Well, this is officially the beginning of the last week of summer. School starts up on Monday, August 4th (And no-we are NOT on a year-round school schedule here in AZ, we just don't have laws in place, as other states do, to prevent school from starting earlier than Labor Day) So, Thursday is back to School/Meet the teacher night and the kids will find out who will be teaching them this year. Exciting stuff!
Today there was still a trip to the library. This weekend the computer server for the county libraries downtown exploded-yep, exploded. So all the computers were down in all of the libraries. They still were open and checking books out. So we got all the books we needed and headed back home.
About directions...Today, Mike had two sets of driving directions come in through email today. He forwarded them to me. One was for his carpool he's starting on Wednesday, the other for a friends that we were picking something up from. We were running over to the friend's house this evening and Mike asked me to grab the directions. I wrote them down and we headed out. It was right up the street about 2 miles away. Mike says, "Oh, do they live by the carpool?" I was not understanding at all. We park, he gets out, knocks on the door and realizes it IS the carpool house! Ugh! SO we get back in the truck, laugh, call our friends, get the RIGHT directions and head out about 15 miles away. I'm sorry, Mike, for causing your embarrassment, but we did get a good laugh out of it, right? :)
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Monday, July 28, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
"The Four Seasons"- by Bethany
(click on photos to enlarge)
Bethany was in her room today and came out with this story all on her own. I thought it was sweet and well written and wanted to share it with her family. I typed it out as she wrote it-misspellings and all. Sounds like she was trying to rhyme at times. Fun to see what's in her head...
The Four Seasons
by Bethany
WINTER
WINTER IS GREAT: Winter is ware you get crates. Winter is where the green grass dies. Where people eat pies. People love sharing and believing. When winter is leving, Spring comse...a new season called Spring.
SPRING
Spring is where the birds chirp and sing. People have parties and bring things. People celebrate holidays like the Passover Feast. I like to make bread out of yeast. The Ester Bunnie comes and gives you candy. But you also celebrate Jesus. He reserected. We should always spread the word of god... Sometimes I sob...Cause Jesus died...And he rose again. Next comes summer.
SUMMER
Summer is the best because there is no school. You can go to the pool. And people are cool. Summer is hot...very hot in Arizona. People can relacs while others work. But people are happy. People are free from math, writing, school stuff.
FALL
Fall is where the kids go back to school. Fall is where the leaves on everything die. It gets cold and your food is soop and bread. People who have nothing freeze. No more shorts or tantops. Back to jeans and a sweater...But very cute ones.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Rawhide!
Tonight we went out to a Wild West town here just south of Phoenix called Rawhide. It was for Matthew's "Cowboy Birthday" as he referred to it as. He got to bring a friend with him and he chose to invite Isaac. It opens at 5:30, which is when we got there. This is the high heat of the day here in AZ, so it was pretty darn warm. But, it was still a lot of fun. There was a good breeze and within an hour the sun had gotten low enough not to be blazing on us. We, meaning the kids, went on burro rides, saw gun fight shows, gave a shot at the lasso, went to the petting zoo with the deer and goats and lambs and chickens, panned for goal (Nikos favorite), went on the train and the stage coach, and the two older ones were big enough to do the rock wall and ride the bull. Bethany did well on the bull. Niko had trouble getting on it and when he finally got up there and it got going, he let it go for no more than 5 seconds and then he said "I'm not liking this, can you stop it" He was real calm and matter of fact about it, so he hopped off.
On the way home we got some McDonald's sundaes with Isaac and his dad. It was a fun night and Matthew was so happy to have his friend with him and have his special party.
On the way home we got some McDonald's sundaes with Isaac and his dad. It was a fun night and Matthew was so happy to have his friend with him and have his special party.
Photos from Rawhide
"Rawhide!"
Happy about his Cowboy B-day
Aftermath of first gunfight
Burro rides-Whoa
Riding through town
Panning for gold-Niko's Favorite
Isaac and Matthew getting ready to go (Matthew is talking to his mule-cute)
There they go again
Waiting to go into petting zoo
Rock climbing
Matthew panning for gold
Niko and Isaac lassoing
Good job Matthew
Waiting for the Six Gun Show to start
Yee-Haw, Bethany!
Six Gun Show
The aftermath of that show
Go, Niko!
"I'm not liking this..."
"Give a girl a rope..."
Woo-hoo! Good job!
Ready for a trainride through the dessert?
Sunsetting as we ride the stagecoach
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Murderers
We're sitting around the table eating dinner-homemade chicken nuggets and pasta...Typical table discussion going on-"Can I pray tonight?"..."No, ME!"..."Did you make these mom?"..."Mm, these are good"..."do I have to eat my spaghetti?"..."Are you reading to us tonight?"..."Can we watch TV when we're done?"..."Why do you have to kill animals?"..."So, you want to go get your bike when were finished up?...
