Friday, May 31, 2013

Mystery Solved

I think I have found who is eating my garden. And I am pretty sure he is making some type of obscene chipmunk gesture. 





Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Memorial Day Weekend

This past weekend, Shawn's adult soccer league had a tournament up in Payson AZ. Thirty of us stayed in a large log cabin that slept us all comfortably.

The property was very kid-friendly. There was a small fishing pond, basketball hoop, horseshoe pit, hiking and a ton of outdoor games for the kids. There were so many kids, that they were not bored at all and spent most of their time outside. 

AJ with a homemade fishing pole.



One of AJ's best friends who also happened to be there.



AJ hanging out by the pond.
My friend Melanie and one of her boys.

 Charlie loved fishing, and spent a lot of time down at the pond.



The kids played basketball, rode scooters, played frisbee and of course played soccer. They were outside all day long and only came in for food.

 Here is Shawn's team. Many of their families stayed with us, and the others were at a nearby campground. They were pretty mad when they came over for a party and saw our digs.

 The office nook.

Kitchen table.

 Kitchen


Entryway




The main fireplace. (There were two.)



To go downstairs. There was a whole other kitchen and family room, along with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms on the bottom floor.


 This happened a lot. In fact one of the kids fell in trying to get a frisbee.


 This was Charlie after the first day. He crashed in every sense of the word.


Jake gave fishing lessons to the kids. They caught quite a few.


 AJ caught a fish too. He threw it right back.

 This guy watched us each every night. We are pretty sure his eyes moved.


Thursday, May 23, 2013

I Can't Hear You Will All Of This Wind

Charlie toots and doesn't say excuse me. 

Me: What do you say? 
Charlie: I didn't say anything, I farted

Preschool Graduation













Tuesday, May 14, 2013

If You Are Going To Dismantle Something, Do It In Style

You know you are a third grade teacher with an interior design degree, when you dismantle your pencil sharpener with your William Morris tool kit.





Not Only Does She Decapitate Scorpions. . .

I was very annoyed at Zeena the other morning because she would not leave me alone until I woke up. Then, through the fog, I remembered all those stories about pets waking up their people when something was wrong. My eyes flew open, and I looked at the clock. My alarm had never gone off and I had overslept. Thanks, Zeena!

People Who Use Child Labor Cannot Be Choosy

The boys and I are cleaning the house. AJ has lit every scented candle I own. It now smells like a pine tree is enjoying a pumpkin spiced latte, in a field of wild flowers.

Big Brothers Have High Entertainment Value

I love watching AJ make a fool of himself just to make Charlie giggle. But in AJ's defense, a full- out Charlie giggle is pretty awesome.

Young Love

I'm tucking Charlie into bed and he lets out a big sigh. 

Me: What's wrong?
Charlie: (His preschool teacher) will probably marry her boyfriend and I will have to get a new girlfriend. 

Then he sighs again and rolls over.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Soccer Picnic

Sunday AJ's soccer club had a picnic. It was a lot of fun and it was a beautiful day for it. 



Kids V. Parents




My friend Melanie brought this game. I have no idea what it was called, but the kids threw washers into square holes. The kids loved it.


Underdeveloped Market

You should know I have a booming side business selling my produce to elves.




Adaptive Reuse

It is the last few weeks of school, and you know what that means! We finally get to teach science guilt-free! I had the kids save their milk cartons and decorate them.  Then we planted pea plants. I wrapped them in plastic to create a greenhouse.  The test tubes you see on the right are actually a plant growing kit that I got at Cracker Barrel (of all places). The students will be able to see the roots growing through the side of the tube.