Showing posts with label Grandparents. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Grandparents. Show all posts

Sunday, May 22, 2016

Family Sunday

It is not often that Oma and Opa get to enjoy the entire family together.  We cherish our family time greatly.  This Sunday was very special.  We started our time together with breakfast at out family favorite, Home Sweet Home. They were so nice to fix up a special table for us to spread out in.

Auntie gets to feed Coast Oak.

Not sure what Reef Indy was explaining,
but Dad and Uncle Mo are very interested. 

Then after relaxing together at the homestead, we all drove south to downtown San Diego to meet Grandma and Grandpa at the Tilted Kilt for lunch.


We loved the food and drink at the Tilted Kilt.
Our waitress was super nice and efficient also.

Smile Auntie Sitara and Uncle Moses

Then we were off to the ball game at Petco Park. The Padres and Dodgers remain tied in the 17th inning after over 5 hours of playing. Unfortunately, the Dodgers then broke away with a four run inning and the Padres did not answer back with any runs. What a fun and interesting game.

Beautiful Petco Park - Downtown San Diego, California.

Reefie has his glove ready to catch that foul ball.

Home-plate umpire, David Rackley finally gets up after
being struck in the groin by a foul ball in the fifth inning!

Opa grabbing some time with Coast.

Sitara and Moses enjoying the action;
Not quite sure what Grandpa is doing.

Reef listens intently as Grandma explains the game of Baseball

The adults received a Reusable Padre Shirt Bag,
but more importantly, the kids got a plastic bat and ball

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Oma and Opa Babysit

Mom and Dad Have Date Night at Dodger Stadium - Hockey and Kiss Concert

Oma and Opa get to spend time with Reef Indy




Nice sunny day to play outside
Nice sunny day to play outside

Reef Indy plays while Oma and Opa eat dinner
Reef Indy plays while Oma and Opa eat dinner

Reef Indy and Opa picks some fruit for tonight's dessert
Reef Indy and Opa picks some fruit for tonight's dessert

Big day for a big boy; all tuckered out
Big day for a big boy; all tuckered out

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Every Time A Child Is Born,
A Grandparent Is Born Too


Grandparenting.org is an interactive website is devoted to fostering grandparent education, networking, research, and programs.

Grandparenting.org is an interactive website is devoted to fostering grandparent education, networking, research, and programs. The site is structurally comprised of four main sections that deal with diverse and specialized aspects of grandparenting:

  1. Questions
  2. Discussion
  3. Activities
  4. Resources

The Sections:


Ask Dr. Kornhaber

Interactive Q & A section where you can ask Dr. Kornhaber a question.

News and Discussion

Latest news and information from individual, public and academic resources involving grandparenting issues.

Ideas and Activities

Ideas and suggestions for projects and programs that grandparents can do with their families and communities.

Resources

Broad section that containing educational articles relating to broad aspects of grandparenting as well as listing and describing collegial organizations in the field. It is also a forum for all family members to contribute their ideas and thoughts for all to ponder. 


This is a great resource for new Omas and Opas and was recognized as the best grandparent website of 2013 by GRAND Magazine.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

A special message for
One Direction

Update - Lets make this happen!



A business friend, Rich asked me for help this morning:
"There is a girl in our town, 15 years old, that was diagnosed with cancer a few years back along with a boy that unfortunately passed away last year. They were in the same grade. Her cancer was gone, but unfortunately she has relapsed. She now needs a bone marrow transplant. While I know it is a long shot, she is hoping to be able to meet One Direction at her Philadelphia Hospital before she needs her bone marrow transplant. She made a video and I was hoping you could share it anywhere you can!”

 

Rich has affirmed that this is “100% on the up and up.”

So here is what Oma is asking.
  1. First please simply watch the video and leave a supportive comment if possible.
  2. Secondly, please share with your friends, family, co-workers etc.
It would be wonderful if we could band together and have this video go viral for this deserving child! This video only has 2,382 views and 81 thumbs up at the moment. Let’s get more for Brittany Santana!

