Good Times

Our neighbor, Mitch, invited us to a fun Birthday Party at Flipside. Lots of games, a huge play area and bowling. But, first they filled up on pizza and cake. 

Pizza & Cake! 

Look at that smile...and Sophie guzzling soda back there

This was their favorite game...they were all into it.

So serious...

Sophie said she was so good at bowling

Bumper car fun

Funny face

Rollin' with Dad on Father's Day

Birthday Interviews

This is a cool idea...every year you interview your children and ask them the following 20 questions and see how they change over the years. It was interesting...Jake took awhile to do his...he really thought about his answers and Sophie was done in about 5 minutes. 

Jake at 6 years old- 

1. What is your Favorite Color? Can I do 2...red & black
2. What is your Favorite Toy? Aircraft carrier
3. What is your Favorite Fruit? Peach
4. What is your Favorite TVshow? Curious George
5. What is your Favorite thing to eat for lunch? Pizza
6. What is your Favorite outfit? Police costume
7. What is your Favorite game? Lego city
8. What is your Favorite Snack? Vanilla Wafers
9. What is your Favorite Animal? Bull
10. What is your Favorite Song? I don't really have a favorite song
11. What is your Favorite Book? I don't know
12. Who is your best friend? Pa, Dad and Teddy
13. What is your Favorite cereal? Captain Crunch
14.  What is your Favorite thing to do outside? Swim
15. What is your favorite drink? Red Gatorade
16. What is your Favorite Holiday? Christmas
17. What do you like to take to bed at night? Teddy
18. What is your Favorite thing to eat for breakfast? cereal 
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? San Tan Flats
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Police Officer

Sophie at 4 years old - 


1. What is your Favorite Color? Blue
2. What is your Favorite Toy? Dollies
3. What is your Favorite Fruit? Watermelon
4. What is your Favorite TVshow? Sponge Bob
5. What is your Favorite thing to eat for lunch? Soup
6. What is your Favorite outfit? a dress
7. What is your Favorite game? Hide n Seek
8. What is your Favorite Snack?  Granola bar
9. What is your Favorite Animal? Bear
10. What is your Favorite Song? Jingle Bells
11. What is your Favorite Book? Dora
12. Who is your best friend? Reese
13. What is your Favorite cereal? Lucky Charms
14.  What is your Favorite thing to do outside? Swing
15. What is your Favorite drink? Milk w/ Strawberry
16. What is your Favorite Holiday? Christmas
17. What do you like to take to bed at night? Dollies
18. What is your Favorite thing to eat for breakfast? cereal
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Hot Dogs
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? a snow man

Water Park Fun

We have been hearing about this place, Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center...so we finally went. So much fun! Water slides, huge splash area, lazy river, swimming pool...and all for $1. The best deal in town so far. We had fun...cooling off in the 107 degree heat. It was all good until Sophie stubbed her toe and got a tiny, little, small cut and acted like she was dying. We took her to the First Aid station and she got a bandaid but insisted that she had to go home. Jake was a little upset but he was ok since we had already been there almost 2 hours. We will definitely be going there at least once or twice a week for the rest of the summer. 

This place is cool

Sophie was snacking on an apple before she headed for the water

Jake Loved that big bucket up there

SPLASH! 

Vanilla & Chocolate! Although, Sophie's not so light anymore

Sophie was in the water, singing

Jake was having a blast! 

bathing beauty

My Lucky Day

After an early morning bike ride/walk Sophie served me breakfast!! She came into the house while Jake & I were still outside. I came in to find a bowl of cereal and some ice water. She got the bowl, the cereal and the milk...all by herself. Not sure how she managed it all, probably not very safe...but it's the thought that counts. I came into the kitchen and with the most proud look and biggest smile she said, "Mom, look...I made you breakfast...all by myself." My heart melted! I'm one lucky Mom. Sophie has a HUGE heart and she LOVES me a lot! I love you Sophie Linda. 

Thank you Sophie

I'm bored...

We are 3 weeks into summer vacation and all I hear is, I'm bored! So...I'm trying to keep them busy. EARLY morning (I'm talking out of the house by 7am) walks and bike rides. If not, the heat is unbearable. Lots of swimming, coloring, reading, EATING(these kids could eat all day long) and watching movies. 

Sophie's new wheels...Her old bike broke so Dad got her a new one

Going for a ride...Sophie is so proud of her new bike

A frozen yogurt kind of day 

Poolside

Teddy is still Jake's right hand man. Also, Jake's into tank tops this summer...I have to wash this particular one every other day. 

My star! 

