Morgan Rollerskates & Adam Bikes

First things first - Happy Birthday to two great women - My incredible Mom and my friend and our outstanding MOMS Club President, Jen A.!

Today I woke up feeling kind of crummy so the kids and I stuck close to home. Morgan really, really, really wanted to buy rollerskates after trying on a pair at Mason & Madeline's house, but she was out of money. I made a deal with her that if she helped me clean the house this morning to earn money, I would lend her the rest until she helped me clean again next week before Gramma Sue & Grampa Lou visit. She worked very hard and was a big help so I took her and Adam to Target and bought her some skates. I also bought both kids new helmets since their old ones didn't fit well. Adam bought himself a whole new set of Cars characters with his birthday gift card from Aunt Megan and we also got him a horn for his bike. Jeremy made a good point that since I lent Morgan the money our "5 year old is already in debt." I do want to teach her financial responsibility so it was food for thought. This time, I will just be sure to hold her to her commitment to help repay her share of the cost.

After we got home from the store, the kids tried out their new gear in the hallway. They were great! Morgan loves her new skates and Adam has mastered his bike... except maybe braking... next clean-up of the house will include repainting the wall by the door where he bumped a couple times. :)

New skates and Disney Princesses helmet.

New Thomas the Tank Engine helmet and horn.

Mason & Madeline's House

Today the kids and I headed out to visit Gina, Mason & Madeline at their house in Gilbert. They have a gorgeous home and are always doing renovations. They just redid their guest bathroom and it looks beautiful. Gina has an eye for decor and hubby David is extremely handy. A winning combination!

We had a terrific visit. The kids played extremely well together so Gina and I actually got to relax a little and chat. A new dynamic was present today with the seamless rearranging of play partners throughout they day. In the past it was mainly Morgan and Mason as ringleaders with Madeline and Adam tagging along in whatever capacity they could. Today they played together as a group some of the time (at one point, they all put on Mason's soccer jerseys and had a game in the living room), but also paired off throughout the day. Mason and Adam played Wii and looked at football playing cards. The girls had a tea party and roller skated. Morgan and Mason drew pictures together while the two younger ones played trains and hide-n-seek. It was a constant stream of activity and everyone got along great. Such a treat.

Madeline, Morgan & Butterscotch the Pony.

Yo! Future soccer star.

Best buddies.

Creating art together.

The girls team.

Next week we are meeting up at the mall so the kids can go to the Harkins Play Center and Gina and I can see Sex & The City: The Movie. Should be another great outing.

Memorial Day with Family & Friends

We had a jam-packed long weekend including Jeremy & I seeing movies both Saturday and Sunday at the theatre - WOW! - Iron Man & Indiana Jones. Since both are kids are over 3 and potty-trained we decided to give the Harkins Play Center a try and liked it so much we went 2 days in a row. Yes, the kids liked it too. :) They have games for the kids, a movie playing, popcorn and crafts. It is cheaper than babysitting, is fully monitored and they give you a pager in case they have to reach you during the show.

Then, yesterday, we attended two Memorial Day gatherings. First, we headed over to Mom & Tom's for a family golf outing and bbq. Adam woke me up at 4:45 AM (yuck) so we decided rather than take 2 cars to Grammy's we would all ride over with Jeremy on his way to golf. The men all met for an 8:00 AM tee-off at Palm Valley Golf Course and the rest of the Mock clan met about 11:00 AM at my Mom's house. Since the kids and I got there early we were able to help Grammy out (or distract her!) and spend some one-on-one time with her before everyone showed up. It was nice to see so many extended family members and my mom knows how to throw a party. Everything was really nice. Unfortunately, most of my pictures didn't turn out well so I only have a few to share.

Cousin Kaia - future architect.

Watering Grammy's garden.

Crashing after so much playing.

After leaving Grammy's we headed over to our friends Mary & Eric's house. Laura, Jeremy & Paige were there too. The kids had a great time playing with some of their best friends and it was very relaxing for the moms & dads as well. We played some Wii, but mostly just enjoyed sitting around talking and enjoying the nice weather before it turns back to an oven out there.

Good food with good friends.

Eric = Guitar Hero.

It was a long day - we were gone from the house for over 12 hours. After we got home, the kids took their tubby and put on their (adorable!) robes. The robes were a past Christmas gift from the Oakum cousins. They looked so sweet I had to take pictures.

Snuggly Morgan.

Cuddly Adam.

Rainy Day Fun

Today was a rainy and terrific day. It started with me waking up at 9:30 AM, going to Curves... wait, did I mention that the kids were at Grammy's and Jeremy is just now heading home from Denver? Yep - I had almost 24 hours to myself! My mom was nice enough to have us over for lunch and play yesterday and then to keep the kids overnight. I didn't pick them up until Morgan's schooltime today. Yesterday I went shopping, watched a movie, attended an HOA mtg (darn that civic duty for sucking an hour and a half out of my time! (LOL)) and caught up on some TV shows. It was incredibly relaxing. I stayed up late and then (gasp) was able to sleep through the night uninterrupted. It was sooooo amazing (thank you, thank you, thank you Mom!). The kids had fun too. They love going to Grammy & Grampy's where there is dessert every night, fun and games and they are the stars.

Yesterday cousin Sydney also came over to play at Grammy's. My mom presented us each with a water gun. She had bought them figuring our 110 degree weather was here to stay, but thankfully it hasn't. Here are a few pictures of our water fight before the rain began.

Filling the weapons.

Stick 'em up!

Today after school the kids and I made brownies for our new next door neighbors and played outside in the rain.

First step - add the ingredients.

Next think Dora and "Bate, Bate, Chocolate (choc-o-latte). Mix that chocolate, chocolate (choc-o-latte)."

Most importantly, test the batter.

Brrrrr.... it's cold out here!

Listening to the drip, drop, drip, drip, drop.

Life is fantastic.

Swimming Fun

This afternoon our friends Mary, Anthony & Emily came over for pizza and to swim. All of the kids had a great time. We were out there for almost 2 hours and still had to drag them inside. Adam was already more confident today than yesterday. With his floaties on, he can kick himself across the pool. It was good for Morgan to have Anthony over. She was still a bit nervous yesterday about going under the water (though she could do it last year), but seeing him do it inspired her. I am glad my kids are cautious around water, but I do want them to be confident swimmers. It will be neat to see them grow in their skills over the long, hot summer.

Morgan with her Minnie Mouse kickboard.

Adam swimming laps.

Anthony is a great swimmer!

Emily getting ready for a post-swim snack.

Swim Season Has Begun!

It was 110 degrees out today so I relented and agreed to test the pool water with the kids. There were cold spots and hot spots, but overall the temperature was great! Morgan and Adam were SOOOOO happy. It was hard to get them out. They even started planning a swim party to have with their friends - including what kind of cake we should make. LOL

Standing in the shallow end.

I love my floaties!

Look Mom! I remember how to swim!

MOMS Club Family Picnic

Jeremy, the kids & I joined other families from our MOMS Club for a Family Day Out Picnic at Laveen Village Park. It was hot, but fortunately, the park had a splash pad so the kids could keep cool. Adam for some reason decided to wake up at 3:30 AM this morning and refused to go back to bed or nap that morning. So... needless to say, he crashed in the car at 3:45 PM during the 5 minute drive to the park. He took a nap in the shade for about an hour then joined in the festivities.

Snoozing in the shade.

All I really want to eat are the chips... and maybe that cookie.

Morgan after the splash pad.

Silliness with Dylan.

Connor the Chocolate Monster.