Summer Stay-cation - Week 2

Sunday, Aug. 8th - I've gone on this kick where I want the kids to experience different parts of Arizona, even in the dead of summer. I think it's a little bit of cabin fever, but oh well, at least I have a husband and mother that are willing to oblige.  So up we went to Wickenburg with absolutely no plan (although I kind of wanted to keep going in Wickiup for some honey.  Anybody remember that trip in high school? When we were stranded there for hours?)  We ended up eating lunch at the Horseshoe Cafe, a super cute local restaurant that was one of the only places open.  Apparently the establishments in Wickenburg close down during the summer.  Wimps.  We tried to walk the couple blocks to the Western Museum, but it was really hot (and uphill) so we turned around and headed back to the car.  Wimps. :)

Monday, Aug. 9th - During the two-week summer break, Weekday School's amazing teachers take time to make home visits to each of the kids enrolled in their classes for the upcoming school year.  Today we had home visits from both Ms. Rhonda (Dylan's new teacher) and Mrs. Sutton (Kaitlyn's new teacher).  The kids were already really excited to see the teachers, but to make things even sweeter, the teachers brought gifts for both kids - notebooks and pens from Mrs. Sutton, 'warm fuzzies' from Ms. Rhonda.  Man I love that school.  If that wasn't enough excitement for one day, we managed to fit in a little nap and then headed down to meet Auntie Meg and Josie at the Children's Museum of Phoenix.  The Climber truly is amazing, and no, I don't have any pictures. Boo.

Tuesday, Aug. 10th - I actually had a babysitter today for the kids in the form of Aunt Marybeth (aka Aunt Lollybeth, aka Aunt Lollypop) so I went to work all day by myself.  Work is really not as fun without kids there.  I think I'll have a talk with the powers that be.  Although I don't have any actual photographic evidence, Aunt Marybeth said the kids were wonderful and she actually wants to babysit again! I don't know what kids she was watching, but hopefully I can find them again some time!

Wednesday, Aug. 11th - Like I said, work isn't nearly as fun without the kids with me, so today I took both kids to work, then had lunch at Vanguard with Dad.  We wrapped up our day with dinner at Papa Bill's. Yay for hippy dads that make their own California Rolls!  Seriously they were delicious.

Thursday, Aug. 12th - Thanks again to Grandma Charlene and her Groupons, we ventured out to Chandler to go to Bounce Jungle with the Burch kids.  Sure it was far (even further because I went the wrong way), but it was totally worth it to see these little goofballs have a blast.

Friday, Aug. 13th - Since the kids had so much fun at the new aquarium at Arizona Mills, Grandma Charlene, Grandpa Yo-Yo and Rachel took the kids out to World Wildlife Aquarium.  Everyone had a lot of fun and we can't wair to go back to check out the whole zoo when it's not 400 degrees outside.

(click on the pic to zoom in to see Dylan's funny face)

Saturday, Aug. 14th - Phoenix Farmer's Market with Dylan, Mom and Grandma Carol; swimming with Mom and Dad

Sunday, Aug. 15th - BBQ and swimming with the Coopers

Summer Stay-cation - Week 1

Sunday, Aug. 1st - We started out our summer vacation like any responsible parents...taking our kids to a couple of the finest watering holes in the West! My sister and I used to love going to Greasewood Flats and Pinnacle Peak Patio as kids, and although there weren't many people at either, and the Greaswood Peacocks have gone to Peacock Heaven, not much else had changed.  Kaitlyn's favorite part was the little cemetery by the chapel, and wanted to know all about who was buried there. We told her it was a cowboy cemetery, but I think I read somewhere that it is really a pet cemetery.  I like our story better.  And you gotta love the neck ties at Pinnacle Peak. 

Monday, Aug. 2nd - We got to have Dylan's little friend Jude over for the day and I must say there is nothing quite like two little boys to really make you appreciate preschool teachers.  After playing with toys, watching a movie, eating lunch, trying to take a nap (no such luck), and playing with toys some more, we discovered the most fun activity of all...BALLOONS! No helium needed. Just blow up a few balloons and turn the kids loose.  It literally took up a good hour chunk of our day.

Tuesday, Aug. 3rd - Today was Dylan's turn to go to Jude's house.  I think it must have something to do with Jude's mom being a pediatrician and maybe slipping the boys some nice little sedatives, but she managed to accomplish something I was totally unable to do...get the boys to take a nap!

Kaitlyn joined me at work, and earned her keep by two-hole punching invoices, sealing envelopes and making hand-deliveries to the attorneys.  She had a blast and was the most well-behaved and professional employee on the floor! (Sorry, I didn't get a picture of my little worker this day)

Wednesday, Aug. 4th - Since we had such a successful trip to work the previous day, we decided to go downtown again today.  This time both kids joined me and although they don't look like it here, they really did have fun!  They just like me to take pictures of them being grumpy.  Really all Dylan ever needs is our portable DVD player and Hook and the kid is good to go.  I have no idea how such a little guy can be so totally in to a movie he's seen a hundred times. 

Thursday, Aug. 5th - We ventured down to IKEA today with Auntie Meg and baby Josie to do a little shopping.  Actually, the kids did NO shopping, because they got to play in Smaland, IKEA's daycare area.  I've always known that this place existed, but I never really paid much attention to it.  It's awesome.  And it's free.  Good times.  I don't have pictures because I didn't bring my camera.  I was on a mission for fabric to re-cover my chairs.  More on that later.

Friday, Aug. 6th - I actually had to go to work all by myself today, so the kids got to go to Imagination Avenue with Grandma Charlene, Grandpa Yo-Yo and Rachael.  And thanks to Grandma Charlene's addiction to Groupon, we now have frequent flyer punch cards and the kids can't wait to go back!

Saturday, Aug. 7th - We actually did nothing today.  It was wonderful.  A nice restful day before another week of nonstop fun!

Eye Camera UPDATE

Tonight's gem...

"Your brain is kind of like Memory.  You have to remember all the stuff you saw so you can tell people about it."

Eye Cameras

When putting Kaitlyn to bed tonight, after singing all her songs and talking about our day, she proceeded to share this little gem:

"When you are awake, your eyes are like two cameras, and they take pictures and send them to your brain.  And when you are asleep, it's like the eye cameras are off and they are charging."

Genius.