Arizona Mom On the Run

The Knitting Bug

2012-02-03T16:35:00.002-07:00

Allie is all smiles in the knit hat she made.

It happened sometime in November or so. Zach and Allie stumbled upon some yarn and half-finished little "scarves" created by Blake and Nick that had been buried in a drawer or closet ...

Nick taught Zach and Allie how to finger-knit, so they produced some long, skinny, loose, yarn creations. Instead of playing on his Nintendo DS at bedtime, little Zach would sit up in his high loft bed and knit away until his masterpiece was eight feet tall.

Over the two-week Christmas break, the kids started to spend a lot of time with some sisters who had just moved in a few houses down a few months prior ... five sisters ranging in age from 4 to 15. And they have a little 2-year-old brother.

The girls are quite crafty (in the craft sense of the word), so after they got wind of Zach and Allie's little knitting projects, they whipped out the big guns. They showed Zach and Allie their looms and all the adorable hats and scarves they've made. They even have a darling little flower loom. So in the past weeks every trip out has meant a stop at Walmart or Michael's to get a new color yarn.

I love their enthusiasm and their commitment to finishing a project. And here, Allie is so proud of the hat she made that she wore it to school. Ok, by the time she got home the top part that was sewn together had come undone ... but it wasn't something those talented girls down the street couldn't fix.

This Was Halloween

2011-11-07T11:55:00.000-07:00

Halloween night in front of our house.

It was another fabulous Arizona Halloween season this year. While I do miss a good Northern California fall -- the vibrant leaves, the morning and evening chills that gradually creep in, the rainstorms, and weather to wear jeans and sweatshirts -- October in Phoenix has its own merits.

Warm days and evenings outside, taking the kids trick-or-treating in flip-flops, and adults sitting out in their driveways to pass out candy -- you can't beat that.

The Halloween season typically begins around the beginning of October, but somehow the 7-year-olds convinced Brett to put out the decorations about a week early this year. Many of the houses on our street have fun blow-ups, orange lights, ghosts and other scary creatures swirling about. This was our fifth Halloween in Arizona and somehow each year we end up with more outdoor ~~crap~~ decorations. But it's always so fun watching Zach and Allie get so excited for the Halloween season.

Zach Sparrow trick-or-treating.

And in early October, the mailbox swells with catalogs from party and costume warehouses, competing for the attention of my two youngest. Pages get tattered and dog-eared, reviewed, marked up, and studied intently until the final decision is made.

This year, drumroll, please ... Allie chose a cute little leopard/cat costume. And my own personal victory was with Zach, who initially wanted one of the gruesome, bloody costumes. Instead he happily chose Jack Sparrow. And it doesn't matter that this was his third time being a pirate (second as Jack Sparrow). He just looks so cute.

Nick found a mask of some kind, threw it on, grabbed his friend and was out the door before I could even get a picture.

And Blake ordered a gorilla costume which he plans on extending after Halloween: snowboarding, cheering on friends at sporting events, hanging out at Wendy's. Ahh, to be 14 again.


Brett, Allie and Blake in his gorilla costume,

A couple days before Halloween, we spread out some plastic on the driveway, invited our neighbors over and had a big carving party. Nicky attempted an intricate werewolf, but it didn't quite turn out so he ended up carving a full moon.

Allie carved a cute cat, Zach a more old-school face, and Brett, as usual, went for the elaborate with a pirate ship.

Nick at work on a pumpkin.

Allie works on her cat jack-o-lantern.

"Backward, turn backward,
O Time, in your flight
make me a child again
just for to-night!"
~Elizabeth Akers Allen

Weird Science

2011-10-24T14:30:00.001-07:00

Silhouettes

A couple weeks ago while Brett and Blake were at an Arizona Cardinals game, Nick, Zach, Allie, and I headed to the Arizona Science Center. We had never been there before and Zach was excited because a new Pirates exhibit had just opened (but no cameras allowed in the exhibit).

Zach LOVED the pirate exhibit, marveling over the swords, coins, artifacts, and the cool pirate ship and quarters that made a pirate's life within firm grasp.

The kids all loved the rest of the museum. Favorites included an interactive display of the digestive system which included a slide. As you slid down the slide (through the intestines), a lovely fart noise sounded, sending the kids into hysterics. Every. Single. Time.

They also liked this cool telescope, which shot a picture of their giant eye on a screen up above.

Zach looks through the telescope.

Zach's huge eye.

They also loved the image distorting machine, always good for a few laughs.

Alien Nick

And afterward on the walk back to the car, Zach is unable to muster up a cute smile for the camera.

A little cheese with that?

But Allie does.

Sweet Allie

Nick Turns 11

2011-10-06T11:53:00.000-07:00

Nick gives his cake the once-over.

September has come and gone, but I couldn't write another blog post until I put up a few pictures of Nick's birthday. Hard to believe our little Nicky is 11 already.

On the big day Nick invited three friends to go paintballing. A couple were a little on the hesitant side, but Brett, Nick and one friend engaged in all-out paint warfare, coming home with their battle wounds of red marks on their legs and bellies and jeans and shoes obliterated by pale green paint.

Nick picked out his own cake: a round, yellow number with a smiley face and its tongue sticking out. That's Nick.

Allie gets into it as she sings Happy Birthday as Nick's friend looks on.

Brett lights the candles.

Making a wish and blowing out the candles.

Blake's Ready For Some Football!

2011-09-17T15:07:00.001-07:00

No. 33

So it's been almost two months, but it's still just sinking in that Blake decided to put soccer on the back burner (or off the stovetop altogether; time will tell) and instead take a stab at freshman football.

Although he's never played any football beyond the annual Dawson Thanksgiving game and perhaps the schoolyard recess game, he quickly committed himself to the end-of-the-summer football camps and daily practices once school started.

(Note: If you don't easily digest a lot of parental bragging and boasting, then just skip this paragraph.) Blake's played in three games now. In the first game he had something like six tackles (despite an ultimate loss) and was named one of the four captains for the following week's game. In Game Two, he got a taste of playing offense at halfback and racked up two touchdowns, contributing to the team's first victory. And Game Three was a blowout -- 50-12.

And although he comes home with a bag of ice most nights after practice for an ice bath, he's always eager to get out there the next day and do it all over again.

Blake, No. 33, on the kick-off special team.

Blake on offense.

Allie gets bejeweled!

2011-08-25T11:06:00.000-07:00

Allie is all smiles with her pierced ears.

