Books

Several months ago, I posted the kids favorite books... it's time for an update! Listed below are Gracie and Nate's top five most requested stories from the Summer.

Gracie

1. Flotsam

2. The Napping House

3. Just In Case You Ever Wonder

4. My Pony

5. Go, Dog. Go!

5+. and finally, our absolute favorite.... Pinkalicious 

Nathan

1. Everyone Poops

2. The Fire Engine Book

3. We're Going On A Bear Hunt

4. Tools

5. Happy Birthday, Cookie Monster!

Science Center

We visited the Science Center, primarily to see the Narnia Exhibition but ended up staying all day because the kids had such a great time.

After passing through the wardrobe to enter Narnia, snow fell on the kids.  Our desert kiddos were delighted.

Gracie building a dam.

Nate created a vortex in the weather exhibit... he wasn't sure if it was scary or cool.

Playing volleyball on the bluescreen.

Nate REALLY loved the Human & Animal Grossology Exhibition.

Gracie was "grossed out" by it.

We learned all about the inner workings of cows. 

Nate's favorite game of the day was this one, it's called Belch-a-Baby.

Peanut butter and jelly face.

Future Stars of Project Runway?

The kids dressed themselves today.  I love their sense of style.

  

Maybe someday they'll be on Project Runway.

Starry Safari

Every Friday night, all summer long the Phoenix Zoo hosts Starry Safari.  Tonight we decided to brave the heat and "go into the wild!"  

We couldn't keep Grace off of the waterslides.

Nate chose puddle jumping instead.

There's something magical about the zoo at night.

Our favorite animals tonight included the Girafeez (Nate's pronunciation), Zebra's and a close up encounter with an Elephant.  The kids said, "goodnight" to all of the animals.

Grace and Nate won these prizes at the Frog Walk.

Wearing our pajamas on the zoo carousel at night was very cool.

I love you too Gracie.

Before tucking the kids into bed, we read the book Good Night, Gorilla.  The book was given to us by Card Girl when Nate was born.  It's one of our favorites and it was the perfect ending to our wild night.

Painting Rocks

We entertained ourselves this morning by painting rocks from the front yard.

The simplest things bring the greatest joy!

Nate painted a few rocks, but was much more interested in painting his hands, knees, the table, me, etc...

We will put the rocks back in the front yard tonight.  Our glamourous rocks will make us the envy of the neighborhood!

Can't wait till the weather cools and we can do arts and crafts outside again.

Children's Museum of Phoenix

We were thrilled today to finally visit the brand new Children's Museum of Phoenix.  The museum is located in the historic Monroe School building in downtown Phoenix.  Even though we were there all day ~ we still didn't see everything....  

The kids had fun crawling through the play structures.

Gracie amazed me with her hula hoop skills.

Happy Girl

This SilverRider Rickshaw Trike in the Pedal Power exhibit was a big hit!

 

It's been way too hot outside for the kids to ride, so they were really happy to put their pedal power skills to use.

The market role play area is super.  Gracie "bought" these beautiful daisies for me.

Nathan's favorite exhibit was The Grand Ballroom.  Balls, balls and more balls!  He could have stayed there all day.

In the Art Studio, the kids were given a chance to help paint this Pinkilicious house.  Nathan said over and over... "Mama, I paint house, I paint house!"

He really LOVES glue.

The take home projects of the day were crowns and magic wands.

He didn't take his crown off until we arrived home.

Both kids helped decorate this baby giraffe with post-its and glue.

Gracie's crown in progress.

I asked her what she was going to use her magic wand for.  She replied, "To make my baby brother go away."  

Guess what!!!  Our little "Fred Flinstone" can pedal now!!!

We loved our day at the museum.

Pancakes for Mommy

Our 10 year old Niece Ashton, is staying with us this week.  Gracie has really enjoyed the attention from her "big" cousin.  This morning the girls told me that I wasn't allowed to come into the kitchen until they called me...  

When I finally was allowed into the kitchen I found....

Delicious pancakes (and a HUGE mess!).  Yum!

Daddy's Birthday Celebration

The kids and I planned a special birthday celebration for Donnie tonight.  We worked all afternoon to make one of his favorite dinners (beef stew), bake cupcakes and decorate the house.

Would you like cupcake with your sprinkles???

Gracie and Nate's recipe for cupcakes... 5 bottles of Sprinkles.  Sprinkle with vigor all over cupcakes, floor, table, lick, sprinkle, lick, taste, sprinkle, sprinkle, sprinkle...

Gracie was the decorator.

Nathan was Head Chief in Charge of Cupcakes.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

We love you.

Sister Birthday Wishes

Today is my little sisters birthday.  She is my best friend.

Happy Birthday ls.  I love and miss you.  BS

One of the things that my Sis and I have in common is that we are constantly buying cards that we never mail or give away.  Shannon, your birthday card this year is from inspire company.  Hopefully I'll get it in the mail, someday...

  

Shannon and I (circa 1982).  

Check out that cool sofa and green shag carpet!

Shannon and Donnie share the same birthday.  I don't think that it's just coincidence that two of the most precious people in my life were born on the same day.

Happy Birthday TT!!!

Wish we were there to sing to you in person.  

This special cross-country birthday message was inspired by my friend Sandy's new blog.  Mady sent a birthday message to her Grandpa last week and I liked the idea so much we decided to make a birthday message too!  Thank's for the great idea Sandy!

Weekend at the Wigwam

The kids and I whisked Donnie off for a surprise weekend of fun in the sun at the Wigwam Resort and Spa.  Our sitter came to the hotel on Saturday and Donnie and I enjoyed a kid free afternoon of pampering and massages at the Red Door Spa. We ended our day with a romantic anniversary dinner at Red's Steakhouse.... Bliss!

The hotel was great, we were upgraded to a suite in honor of our anniversary and Donnie's birthday.  The kids were given these ducks at check in, Gracie named them Tom and Cherry. 

We swam all weekend, all of us were happy and water logged when it was finally time to head back home.