day at the children's museum

We scored some free culture passes this weekend for the Children's Museum of Phoenix.  The boys had a great time.  They loved the market shopping area.  It's usually too crowded to get in that section we we usually skip it but, it was nice and quiet this past Sunday and they had a great time shopping, checking out and putting everything back on the shelf.  Of course, the ball room and texture cafe and noodle forest were big hits also.

Recycled Items Fish Art

Crazy Climber

They have this new climber that we had yet to see and it was really cool! I joined in the fun and climbed through it also. Hudson exclaimed "This is the best place ever!" while we were there. It truly is a place of wonder and fun for kids.

first grade presentations

This month, Ethan had 2 presentations at school.  First one was a habitat performance by all the first grade classes.  He was so excited to be on the stage singing about the rainforest habit.  It was really cute.  Of course, I totally spaced on my camera.  I was so bummed!  Luckily, his teacher sent over a photo of his class dressed as their rainforest animal the Sloth.  

I got to redeem myself that evening.  His school had a Physical Education presentation for all the 1st grader parents.  We watched for about an hour as our kids ran around the gym in groups doing all sorts of activities.  This was put together to give us parents and idea of what goes on in PE class.  This time I was ready to fire away picture after picture!

cartoon lesson: veggie expressions

I started teaching an elementary cartoon class 2 weeks ago.  I need to practice the lesson before I teach it so, my boys help out by being my students.  Our first lesson was face shapes but I didn't get any pictures of that one.  This week we are drawing veggie expressions. Take a look, they came out really cute!

Ethan Age 6

Hudson Age 4

Cartooning is fun because it's quick and expressive.  The kids are enjoying the silly nature of the subjects and that we can get 3-5 images drawn each class is cool.

fall is in the air ... and in the mail

 Fall is in full swing and the weather is beautiful but, leaves ... nope we don't see any changing or falling leaves unless we drive a bit out of the desert ... unless you get an awesome package of leaves from some new york friends!  The boys were super excited to get a bag of leaves and add them to our "nature basket". Thank you Rodriguez family!

  

soccer game

Ethan and Hudson had there 2nd soccer game on Friday.  Ethan scored his first goal and they won!  Well, that is what Ethan said anyway.  The teams don't keep score they just play for fun but, he said he kept score on his own and we won 3 to 2.  Here are the boys in action.

 

halloween weekend

We had a fantastic weekend of sports, friends, music and of course, trick or treating!

Thursday, we went to the community clubhouse for a Halloween Haunt.  We have lived here for 3 years but never seem to make it.  It was low key event, geared towards little kids. The boys had fun playing all the silly games to win a prize or treat, the fortune teller was one of their favorites, I guess because you don't see that often.  We decorated cookies, got tattoos and twisty  balloons! 

Friday, the boys has their first soccer game.  They had a blast and Ethan was great! He especially liked being the goalie.  I guess it's a fun position because Hudson preferred that too.  In fact, he didn't want to play in the game unless he was the goalie.  He was more concerned about talking to one of the little girls on the team.

Friday night we got dressed in our costumes and headed to our friends Randee and Jay's house for some Halloween fun. The kids decorated pumpkin and ghost cookies, ate yummy mummy fingers and holiday cake pops, played outside with the swing set and inside with the Wii. Bert & I got to hang with some friends too, and I even had a few beers since Bert was driving, that was a treat!

Saturday we went to the gym/yoga (lovely) and then the Symphony with the family (double lovely). My friend Inessa called me to see if we wanted some tickets for the show.  She bought tickets but was unable to go.  Inessa takes her kids all the time but, we have never been the theater by ourselves let alone withe kids.  It was great!  Thank you so much Inessa!!!  The Phoenix Symphony has family friendly shows on Saturday afternoon.  No dress code and lots of other families.  Hudson was real serious with the same look on his face the entire time. Ethan, our self-proclaimed "musical" child loved it.  He was dancing in his seat doing conductor like movements.  We had to tell him a couple of time to lower his hands so the people behind him can see.  He really got into the music, I was silently giggling the whole show!

Sunday was Halloween.  The boys not so patiently awaited 5:30pm when we planned to leave for trick-or-treating. Just before we left Hudson had a costume change and decided to be a bumble bee again like last year instead of Luigi.  Ethan was a bit upset about it, he wanted his brother to be Luigi.  Ethan was Mario for the 3rd (and hopefully final) year in a row.  We met a bunch of friends and Inessa's house and trick or treated together.  the kids literally ran from house to house, we spent a good portion of the time asking them to slow down.  Unfortunately, I took NO pictures. You can see Mario & Luigi in the pictures from Friday and since Hudson was the same as last year, so here is a picture of last year's bumble bee.

Well, Halloween has again come and gone, all we have left is a scary good mountain of candy! :D Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!

what we're reading

3 new books arrived at school from Scholastic last week!

• The Magic School Bus Fix a Bone 
• Pick a Pumpkin Mrs. Millie
• Who will Haunt My House on Halloween?

 These were just in time, we enjoyed the holiday reading as we not so patiently awaited for Halloween's arrival.