Miles Turns 8 Years Old and we Party Like it's 1999!
Miles turned eight on 2/22/23, which was over three weeks ago. Between my busy schedule, often leaving me little time to write, and his...
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Spreadsheetmom
Motherhood Honestly
by Jana Lieblich
- Feb 25
- 4 min
On a day Devoted to Love, I Finally Determine What Love Language I Speak.
Preparing delicious food is not one of the official love languages, but,I have decided that it is definitely my language of love. Words...
- Feb 8
- 7 min
A Remarkable Pioneer and Beloved Friend, Gone way too Soon.
By some people's standards, 90 years old is considered to be a long and full life. But not by my standards, nor do I suspect, by...
- Jan 30
- 2 min
Winter is the Best and Most Underrated Season in Southern California! Here's Why...
Days like yesterday are one of the reasons that Californians put up with all that we do to live here (wildfires, earthquakes, droughts,...
- Jan 2
- 6 min
After a Rough Couple of Months we Enjoy a Much-Deserved Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
It's been four months since I've written a post. It's hard to believe, given there was a time, not so long ago, in 2020, when I wrote...
- Aug 30, 2022
- 5 min
Our First Week Back to School is Tinged with Tragedy, Causing me to Take Stock of my Blessings.
When the kids returned to school last Wednesday, everything seemed run-of-the-mill. The days leading up to the first day of school were...
- Aug 25, 2022
- 3 min
Catherine and Graham's Absolutely Smashing, Jolly Good, 10th Birthday Weekend Celebration.
My babies turned ten last weekend. It's almost impossible to comprehend. Where did the time go, is all I can ask. I remember the hot...
- Aug 19, 2022
- 3 min
We bid a Bittersweet Farewell to Summer and Single Digit Birthdays, in Paradise.
Where is it 75 degrees and breezy 365 days a year? Carlsbad, California (North San Diego Country), that's where! That may be a slight...
- Aug 13, 2022
- 4 min
There is Life (and Summer fun) After an Out-of-This-World European Vacation.
Let's face it, it's a bit hard to top three weeks in Portugal. Coming home from any vacation is always a bit of a let down, but coming...
- Jul 17, 2022
- 2 min
A Poolside Revelation: Teaching my Kids Sign Language!
On Saturday morning we were out at the pool swimming, in the backyard. The kids were in the pool and I was attempting to read my book. ...
- Jul 9, 2022
- 3 min
We bid Portugal a Fond Farewell as our Three-Week Adventure Comes to a Quiet Close.
After three weeks, we began to feel like we lived in Portugal, which was quite nice, I admit. We had become acclimated to so many...
- Jul 8, 2022
- 2 min
Our Last day in Porto. So Very sad to Leave....
Our last day in Porto was a bit sad, but we kept ourselves busy, checking things off on our to-do list that had not yet been checked. ...
- Jul 5, 2022
- 3 min
A Morning of Light Rain and Shopping, Followed by Lots of of Wonderful Family Time!
The day started with a little light rain and shopping. It was lovely to have some summer rain, since this is something that we never...
- Jul 4, 2022
- 3 min
A Day Trip to the Douro River Valley filled with Wine, Food, and More Wine!
My cousin Sara booked this special day trip, months ago, to the Douro River Valley. We were so excited to go and also relieved that...
- Jul 2, 2022
- 2 min
Garin Finally Gets a Reprieve from House Arrest, in the Form of a Much-Needed day in the Country.
Feeling badly that Garin had been cooped in the house for so long, yesterday, Pedro, my late-cousin Sylvia's husband, suggested that we...
- Jun 30, 2022
- 3 min
Garin Stays at Home, Convalescing, but plans Another Perfect day for us to Enjoy in Porto!
With the help of my cousin Sara, who made a lot of wonderful suggestions, Garin planned a great day for us today. He mapped out the...
- Jun 30, 2022
- 5 min
As Garin Contracts Covid in Portugal, we do our Best to Keep Calm and Carry on.
The morning we were leaving Lagos, Garin tested positive for Covid. He had not been feeling 100% for a few days, but a home test, a few...
