Dinner & A Movie

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days. Things have been kind of crazy. We've had a good week so far starting with Morgan and I attending her first high school musical "Fiddler on the Roof" at Arizona Lutheran Academy on Sunday afternoon. It was a 3 hour play, but she sat through and listened and loved it. In fact, she was not only singing the songs the next day, but doing the same arm movements the actors had! Unfortunately I forgot my camera, but I have a strong feeling that Morgan is going to be just like me in her love of musical theatre so there will be plenty more such outings in the future.

Fortunately I did have my camera with me (and charged) yesterday afternoon on my date with the kids. Jeremy is in NY so I thought I'd take them out for a day on the town. First, we went to see Nim's Island. It was a cute movie. Some of the concepts were a bit over their heads, but there was no violence or swearing and they both sat quietly through the entire flick. I am a huge Jodie Foster fan so, of course, I enjoyed being able to see a new release of hers in the theatre - over the past few years it has been wait for DVD - and Abigail Breslin is adorable. We thought her character, Nim, was very brave and Morgan said she was "sneaky from those Bucaneers" (see the movie to understand!).

Posing in the lobby by Kung Fu Panda - We are excited to see this movie!

Posing with WALL-E... this is one kid movie I could skip.

After the movie will killed time putzing around Hobby Lobby and getting the car washed because "Red" the Robin was due to be at Red Robin restaurant that night and the kids had their hearts set on seeing him. They love going there to eat, but we almost always end up going on days when Red isn't making an appearance so they were very excited. We were actually done with dinner just when Red was to report for duty so we waited for him by the front door. The hostess told him to come see us right away and I mentioned to Red that the kids had planned their day around seeing him. He spent several minutes interacting with the kids and even started to follow us out to the parking lot after we said goodbye. Adam was a bit freaked out by this last act of attention!

Playing with treasures at Hobby Lobby. Morgan bought herself some flowers to play bride and Adam found a measuring tape.

Happy to see Red!

Recycling Tour & Anthem Outing

Today was another day full of adventure. The kids and I began with a long drive out to the North Gateway Transfer Center at Dixileta & the 1-17. It is the newest City of Phoenix facility and is high tech and really neat! The kids watched "Alvin & The Chipmunks" in the car so the drive wasn't bad at all.

It was an eye-opening experience to see our City’s garbage and recycling process in action. Once you are able to see just how much waste is out there and how much opportunity for recycling there is, you walk away feeling like a visit to the center should be mandatory for all citizens. But, of course, it isn’t and we can’t mandate environmental responsibility. But, we can all do our part.

We learned that recycling not only helps the environment, it saves the City money. It costs the City to dispose of trash, but they make money on recycling – which trickles down those of us who are city residents in the long run.

After the tour, we headed out to my dad & Mary's for lunch and a visit. We hadn't seen them in a while so it was great to catch up in person. They treated us to lunch at a Nuevo Pinatas Mexican food in Anthem and then we headed over to the community park. The kids had a blast on the play equipment and we were excited to see that the Daisy Mountain Express (train) was running today so we took a ride around the beautiful park. We then took a quick trip over to the Outlet Mall where Grandma Mary & Grandpa Joe watched the kids at the playground so I could do some shopping. What a treat! After more post-shopping visiting at their house we headed home. It is a bit of a haul out there so, of course, Adam decided to crash in the car at 4:30. Here is hoping he still goes to bed a decent hour tonight! I am off to Self Defense for Women class so it is for Jeremy's benefit that I hope he has an easy night.

Mason, Madeline & Gina

Today we met Gina, Mason & Madeline at our usual rendezvous point - Chandler Mall. It is about in the middle of our two house which means it is far for both of us. It is a great place to meet - we let the kids burn some energy in the play place, have lunch and do some shopping. Morgan was over the line today for the acceptable height requirement at the play area. One of these days she'll have to stop going in, but for now if she is careful and it isn't too crowded, I let her play. Yes, I am one of those moms I used to scowl at when she was a toddler.

The kids and I got to the mall a little early and made some returns/did a little shopping. I got Adam some new sunglasses and he loved them so much he wore them practically the entire day - including at the play area as you can see in the picture below.

We went to lunch at our favorite haunt, Wildflower Cafe. The kids all bring out the best in each other and I love how strong their friendship is.

After lunch, play and shopping, we stopped off at Barnes & Noble. The kids enjoy looking at books and playing with the train table. It was really sweet to watch Morgan and Mason taking turns reading to each other. They are getting so big!

As you will notice, both my kids changed outfits during the mall visit. It seems to be their new thing to do when I buy them new outfits as evident from this trip and our one last week to Fashion Square.

