Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'...

Serafina got a new bike for her birthday, and Matteo got a new bike for her birthday, too! If that isn't sisterly love I don't know what is! So off to a nearby parking lot to give all the wheels a workout.

All the photos: http://jf2.com/130713/

Matteo's Corn Bush

What do you get when you plant an acre's worth of corn seeds in one hole? A corn bush! Hey, don't laugh, there are ears taking shape...

Oh deer, homemade apple pie!

No wonder we can't grow anything in the garden... Mom and two fawns.

No wonder we can't stop growing our tummies...

Closing Today: Sound of Music and Another Chapter

Our last Sound of Music performance is today, 2pm. With that, the show closes. And so does a remarkable chapter in my life. Serafina is resting this morning, playing a video game and watching the DVD of the show videoed earlier in the run. I'm  messing around over at the computer, finding myself turning often to watch the show, and pretending not to watch when things well up. It may be harder to get through the day than I ever imagined...

Two firsts today for both Serafina and me: striking the show and a cast party. The strike is basically putting the theatre back the way we found it three months ago before all this started (auditions were mid-March and the first reading was March 25). On our way out the door from last night's show, Serafina cleared her dressing room desk of all the "decorations" she had brought from home. It was no big deal to her. It was all I could do to hold it together. It's been such a great experience.

There is no way we can say thank you enough to the SLO Little Theatre and all the people who made this show happen. Accu-awesome bunch, they are! Lynn and I have enjoyed theatre all our lives, and Lynn has had her share of on-stage experiences (though, interestingly enough, I never saw any of them). Until now, I had no idea what it took to put on a production. Oh sure, we can all imagine what it takes, enjoying theatre from the seats and knowing that somehow you owe a debt of gratitude to the folks who brought you this look into the human experience. I submit, however, that until you do it, until you become a member of a family hell-bent on putting up the best show possible and working tirelessly for months to do just that, you just don't get it. I get it now.

Well, I get some of it. We may never know just how far our show family went out of their way to guide and assist their 7-year-old Gretl and their novice geezer, Franz. They've had to cope with all manner of happenings, from mic transmitters being dropped in the toilet to "what's a spike?".

I'm not sure how saying auf wiedersehen tonight will go.

Circle up one last time, on three... "Sound of Music!"

Later, after the closing show:

Striking... with light sabers?!

So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, good-bye...

Last Day of School

It was a very good day to be my last as a teacher. The parents set up a great brunch for both 5th/6th grade classes first thing in the morning. Then we listened to senior presentations by the first two graduating seniors of SLO Classical Academy (I was impressed), followed by recess, and then the last hour or so was with just "my class". We opened the time capsule we "buried" on the first day of school last Fall and got a kick out of seeing whose favorite book had changed, or movie, or least and most favorite subjects. Art and Science picked up many fans this year! Only one had changed their mind about who to elect as U.S. President. We played a bunch of Minute to Win It games, Snaps, Moon Club, and the like. And before we knew it, the last day was history. I wore a tie every day at school, and one of my scholars made the pictured origami shirt and tie for me. If I was going to teach but a couple years of my life, these would be the two to do. Now on to full time at the railroad...

Theatrics Update

Serafina's TV commercial for Coast Hills Federal Credit Union has been posted on YouTube, click here. Look for a quick shot into the blue van near the end.

Sound of Music opens tomorrow night! Actually, there's an audience in the house tonight for the final dress rehearsal. Apparently the SLO Little Theatre donates the final dress rehearsal to local non-profits to use as fundraisers.

See the Theatrics page...

