Happy New year 2012!

Thought this is perfect since our blog is Life's A Beach! We are wishing all of you a Happy and Prosperous New year for the 2012 year. Time to set new resolutions and work on things that we did not accomplish for the previous year. Time to reflect on all our new friends this year and the ones we have had for a while. Thanks for being our friend on this blog!

Tanimoto Family Christmas Card

 This is a gift I made...

We are havin such a wonderful, but busy time of year. I am trying my hardest to get my Christmas tree put up with lights on it and I have been driving to LA for auditions in my free time so that gets placed on the back burner. I had an idea in mind with our family card this year and my dear friend Michelle created it for me and put it together what a dear! I simply love it. Also the silver "Twinkle Toes" I made for grandparents gifts this year. I love things that sparkle and came up with this idea all by myself. Hope everyone is getting into the holiday spirit!

BRRrrrrrrr....

We decide to treat Justin to a day just for himself. He made us both so proud by getting Student of the Month for November. This is a hugh accomplishment for Justin. Me and the principal used to be best friends since I met with her so often. Now we hardly speak anymore, which is a great thing...

Anyways we took Justin to Victoria Gardens and bought him a toy that he had picked out. We were so cold and we saw this neat fire place we decided to go and hang out there. it was nice to be warm. We then went into the Apple store and my hubby and son were in HEAVEN...playing with the ipads like they were kids in a candy shop. I decided to leave them and go and shop on my own for a little bit. Upon my return they were in the same exact spot where I left them.. Finally we treated to a yummy lunch at Cheesecake Factory where he even got a piece of cake to take home. What a wonderful day for a wonderful kid...Keep up the good work!

M.I.C.K.E.Y MOUSE

As you can see Brandon loves his Mickey Mouse that we got him for his birthday. He tries to carry him all over the house. This Mickey is bigger than he is, but that does not stop MR. B

Brandon turns 2

Me and Hippo

                    Me at Bates Nut Farm Pumpkin Patch               

Just Chillin by My Pumpkin

Me as Mickey Mouse

My mommy's favorite photo!

This has been quite a year for Brandon,who just turned two years old today. He keeps himself busy with auditions and playing. His favorite songs right now are the Wheels on the Bus and Happy Birthday! Daddy bought him a giant Mickey Mouse taller than him and he carries it eerywhere. He loves Mickey Mouse. This kid is full of beans and it is never a dull moment at our house. He talks so much now and loves to sing and dance. He is geting his own personality which is wonderful. He loves his big brother ,Justin and they act like wild animals when they play!

Brandon's ZED Cards

I finally did it! I made my son's zed cards for the agent using Photoshop. That is a tough program, but I am getting more comfortable with it. I would love love to take a class and learn a few tricks or so.

Featured Friend Emily Patterson-How to Raise an Early Reader

How to Raise a Reader

Submitted on behalf of Primrose Schools: early childhood education and child care services by Emily Patterson (@epatt1062)


People who want their children to enjoy reading and experience success in school should begin early to enjoy books together with them. It has long been borne out by research studies that children who are read to on a regular basis have a great advantage in acquiring academic skills. Even reading to a child before birth helps to develop the parent-child bond and the enjoyment of language. Establishing the habit as early as possible will help ensure that, as your child grows, you will take the time to enjoy books together.






The key word is "enjoy." Young infants will respond to the cadence and tone of a parent's voice long before they can understand the words being spoken to them. The experience of being cuddled and read to will start them on the road to acquiring language and learning that books communicate stories and that stories are endlessly entertaining.






When looking at books with very young children, begin by talking about the pictures. Also try some books with simple rhymes that help you develop a natural spoken rhythm to keep the child's attention. Choose books you yourself enjoy so that you can sink into the experience with the child. An animated reading with lots of changes in tone and cadence will help little ones listen and join in. Also, since young children love repetition, you will find yourself reading the same book many times. Choose one that you will want to share again and again.






To foster an early love for and understanding of literature, parents can follow these tips:






• Keep a variety of books on several topics at the child's age and ability level


• Set aside a time each day for enjoying books with children, beginning when they are infants


• Remember, it is never too early to start reading together


• Find ways for the child to participate in the story, such as providing sounds at the appropriate time or counting objects in pictures


• Allow children to help choose books to enjoy together


• Keep favorite books in the car to amuse children on long trips or in waiting rooms


• Get a list of books from the teacher to reinforce what is being learned in the classroom


• Make the library or book store a regular destination for yourself and your child


• Once a child has heard a favorite story time and again, let her "read" it to you when she is ready. She will turn the pages and usually re-tell the story


• Listen to what your child has to say about the book. He may make up an entirely different story, which is a major step in understanding literature.


• Always demonstrate a joy in reading and looking at books with your child






Enjoying language together with their parents helps children to develop their ability to communicate and learn about the world around them. Both talking and singing enable them to expand vocabulary and other language skills, which is one of the major tasks they will master as they grow up. Exploring the world of books with a supportive and engaged parent is an essential step in a child's cognitive development.