Playdate with Paige

After our MOMS Club board meeting this morning the kids and I invited Paige over to play. The kids played dress-up for a bit and had some lunch and then it was time for Morgan to go to school. That is when Adam and Paige really got started. It was a marathon playdate. They played Wii, did a puzzle, played a game, made a fort, did lots of "sliding" and bouncing tricks (see pics below) and made a concoction out of tapioca pudding that was actually quite tasty. Paige is such a fun friend!

Lunch mates Adam, Aurora (Paige) and the Fairy Godmother (Morgan)

Adam finally found someone who enjoys playing Tanks on Wii Play as much as he does.

The fort.

Paige catching some serious air on the "slide".

Learning about opposites.

Paige with her tapioca pudding, chocolate syrup & whipped cream. The 'before' shot of their creation.

Adam with the 'after' shot. They stirred it up and dipped apples in it.

At one point Paige said, "My silly mom didn't do my hair this morning. JoEllen, can you brush it?" She then proceeded to take out her ponytail and I agreed. The end result - a pint-sized, red-haired Diana Ross.

Day at the Races

This afternoon Jeremy, Morgan, Adam and I headed out to Firebird International Raceway to watch our friend David Salonic race karts. David is Gina's husband and dad to Mason and Madeline. So... our kids were in heaven - running around, riding bikes & scooters, watching cars, eating hotdogs and snacks and playing with two of their best friends. Gina's dad Gino aka "Papou" also races - has been for over 30 years! It was fun to see Yia Yia (Gina's mom), Papou, Gina, David and the kids in action - racing is a big part of their lives and I am glad we got to be a part of it for a day.

When we first arrived, Morgan and Adam did NOT like the noise. It really wasn't that loud, but it was a different kind of noise than they were used to up close. Fortunately, Gina and crew had headphones the kids could wear. After a while the kids got used to the noise, but I think Adam really liked wearing his!

While we were waiting for David & Papou's race to start, the kids played in back of one of the kart trailers. They love being together.

Watching David & Papou race from the bleachers.

Adam rode his bike more today than he has since he got it.

He did great!

Daddy taking a turn on the bike.

Dinner with Grammy & Grampy T

Last night we went to dinner at Grammy & Grampy T's house. Jeremy has been out of town since Monday (he comes home today - woo hoo!) so my mom & Tom graciously invited us to join them for a yummy meal and some visiting. I was excited about a good homecooked meal and some help with the kids and Grammy & Grampy didn't disappoint. :)

Adam keeping the sun out of his eyes on the car ride over. Don't worry, I talked with him about putting bags on his head, but this was so funny looking I had to take a picture.

Fun in the backyard before dinner.

Adam and Grampy T.

Morgan & Grammy enjoying ice cream and cake for dessert.

Our Long & Busy Day

I am pooped! What a day we had and the kids were troopers through it all. It started off with us heading out to north Scottsdale to deliver items that our MOMS Club collected for Project Night Night. They are an incredible organization that puts together care bags for children living in shelters. I am so proud of our chapter. We collected over 200 items to donate and raised $420 in a Silent Auction so the AZ coordinator can buy items as she needs them. It was great to meet Susan, the AZ Coordinator, and see how she sorts and prepares the totes. Thank you to my friends and family outside the MOMS Club who donated as well. I am blessed with such wonderful people in my life.

Members of the MOMS Club of Laveen North with our donation.

Since we were already on the other side of the Valley, the kids and I headed over to Fashion Square Mall. We enjoyed a nice lunch with our MOMS Club friends Claire and Will then we headed to the Enchanted Castle play area. The kids had a blast. They made friends within minutes of being there and it was fun to watch them in action. Also a nice break for me to sit back and just watch for a while. After playing, we shopped for a bit and both kids picked out some new clothes. Adam has a drawer FULL of shirts, but he will only wear about 3-4 of them. He is very particular about what shirt he wears with what shorts and gets very upset if I suggest something would match that he doesn't agree with. For example, this morning I laid out 3 complete outfits for him to pick from. He picked the shirt from one pile and the shorts from another. Fortunately, with styles the way they are these days it may have seemed a trendy pairing. But back to the mall... he picked out two matching outfits and a pair of flip flops that he really liked. Morgan got a pair of flip flops, a shirt, shorts and a new swimsuit. Both kids were so excited about their purchases, they changed before we even left the mall. Let's hope this helps with fewer dressing battles with Adam.

Morgan on top of the sea serpent. Adam in the background above and under the serpent in the pic below.

