Book Recommendation

The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
i LOVE these books! Brent, Indiana and I have all had a blast going through the adventures of Percy Jackson. He is a great hero for young boys to identify with and realize they also possess that same power for good. This book is my favorite of the series so far. I had the COOLEST dreams whilst reading this...lost in the labryinth...serching...SO MUCH FUN!

They are also a great way to get kids feet wet with mythology. It is so much fun that Indy just wants to learn all of the stories and characters. HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend for ANYONE!

THe authors website is also a lot of fun! Cheers!


View all my reviews.

Disney World Part II

Animal Kingdom was our next stop and we had a GREAT time-although some of our party was soaked for most of the day! The new EXPEDITION EVEREST is FANTASTIC! I have to hand it to Indiana-he rode EVERY crazy ride with me-he would hold me hand, and somehow, find the courage to take on the ride. We got a bunch of parent passes for that ride, but none of the grandparents wanted to ride, so we went twice in a row. I don't recommend that! Presley was actually tall enough to ride Rattlesnake Rapids and was SO happy to FINALLY be TALL ENOUGH TO RIDE WITH THE BIG KIDS! Grandma PEAD took on the FURY of the Rapids and ended up with nary a dry spot on HER! WE enjoy the Lion King show and LOTS of characters. WE also had the kids visit each land and learn how to be a better part of Planet Earth. (I love that Disney always has educational opportunities for kids.)
For the last two days, we visited our favorite parks again. The weather was FREEZING! But, McKenzie discovered KIM POSSIBLE in Epcot and THAT was the funnest part of the trip. The kids got a secret cell phone and each land had clues and adventures that revealed themselves when the kids found the spot and touched the phone; clocks opened, gardens appeared, skeletons danced, photos were taken. IT WAS SO AMAZING! They ran around all day, which was great because it was SO COLD! That night, I took Kenz and Indy to the American Experience. IT was so inspiring to me and I wanted them to see it.






The last day we were back together in the Magic Kingdom. We had SUCH a great time. It really could NOT have been better. Now I just look at my pictures and sigh--could we make it back there again? ANd I look at our couches of the damned and smile and say, "childhood only comes once. WE'll have to wait on you for a while more!"

WALTDIsneyWORLD!! Part One

It's been a month since we returned and I am STILL missing it...my spiritual, familial mecca- Walt Disney World.
It all began as a surprise for our kids. We kept telling them that Brent had a business trip and would take ONE companion. The companion would be whoever was best behaved. That night, we broke it to the kids that I was his companion. Their sorrow was GREAT! However, little did they know that I had been packing them for the last week! (Unfortunately, I did NOT pack well for the 40 degree weather we experienced the last two days! alas!)
SO the next morning, we woke them and said they could drive us to the airport. Then as we arrived at the airport and we getting out, I handed each of them an envelope that said, "Congratulations! You are going to..." and on the inside were maps of the parks. Presley's was simplified. Hers said, "U R 2 C..." and I had a Mickey Mouse sticker inside.
When they opened the envelopes up, they were TRULY speechless! (I'm not sure I have EVER seen McKenzie that way!) They asked "when?" I responded, "RIGHT NOW BABY!"
Once again, speechless. Then Kenz panicked, "I DON"T HAVE ANY CLOTHES!" I explained that I had already packed them last week!
At that point, Indiana looked up and said, "I'm so happy I feel like crying." YES, son...I know the feeling!

SO we all got on the plane. It is the first plane ride for all of them, so that was an adventure in itself. The kids loved sitting at the window. I was trying to stay awake--yes we had a six thirty flight! Indy screamed bloody murder on our first descent. YIKES! I bought plenty of gum after that!
When we arrived, we were taken to our hotel, and then we caught a boat to Downtown Disney and enjoyed dinner.
NOw a word about the Disney Dining Plan--it is the BEST invention for a Disney Vacation YET! IT was SO easy, quick and painless, and probably saved us close to $1000 dollars. Seriously, WE ARE FANS!

THe next day, we hit the Magic Kingdom first thing. It was SO fun to see Presley meet the characters for the first time as a coherent child. Indy was a good sport and had a great time hanging out with other boys. McKenzie decided to spread her wings and be independent. I decided that I was the one who had to let go and let her try that. We all got the Royal Treatment because we were wearing our HAPPY ANNIVERSARY buttons. Brent, SOMEHOW, got us reservations at Cinderella's Castle. IT was SO much fun to get everyone in there and enjoy all of the festivities there! However, the real highlight of the day was in line for the Jungle Cruise. Brent and Dustin (one of my brothers) always walk ahead of everyone and talk. So in line, they were way ahead of us with about four kids and a patron congratulated Brent on Dustin on their anniversary and for having a great unorthodox family. AHHHHHHH. We were just figuring out who would be the girl!