Keeping busy

She finally decided to get in...and SWIM! Yea Sophie!

No pictures...just words

As I sit here on the computer late at night, while the rest of you sleep...I'm thinking about my life, my kids, my husband. Some days are like blur, just trying to get through it. Other days are so clear...I see my kids love for me so vividly and I feel so happy. Today was good...we went out to lunch together and started some much needed backyard landscaping. Even though it was HOT out, we did it together and it was actually, nice. We got a pool out back...because we finally realized we could not endure another crazy hot summer without one. Jake could swim in there all day if we let him. And, Sophie...she's scared of it...she says it's too deep. I'm getting tired of holding her the whole time we're in there...hopefully she'll get over it before summer's over. Here's the perfect opportunity to segway over to Sophie: 

My girl Sophie! She's beautiful...I mean your face is beautiful. Your personality is beautiful. You've got beautiful skin, hair, eyes, lips...to me, my daughter is perfect. Your spirit is so intense...you are so full of wonder and curiosity. You are so super smart and already no how to work it...with your little smile or your amazing eyes. You don't stop...all day, you're talking, or you're into something you shouldn't be or you need something. You refuse to wipe your own butt, so all day this is what I hear..."Mom, I'm going potty and I need to go poop, call you when I'm done?". You are my shadow, my sidekick, my cosigner, my friend and my biggest fan. You adore me and truly, I adore you. Somedays I get so irritated that you're always there...but I know that day will come (probably in your pre-teen or teenage years)when you don't want to be around me and I will be so sad. You are so inquisitive. The other day you asked, "how do babies get into your pansa?". We were reading a book and someone got a parking ticket and you said, "he was probably parked in a handicap spot". And the one that took me by surprise was, "Mom, are you old?" You also want to know what you used to do when you were a baby. Every night when I put you to bed that's what we talk about. You want to know if Jake held you or played with you. And, speaking of Jake...

My Jake! My gorgeous handsome son, Jake. You graduated from Kindergarten and did better than I could have ever expected. You are my more timid child. And, in some ways you are very outgoing and adventurous but I see you hold back sometimes. Not sure if that's a good thing or bad thing yet. Lately, when you and I are alone you tell me, "this is my favorite time Mom, when it's just me and you". That makes me happy. I love our time together too. But, I also love to see you and Dad spend time together. You love when Dad tells you stories about the Navy or when he explains things to you. Dad has an amazing way of explaining and teaching you things. You and Dad like to watch guy shows on TV together...Car shows, Nascar, Chicago Fire, Top Gear, etc. You both sit there watching and talking about it. It's cute. You have a huge appetite, all you do is eat. You have gotten so good at coloring and drawing, very creative. We are working on your reading too, which is getting better and better. I know you'll be ready for 1st grade! You're growing up right before my eyes...you're not a baby anymore. You are such a big boy and I hope I don't ever let you down. You have such a great personality, a funny sense of humor, you are athletic and so smart! I want so much for you...but mostly to be happy. I love you more than you'll ever know. 

Life goes by so fast...I can't believe we have lived here in Arizona for almost a year and a half. I NEED to focus on all the good things in our lives. Since moving here, things haven't been easy...and I must admit, I was centered on all the things I didn't like about this place. In retrospect, that was very selfish. Instead, I should be concentrating on making my family happy. God knew exactly what he was doing when he led us here. 

My Husband: My wonderful, tireless, selfless, devoted, amazing, hardworking, determined husband. He's the kind of man that women dream about. He puts his family first, and I mean that...Your Dad would do anything for us. Yes, he's tired all the time...and he doesn't always have the energy or desire to play or go to the park...but he LOVES us. I feel for him everyday that he has to get up at 4:00am...and now that it's summer, I think about him all day and hope he's ok, drinking lots of water or staying out of the sun when he can. I worry about his health and I pray that God keeps him safe. Your Dad is one of a kind. We are so blessed. 

Summa Summa Summatime...

Cool treat after playing at the Splash Pad

As Sophie puts it, So good...So good

Arizona Science Center

Exploring

Look Mom

Jake posed for the picture...Sophie was carrying on a  full conversation

Sophie checking out all the jumpy/water slides

Summer Splash...a free event at the town park...lots of jumpy's w/ water slides, a pool and other fun stuff for the kids. Mostly, just a great way to COOL OFF! 

Time out for a snack

Jake was inside this thing called, a Hamster Ball.   You're supposed to get in and run so the whole thing turns...but Jake didn't like it so much

Jake went on every water slide probably about 10 times each

Funny pictures

My sweet sweet girl