Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Photo of the day - Manhattan Beach sunset

After a busy day of running around (lunch, beach, Mulligan's) we were dropping off some library books.  We turned the corner and saw this:


The sky had been very purple earlier but the fiery red was striking.  We drove a few blocks to the beach to take a few more photos of this unusual sunset.  The beach parking lot was overflowing with others doing the same thing LOL!

While I'm sharing photos, I'll share a few more from earlier today:  we played golf, rode go carts, pedaled paddle boats and played laser tag.  I haven't been in a go cart for about 30 years but it was a blast!  Try it! 

Andrew is already asking for a go cart for his birthday....if only we had more space!  While we live in a nice beach community, I truly wish we had the space for mini-bikes, ATVs, and all of the things that I had as a child!

Here are a few of the photos that I took today:







Temperatures are supposed to be in the 80's tomorrow.  So, we'll head to the beach during our school "ski week."

Have a great day!

Lisa

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Catalina Island Summer Camp - my kids would LOVE it!

If you know me, you know I'm ALWAYS up for any adventure!  My kids are just like me in that regard!  My cancer diagnosis lit a fire under me to have them experience as much as possible....so, we've been trying lots of new things lately. 



My kids went to a one week sleep away camp a few summers ago when I was still in treatment.  It was a camp for kids of cancer patients.  While it was perfect for them at the time, it wasn't quite the summer camp I had in mind.

So, while looking at potential camps for this summer, I came across Catalina Island Camps.  They offer 1 and 2 weeks sessions for kids (boys and girls) entering grades 2-11.  PERFECT!  Even better, their mission is to help kids develop life long skills through fun and unique outdoor experiences in a community that cultivates respect for self, others and the environment.  BINGO!  Our family goal this year focuses on our environment.



Activities at Catalina Island Camp are NON-STOP!  just like my kids LOL!  They offer skin diving, kayaking, sailing, power boats, archery & air rifles, ropes courses & challenge courses and even composting (don't tell the kids, but I ordered a worm composting bin....we're starting composting soon!)





There are arts & crafts, overnights!, and even cooking classes!  Can Moms go too?

Both of my kids are so athletic and are great swimmers...I know they'll want to try every single activity.  Lauren would LOVE the crafts, just like her Mom. 

The kids stay in cool bunks.  On the overnights, the kids sleep under that stars!   Living in the LA area, my kids don't often see stars...well in the sky, anyway!  As well, we live near the beach but as I sometimes refer to it, we're in the "concrete jungle".  My kids don't get to be out in NATURE!  Oh, how I want that for the Andrew and Lauren!

 I am entering to win a session of summer camp for a child at Catalina Island Camps from The SITS Girls!  (yes, I LOVE to enter contests...how amazing if my kids won!!!)  HUGE thanks to the SITS Girls for putting this together!!!

Thanks for reading!  Have a wonderful President's Day weekend.  We're visiting the Reagan Library to celebrate!

Lisa



Saturday, February 18, 2012

Welcome to Shiny Happy Studio! 


My name is Lisa and I've been wanting to blog for quite a while.  I'll be sharing DIY ideas, crafts, and the renovation of my '67 Airstream (hence the name, shiny happy!)  Our family has a goal to reduce our carbon footprint in 2012 so I'll update on that as well.

I'll also share stories of my family....David (the Mr.), Andrew (12) and Lauren (8).  Add in our 2 pups (Emma, the 14 year old cocker and Sadie, the crazy 4 year old wheaten terrier) and we have a houseful!

Thanks for reading!
Lisa