Zach and Allie recently turned seven, so I thought it would be a good time to surprise Allie with something she's been wanting for a long time -- pierced ears. Never mind that her 14-year-old brother has been ardently requesting his ears be pierced. Several times over the summer when he was at the mall with friends I received urgent, pleading phone calls asking if he could. And the answer was always no, his ears remain bare. Now that he's playing football he says it's a good thing.

But I thought the time was about right for Allie. We talked about it for days in advance, planning the big Saturday trip to my favorite shopping center which conveniently houses a Claire's. And if you don't know what a Claire's is, just imagine the minds of young girls exploding and colliding to produce every piece of costume jewelry, every hair accessory, notepads, pencils, pens, every color and scent of nail polish imaginable, all the fun stuff that comes with being a girl ... and oh yes, anything and everything plastered with Justin Bieber.

So I told Allie what to expect. As she picked her earrings and took her seat, she was a bit apprehensive. The girl at Claire's quickly pierced the first ear. Allie looked at me like a deer looking into the headlights. Before she could say anything or change her facial expression, ear two had an earring in it. All done.

Allie loves her pierced ears and is so good at reminding me to clean her ears every morning and night. Now if only she was as good at taking the initiative to brush her teeth ...

Conquering the Whitewater

2011-07-19T20:39:00.000-07:00

Rafting the Payette River in Idaho.

Summer vacation is rolling right along now with less than four weeks left until I regain my sanity ... I mean the kids go back to school.

We had a nice little break in June when we went to Boise to watch Blake and his soccer team represent Arizona in the U.S. Regional Soccer Championships. Nick didn't want any part of the 16-hour car ride and marathon of soccer games, so we arranged for him to visit his grandparents in Sacramento.

After a game a day on three consecutive days and securing a spot in the quarterfinals, the team had a full day off so we decided to venture beyond the likes of the local zoo, old prison, and science center -- all fun, quick visits when we had a few hours before or after a soccer game. So we decided to add a little zing to our trip by taking Zach and Allie whitewater rafting.

Back in the day (that would be in the pre-children day) Brett and I took quite a few whitewater trips -- mostly down the American River and once on the Merced outside of Yosemite. I was a little apprehensive about my little son who has an apprehensive disposition ... especially when it comes to things like thrill rides and bouncing up and down uncontrollably in a raging river that can't be shut off with the flick of a switch. Would a boy who wouldn't go on Splash Mountain at Disneyland last summer venture into the mouth of the hungry Payette River?

When we arrived at the meeting place and the raft tour guides suggested Zach and Allie wear wet suits, puzzlement and what I would classify as a slight case of fear crept over both their faces. And when one of the guides gave the obligatory spiel about what to do if you fall out of the raft, Zach scrunched his eyebrows, shot a look out at the river, and looked at me for reassurance.

Once we got out in the river, Zach planted his feet as far as he could under the inflated crossbar. And he planted his eyes intently on the waters ahead. After the exhilaration of the first few sets of rapids, Zach grew more confident and by the end had asked to sit up front. I knew in the beginning he might have chosen to protest the venture, but I'm so glad -- especially for his sake -- that he put his initial fear aside, slipped into the wet suit and jumped in the raft.

Now he's asking when we can go again, and, best of all, he'll have that wonderful memory of careening through the whitewater of Idaho with his sister and parents.

Pretty in Pink

2011-06-16T06:36:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year when pretty pink tutus are oh-so-carefully placed on little girls' sun-kissed bodies, hair is tightly pulled back in almost-perfect buns, a shot of blush is applied to the cheeks, and a swipe of lipgloss meets the smiles of excited little girls.

Yes, it's dance recital season.

And Allie and the dance troupe recently took the first step toward the big dance with Picture Day. All dolled up in their costumes and a bit of makeup brightening their eager faces, the little ballerinas lined up and posed for the camera.

A Freshman in the House

2011-06-13T23:34:00.001-07:00

With the close of the school year came Blake's 8th grade promotion. Back when I was a kid it was 8th grade graduation, but these days it's a promotion. So hard to believe ... seems like just yesterday that Scooby Doo backpack looked so cumbersome on his little kindergarten back.

Blake originally wanted to get decked out all in white and accessorize with aviator glasses. I managed to talk him into something he might actually wear again and he opted for black slacks and dress shirt from the Calvin Klein outlet.

When it came to his tie, Blake had visions of a bright red, so we trekked through a good chunk of the apparel stores at the outlets until we found "the one."

Blake and his friend (really, friend).

With a little help from Dad and the grandpas, Blake got his tie in place. He slipped the aviator glasses on and he was ready to roll.

We ventured down Carefree Highway to dinner at El Encantos Dos ... only one pitcher of margaritas was spilled.

And then Blake and his classmates filled the auditorium at the high school where most of them will be attending next year. The obligatory speeches were made, the diplomas distributed, and, just like that, I have a high-schooler.

State Champs!

2011-05-24T06:33:00.007-07:00

CCV Stars U14 Boys ~ 2011 State Champs

It's been an exciting year for Blake's soccer team. Over the past two seasons we've watched his team mature and develop into a force to be reckoned with.

Pre-game huddle/prayer

The CCV Stars Black team won a couple tournaments, took first place in state league and entered the State Cup championship as the Number 1 seed. They swept all the games of the State Cup, which takes place over about five weekends, with no goals against them.

Blake in action.

In the final game against Sereno, a club that has been the dominant force in Arizona for the past decade or two, Blake's team emerged the champs with a 2-1 victory.

Blake had been plagued with a nagging knee injury since late March and hadn't seen much playing time in league games and the early games of the State Cup. But in the final, Blake was back to his usual aggressive, to-be-feared self, playing more almost three-fourths of the game.

"Blake's a tank," I heard one parent utter on the sideline.

So proud of the team and our tank.

The tank, plowing in.

Number One!

Blake with his medal.

Still Toothless After All These Years

2011-05-13T12:01:00.004-07:00

She's still as cute as ever but it seems like it's been years since Allie could take a bite out of an apple or corn-on-the-cobb without a problem. Actually, it's been more than two years for the first one, which she lost in April when she was 4!

I can't remember exactly when the second top tooth came out, but I know she's had that double gap all of first grade and the two front bottom teeth are with the Tooth Fairy and are grown in now.

The dentist assures us all is normal and those two permanent teeth are there on the x-rays to prove it. So until then, we'll continue to admire her darling little toothless smile.

Hair Today ...

2011-05-05T14:22:00.008-07:00

Blake's new haircut.

A week or so ago Blake conceded his signature long locks were looking a little on the shaggy side and asked if one of us could take him for a trim.