Super MoM :: May 2013 :: Tracy Regusci (www.twiniversity.com)

Tracy, the acting CEO of The Compound was recently names Super MoM on www.twinuniversity.com.  You can view the full article here: http://www.twiniversity.com/2013/super-mom-may-2013-tracy-regusci/

William and Hannah's Pool Party

Splish splash! Pool party day for Hannah and William's birthday at their Nipomo house. The Fosters, Reguscis, Gibsons, and Cashes had a mega-good time with all kinds of water play and other handy activities (mud cities, trains, etc.). What a blast! All the photos: http://JF2.com/130518/

3Mules Arrive SLO

Guess what I saw today as I was going by the San Luis Obispo airport on my way home?! None other than the 3-mule team guy we had seen a little over a month ago in Simi Valley. I have no idea what route got them here today, and who knows where they're headed from here. Click here for the pic from Simi Valley. They were right under the E-6 mark on the airport fence.

To Shiny Rails

I get asked now and then, "Where are postings for all your railroading activities?" The answer is - they're on a separate blog due to the volume of entries: ToShinyRails.com

The most recent entry is about yesterday's field trip exploring remnants of the old Pacific Coast Railway's right-of-way through Santa Maria to Los Alamos - click here.

A Sound of Music Rehearsal

They work 'em pretty hard at rehearsal. Three and a half hours for the kids tonight. And to everyone's credit, everyone stays focused and upbeat the entire time. Community theater is a pretty cool thing! All the photos: http://JF2.com/130421/

The sun, has gone, to bed and so must I...

And a couple days later: http://JF2.com/130423/
A week later: http://JF2.com/130428/
This rehearsal was a hoot: staging Do-Re-Mi (4/29/13)

Guess Who's Doing a TV Commercial?

That's right! Serafina landed a gig doing a TV commercial for Coast Hills Federal Credit Union (which happens to be where Lynn and I bank). She had something of an inside track via friends at church. We finished day two of shooting today. I say "we" because I had my camera, too! Otherwise I was just there to bring the snacks, unfold chairs, and stay out of the way. I remember Tracy explaining how filming was a lot different from theater (after her Dr. Quinn Medicine Women days). It sure is a great deal of "hurry up and wait". Good thing it's so fascinating during the in-between moments.

Here's the story line... Grandma and Grandpa are on their way to the beach in their car (filmed near San Simeon on day one), as are Mom and kids in their car (our shoot on day one along Highway 46). They'll be joining up with surfer Dad at the beach (shooting day two). There will be a day three of filming...

Can't wait to see the commercial!

Day One: http://JF2.com/130417/

Day Two: http://JF2.com/130418/

3MULES.COM Meets Simi Valley

Ya just never know... There we were, fueling the car at a fairly busy intersection along the main drag of Simi Valley, when I noticed a dog getting all excited. The dog's walker was trying to control him and saying something like "they're just horses". What? Did we stumble onto parade day? So I looked in the direction the dog seemed focused, and guess what... Here comes a guy down the sidewalk leading not one, but three mules. What?! Yes siree, 3mules.com. Check out the link. Flower power meets the force, or something. We just happened to be at the right place at the right time. Sort of.

To round out info from our trip, we found three places to eat that we enjoyed. Barton's we already mentioned in an earlier post. We had a great BBQ dinner at Red's, and a good breakfast at the Egg House.

And if you want a couple movie recommendations, try "Olympus Has Fallen" (one man takes on a band of terrorists that has occupied the White House) and "The Impossible" (true story of a family caught in a tsunami). Both are good, though for very different reasons.

A Full Day in Simi Valley

Lynn and I got much done in Simi Valley today! We toured the Reagan Presidential Library, visited the Santa Susana Depot, and strolled the grounds and buildings of the Strathearn Historical Park.

And all on Lynn's half-healed broken foot.

Photos: http://JF2.com/130406/

Stumbling into Excellence

Lynn and I lucked out again. Having never stayed in the Simi Valley area before, we were pretty much shooting in the dark. Yes, even with TripAdvisor reviews, it still feels like shooting in the dark.

But we hit the jackpot: Bartons Steak and Seafood. It's quite hard to find as it's pretty plain jane from the outside and it's in a less-than-OK-looking shopping center.

Mint juleps were supporting Hospice tonight. The flambeing table-side was fantastic - twice!

