New Link Added on Sidebar

Well, we've been working for several weeks on completing the day by day detailed journal of our exciting trip to Maui, HI this past January.

The journal part of it is finally complete and 'launched' for all to read. Here is the link. We still need to get the photo albums cleaned up to add to it. We'll let you know when that part of it is done.

We had such a wonderful, memorable time and there was so much that about it that we just did not want to forget. So, the journal is very detailed, but more or less for Mike, me and the kids so that we don't forget every little thing about it. We don't want to risk the details getting blurred. But we decided to still share our experiences with the rest of our family, friends and the world.

It is our perspective of the trip. We were a big group and many times we were in separate places at separate times. So, every one's experience of this trip is different. This is just 'The Clesceri's side of the story" if you will. What we were busy doing.

So if you have some time, check it out. Feel free to comment. Especially if you were there with us, please comment and share your thoughts and memories of different things. Have fun!

Week 5, Day 5

Friday!

It has been so humid on top of being hot. Yuck!

The kids and I went to the YMCA this morning. I went to water aerobics and then afterwards took the kids swimming for a while. After a couple errands we got home just as Mike was getting off work. When I pulled into the garage, the Durango went on strike. Don't know what's wrong with it, but it isn't 'right'. So, we'll be a one truck family for a while, but we'll manage.

We kind of just piddled around this evening. Didn't do a whole lot of anything. I finished a little bonnet to go with the blanket that was completed the other day. It was fun. The kids just played around the house, went over to the park, and then it was time for bed already.

Week 5, Day 4

Kids Club today at the mall. Fun times yet again!

We stopped by the library on the way home and loaded up on books again.

When Mike got home he took the kids swimming at the pool and I was able to stay home a sneak a nap in. Ahhh, it was heaven. I don't know about this summer. It's the first year in the 8 years we've been here that the heat just seems unbearable and draining. I must be getting old or something.

The kids had a great day though. They seem to be unaffected by the heat and resilient.

Something New to Us

Here's a peak at our 'new' rug for our living room. Mike's dad passed it along to us the other day. It is great and gives the kids a softer place to lay down while they watch TV or play in there. It makes the room a bit cozier.

By the way, Sarah, if you're reading this, that is your white shirt hanging over the back of the couch. I need to get it in the mail to you. I keep forgetting to let you know that we have it. Talk to you soon :)

Week 5, Day 3

Last day of VBS for the kiddos. They enjoyed their time there in the morning, while Mike worked from home and I finished the afghan I've been working on. I am pleased with it-it is soo soft and cuddly- and hope that my friend likes it for her new little one.

This evening was the grand finale for the VBS. The kids had pizza, went on huge blow up water slides and had fun with their new friends. We got a huge lightning and dust storm (monsoon season) come in so their fun was cut a bit short, but not too much.

Today there was much talk about all three of them wanting a snake. We read a book the other day called The Girl Who Wore Snakes and they got it in their heads that they really want one as a pet. All 5 of us agree that it would be pretty darn cool to have a gopher snake or something of the sort. We'll have to consider the details of that later.

Week 5, Day 2

Today was day two of three for Vacation Bible School. Mike went into work this morning which meant that I had the morning free-yeay! I had gotten a gift card to Wally-World through this awesome email advertising point program that Mike and I have been doing for years now. We love it. You get advertising emails and for viewing the ads, not having to purchase a thing, you are rewarded with points. If you do make purchases, many merchants are on there that you would normally use-Target, 1800contacts, iTunes-you get more points of coarse. And then you turn in your accumulative points for rewards, mostly gift cards to a plethora of merchants. It is awesome. It's Mypoints.com in case anyone is interested in signing up.

So, anyhow, I got a gift card to Wally's world with the hopes of using it for a new bathing suit, considering the newest bathing suit I have in my drawer is over 4 years old. So childless, I stopped by the place and began a disheartening quest. I tried on every swimsuit they had, i think, all shapes and styles. By the 5th to 6th visit to the dressing room I concluded that my torso is too long, my butt is too big and my boobs are too small (okay, so that's probably saying too much here on this family blog, but it's all true) Anyhow, after 2 hours in that store, i left with a yard and a half of material to make the boys valances and a pair of sunglasses. Oh well...

After I picked up the kiddos, we came home and vegged. It is so hot right now, it's enough to simply make you melt. It takes everything out of you. So I worked on the afghan that I've been working on and the kids napped and watched a movie.