- Jun 28, 2022
- 2 min
Algarve Beach Connoisseurs. It's a Tough job, but Someone has to do it. It may as Well be us!
With the weather finally improving in the Algarve, we spent our last three days pursuing the best beaches we could find. However, that...
- Jun 28, 2022
- 1 min
Toothless in Portugal! Miles Loses his two Front Teeth, on two Consecutive Days.
Miles lost the first tooth in Lisbon and then the next day, when we arrived to the Algarve, he lost the second one. What are the chances?...
- Jun 27, 2022
- 2 min
A Speed Boat Trip Through Ocean Grottos, pet Crabs and a Beach to end all Beaches. Lagos Perfection!
I awoke (early) to this stunning sunrise view out of our apartment window. Back to Padaria Central for our favorite morning pastries....
- Jun 26, 2022
- 3 min
Beach-Bound at Last and a Sardine Museum Thrown in to Round out the day!
With the weather starting to improve, we decided to try our luck at a beach today. The morning's forecast was still a bit iffy, so we...
- Jun 25, 2022
- 3 min
With Uncooperative Weather to Contend With, we Headed to the "Other Edge of the World," Sagres.
Apparently there is some debate whether "the edge of world" (the most western most tip of Europe) is in Cabo da Roca, where we visited a...
- Jun 24, 2022
- 3 min
Goodbye Lisbon, Hello Algarve! We Head South for the World-Famous Portuguese Beaches.
Leaving Lisbon was sad, especially since we had to cut our stay there short by a day or two when we were doing our planning, due to some...
- Jun 23, 2022
- 3 min
We're off to Sintra and Cascais for the Day. Garin and I are glad to be Carefree!
Garin got a much-deserved day off from his tour guide duties. When planning our trip to Portugal, nearly six months, we planned to take a...
- Jun 22, 2022
- 2 min
We Spend the day High Atop Lisbon in Picturesque Alfama.
Alfama is one of Lisbon's oldest areas, filled with steep streets and magnificent history. The area is charming - restaurants and shops...
- Jun 21, 2022
- 3 min
Belem-bound, Home to a Monastery, Gilded Coaches and the Birthplace of the Famous Pasteis de Belem.
Today we visited Belem. Belem is a parish within the municipality of Lisbon, best known for landmarks that harken back to Portugal's...
- Jun 20, 2022
- 2 min
On Day Two we Keep it Local, Touring the Baixa- Chiado Neighborhoods of Lisbon. Treasures Abound!
Garin planned this day out as impeccably as he did our first day. There were a lot of moving parts and he didn't miss a beat, other...
- Jun 18, 2022
- 3 min
Except for Some Pesky jet lag, our First day in Lisbon Goes Much Better Than our Voyage Here.
Jet leg is not for the faint of heart. When planning this trip, I must say that traveling alone with four kids abroad and jet lag were...
- Jun 17, 2022
- 6 min
European Vacation. When it's Your Life, it Doesn't Exactly Feel Like a National Lampoon Movie.
I am thinking of changing our last name to Griswold, after our last two vacation experiences. To clarify, our vacations seem to turn out...
- Jun 15, 2022
- 3 min
Garin’s 8th Grade Culmination, In-person, Unmasked (Mostly), and Sweltering. What's a Little Heat?
You can't take anything for granted these days. In June of 2020, three months into the pandemic, no one was sure we would ever be able...
- Jun 4, 2022
- 5 min
They say that God Never Gives you More Than you can Handle? But Five Children!
I don't think I buy into that statement, yet when things get tough, I still find myself wondering if it might be true? In mid-May, I...
- May 30, 2022
- 5 min
Memorial Day Weekend. A Top Gun Extravaganza. Would you Expect Anything Less?
I have been waiting an eternity for the Top Gun sequel (36 years to be exact). To assuage my longing, I have watched the original film...
- May 29, 2022
- 3 min
A Once in a Lifetime Event we are Sure to Never Forget!
On Friday, May 13, we had the once in lifetime opportunity of seeing Paul McCartney in concert. When Miles awoke that morning the first...
