When I was growing up, I always had an open and honest relationship with my mother. Looking back, we had many things that I am hoping to share with my own children. If ever I was in trouble, needed something, or needed clarity, my mom was the one that I would turn to. There is nothing that I couldn't talk to her about. She was never judgmental, she loved me unconditionally, and she was always honest regarding all the information my curious mind was seeking. Sometimes, too honest! LOL!!!

Another weekend over! Why is it the last few weeks of summer fly by? Many moms are celebrating the end, for me, it's a much more hectic time once school starts. I'm trying to squeeze in one more fun outing for the kids before we get back into auto mode. I feel like the kids are so scheduled during the school year that we have very little down time.

This Labor Day Weekend means many different things to different families.

For many it's the last weekend of summer and filled with back to school prep.

For us, it marks Malibu's annual chili cook-off and carnival. Thousands of people come to our community from all over the city to ring out this holiday weekend. We all look forward to it and there is something for the whole family to enjoy!

We squeezed in one last trip before school starts this weekend. My girls have been dying to go to Santa Catalina Island for years! It's a just an hour boat ride away from Long Beach. It was a perfect, 48 hr action packed family trip!

Friday morning we took the Catalina Express from Long Beach, and we were on the island and settled by noon.

My kids wiped me out today!

We spent the day on Santa Monica's promenade shopping for last minute back to school items. The list seemed to never end. Of course I snuck in a quick necessity stop for me too. Here are my kids trying to hang with the Victoria models in the display window.

My alarm went off at 4:45am and Sierra (my 7 yr old) and I headed out the door to the airport for NY. Moments before, I kissed David and the kids goodbye and had a moment of sadness as I knew how much I would miss them. Choosing "special" time in my family often means one on one - it's difficult, rare, but very important.

Tonight we had a family meeting to set some new boundaries. I decided to revert to my old "behavior chart" system. It's a colorful artsy chart that the kids love making, but it encourages good behavior and is based on a reward system. I make a monthly calendar and together we write down all the things that need improving, like talking back, cleaning up after oneself, getting ready for bed on time, eating healthy, doing things the first time asked, making beds, brushing teeth, being kind, being generous, etc. Then I write down all the routine things in

Sierra and I are having the best time!

As soon as we arrived in NYC yesterday, I had to get Sierra a dirty dog. She devoured 2! Then we walked around the farmers art market in Union Square. We admired the crafts and bought little gifts for the kids. Next we headed to Central Park for a horse carriage ride.