Mike came home in the early afternoon, changed out of his monkey suit and then headed back out to help a friend move.

That was pretty much our day.

Week 5, Day 1

Can't believe were already into the 5th week of summer. It's just about half over :(

The kids started their VBS today at New Life Church in Gilbert. It looked and sounded like it was going to be a lot of fun for them. When I dropped them off, I saw several old friends from Word of Grace, the church we attended for 5 or so years. It was nice to catch up with them a bit.

While the kids were doing their thing, I ran a bunch of errands and finished up the house for the exterminator tonight. Very productive. Mike was back to work, at home, but nevertheless, back to work.

I picked up the kiddos at noon then we finished up errands and headed to the library. We watched the Monday movie, Ant Bully. It was nice quiet time for me to sit and work on the crocheted afghan I've been making for a special friends new baby.

By the time we got home, Mike was done with working for the day, so we threw on swim suits and headed to the pool. It was nice and refreshing. Mike worked on some diving and Bethany tried some new jumping off the spring boards, trying to get creative after watching all the Olympic Trial Diving last night. Fun stuff...

And Matthew practiced his swimming. He is doing sooo well. He figured out how to take a breath while he was swimming. He swims with his head in the water. So, he's been just going distances long enough for one big breath and then holding onto the side or somebody when he runs out of air. Today he was bring his head out of the water while he was swimming to get air. Good job Matthew.

After dinner we waited for the bug guy to come. He got here close to 8:00, which was perfect because it was getting dark then. He did all of his spraying and then all the lights got turned off and he brought out his black light. We didn't find any in the house, but found several outside on the east wall of the yard. It's kind of interesting how they glow...The house next door adjacent to that east wall, is vacant and even when people were living there, the backyard had not been touched since we moved in. I don't think anyone ever set foot out there. When we bought the black light around that side of our house, he shined it over to their house, oh, five feet away...Scorpions were literally crawling the walls, at least a dozen of them in about a 5 foot stretch of the wall. It was creepy. They were EVERYWHERE! crawling up to the attic from the outside wall, on the ground, in the plant, on the gate...It was horrible. Explained a lot about why there were so many along that east wall of our yard. The bug guy sprayed really good out there on our side and then went into our attic.

We went back into our yard and now that the spray had started working it started bringing everything out. We saw quite a few more in our yard and he killed those ones. They were already really doped up though.

As gross and creepy as it was to see them all, it feels better knowing that everything got sprayed and dusted really well and hopefully their food supply will start dying off too. We've got to figure out what to do about next door, but until they get on the ball, we'll have to just do the best we can keeping them under control here. UGH!

The last day of Mike's 'vacation' :( It has been so nice having him home, not only for his sanity's sake, but to just take a break from the daily grind. And great, in spite of the nightmare of our cohabitants...

He took the older two kids and one of Bethany's friends swimming today at the YMCA. It was another hot one today-close to 120 again. It should be 'cooling off' here in the next few days. Supposed to hand out right around 105-110 this week. You think I'm crazy, but it's amazing what a difference 5-10 degrees cooler can make when it's THIS hot.

This morning, Mike met his dad for coffee and got a bunch of beautiful veggies harvested from Carol's garden. I cooked some up with dinner and, boy, were they AWESOME!; tomatoes, onions, peppers, carrots, oh my...Delicious and perfect. (the onions in the photo were not from the garden, had to use up some of what I had, but everything else is)

We sat down tonight and watched some diving and more gymnastics from the Olympic Trials. It is amazing what people can get their bodies to do. Unbelievable talent.

MORE Scorpions!?!?!

We got up this fine Saturday morning- the first official day of Summer, by the way, is today-and prepared ourselves for a day of cleaning. Mike had gone to coffee with his group of guy friends. The kids had started cleaning up the little forgotten things in their rooms, under the dresser, beds, drawers, etc...

