AZ gardening

Planting season is just weeks away! My tomato crop last year was so fabulous; I can't wait to have a fresh from the garden BLT! Use this planting guide for Maricopa County. I think that I'll be helping a newbie plant a garden this year. If we rent a tiller does anyone else want to use it?

Kid Pictures

In memory

Death came to our house yesterday. Our gerbil, Henry passed on to meet her mate James on the other side. I discovered her in the afternoon but left her undisturbed until just before bedtime. We had much sorrow as we saw her in her box coffin and while painting her name on her headstone. We had much wailing as we walked into the desert behind our house and dug a semi-deep hole. Alex was truly sorrowful and Ryan was feeding off of that. Ryan was more interested in what would happen if Molly passed on too: like, could we get a dog after Molly dies? Alex was missing her this morning. Funny, he hasn't feed her or looked at her more than 3 times in the last 6 months. He said, 'It was so much sadder when we lost our fish because when they die you flush them down the toilet.' Alex also said, 'Well, Molly shouldn't be lonely for too long because she'll have babies in a couple of months.' In case you are new to our blog, Henry and James were our male gerbils. James escaped and suffocated in a bag. We found him 3 months later. We told the boys he had gone on vacation because he was missing. 2 months after James was gone, lo and behold Henry had 8 babies in her cage one morning. So, you can see if you aren't up on the birds and the bees how cause and effect would dictate another set of babies. I merely replied that it takes a mommy and daddy gerbil to have babies and so Molly will be alone. And, no Ryan, I am not going and buying a daddy gerbil!

Time marches on

January didn't pause or stop or slow down. I could use a break! After we got home from our vacation I told Dan that I wanted to take the day off. Don't get me wrong: I love my kids and hubby and I enjoy taking care of them but I look forward to a day away after this baby is weaned. Until then each day comes and goes with something usually new and not always wanted (i.e. Tantrums!!!)Here is Alex and his two awards he got for 2nd quarter. He was so excited to get 2 at the same time. I was glad the principal said that perfect attendance is about those kids who some how avoided getting sick. I'm not a stickler for perfect attendance, but we have managed it so far this year.

These are the aprons we got for Christmas. Some times when the big guys are playing video games I take my chef in the kitchen to get him out of their hair!

Notice the new cut and color. I am going to go lighter step by step until Dan is satisfied. I'm so laid back that I'm OK with almost anything. Luckily I've got good hair and lots of time to get it back to normal if I don't like it.

Macey crashed with Bruce the other night while we were watching 'Shark Tank.' Snap shots can not capture how sweet and precious a sleeping baby is. We are glad to share her with our family and friends.

This is such a surprise that I had to take a picture. Long sleeves. Long pants. The same time. Amazing! It may be the only time this year. At least his preschool teacher knows he does own a pair of pants.

And baby started her daily dose of rice cereal last night. Dan was in charge. Thank you for taking over a meal, hubby. She was a little surprised at first but then gobbled it all down. I'm hoping this will get her to sleep through the night. OK, I could put her to bed later or let her cry it out, yadda yadda yadda. Anyway, time is marching on and our baby grows each day. It doesn't matter what I want (whether for her to stay the same or grow) because she is going to grow anyway. Love you baby!

Oh, and we got a steal of a deal on a nice high chair. She won't be eating in the swing forever; just until she can sit up on her own.

Winter trip to San Diego

We went to San Diego for the second week of Christmas break. Grandma wanted some company for New Year's and we were able to oblige!

We visited the Maritime Museum, played in the canyon, went to the local park, went to Balboa Park and rode the train and the carousel, watched the ball drop in New York, and took down the Christmas tree. This was Macey's first trip to Grandma's. She was a good baby and Grandma go to hold her while she slept, which I find great solace in. Ryan was a wild tantrum throwing mess. Ryan being 4 is hard work.

A great day...

to be 4! Ryan got this hat and book from preschool on Tuesday. Today he was excited for school and when he was getting ready he put his hat on. He wanted to wear to school today! I'm wondering if this is a trend, or just a one time deal. He had Jack over to play after school. These two boys played outside for a long time. They were camping. They took the play tent out with their blankets and backpacks. Jack tried to take home some rocks, however if I let Jack take home a backpack full of rocks every time he came I'd have none left! They then set up a long hot wheels track inside. For the finale I put in Monsters vs Aliens and they ate popcorn. They had a great play date. I was thinking how great it is to be 4 when I saw Ryan running outside with his backpack jingling with who knows what and a twinkle in his eye.

Ryan is 4!

Dan has this idea that you should ask your kids what they want. I generally decide what I want to do for them and then let them choose the details. So, Dan asked Ryan and this is what we did the DAY after Christmas... We had 10 kids (some parents), Grandma and Grandpa, and us for a Spiderman birthday party. Dan did the organizing and party entertainment. All I did was order the cake and buy the decorations. We borrowed a jumping castle from the Gunn's (Thanks!) and Dan had 'webs' for the kids. There was an obstacle course, which the grown men participated in also. Ryan had a good time and now he is finally four. He has sprouted a new form of trouble in the last few weeks. I'm hoping it is a phase and not a year long problem! I do love my Ryan. He is wonderful and sweet and I'm proud of him.

Christmas

The Williams came over for Sunday Dinner the Sunday before Christmas. We listened to the Mormon Tab. Choir. After the entertainment we had a gift exchange. Walt stopped by part way through and got to enjoy our holiday fun with us.

On Wed, December 23 we headed over to Mesa in the afternoon to spend time with the Frassas. We had a yummy meal. Dan took Grandpa out for a haircut. It was shorter than Grandma likes, so probably he won't get to do that again! We always take a little something for the boys to open while we are there. Alex was on the verge of spontaneous combustion he was so ready for Christmas.

On Christmas Eve we watched the Grinch while waiting for dinner. After dinner we had a reading of Luke 2, etc. We let the boys open one gift, which was a Millineum Falcon from Grandma and Grandpa June. The boys were thrilled. We finally got them settled down so Santa could come. Note the picture of Pippen our elf. He went home with Santa and might come back next year!

Santa came!!! The boys had a happy Christmas morning. Alex was thirlled with Madden '09 for the wii. Actually, we didn't need to get or have Santa bring the hot wheels track or huge nerf gun. He would have been happy with just that! Ryan however has enjoyed his track, nerf gun, marble run, and movie 'Monsters vs. Aliens.' Needless to say they got enough! Macey was brought a ball blower/popper and some accessories. Mom and Dad each got some very thoughtful gifts from each other and from the kids. We spent the p.m. with the Barons and their extended family in north Phoenix. Dan and Kirsten had to watch the Chargers play, so went to the Barons and let the kids play.