Whoa, whoa....rewind..."Why do you have to kill animals?" coming from our 5-year old, looking at the half eaten chicken strip he's holding in his hand...He repeats the question, "Why do you have to kill animals, kill the chicken?"
Why is he thinking about that, is my question...Are we going to have a left-winged vegetarian on our hands?...No worries as of yet. I asked if it would be easier to eat his chicken if I just put a live one, clicking around, on the table and we all just started taking bites out of it. He laughed at that silly picture and resumed finishing up his chicken and asking for more.
It gave Mike and I a good laugh.
Whoa, whoa....rewind..."Why do you have to kill animals?" coming from our 5-year old, looking at the half eaten chicken strip he's holding in his hand...He repeats the question, "Why do you have to kill animals, kill the chicken?"
Why is he thinking about that, is my question...Are we going to have a left-winged vegetarian on our hands?...No worries as of yet. I asked if it would be easier to eat his chicken if I just put a live one, clicking around, on the table and we all just started taking bites out of it. He laughed at that silly picture and resumed finishing up his chicken and asking for more.
It gave Mike and I a good laugh.
The Red Rocket
Today we had our neighbor friend chastity with us again. she will be with us until school starts in a week (August 4th). It will be fun for Bethany to have her friend around again to finish off the summer. We went to the library today and checked out a bunch of books and then went and got lunch at the school on the way home.
Tonight, after dinner, we headed over to WallyWorld to get Matthew his bike. We put a couple gift cards together (thanks A. Kim/U. Justin and boys; and A. Pam/U. Bruce!!!) and he is sooo excited about his big boy bike! He hasn't had a bike for about a year now so this was a big deal. He had it picked out a couple weeks ago, The Red Rocket, and finally got to bring it home tonight. When we got home, he got to ride around for a while before the monsoon storm came rolling in.
So excited!
Beautiful storm rolling in from the east as the sun is setting.
Tonight, after dinner, we headed over to WallyWorld to get Matthew his bike. We put a couple gift cards together (thanks A. Kim/U. Justin and boys; and A. Pam/U. Bruce!!!) and he is sooo excited about his big boy bike! He hasn't had a bike for about a year now so this was a big deal. He had it picked out a couple weeks ago, The Red Rocket, and finally got to bring it home tonight. When we got home, he got to ride around for a while before the monsoon storm came rolling in.
So excited!
Beautiful storm rolling in from the east as the sun is setting.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Matthew is FIVE!
Our 'baby' turned FIVE today!...I don't know, there's just something about five that forces you to let go of the 'baby' season of life. No more pushing it out further. It's official, we now have three 'school-age' kids (not that Matthew's going to school, but he could)...DOn't tell anyone, but I still think of all three of them as my 'babies'...
He had a good day. He was awaken by Mike, me and Niko singing Happy Birthday to him. He LOVED that. He has been so excited for today to come. He understands all the specialness that comes along with it being your birthday, a day just for him...We finished singing and asked him how old he is. He held up his hand, all five fingers stretched out, with a huge sleepy smile on his face. And then immediately asked, "Can I open my pwestent fwom Gwandma Wenwick?"...No messin' around here. :)
After spending the morning playing with his new legos, we headed out to drop the boys off at a friends house while I went to the airport to pick up Bethany.
He had fun at the friend's house playing in the sprinklers, on the swing set, with their dog, and running around.
Bethany's plane was on-time and she was happy to be home, but sad to leave everyone in Idaho also. She did well on her plane rides and on the trip in general. She was Chatty Cathy on the way home, telling me all about everything.
Matthew had a couple more surprises to open up when Bethany unpacked. He got a couple cars from the movie Cars and wanted to watch the movie. So we did.
We had a quiet afternoon and when Mike got home and after dinner, Nana and Popo came over for Birthday brownie sundaes. Everyone had fun putting together his new Hot Wheel race track from A. Jennifer, U. Brian and Aiden. He loves that thing. He had fun spraying his new water blaster from Nana and Popo, too. And he also digs his new clothes from Nana and Popo.
Everyone was pretty tiered though...and the kids were pretty moody. So after the late night of celebrating and fun, we all went to bed.
He had a good day. He was awaken by Mike, me and Niko singing Happy Birthday to him. He LOVED that. He has been so excited for today to come. He understands all the specialness that comes along with it being your birthday, a day just for him...We finished singing and asked him how old he is. He held up his hand, all five fingers stretched out, with a huge sleepy smile on his face. And then immediately asked, "Can I open my pwestent fwom Gwandma Wenwick?"...No messin' around here. :)
After spending the morning playing with his new legos, we headed out to drop the boys off at a friends house while I went to the airport to pick up Bethany.
He had fun at the friend's house playing in the sprinklers, on the swing set, with their dog, and running around.
Bethany's plane was on-time and she was happy to be home, but sad to leave everyone in Idaho also. She did well on her plane rides and on the trip in general. She was Chatty Cathy on the way home, telling me all about everything.