Bethany began to scream that there was a scorpion in her room! And then the realization that she was stung hit her moments later. I killed the stupid thing while she washed her hand. When I asked her to tell me the story, she said that she was cleaning out a purse of hers and put her hand in there to pull out a piece of paper and it was on it and stung her ring finger in the process. Being that we've lived in scorpion country for 8 years now...with kids...we've done a bit of educating ourselves as to what to do. Also, talking with our neighbors in our new neighborhood over the past 6 months, we've gleaned a lot of information on the realities of scorpion stings and especially how they affect children. Several of our neighbor kids have been stung also. Contrary to popular belief, they are not typically deadly. Similar to a bee sting, it's the allergic reaction to the sting that makes them threatening. Poison Control- the place you call when you're stung- receive 10,000 phone calls a year just from Arizona residents and visitors regarding scorpion stings. U of A says that in the past 20 years there have been no reported fatalities in the U.S. due to scorpion stings. Mike found something that said that there have been three fatalities, but those are from allergic reactions to the sting and lack of being attentive to the symptoms and failing to get medical attention for the allergic reaction.

The sting is extremely painful and temporarily paralyzes nerves. Can affect vision and brain focus and produce hyperactivity in children (which underneath, means that their heart can race and breathing can be affected)

So back to Bethany, she was in a great deal of pain. I explained to her that she needs to calm down and take slow breaths. I called Mike at coffee and had him come home. I gave her some Tylenol to help with the pain. In the ten minutes it took Mike to get home, her arm had gone numb to just above her elbow. Her finger was 'thumping', as she described it. Mike took her blood pressure when he got home and checked her pulse and she was normal with all that. We just had her take it easy, watch TV to get her mind off of the pain; which, by the way, was my test to see if she could focus. She was able to lay there and focus on the show with no problem.

We got on the phone with the bug guy and made an appointment for him to come on Monday night to do a black light treatment, along with a good spray.

While Bethany rested and watched her show, Mike and I got the garage all cleaned out. By the time that was done, Bethany was feeling a lot better. It still hurt, but not nearly as bad as it did. Amazingly, the pain was still just up to her elbow.

Mike stayed outside and did some weeding while I cleaned out all the back bedrooms.

I had to run to the library to take back some items and Bethany, feeling much better, came with. The boys washed the Durango while we were gone.

By this afternoon, Bethany was ready to go swimming. Mike took Bethany and Niko to the High School pool up the street while I finished up the laundry room and some other odds and ends.

It was a very productive day.

We are in complete awe that this fear that we had to face today was not nearly as horrific as it could've been. She bounced back so quickly and was resilient. We feel bad that she had to experience the pain of it, but so grateful that she didn't have the symptoms that she could have had.

After a long day, the kids went to bed, mike and I watched the Olympic Trials while I practiced some new crochet stitches. And then it was off to bed...

Here are some good reads regarding living among scorpions...
Scorpions In Phoenix
Scorpion Stings
Stung by a Scorpion

Week 4, Day 5

(Momma with one of her babies)

Today Mike had the day off. We were supposed to be in Vegas this weekend, but were unable to go. But Mike still had the day off today. Other than Father's Day, it's been his first day off in several months. Truly, not just weekday. He works every single day, five days a week and then the ambulance on the weekends. Never a break. So even though we didn't make it to Vegas, it was a vacation in itself for him to have nowhere to be.

First thing out of bed, we scouted the house for more scorpions. We told the kids about the night before and had them see the dead babies. While we were talking, Bethany saw 3 other babies walking down the hall. How she saw them ceases to amaze me, because of how small they are and their color blends right into the floor. But we sprayed those ones too.

After scouting for more and not finding any, we got ready and went to the YMCA with Mike to do Deep Water Aerobics and some swimming with the kids. Everyone in the class was really glad to see Mike back. He's always making people laugh there, the goofball that he is.

On the way home, we hit up yet another school for lunch for the kids. They think that is so cool to be able to go to the school to get lunch (hey, I kind of do too)...hehe

Then it was nap time and grocery shopping.

As soon as I got back from shopping, we headed into Phoenix for an interview for Mike with Phoenix Fire's Cadet Program. On the way there all the temp gauges everywhere were reading 119 degrees-hot, hot!

This evening when we got back, I went to a neighbor's house to a Pampered Chef party. It was fun to have some grown-up time and hang out with the gals.

Week 4, Day 4

I woke up this morning and had this vivid, horrible dream in the forefront of my mind. I had a dream that I was in our living room area and saw a scorpion, I freaked out and got the bug spray and as I was killing it, they started coming out all over the place; all different sizes, shades of brown, high and low. It was crazy and I ran out of spray and Mike was freaking out more than me and standing on the table...It was a yucky dream. ugh, not a good way to start the day.

