Christmas 2009

Christmas Eve - waiting.



Christmas morning - started at 5:30am.



Merry Christmas to all my friends and family!!

Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!

We had the opportunity to attend the play Junie B in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! yesterday afternoon at the Tempe Center for the Arts.

What a fantastic presentation by Childsplay Theatre! Absolutely fantastic!!!

The girls (Tara, Lily and cousin Isabel) had a good time and loved making Junie B. Jones glasses out of pipe cleaner. We also had backstage passes which included a personal tour given by Mr. Scary. We got to see some of the actors, the Green Room, go out onto the stage, learn about the sound, lights and props.

A perfect afternoon for the holiday season!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

The festivities continue…

Last week we attended Gingerbread & Generosity. Our friends hosted an open house to celebrate the season and to bless those who are in need. They collected toys for Phoenix Children’s Hospital; specifically for the oncology department in conjunction with Kate’s Crazy Cool Christmas.


Tara decorates a gingerbread man.


Another visit from Santa Claus at our Girl Scout Christmas Party.

Christmas Caroling



Kindergarten Christmas Program

Two years ago I attended the Kindergarten Christmas program juggling a three year old, a camera and a camcorder. This year I attended a Kindergarten Christmas program with a seven year old that operated the camcorder while I took pictures. A Crystal in the Air. For two years Lily and I have been attending Tara’s performances at school, but this year it was Lilers turn. She did fantastic too!


And today we celebrated with winter parties in each classroom at school. 2nd Grade celebrated with donuts and hot cocoa. Kindergarten celebrated making crafts and eating cookies.

We also attended another Christmas party this afternoon with lots of friends, food, crafts and a gift exchange.

All I Want for Christmas...

Is My Two Front Teeth.

Tis the Season

Let the festivities begin...


Our annual school celebration Cookies with Santa



Prescott Courthouse Lighting

My Favorite Holiday

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Here are a few reasons why...


I love cooking with the girls, carving with the boys, eating with my family, indulging in every dessert and leftovers.


I enjoy making crafts with Tara and Lily. We like to decorate their rooms with the coloring and crafts.





Watching the kids swim. Did I say swim? Yes, swimming in November.


I am grateful I could celebrate Christmas early with my brother and his family.


I love having a house full of family for days and creating memories that will last a life time.

Moosen Around

Don't Eat Pizza

Before


After

Carnival of the Stars

Today was our school carnival.





What was your favorite part?
Lily: rock wall
Tara: rock wall

Halloween 2009

Friday afternoon started with school parties.


Trio of Hannah Montanas


Gabriella (High School Musical) gets a hug from Hannah Montana

Friday night a family pumpkin carving contest.


Winners of the carving contest...
Scariest Pumpkin: Forest & James
Best Jack-O-Lantern: Lily & Grandpa
Cutest Pumpkin: Isabella & River
Most Original: Will & Uncle Bill
Most Creative: Tara & Mary



Saturday morning the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes.

Lily's Pad raised $1804.00 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. We had a total of 26 walkers. The 5k (3.2 long miles.) started at Tempe Town Lake and took us across Mill Avenue Bridge and along the lake.









Top Row: Kim, Uncle Bill, Aunt Leslie, Grandpa, Granny, Mom, Dad
Middle Row: Tara, Isabella, Will
Bottom Row: Lauren, Jodi, Megan, Lily, Mary, Olga, James, River, Forest
Not Pictured: Craig, Bernadette, Allyana, Grandma and Grandpa Houston, Kathryn, Sarah
Honorary Team Member: Uncle Bob (he brought the team yummy pastries before the walk)

We would like to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts for supporting our Lily. We appreciate those who were willing to walk with Lily Saturday morning and to all of you who donated to Lily's pad. We invite everyone to walk with us again next year. Thank you again to all of you who support Lily each and every day and for the support you have given our family.

Saturday evening Trick or Treating.



Gabriella, Werewolf (Daddy), Hannah Montana

Happy Halloween!!

Boo Fest

Pajamas

I can always tell my kids are growing by their pajamas. Tara walked by me last night and I thought to myself, “those PJ’s used to be below your knees, now they almost look like a long shirt.” All Lily’s PJ’s used to have Dora and Boots on them, now she wears PJ’s that have the Disney Princesses on them.

We tried something a little different this school year; we took a break from some of our after school activities like gymnastics and swimming lessons. Both of the girls are now participating in Girl Scouts. It is fun to see them involved in their community; fund raisers, food drives, learning about safety from Officer Sarah and there is also a field trip planned to the Fire Department next month. Recently they participated in fund raising for the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) Walk to Cure Diabetes and fund raising for their school. Both girls are supporting Lily’s Kindergarten teacher (which is Tara’s former Kindergarten teacher too) in the Susan G. Komen 3 Day Walk. On a smaller scale they enjoy collecting Box Tops and soup labels for their school and pop tabs for Phoenix Children’s Hospital/Ronald McDonald houses.