Matthew had a couple more surprises to open up when Bethany unpacked. He got a couple cars from the movie Cars and wanted to watch the movie. So we did.
We had a quiet afternoon and when Mike got home and after dinner, Nana and Popo came over for Birthday brownie sundaes. Everyone had fun putting together his new Hot Wheel race track from A. Jennifer, U. Brian and Aiden. He loves that thing. He had fun spraying his new water blaster from Nana and Popo, too. And he also digs his new clothes from Nana and Popo.
Everyone was pretty tiered though...and the kids were pretty moody. So after the late night of celebrating and fun, we all went to bed.
Birthday Photos
Playing with new legos
Bethany helping read his card
Yeay-Cars!
Thanks, Popo!
Watch out!
Birthday brownies
Make a wish!
Yum!
Putting track together
Testing it out
Sunday, July 20, 2008
So besides finishing the blanket, I finished up the dinner I made for a family of 12. Yesterday I had made the 75+ meatballs and today I put it all together to then deliver to them.
While I was cooking away, doing 5 different things at once, I started a fire in my kitchen! This was a first...I mean I've started a fire that smoked out the entire house over 10 years ago (story for a different time) but never one in the kitchen.
I had boiled a chicken yesterday and the pot had boiled over a bit more than I had realized. I cleaned up the stove top, but knowing that I was doing the whole tomato sauce thing today, I was planning on cleaning the whole thing, underneath the top and all, after cooking tonight.
Apparently the broth from the chicken that had spilled underneath was enough to ignite and- Poof!- there were flames in my kitchen. I turned off the electrical burner and blew them out frantically after exclaiming something other than "Oh shoot!"...got them out...but because the darn burner was still hot, they ignited again....Yep, fun times in the Clesceri Kitchen. I'm just grateful I was right there because I would have never known and the whole house could have been on fire if I had been in the other room...
The spaghetti turned out lovely though and was appreciated.
So other than all that, we went to church this morning, then we took Mike to work. I got our budget figured out through the end of the year and cooked (and tried to burn the house down, i guess, too)
The boys had a good day. Looking forward to Bethany coming home so they don't have to concentrate their attention on each other so much. I think they're driving each other a bit batty; lots of bickering and nit-picking at each other lately...
While I was cooking away, doing 5 different things at once, I started a fire in my kitchen! This was a first...I mean I've started a fire that smoked out the entire house over 10 years ago (story for a different time) but never one in the kitchen.
I had boiled a chicken yesterday and the pot had boiled over a bit more than I had realized. I cleaned up the stove top, but knowing that I was doing the whole tomato sauce thing today, I was planning on cleaning the whole thing, underneath the top and all, after cooking tonight.
Apparently the broth from the chicken that had spilled underneath was enough to ignite and- Poof!- there were flames in my kitchen. I turned off the electrical burner and blew them out frantically after exclaiming something other than "Oh shoot!"...got them out...but because the darn burner was still hot, they ignited again....Yep, fun times in the Clesceri Kitchen. I'm just grateful I was right there because I would have never known and the whole house could have been on fire if I had been in the other room...
The spaghetti turned out lovely though and was appreciated.
So other than all that, we went to church this morning, then we took Mike to work. I got our budget figured out through the end of the year and cooked (and tried to burn the house down, i guess, too)
The boys had a good day. Looking forward to Bethany coming home so they don't have to concentrate their attention on each other so much. I think they're driving each other a bit batty; lots of bickering and nit-picking at each other lately...
It's Done!
I've been working on this blanket for a baby that is due to arrive next month. Between running out of yarn a couple times and just the business of summer, it's taken longer than I thought. I have LOVED making this thing. Besides the new-found joys I've discovered in crocheting, I love thinking about the baby that will snuggle into it and keep warm. I love the way the stitches come together so clean and consistent. So fun! Here's the finished product(s)
little hat made with remaining yarn
little hat made with remaining yarn
Friday, July 18, 2008
Week 8, Day 5-Friday
Mike enjoyed having his first Friday off today of his new schedule. It was great for him to get up and not have anywhere to be- as far as work anyway.
He met with his friend for coffee this morning and then we went to our water aerobic class and then swam with the boys for a while afterwards.
We got lunch at the school on the way home and then it was quiet time for everyone!
Later this afternoon, we took the boys to McDonald's to get their very much anticipated Happy Meals. You have to be around us to know that we just don't go out to fast food, maybe once or twice in a blue moon and when we have coupons-like on Tuesday. Well, the boys had got wind that they had transformer toys in the happy meals at McD's and I told them that when Bethany was on her trip, we'd go there for a special treat so they could get that toy. So needless to say, they were totally excited about their dinner...and even more excited about their toy.