Kids Club day today...fun times...Typical Kids Club program today. Niko got to go up this morning but the other two didn't. But everyone still had fun.

We got a special treat at Paradise bakery today. We happened upon these free complimentary cookie coupons the other day. So we each were able to redeem our coupons and get a yummy, exquisitely scrumptious cookie from that place...ummm

The line for the carousel was outrageous, so because we didn't have anything better to do or any place to be, we headed over to yet another school right near the mall, got the kids lunch and then went back to the carousel afterwards. The line was almost non-existent. The kids got right on and claimed the tea cup on the carousel. It was so funny to watch them. They got that thing flying around soo fast it was making me sick.

The rest of the day was pretty low-key. Mike got home and we even stayed home from home group tonight, just because we were so beat and needed a night 'in'.

Kids were off to bed and Mike and I wound down to watch TV. Mike got up to do something and thought he saw something run under the TV stand. We checked it out and I moved his flip-flop that was next to the stand and sure enough, a scorpion ran back under the stand. Mike ran to go get my shoes (not a job you want to do in bare feet) I got my spray and posted until it came back out. In a few minutes it came out and I got it good. I went to hand Mike his flip-flops too, but being kind-off wigged out by it all, I check them and sure enough there was a teeny tiny little baby hanging out under the top strap of his shoe. I don't know how I saw it, but I did. I sprayed that thing too, but then, if you know anything about scorpions, you'll know that they will have anywhere between 2-100 babies...NICE!...I sprayed all under the TV stand/entertainment center and all along the baseboards. Sure enough in a couple minutes another teeny-tiny baby came running out from under the center. UGH...we didn't see anymore for the next hour, so we went off to bed for an unrestful night sleep.

Kind of weird that I dreamed about it this morning though

Week 4, Day 3

Mike went to the monthly breakfast this morning with the guys from Firefighters For Christ. He had a great time and good discussion.

While he was up in Phoenix, The kids and I headed to the library-again! They did a craft workshop this morning making bug magnets. They turned out really cute and the kids were pleasantly surprised to see their friend, Hope, in the class too. It's always refreshing to see faces of good friends at unexpected times.

When we were done with the library, we checked out the new craft store that opened up, Hobby Lobby. It was so cool and they were having such awesome grand opening deals. It's probably a good thing I didn't have anything budgeted for that place. I don't think I would've been able to contain myself. It was fun looking though.

Then it was time for lunch. On the way home we checked out one of the Gilbert schools that was serving lunch. So, then by the time we got home, everyone was ready to cool off in the air cooled house and settle down for naps. We got home just about the same time as Mike.

Tonight was YMCA night. Mike taught the youth circuit class all by himself today. I think he did very well. It was fun. Niko and Bethany really get a good workout in it too. Mathew went to his tumbling class and they did fun exercises and activities with the big parachute and practiced back flips over a padded pummel horse thingy. It was cool how that thing worked.

Then Niko went to his tumbling class and they practiced jumping off of the vault a couple different ways- knee tucks, toe touches...He did well. The first time, he landed right on his knees, but then he figured out how to get his feet down before he landed and he was good to go.

We then ate our sandwiches by the pool and then went swimming. Mike joined us when he got off. They've put the coolers on the pool this week (like pool heaters, but they cool the water instead of heat it), so it was actually pretty nippy to jump into, but so refreshing.

Kids went to bed pretty easy tonight, hmmm, wonder why?

Week 4, Day 2

Today was a catch up day around the house. We cleaned, did laundry, etc.

This afternoon, we went to the library and Bethany did a Actor's Tools Theater Workshop with the Missoula Children's Theatre. She had a ton of fun and was completely in her element.

Today is also Grandma Kristi's birthday. We hope she is having a fabulous, special day!

Week 4, Day 1

Mike was working at home today, so my goal was to keep the kids busy out of the house for as much of the day as possible. That way he could have it quiet for conference calls and working and what not.

So we went to the YMCA this morning and I started back up with the Deep Water Aerobic class. Even though it's been nearly a year since I've been, all the ladies were so happy to see me back. They all remembered me and were all smiles and asking when Mike was coming back. They are a great group of ladies. 99% of them are over 50 and there's a big emphasis on the social aspect of the class in the group. I think that's what makes these ladies so committed to it. I'm excited about starting again. The workout aspect of it is really what you make of it and I pushed myself this morning and feel great. The kids did well in the child care and had fun in there too.

