat it and I don't care how bad it tastes!'

Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.

Celery? Never heard of it!

Brush some beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield a beautiful glossy finish.

The Mrs. Smith frozen pie directions do not include brushing egg whites over the crust, so I don't

Cure for headaches: take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.

Take a lime, mix it with tequila, chill and drink! All your pains go away!

If you have a problem opening jars, try using latex dish washing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.

Go ask that very cute neighbor if he can open it for you.

Don't throw out all that leftover wine. Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.

Leftover wine??????????? HELLO!!!!!!!

Reap what you sow

Amira and I planted a small garden for the first time this year and she's been enjoying eating the fruits of our labor.

Mint

Sweet basil Strawberry

Roma Tomato

Graduation Day!

What a fun experience to watch. I don't ever recall attending a graduation for kindergartens so was excited at the opportunity.

There were three graduating classes and each class sang a song or recited a poem or both. It was great fun to see all their expressions.

Of course this is probably more for the parents and adults than the kids because all Amira has said to me is, "now when can I start first grade?"

An art show followed the graduation ceremony. The kids picked their favorite pieces of art work they created during the school year for displaying.

Last days of school

During the last week of school there were a number of silly days that kids could participate in sunch as wear your pajamas to school day, hawaiian shirt day, or wear something crazy day. Amira decided she wanted to wear something crazy to school on the second to last day.....pic below.

Root Beer Float Day

As the school year winds down, the kids are spending their last few days doing fun activities. Today, they walked to a nearby park to have their lunch and then they made root beer floats for dad's to honor them for Father's Day. Father's Day isn't for another couple of weeks but since school would be out by then, they wanted to make sure dads were recognized. In addition to dads being invited, so were uncles, grandfathers and other father-figures (for those children who do not have a dad).

My dad was able to go and said he and Amira had a really fun time.

Hard to believe in two days she'll be graduating from kindergarten.