New Children's Museum

Last night we went to the Members Preview of the new Children's Museum of Phoenix. It was awesome! I am so happy we bought a membership. Jeremy, the kids and I all really enjoyed it. We will definitely be going back soon! I didn't get as many pictures as I planned because I got busy having fun, but here are a few.

Shopping for groceries.

Making pizza.Careful, it is hot.

This is delicious!
Ice cream for dessert.

Another Trip to MX

It was another fun week for the kids, Grammy and I down in Puerto Penasco. We ate way too much, relaxed and spent loads of time in the community swimming pool. These pictures and their captions will fill you in on some of the details. I'd be here all day if I posted all the fantastic pictures so here are just a handful. Once I get my mom's pictures I am sure I will post more. She got some awesome ones of Morgan in the pool with some friends.

Morgan and Grammy at Sandy Beach.

The jellyfish that ruined the beach for Morgan. We had to leave immediately and she wouldn't go back again. This was Tuesday. On Thursday, Adam and I went back by ourselves and had one of the most perfect days at the beach I've ever experienced. Pictures below.

Eating ice cream and watching the sunset on the Malecon.

Dinner at Regina's.

Heading back to the beach (on the steps at Playa Bonita) for our Mommy/Ad E date.

Cool cat on Sandy Beach.

Our sandcastle.

Stopping to hug in Grammy's swimming pool.

Day at the Opera

Writing to you from Puerto Penasco, MX, sitting at Giuseppi’s and sipping an iced decaf coconut latte. Life is so good. The kids and I are having a great week with Grammy hanging out by the pool, playing games and eating lots of delicious food. Jeremy had a trip to Denver this week so it was a great time for us to steal away for another escapade with Grammy. I don’t have my cord to download my pictures so I’ll blog on our trip when we get home.

The focus of this post is our awesome adventure to see my brother Chris perform “Great Moments in Opera” at the University of Arizona last Sunday.

My mom and Tom arrived at our house about noon and we piled in the minivan and headed down to Tucson to hear our talented son/brother/uncle perform. It was the first time Jeremy, the kids and I have seen him sing in a show. We’ve seen him play the clarinet (for which he is on a scholarship and is amazing), but this was a new treat. What talent! We are all so proud of him.

He was the youngest (by far) of all the performers – in fact was the only undergraduate in the show. All the singers were incredible. Both kids were incredibly well behaved and received multiple compliments from the much older crowd in the audience. Several people wanted to rub Adam’s head and tell us how terrific it was that we were exposing our children to opera at such a young age.

Waiting in the lobby with Grampy T.

Backstage with Uncle Chris.

After the show we headed to Caruso’s for an Italian dinner. Everyone enjoyed their meal and it was fun to debrief the show with Chris and learn more about the opera and his plans for continuing in the field. He already has an offer to study at New Mexico State for his Master’s in Voice.

Morgan was smitten with Chris. She is such a performer herself it was a real treat for her to see someone she knows and love up there on stage. She insisted on sitting by him at dinner.

Posing with the family opera star.

Dinner at Caruso's with Grammy.

Well, back to my latte then off to the pool at Grammy’s. The kids are obsessed with the water. What a couple of fish.

p.s. Happy Belated Birthday to one of the best friends anyone could have – Hope your day was fantastic, Laura!

Another Adam Date

This has been a special week for Adam and me. We have been able to spend a lot of quality one-on-one time having adventures while Morgan was having fun at Kampalooza. Okay, some of our time was not going to fun places - who wants to wait for 2 hours at the car dealership service center?! - but we still enjoyed the time together.

Here are a few pictures from our trip to the Phoenix Art Museum on Thursday.

Sitting by the front entrance.

We found lots of neat things to 'spy' in the miniature rooms.

Creating scenes with the blocks in the Art Kids room.

A Big Day for Morgan

Today was an exciting day for Morgan. She finished her week of Kampalooza and her class did a little showcase for the parents to demonstrate some of what they learned. She had much fun - it was a joy to watch her. Jeremy even was able to attend which was a treat for all of us.

Warming up with the class.

One of the monkeys stealing hats from the hat maker.

Being interviewed in the role of the hat maker.

Then tonight was her graduation from Rogers Ranch Preschool. It was extra special because Grammy came over for dinner and then attended graduation with us. I was so discombulated tonight I didn't get any pictures with Grammy! But it meant so much to Morgan that she was there along with Jeremy, Adam and me.

