Magical Moments and Gingerbread Houses

How I relish my weekends with this our tiny human. We still wanted to spend some time with her even though she is still recovering from a cold. So we decided to stay home and have a relaxing-ish day with her.

After eating her absolute favorite meal, mac-n-cheese, we decorated gingerbread houses from a kit. These two were so funny. I had to make a quick batch of royal icing since every time Mr. would pour a layer of icing from the kit there was her finger getting a scoop. Which of course grossed me out a bit .. I mean really how long has this icing been in the box. YIKES!! Once we were done with our houses and after a rousting game of tag, we were all ready to relax. We quickly painted our nails before settling down to watch Moana, which is a super cute movie if you have never watched it.

And that my friends is another wonderful and magical day with our grand-angel.

November

November was such a blur. With other family obligations we were not able to spend much time with munchkin. But when we did we ate fruit, told stories, laughed a lot and played in the grass [a blessing of being in the Southwest is the winters are nice]. Each moment with her is such a special time.

24 Years and Counting

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth
and height my soul can reach.
I love thee with the breath, smiles, Tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

5 Easy Ways to Celebrate July 4th

Whether you are Democratic or Republican, Liberal or Conservative our Nation should be celebrated. This year instead of treating this one day in the same down played ho-hum way as any other day .. let us take a moment a put a little more thought. Make today not just a night event but a whole day fan-fare that ends with a great light show!!

You can start and end today the same way .. with prayer. A prayer of thanks for where you get to live and for the many sacrifices that have been made to protect it. A prayer to watch over those who are here  A prayer of protections from those who wish to take away our freedom and security. A prayer to help heal and better ourselves.

One of the easiest ways is to show your patriotic colors. Wearing the red, white and blue is a visual way to show those around you that you support our Nation and it can be worn casually and at work.

Casual Outfit

Work Outfit

Wake up early and go watch your local Independence Day parade. Most town have some type of event to celebrate our Nation during the day. I remember watching parades as a kid and I was always so excited. Now thinking about it .. I do not really know what caught my interest but I was always memorized.

Saturday Evening Post July 1954

Decorate your home with banners, buntings, mini flags, different colors flower or/and pots or with just a simple wreath.

BHG

And last .. is if you are going to have a BBQ then put a little extra planning and make it theme. Even if you are not hosting an event have fun with the décor. This could be as simple as red and blue plates from the dollar store. You can also make blueberry and raspberry Jello with whipped cream or add angel food cake for a layered truffle. Or red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting with blueberries. The ideas are endless.

BHG

Now with your house decorated, you dressed in your colors and the party theme laid out you can truly celebrate with your family as a full day event that ends with poppers, sparklers and little prayer.

The Best Birthday Week - Staycation Style - Part 2

Tuesday was Mr.'s birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! And he wanted to spend it with his grand-daughter. Heart melting .. I know. He has always been a family man .. it is one of my favorite qualities about him. We picked her up and did what we do before ANY activity .. eat. The menu options were noodles or pancakes and she picked .. noodles. So we went to one of our favorite kid friendly places Times Square. Man the food here is so incredible .. words can not express. And they even will make noodles and butter [off menu] for Maddy since she does NOT like sauce on her noodles. It is just a great place with great people serving great food. That should be their motto. Today we thought we were taking Maddy out to a new place Dave and Busters. It was a bit loud and slightly overwhelming for her at first. Then she started to warm up to the place. She was so funny as excited as she was to be there she did not want to play .. instead she chose a game and wanted us to play. She cheered and raised her hands and gave us a 'great job!' … she is so adorable. After taking Maddy home we were off to the movie theater to watch Seven at the Harkins as part of their Tuesday Classic Movie. Watching it on the big screen was incredible. Ahhhh .. remember when Brad and Gwen were an item.

Stick a fork in us .. we are worn-out. We choose this day to stay home and enjoy our quite and splendid abode. We would sit and watch something together .. then putter around outside .. then go to our mutual rooms for individual time [game playing for Mr. and reading and crafting for me]. I think these are the best kind of days.