- May 14, 2022
- 5 min
Mother's Day Weekend: Why just Celebrate for one day, When you can Celebrate for Three?
This year, Mother's Day turned out to be three days of fun activities and celebration. Not all of the activities were planned to...
- Apr 25, 2022
- 3 min
Re-Entry to the Mainland. Vacay Withdrawal. Call it What you Will, it's Painful.
I think feeling sad as a vacation comes to an end is a universal feeling. So much time and effort go into the planning and execution of a...
- Apr 24, 2022
- 3 min
Day Trippers. Another fantastic day of exploration around this magical island.
Garin (with a little help from me on timing) planned another fantastic day of exploration. Some of the places, Garin and I had visited...
- Apr 23, 2022
- 1 min
Does one Ever Tire of Going to the Beach in Hawaii? We'd be Willing to try it out to Find out.
Whenever I come to Hawaii I wonder why I don't live here? I cannot understand why I put up with all that I do on the mainland when I...
- Apr 20, 2022
- 3 min
Garin Celebrates his 14th Birthday, Hawaiian-Style. Can we Come Back for my Birthday Please?
Fourteen years ago today, on 4-18-08, my beloved, oldest son came into this world. I went from being a single girl (okay perhaps woman)...
- Apr 18, 2022
- 2 min
Our First Easter Away was Certainly not Conventional, but Something I Could get Used to!
Since having children, I have never spent an Easter away from home. The kids were either too little, or it just didn't work out for us...
- Apr 18, 2022
- 3 min
Garin, our Trusty Tour Guide, Plans an Adventurous Day of Exploring for us on the Big Island.
The Lieblich family gets a bit antsy if we don't go exploring. Let me clarify that. Garin and I get antsy if we don't go exploring. As...
- Apr 16, 2022
- 5 min
Aloha From Hawaii! An Action-Movie Start to our Long-Awaited Trip.
As I write this I am sitting on the lanai of our beautiful condominium enjoying the balmy evening breeze that is quintessential Hawaii....
- Apr 4, 2022
- 1 min
Spring was exploding at Descanso Gardens with Color, Fragrance, and the Beauty of Nature Everywhere.
This brand new and fabulous installation called Your (Un)natural Garden was so much fun to experience. The various sculptures were...
- Apr 4, 2022
- 3 min
Are Heavenly Birthdays Better Than Those on Earth? Quite Possibly so!
My mom would have been 87 yesterday, 4/3/22. It's hard to believe she's been gone a year and a half and that the last birthday we...
- Mar 19, 2022
- 2 min
St. Patrick's Day or Thanksgiving? Which is your Favorite Holiday?
St. Patrick's Day and Thanksgiving are two of my favorite meals of the year. I love both, but if really pressed, I would have to choose...
- Feb 28, 2022
- 4 min
Mother (Often) Knows Best.
The two most frequent questions I am asked, in response to my blog posts are: "How do you have the stamina to plan and do all the...
- Feb 24, 2022
- 4 min
Miles' Birthday, Tuesday, 2-22-22! A Celebration Indeed, but also a day of Quiet Reflection.
With so much hype leading up to the big day (three weekend days packed with activities), we were all very excited once it finally...
- Feb 21, 2022
- 2 min
Olympic-Inspired Ice Skating and Channing Tatum. Miles' Awesome Birthday Weekend Continues.
Miles' birthday weekend continued yesterday and today. We also celebrated another special birthday this weekend. With so many ...
- Feb 19, 2022
- 1 min
Let the Celebrating Begin! Miles' (Long) Birthday Weekend is off to a Smashing Start.
Miles will turn seven years old this coming Tuesday (2-22-22), so we decided to take the entire long weekend to celebrate. Why not? You...
- Feb 16, 2022
- 4 min
Valentine's Day is the new Christmas!
I fondly remember the days when Valentine’s Day meant dressing up in something snazzy (red or pink, your choice), going to work for the...
- Jan 19, 2022
- 7 min
The Ultimate Staycation Family, Makes the Best of a Cancelled Getaway for the Long Holiday Weekend.
Traveling is not easy when you have four kids and a dog. The logistics are complex; both the preparation and trip itself can be...
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