It was a very nice presentation. The kids recited the Pledge of Allegiance, sang songs and put on a skit of "Little Quack's New Friend." Then, their incredible teacher, Ms. Krysten, said a few nice things about each of the children. She called Morgan hard working and a good listener among other praises.

We are so proud of her and all she has learned in preschool. Now it is off to Kindergarten in August (sad sigh from her mom).

Our graduate!

Singing the Zoo Phonic Alphabet Song - "Zeke the Zebra...."

Enjoying a cupcake after the presentation.

Our family.

Friends & Family

Last night Dylan, Connor & Kimberly joined us for dinner so Jeremy, Kimberly and I could talk Goddard. The kids occupied themselves fairly well for the most part... at least after we whipped out the popsicles.

Playing school on the back porch.

Connor Wii bowling with Jeremy. He thought the fan remote was a Wii remote and was totally moving like he was playing. He was so adorable!

We welcomed more company today when Grammy and Sydney picked up Morgan from Kampalooza and brought her home for play, swimming and pizza. The kids had so much fun together. What fantasic cousins all three of them are!

Our mermaid guests - Grammy & Sydney.

Super cousins Adam & Sydney.

We love pepperoni pizza! Sydney & Morgan had gotten all dressed up and didn't want to dirty their costumes so they wore aprons to eat. Cute and practical.

Adam Date

This morning Morgan started Kampalooza at the Phoenix Theatre. She had a great time! Since I didn't want to trek back and forth downtown twice for a 3 hour class, Adam and I had a date while Morgan was at camp. We had orginally planned on going to the new Children's Museum all week (I even bought us a membership), but the opening has been delayed so he and I will have to be creative finding things to do. Today we went to the Arizona Science Center and had a wonderful time. I could tell that it meant a lot to him to have some dedicated mommy-time. It meant a lot to me as well. I am looking forward to the rest of our dates throughout the week.

Adam enjoyd creating foam buildings in the "Many Hands Make a Home" exhibit.

One of our creations.

Check out these ants!

Listening to the different sounds in the "Music Landing".

Happy Father's Day!

Today was a special day - we celebrated Jeremy! The kids were so excited this morning to wake him up with breakfast in bed. I even made him a latte which he claimed was good (he is the master barista so he was likely being kind). Adam had picked out a musical Indiana Jones card which the kids could record their voices on - he was so proud to give it to his Daddy. Morgan drew him a beautiful picture at school.

Then, after the kids and I got back from church we headed out to lunch at Z'Tejas and to walk around Chandler Mall. It was a nice family outing. I am kicking myself that I didn't get more pictures.

Word searching for Southwestern state names at Z'Tejas.

Morgan loves her Daddy!

After we got home and rested for a bit we hit the pool (surprise, surprise). It was 111 degrees out today - gotta keep cool. Big steps today: Morgan did an underwater somersault and Adam wore his goggles and went under water to see!

Overall another great day with the family.

Saturday Swim

As soon as we woke up this morning, Morgan started asking to go swimming. I wasn't up for it at 7:30 AM, but by 9:00 (after a Starbucks run) I relented. Adam, Morgan and I swam for about an hour before Jeremy joined us to work on the pool cover (and, of course, to smoke a cigar). He and Morgan are still out there. I have to go get ready for Zumba at Curves and Adam is on the computer playing Hot Wheels. I doubt Morgan will ever want to get out of the pool on her own. What a swimmer we have on our hands!

Going down....

.... and floating up.

Success!

Last night we bought Adam some new floaties since one of his popped. Of course, I forgot them inside so he was sporting a mismatched look today. Works on him!

Morgan's Last Day of Preschool & More

This will come as a huge shock to all of you... it was another busy day for the Johnson family. The kids and I kicked off the morning by attending a play date at our friends Stephanie, Drake & Ethan's house. We tasted lots of delicious treats from Tastefully Simple (Steph is a rep) and the kids had a great time playing and eating Otter Pops.

Adam LOVED this dino. It roared, twisted and its eyes lit up. I would pretend it was eating my finger and he would just laugh. His friend Will kept telling me "Again! Again!"

Jillian, Morgan, Paige and Drake ..... The Otter Pops came out after Morgan and Paige collided and Morgan split her top lip. Steph was wise enough to know that Otter Pops can cure any owie.