I was so excited for Thursday to arrive. Like a kid bouncing around on Christmas day kind of excited. I was scrolling for activities around town and found that Dave Brubeck's sons are playing a one night concert at the MIM. WHHAAATTTT!! I found the sound of Dave's about 18 years ago or so. My absolute hands down favorite album ever is Time Out which out beats Miles Davis's Kind of Blue and American Prayer by The Doors. I am not too much of a concert person but I was super happy that we were able to get tickets. The show was so great .. the interaction with the audience was wonderful and the music was like BOOOM!! mind blowing. We thought tonight we would get a little dressed up and start our evening experience by going to a 'nicer' sit down place before we caught the show. Tonight we chose Maggianos in Scottsdale. Oh man what a lovely place. The restaurant was so charming and classic .. the food was amazing .. the people were helpful and kind .. it was just a perfect and wonderful place. The entire evening was perfect and wonderful!! 

Now how do you wrap up such a busy week? By getting spa treatments of course. So .. on Friday we decided to get something that we have never gotten and that is full service treatments - couples massages, facials and pedicures. There is a small tucked away resort that we have been meaning to visit and never took the time to call. All I can say is .. ahhhhhhhh. The services were really great and the attendants were so engaging. I did feel bad for my massage therapist .. especially after she asked if I move bricks. Her hand must have been sore after working on my back. LOL. And my poor pedicurist .. since I am constantly without shoes my feet are so rough. She used this heel glaze that I was able to purchase and man it is a game changer. I am forever putting lotions and oils and nothing ever works, however, this stuff leaves my feet so soft that I can not stop touching. I also got the small travel size of their Sweet Cream lotion .. which smells like a spicy vanilla cupcake .. Mr. can not stop commenting how much he loves the scent. I guess that means I have to start buying this stuff by the gallons *wink*

Saturday was errands day since I wanted to make sure we were set for work. So laundry was done, groceries were bought, dry cleaning picked up and all the little fun house tiding activities we all have. And on Sunday we took the day of rest to heart and simply relaxed .. just like on Wednesday .. we did not do much of anything.

And that concludes the best birthday week .. so far. There is always next year when I turn .. nope I still can not say those words out loud. 

The Best Birthday Week - Staycation Style - Part 1

Mr. and I share the same birthday month and usually try to take some time off of work to celebrate. This year we could not make up our minds as to where we wanted to go.

We thought a trip through the wine country would be beautiful or perhaps a trip to the beach would be relaxing. We were hoping to find a location to where we could eat at the hotel restaurants, find relaxing activities and maybe even do spa day. The more we thought of what we really wanted to do the more we realized we can enjoy all those wonderful events here in the Valley. So we decided to make this a stay-cation instead and planned it out as-if we were going to a new city. And on the plus side --  I can sleep in my own bed, enjoy my perfectly brewed coffee in the mornings and I do not have to board Henry. SCORE!!!

We started our stay-cation by going to our first comedy club. We got tickets to go to The Comedy Spot on Saturday night so we made the choice spend the day in Old Town Scottsdale. The only thing to really do in Old Town is shop .. we thought we would find some sustenance before visiting the Mall and other small shops. So we drove around a bit when we spotted a sign that reads The Henry .. I looked at Mr. and said I guess we are eating here. Never seeing this place before we did not know what to expect and we are so glad we stopped. The atmosphere was wonderful, the service staff was so friendly and the food was amazing.  The place was packed and filled with activity but it was not too loud .. so we thought we would belly up to the bar since we could eat there too. I even had my first Mimosa .. I know .. I am late to the party. LOL After .. we waddled through the narrow streets and enjoyed some of the artistic shops. Before our evening event we found The Pussycat Gelato and thought we would stop in for something sweet. This little gem was so fun and unique .. they even played Josie and The Pussycats on the TV . As a child I collected the comic books and I always wanted to be Melody. With wonderful memories swirling in my head and my sweet tooth filled we were off to visit the comedy house. The club itself is tiny, however, it is next to a restaurant which on that night happened to be hosting a high school prom. I hope their night was as magical as ours.

We reserved the next day to do one of our guilty pleasures .. gambling .. or making a donation as it is more commonly knows in our household since we have not struck it big .. yet. There are a few establishments in the Valley to choose from and the one we go to is the Talking Stick Resort. We have enjoyed not just their games but also several of their restaurants including Orange Sky on the top level. We have watched Tim Allen when he was in town and enjoyed the most wonderful massage at their beautiful Spa. After our time there we decided to leave to eat at a new location Frank and Lupes which we found the day before when we were walking through Old Town. Mr. and I spent our teen years in a small New Mexican town and it hard to find true New Mexican food. The place was a bit tight but it was filled with happily serviced patrons and I can see why .. the food was so wonderful. There were two large gatherings -- one seemed like family was in town and the other was a group who completed their training. I think it says a lot about a place when people go there to celebrate. It was not until we were done that we noticed their was a separate outside seating area around the corner. FYI … another fantastic New Mexican restaurant in Phoenix is Giles Taste of Taos which we found since they are a vendor at the local farmer's market.