Please help – it will only take a second yet mean so much.

One Direction – Boys are you paying attention?
One Direction – Boys are you paying attention?

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Oma and Opa’s Venetian
Las Vegas Adventure

Last month, Opa and Oma were lucky enough to attend a business “meeting” in Las Vegas! We were excited to learn that our group would be staying at the prestigious Venetian Hotel.

Oma and Opa’s View from their Venetian Las Vegas Suite.
Oma and Opa’s View from their Venetian Las Vegas Suite.

“The Venetian sets the standard for luxury in Las Vegas throughout this legendary all-suite Las Vegas resort, with careful attention paid to every detail of our lavish suites. With suites up to 1500 square feet, featuring a sunken living room, marble bathroom, two LCD flat-screen TVs, and so much more. Experience the comforts of this elegant home away from home and you may never want to leave your room; though, there’s plenty at our award-winning Las Vegas resort to entice you out to shop, dine, and play.” From the Venetian website

While the hotel lived up to its claim – their room was very luxurious – we did encounter negative issues during our stay.

1 – When Oma and Opa arrived at the Venetian, we informed the valet that we were going to put our bags in our room and then immediately leave to pick up our son (Uncle Moses) from the airport. We asked them not to park the car. However, when we return our car was gone and we had to wait for them to retrieve it. Oma was disappointed that such a simple request had been acknowledged yet ignored.

2 – At check-in, Oma and Opa presented a credit card for incidentals. We were asked if we wanted the credit line to stay open so that we could charge purchases to our room. We did so and there were no issues during the first day. However, during our second day, my husband attempted to pay for a bag of M&Ms. We were told that our credit was not allowed. I mentioned that we were able to charge entire meals to the room just the day before; the cart attendant responded, “well your credit is not good today.” It was very embarrassing.

Oma telephoned the front desk. First they tried to convince Oma that we did not give them a credit card at check-in. When I informed them that not only did I do so, I had been charging meals and such for over 24 hours; they changed their theme. Subsequently they claimed that my credit card company had denied my credit. That was also not correct. Bottom line is that I had to return to the lobby, stand in a huge check-in line again, and re-present my credit card. Guess what – the credit card when through no problem – it would have been edifying if they would just have let me know why they need me to redo the credit card.

3 – On the second day, Oma and Opa left the room to have breakfast around 8:00 am. We spoke to the housekeeping supervisor, who was checking on rooms in the hallway. We asked that the room be serviced ASAP. She agreed to the request.

Unfortunately, when Oma and Opa returned to the room at 2:00 pm; the room was as we left it. Oma telephoned the front desk. The front desk lady said she was sorry but I should have spoken to them not housekeeping. The front desk lady stated that she would send a housekeeping supervisor to the room to speak with us. We received a telephone call from housekeeping. I asked the caller if she was a supervisor and she responded in the negative. I explained our issue. The lady said that she was sorry but that I need to call the front desk!

This runaround was definitely unsatisfactory. I expected much more from a “high dollar” hotel such as the Venetian.


4 – Oma needed to print out some show tickets; so I found the fact that we had a printer in the room very convenient. However, when the printer was turned on the “out of ink” warning illuminated. Oma telephoned the front desk again. After a half an hour a technician arrived. He looked at the printer and agreed that it was out of ink. Unfortunately, they no longer stocked that type of ink. They would have to install an entire new printer. The nice man did so – however, it would have been much less hassle if I had just run to the business center and printed the tickets there.

5 – Oma would have loved a way to make hot water in the room. A cup of tea before showering in the morning is highly desirable. Since there was not one in the room, Oma requested a coffee maker, but was told the Venetian did not have any.

6 - Also it was very irritating to have a refrigerator in the room but not the ability to use it. It was stocked with food and drink items that were placed on a pressure pad. If you pick the items up and/or move them; you are charged for the product. However the most exasperating nuisance was the tray of snacks placed in front of the flat screen TV. It obscured part of the screen. I telephoned the front desk and ask that they remove the food and beverages in the room since we would not be purchasing any. They informed me that it would cost $50 to do so! Sorry but that is ridiculous!