Well, their night got even more exciting when we surprised them by driving to the movie theater. When we got to the mall, they thought that we were just going to let them play in the water feature there, but when we walked to the theater, they were even more happy. We went to see Journey to the Center of the Earth in 3-D. It was such a cool, awesome movie! The 3-D aspect of it made it so much fun! It took Matthew a while to figure out the whole concept of it, but he eventually did. It was fun to watch the boys grabbing at things in front of their face and jumping when things were thrown at them or whatnot...It was a really cool story too and captivated every one's attention and kept us on the edge of our seats. Great flick!
It was a really fun day and night. Such a great day off for Mike and a fun special day for the boys!
He met with his friend for coffee this morning and then we went to our water aerobic class and then swam with the boys for a while afterwards.
We got lunch at the school on the way home and then it was quiet time for everyone!
Later this afternoon, we took the boys to McDonald's to get their very much anticipated Happy Meals. You have to be around us to know that we just don't go out to fast food, maybe once or twice in a blue moon and when we have coupons-like on Tuesday. Well, the boys had got wind that they had transformer toys in the happy meals at McD's and I told them that when Bethany was on her trip, we'd go there for a special treat so they could get that toy. So needless to say, they were totally excited about their dinner...and even more excited about their toy.
Well, their night got even more exciting when we surprised them by driving to the movie theater. When we got to the mall, they thought that we were just going to let them play in the water feature there, but when we walked to the theater, they were even more happy. We went to see Journey to the Center of the Earth in 3-D. It was such a cool, awesome movie! The 3-D aspect of it made it so much fun! It took Matthew a while to figure out the whole concept of it, but he eventually did. It was fun to watch the boys grabbing at things in front of their face and jumping when things were thrown at them or whatnot...It was a really cool story too and captivated every one's attention and kept us on the edge of our seats. Great flick!
It was a really fun day and night. Such a great day off for Mike and a fun special day for the boys!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Week 8
Just the boys and me this week...I feel outnumbered :)...Bethany's having a great time in Idaho. She's swimming, shopping, spending great time with her cousins, lots of fun things going on thus far up there...
Monday Mike switched his schedule to 4-10 hr days. So he has Friday's off now. That will so help his sanity to have at least one day off a week where he doesn't have to be somewhere. He also changed his schedule at the YMCA to work just as a sub. So that should help simplify things as well. Good things there...
Monday the boys and I went with a neighbor to the pool. They have two boys so it was fun for the boys to all play together. It was still cloudy and muggy, but plenty hot enough for the pool to be refreshing! Before we went to the pool though, we headed to the library. It was closed because they had some water issues from the storm Sunday night and part of the library had water damage. The magazines and newspapers were mostly affected, but they lost a couple computers as well. I'm thinking it could've been a lot worse if it was in a different location of the library. Anyhow, the closure prompted us to check out a new library branch that opened near us. The kids chose some books and a movie and had fun exploring.
Tuesday, Mike went into work, so it was, as usual, clean up day around the house. Also Pay the bills day-fun, fun...When he got home, we ran a couple errands and that was pretty much the day.
Yesterday when Mike got home, we headed to the YMCA. While he worked, the kids played in child watch and I took a couple classes-a circuit class and a yoga class and also did a treadmill workout. I got the boys and we went swimming and Mike joined us when he got off. The boys were at each other a lot yesterday, bickering and annoying each other. It was good to get out of the house.
Today, we're going back to the library that is now reopened. Hopefully the boys can give each other some space while we're out and about. Get some of their wiggles out...
We also found out today that school starts August 4th, not the 6th. I'm a bit bitter about that. I hate it when things change like that, but I'll get over it...Less time to prepare, only two days, but still...Ugh!
Monday Mike switched his schedule to 4-10 hr days. So he has Friday's off now. That will so help his sanity to have at least one day off a week where he doesn't have to be somewhere. He also changed his schedule at the YMCA to work just as a sub. So that should help simplify things as well. Good things there...
Monday the boys and I went with a neighbor to the pool. They have two boys so it was fun for the boys to all play together. It was still cloudy and muggy, but plenty hot enough for the pool to be refreshing! Before we went to the pool though, we headed to the library. It was closed because they had some water issues from the storm Sunday night and part of the library had water damage. The magazines and newspapers were mostly affected, but they lost a couple computers as well. I'm thinking it could've been a lot worse if it was in a different location of the library. Anyhow, the closure prompted us to check out a new library branch that opened near us. The kids chose some books and a movie and had fun exploring.
Tuesday, Mike went into work, so it was, as usual, clean up day around the house. Also Pay the bills day-fun, fun...When he got home, we ran a couple errands and that was pretty much the day.
Yesterday when Mike got home, we headed to the YMCA. While he worked, the kids played in child watch and I took a couple classes-a circuit class and a yoga class and also did a treadmill workout. I got the boys and we went swimming and Mike joined us when he got off. The boys were at each other a lot yesterday, bickering and annoying each other. It was good to get out of the house.