We decided to make Monday our Downtown Phoenix day. There was an exhibition on Pompeii at the Arizona Science Center that we were wanting to see. But first .. you have guessed it .. food. Before we went, we decided to visit the Vegan House  and man is this place a game changer. The food at this place was so amazing .. I can not begin to say how great it was. Most of the menu is Asian but they also had sandwiches, fries and deserts. If you are ever downtown stop in and have their fried banana and coconut ice cream. We will have to make it a point to come down here more often just to eat here. Seriously it was that good!!  The Pompeii exhibit was interesting .. for one we were only taken in groups and two it was a one-way only exhibit .. there was no turning back after the doors shut behind you. You walked through some artifacts and displays of the houses to a room where they showed a video of the towns final 24 hours and the floors rumbled. Then silence. The door opened to where you were walking through a room with clay casts of men, women, children and even pets. It was quit a somber experience. After the exhibit we caught the last show at the planetarium experience .. which we were the only two people there. It was really great .. it was like having our own private viewing. The guide was very attentive and Mr. got to ask tons of nerdy questions. It was a truly a great day!

The Tree is Finally Done!!!!!

This year I was determined to have our tree showcase some handmade crafts created by myself and Maddy. So off to Hobby Lobby I went and found soooooo many great ideas. My challenge was to find something that I can make with an almost 4 year old but not have the decoration look like .. well … that it was made by a toddler. So I gave myself a some time to make little projects with her and kept her part pretty simple. She was fine for one or two items then off she went to play with Henry .. go fetch Henry .. good boy. So for most of the season all we had were the lights, some beads and Angel on top and it looked simple and lovely. But we finally got done with painting and gluing and this is what we got. And every day I see this tree and have some wonderfully sweet memories.

A Winnie the Pooh Christmas

Every year for about the last ten years my eldest daughter and I have attended this play. That would have made her around 16 give or take when we found this little treasure.

Every year we have made it a point to go - just a little mother/daughter bonding time. And after we hit the nearby Farmer's Market and just enjoy each other's company. It is held at the Valley Youth Theater and the whole play is acted by kids for kids. I am sure we look a bit weird going but it doesn't matter to us. Every year we enjoy going through the handout and reading who moved up to the main characters. The first time we took Maddy she was bit put off -- she did not care for a giant 6 foot Eeyore or all the singing .. it took her until the second half to warm up to the idea and just enjoy the show. But this year she remembered enough to be excited for it. She still wanted nothing to do with meeting the cast afterwards .. especially the 6 foot Eeyore. 

If  you are ever in the area you must visit the Valley Youth Theater.  I just hope the theater plans on keeping this play for another 22 years or longer. I am looking forward to watching it with my great-grand children. 

Christmas Around the House

Even though we usually start with decorating for Christmas on Thanksgiving Day. This year it took us a little bit longer. However, knowing that we would be super busy at work and our weekends are full of activities we could not take too long. I rushed so much I forgot to take pictures of the new garland we got but I did get a picture of our new clock. We got it at Lowell's .. well we almost didn't. I spotted it and like usually took too long to decide if I wanted it that when we went back it was gone. *GASP* Not only were they sold out at the store but all the nearby store too. *TEARS*  We ended getting the display model and I was a happy girl again. The train goes around and the pendulum is Santa's sleigh [which was the blurry part of the picture].

The village display got a few new trees, lamp posts, figures, light up batting and it came out lovely. I am sure this will spark the imagination of a sweet little girl.

Happy 5th Birthday Savannah!!

May you live a long life

full of gladness and health.

May the dreams you hold dearest.

Be those which come true.

The kindness you spread.

Keep returning to you.  

Happy 22nd Anniversary

This is the year .. this year you are going to fall deeply and madly in love with me.

Sweetheart .. I already am. 

Kerplunk!! Minion Style

With the temperature holding steading around 100* Mr. and I were trying to come up with creative and fun ways to spend time with Baby Bean. We are so blessed that we get to spend nearly every Saturday with her. We are about half and half with taking her back to our home to play with Henry or run around outside or play in her little pool and taking her on an outing like an indoor play land or Children's Museum.