The Venetian Casino was tight with skimpy “Jackpots.”
The Venetian Casino was tight.
Oma found the slot games in the Venetian were very tight. Not very many "jackpots or bonuses." when we did get a "bonus" it paid very little. One "bonus" paid me .56 on a .90 bet - not much of a bonus. It was really difficult for Oma to get a drink while gambling. Interestingly, I received great beverage service when the casino was packed - not so good service when the casino was quiet.

If anyone from the Venetian is reading this, “Please ask your attendants not to clean slot games that people are playing. As a person allergic to dust - this makes me take my money and run!”


Oma and Opa used our Grazie card the three days we were there. Unfortunately, when we left, at 8 am - the Grazie desk was closed so we could not redeem any points.

Oma And Opa’s Dining Experiences

Café Presse - Shoppes at The Palazzo

This bistro is open nice and early (6 am); perfect for Oma’s cup of tea (since there is no way to make hot water in the room). They also have awesome Apple Fritters. However, stay away from the smoothies -very yucky.

Oma’s Grand Lux Café Smoked Salmon Platter
Grand Lux Café Smoked Salmon Platter

Grand Lux Café - Venetian Casino Level

This has to be the Venetian’s best keep secret. Wonderful atmosphere; yummy food and great service at a good price. My vegetarian husband had his special order breakfast cooked just as he ordered it. Oma’s “Smoked Salmon Platter With Tomato, Onion, Cream Cheese And A Toasted Bagel” was perfect in both presentation and palate.

Oma and Opa enjoyed Grimaldi's Pizzeria.
Oma and Opa enjoyed Grimaldi's Pizzeria

 

Grimaldi's

Grimaldi's Pizzeria serves award-winning, hand-tossed, coal-fired brick oven pizzas, house made salads and desserts. With Frank Sinatra crooning in the background, Grimaldi’s was a nice setting for the company gathering. The food was good - the service fast and friendly.

 

Noodle Asia

The menu features large portions of noodle dishes, vegetarian specialties, rice and congee dishes and soups. This establishment was the perfect place for our party to eat before going to our show. The food was good and the service passable. Oma’s order did not arrive with the rest of the food. In fact, I had to get up and ask for it.

Opa relaxing in the Venetian Las Vegas Suite.
Opa relaxing in the Venetian Las Vegas Suite.

Reading over my review, a summary emerges that Oma and Opa enjoyed the cuisine at the Venetian Las Vegas, but not much else. That is not the case. The Venetian Hotel does offer nice, clean and comfortable suites. The hotel offered many beautiful shops and the Canyon Ranch SpaClub was the perfect place to relax, renew, and re-energize.  Our view was also very enjoyable.

Oma and Opa had a wonderful Las Vegas adventure with friends, family, and co-workers. However, Oma anticipated a higher quality of customer service and was therefore a tad disappointed in the Venetian. 

If you have stayed at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, please left me a comment to let me know how you liked it!

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Greatest Naps, Jammy Jams Vol 2
Review & Giveaway

Winner:   Donna K. 


Oma Loves U! - Jammy Jams Review & Giveaway

Oma received a digital download of this new Volume by Jammy Jams.  This collection of tunes, Volume 2, includes:

  1. Get Lucky (originally by Daft Punk)
  2. Wrecking Ball (originally by Miley Cyrus)
  3. Send Me An Angel (originally by Real Life)
  4. Groove is In The Heart (originally by Deee-Lite)
  5. Ready Or Not (originally by Fugees)
  6. Champagne Supernova (originally by Oasis)
  7. We Are Young (originally by Fun.)
  8. Hysteria (originally by Def Leppard)
  9. Drunken Lullabies (originally by Flogging Molly)
  10. I Will Always Love You (Whitney Houston)

Product Description

Whether you are a classic hip-hop or alternative music fan or a connoisseur of rock, hair bands, or pop music, you and baby will enjoy this collection of lullaby renditions from a variety of musicians such as Daft Punk, Miley Cyrus, Fugees, Oasis, and Def Leppard. Expose your little one to multiple genres of music while effortlessly drifting off into dreamland.