Brett did the honors and when Blake walked into the kitchen upon his arrival home, I couldn't stop my mouth in time before uttering, "Hey, Justin, how's it going?" "I know ... it sucks," Blake said, shaking his head in what appeared to be an attempt to get it to fall just the right way to perhaps meet the lower end of the approval standard. But no.

Then I opened my mouth again and put the final nail in the coffin. "It's cute ... It kind of looks like (friend)'s hair." "I know ... that's so lame ... I'm getting it all cut off," he said. So back we went for the second haircut of the day (the things we do for our kids ... ).

We told the hairstylist that he just had it cut and he didn't like it. "A little too Justin Bieber for ya?" she asked. "Yah," Blake sheepishly replied.

And as he stole a glance at his new 'do in the reflection of the window, a revelation came over him. "Wow! I can hear." "Good ... you can turn your crazy rap music down."

Blake with the long hair he's had for about the past four years (minus one short haircut two years ago).

Another Hoopster in the House

2011-04-22T07:43:00.005-07:00

After following in Blake's footsteps and playing soccer since he was in kindergarten, Nick grew a bit weary of the sport over the past year. It was his second year of playing at club level. Unfortunately his team lost every game over those past two seasons. And Nick played keeper, often putting undue pressure on himself.

So as the season winded down, he vehemently announced he wouldn't be playing soccer anymore and simultaneously developed an interest in playing basketball.

Through a friend, Nick landed on a club team, and has been shooting, dribbling and rebounding with a fierce and passionate intensity ever since.

He's scored six points so far and see him excited to get out and play warms my heart ... and is so much less stressful than trying to force him out the door to soccer practice :)

Unrivalled: Spring Break in Arizona

2011-03-30T11:12:00.008-07:00

It's my favorite time of year here in Phoenix -- after the last of the overnight frost and freeze warnings have passed and the days warm up just enough to be comfortable in shorts and a t-shirt, but not so much that sweat is dripping down your brow or you gasp for air as you go outside (no, that comes in July).

Our mid-March spring break was perfect this year. It had just escaped days of crazy rain and unseasonable coolness, forcing a few more days of battling with the kids to keep on the sweatshirts and jeans. By the time the week-long school break came, it was perfect.

We got to share our beautiful weather with Brett's Mom and her husband Erik, who escaped their frigid, snowy Minnesota climate for the week.

I tried to keep us busy and enjoying the outdoors, and the fact that nobody passed out from exhaustion or too much time on the road is a good sign.

For starters I scored some Groupon tickets to the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, which seemed like a good touristy thing to do. The kids probably could have found a funner way to spend a morning, but they made it out alive ... and their knowledge of the prickly pear cactus has never been higher.

We also headed up to Sedona, where we ventured on a fun off-road Jeep tour. All four kids loved it and the best part was when we were heading down some precarious-looking, mammoth-sized rocks. Our tour guide stopped the Jeep, as it angled downward at a sharp angle, and said, "Knock knock."

"Who's there?" Nick replied.

"Yah," Brandon, the Jeep driver, said.

"Yah-who?" says Nick as Brandon nails it and sends us bolting down the boulders.

All four kids erupted in laughter and I don't think I've ever, ever seen Zach laugh so hard. Fun times, great memories.

Chasing Rainbows

2011-03-13T14:32:00.003-07:00

Well this was a couple weeks ago, but we had quite a bit of rain in February, so much so that it almost began to feel like the norm. Putting on jackets and grabbing umbrellas quickly became second nature to the kids. Or at least to Zach and Allie. Blake and Nick are tough and can handle the cold and rain in their Nike athletic shorts.

The kids loved jumping on the trampoline with a double rainbow overhead.

We also had a cold spell with frigid nights in the low 20s where much of our greenery died ... or at least temporarily turned brown until the warm spring rays bring the sun-loving vegetation back to life. We even had snow on the mountain up across the street from our house.

Ahhh ... but it's all just a memory now as we burst back up into the 80s. The best time of the year here.

Daddy/Daughter Dance: Year Two

2011-02-23T11:39:00.004-07:00

If it's February, then it's time for the school's annual Daddy/Daughter dance. Allie looked adorable and her daddy dashing all dolled up for the occasion.

I had eyed that darling black and white dress at Costco and made the risky move of buying it sight unseen by Allie. When she got home and I held it up for her, she put her hands on her hips and uttered, "Sorry, Mom. It's not gonna happen."

But then a few days passed and more than once I caught her casting her gaze toward the dress hanging from my bedroom doorknob. Finally she announced, "OK, I'll at least try it on." And once it was on, she was hooked.

Allie had a great time with Brett and with R, her BFF from across the street.

Brett said he got in three dances with her before the craziness between the girls began ... that and the cookie-eating.

Zachy Hoops It Up

2011-02-13T07:05:00.010-07:00

Zach receives a pass.

Zachy tried the soccer thing. But unlike his brothers, soccer didn't stick ... at least for now. Maybe it was because there were 13+ boys on the team and he only got to play half the game, but whatever the reason, we decided to encourage him to try some other sports.

So a couple weeks ago he launched his basketball career ... and I think he's found a passion. After his first practice, the inside of our house became a makeshift basketball court -- dribbling down the halls, passing to siblings, shooting off the walls.

And at his first couple games, Zach goes after the ball like a boy on a mission. The only problem so far is he's not sure what to do after he gets the ball ... other than dribble ... and dribble ... and dribble. And then he might shoot.

He's had a couple close ones, but we're still waiting for his first basket. In the meantime, we're helping him understand the concept of passing :)

Another pass comes his way.

Way to get those arms up, Zach!

Blake Turns 14!

2011-02-03T14:12:00.003-07:00

From Videos

Jumping into 2011

2011-01-21T09:04:00.018-07:00

With the holidays over and done with, we're all sluggishly getting back into our day-to-day routine.

We had a great trip to Sacramento, spending a busy week with our families. We took Blake and Nick snowboarding while Brett and I opted to stay on skis. It was a snowy, overcast day. Other than cruising down the mountain and feeling like you can't see more than 10 feet in front of your face at times, it was a fun time.

Oh, and there was the fact that Brett got a crash course in the laws of chain requirements on our way home after a friendly CHP officer pulled us over and the two conversed on the matter. I know no matter how hard I tried, and even if I detailed here word for word, it would never convey the looks, tones, and the undercurrent of hilarity that ensued ... at least from my perspective :)

Blake and Nick (aka Mr. Blue Eyes, below) on the lift, getting ready to tear it up.

Brett in the snow and slush chaining up the van.

