riparian preserve

It has been just beautiful out so, we have been trying to get outdoors and explore. On Tuesday afternoon we headed to the Riparian Institute Preserve with some friends.  It was a great walk with lots of wildlife sightings: birds, ducks, fish, dogs and a turtle. 

The boys climbed trees and had such fun playing in a little creek.

There was a little amphitheater and Ethan and Nathan put on a dance party show. 

It was a really nice afternoon, the boys were quite intrigued by the people fishing around the lake.  One of these days we need to get them some fishing poles and try it out.  Neither Bert nor I have ever really fished so, I bet it would be an interesting and silly experience.

enchanted island winter fun

Enchanted Island in Phoenix was having a winter wonderland event this weekend.  It is a cute park with kiddie amusement rides.  The boys always have a good time when we go. This weekend for winter fun they had a snow mound and some snow tubing! Fun!

 

 

 

 

Ethan on the snow slide

Hudson on the snow slide

Nannie went tubing down the snow slide too!

polar express and grandpa's visit

This month, Grandpa came to visit! The boys were so happy he was here.  It has been awhile since they have seen him.  Although we were sick in one way or another while he was here, we made the best of it.

Excitement building for the train!

Waving to Santa at the "North Pole"

Grandpa most of the trip, he wasn't feeling very well.

Reindeer bells from Santa!

Grandpa brought with him the best gift ever, a recordable Christmas book from Hallmark. Grandma, Grandpa, and my sisters all read a page of the book to the boys.  Brilliant!

It was so fun to hear each of their voices and to watch the boys listen and pick out each person reading to them.  They really loved it. Really a cool idea for family members far away to connect.

santa sightings!

We have been seeing Santa all around town!  HO, HO, HO

At Bass Pro Shop

At Ethan's Elementary School

At Polar Express

At our community's Breakfast with Santa

cartoon lesson: action dogs

  

Last week I taught action dogs for my cartoon class.Hudson wasn't into coloring so much this week.  Purple is his new favorite color so, he just stuck to that!

Ethan Age 6

Hudson Age 4

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!