Today, we're going back to the library that is now reopened. Hopefully the boys can give each other some space while we're out and about. Get some of their wiggles out...
We also found out today that school starts August 4th, not the 6th. I'm a bit bitter about that. I hate it when things change like that, but I'll get over it...Less time to prepare, only two days, but still...Ugh!
Mike went to home church tonight. I stayed home with the boys and we read for over an hour. I love reading to the kids and the kids love to just sit there and listen and ask questions and imagine. So nice that they're not too old for this yet...Our favorite books tonight:
Karate Hour
Let's Play Rough! (the boys loved this one, i think because it was a story about them and their daddy)
Bedtime in the Southwest
Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies
Albert Goes to Town
I'm Dirty
Arnie Goes to Camp (They love the Arnie books)
Trouble at the Dinosaur Cafe
Wombat Goes Walkabout
The Ant Bully
Karate Hour
Let's Play Rough! (the boys loved this one, i think because it was a story about them and their daddy)
Bedtime in the Southwest
Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies
Albert Goes to Town
I'm Dirty
Arnie Goes to Camp (They love the Arnie books)
Trouble at the Dinosaur Cafe
Wombat Goes Walkabout
The Ant Bully
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Sunday
Well we put Bethany on a plane tonight...She did great! I knew she would. Because she is a minor, I was able to wait with her at the gate. That was odd being that you just can't do that anymore. While we were waiting we saw Christopher Reid/"Kid", an actor/comedian/rapper, had the big tall squared off flat top in the early 90's...Kind of funny, I guess...
Anyhoo, the plane was supposed to take off at 8:11, but alas, because of the monsoon that decided to roll in tonight, the flight was pushed back to 8:55 estimated departure. Well, when the plane came in and they were doing the checks on it, one of the engines was having issues so they pushed it back to 9:55 departure, arriving in Spokane at 12:30 AM! Great...Well, they got the green light earlier than expected-kind of figured that one-and we got her on the plane about 9:20. I had to stay until the plane left the ground and she was in the air and it ended up lifting off at 9:50. So it was still a pretty late night for everyone. But she got there safe and sound and is ready for a fun filled week with grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles...
And as far as the monsoon tonight, aside from the extreme awful humidity it brings, it poured in sheets tonight. The valley area got between 2 and 3.5 inches in a matter of an hour or so. The 60 flooded and they had to shut it down right through town and several streets as well were more than waste deep in water. Of coarse all the waters receded rather quickly, but pretty exciting there for a bit...
Anyhoo, the plane was supposed to take off at 8:11, but alas, because of the monsoon that decided to roll in tonight, the flight was pushed back to 8:55 estimated departure. Well, when the plane came in and they were doing the checks on it, one of the engines was having issues so they pushed it back to 9:55 departure, arriving in Spokane at 12:30 AM! Great...Well, they got the green light earlier than expected-kind of figured that one-and we got her on the plane about 9:20. I had to stay until the plane left the ground and she was in the air and it ended up lifting off at 9:50. So it was still a pretty late night for everyone. But she got there safe and sound and is ready for a fun filled week with grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles...
And as far as the monsoon tonight, aside from the extreme awful humidity it brings, it poured in sheets tonight. The valley area got between 2 and 3.5 inches in a matter of an hour or so. The 60 flooded and they had to shut it down right through town and several streets as well were more than waste deep in water. Of coarse all the waters receded rather quickly, but pretty exciting there for a bit...
Saturday, July 12, 2008
The Weekend
This morning we went over to Nana and Popo's for a wonderful breakfast and we got to visit for a while with great Popo also, who is here from CA this weekend. It was nice to have a quiet morning of visiting, swimming, and spending time with each other. Mike will be going over there in the morning again to see Popo again before he heads back.
We had to get going though so that Mike could get off to work. When we got home we checked our email and found out that a gentleman from our church, who was in an accident earlier this week, passed away. He had been on a road trip with another guy from our church on their motorcycles. They had plans to travel up through the states, up through Canada to Alaska. Fun, beautiful trip. Although, he collided with a deer in Montana and it was pretty critical. His wife and daughters were able to make it up there right away to be with him, but I guess the surgeries and efforts to save him weren't enough. He passed away last night. He was such a gentle and sweet man. Always had a smile on his face and a helpful attitude. He was probably in his late fifties, early sixties. This is obviously devastating to his family and to our small church congregation as well.
So that was pretty sobering news. Tomorrow Mike has off of work, so it will be a good family day.
We had to get going though so that Mike could get off to work. When we got home we checked our email and found out that a gentleman from our church, who was in an accident earlier this week, passed away. He had been on a road trip with another guy from our church on their motorcycles. They had plans to travel up through the states, up through Canada to Alaska. Fun, beautiful trip. Although, he collided with a deer in Montana and it was pretty critical. His wife and daughters were able to make it up there right away to be with him, but I guess the surgeries and efforts to save him weren't enough. He passed away last night. He was such a gentle and sweet man. Always had a smile on his face and a helpful attitude. He was probably in his late fifties, early sixties. This is obviously devastating to his family and to our small church congregation as well.