Another treat: Brett and I got to see, live, in-person, the sheer Sacramento Kings and the fanatic that is my brother. He gave Brett and I a pair of seats about 10 rows up behind one of the posts while he scored himself at an amazing deal another pair of tickets in the second row courtside. After a phenomenal game in which Tyreke Evans nailed a half-court shot at the buzzer leading to the Kings' 8th or 9th victory of the season, we got to follow my brother into the bowels of Arco Arena as he stalked, I mean patiently waited, to greet players and get autographs.

Somehow we ended up in the area where employees clock out. And I think we were among the last souls to leave Arco Arena that evening as my brother added the scrawls of Bobby Jackson, Jerry Reynolds, and some of the current players I don't keep track of anymore, to his collection. Even security staff was clocking out as the three of us waited while my brother consulted blueprints of the arena (OK, that last part is a joke ... the rest all true).

Michele and Brett at the Kings game.

We also spent time with Brett's parents and my family. Wii, chess, Jenga, badminton, Lego-building, movie-watching, great meals, playing with dogs, wine-drinking, walks -- all standard fare on a visit home.

The Dawson clan.

The Mariner/Thomas crew

And then when we got back home, attentions turned to the new trampoline, a daily diversion for all four kids. Blake's mastering his back flip, Zach and Allie love a good game of "Dead Mummy," and every time Nick enters the ring, he tries to turn it into a wrestling match.

The kids can't wait for the grandparents' next visit, so they can all give it a try. ;)

Dawson Christmas card

2010-12-22T14:21:00.001-07:00

Very Merry Tree Christmas

Shutterfly has classic, elegant Christmas invitations for your party.

View the entire collection of cards.

Nick's First Concert

2010-12-17T11:32:00.006-07:00

Nick started playing clarinet in the 5th grade beginning band this year. And he and his bandmates recently performed a few holiday numbers in what was their first concert.

Nick got all dressed up in his long-sleeved, button-down shirt and non-jeans pants and was all business as he played his holiday carols.

He says he's enjoying the clarinet, but wants to try the saxophone next year ... even if it is bigger and heavier and more of a chore getting it to and from school.

I'm glad to see him trying something new; I didn't even have to prompt him, he had already decided he wanted to take up a band instrument before he even asked back when school started in August.

I love his enthusiasm and the performance was so sweet. But one thing's for sure: they don't call it beginner band for nothin'.

Oh, Christmas Tree!

2010-12-08T22:39:00.003-07:00

Hard to believe it's already the holiday season. Living in Phoenix where much of December is sunny and in the 70s (minus the cold wave that hit us for a few days last week), it's sometimes hard to get in the holiday spirit. You close your shutters, turn on the Christmas music and light up your cinnamon-scented candle.

One of my favorite traditions when we lived in California was heading up to Apple Hill Thanksgiving weekend, going out to breakfast and then chopping down our Christmas tree at one of the many tree farms that pepper the foothills. The kids would take turns (OK, fight over) holding the saw, look forward to the candy canes the farm owners handed out at the end, and Brett would strategically rope the tree down on top of the minivan, frequently looking in his rearview mirror and driving slower than normal on the ride home.

We quickly learned that this experience doesn't exist in Arizona. So for our first few Christmases here, we slipped on our flipflops and headed to the lot at the grocery store and paid nearly $100 for a fresh tree.

I've always been adamantly opposed to a fake tree, but living here slowly but surely changed my view.

Last year I saw some amazingly real-looking trees at Costco. When we finally decided to go ahead and get one, they were gone. So this year, when they appeared around Halloween time, we grabbed one. Along with it I got my pine-scented wall plug-in from Bath and Body Works, which is much stronger than a real tree could ever hope to be.

And, in the end, with it's lights and ornaments, our fake tree doesn't look too bad.

Soccer Season ... Times Four

2010-11-12T15:32:00.006-07:00

It's been a busy couple of months in the Dawson household with our weekends being not just highlighted, but down and out DEVOURED by soccer. With all four kids playing soccer, each Saturday has promised four games. And there have been tournaments and extra games thrown in there so that there have been a couple of weekends in which there have been eight or nine games.

Zach and Allie's games are always early in the morning and close to home. And thankfully we know other soccer parents who always help out by giving Blake and Nick rides when needed. Yet, it always seems to happen that when goals are scored, I miss them.

A few weeks ago Nick had his first goal of the season while I was watching Blake play. And this past weekend Blake had

a header goal off a corner kick while I was at Nick's game and Brett was home with Zach and Allie, who had strep throat.

And then there are the practices. Monday it's Nick, Tuesday it's Allie and Blake (and Allie has dance afterward), Wednesday it's Nick and Blake, Thursday it's Blake, and Friday it's Zach. So there's the craz

iness of feeding everyone dinner at different times, scrambling to find the shin guards and the soccer socks ... oh, and the reeling Zach in and trying to get him pumped up for soccer when he's outside riding his wagon down the hill and whimpering, "I don't WAAANT to go to soccer."

Just a couple more weeks until Zach and Allie's little season winds down. Then we're back to just 75 percent of the madness.

A Field Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

2010-10-21T11:02:00.011-07:00

It's hard to believe we're already in the thick of October. The best month of the year still plays tricks with my mind here in Arizona, where temps in the upper 80s and 90s are still common throughout the month.

Last week I got to accompany Zach and Allie and four 1st grade classes to a local pumpkin patch. This has always been my very favorite field trip, and one I went on with both Blake and Nick when they were in kindergarten. I still remember Blake tromping through the pumpkin field with his friend Tommy. And I especially remember Nick's trip and his insistence on wearing a white glove on one hand.

The day with Zach and Allie was a bit on the warm side, hovering around 90. The kids got to pick vegetables, visit farm animals, ride a train --well, a tomato-red caterpillar-type thing that travels sans track.

It was a quick, warm day, but I always love seeing Zach and Allie among their classmates. Allie is so sweet with her friends, grabbing her pal Payton by the hand and always quick to put her arm around her for pictures.

And just as he has in the past at other petting farms, Zach in his trademark fashion, plucks one single blade of hay to carefully feed the horse.

But the best part of all is that they still want me there with them ... and still hold my hand as they search for the perfect pumpkin.

My Sleeping Beauty

2010-10-07T13:56:00.002-07:00

It's always so hard to wake them on school days when they don't wake up on their own. It's about a 50-50 bet they'll scowl and whine versus quietly stir and walk on out to the couch. But I always like to take in their sweet slumbering moments before I place my bets.

Nick Turns 10!

2010-09-28T14:54:00.010-07:00

It seems impossible but somehow the last decade has tiptoed past us. And the living proof in our house is that Nick -- our millennium baby -- turned 10 this month.