Tomorrow, the Reagan Library...

Easter

With the Regusci clan being at church all morning, things don't get rolling around here until well into the afternoon. And rolling they got! The Nipomo Fosters joined as well as the Gormleys. There was all manner of playing, egg hunting, eating, and drinking (not necessarily in that order).

And swimming!

Photos: http://JF2.com/130331/

First First Reading

It was a first reading alright. It was the first rehearsal for The Sound of Music, and the goal was a first reading. This was Serafina's first first-reading. Tracy picked up all the tools she needed on the way (3-ring binder, notebook, pencils, highlighters, and pencil pouch). What a trooper Serafina was. She was at the table with the entire cast, and was focused to the max for the better part of 2 hours trying to follow along with her script (105 pages, single spaced!). I cringed a bit when they handed that unbound, un-punched, 1/4-ream of paper script to Serafina; I could just see it spewing all over the floor. It was crowded enough at the table that space was at a premium. But no problem. Once Tracy showed her a way to "turn over" to the next page, she kept things fairly tidy. At one point Tracy and I could tell she was entirely lost script-wise, but she heard Maria read a line that was a cue for her and she just looked up at Maria and said her line from memory (she's watched the movie many times!). The director was beaming! And oh my, that pink highlighter was going a mile a minute. It has a special gel tip; oh my. At one point the director called out info as to who was going to be called and at what times for the rest of the week, and also gave out the manager's cell phone number. When we talked with Serafina about that on our way to the car, she showed us where she had correctly jotted that all down in her notebook. Where did she learn all this!?

From Fish to Tiny Tim to Gretl

From Fish to Tiny Tim to Gretl, and it hasn't even been a year yet since The Little Mermaid, Jr. - has it?!

That's right, Serafina just landed the role of Gretl in The Sound of Music being produced by the San Luis Obispo Little Theatre: http://www.slolittletheatre.org/

At left is the photo Tracy used for her head shot. And to the back was attached her resume. Her what? Resume?! See Theatrics.

It's just all too much fun. And thank goodness that's exactly how Serafina sees it - all fun!

The show will run on the weekends starting May 24 and ending June 23.

Tall Ships in Morro Bay

Matteo really enjoyed his tour of the two tall ships that were in Morro Bay over the weekend. Serafina was "casually" interested, and AJ wanted nothing to do with it. At all. All the photos: http://jf2.com/130218/

"Sometimes I feel like a pack mule."

Regusci Twins 1st Birthday

Big day at the Compound...

All the photos: http://jf2.com/130209/

D.I.Y. Weighted Blanket

Last week while talking with the boys pt (physical therapist) about a few of David's random behaviors and lack of sleeping at night she mentioned perhaps he might need a weighted blanket.  Which seemed like a brilliant idea and totally easy to try.  I headed to Google to see about ordering one and about gagged when I saw the prices.  Which lead me (after a couple people mentioned it) to make it myself.  After doing some research it didn't look to hard to make, so I decide to give it a try.  

A quick trip to the fabric store and Michael's on Friday, and by Sunday evening we had a weighted blanket for probably 1/3 the price, or less.  And the fabric is yummy lovie soft minkyness.  Umm yes please.   

Of course, if you decide you want a weighted blanket I photo documented the whole process for you . . . your welcome.  

The first step was to determine the size.  Since my guys are little, their blanket is pretty small. 

I cut my two fabrics (front and back) in a 35 inch square, which after seam allowances the weighted area ended up to be a 30 inch square. 

Then I sewed it together inside out on three sides, like a pillow case. 

 Turn it right side out

After turning it right side out, I sewed an inch border around the three sides sewn together just to give it a little something.  (you can see the border in the picture above in the lower left hand corner).

