Water Colors

We have been receiving a lot of rain lately. This has pushed our normal outdoor activities inside. There has been a lot of creativity associated with our time indoors. Today the kids pulled out the water colors and created masterpieces.

A Trip to the Gardens

While Aine was in a class about pollinators in the desert, Eamon, Benton and I enjoyed an afternoon at the Desert Botanical Gardens.   We explored the wildflower gardens, 

succulent and cacti gardens 

pollinators, 

and many puddles.

 

All in all it was a delightful day.

The Sweater

I knit Aine a sweater vest for her birthday. I was so pleased about the design and yarn. I was using stash yarn (Peace Fleece) and a free pattern. I finished by the weekend of her birthday celebration with family. I took her to pick out a button. She chose a shimmery red button. THis did not even come close to matching the purple with navy trim vest, but I acquiesced as it is her vest. She tried it on after I sewed on the button. The verdict...

Scratchy! She hates it and refuses to wear it. I even tried washing it to soften the fibers. Nope. It is sitting in the top of her closet unworn. Of well, it may be a bit of time before she receives any more handknits.

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.

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.

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

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.