After class the kids came into the pool and went swimming too. The pool was empty and other than one other little girl, we were the only ones in there. We swam for a little over an hour and then got all showered and dressed.

From there we stopped by one of the elementary schools that is serving free lunches throughout the summer. It was fun for the kids to do something different and hey, can't argue with free. For those of you living in AZ, here is a website that lists all the campuses in AZ offering free school lunches this summer, or you can check the districts websites a lot of times and they have it posted on those, usually under Food and Nutrition Department.

So with our tummy's full, we headed home to drop off swimming stuff and pick up library stuff and pillows for the Family Movie Matinee. Today the movie was Charlotte's Web, the one with Dakota Fanning. It was a pretty cute movie.

We got home just as Mike was closing shop. He was ready to go swimming now. So we jumped back in our suits and headed to the pool at the high school just around the corner. Bethany and Mike had fun jumping off the spring-board diving board and practicing all sorts of tricks.

Niko has been wanting to jump in off the diving board, but has been a bit apprehensive, especially with it being 12 feet deep there (okay, maybe mom has been more apprehensive about the 12 ft deep part of it than him, but he's been too nervous to do it nevertheless) So Mike talked him into going assuring him that he was right there. He walked out onto the edge of the board and then tried to change his mind but Mike encouraged him back out and assured him that he was right there. So he did his cannon ball off, popped up to the surface and swam right to the side. He did fabulous! And after that first time, he was fearless. So then the three of them spent their time jumping while Matthew and I jumped and played and watched them from the shallower area.

Mike came over and gave me a chance to go off the diving board too. I jumped feet first the first time and then tried to do a flip the second time. I never have been a good flipper, but I remember back when at least being able to do a froward flip off the end of the diving board. I gave it a shot and flopped rather than flipped- OUCH! right on my lower back and it took the bottoms of my suit off with the flip too (embarrassing!) So, with that, I was back to the kiddie area with Matthew and pretty much done with the spring board for the day.

Sometime today, Bethany also got her tickets all confirmed to go up to Idaho. She is so excited about going up to visit all her family up there. We weren't sure if she'd make it up there this summer or not, but it looks like it's going to work out now.

We were beat by the time we came home, had dinner and put the kids to bed.

Father's Day!

Mike got to sleep in on his father's day today while I took our noisy kids out for a market run. By the time we got home, Mike had a restful morning and the kids were ready to give him all of his special cards and packages. We had decorated craft bags to put the cookies in. Each of them decorated one special cookie just for Dad. Then they wrote a special message on their bag and decorated it with stickers that they had picked out. Bethany drew an additional card too.

Bethany's card

Niko's airplane card/bag


Matthew's card/bag

After cards, we got started on breakfast.

Then we all got ready for church. By that time, they were ready to give him his gift. He has been wanting a pocket Bible that he can keep with him at work to read and study. Especially while he's working on the ambulance. There's a lot of down time and him and his partner have been having a lot of good discussions. So this little Bible will come in handy, not only there, but also everywhere and anywhere.

Opening his gift (note:don't you love Batman?)

Everyone trying to show him it all at once.

Matthew 'reading'..."And God made all the animals and everything 'cause, 'cause, 'cause he love us"

We got it personalized with his name too.

So now with his new Bible in tow, we were ready to go to church. After that we came home, changed and headed to the YMCA to go swimming. It was hot, 113 degrees, so the pool was so nice. Matthew got to show Mike how well he has been swimming too. We swam for a good 2 hours until we were swam out.

We came home and got the ribs started. I cooked them in the oven at 300 for about 2 hours and then Mike put them on the grill. We had corn on the cob and potatoes with them. It was yummy. Everyone devoured them.

That was pretty much the extent of the day. It was nice to have Mike home and not working for a change. Just a day for him to do nothing. It was great!
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Now that I have the details of the day spelled out for all, I want to take an opportunity to brag on Mike a bit, from the mom's prospective.

This is the 9th Father's Day he has celebrated. Each year, my appreciation for him is deeper and richer. He has grown so much as a father, as a person, as a husband, as a man over the years. He is an awesome example of commitment, faithfulness, and integrity. He is always looking to better himself and learn; whether it's as a father, an employee, a husband, or simply as a person. He is always setting goals and working each day to reach them. As he progresses and reaches them, he sets new goals. He always involves his family in his decisions and his family is what motivates every decision and choice he makes. His love and devotion to us makes us feel safe and secure and stable. He proves to be a man deserving of honor and respect and he is a man who knows the meaning of true honor and respect as he lives it out. I know that his strong faith and love for God is what enables him to be the man that he is. I am truly blessed to have Michael as a husband and father to my children.

