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Thursday, January 28, 2010

Bartering

Eamon is entering a world of money and finance. He wants many things, but with only $8 every two weeks his buying power is low. He set about finding what he found valuable among his things. He then stashed them in his pockets as we headed to various stores. He found what he wanted from the shelves and asked the closest employee if they will buy his item or trade for it. He has done this at Target, TJ MAXX, Little Blue Choo Choo and a few others. So far no one has taken him up on his offer, but he is certain it will work.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Got Your Nose

Today was enhanced by two of my nieces. The kiddos played very well together. At one point both Kai and Benton were sitting on my lap. Kai looked at Benton and grabbed his nose. She quipped: "Got your nose. Chomp." and promptly ate it. They both dissolved in peals of laughter. This was then followed by a rousing game of peek-a-boo.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Habitats

We spent the day at Eldorado Park today with one of the homeschool groups we belong to. The kids had a great time playing tag, building castles and looking for clams in the little stream that ran through the park. Eamon was overjoyed with his finds - approximately 25 little clams. He stored them in one of our water bottles while he hunted more with a new friend. He equipped the container with some plants and sand. He also was able to find a "sucker fish" to clean the tank. I had to break the news to him that the sucker fish that liked to suck on his finger when he moved it was actually a leech. The whole day has led to much discussion and exploration about the life of clams and leeches.

Reading



Monday, January 25, 2010

Thank you Aunt Cathy and Uncle Steve!

Today was a beautiful day after much rain here in the valley. We decided we needed some time outside, so we headed to the Phoenix Zoo. We love the zoo and are thankful to Aunt Cathy and Uncle Steve for the membership renewal they gave the kiddos for Christmas.


We took a different path today starting with the Arizona Trail. Everyone including Benton was enthralled with the reptiles and amphibians on display. From there we went to check if a new mountain lion has made it to the zoo. Unfortunately one has not been procured to replace the lion who died much to our chagrin.

Then we chatted with workers using an excavator to dig a trench before heading to Harmony Farm. All three kiddos enjoyed petting and grooming the goats. Benton especially liked the hands on experience of milking the cow. At one point he tried to take the "milk"(water) directly from the source!
From there we saw the wallabys, birds, elephants and many other animals. It was a wonderful day, although Eamon was displeased with the Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches that we viewed toward the end of our visit. We pledged to return again in a week or two as Aine feels we do not go often enough.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Just like Daddy



Favorites

At breakfast today, Eamon and Aine asked to be interviewed. Eamon came up with the questions, and then the whole family joined in the game.

EAMON
Color: Gold
Season: Autumn
Lullaby: Golden Slumber
Thing to Do: Walk in Autumn when the leaves turn gold
Dessert: Golden Cake
Drink: Apple Cider (or hot cocoa)
Art: Using marigold crayons
Toy: Armored truck transformer or Mario Kart for Wii
Food: Potato Leek Soup
Snow Activity: Snowball Fights or Sledding
Joke: Knock, knock
Who's There?
Banana (5 Times)
Banana Who
then, Knock, Knock
Who's There?
Orange
Orange Who?
Orange you glad I didn't say Banana!!!
Summer Activity: Drawing, Bike Riding, Swimming
Hair Length: Short
Meal: Breakfast
Favorite Website: Marvel Kids, Webkinz, youtube, lego

AINE
Color: Pink, Blue, Gold
Season: Autumn
Lullaby: Rock a Bye, Baby
Thing to Do: Play with horse; Play with Rachel
Dessert: Ice Cream with a Cherry on top
Drink: Apple Cider (or hot cocoa)
Art: Drawing pictures of my family
Toy: New Horses from Bonnie's daughter (violin teacher) or baby dolls
Food: Eggs with lentils and hot sauce
Snow Activity: Building a snowman
Joke: Knock, knock
Who's There?
Lily
Lily Who
Lily my dog barking at your door of course and licking your feet
Summer Activity: Bike Riding, Swimming in our pool or grandma's
Hair Length: Long
Meal: Lunch
Favorite Website: Starfall, webkinz

MAMA:
Color: Blue and Green
Season: Autumn
Lullaby: Sleep Baby Sleep or the Dixie Chicks one
Thing to Do: Craft, Read, Spend time with loved ones
Dessert: Chocolate Chip Cookies
Drink: Chai Tea Latte or hot cocoa
Art: Knit
Toy: iPod or Laptop
Food: Sausage or Candy (specifically swedish fish or jelly bellys)
Snow Activity: Sledding
Joke: Knock, knock
Who's There?
Little old Lady
Little Old Lady Who
I didn't know you could yodel!
Summer Activity: Bike Riding, Swimming or laying in hammock
Hair Length: Depends
Meal: Lunch
Favorite Website: netflix, ravelry, etsy

DADDY:
Color: Blue
Season: Spring
Lullaby: Rock a Bye Baby
Thing to Do: Be at Home with Family
Dessert: Chocolate Cupcakes
Drink: Milk
Art: Drawing
Toy: Guitar Hero
Food: Sushi
Snow Activity: Staying inside
Joke: Knock, knock
Who's There?
Interrupting cow
Interrupting cow who?
mooo!!!!
Summer Activity: traveling or camping
Hair Length: Short
Meal: Breakfast
Favorite Website: google reader

BENTON:
tbd

Thursday, January 21, 2010

LEGO Mania

Everyone here loves building and creating.  Currently the media of choice is LEGOS.  Eamon has quite a few sets that he received for his birthday including two Star Wars sets from Craigslist.  He loves building with them.  Aine enjoys building with the plain blocks creating houses, buildings and vehicles.  Benton grabs for the Duplos and builds large towers which he can then knock down.  They will often be found with their heads together creating LEGO masterpieces.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Hiking




We headed out to Usery Park for a ranger led hike. We were a little late, as the kiddos had to have their picture taken on the rock at the start of the path. After posing, the kids just ran up to meet the group. The ranger discussed the Sonoran desert, snakes, pack rats and a few other animals. She was impressed with Eamon's and Aine's knowledge.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Enjoying the Weather

After Benton and Aine had their hair cut, we headed to a park we used to frequent quite often. They loved playing on the super swing and searching out a little mud.
Aine has almost mastered the monkey bars.
Benton is always fearless. Climbing to the top of structures and defying his age at every turn.

Monday, January 04, 2010

Aine



trying to determine if the Palo Verde has thorns

Sunday, January 03, 2010

Fiesta Bowl Parade 2010

We were joined on our annual trip downtown for the Fiesta Bowl Parade by the kiddos' cousins, auntie and uncle. We rode the Light Rail again this year and sat in the same spot (thanks to our good friends who continually stake out the front row in the wee morning hours). The kiddos had several cans of silly string, which they had almost exhausted before the parade even began. They could be heard loudly telling the balloon holders to "spin it" and were delighted by the Star Wars marching band.