Dinner out at Estrella

Grandpa and Lola walking to catch up to Kyan

Enjoying a nice refreshing glass of water!

Lola pointing to brother - she was chasing him and this was a break in the action!

Grandpa helping Lola down the rocky path to get dinner! At first she did not want to hold his hand, she is Miss Independent and wanted to do it herself!

Last night after Chad got off work, Kyan and I went to help my parents with their new house out at Estrella! We peeled wallpaper off the wall and stacked up shrub from outside in nice bundles so they took us to the golf course for a little happy hour dinner! Chad brought Lola after she was finished with her nap (wouldn't want to disrupt the princesses slumber you know - otherwise she will continue to be the nightmare that she was yesterday). I am not sure who had more fun - my dad or the kids! They loved chasing each other around on the green, the golf course has a big section for hte kiddos to play on right before the driving range and putting green! It is really far - for my friends to go, but I LOVE it out there, it is a lot like small town living, everyone greats each other and is so polite! I am glad that my parents have a place up there and that we are able to enjoy the perks!

Recommended Read

A must read! I could not put this book down! I read in one day and it really makes you think about how you effect other people and don't even realize that you are doing it. This is a young adult book (I am an eighth grade literature teacher you know!) but should be read by all! I swear it is life changing!

Build-A-Bear with Grandma

Registering "Boy U Rock" (the name he picked out at the time), not bear is named "I am IronMan"

Grandma Julie, Kyan and his bear, Lola and her Lambie! She loved it so much that she wouldn't look at the camera at the time!

Kyan gave both animals a bath before he registered them!

Today was a special day for my kiddos - grandma Julie brought them to Build-A-Bear, where they each got to pick an animal! Kyan went for a bear and Lola went for the cute little lambie, since no piggy was available! Kyan had so much fun and even got an IronMan outfit for his bear! Thanks grandma for a fun morning!

Phoenix Children's Museum

Brace yourselves - this post has lots of pictures (although I am kicking myself that I did not bring my good camera with me - thought it would be too much of a hassle - wrong! It is worth any hassle, especially when you come home and see crappy pictures - oh well, the kids had an amazing time and that is what is important)! The Phoenix Children's Museum is one cool place for little kids - even as young as Lola! My girlfriends Kristen (kids are Carmen and Gianni) and Holly (daughter is Sydney) bring their children here often and this is the first time that we were able to join in on the fun with them! We invited Susie and Jayla to go with us! We had a blast today - and I am so worn out I just might have to join my kids in nap time today instead of the usual cleaning, blogging, and working out! I can only dream that will happen!

Gianni and Kyan playing on what ended up being Kyan's favorite toy there!

Sydney and Kyan - both of these guys go to the same daycare and will be attending the same Pre School next year!

Lola eventually warmed up to this giant tent with tunnels and peek-a-boo holes!

Jayla playing peek-a-boo with Lola!

Jayla

Again, Kyan and his favorite contraption there!

Kyan and Gianni on the drums!

Kyan made me a strawberry ice cream cone!

Making pizza above and stir fry below!

Lola wanted help with this one from her Auntie Susie and begged her to keep putting the little piece on the track!

Kyan behind the flower box! He picked flowers and hand delivered them after that. Only to take them back and replant them in the window box!

A quick pose with the kiddos!

Kyan even got to paint a playhouse!

Silly Lola!

My artist at work!

The kids creations!

Swimmin' with Jayla Boo and Sue!

Lola's BFF - Jayla

Jayla and Kyan sharing the toys!

The three munchkins in the little pool!

Best Friends Forever!

Kyan kickin' back!

Wherever brother goes or does, Lola wants to join in on the fun!

Lola kickin' it by herself while everyone else was swimming!

Today Lola had her 15 month checkup: 24 lbs (70th percentile) and 31 and 1/2 inches long (75 percentile)! She is healthy as can be and doing great!

After the doctor we called Auntie Susie and crashed her house (part of my plan of keeping them busy until the afternoon) after I called her and begged to come hang out! Didn't have to beg to hard, because we have been itching to see each other since her summer break started - mine is in the first week, so it was time! Despite having a pool in her backyard, the kids had just as much fun in Jay's mini pool! Lola more so than everyone else! Kyan was bummed that I forgot the floaties, so he had to stay on the steps in the big pool - oops! I would have swam with him, but Lola wasn't really having the water (again!) so we stayed on the edge!

When we got out of the pool, the kids went inside to play and had a hotdog lunch (thanks Sue for feeding my kids)! Then they moved on to snacks and more playing. Poor Kyan had to endure two little girls and their torture - Lola is a scratcher and Jayla is a pincher. He is so good with the babies though, he tried to mind his own business and stay out of their way. He is very good at sharing, so he was willing to give up some toys easier than others!

Thanks Susie and Jayla for a morning filled with fun! Planning on going to the Children's Muesem tomorrow and looking forward to it!

Kick off to summer at the Splash Pad!

Camden and Kyan just hanging out!

Lola and Camden checking each other out - it has been a while since they got to hang!

Lola thinking about maybe getting in the water! Really was not a big fan!

The tree musketeers: Gianni, Sydney, and Kyan. I work with both Gianni and Sydney's mommies and all three kids will be attending Palm Valley Pre-School this fall!

Kyan had a blast running through the sprinklers!

Once again - thinking about getting wet.

Carmen, this is Gianni's little sister! She was loving the water, once her snacks were all finished!'

Best Friends

Camden in one of her many pretty bathing suits - mommy Candis explained that it is a Havasu thing and that she has quite the collection! Camden and Candis made it in time to get a little wet! Was getting worried that the kids would be done by the time they got over to this side of town! Was thankful that Kyan got a second wind and that Camden enjoyed her time at the splash pad! The water didn't bother her any! Hoping to steal of a pics from Candis' blog!

Finally a water gun opened up! Kyan was having a blast - shooting people that ran by!

Lola just "chillaxing" as her brother would say! She didn't last too long in the water - I think honestly it was because I wouldn't let her bring piggy with her. I have created a monster! But she does look quite cute in her lambie towel she stole from Kyan.


Today we went to meet up with a few friends at the Litchfield Splash Pad! It was a great way to kick off our summer at home! My plan with the kids last summer will continue into this summer and that is to wear them out in the a.m. so that when we come home from any of our adventures they will crash! It worked like a charm today as they both were asleep in no time - Lola even fell asleep in the car on the drive home! Kyan was asleep within 5 minutes of walking in the door! He loves naps because he knows daddy will be home when he wakes up! Works for me!

Juice Stealer

So Kyan always opens up a Capri Sun, but never finishes them! The solution: his little sister, Lola! HA! She found one on the end table in the living room this morning and crushed it! Then she moved on to the recently opened one in the kitchen and crushed it! She is on to juice box #3 - her very own and she is crushing it as well! WOW!