So that was pretty sobering news. Tomorrow Mike has off of work, so it will be a good family day.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Week 7- The Rest of the Week
I think I got to Tuesday? then I slacked off again in the daily posts...
This has been an interesting week. It's miserably hot and so HUMID here this week. Monsoon season has definitely hit. We had a beautiful, torrential down pour/hurricane/flash floods/trees uprooted/summer storm, on Thursday night. It is so amazing to see the weather like that. Call me strange but I love watching a good storm. The kids finished out the week of VBS. They had such a great time this time around. On Friday when we were coming home, Niko got all quiet and sad, almost to the point of tears. I asked him what was wrong and he said that he wished he was still at Bible School. The realization that he it was over hit him. I felt bad for him.
During the days we pretty much stayed at home. On Thursday we went to the library for a magic/variety show. It was very entertaining. The kids laughed and smiled the whole time. This guy was pretty good and far above the last guy we saw there. Afterwards we checked out a bunch of books and got all stocked up.
On Friday during the day I took Bethany out for a 'special time' kind of day. We just ran errands and got stuff for her trip coming up, but she was excited to have some one on one time. I also finally gave her a hair cut too. She's been asking for a while.
Having the kids at VBS at night has given Mike and I some time to hang out too. On Wednesday he was working at the YMCA, but I dropped in on a yoga class while he was working. It was so relaxing and really helped my sore stiff neck. On Thursday night, the night of the storm, we were able to go to home group without having to worry about the kiddos. That was a nice break. And then on Friday, Mike and I piddled around, browsing through Costco, Ultimate Electronics and then we went to this very interesting market in Chandler called Le Le's. Huge cultural experience. Mostly Asian food but all ethnic stuff. I can so see a homesick immigrant from the east or west going into that store and getting stuff that they could have gotten at home...But this place is spectacular. Strange, unique fruits and vegetables and roots and sprouts and mushrooms...Every fish and sea creature you could imagine...At the meat counter, we saw things like frogs legs, pigs snouts, pig ears, pig uterus...everything...they had canned crickets...every seasoning, sauce, paste you could imagine...amazing store. It was a great outing to share with Mike...We had a fun night hanging out.
It's been a good week.
This has been an interesting week. It's miserably hot and so HUMID here this week. Monsoon season has definitely hit. We had a beautiful, torrential down pour/hurricane/flash floods/trees uprooted/summer storm, on Thursday night. It is so amazing to see the weather like that. Call me strange but I love watching a good storm. The kids finished out the week of VBS. They had such a great time this time around. On Friday when we were coming home, Niko got all quiet and sad, almost to the point of tears. I asked him what was wrong and he said that he wished he was still at Bible School. The realization that he it was over hit him. I felt bad for him.
During the days we pretty much stayed at home. On Thursday we went to the library for a magic/variety show. It was very entertaining. The kids laughed and smiled the whole time. This guy was pretty good and far above the last guy we saw there. Afterwards we checked out a bunch of books and got all stocked up.
On Friday during the day I took Bethany out for a 'special time' kind of day. We just ran errands and got stuff for her trip coming up, but she was excited to have some one on one time. I also finally gave her a hair cut too. She's been asking for a while.
Having the kids at VBS at night has given Mike and I some time to hang out too. On Wednesday he was working at the YMCA, but I dropped in on a yoga class while he was working. It was so relaxing and really helped my sore stiff neck. On Thursday night, the night of the storm, we were able to go to home group without having to worry about the kiddos. That was a nice break. And then on Friday, Mike and I piddled around, browsing through Costco, Ultimate Electronics and then we went to this very interesting market in Chandler called Le Le's. Huge cultural experience. Mostly Asian food but all ethnic stuff. I can so see a homesick immigrant from the east or west going into that store and getting stuff that they could have gotten at home...But this place is spectacular. Strange, unique fruits and vegetables and roots and sprouts and mushrooms...Every fish and sea creature you could imagine...At the meat counter, we saw things like frogs legs, pigs snouts, pig ears, pig uterus...everything...they had canned crickets...every seasoning, sauce, paste you could imagine...amazing store. It was a great outing to share with Mike...We had a fun night hanging out.
It's been a good week.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Week 7, Day 2
Today we did haircuts for the boys. Mike's pile is on the right, Niko's is on the left. I think the son beat out the dad today in who's hair was longer/thicker. It's always a silly size-up we do around here on hair cut day, how much hair comes off. Niko's got a head of hair like his dad's though-thick, thick, thick. His pile was a bit lighter in color though. Must be that summer sun.