We celebrated with the family taking Nick and his friend to Dave & Buster's, a bigger kid version of Chuck E. Cheese's. Nick wanted some fancy, new (read expensive) soccer cleats, so he got those and another K'nex roller coaster set, which he built in two days ... sigh.

For the first time in several years he didn't ask for a giant chocolate chip cookie in lieu of a cake (thank goodness), so I picked up a fancy chocolate Boston creme cake for him.

Hard to believe that Nick's in the double-digits now. He's matured a lot in the last year, especially when it comes to school and being more focused and responsible about his homework, but it still seems like yesterday that this was the Nicky running around the house:

Nick Strikes Up the Band

2010-09-14T13:11:00.003-07:00

We're about in our fifth week of school now and we're finally settling into our school routine. Nick announced during the first week of school that he wanted to join band. And he opted for the clarinet, which I have a feeling is because it is about the smallest of the instruments and he didn't want to lug around a saxophone or trombone or some other thing that would feel like carrying a baby hippopotamus around.

I ordered a rental clarinet and the moment it arrived, the frequently off-key blare, I mean the sweet music, could be heard throughout the house ... if not the neighborhood.

He really is into it and will pick it up and start playing, usually several times in an afternoon and evening. And even though it's only been a few weeks, I can already hear improvement. The steady note that goes abruptly off-note is becoming less frequent.

Nick wouldn't let me take a picture of him playing it. So this one will have to do ... for now.

Zach Loses His First Tooth!

2010-08-31T11:31:00.006-07:00

Just after Zach and Allie turned six comes yet another sign that these first graders are babies no more.

Allie has three gaps in her smile, so finally it was Zachy's turn to lose that first one. One night it was loose, and then the next morning he woke up and it was gone.

He said he lost it in the middle of the night and was holding onto it in bed, but was nowhere to be found by morning. So sweet.

You can already see the new tooth coming in full force. Now if it would just move forward a little bit ...

Toy Story Mania ... or Zach and Allie Turn 6!

2010-08-24T14:34:00.013-07:00

Jessie and Buzz

Amid all the prerequisite trips to Walmart to buy school supplies, getting haircuts and dragging the kids to the dentist as we prepared for the first day of school, Zach and Allie had their 6th birthday party.

Early on they both wanted their party at Peter Piper Pizza. But then we saw Toy Story 3 ... and they were both smitten. Allie spent much of her playtime pretending to be the red-headed Jessie, shouting "Giddy-up Bullseye" as she ran throughout the house or sped through the cul-de-sac on her scooter. Zach alternated between the down-to-earth Woody and the boisterous Buzz Lightyear.

Zach and Allie and their friends.

That's when it hit me that we should have a Toy Story party ... and they both squealed with delight when I presented my idea.

Cousin Hailey and Zach play Hot Mr. Potato Head

It was a fun day with a few close friends. We played Hot Mr. Potato Head, Pin the Tail on Bullseye, searched for hidden army men, and swung at the Buzz Lightyear pinata, had a Toy Story-decorated cake that looked like there were Bullseye droppings across it (still not quite sure what those were supposed to be). And then the kids went swimming on what was a beautiful, atypical August day in Phoenix. Pleasant -- like it might have even been as low as the 80s -- and just a little breeze.

... and just like that, they're six!

Allie gets ready to blow out her candles.

Zach's turn.

"You've Got a Friend In Me."

It's Here! First Day of School!

2010-08-16T11:25:00.009-07:00

We had a fun and busy summer but by late July, as the pool felt more like a bathtub and the muggy days were downright miserable, I think we were all ready for school to start. A few of us may not have known it or admitted it, but it was time. And today was the day -- the first day of school. Blake is an 8th grader now, Nick a 5th grader, and Zach and Allie are in 1st grade. And each of the kids had their own, individual take on Day 1 of the new school year. Allie: In the days leading up to the first day of school, she was busy helping me organize the school supplies and deciding what she would wear the first day.

Zach: Unlike Allie, Zach didn't want to help with the school supplies and whenever I'd ask him if he's ready for school, he'd crinkle up his little nose and murmur, "Do we really have to go back to school?"
Nick: He, like Zach, asked me many times, "Do we really have to go to school?" But while Zach's question was filled with anxiety, Nick's version was pure annoyance.
Blake: aka Mr. Soccer. School interferes with playing lots of soccer. "I should be practicing two or three times a day."

"One more picture of me, Mom!"

Blake Returns From Serbia

2010-07-05T09:33:00.003-07:00

Blake and his team in the local paper.

Blake arrived back home safe and sound last Thursday night. He had an amazing time and after spending 24+ hours at airports and on airplanes, he seems to be adjusting back to the 9-hour time difference ... although last night he fell asleep on the couch at about 8 p.m. and remained there while the rest of us swam. We finally woke him up at about 10 and he went to bed.

Blake had a great time. His team's visit even made the local newspaper and it was great timing that he got to be there in the thick of World Cup action and be in the midst of die-hard soccer fans.

The soccer training was great and the food, Blake says, was amazing. He talked about wonderful pastries, the best burgers ever, a carbonated lemonade called Bitter Yellow, and beautiful smoothies (that were only $2.50, he adds).

Although I was so nervous about letting him go, I'm glad we did. Memories he'll treasure for the rest of his life ...

Out on the soccer fields.

The "amazing" smoothie.

Our Recent Visitors

2010-06-28T15:18:00.003-07:00

A few nights ago as we were setting the table for dinner, movement in the back yard caught my eye. A bobcat appeared from the side yard, sauntering on over to the pool fence, easily hopping it and lying down beneath the lounge chair.

We called the kids over and we all watched.

A second one followed and lingered in front of the pool gate entrance for a few moments, before hopping the fence and then following his partner, who sprung up over the back fence and into the wash.

Pretty cool ... sure beats scorpions.

A Serbia Update

2010-06-23T07:02:00.004-07:00

We've talked to Blake a few times since he left last Thursday for Serbia.

He says the soccer playing is "awesome", the food is "incredible," and the experience so far is "way more amazing than I ever imagined."

He and his teammates (and a few borrowed Serbian players) just finished a tournament in Serbia. They won their first game but lost their last two in close matches. They will train this week and play in another tournament in Sarajevo this weekend.

Blake's Serbian Summer Adventure Begins

2010-06-19T08:17:00.003-07:00

Blake shows off his passport.