Then tonight we went to a local restaurant, Spokes, with my great friend, Josette. We had dined at Spokes before and it was bad service, but there was a play area for kids so we could chat. Turns out with the new management there, the service is better, but no more play area. The kids entertained themselves fairly well (and they love Josette), but she and I are going to need a grown-up dinner together soon so we can really catch up.

Morgan and Josette

I'm so tired! Let's go home. (And we did and Adam crashed in the car.)

Playdate & Phone Call

Today while Morgan was at school, Anthony came over for a playdate. He and Adam play so nicely together. Anthony is a sweet, respectful and fun boy and Adam really looks up to him. Which, of course, I like. :)

Playing with the Rocket.

Then, tonight, when we were making dinner, I called my friend Gina to say hi. We weren't on the call 2 minutes when the phones in our respective homes were siezed by our 5 year olds. Mason and Morgan proceeded to talk for almost 45 minutes! After a while they switched to speaker phone to include Adam and Madeline in the conversation. It was hilarious to listen to them make up jokes, "Why did the bear eat the hair?" "Why?" "Because he wanted to be hairy." They just cracked themselves up. They also talked about life, when they were going to see each other next and a myriad of other topics. I have to say, it made me wonder what life is going to be like when she is a teenager. Adam pretended to fish for trout with his yo-yo and the kids would tell him what color fish to catch. I am pretty sure Madeline was fishing on her end as well. Morgan and Mason have been friends since they were 3 months old and I am so grateful to have Gina and the kids in my life. I just wish they lived closer.

Mom! Privacy please. I'm on the phone!

Knock, Knock....

Adam fishing for trout. He likes to pretend to be the Duke from the book/musical cd "King Bidgood in the Bathtub". You can tell from these pictures, he also prefers to run around shirtless.

No More Braids

The weather was gorgeous today and we had fun as a family. The kids washed Morgan's Barbie house while Jeremy put up curtains along our back patio (love them - thanks, J!). Then we ran some errands and enjoyed a nice dinner at Z'Tejas. Life is good.

We took Morgan's braids out today and she is loving her kinky hair.

Our gorgeous girl.

Adam rediscovered a RC car he got for Christmas and had a blast playing in the beautiful weather. He chased Morgan around with the car for a while, but she was a willing victim and both kids had fun.

Karate Graduation

Morgan graduated to an orange belt tonight in Taekwondo at the Laveen branch of Lee's Martial Arts Academy. There was a large group of students graduating including her friends Sean and Spencer. Adam lost interest in the long proceedings and played outside with Spencer's little brother, Pierce. Pierce and Adam will be in preschool together next fall and really play well together. Dylan, Kimberly & Connor came out to watch MO, etc. graduate and though it was long, all the kids did great.

We are proud of our Tiny Tiger!

Morgan and Sean

Home Again, Home Again

What a relaxing time we had in Mexico - thank you, Abuelita, for the wonderful trip! No one told me how hard it would be to readjust though. It seems like as soon as we hit the traffic on the I-10 I started thinking about all the items that had been left on my "to-do" list at home. And then I actually started getting annoyed reading my e-mails. I love e-mail, but being away from it made me realize how much it consumes my life. But back to the good stuff....

I hope you enjoy the pics on this posting - they are not in time order - just some favorites from the ones I took. A mishmash of memories.

Fun at the Beach

Morgan loves her braids!

We didn't actually make it to Rodeo Drive yesterday. We were all pretty exhausted after the beach so we headed home to watch a movie and rest. Grammy's friends and neighbors, George and Diane popped in for a surprise visit and I really enjoyed chatting with them. They are very active with a Mission in RP and Diane has taught dozens of women there how to sew. Diane's quilting group in AZ works with Hospice of the Valley - one of my favorite charities - making bedspreads for their group hospices and catheter covers for hospice patients. I was inspired by her philanthropy. I love when people GIVE BIG. After their visit, Grammy, the kids and I decided we were too tired to go out to eat so we got some Benny's Pizza carryout and had a quiet night at home.

At the Malecon

This morning we packed up and then headed to Flavio's for an early lunch before heading home. Flavio's is great! The food is cheap, but delicious and you are right on the water so the scenery is nice. I can't wait to have their quesadillas again. Yum!

Cristina and Norma, baristas extraordinaire from Giuseppi's and terrific women!

Grammy reading a Cars book to Edgardo, her friend Perla's son, and Morgan.

The kids are out back right now playing with Jeremy. They really missed him and although they told me they wanted to stay in Mexico for "four more days", I think they are glad to be home. I am too, though I wouldn't mind going back again soon.