Mike was working from home because the air conditioning went out in the office. We had our typical low-key Tuesday still though. Bethany had a tough time keeping her mouth out of trouble today. So she spent quite a while in her room. She'd get to come out and then end right back in there for the same thing no more than 5 minutes later. Ugh-9 year olds! Mike and I were never this bad :) haha....
They had their second night of VBS tonight. Mike and I got a couple hours of quiet time.
Mike was working from home because the air conditioning went out in the office. We had our typical low-key Tuesday still though. Bethany had a tough time keeping her mouth out of trouble today. So she spent quite a while in her room. She'd get to come out and then end right back in there for the same thing no more than 5 minutes later. Ugh-9 year olds! Mike and I were never this bad :) haha....
They had their second night of VBS tonight. Mike and I got a couple hours of quiet time.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Week 7, Day 1
Today we mixed it up a bit.
We went to a puppet show at the library in the morning-skipping the matinee movie this afternoon.
We had lunch and headed right to the pool. We had such a great afternoon swimming and jumping and playing. Matthew is swimming so well. Bethany was practicing her diving off the board today. She is still hesitant to go in head first. She keeps leading with her feet. Once she lets herself fall over head first, she'll be a pro. After over three hours in the water and sun, we were ready to head out.
We got an ice cream cone on the way home and then cleaned up, ate dinner and headed out the door again to another week of VBS. They have a week of activities planned in the evenings. They had a blast tonight and are so excited to go again tomorrow. They are more excited about this one than the one a few weeks ago. By the time we got home everyone was ready to crash...and they did.
We went to a puppet show at the library in the morning-skipping the matinee movie this afternoon.
We had lunch and headed right to the pool. We had such a great afternoon swimming and jumping and playing. Matthew is swimming so well. Bethany was practicing her diving off the board today. She is still hesitant to go in head first. She keeps leading with her feet. Once she lets herself fall over head first, she'll be a pro. After over three hours in the water and sun, we were ready to head out.
We got an ice cream cone on the way home and then cleaned up, ate dinner and headed out the door again to another week of VBS. They have a week of activities planned in the evenings. They had a blast tonight and are so excited to go again tomorrow. They are more excited about this one than the one a few weeks ago. By the time we got home everyone was ready to crash...and they did.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Week 6 Overview
Wow! We missed a whole week of posting! What a slacker I am.
It was a pretty low-key week considering we only have one car right now and it's so stinkin' hot out.
Monday Bethany had a birthday party in the afternoon. So after deep water and the YMCA in the morning, she went to that and I took the boys to the library for the Movie Matinee and to get books.
On Tuesday Mike went into work and then went to the fire station for a while after work. That was very fruitful for him as he was able to have some good conversations with some of his mentors. The kids and I made use of our time at home to get housework done and play around here.
Wednesday Mike went into work also. When he got home we got all packed up to go to the YMCA. The boys had their last tumbling classes of the session and then we at dinner by the pool and then went swimming. When Mike got off, he joined us in the pool. It was a lot of fun family time and nice to be out of the house.
My neck and shoulders have been in a ton of pain and very tense this week. It takes a lot out of you. By Friday it was feeling better though- FINALLY!
Thursday Mike was working form home so the kids and I went to Kids Club and the library and I got some shopping done since Friday was the Fourth and a holiday. It was a very productive day. At 3:00 we all headed over to the pool at the High school and had a lot of fun. Matthew was jumping in the deep end and swimming up and to the side like a pro. He really wants to go off the diving board, but I'm really apprehensive about that just yet. It was nice and refreshing and fun. Mike took Matthew and Bethany to home group with him and Niko and I had a 'special time' night. He came with me to Costco and Sprouts and got to pick a treat at Costco-he chose a frozen mocha drink- and he got to pick out something at the dollar store-out of everything he chose this little stuffed animal bear. He said it was just so cute he had to have it. With all his army obsessiveness and all it's nice to see his sensitive side coming out once in a while.
Thursday was also my dad's big day so we all called and sang him happy birthday. Hope he had a great day and it sounds like he's going to have a fun, relaxing weekend too.
Friday was the Fourth of July. After a relaxing morning, Mike went into work at Medcare. The kids and I bummed around the house didn't do a whole lot of anything.
This weekend Mike is working at MedCare also. So we've been keeping busy around the house-weeding, cleaning, playing, reading, riding bikes, baking pies, having tea parties with friends. The kids made two really yummy pudding pies. It was fun for them to be involved in the kitchen. I'll have to post the recipe for the pies, the crust is so yummy.
Bethany tore her knee open this morning while she was riding her bike. She'll be okay when it scabs over, but she did loose a good chunk of skin. She was impressively brave about it.
I've also been busy crocheting little hats and scarves and blankets for the kids little animals. I can't just make one for one and not the other, you know.