About Jammy Jams:

Jammy Jams is a fun, modern twist on lullabies for parents who strive to create memories with their little ones while teaching them a thing or two about their own style. Soothing sounds of vibraphone, marimba, xylophone, piano, blocks and more performed and arranged by Tim Phillips and Jeff Bradford. Jammy Jams features lullaby renditions of songs originally by everyone from Jay-Z to Whitesnake, Eminem to David Bowie, Lady Gaga to The Beastie Boys!


You Can Follow Jammy Jams At These Social Networks:








Oma's Review:

To be honest, when Oma first listened to the songs, she wasn’t too impressed. However, after re-evaluating the goal of the album – I have to admit that the tunes left me feeling very relaxed and peaceful.

As a person who usually conducts her writing assignments with the television on as background noise - Greatest Naps, Jammy Jams Vol 2 has proven to be a creative substitute.

Oma cannot wait to introduce this music to Reef Indy!  This Oma (Grandmother) is interested in observing how the calming compositions affect her kleinzoon (Grandson).

Giveaway:

“Oma Loves U!” is honored to giveaway a digital download to one lucky reader. This promotion is for a DIGITAL DOWNLOAD of the Jammy Jams album "Greatest Naps, Vol. 2: The Best of Jammy Jams." Contest winner will be e-mailed a download code for the album. (ARV $10.00)

Just enter on the form below. Only the first two entries are mandatory. The other entries are optional. Remember you must be in it to win it!



As a blogger, integrity is one of the most valuable commodities Oma possesses. Therefore, reviews will contain both positive and negative aspects as is appropriate. To put it in a simpler manner, this review is meant to help my readers (editorial) more than to help a brand (advertising).

However, it should be noted that Oma was given a free DIGITAL DOWNLOAD of the Jammy Jams album "Greatest Naps, Vol. 2: The Best of Jammy Jams to listen to and review.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Love K1 Speed


Founded in 2003 in Carlsbad, California, K1 Speed now boost of being the premier karting company in America. Indoor karting has grown into a large industry over the last several years, not only within California, but across the nation. K1 Speed was one of the first companies to bring electric karts and indoor go kart tracks to Southern California, and they have witnessed an explosion in the market.

“The premise behind the creation of K1 Speed was to offer enthusiasts and amateurs alike an authentic and genuine racing experience in a safe, comfortable, accessible and perhaps most importantly, unique environment. Utilizing advanced European electric karts and indoor asphalt tracks, K1 Speed quickly developed a reputation as being fun and exciting, and our growth has been continuous since we first opened our doors. (from their website)”

Since Reef Indy’s cousin, Sofia surpassed the 48” height requirement, Uncle Moses decided it was time for her first trip to K-1 Speed. Sofia had driven a go-kart before; however, this would be the first time she took to the track with fellow racers!

As you can witness from the photos below Ms. Sofia loved her first visit to K1 Speed!


Just like real racing – K1 Speed’s first stop is registration.
Just like real racing – K1 Speed’s first stop is registration.

Six-Year-Old Sofia is proud to show off her K1 Speed’s Driver’s License.
Six-Year-Old Sofia is proud to show off her K1 Speed’s Driver’s License.

Opa and Sofia go over both the K1 Speed race flags and track rules.
Opa and Sofia go over both the K1 Speed race flags and track rules.

Opa and Sofia watch Uncle Moses in his first K1 Speed race of the day.
Opa and Sofia watch Uncle Moses in his first K1 Speed race of the day.

Sofia gears-up in preparation of her first K1 Speed race of the day.
Sofia gears-up in preparation of her first K1 Speed race of the day.

Sofia’s K1 Speed Kart gets foot extender.
Sofia’s K1 Speed Kart gets foot extender.