She is 3 1/2 and is such a wonderful joyful child with tremendous energy. One of the joys we found is that she enjoys is bean bag toss. We set up in the hall way and she knows that her spot is next to the outlet while ours is about a foot behind her. She waits her turn and is so enthusiastic when someone else gets the point. To her it is just a matter of having fun .. not score keeping or winning. Which is great because I am horrible at this game and she will more than likely win anyhow.

Christmas 2016

Mr. and I were at the store running some errands and he says how he would like to see if we can find a game we can play with her. He was leaning toward board games but when we started figuring out what we wanted to accomplish [enjoy an interactive game .. no bells or sirens .. nothing too drawn out or complicated] we saw that Kerplunk had a Minion version .. well we had found our new fun activity. Since we play bean bag toss as a one on one and this one is played by everyone she does try to get a turn after each person. No Maddy ...  it goes Pop-Pop, Grandma then you ... not Maddy, Pop-Pop, Maddy, Grandma and Maddy again. Nice try kiddo. That and she thinks the object is to have the Minions fall. She isn't yet into winning/losing or whose pile is bigger but she does sit and counts everyone's pieces and then she says good job [10 Minions Pop-Pop good job --- heart melting].

Summer Re-Cap

WOW!! The calendar is saying summer is about over and Autumn is fast approaching. Truthfully it doesn't feel that way here in Phoenix --- it typically stays warm up until November. I thought I would do a quick recap of our summer activities.

Our one big outing was to the Children's Museum. It is in a refurbished old school in downtown and it is pretty cool. Since it still has the old charm it made me feel like I was back in the 4th grade -- no running in the hallway and keeping your voice a bit lower. The activities were not only created to spark imagination but allow the kids to play in each other's imaginary world. Maddy can be a bit shy around others - she stands there and stares at them - but when asked to play she is all in. She watches what others are doing as if she is seeing an instructional video before she starts any activity. There was the rolling balls through a maze [different start points have different endings], the  pretend market / restaurant, and there was pool noodles hanging from the ceiling maze. Which was a BLAST!! When you first walk in to the museum you see this mammoth play structure and the first thing I thought is that Maddy will never go in that. Well .. I was wrong. Mind you she wouldn't go by herself but she did have a buddy who was willing to go into 'The Cage'. Are you guys taking in just how HUGE this thing is!! The pictures don't do it justice .. this thing was ginormous!!!

We balance our Grandparent outings with just bringing her home to enjoy some quieter times such as movies, games, pool, or just laying on the grass and watching the clouds. 

Watching kitten videos with Pop-Pop

Happy 2nd Birthday Jeffery

Angel 12 by Edgar Jerins

Someone Is 3!!

Oh munchkin you are so much fun!

You are such a wonderful blessing to the world around you. 

Happy 4th Birthday Savannah!

Happy 4th birthday sweet child. I can not believe that 4 years has already flown by. Next thing I know you will be starting school. May all Jehovah's wonderful blessings stay with you.

Pumpkin Patch Fun

October here is really nice in the morning and then .. the sun comes out [sadness]. Unless it is overcast the bright sun warms up very quickly. Even though we are in the 90s it feels much warmer. I thought I should say that because if it is first time visiting you and you see here in a sleeveless shirt and not realize that this is life here in Phoenix. Anyhow .. she had such a great time at the Pumpkin Patch this year. We normally go to Schnepf Farms which is larger and it has tons of food, activities, a general store, a really pumpkin patch and HUGE corn maze and tons of activities but it is about an 1 1/2 hours away .. one way.

This year we went to Macdonald's Ranch - which kinda has this western feel. They did a great job keeping it family friendly - it has scarecrows for kids to stuff hay in - go carts - small corn maze with a  tractor ride to the 'pumpkin patch' and best of all .. a petting zoo.  Maddy LOVES animals but she isn't the kind of kid that runs up to one and grab them. She is more of an observer and makes sure they are doing well. Which is fine by me.

Happy 2nd Birthday Maddy!!

Happy are the pure in heart, since they will see God. 

Matthew 5:8

Happy Birthday Eldest Princess!!

WOW .. time flies when we surround ourselves with those we love

25 years of your spunk and funny personality is just the beginning

gosh .. just think in another 25 years you will be 50 and

Baby Princess will be 25 and that means I will be ...

... well let's not get too carried away  =D

 



Grand-Angel #3 Is Finally Here!

Coming in at 7lbs 10oz and 19.5" long

Welcome to the world

Jeffrey Thomas