The kids have been on this spinach kick too. I've been making this super easy creamed spinach and they gobble it up like it was cake or something. They keep asking for it, so I've made 3 batches since Thursday and I'm sure they'll ask for it again today. Crazy kids, whoda thunk?
We've been reading a lot too. Our favorite books this week are This Land is Your Land with illustrations by Kathy Jakobsen. Beautiful drawings from around the country. Great book! Also The Little House. Such a cute book. The kids felt really bad for that little house as we were reading it and were so happy with the outcome at the end...Boys have checked out a bunch of war books this week, everything from books on artillery to strategy, to equipment, to machinery...we have several other fun story books also. And Bethany has been going through The Little's series. She's read about 4 of them this week.
As far as our scorpion drama, this week's tally is 3. We killed them when we found them and disposed of them. They were baby ones, all three, about the same size. We're hoping that they were from the same 'litter' that we had to deal with a few weeks ago. At least it's 3 less than what were here before.
Niko has had a cough this week, kind of barky, dry cough. So it's good that we're taking it easy. No fun being sick when it's 110 out. Matthew woke up with a raspy voice and plugged nose and now his voice is nearly gone. So Niko must've passed it along to him. Whatever it is, it's not keeping them down though. Life goes on in normal routine.
It was a pretty low-key week considering we only have one car right now and it's so stinkin' hot out.
Monday Bethany had a birthday party in the afternoon. So after deep water and the YMCA in the morning, she went to that and I took the boys to the library for the Movie Matinee and to get books.
On Tuesday Mike went into work and then went to the fire station for a while after work. That was very fruitful for him as he was able to have some good conversations with some of his mentors. The kids and I made use of our time at home to get housework done and play around here.
Wednesday Mike went into work also. When he got home we got all packed up to go to the YMCA. The boys had their last tumbling classes of the session and then we at dinner by the pool and then went swimming. When Mike got off, he joined us in the pool. It was a lot of fun family time and nice to be out of the house.
My neck and shoulders have been in a ton of pain and very tense this week. It takes a lot out of you. By Friday it was feeling better though- FINALLY!
Thursday Mike was working form home so the kids and I went to Kids Club and the library and I got some shopping done since Friday was the Fourth and a holiday. It was a very productive day. At 3:00 we all headed over to the pool at the High school and had a lot of fun. Matthew was jumping in the deep end and swimming up and to the side like a pro. He really wants to go off the diving board, but I'm really apprehensive about that just yet. It was nice and refreshing and fun. Mike took Matthew and Bethany to home group with him and Niko and I had a 'special time' night. He came with me to Costco and Sprouts and got to pick a treat at Costco-he chose a frozen mocha drink- and he got to pick out something at the dollar store-out of everything he chose this little stuffed animal bear. He said it was just so cute he had to have it. With all his army obsessiveness and all it's nice to see his sensitive side coming out once in a while.
Thursday was also my dad's big day so we all called and sang him happy birthday. Hope he had a great day and it sounds like he's going to have a fun, relaxing weekend too.
Friday was the Fourth of July. After a relaxing morning, Mike went into work at Medcare. The kids and I bummed around the house didn't do a whole lot of anything.
This weekend Mike is working at MedCare also. So we've been keeping busy around the house-weeding, cleaning, playing, reading, riding bikes, baking pies, having tea parties with friends. The kids made two really yummy pudding pies. It was fun for them to be involved in the kitchen. I'll have to post the recipe for the pies, the crust is so yummy.
Bethany tore her knee open this morning while she was riding her bike. She'll be okay when it scabs over, but she did loose a good chunk of skin. She was impressively brave about it.
I've also been busy crocheting little hats and scarves and blankets for the kids little animals. I can't just make one for one and not the other, you know.
The kids have been on this spinach kick too. I've been making this super easy creamed spinach and they gobble it up like it was cake or something. They keep asking for it, so I've made 3 batches since Thursday and I'm sure they'll ask for it again today. Crazy kids, whoda thunk?
We've been reading a lot too. Our favorite books this week are This Land is Your Land with illustrations by Kathy Jakobsen. Beautiful drawings from around the country. Great book! Also The Little House. Such a cute book. The kids felt really bad for that little house as we were reading it and were so happy with the outcome at the end...Boys have checked out a bunch of war books this week, everything from books on artillery to strategy, to equipment, to machinery...we have several other fun story books also. And Bethany has been going through The Little's series. She's read about 4 of them this week.
As far as our scorpion drama, this week's tally is 3. We killed them when we found them and disposed of them. They were baby ones, all three, about the same size. We're hoping that they were from the same 'litter' that we had to deal with a few weeks ago. At least it's 3 less than what were here before.
Niko has had a cough this week, kind of barky, dry cough. So it's good that we're taking it easy. No fun being sick when it's 110 out. Matthew woke up with a raspy voice and plugged nose and now his voice is nearly gone. So Niko must've passed it along to him. Whatever it is, it's not keeping them down though. Life goes on in normal routine.
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