Weekend

Mike woke up bright and early this morning to go to coffee/bible study. By the time he got home it was off to work he goes. His shift began a bit earlier but he got off a bit earlier too. So it was nice having him home before 10:00 pm.

While he was at work, we made the cookies. We also made our cards for Mike and cleaned the house, did laundry, cleaned rooms...I mowed the lawn and we went to Home Depot to get a hose coupling for our garden hose out back. It has been just a raw, cut-off hose. So, in order to be able to use attachments, I needed to get the coupling. I got that all put together and then the kids had fun running in the sprinkler in our back yard for the first time this summer...and the lawn got a good watering as well.

I got a phone call about 5:30 or so asking if I could babysit Chastity. So at 7:00 she came over and we went up to the park. It was so warm today. Got up to 111. It ended up being a late night. Chas got picked up after Mike got home at about 10:30 or so. Then it was off to bed for everyone

The Floating BBQ Doughnut Kitchen

Came across this here at KitchenContraptions.com and thought it was pretty interesting. It's a Floating BBQ Kitchen . Would be kind of cool, floating on a lake somewhere, watching the sunset with a group of friends around one of these things...

Week 3, Day 5

It's Friday!
This morning we paid bills-fun, fun...That was pretty much the excitement of the day :)

We went to the park this evening for a while until Matthew had a meltdown because of the fly that was following him around. I think he was jsut pretty tiered. He went to bed and then I read with the older two kids for a while. Here's our favorites from tonight:

(Yes, I took this image from Amazon)

Week 3, Day 4

Mike went into work today. That gave the kids and I an opportunity to get some Dad's Day odds and ends accomplished.

We got ready and out the door early, at least for us it was early. We headed to WallyWorld to get cards for everyone. Then it was off to Kids Club at the mall. While we waited for it to start, I got our cards all written out and ready to mail-yeay. Nothing like the last minute.

Bethany and Niko both made some song requests and were invited to lead the group in their favorite song. Niko lead the group in The Wheels on the Bus and Bethany, the Cha-Cha Slide? Or something like that. It was pretty cute. Niko also go to participate later with a different song that the lady was singing. After the show, they went on the carousel. Niko got a hold of the Triceratops today and Bethany got the Eagle, so they were riding in style and happy.

On the way home we had to run a few more errands in search of 'something' (which we never found, by the way- Garsh, I hate days like that) But we got some new ideas, so it wasn't a complete waste of time. While we were walking through Sportsman's Warehouse, Niko was looking around at all the heads on the walls. He says loud enough for all to hear, "Awe...look at all those poor animals that were shot. See their heads up there?" And then said it again two more times as we were walking through, just to make sure everyone heard, "poor animals, that's so sad" Ugh...We're in Sportsman Warehouse, for cryin' out loud. um.....Oh, well....

So when we got home, we coordinated Matthew coming home. By 2:30 my mom, Dave and Dave's mom were at the house dropping him off. He was so happy to be home and full of stories about all that he had done and where he had gone and what he had eaten. Sounded like he had a really good time with Grandma and Grandpa.

We ate dinner and went to homegroup. We had some really good discussion and visiting and actually lost track of time. We didn't get home until 9:45!

Mike and I watched some Tv then hit the hay.

Week 3, Day 3

Today was another fun day at the library.

Because Matthew is with my mom in Prescott, Bethany, Niko, and I went to a magic show at the library. The guy was sort-a a funny fella. He seemed to have a lot of bloopers. I think some of them were intentional, but not all. He did a lot of juggling and card tricks and illusions. Bethany of coarse, got to assist him with one of his tricks. It was a lot of fun for the kids and, hey, I enjoyed it too.

We exchanged more books while we were there also.

We cleaned up the house in the afternoon and piddled around. During 'quiet time' this afternoon, Niko and Bethany took turns listening to Books on CD that we had checked out from the library. It's a great chance for them to have some down time where they can listen to the story with their earphones on and use their imagination still.

