My Favorite Things, #18

Reliable Warranties.

We bought a Tempur-Pedic mattress back in 2006.  We loved it initially but over the years it stopped holding it's shape as promised.  My friend from work had one as well and told me she had just gotten a replacement due to the fact that her's was also sagging. 

After emailing some photos, and explaining to a really nice lady the problem in one phone call, I got an call to hear that a new mattress was on the way.  Not just the same mattress, but a better one and a more firm one.  

It was delivered as promised hassle free, and I haven't slept so well in years.   

Thank you Tempur-Pedic, your service and warranty is the best I have seen in a while.  I will forever be a customer.

Band

It is serious business.  You would be amazed at the amount of work and effort that goes into these band competitions.  We usually make it to one each season and I am always surprised at the effort and grandness of it all.  Hot meals are prepared for the bands in the parking lot.  Sometimes all three meals as they are usually gone from 6am to late at night.  You see the BBQ's and the parents, the moving trucks (carrying equipment) large buses, and the enormous sets for the field shows.   We usually drop a good $40.00 for admission, get our wrist bands and enjoy a little of the show.  No one in our family has the patience to last an entire competition, just watching Kira with Terra Nova is enough for us.  The season has wrapped up, uniforms dry cleaned, and the horse packed away.  It was a great year for them, and I am sure next year will be just as great. 

The Trojan Horse from Terra Nova's field show.  Sean is in the bottom left corner so you can see how large this thing was. 

The parking lot where all the prep and magic happens. 

Each year I find myself more and more involved.  The way it is looking by the time Kira is a Senior I may be one of the parents standing in the parking lot cooking food.  Oh joy. 

Seriously, I am thankful Kira enjoys it so much and I am thankful so many parents are willing to give so much time to make it all happen.

Feeding the Birds

There is usually an old man that sits and feeds the pigeons (rats with wings) at the beach.  It is sweet and you can tell he enjoys it.  I am not referring to the really old man that sits by the Cafe, I am talking about our friend Reggie who sits by the flag pole.  I think this is his new hobby.

My kids seem to feel that where birds gather, bikes scatter.  It made for a fun afternoon.  

Thanks Reggie.

Zombies Yes, Trains No!

We have been to the California State Railroad Museum a few times with the kids as they have been growing.  We have only taken Sean twice and both times we have taken him shaking, and very nervous.   This last time, he literally made a break for the exit after being inside for 5 minutes and Tom had to chase him down before he left the building.  Something about trains do no settle well with my little tough kid.  I first noticed it during a stop at Casa De Fruita when Sean was about 18 months.  Andrew was climbing all over a parked train and Sean was screaming and yelling the entire time for him to get off.  He was screaming and shaking so much I finally had to make Andrew get off just so he would stop.  

I was starting to think he had out grown this fear, but this last trip proved he is still just as terrified of trains as before.  We did get him to tour some trains this trip as you can see in the picture below.  Can you see his excitement of being inside the mail train?  

Finally we made our way upstairs where he played for an hour with the train sets.  Apparently small trains are fine, big trains are scary.  My son has no problem with zombies, but trains?  Funny kid.  

If you want to know more about the museum, go here.  It is located in Old Town Sacramento and makes for a great day trip from our house. 

Daylight Savings

It does a number on this kid.  With the clocks moved back, he is now waking up at 5am and probably will all week until he adjusts.  It took him 2 weeks to recover from the spring forward and I am sure it will be the same for the fall back.  Ugh. 

Can we add getting rid of Day Light Savings to the ballots tomorrow? 

Yes, that is a sucker in his mouth, a dentist nightmare I am sure.  I removed it after taking a photo.  

Giants!

Life is good in our house when the Giants bring home the big prize, the World Series.   Now my children become torn, do we go to school or the Parade?  Yep, I let them decide.  This year they all chose school as the parade fell on Halloween and the kids didn't want to miss wearing their costumes to school.  Tom did the parade solo and got some good quality time with his other family... the Giants.  You can see pictures of the parade on Tom's Facebook page. 

Our first date back in 2004 happen to be front seat tickets to a Giants game, thanks to our friend Merrill.     Our love story started with the Giants, and has continued with the Giants.  I wouldn't say I am fan just yet, but slowly and surely they are growing on me.   This year I watched more baseball then I have watched in my life time.  Tom, don't get too excited, I am not venturing into football anytime soon.  

Halloween 2012

Every year I find myself caring less and less about this holiday.  Perhaps next year I need to step it up and put some effort into this one.  If it wasn't for the kids I would probably forget all together.  This year we didn't carve pumpkins, didn't go to a pumpkin patch, and I didn't give it much thought at all.  

I have to admit even in my laziness towards the holiday, Andrew pulled out a great costume made up of stuff in our costume box.  I am not sure he ever decided what he was, but does it matter?  Sean did a series of costume changes through out the day and ended up as Captain America for school and a Knight for Trunk or Treat.  The kids had fun and this year Andrew brought home over 8lbs. of candy, oh joy. 

Kira had a great Halloween as well, I just didn't get one picture of her.  She was busy this year hanging out with friends.  I think she has officially outgrown her family on Halloween.  

Andrew and Luke, crazy Jr. High kids. 

Cap as Sean calls Captain America.  

Sean with his friend Makoto.

Seans favorite activity is killing Andrew.