Sunday Fun

The kids have been asking to go swimming at the YCMA, and we finally went. It was a little chilly (83F) but no matter. They had a blast tossing and diving for the assortment of diving sticks, rings, and toy boats.

In the afternoon we redeemed the kids' free bowling game coupons that we received at Lauren's party. The cashier even waived the fee for Stew and my shoe rentals :)

'You're It!'

The cousins (and Stew) starting up a game of freeze tag, on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

The Farmer's Market

We visited the Ahwatukee Farmer's Market a couple weeks ago - haven't been in a while, and it seems to have grown, with several new vendors.

We bought a loaf of delicious ciabatta bread, an acorn squash, some tomatoes, some savory breakfast pastries, and two of these cute potted succulents.

But what the kids enjoyed most, was playing on the playground located behind the farmer's market :)

Mid-Sabbatical Crisis

Only 4 weeks left, and I'm actually starting to feel a bit of panic set in. So much to do, so little time. Our biggest projects - remodeling our backyard, and decorating our master bedroom - are still in the early stages, but we've been doing a lot of research. In any case, here's a look back at our 6 weeks so far. We've....

Traveled.

Explored.

And explored some more.

Indulged.

Nursed a sick cat back to health.

Tried new recipes.

And modified some of the kids' favorites.

Shopped.

Played.

Exercised.

Baked.

Encouraged.

And relaxed.

R is for Rabbit

We play a lot of the 'Letter Game' around here - where one person picks a letter, and everyone takes turns saying a word that begins with that letter. It's great for passing time during a car ride or waiting for food at a restaurant, and I find it especially great for diffusing a meltdown or other sticky situation. Lauren comes up with all kinds of words we had no idea she knew - and for some reason is particularly good at the letter 'Y'. Cole just chimes in with whatever word is on his mind (usually 'garbage truck'), and occasionally gets a match with the chosen letter :)

All Mine

We stopped at Yollipop this weekend for a fro-yo treat.  Coincidentally, today's deal at DealChicken happens to be a Yollipop gift card ($40 gift card for only $20) - so we'll be visiting there a few more times in the near future.

Party at the Zoo

We attended a party at the zoo this morning - lots of fun, with gorgeous weather to boot! The party included a brief talk by a park ranger, and the kids got to see and pet several animals (a madagascar cockroach, turtle, snake, and rabbit).


Everyone got to take a ride on the carousel as well.


And Lauren agreed to pose by the bronze gorilla on the way out.

Up at Bat

Cole takes a swing at the pinata at a birthday party we attended this weekend.


All the kids rush to gather the loot - and no, Cole did not deliver the final blow :)