Uncle Moses and Sofia discuss her race stats as Opa observes.
Uncle Moses and Sofia discuss her race stats as Opa observes.

Sofia’s first spin out did not detour her racing enthusiasm.
Sofia’s first spin out did not detour her racing enthusiasm.

Sofia’s K1 Speed race experience helped her become more race ready.
Sofia’s K1 Speed race experience helped her become more race ready.

The end of a perfect K1 Speed experience!
The end of a perfect K1 Speed experience!
Sofia expressed an interest in K1 Speed's Junior league.   The Junior League is designed for children who are 4′ to 4’9″ in height. The five-month series is affordable, safe and accessible, and is intended to serve as an introduction to racing.


As a blogger, integrity is one of the most valuable commodities NASCAR Race Mom possesses. Therefore, reviews will contain both positive and negative aspects as is appropriate. To put it in a simpler manner, this review is meant to help my readers (editorial) more than to help a brand (advertising).

This review was done without compensation.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Reef Meets Aunties and Uncle

The Importance of Aunts and Uncles.


It's not easy being a kid in today's world. As youngsters grow up, they may be unwilling to turn to their parents as they navigate the minefield of adolescence, especially if they think Mom or Dad will react angrily if they reveal something upsetting. Aunts and Uncles can be adults who can bring stability, a new set of life experience and an abundance of love to a child's life. 

Luckily, Reef Indy has a big family filled with Aunts and Uncles who will nurture and spoil him!

Reef Indy meets Uncle Moses for the first time.
Reef Indy meets Uncle Moses for the first time.
Auntie Sitara and Reef Indy
Auntie Sitara and Reef Indy
Reef Indy with Auntie Sierra
Reef Indy with Auntie Sierra
Uncle Moses calms Baby Reef down before dinner.
Uncle Moses calms Baby Reef down before dinner.
Amanda cooked a delicious vegetarian meal for the family to enjoy.

Monday, November 25, 2013

Add Santa Claus or Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer To Your Christmas Photo for FREE!


As a new Oma, I am always looking for fun things for my grandbaby. What could be more amusing than creating a Christmas memory for the tike by putting Santa in his Christmas photo!

Free - Create your own icaughtsanta.com personalized Santa photo.
Free - Create your own icaughtsanta.com personalized Santa photo.

What is even better is that, now, for a limited time (until December 10th) and thanks to icaughtsanta.com, you can add Santa Claus or Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer to your family Christmas Photo for FREE!

Here’s the story of how icaughtsanta.com came to be in the words of the websites creator:

Six years ago I wanted to surprise my kids with a picture of Santa Claus caught in the act in our living room, so I created iCaughtSanta.com. Since then tens of thousands of visitors all over the world have used our web site to 'Catch Santa'. For this, we want to say "Thank You". And to celebrate our 5th year anniversary we'd like to invite you to catch Santa for FREE through December 10th. Plus, we're giving away an iPad Air and gift cards from Amazon, Visa, and Starbucks. Anyone can help spread the word and enter to win prizes valued at over $1,500. Thank you for sharing.

Using icaughtsanta.com is easy as can be. Click here for the three steps, which are explained in great detail.

Below are two of the photos Oma created today. What do you think – they are priceless right!?!

Reef Indy Worries as Santa eats his Cookie.
Reef Indy Worries as Santa eats his Cookie.
 
The Smith Family finds Santa outside!
The Smith Family finds Santa outside!

Be sure to check out icaughtsanta.com and create your own Christmas Photo Keepsakes. Remember to enter promo code #SantaShare at checkout – your order will be free!

NOTE:

icaughtsanta.com is also conducting a customer appreciation contest. You can win an iPad Air; plus Amazon, Visa or Starbucks Giftcards - Over $1,500 in prizes!


Enter the contest: iCaughtSanta.com 2013 Customer Appreciation Contest by clicking here

Remember the promo code for a FREE iCaughtSanta.com is #SantaShare at checkout but expires December 10, 2013. Use the code as many times as you want until then – because after all who doesn’t like FREE?


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.