Then later we went to the YMCA to do our circuit class and tumbling. Niko joined in with the circuit class and he really had a lot of fun and did a great job. He also did a good job in his tumbling class today also. They got to do some exercises on the gymnast bar today. After class, we ate tacos by the pool and then went swimming. When Mike got off, he joined us in the pool for a while until it was time to get jammies on and go home.

Shortly after we got home, Chastity's mom came by and dropped off some beautiful flowers to say thank you for helping out these past 2 weeks. It was so thoughtful of her and the flowers are so cheerful and pretty.

It was another fun day at the Clesceri's.

The Rest of the Day

More funny word usage by Niko this time...

He was using this soap bar that is shaped as a rubber duckie in the bath tonight. He was telling me afterwards that when he was using it "the ducks nose was perishing" Huh? "Perishing." he repeated. Perishing? "Yeah, it was perishing." I thought that was pretty funny.

So Mike got home early today. He came home about 12:30-1:00. It was a pleasant surprise. later this afternoon, we met my mom and Dave to drop Matthew off to them. He will be with them until Thursday. He was so excited. He wanted to pack up all his things first thing today. He was really good about taking his nap so he would be ready for when he went with grandma and grandpa. When we met up with them and made the hand-off, he gave us all hugs and was anxious for us to go. He said, "I be good for grandma and grandpa too" It was funny.

We actually met at the Ikea parking lot, so after that we walked around the store a bit, just looking. Then when we got home we walked up to the park and played Frisbee and wore ourselves out (or at least I did). Fun day.

"You look Pazy, Mommy, Pazy"

That's what Matthew exclaimed when he saw my 'experiment'. While watching TV with Mike last night, I put my hair in 60 pin curls and slept in them. This morning I took them out and it was 'pazy, mommy, pazy' (aka-Crazy, mommy, crazy). And then when I brushed the curls out, I turned into Bozo the CLown. It was so funny and the kids were rolling on the floor with laughter. I played with it some and then Bethany said I looked like one of those old time movie actresses, the silent film stars. So I slabbed on the eyeliner very thickly and put on the boldest lipstick I have (that's really not saying much, considering strawberry Chapstick is about as dark as I go-haha)...And I took a couple Hollywood Star-ish shots. It was funny and fun. Niko said I looked beautiful, don't know if I'd go that far.

Anyhow, another fun morning at the Clesceri's. Now I need to get some productive work done around here. Enough playing around.

In case you want a good laugh yourself, here's a couple photos to share.

Tight curls
The back actually doesn't look all that bad.
WOAH! Brushed out Bozo-style.
Glamour Shots-haha

Week 3, Day 1

Today was the last day that we had our friend, Chastity, with us.

This morning we took Niko to the dentist office to get his sealants on. Even though it was only Niko with the appointment, it was fun for the whole gang. Their dentist office is pretty kid friendly with video games, a movie 'theater' room, and all sorts of things to keep them entertained in the waiting room and in the check up rooms as well. It was fun for all. They said that Niko was a star patient and did awesome and he could come back anytime-lol.

After that, we came home and hung out until after lunch when we went to the library. We turned in some of our reading program stuff and got our prizes, checked out new books, and watched the movie matinee for today- Bee Movie.

The kids had fun today.

Mike's at the YMCA working tonight, so it's just me and the kiddos hanging out at home. Another quiet night.

The Weekend

This weekend was pretty hot around here. Up around 103...We cooled off Saturday afternoon by going to church where they had a family movie matinee. We saw Princess of Thieves. It was a really cute movie, complete chick flick, but the kids loved it. Miss Lana gave each family discussion questions and activities to go along with the movie that we do at home. Kind of how it parallels God and the Bible in some ways and lessons we can learn. Fun stuff.

Mike worked both days at MedCare. Had some pretty long, late shifts both nights.

We got 'The Letter' from Tempe Fire. He was not selected, but is on an eligibility list for 6 mos i guess. He still feels that he accomplished quite a bit with this round. He is still in the running for Gilbert, Phoenix and Gila River.

Sunday the kids and I cleaned the house, did some work in the yard and that's pretty much it.

Pretty low-key weekend

Week 2, Day 5

Today was an odd day For some reason we couldn't get going (or should I say, I couldn't get going)...I took half the day trying to decide what we were going to do. Finally we went out to get Mike's Friday Burrito and then came back, ate lunch, cleaned up, and headed out to the pool again.