So it was only two short years ago that I was so worried about Blake heading 90 minutes north to Flagstaff for his first overnight camp. Remember? Would he be homesick? Is he responsible enough? Will there be enough supervision? These questions gnawed at me for weeks, but, of course, we all survived it, he got to play soccer day and night, and he had a great time.

Fast forward to today and the now-13-year-old has his heels firmly planted in ... SERBIA! Yes, Serbia. Europe. Overseas. In a time zone 9 hours ahead of Phoenix. It all came about at speeds that surpass the normal thinking/worrying/researching analysis of a mom, like me. Which, as I see now, worked out in Blake's favor. Just about six weeks ago, one of the coaches in Blake's soccer club -- a native Serb who played pro soccer there -- announced this "great opportunity" for Blake and his teammates to travel to his homeland, train and play in a couple tournaments.

And before I knew it, checks were flying, international web sites were being surfed, more soccer shorts were being purchased, suitcases were being packed and an expedited passport for a 13-year-old was being issued. All in record time.

And on Thursday, Blake (who has taken to calling himself "soccer beast"), two teammates and one of the teammate's father headed out, spending nearly 24 hours on flights and layovers to Chicago, London and then Serbia.

So far things are good. Brett and I anxiously tracked his flights online and I talked to him once, right after getting settled in after flying. He was tired but excited. He took a camera and we asked/ordered him to keep a journal, so I'm hoping he comes back with something that gives us a good representation of his experience.

Stay tuned ...

Allie and Zach saying their good0byes.

"Don't go, Blake."

10 Signs It's Summer Vacation

2010-06-10T12:03:00.015-07:00

It's June 10 -- exactly two weeks into summer vacation. After that tiring transition phase where the kids have that dreadful mix of enough energy to rival the Energizer Bunny and not knowing what to do with themselves, we're gradually settling into our summer routine.

And in our household, there are always those tell-tale signs that it's summer vacation. You know, things like:

By the end of the day, Zach and Allie have been in our pool twice, the community pool for swim lessons and play time ... and the neighbors' pool.
We don't go anywhere without Zach's swim googles.
You go through a can of sunscreen every 4-5 days.
The sound of silence or background music during the day has been replaced with XBox shooting games.
You're glad you don't have to make the kids' lunches for school ... but then find yourself thinking that's easier than having them tell you they don't like this and that when you make their lunch at home.
You help Blake plan his summer soccer venture. The past two years it was a week-long camp in Flagstaff; this year it's a bit farther away -- Belgrade.
Allie spending most days coloring, pasting, crafting her little heart away ... then walking up to me and saying, "I don't know what to do now."
9 p.m. seems really early.
Blake napping on the couch during the day -- soccer and sleepovers taking their toll on the poor 13-year-old.
I've had to move the treadmill back into the house from the garage. Too hot to run outside.

Zach and Allie's First Trophies

2010-05-26T06:23:00.007-07:00

Allie shows off her trophy.

It came as fast as a 5-year-old chasing down the ice cream truck, but Zach and Allie's first soccer season came to a close this past weekend.

And like most kids in the under-9-or-so crowd, the lure of trophies at the end of the final game was almost as exciting as Christmas morning.

Zach and his hardware.

"Mommyyy ... we get trophieees!" they squealed throughout the morning of their last game.

But the real prize is that they both loved playing. Allie was one of the younger girls on her team and sometimes unsure of what to do and where to stand and when to move, but when the ball was in motion, she chased it down with the rest of the pack. When she played goalie and the ball came her way, she punted it down the field with all her might.

Allie chases the ball.

Zach, too, made it his mission to pursue the soccer ball every time he was on the field, many times with his tongue lodged into his cheek. He also loved throw-ins, forcefully hurling the ball into play, just like Blake taught him.

Zach closes his eyes and punts the ball.

The other great part about their first soccer venture was doing it with Gabe and Riley, the twins across the street. The four of them (and Gabe and Riley's brother Jake) are inseparable. When the kids aren't at school or sleeping, chances are they're together.

Happy kids and their trophies.

Allie and Riley

Photo of the Day: Life with a 13-Year-Old

2010-05-20T10:11:00.002-07:00

Here's Blake on a recent family outing to Brett's company picnic at the Phoenix Zoo. As Zach and Allie cheesed it up for pictures and Nick ran out of sight, Blake did this. At least I got his eyes ...

Zach and Allie Join the Soccer Ranks

2010-05-06T10:13:00.011-07:00

After years of packing up their backpacks with coloring books, Star Wars toys, barbies and snacks, Zach and Allie finally get their turn at playing soccer. For months they've been donning their older brothers' old soccer jerseys and shin guards and kicking the ball around in the back yard in preparation for their turn to play "on a real soccer team."

So with the school year winding down and Nick's soccer season over, we decided it would be a good time (or at least better than trying to shoehorn their soccer seasons into the busy fall months).

The biggest difference between the way the boys play and the way the girls handle it, is in positioning and following directions.

When Allie (or any of the other girls on her team) are told to play the back defender position, they stay planted.

We yell (I mean encourage from the sidelines) for her to move up when the ball is down at the other end of the field, and she'll look for her coach's OK or wait for her co-defender to move up before she uproots herself and scurries down the field.

The boys, on the other hand, play that typical bunch ball that we remember so well from Blake and Nick's early days.

Zach reminds me of a young Blake out there ... always darting to the ball and offering up his quick, powerful, short-legged kicks.

Both Zach and Allie are loving it as they squeal and holler when practice and game days come around. They adore having their own soccer ball and ball bag and building upon what their big brothers have taught them. So even though Blake's been playing soccer for eight years and Nick has five years under his belt, it looks like with two more just beginning, I could potentially still have more soccer games ahead of me, rather than behind me ... and that's a good thing. :)

Hello, Spring!

2010-03-30T14:31:00.004-07:00

After our rainy, cool February and March, the warmer weather finally arrived a couple weeks ago ... and the kids were ready.

When the mercury flirted with 80 degrees, the kids headed for the water hose and created their own makeshift waterslide (all Nick's idea, of course).

And Allie tries it out, slipping and sliding and landing on her bottom.

And even our neighbor's dog, Toby, got in on the action. Allie and Zach (and Nick) loved playing with him as we pet-sat a couple weeks ago.

Next up: Pool fun on Easter! Gotta love living in Arizona ... at least in the spring :)

A Spring Hike (Yes, It's a New Post ... Finally)

2010-03-24T11:26:00.007-07:00

The Dawson household is finally back to its usual chaotic, busy state. That is, we're past the spring break chaotic busy state of last week as the kids grumbled their way out of bed, barely eating their Eggo waffles and getting dressed with enough time to make it to school before the final morning bell the past two days upon their return to school.

