Our Kids

The girls, Nana Peggy, Grandpa Norman and I headed up to cooler weather in the White Mountains of Arizona. We found ourselves nestled in to a cabin in the pines (www.pinetopvistacabins.com) in the 70’s. It was pretty darn blissful as far as temps go. The cabin was great with a nice deck out front for enjoying the forest. We had a nice kid friendly hike right outside our door and good eats close by.

During our trip we drove up to Sunrise ski area and Greer, AZ. We really had a great time just hanging out with the fam, collecting twigs, leaves, cones and such. We had some great breakfasts at Darbi Cafe, good dinners at The Rendevous Diner in Greer, and Red Devil Pizza in Pinetop.

I can’t think of much that would have improved on our trip except if Jason could have come with us. I am glad to be back and even welcomed with heat to take the chill off I had from the mountains and the AC kickin’ all the way home.

Jason started playing this game with the girls where he bats the balloon and they either try to get it or try to keep it from hitting the ground.

Today Jason and I had the chance to play one on one with Lela and the balloon. Seriously it was more fun than I have had in a while. We played keep away, which she thought was a stitch, and then we all tried to bean each other with the balloon, which is harder than it sounds. It was so much fun, there was mucho laughter from all parties. Landis was watching and steering clear of all the balloon mayhem.

Lela really comes in to her own when she is one on one with us. Eventually Piper joined the party and we had to set some ground rules so there was no whining (Piper’s current favorite thing) and no one got hurt. Toward the end we had all three girls batting balloons and running frantically around the living room. Best time I have had in ages.

My folks are in town for a couple weeks and the girls are enjoying their company. By some stroke of good luck or karma our temperatures have dropped and we even got some RAIN! Thank goodness!

We haven’t been up to much just playing around the house. It is a nice break from the hussle and bussle that we have been in for the past few months. No classes, no parks, no trips….just hanging out and having fun.

We are off to Pinetop, AZ next week and I am really looking forward to that. Up in the pines by a lake withing walking distance to restaurants! Can’t beat that. I say that now but after a few days with the girls in the wild I might be running back to town, lol. It always seems like a good idea!

Well today was the girls last day of Apples to Zebras. It has been a really great program and they have enjoyed it. They are both very good at listening and love to do crafts. I have some video of the girls at the end of session show that I am putting up on flickr.

When I asked the girls if they liked singing in the show Lela said she liked singing and Piper said she liked getting her certificate! How true both of those are. Afterwards they have snack and it is a sugar filled table that goes on for days. Piper and Lela both picked a cupcake, Piper licked off all the frosting and Lela threw hers away. Piper is a sugar fiend (like her dad) and Lela prefers just straight up chocolate (like her mom).

Well we are finally back to normal around here or whatever that is for us. Everyone seems to be well, Piper whines every time she doesn’t get her way, Lela asks for TV all day and Landis is well……Landis:)

We are going to tour a new school today, Desert Sun. I am full of mixed emotions about it all. I know that the girls are ready for something different and I know that I can’t keep doing the same thing (Apples to Zebras) and expect different results. So here we go on our next adventure.

The girls don’t turn 5 until December which puts them starting Kindergarten in the fall of 2010. So this school focuses on learning through play and has play based centers where they can explore and learn as only children can. I think they will get a lot out of it and in some ways need it. They have small classes and teach each child differently based on his or her needs. It is challenging to have twins that feed off each other and not always in a positive way. Sometimes Lela holds Piper back and vice versa so I feel that they need an environment where they can both have some space on their journey to becoming who they are.

Here we go……

Well I had a great Mother’s Day weekend. Mostly that was due to 3 things. First of all I left a catalog on Jason’s desk with things circled, then I went and bought a bunch of furniture at a model home sale and lastly I let go of all those Hallmark expectations of a leisurely day with breakfast in bed and children that float around on clouds strumming harps all day.

That combination made for one kick a** Mother’s Day:) I got two pairs of beautiful earrings and a charm (see give him an idea or two and he takes it to the next level). Jason and I rented a uhaul and picked up and delivered our awesome new family room furniture AND Jason asked Uncle JJ to come over and watch the girls so we could see Star Trek (cuz’ I am a trekkie) which was AWESOME.

This is what it is like to talk to Piper:

Mom, why do we have bones?
Mom, what keeps our bones together?
Mom, what are teeth made of?

Here is what it is like to talk to Lela:

Mom, when we get home can we watch something?
Mom, when I get dressed can I watch something?
Mom, can I watch something?
Piper, go ask mom if we can watch something.

Here is what is like to talk to Landis:

Landis, do you have an owie? Shakes her head yes.
Landis, do you want to go to bed? Shakes her head yes.
Landis, are you the Queen of France? Shakes her head yes.

A doctor, a news journalist and a bobblehead:)

The girls are all well but a little worse for wear in the sleep department. That also means that Jason and I are worse for wear in the sleep department. With everyone sleep deprived we are all a little testy.

Landis had the craziest night last night. She woke up CRANKY at 9PM and we did not get her back to sleep until midnight! That is CRAZY for her and for us. I finally had to drive her around for 40 min until she fell asleep. Her nose was running today so maybe she is getting some other tooth or finishing up some teeth, who knows.

Jason and I did get out to a movie and lunch today which was divine. I am hoping we get to do more of that this summer with our babysitter being out of school and bored to death, lol!