Mike was working at the YMCA tonight, as he was last night. He picked up two shifts from a guy there who needed the time off. It was slow so he was able to use some of the down time to work out while he was there. Otherwise, he was running appointments with people getting them into their workout routines and helping everyone out. Yesterday and then today, he worked 3-9:30/10:00.

So, while he was at work today, the kids and I stayed at the pool until 4:00, had dinner and then wound down for the evening.

Seems like now, at the end of week 2 of summer, things are becoming more routine and not as exciting to write about being that it's not new news. But we're still having a blast and staying busy.

Week 2, Day 4

Today Matthew took the older three kids with him to Kids Club at the mall. They all met Dewpert the Prairie Dog and Persephanie. I think Bethany and Chastity were on the edge of being too old for it (aka- bored), but deep down I know they had a good time-hehe. They sung songs about Tombstone today and were all given plastic cowboy hats....And they ALL liked the carousel ride afterwards...I was utterly surprised on the carousel that two people in front of me and then riding right next to us was a mother who looked VERY familiar. Turns out we went to the same small little high school in CA. Chantell graduated a year after me, but she looked exactly like she did in High school. Being that I moved out of town shortly after graduation, then up to Idaho, then down here to AZ, i rarely run into anyone from high school. So that was really cool...We'll see them around throughout the summer.

After lunch, we headed to yet another pool to check it out. It was a lot of fun, but quite a bit more people there than at the other one. We played for a long time today. And here's headline news...ready...

Matthew swam all by himself today!!!

I know that he should've been doing this a long time ago, but he hasn't so we are so very proud of him....He still sinks if he is in one place, but he can kick and almost freestyle stroke and gets going good. Yeay Matthew!

Now we're having some down-time and a quiet night.

Tomorrow's Friday, the end of Week 2

Photos from Today

Everyone waiting for things to start

At the pool
Niko sliding down...
Bethany jumping off the diving board in the deep pool

Matthew swimming-Go Matthew!
Girls playing around

Week 2, Day 3

Today was a pretty quiet day. We stayed in throughout the day. The kids were back and forth to the park throughout the day, but pretty much used today to catch up around the house. Niko practiced some of his Gross Magic tricks on us, too.

We were out the door though by 4:00 to the YMCA for a host of activities. Mike was working there tonight, as usual, but the kids all started their classes. So, we just all went together and made a night out of it.

Bethany took the youth circuit class where they do circuit training using a variety of machines. While she was there, I was on the treadmill with a gal that I met up with from church. Then I took Matthew to his tumbling class, then Niko's turn to tumble, while Bethany was in the 'Teen Room' playing air hockey and pool and fuse ball...Then we ate dinner by the pool (some sandwiches I had packed) and then went swimming for about an hour. By then we got jammies on and Mike was off work and we headed home.

Photos from Today

waiting in line to do his summer-salts

the blur is Matthew doing a summer salt
Niko walking backwards on the balance beam
Niko doing a cartwheel

Week 2, Day 2

Today was another fun-filled day.

We started by loading the bikes into the truck and heading to a large park nearby with really fun bike trails and playgrounds. We spent a good 2 hours there, riding around, watching the ducks, playing, rolling down hills, racing the bikes down hills, climbing trees...fun stuff. One of Bethany's friends from school and cheerleading was there with her family too, so the three girls were able to play together for a while too. When we were hot and hungry, we headed home, stopping by to get a pizza to take home for lunch.

We ate lunch and had some quiet/nap time.

In the very early afternoon, we checked out a pool at the high school right around the corner. We went with a neighbor up the street and her two boys. The pool has diving boards and a large fun water play area with a zero entrance. It was a ton of fun and a change of scenery from the YMCA. Matthew even got rescued by the life guard! Fun times...He was just in about an inch or two deeper than where he should have been, but it was enough to get him kicking for the lifeguard and mom. He was within arms reach of her, so she got there before me. It wasn't really a dramatic event but enough to keep him where he needs to be.

So after we all had enough sun and fun, we went home and settled down. Chastity went home and we went out to fill up the gas tank before gas reaches 4.00 in the next day or two.

After dinner we may go for a walk, but then we'll close up shop for the day and start again tomorrow.

Photos from today

Riding and playing at the park this morning

"Girl time"

Rolling down the hill...What fun!

Busy day made this guy pass out on the couch.