Thursday, May 26, 2011

NEWSFLASH

We interrupt spring break coverage to bring you breaking news from last week. It seems the week of May 16th - 22nd had something to prove, a need to be remembered. It all started on Tuesday when Jace received his Bear award in Cub Scouts, he is now officially a Webelo. Jason accepted the pin for me since I had school that night, though I'd have rather been there!




A lot of stress came before Thursday night decided to show up. It was the night I would be presenting my final project- not just for the semester but FOREVER!! (in my school career anyway). Of course there were a few bumps in the road, like a flashdrive with my 3D drawings on it getting stolen, but luckily I had a few hard copies of my perspectives I was able to use. In the end I thought it turned out pretty good! Now if only I didn't have those pesky "general ed" classes to take.......
                                    
 The assignment was to design a retail store based on a popular brand. I chose the Fossil brand for my design. Above is the floorplan I did in CAD along with the reflected ceiling plan. Instead of using foamboard this time, I decided to buy a sheet of wood paneling and have it cut, then I stained it. My favorite part is the title on the side- it's hard to tell in the pic but it's on a piece of steel.

 Store front and materials

 This board has two perspectives and materials. The store concept is 1940's factory/ industrial.
Wood, brick, metal, leather, a prop plane, gears that run the fans above.........

Some elevations and lighting, furniture etc.
The sunglasses would be displayed on old wooden plane props.....
And by the way I got A's in both my classes!

 In other news, Jace had his first piano recital Saturday afternoon. After having only taken lessons for about six weeks, he was able to memorize and play two songs. He did quite well and the practicing paid off!
 He even got an award!
Jace's performance- just pause the music if you'd like to watch...
 Then there's Ms. Lauren. She was determined to make the cheer squad at her school this year. They got to try out in groups of three, so her and her friends Shelby and Sydney tried out together. They had practice all week and had to learn a cheer, chant, dance, kickline and tumbling. Then on Saturday it was time to try out......                              


Shelby, Lauren and Sydney all sassy right before tryouts
                                              

waiting patiently for the results.......
  Well the results finally came in and..........
LAUREN MADE IT!!!!!

In fact all three of them made it so it will be fun for them to cheer together!

So , yes, last week was a little crazy! I don't think my stomach fully settled until Monday. Nerves, worry and stress filled up our life but was replaced with success, joy and applause. We all were able to succeed with a little bit of hard work and perseverance. We accomplished all of that plus celebrated Jace's birthday on Friday and Jason's birthday on Sunday (I will post about that later)
WHEW!!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

SPRING BREAK 2011- DAY 2

Tuesday, April 19th-

        OK we are really living on the edge now- No Disneyland for us this time! We are breaking away from the norm and visiting Universal Studios Hollywood. I haven't been here since the 80's when Jaws was the big attraction and the kids have never been.

The first attraction we hit was the backlot tour. The King Kong segment on this tour was AMAZING!!
This is Lauren and Jace right before we entered....

The tour also took us to Wisteria Lane where they film Desperate Housewives

Took a drive by the Bates motel....
since Norman is escorting a guest to their car, perhaps there is a vacancy for the night....

Family photo with the Hollywood backdrop

Lauren and Krusty
The Simpsons ride was OK- Jason hated it because it was one of those motion rides that you watch... makes him a wee bit queasy me thinks...


Jurassic Park was good!


Look out Lauren!!


Ahhhh, foot massage


Mel's Diner


Water World show was great!

After we left Universal Studios we went and toured the famous Griffith Observatory in the Hollywood Hills


HOLLYWOOD sign in the distance



We got there right at sunset.... beautiful...


Drove around a bit before heading back to our hotel and snapped a pic of the Capitol Records building!

That about wraps up the highlights of day 2...... day 3 is simmering on the back burner!

Friday, May 13, 2011

SpRINg BreAk 2011- DaY 1

Monday, April 18th:

Spring break usually isn't the time we take our vacations, but this year we decided why not! "Something different" was our vacation theme, we would go somewhere we have never been to or haven't been to for a long time. Our journey started out as a familiar one taking the I-15 out of town past Primm. Then somewhere between Baker and Barstow, the boredom turned to naptime. We stopped in Victorville and had lunch somewhere we'd never been- a hamburger place called Baker's, it was something different and wasn't too bad...



 We finally arrived at our hotel in Marina Del Rey (right next to Santa Monica) and decided to explore Venice Beach. The kids thought we were crazy for taking them there- but it was somewhere they'd never been! It's good to experience all types of people and culture- right?
 Santa Monica Pier was just a little way down from Venice so we went there too. The kids liked this area a lot better! Jace and Jason both attempted to climb the rope- Jace didn't quite make it.....
 but Jason did!!!! (i guess i ought to mention w/o using his feet)
 we checked out the vintage carousel, built in 1922,on Santa Monica Pier
nobody would ride it with me!
 Lauren and Jace got a little crazy on the pier...

 Santa Monica beach
Enjoying the ocean....
I was tempted to get a hot dog on a stick from this cute little original stand....
but instead we ended up at California Pizza Kitchen- which was quite tasty!
Day 1 was a lot of fun! We tried some new things and the kids got to experience a new place...

NEXT- DAY 2