Not everyone can be a stage actress or direct a movie, but most parents have the innate ability to enjoy pictures, words and books with their children. Helping a child grow in understanding and love of books is one of the great joys of parenting. The earlier you start, the more fun and natural the journey will be. So get some favorite books and get started reading to your child. You'll be glad you did.

Featured Friend- Shannon Hartz

I wanted to start featuring some of my personal friends that inspire me. I wanted to start first by introducing you to an amaing friend of mine:

Shannon Hartz

Shannon and her husband Robert (Bobby) as I know him have been married for 10 years going on 11 this December 30th. They have gone through so much with each other and their love continues to grow each year.

They have 4 beautiful children Brock, Dane, Briley and Caed, that keep this family very busy to say the least.

About two years ago Shannon and her husband opened a Crossfit gym in Chino Hills, with their partner BJ. This is a wonderful family oriented gym where they both put a lot of time and effort in to working out and staying healthy.

Be sure to check out their website at .

http://www.chinohillscrossfit.com/

Shannon takes great pride in herself, as you can see in the photos, she is at the gym or busy chasing her children and eating an impecable diet that keeps her in great shape.

I asked Shan which is her most favorite workout and her least and here is what she had to say.

"My favorite is the GHD sit-up machine. It's this crazy machine that you get your legs into then you do like a back bend then sit up. It's a great workout for abs - which are my favorite to workout. I have to say I do like doing legs though too, and weighted lunges are one of my favorite leg/butt workouts.
" My least favorite is double undrers (jump roping where the rope goes around twice for each jump). It it an awesome cardio wokrout and great for the calves, but after having 4 kids - it often makes me pee my pants - just gonna be totally honest with this one." If you have done these as a mom you know what she is talking about. 

   I asked Shannon to say a few diet tips with us all

She says "I heard a saying once that I TOTALLY agree with" -

"you can never out train your diet"

It is so so so true. Diet is super important. I try to look at food as fuel. I tend to eat a pretty much zone diet. I try to stick to low fat, low carb high protein meals, and I eat 5 - 6 small meals a day. Fries, chips, cookies... - they have NO nutritional value - they are just going to pad your body. If you want to look lean and have definition then you need to eat lean and workout hard.

When Shannon finds time to spare she loves to spend time with her family, by going to the beach or taking the kids to the movies, or playing at the park and watching them grow up.

Well I just wanted to add that Shannon is truly an amzing women with such a love for life and she is definitly enjoying it to the fullest. Check out her blog:

http://www.thehartzherd.blogspot.com/

Happy 14 Year Anniversary

I seems like just yesterday we were falling in love. Now time has passed us by and we are old married people. 14 years to be exact. I loved every minute of our wedding and had all our friends and family there to support us in the next step in our lives. WE love you all and will always treasure those memories.

Trick or Treat Banner

Here is a cute Halloween banner that I made. It is a printable from Frogprince Paperie luv it!

It is so easy and so cute email me or comment if you would like me to send you the printable..

Wen Hair Care System-My personal review

 The Wen Hair Care System

I have heard so much about how fabulous this product was, and normally I do not give in to everyone is doing it so you have to: BUT_ in this case I did give in and bought it.

What I can say is WOW! I love it Best thing I ever bought for my hair!

If you are like most women your hair is very important to you.

You can wash your hair daily and what it does is hydrate your hair not dry or strip the color.

This is a must for all women to try and see for themselves. My hair is more managable and shinier than ever.

LOVE IT LOVE IT!

I wnat to hear from all you out there that have tried and what your experience was with it. Please post in the comment section. I would love to hear form you

Brandon 22 months

Peek A Boo!

My Favorite

I can not believe he is almost 2 years old. Wow It has flown by drastically. I remeber when he was just learning to roll over, then to stand up and eventually crawl then walk. Now he is running, climbing, jumping and getting into everything. Such a fun age but trying at the same time. Brandon is very determined and loves to eat! With the help of my neighbors playing with him I was finally able to get some good shots. It is quite difficult when one will not sit still or look directly at the camera.

Sunset Beach

     Life guard Justin

Ipod baby

Father and Son

We went to the beach for a couple of days to get away and relax.You can only really relax so much with a little one...We stayed in a hotel right on the beach which was great because I could take Brandon for his naptime with out having everyone lose their beach time. We went for a lot of walks,rode our bikes and went to eat. We headed over to Newport to go to Fashion Island and ate at the Cheesecake Factory my favorite!!! It overlooks the ocean and I love the athmosphere makes me feel rich....back to reality my husband says but a girl can dream....

Bikes on the Beach

Daryl

Here we are ready to ride our bikes at the beach. We rode our bikes and Justin rode his new scooter. not really fair that we had all the hard work and he just rode around without even getting tired. the joys of being a kid these days..The beach has so many pedestrians you have to be careful not to run anyone over at least on purpose that is...