Every morning when I drop Lily off for Kindergarten I see a friend of mine and her now 10 month old daughter. Her daughter is getting so big; Julie use to carry her baby in an infant carrier, then a stroller, now she is carrying her on her hip. Every morning I see them, I get a little sad and I miss my babies so much. But I look at my babies who are now 5 and 7 and I love watching them grow. I love watching them participate in new activities and being involved in their community. They are gaining a variety of experiences that I know will last a lifetime.

Oh by the way; consider yourself warned. Girl Scout cookie sales begin in January.

Crazy Hair Day

Today was crazy hair day at school.

Compassion

The other day I was working at school and I was helping in Mrs. M’s classroom. She has 3 students with severe disabilities and all 3 are in wheelchairs. It was an emotional and rewarding experience to work with these children.

After school I was walking to the car with Tara and Lily. They were asking me about my day and I told them I worked in Mrs. M’s class. Lily asked who Mrs. M was and Tara went on to answer that question. But before Tara could answer, I held my breath for a moment thinking I was going to hear an inappropriate explanation or that I was going to have to use this as an opportunity to teach my children about kindness and empathy. Instead; Tara answered Lily’s question by naming each of the 3 students. I was completely stunned and asked Tara how she knew their names. She went on to explain how when she was in the First Grade if students had completed all their assignments they were allowed to go to Mrs. M.’s class and read to the children. She told us how she loved going over there and reading to them. She even told us something cute about each child.

I was rather disappointed in myself for thinking the worse about what Tara might say; but more importantly I was touched by her compassion. I believe compassion is something you learn, not something I can teach. I am so proud of Tara and her willingness to show kindness and to share something with the children. I was also surprised Tara never shared that information with me. No real surprise, all I get is a “good” whenever I ask how school was that day.

Happy Birthday Grandma

We love you and we miss you dearly.
9/26/1915 - 2/25/2009

Homework

Last night I was helping the girls with their homework; it was not going very well either. Both were tired, frustrated, complaining, whining and acting helpless. I had all but given up on them, when poof…two crystals were in the air.

Crystal #1
Lily’s assignment was to read Mary Had a Little Lamb with me. Next, circle all the words beginning with L. Circle all of the words Mary. Circle the last word in the 2nd line.

Mommy: “Lily, circle the last word in the 2nd line.”

Lily: “I did.”

Mommy: “No, circle the LAST word in the 2nd LINE.”

Lily: “I did.”

Mommy: “Honey, the LAST word.”

Lily: “Honey is for your husband.”

Crystal # 2
Homework was over - yeah!! We put everything away and the bath water was ready. When Lily announced…

Lily: “I forgot to do my words.”

Lily has to review a list of sight words every night.

Mommy: “Oh Lily, don’t worry about it we can do it tomorrow."

Lily: “Mommy, I have to.”

Tara: “Mommy, I can help her do it.”

Yes!! Tara knows how to read and she can help her sister.

9/11

I did know things were going to be different at school today.

1. Our Flag
2. A Patriotic Ceremony was scheduled
3. Students were asked to wear Red, White and Blue

I did know the girls would have questions. I found 2 magazines for them to look at this morning.

What I did not know was how to answer their questions.

Mom, who did this?
Why did they do this?
Mom, is this person really hurt?
Mom, did the person who did this die?
How many people died?
Were there any kids?
Mom, is that an airplane?
Were there people in that airplane?
Wow! There are a million firemen.
What is on their faces?
Look at all that smoke.
Mom, were you alive when this happened?

During the Patriotic Ceremony at school I looked at Lily and all the Kindergarten students; none of them were alive eight years ago. I looked at Tara and all her 2nd grade friends; all of us Moms were pregnant and some were about to give birth. I know it is hard for them to understand.

I know I will never forget.

A Picture is Worth a 1000 Words...

Or a Crystal in the Air

Culture Pass

In April a new program was introduced here in the valley called the Culture Pass. We can now check out a Culture Pass from the library much like checking out a book. The pass allows 4 free admissions to different museums and cultural institutions here in the valley. There are a limited number of passes each week, which makes it difficult to check out a pass. However, we did not let that stop us; we have used this opportunity to add a little culture into our lives. This has also been a great way to spend time with our family and friends.

Heard Museum

Arizona Museum of Natural History

The Bead Museum

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art


Arizona Science Center


During our visit to the Arizona Science Center we had lunch at the Arizona Center. We all stopped to take a break and cool off our feet.



If you have the opportunity to check out a Culture Pass I highly recommend picking up a (free) copy of What’ll We Do…Museum or Zoo? It is a wonderful book to help you plan your visits. It contains hours, admission, maps, phone numbers and a brief description of the museum or cultural institution. There are activities for the kids to do and we have been using it as a journal to record our favorites about each place we visit. Bonus: there are coupons in the back of the book good for discounted admissions.