Tuesday, August 31

a new adventure

Yesterday, we embarked on a new adventure at a new school!


She sure has grown since last year.

It was a successful day. She was VERY tired. 
It's going to take some time to adjust to the new, longer day.
The highlights seemed to be Spanish class
and the really cool jack-n-jill bathroom
shared with the classroom next door!

A hearty (Dad-cooked) breakfast!


Today, was Charlie & Sophie's first day of preschool!
Charlie wore his new, lighted shoes!
Sophie, has been planning on this dress for weeks,
it's a very special Gracie-Mae hand-me-down.

Sophie was the first one up,
dressed, and ready to go this morning.

There were some tears shed by both of us,
but my favorite preschool director called to tell me 
that after she warmed up, she was having a grand time.


Charlie was tired this morning.
He insisted on carrying the pillow around
just in case there was a spare moment for a snooze.

When this little bird sleeps, she's always made herself a nest.

At pickup, she told me every detail of her day, 
down to the trash-can she placed her banana in.
Highlights were reading The Kissing Hand and snack time.
I think she liked it!

Charlie enjoyed his day.
Highlights were Sign Language and Spanish.
He finally got his snooze!

And now,
I need a nap!

Sunday, August 29

It's official!

There is now a three year old living at our house!

Mom & Mae
3 years old

Tuesday, August 24

kick-off lunch

Last Friday, the kids and I joined the Walters family 
for a fancy fancy lunch at the Wigwam
in honor of our fancy fancy birthday girl. 


Officially, she has five days
yet to go...


...she still insists on a "smile" for the photo!

sweating it out at the zoo

Last week, we ventured into the city
for an adventure at the Phoenix Zoo.
In 110 degree heat, we started out at the 
caverns splash pad and ended with a loop 
around the zoo on the safari train
(the best way to see the zoo, in my opinion).
The best part, we ran into our cousins!

Sophie and Mimi

Gwen and Ella

Ella, Gwen, and Gracie

cousins


Uncle David leading the cavern tours
the kids found ALL the animals and features listed

hmmm...melty chocolate chip cookies...yum

our clan
with a few missing peeps


Josh, Nathan
Ella, Gracie, Maya
riding the Safari Train


Charlie and Sophie


this handsome boy is the only child to expend
the energy to get off the train for a picture with the giraffes

A great August day in Phoenix!

Sunday, August 15

Creating with Grandad

Charlie Marshall
nearly 5 years old

Friday, August 13

not an original


Not the first chocolatey photo on this blog for Sophie.

I'm not sure what I was thinking
when I bought the kids chocolate bars in 110 degree heat.

Note to self: stick to Skittles until at least November.

Tuesday, August 10

happy girl

Yesterday, Loraine and I took the kids on an adventure.
We visited the new preschool, had a fancy Filiberto's lunch,
chatted with our favorite librarians, and then our last stop...
GOODWILL.

Loraine, found this special treasure for Ella.
I will say, I was a bit fried by this point in the trip.
All I could see, when I looked at this treasure,
was Sophie and a trip to the emergency room.


We bought the treasure.
The skates were on her feet from the
time we got home until bedtime.
They ROCK!

Our $6 investment costs $50 at Target.
That makes me feel better.
Thanks Loraine!
Let's plan for the roller rink next week.

Sunday, August 8

Care Bears are coming...

...to your town.

first of all
thank you, paperlili, for the scooter
we LOVE it
it sings little Care Bear jingles
all around the house
(seriously, we love it
I know you think I'm being sarcastic!)






three weeks away from 
her third birthday
I'm hoping this is a transitional phase?

Sophie Mae
nearly 3

Cortez 2010

our cabins

our view

first things first = FIRE

swinging
munching on cheetos
waiting for our friends to arrive

climbing

a VERY tall, long, slippery slide!

great sunset! and beautiful girls!

Miss Danika Rae

we love sitting by the fire

a day out at McPhee Reservoir

fishing and kayaking
until the storm rolled in...

we spot a rainbow

a rainy night by the fire

two girls with yogurt
look at that view!

Tuli and Sophie
they just look sneaky, don't they...

all of us
Garrett, Charles, Me, Sophie, Tuli, Brian, Kylie
Charlie, Ella, Danika

Where are we going next year?

Petroglyph Point

Two weeks ago, we headed out to Cortez, CO 
to meet our friends
and do some cabin camping. 
On day one we headed out to Mesa Verde National Park.

We intended to hike down to see this:


a short bit down we joined another trail
(intentionally? ~ I'm still not quite sure)
and ended up doing much hiking up



where we eventually
saw these petroglyphs


which were quite amazing


when I find my booklet I'll give more details about them here


two hours of hiking brought us
to the top of the mesa


We successfully completed a three mile loop.
I think it took us about three hours?

After hitting the car for some snacks,
Ella and Charles
headed back out ~
to hike back down to see Spruce Tree House (see first picture).
Sophie, Charlie and I hung back ~
quite an adventure for our first day!