Next, I sewed vertical tubes using a special foot on my machine that helps sew straight accurately spaced lines or you can draw the lines on to follow.  My tubes were 2 inch but you could go all the way to 5 inch tubes.  (the vertical tubes are on right hand side of the picture)

For weights you can use anything: popcorn, rice, beans, etc.  I heard mold can grow in blankets made with "organic" weighting material and I wanted the ability to machine wash the blanket so I decided to use plastic "polly-pellets" for weight (see picture below)

Using a food scale I measured out the amount of polly-pellets for the weight I needed for each square; it happened to be exactly 3 teaspoons per 2 inch square. Using a funnel we poured 3 teaspoons into each channel.   To determine weight:  the total weight should be 10% of the persons body + 1 lb.  Divide the weight of the blanket by the number of squares to get the weight for each square.

After pouring enough polly-pellets for one row of squares in each vertical tube I would then sew horizontally to seal it.  For my blanket I did this process 15 times.

After filling and sewing all 15 of the horizontal rows I top stitched the open end and boom......

We have a 4.5 lb weighted blanket.   

As I neared the 2 lb mark of the blanket it did get rather cumbersome for the machine to sew but we made it through.  When looking into making it, I read a couple places to prepare myself to break a lot of needles.  I am proud to say we didn't break one needle and we didn't end up with polly-pellets all over the floor!  

And of course what blog post is complete with out a picture of this kid!! Oh my goodness the cuteness.

Model Trains at the Oceano Depot

The twins got their first serious look at model trains today at the Oceano Depot where the San Luis Obispo Model Railroad Association was putting on a weekend show. And just to top things off, we followed up with lunch at the Station Grill and were rewarded for our efforts by a northbound Surfliner stopping at Grover Beach.

All the photos: http://jf2.com/130126/

Prepping for the Raingutter Regatta

Following a Taco Bar extravaganza, the two middle kids got a head start on building and painting their boats for the February 22nd Children's Center Raingutter Regatta.

All the photos are here: http://worshipweekly.com/130125.html

Our School - It's the little things

I love our school.

Coastal Christian School

My kids love their school.  They talk about their teachers and class mates and how they look forward to staying there through high school.

It's little things.

Like the fact I don't have to get out of the car when picking up the big kids.  You just pull up to the cross walk and the teachers send out your kids.  It's amazing.  Sleeping babies love it.

That each teacher knows each student, not just the ones in their class.

They go on lots of field trips.  They get out of the classroom.

They take the extra time to help my child who needs a little extra patients, a little extra teaching, and a little extra time.

The fact that after the recent shooting our kindergarten teacher sent home a note telling us parents how much she cares and loves for each of our children and would protect them like her own.  How she took the whole class into the bathroom to make sure they would all fit.  When they did she called one of the dads whom is a contractor and the next day had him install inside locks up high on both the door to the class and the bathroom.


I love our school.

It's the big things too.

They hold high academic standards

God is present in all they do.

They bow their heads before school, during school and at the end of the day.

They celebrate our saviors birth.

I love our school

Confessions from Sick Bay

We are now 7 days into the invasion of the flu/influenza/really bad cold/RSV.

The only unaffected by this rampage of sickness is..

Me 

Which means I have been playing care take to:

1 semi-sick great-grandpa

1 sick husband

2 sick grandparents

3 sick kids

(so I guess in truth the 3 older kids haven't been infected)

Oh and on little to no sleep.

At this point I am hoping to go down with the flu just so I have a reason to take a nap and get a full night sleep.

Although I know if I do come down with the flu I really wont get to take a nap or get a full night sleep, I will just continue to have to care for children while being sick...so I really hope I don't go down.

Yesterday I thought the babies were on the mend but then Jonathan spike a fever mid-afternoon.

David decided to spike a 102 fever in the middle of the night and was hacking up a lung.  

So off to doc this morning for the second time in 5 days. Yes, yes they do have RSV.  

The good news they are handling it well...if you mean well as in up all night crying and wanting to be held all day.

In the grand scheme of things that is well.  

Oh but this mama is tired and she had lots of fun play dates she wanted to attend.  Boo.

Jonathan cuddling up with his fever and mommy.