A Hike Up Camelback Mountain

Last week during the kids' spring break, Brett took a couple days off. One day Zach and Allie were at preschool and Blake was over at a friend's house, so we decided to venture over to Scottsdale and see if we could make it up Camelback Mountain, the area's most prominent landmark that sports sheer red cliffs, a steep trail and a gorgeous view of the city once you reach the top.

Brett and I had talked about doing it for weeks. After reading up on it and repeatedly seeing warnings that the hike "is not for beginners," I wasn't sure how Nicky would fare.

But we thought if we brought along a friend for Nicky he might have more fun and be more enthusiastic about it -- more of an adventure for him.

And we were right.

Nick and his friend Trent scaled the mountainside and sought out every crack and crevice, requesting their picture be taken in every little cave they found.


We called Trent Spiderman. He'd venture a bit ahead of us and the next thing we knew, there he'd be, perched on some rock of climbing a precarious-looking boulder. Nick tried with all his might to keep up with his speedy friend, succeeding in short bursts before lagging behind, exerting himself to catch up, and then doing it all over again.

Part of the hike required the use of a handrail drilled into the mountainside (thank you, City of Phoenix). Many sections required traversing like an animal on all fours.

The views were amazing. We saw several very healthy (read LARGE, non backyard-variety) lizards along the way.

I thought coming down was more difficult than going up. Poor Nicky's legs were really giving out on him by the time we started our descent. He took a couple little tumbles due to week legs.

But he loved it -- we all did. It's kind of nice to have quite a few of these mountains plopped right in the middle of suburbia.

And ever since we made that impressive ascent, he's been repeatedly asking when we can go on the next hike.

Here's one of the two sections with the handrail.

The view from part way up the mountain.

Brett and Michele made it to the top.

Nick and Trent check out the view.

March in Phoenix: It Doesn't Get Any Better

Spring is nature's way of saying,
"Let's party!"
~Robin Williams

Something happens when March pokes its head around the corner in Phoenix. Suddenly Moms are looking deep in dresser drawers and closets for shorts -- chances are they'll still fit the kids because they've only been packed away for about three months. Jackets and sweatshirts get shifted from the entryway coat rack to the hall closet, parks swell with squealing preschoolers and curious toddlers, and everyone is spending weekends and spring break outdoors.

As we come up on the two-year mark since our move to Phoenix, I'd have to say that March is the best month. Some 70s, mostly 80s and even flirting with 90 degress, an occasional cloudy day, some wind perhaps, and the mornings and evenings are still cool. It's similar to November, but by November you're sick of it all and are yearning for fall. In March we're eager to play.

This past week was Spring Break for the kids. It zipped by more quickly than I could have ever imagined. Blake and Nick spent time with friends, had sleepovers, we spent time at the park and in the back yard, took Nick and his friend on a hike up Camelback Mountain (more on that to come) and watched Blake play in his final soccer tournament of the season. The kids even took a dip in the pool.

March is also Spring Training month. Eleven stadiums, 14 teams playing all month long. We took in our first game earlier this month. I'm not a huge baseball fan, but I always love going to baseball games. Maybe it's because you're forced to relax ... at least when your child isn't begging you for cotton candy.

Allie takes a break from doing gymnastics moves at the park.

Zach summons the ducks closer so he can toss pieces of bread to them.

Nick and Zach share a lemonade at a recent spring training baseball game.

Wonder Twin Powers ... Activate

Like any other siblings, Zach and Allie have their ugly moments. Usually it involves fighting over a toy. You know how it is with siblings -- there are a zillion toys in the house, but at the same exact moment they both want that cheesy Madagascar giraffe that came in the Happy Meal.

Or maybe Allie will want Zach to color with her while Zach wants to play pirates. Sometimes it's deciding which movie or TV show to watch -- Clone Wars or Angelina Ballerina.

But ultimately they are best pals and fiercely protective of one another, especially Zach over Allie. When I drop them off at preschool, I'll give them each a kiss, then off they walk, hand-in-hand, to join their friends.

When we go to the park, they dart off again, tightly clutching one another's hand.

Although they're only 4 years old, I've already formed the conclusion that the woman who ends up marrying Zach is going to be one lucky lady. Not just because he's so darn cute and has that sweet, irresistible side, but because he will have had a lifetime of experience in making a female happy. Zach will do anything, and I mean anything, in his power to keep his beloved sister happy. When she's upset, he's upset, too. If she's sad, he'll cry as well. And he's always doing his darndest to make sure everything is right in Miss Allie's world.

Some examples:

• At bedtime, Zach and Allie will ask for water, talk about the agenda for the next day, run from one bed to the other, ask to turn the light on -- basically anything to stall the inevitable going to sleep. Allie sometimes suffers sudden or imaginary injuries. "My leg hur-hurts," she'll sob. Then Zach will come running out, "Mommy, Allie needs a band-aid." Except he doesn't pronounce band-aid correctly. He'll say, "Allie needs a bam-babe."
• Getting Allie dressed in the morning is, more often than not, a battle. Many times she'll want to wear something inappropriate -- a sundress in January, tights in June, her Christmas dress in March, you know what I mean. I'll suggest some things she can wear. Then Zach, sensing my growing frustration, will peek in her closet ... "What about this dress, Allie? Pink is your favorite color."
• Sometimes Allie will throw a temper tantrum over something, sometimes trivial, sometimes not. Maybe she wants a piece of candy she can't have, or maybe she is looking for her 6-inch Snow White figurine that could be in one of about 1,014 places. She's kind of like a roller coaster. She slowly starts chugging up the hill and then, once at the top, all heck breaks loose at a frightening speed. Whenever she goes to this dark, ugly place, Zach will muster every ounce of compassion and creativity he has to entice her out. "Allie, here's your blankie," or "Allie, here's your favorite doggie," he'll say in his sweetest voice.
• And lately when I ask them to put their toys away, Zach will comply, putting his toys away as asked. Then I ask Allie a second and third ... and fourth time. Enter Zach ... "Allie, I'll help you put your toys away." And he's gotten really good lately. Not even any prompting from me ... On his own he'll suggest they get started before they move on to something else. "Allie, let's put the toys away first," he'll say, looking up at me. That's when it hits me ... Allie's not the only girl he's trying to make happy.
  

Dead Ponies Tell No Tales

This is what happens when a 4-year-old boy gets a hold of his sister's My Little Pony.