Day Two consisted of Hollywood studios fare. Toy Story Mania was INSANE, so we were racing there for fast passes and that line. The Indiana Jones stunt spectacular was something we have looked forward to with Indy for a long time and we weren't disappointed! We enjoyed some great shows, great rides and a fun dinner at the 50's Prime Time Cafe. Yes, the spinach tasted like I remember. The dining is JUST like walking into the 50's and the servers yell at you for elbows on the tables, not finishing all of your food (TWO MORE BITES!), and even made the choo-choo train put food in my dads mouth. The highlight of the day, was taking a tired Presley to MUPPETS 3-D. It is my favorite. I LOVED sharing that with her for the first time.


Day Three was Epcot. I LOVE THAT PLACE!!! The Land is always my favorite ride. And of course, the lake with all of the different countries was a dream! WE had lunch in Norway with the MOST delicious school/coconut rolls. MMMMMMMMMMMM! The kids made masks and collected tokens at each country. We also found a bunch of princesses and Presley was in LOVE! WE ended up with Dinner in Japan at TeppanEdo. Indy LOVED the flaming food which was REALLY very delicious-even with a sleeping baby on me.

Back in the Saddle Again!

Well my dear ones, my new IMAC arrived and is a beauty to behold. This also means that my blog will be resurrected-fitting seeing the season of the year we are in, and you will now, once again, see what it is like "Bein' Green." Cheers!

Oh What is it is to Sled and ride!

OK. ok. So my computer is on its LAST leg, but I am waiting patiently for the macworld conf this month to release some new trinkets before I buy my new imac (aka baby) So THAT is why my posts are too far in between...it takes freaking forever.
BUT, this break, we went sledding with almost ALL of my family. We haven't done that since kids entered the scene. We had SO much fun! It was worth any pains it took to get there. Here are a few photos of our romp! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Value of Work

In trying to give our children a new appreciation for work, and what it takes to have a house run, we have tried to get the kids to do dishes.
So the other night, as Indy was hard at work, I heard the most awful grating sound. Brent and I looked over to ask him what he was using to clean the lovely, NON STICK, pan with? He replied, "a rock. It will scrape off all of the hard stuff."
Yes, my son, along with any finish that was ever put on the product! Lovely, just lovely!
Oh, and did I add, Dishes must now be done with the shirt off. Funny KID!

VIVA LA VIDA!

November 22nd happened to be a GREAT day for the Green Family--we were able to see our beloved COLDPLAY live in concert! Needless to say, they didn't disappoint!
The lights went out, and the BLUE DANUBE WALTZ started to blast. How cool is that?! They opened with Life in Techicolor and then went right into VIOLET HILL. (That song is McKenzie's Favorite! SOOOOOO many great songs with a few new twists.

I think I would have to say that my favorite number was THE HARDEST PART. Chris came out stage right-right on our side, with a baby grand and did the song solo. On the chorus, the drummer-clear back on the stage-would light up as he sang harmony and then, once again, disappear into the blackness. That song was SO beautiful and full of soul.

THEN, they ran off stage and ended up running into the crowd- TURNS OUT RIGHT IN FRONT OF ONE OF OUR TICKET GROUPS OF FOUR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, my brother in law was an ARMS length from the entire band! MY sister and I-who were on the opposite side of the venue, looked at each other like----WHAT THE (#*^%! I COULD have been us! But now, as my fever subsides, and reason sets in I realize that it probably was a good thing. That bouncer would NOT have been able to hold us off as they sang an acoustic THE SCIENTIST-one of my favorites.

After that was the crowd busting VIVA LA VIDA! I wish I could have recorded it for Indy. HE LOVES THAT SONG! Everyone was singing and feeling it. One of the final numbers was MY favorite from the new album- LOVERS IN JAPAN. During the chorus, thousands of colored paper butterflies flew down from the ceiling, for the perfect culmination of sound and senses. Afterward, I had people scrounge some up for me. When my kids accidentally ripped some the next day, I strongly advised them to be VERY CAREFUL. When asked why, I responded, "THESE ARE MY HAPPY THOUGHTS!" And yes, they have found a place on my wall. Each time I look at them, I smile.

You can consult my sister's blog for a complete set list and other amazing insights about the concert. http://web.me.com/thelampshade/RadRoberts/The_Mother_Blog/Entries/2008/11/24_c_o_l_d_p_l_a_y.html

IT WAS PHENOMENAL. There aren't many bands I would pay anything to see in concert, but this is one of two. It was worth every EURO! I could have listened to them for hours! YOU ROCK COLDPLAY! Please keep coming back! WE LOVE YOU!
If you have the means of seeing them, JUST DO IT!
"I could feel it go down. You left the sweetest taste in my mouth."
This last photo is for the CHRIS MARTIN I MIGHT HAVE TOUCHED fro two feet away!!!