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".