Then, it was time for Morgan to head to her last day ever of preschool. I admit I got a little choked up when I dropped her off. She seems to have had a wonderful last day - they practiced for their graduation (next Friday) and had pizza and cupcakes. I had a doctor's appointment so I couldn't help out at the class party and didn't even get to pick her up from school so she told me all about it when I got home. Adam happily spent the afternoon at Emily & Anthony's house.

Morgan's First Days of Preschool and Her Last...

Morgan's first day of preschool - "Toddler 2's" - August 16, 2005 - Awakening Seed

"Toddler 2's" - August 16, 2005 - Awakening Seed

First day of "Toddler 3's" - August 15, 2006 - Awakening Seed School

Morgan's first day of Pre-K at Rogers Ranch Preschool - August 13, 2007

Morgan and Ms. Krysten on her last day of preschool - June 13, 2008

After we all arrived back home, the kids and I went swimming. I presented Morgan with new Disney Princess diving sticks for her last day and at first she wasn't all that excited - "I can't use these." Then when she, Adam and I went in the pool we started playing with them as if they were just dolls. After awhile she decided to dive for one. Soon she was going to the bottom for all three at once! I watched her underwater and she was so cute the way she would arch her back and float back up. When I commented on how I liked it, she said, "That is just my style." She came up after one of her dozens of underwater Princess hunts and said, "This is the funnest day of my life!!" And she thanked me several times for the gift. I guess it was a winner. :) I can't believe I didn't have my camera out there, but I am sure there will be plenty more opportunities coming soon.

To wrap up the evening we headed to Taco del Mar for dinner with Daddy. We just didn't feel like cooking. The kids went to bed pretty easily tonight - so much action and, for Morgan, an ending of an era and the excitement of new discoveries. Jeremy and I watched "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead" (skip it) and now it is time for me to go crash. Until next time.....

Movies, Food & Legos!

Today we met Gina, Mason & Madeline at the mall for a special adventure. The kids went to the Harkins Play Area while Gina & I went to see "Sex & the City". It was a real mid-week treat! Mason & Madeline hadn't been to the kid-watch there before, but they were excited to check it out and did great. Adam was a little hesitant at first, but as soon as he found the Star Wars computer game (dare I ask) he was happy. They watched "101 Dalmations", did crafts, ate popcorn and had fun. Meanwhile, Gina and I were laughing, crying and thoroughly enjoying the grown-up movie. It felt like a whole season of SATC packed into 2 hours - so much happened and while I am not sure how I feel about some of it, it was definitely a great movie.

After the movie, we headed to our favorite haunt, Wildflower Cafe. Today they had their Vegetarian Rice and Spicy Lentil soup - YUMMY! The kids were crazy, as always, and gobbled down their food quickly once we told them our next stop would be the new Lego Store.

Must we take another picture?!

Beautiful Madeline agreed to pose for the camera.

My sneaky camera on the table shot.

That isn't salt you are eating, is it?! (yes)

We were excited to discover that the Lego store had just opened today. The kids have been seeing the "Coming Soon" signs for months and it was a stroke of luck that we happened to pick today to go to the mall. Of course all four kids found loads of cool Legos they want to buy - race cars, Star Wars, ponies and princesses. I have to admit there were lots of things I wanted to buy as well, but I contented myself with just a couple of green building surfaces and some generic 'stock' Legos. The kids will have to save up their money or wait for birthdays/Christmas for some the fancier options. Truth be told it was so exciting that Adam had to be dragged screaming from the store when it was time to go. I had to carry him flailing his body for quite a distance then strap him in the car and listen to "I want to go back to the Lego Store" for at least 20 minutes before he calmed down. I am going to attribute it to being tired since I don't want to rule out ever going back. :)

Madeline and Adam were happy to hang out at the Lego table...

while Morgan and Mason explored all the neat choices of Legos.

On the drive home we decided to swing by Morgan's future school - EAGLE College Prep - and see how construction is coming along. We were excited to see that there is actually a building going up now. School is scheduled to start in 2 months... I am thrilled for her (and a bit jealous - I loved Kindergarten), but sad at the same time. My first baby is growing up so fast!

Hooray! We'll have a school building.

When we got home we discovered some fantastic news - Jeremy had caught an early flight home! So, instead of getting home at 10 PM as planned, he arrived home about 4 PM. We celebrated with a family swim (it was a HOT day) .

As always, I am loving my family, my friends and my blessed life.