Loving our trip!!!

We made to CA safe and sound. The kids did very well. I really think they will be fine when I have to drive back. We were at Nana's and Papa's for an hour when they wanted to get into the pool. We have been swimming every day, I love having a pool in the backyard with nice cooler weather!!

Monday my mom wanted us to visit her school to show off the grand kids of course. Lilly loved being the only kid at school and dancing on the school stage. We had a little lunch at The Stand. If you are familar with the Valley you probaly know that the the Jackson Family live off on Ventura and Hayvenhurst. Well as we drove my mom back to work I couldn't resist taking a shot of all the crazyness. They had the road blocked off and there where about 10 news vans just hanging out waiting for something to happen.
Max and Papa showing their fries.

look it's uncle Matt

Beause we love him!!

I didn't want to forget Father's day. Here's to the great dad of my wonderful children.

***edited***Mandy reminded me that I forgot to explain the picture. No one wanted to hold the other D and this was the only picture I had from father's day. So yes it is misspelled but we love Kevin just the same.

Busy as Usual

We had another successful week. The cooking class is going very well and is so fun. The kids and I look forward to it everyday. We managed to try the Phoenix children's Museum this week. It was wonderful, and as an added bonus we met Jack and Shannyn there. I do have a tip for anyone thinking of going, go in the afternoon. It was so crowded in the morning. I think if you get there about 12 or 1 there still enough time to do everything and it won't be so crazy.

Lilly's favorite place was the market and and the kitchen. Max loved the ball room and the race car track.

Here is Lilly and Max at the Market.

Max in the ball room.

Lilly and Jack enjoying a ride in a hot rod

Painting a houseWashing windowsHere is my humble attempt of being a artsy photographer.

I can be crafty

Just the other day I was remembering how when I was a young girl I hated anything crafty. Oh and how I loathed toil painting. But as of late, for some reason I have this incessant need to create things, and learn a new skill like sewing. So this is what I got done this past week.

My sweet friend Mandy came for a play date. I hope Mandy knows how great I think she is. She just one of those people that you love to be around because you become better just by spending time with her. She was awesome enough to bring her sewing machine and give me a lesson on sewing. She was able to sew up some slip covers for her sofa pillows and I was able to complete a little receiving blanket. (the blanket will be a gift not mine, sorry grandparents) If you think that all of this is just too crafty for me, I have prof. Max was really interested in the sewing machine. He is such a boy so anything that will make noise and can do stuff is pretty cool.

To add to Mandy's coolness we went over on Saturday for a BBQ and swimming. Here is our family picture. I have had these other 2 projects for awhile and never finished them or put them up. I made the signs, using my digi skills some wood and glue.

Cooking classes this last week were wonderful. We made Soothies one day. One of my favorite fruit books is How are you Peeling by Saxton Freymann. We taked about feelings and asked the kids to draw a self portrit of them feeling a specific way. Here is Lilly's picture.

Her drawing and coloring have improved so much in this last month. Just to brag about her a little more, She picked up the first of the BOB books entitled Mat and read it all by herself. I'm a very proud mom.

He is a Big Boy Now

Mid week update. My little man is out of diapers. We are going on 3 days with few accidents. HOORAY!!! He took to it so easy that I'm feeling a little guilty that I didn't start him sooner. I don't think we are out of the woods yet, but I am very proud of his progress.
Speaking of my little man. I have to share just a few of his little quirks. The kid is obsessed with this soccer ball shirt. He must wear it whenever it is clean. The shirt is a 2T and barely fits over his belly. Oh what is a mother to do? It just seems silly to me to have tears and heart break over a shirt. So if we are home I will let him wear it. If we are going out I insist that he wear something else.

Quirk #2 the kid loves his fluffy gloves. He wants them on all the time. Last night he woke up at 10pm and remembered them. He got out of be and begged me to put them on. Now let's not forget that we in in AZ and it is the middle of summer. Oh how I love this kid!!!

Where do start?

Lets just start from here. This week has been busy, busy, busy. This was my first week at my new job, stay at home mommy and teacher!!! Some of you might me wondering how it all went? I'm happy to report that I loved it, I enjoyed almost every minute. This what I have been wanting for over a year, to be home again with our kids. I was prepared, I know that staying home is hard work, and on top of that I have planned and worked hard to become super teacher. What I noticed the most this week is that this job is all day. I don't get my 15 min break or my hour lunch to go to the gym or not to mention my ride to work and back to pray or listen to tunes. So I'm tired but excited!!

This weeks cooking class was wonderful. Oh how I missed teaching!! I just love being a teacher. I enjoy being silly with them. I love to see how they see the world and I love how they light up when they discover something new. This week we made pizza, apple pie and ice cream. I have some wonderful cooks in my little class all of them are just eager to help and learn. Max and Lilly are doing well too. They love the other kids and are getting used to the idea that Mommy is the teacher and our front room is the school.

Here are some pictures of your apple pie day.

Today there was no class but I want to make sure that we are having school every day so we made name caterpillars. Here is the Lillypillar and the Maxapillar.

By the way I still have 3 spots for my pre K class in the fall. If you know anyone that might be interested please send them my way.