Zach captures some rocks.

During the kids' spring break we hung out close to home. Blake still had soccer practice and both boys did an additional soccer camp for a couple hours each morning. Nick, Zach and Allie and I played at the park and spent a lot of time outside as the signature Phoenix March weather (upper 70s slipping into the 80s) finally swept into the Valley just in time for spring break after a cooler-and-wetter-than-normal February and early March.

Nick ponders nature.

We managed to get all the kids together for a family hike. With some initial complaining from Blake, they all ended up having fun. Zach and Allie had their little net and critter catchers, which they used to collect cool rocks. Blake used the opportunity to work out by running up the hill with Nick following suit.

Allie finds a flower.

Blake at the top of the climb.

Blake "speed" hiking.

President's Day and Kindergarteners

2010-02-26T10:51:00.005-07:00

February has been a busy month at school for the kids, especially Zach and Allie.

Of course there's all the Valentine's Day fun -- the class party, filling out Valentine's and then exchanging them. There's nothing quite like a 5-year-old's excitement as they pore over the box of Valentines and candy they've received from their classmates.

But, much more interestingly to me, has been their fascination with learning about the presidents during this President's Day month.

For starters, they learned a song in which they name all the presidents. They learned it in pieces and have been singing it at home for the past three weeks nearly every day.They now have it all done -- it's quite impressive.

The names in places kind of run together and in some parts of the song, to make it flow nicely, only the last name is used and in other parts first and last. So the other day Zach told me Clinton Bush and George Bush were father and son. He was initially a little confused when I explained that Clinton and Bush were two very different presidents, and that there are two George Bushes ... but I think he's got it now.

And Zach in particular is so inquisitive and interested in the presidents, asking questions and incorporating presidents into his everyday talk. Over the past few weeks:

He wants to look at all the coins and dollar bills and know who is on each one.
Print out pictures of his favorite presidents -- Washington, Lincoln and Zachary Taylor.
Zach has asked me who the president is who "looks like a vampire?" Hmm? I inquired further. "You know, the one who was shot while he was riding in his car without a top?" Oh! Zach thinks JFK looks like a vampire. Interesting ... I kind of see it, actually.
Zach has asked me if Grover Cleveland (who was President 22, he tells me) died and came back to life to be President 24. So funny how his mind works.
Got really excited when we read a Curious George book in which the little monkey went to Mt. Rushmore. "Mommy, it's THE PRESIDENTS," he screeched.

So cute!

Allie's First Daddy/Daughter Dance

2010-02-17T14:57:00.006-07:00

Back in January a little note came home in Allie's folder. The paper was plain white with photocopied words. But the message sent Allie's excitement level to new heights: the school's annual Daddy/Daughter Dance was coming up.

"Mommy, how do we dance? What do we do? What dress am I going to wear?" Allie asked almost daily, eagerly peppering me with variations of the same questions.

Allie practices twirling in the hallway.

One day when I was at Costco, I spied some adorable, spring-looking, twirly (a requirement for 5-year-old girls going to a dance) dresses, so I picked out the cutest one. It was white with big bright pink polka dots and a huge pink bow (I know, doesn't sound that cute, but it really, really is).

I brought it home, Allie tried it on and she liked it. But, Allie had her heart set on wearing her black, "fancy" shoes. And she explained that the black shoes did not match her white and pink dress (which, I had to agree with her on that one).

"Mommy, I want to wear my Nutcracker dress," she proclaimed.

The "Nutcracker" dress is the black and blue fancy dress she wore when we saw the Nutcracker during the Christmas season.

Getting her hair ready.

"Are you sure? We could just get some white shoes for the new dress?" I said, knowing I was in an uphill battle on this one.

"No, I really want to wear the Nutcracker dress and my black shoes," she said.

And so she did. And she looked adorable.

We curled her hair, put in a headband. Brett put on his suit and tie. I took some pictures, and then they were on their way.

Brett and Allie

Brett said she and some of her kindergarten friends spent the evening laughing, dancing, twirling and falling to the floor. Over and over.

The minute she walked in the door, she said what

many of us girls have said after an evening of cutting the rug ...

"Mommy, my feet hurt."

A Teenager in the House

2010-02-09T16:22:00.004-07:00

Blake with a book about his favorite soccer club.

I'm a little behind, but on Jan. 29 Blake turned the big 1-3! Thirteen. A teenager.

One sure sign that he is getting older is that he didn't want (or act like he wanted) a lot of fanfare on his special day.

A party with friends?

"Maybe I'll take a couple of friends snowboarding," he said casually.

Dinner out? We'll take you wherever you want to go, we told him. In years past it was usually an Italian chain like Macaroni Grill or Maggiano's.

"Just Domino's Pizza ... delivered," he said.

And as for his birthday gifts, he's reached the age where grandparents are sending cash and gift cards.

Earlier this year Blake entered the world of snowboarding. So for his birthday we ordered snowboard equipment, which he received a couple weeks early so he could use it on the snowboard trip -- the one where I took Blake and Nick.

So, all in all, a calm, low-maintenance birthday celebration.

Let's just hope the same is true for the coming year ...

Getting ready to blow out the candles.

Getting a little help from Zach and Allie.

Drying Out

2010-01-27T09:10:00.004-07:00

The CCV soccer fields, where Blake plays ... when they're not flooded.

Who says it doesn't rain in Arizona?

Last week we got pounded. Continuously. Hour after hour. Two days straight. Many who have lived in the Phoenix area for years and years said they had never seen so much rain.

It was the first time I had to drive the kids to school because of rain. And still, walking the twins from the parking lot to the kindergarten gate, we got soaked.

I had to tear the house apart looking for umbrellas ... one in the car, one hanging in the laundry room, another tucked away in a closet. It's never rained enough here for me to buy Zach and Allie cute little kiddie umbrellas so I had to give them regular, adult umbrellas to take to school. An exciting thing for them. That is until they had to figure out how to open and close them.

"Let me do it, let me do it," Zach insisted. And, after a few attempts, "How do you work this thing?"

That's an Arizona kid for ya.

10 Things I've Learned Skiing Again After 12+ Years

2010-01-17T15:41:00.021-07:00

The view at Snow Bowl skiing down the hill. The best part: no crowds!

A couple weeks ago Blake's friend invited him to go snowboarding. And, knowing that he had been wanting to try it for a few years now, we gave him the go-ahead to give it a whirl.

I learned to ski when I was a teen, about 15, I think. And over the next 10 or 12 years I typically went at least several times a season; I've always loved it.

