There is a lot of strange work out regimens in this house. I have seen James on more than one occasion pull matt on his razor while running or letting matt sit on his back while doing sit ups. Fun and fitness. Well, one sunny morning we decided to ride our bikes to target and starbucks.  Matt preferred to rollarblade. However, I saw him sneak a piece of rope in my basket. Hummm... I bet I know where this is going.



Can I get a pull here?

We always love taking the gang fishing. Well, let me re-phrase. I love sitting in the shade watching the whole event while James manages all the fishing poles. I don't really like putting the worm on the hook.  And you spend so much time un-tangling all the fishing line.
(i do help, i promise, maybe just not as much as i should)
So this particular day was hilarious. We told the gang we would met up at the polar ice park to fish. This is the same park where there is an ice skating rink. When we arrived the boys had a puzzled look on their faces.
Apparently they thought we were fishing inside the ice skating rink.. "ice fishing" in arizona.  Minor details.

Hard to believe that Matt as a first grader did his first oral presentation. Yes.. 3x5 cards allowed. He had to pick a topic, make a poster, bring in props and speak to his class. Personally, not my thing.
So we did a few practice runs.... he seems pretty good with the whole ordeal. I'm very concerned with the opening line and closing lines. He promised he would use "good morning class, today I would like to talk to you about shadow puppets". And he also assured me he would remember to sum up his speech and throw in a conclusion. We ran through this twice. And honestly, we made the poster the morning of. He was insisting he didn't really need one... then changed his mind at 7am.

Here is the video of his demonstration portion. Just in case you forgot how to make shadow puppets.  I love it. I love that he went for something creative. His original speech was going to be how to make coffee.  It was awesome watching him and his class mates. 

(hope this works)

Well, I have to report the outside of the house is pretty much done. The rose bushes have been planted, the grass has taken. The flowers are all protected by this cute little mini picket fence James built. It really came together. I think we just have to replace a couple more trees on the sidewalk and we can rest. So ride on over to check it out. Don't worry you don't have to Vespa. Golf carts and bikes are acceptable.
The inside however.. is another story. I have finally picked the color for inside after about 20 sample stripes painted on the wall. I'm still not sold. I just have to take the plunge. Nothing seems to really work inside. Hopefully I will have pictures soon. The walls are so barren... very boring inside. That and the lack of furniture. We really didn't own very many pieces of furniture because of the size of the other house. So, it looks a little sparse around here. I have so many ideas and thoughts.. now I just need the energy to get it done!!
Hope you enjoy catching up with us....

Its that time of the year!!! Only 11 more days of school.....
 The count down for summer is here. And the end of the year parties are beginning. This past week the kids all got to go swimming together. It was a big deal. Close second to Christmas morning. I heard reports from other kids (Sam) that he couldn't even sleep he was so excited. They wear their swimming trunks to school and leave for the pool after lunch. Which brings me to the second most important part of this field trip. THE SNACK. Oh.. Matt had a special request. So of course... I had to make that happen. I can still remember my special snacks while on a field trip to Alcatraz. (strange field trip huh?) Bay area.
So James took some pictures of the fun times so I didn't miss out. I just love the simple joys the kids get from these kind of activities.

Look at the satisfaction on his face. O'well.... reinforce later.

We decided to have a sleepover with some of Matt's pals. Now that we have the floor space for forts and sleeping bags. Its just not as overwhelming to have multiple kids over. Before I had no place to go. So the gang spent the night. All did well. We hunted for the much hated arizona scorpion with the black light. (didn't find any) The boys did what boys do. Rollarblade, bike, make swords out of anything long and eat LOTS of popcorn while watching a movie. It was great. Boys are hilarious.








Nice action shot huh? They were loving these shots.

Today Matt was challenged to step up with his chores and learn how to mow the lawn. Remember Matt is 7.  James and I were talking about how kids these days have very little responsibility. So, to turn our talk into action... James decided it was time to teach Matt how to mow. So off they went. Safety was first priority, shoes, eye wear.. lessons about the lawn mower. I was picturing some major breakdowns about this ordeal.
I am happy to report Matt did great. He actually embraced the task. Seemed very proud of his work. Of course the first thing he requested was his payment. He is saving to go ice skating. I guess we need to make our next life lesson the cost of just living with us. He has to start earning his keep. Good job Matthew. What a big boy job!!!! With every year he will just be getting stronger and more responsible. It's so much fun to watch him mature. This week while working in the yard together. (james was flying) I needed help putting the lawn lanterns  in. Matt got the mallet and hammer and took care of the whole thing. He did it without hitting his fingers, throwing the hammer around or joking around. And when I went to start the sprinklers, Matt jumped up and said, "I've got it mom". And sure enough. He has been watching you James. He knew exactly how to turn them on and how long.  (and its not easy)

As part of a moving in gift my sweet Grandpa (91) gave us his lazy boy. I'm not going to lie. At first I was a little nervous about his gesture. Will it fit in with the decor? Is it huge? But I knew he really wanted to share this with us... so we picked it up. Everyday after the pick up I would sit in the chair stating out loud.. "this is the most comfortable chair in the world". James would roll his eyes a little. Thinking that I'm crazy. But really, it is the most comfortable chair I have ever sat in. Sitting is not something we really do around this house. Honestly. We have a couch, but its really more of a big dog bed. We never watch T.V.... we never stop. So now this chair makes me stop. It sucks me in.

And I'm happy to report..... I caught him two mornings in a row.. right here. Look at the heating pad. I'm telling you... this chair is awesome. Nothing a cute throw pillow and blanket can't spruce up. Next time your over.. I dare you to sit. 

I know i know.. the house needs paint. I'm working on it. Don't look at the walls.

That's all I'm going to hear thanks to craigslist. That along with the occasional argument and then more frequent finger injury.
Free is good.... so I went along with this caper. James has a personal goal to make his garage his man cave/cool place for boys to hang out.
I'm all for it. Keep the dirt outside. Now I need a pass through so I can supply the treats and drinks.

Here's to many years of hearing that annoying noise!!! Thank you air hockey!!

Its a tradition around this place when we have a new friend visiting we always celebrate with a rocket launching. So... to celebrate our new friend and neighbor Tony... a rocket was launched.
Its always exciting.. its always hilarious thinking about where its going to land. We did have one explode mid air. I think all the parts are on top of the Fresh and Easy. But the second launching was perfect.
Thank you James for always being game for these things.  I will report that we are graduating to a bigger rocket. I'm a little scared.



You will notice that I stand back pretty far. I'm still not sure if this is legal to do.

We have been busy..... here are some pictures of the yard in progress. This picture is without the weeds that were as tall as me. And James along with some great friends and family pulled all those weeds. A huge job.  James is amazing. He has done everything on his own. And minimal cost. Thank you craigs list for virtually free tree's.... and sod that was going to be thrown out. I'm so thankful I married a man who knows how to do this stuff. Its amazing to watch. I can't wait to see everything grow. 
Its changed even more since this picture. I will post later. Great job husband!!!!

This story became a problem for Matt. This first grader was reading this wholesome story when he struggled with this highlighted portion. Hummm, you can milk cats? Matt is so confused by this thought that he actually got up out of his seat, walked up to his teacher and asked her if this was correct.
She giggled and assured him this is not possible. And was quick to copy this one and share with me later.
Thank you periods.