Spring Break

We just started school again after a nice long 17 days of spring break. I really had the vacation bug, but with Dano organizing Costa Vida concessions at 2 spring training baseball parks, it wasn't a good time to leave. We decided to make the most of our sunny home state and tried to get outside and do something fun each day. First we went to the Chandler Environmental Education Center. This place is like a block away from my house, so I don't know why it took me so long to check it out. They had a little class called Meet the Creature that was totally free and awesome! This lady brought about 20 different kinds of animals for them to pet and hold. Then we had a picnic lunch and played outside.

We spent a lot of time playing outside with our neighbor friends.

We went to see the Indians vs. Angels at the Goodyear ballpark. This was especially fun for Isaak who just started playing on a baseball team.

We played at Bounce U then went to McDonald's for lunch with some friends.

Kayla was sick with a stomach bug for a week, so that slowed us down a bit, but the boys had great friends that invited them out to do things. We also went to our neighborhood splashpad on a warm day, went to the library, and Dano took the boys to another baseball game. I have to say, I love having year round school in AZ and the chance to spend quality time with my kids throughout the year.

Race

Isaak is in the Runners Club at school. They meet after school 2 days a week and run laps for about 40 minutes. If they can run 1 1/2 miles in less than 30 minutes, they qualify to go to the District races. Isaak had his first race and we all went to watch him run. He is a fast runner, but we noticed he was running with his friend, and not really trying to win the race. He came in around the middle of the group. He said he didn't care that he didn't get a ribbon, but I'm trying to motivate him to do his best on the next one. Either way, he is having fun and getting lots of exercise. I'm a competitive person, but it's not really Isaak's nature. I'm really proud of him for his love of running!

All of the Haley students met to stretch and warm up before the race.

Crossing the finish line!

Phoenix Zoo

Isaak had the day off school for Martin Luther King Day, so Aubrey and I took the kids to the zoo. We got there early and expected a lot of crowds, but it was perfect. It was cool and sunny and awesome! We go to the zoo about once a year here and now that all of my kids are 2 and up it was so much more fun. They really got into seeing all of the animals and lasted the whole day. We packed a picnic lunch and saw it all. They all fell asleep on the car ride home so we drove around the 202 loop a second time to let them sleep. So glad to have my sister to do these fun things with me when Dano has to work.

Somehow we always get a pic on the Komodo Dragon

 Checking out the birds

 I'm a zebra, you're a zebra! (inside joke)

 Miss Kayla is way to mature to ride in the wagon....all day long.

 My little baby birds :)

Hiking South Mountain

I have been trying to do as much as possible outside while the weather is so beautiful here. A few Saturdays ago we took the kids on a hike at South Mountain in Ahwatukee. My dad had been on this trail lots of times and recommended it for little kids. It was a lovely overcast, but pleasant day and the kids had fun exploring the desert. We hiked about a 1 mile loop through the valley, then climbed some of the nearby hills. The kids loved going up high so much more than the flat. Kayla wanted to be carried on the flat trail, but climbed all of the hills by herself. I was impressed with my little hikers!

Noah's Birthday Party

Noah requested a Transformers themed party for his 4th birthday. We are having beautiful, warm winter weather in AZ this year, so we had the party at our neighborhood park. We started the party with a Transformer scavenger hunt. The kids followed clues around the park, collecting different Autobots along the way.

 The final clue was to find the Allspark. It was a gray box filled with the kids' goodie bags. Since most transformers are vehicles, I hid it in the back of our van.

 Our second game was a balloon game. I filled each balloon with a fun fact about Noah, like his favorite food, etc. Each child took a turn popping a balloon and reading the paper inside. Once all of the balloons were popped it revealed a picture of Optimus Prime.

 I guess Noah thought the popping was too loud ;)

Isaak and his friend Cole

 Our last game was Noah's request, hot potato. We passed an Optimus Prime action figure. I don't love doing games where there are winners and losers at this age. They have a hard time. We played one quick round then moved on to cake and presents!

 I made transformers cupcakes. I didn't have enough powdered sugar for the frosting so it was runny. It did not turn out how I had planned, like all of the beautiful pinterest cupcakes. Totally wish I had a redo on that. Next year! Of course, kids don't care about that stuff. Make a wish Noah!!

 Noah received many awesome and generous gifts from his friends. Really, everything a 4 year old could ask for!

The kids enjoyed the beautiful day and running around the park. It was a lot of fun, and fun for me to plan a special day for my favorite 4 year old!

Noah turns 4!!

On January 3 my crazy Noah turned 4. This really feels like a huge milestone in our house. He started on the terrible 2's at about 18 months and is now maturing and becoming more easy going. He definitely has a stubborn personality, that I hope will serve him in life by driving him to accomplish many great things! He had been looking forward to his birthday for quite a while. His birthday was on a Tuesday and we had a big friend party planned for the next Saturday. I still wanted to make his actual birthday special. In the morning we went to Bounce U for open bounce. The kids really enjoyed it!

That night I made Noah his favorite dinner and we had a little family party with cake and presents from Dad and Mom.

Snow!

We drove high up into the mountains and looked to the shady side that had not yet melted and found a little snow to play in. The kids thought it was great. Even though it was old, icy, crunchy snow. Poor deprived Arizona children. I really wanted them to have to fluffy flakes falling from the sky experience, but it did not happen. They had a ton of fun playing in the snow and sledding. And on the plus side, the weather was pretty warm.

Thanks so much to Nina who found and bought snow clothes for the boys and to Annalee for letting us borrow Avery's old gear!