So after Blake returned from his freshman outing to the slopes, he came back with the enthusiasm of Christmas morning.

"Mom, it was SO fun," he repeated ... over. and. over. And Nick, wide-eyed, clung to his every syllable.

When the flurry of snowboard talk and excitement settled and the calendar showed weekends full of soccer, I found myself agreeing to let the boys skip school on a Friday to take them up the hill. Specifically, Snow Bowl, just northeast of Flagstaff.

I signed Nick up for a lesson -- he had never snowboarded before -- and Blake and I enjoyed a few intermediate runs.

And as the day went on, there were some things I learned after skiing for the first time in more than a decade. Things like:

Shorter is better these days. As I waited my turn in the rental shop a poster greeted me, displaying a 1995 ski -- a 205, long and skinny -- vs. today's ski -- a 170 in my case. And as I handed my boots over to the rental shop guy getting my skis and bindings ready, he said, "Nope, you don't need to do that anymore." And at that moment I was glad I didn't wear that bold purple, green and black ski jacket that screams 1990. Yep, only the rental guy need know I haven't skied in 12 years.
It's still instinct for me to turn my head as I'm going up a chairlift and expect to see Lake Tahoe behind me.
Riding on a chairlift with your almost 13-year-old son when he's talkative and in a great mood was enough to make my day.

Nick snowboards for the first time.

And riding with said son with the light shining just right on his face, I can see the slightest beginnings of peach fuzz above his lip. "Yep," he said matter-of-factly when I mentioned it.
Despite the bickering and fighting at home between 9- and 13-year-old brothers, that when it comes down to it, Blake is an amazing big brother to his siblings. When Nick returned from his lesson, he insisted that Nick ride up the lift with him so that "things don't get messed up." Hmmm ... thanks, Blake . He then continued to give Nick pointers and praised him as he progressed and zoomed down half the hill without a fall.
It never gets old watching your child learning and improving. From my standpoint, it looked like Nick wasn't enjoying himself during his lesson. As the instructor made them walk up a hill, he was last and looked plain tuckered out. I was afraid that when we picked him up at noon he would be ready to go home. But I was wrong. He was eager to get on the lift and finally conquered exiting the lift after four tries. He then proceeded to tackle the mountain, improving with each run. We even got him to go on "a big lift" at the end of the day.
That I don't think I'll be trying snowboarding anytime soon. Too much time on your butt. Too much hassle taking your boot in and out and in and out. I'll take the skis, thank you very much.
Skiing is like riding a bike. You get back out there and it all comes back to you. Thank goodness.
That hearing your kids say over and over how much fun they had and repeatedly thanking you like you just plunked down a million dollars in front of them is the best part of all.
That I still love to ski and am planning our next trip up.

Blake cruises down the mountain like an old pro.

Back to Reality ...

2010-01-04T14:46:00.004-07:00

It was a busy, fun-filled winter break (I'll post pictures soon), and I was dreading Monday morning. Actually I was worried about Sunday night and the kids rediscovering their true bedtimes after staying up until midnight playing Wii.

Zach and Allie wandered into our bedroom a few times throughout the night, but when it came time to get up at about 7 a.m., they all popped up as soon as I woke them up.

They quickly got dressed, ate breakfast, and Nick, Zach and Allie even all lined up to brush their teeth ... the first time I asked them to. Yippie!

Blake had on his Nike "No blood, no foul" soccer shirt and Nick didn't even argue when I asked him to put on a sweatshirt.

Zach and Allie made sure I packed their new Batman and Tinkerbell folders -- their midyear replacements for the tattered August folders that were being held together by packing tape -- as we set out for our walk to school.

And while they talked about seeing their kindergarten friends and teacher again, Zach looked around, looked back at the house, then looked up to me and asked, "Mom, when do we get winter break again?"

On Dasher, On Dancer ... On Zachy, On Allie

2009-12-11T12:11:00.003-07:00

Everyone's busy getting into the holiday spirit around here, and nobody more so than Zach and Allie, who had their antlers planted the day after Thanksgiving, as seen above.

But since then, the weather has been playing its part in making it feel more like the holidays around here, as we've had super cold weather ... lows in the upper 20s and lows in the 50s.

A few days ago we had a huge rainstorm -- the first real rain since school started.

"Mom, do we go to school today?" Zach asked, as the rain pounded outside.

"Yep,"I said. "We just need to find our jackets and umbrellas."

A Very Dawson Thanksgiving

2009-12-02T13:44:00.005-07:00

The whole Dawson Thanksgiving clan.

This Thanksgiving we followed what has become tradition since we bought our first real house some 12 years ago -- we hosted.

Back in Sacramento my parents and Brett's parents would all come over. Some years we'd be joined by aunts, uncles and cousins. Now that we're a state away, we still are lucky enough to have family come visit us during the holiday.

And I'm happy to say that this won't go down in the family history as one of those get-togethers marred by a turkey that isn't thoroughly cooked and needs to be microwaved or a candle overturning and burning a black spot on the wall (Christmas Eve 5 or 6 years ago), or renegade grilling that nearly engulfs my cousin's wife in flames (summer cookout about 4 years ago). Not that we're placing blame ... coughBrett.

We all had a great time this Thanksgiving ... the boys played their traditional football game. Only a few minor injuries reported. Not like last year when poor Grandpa took a major spill, or so I'm told.

We drank wine, ate our traditional dishes, including a creamed corn that had an insane amount of cream cheese and butter. Did I really put all of that into one dish? And more cream cheese in the yummy apple pecan cheesecake I made for the first time.

Grandma and Grandpa brought their chihuahua Foxy for their visit ... she's a big hit with the kids. Except for Blake. At one point he finally allowed her in his lap, only to be startled with a loud yowl and jump a couple minutes into the getting-to-know-you session.

Throughout the rest of the holiday weekend, we celebrated Grandpa's birthday, Blake had a soccer tournament, we put up our Christmas tree and decorations, we went to the movies, we drank more wine. Good times.

Blake loads his plate; every year he eats a drumstick.

The kids' end of the table.

Nick and Foxy.

Blake's Special Visitor

2009-11-23T08:41:00.002-07:00

No, it wasn't a girl.

But it was pretty and shiny and made Blake smile from ear to ear.

After Blake's team won the championship at the Las Vegas Mayor's Cup soccer tournament last month, the boys on the team took turns housing the trophy cup.

One night after practice Blake, Blake blew into the house, threw his Nike napsack on the floor and hoisted the cup above his head, and paraded around the house.

The trophy sat alongside the Harry Potter series on top of Blake's bookshelf.

"Shouldn't you take the trophy back tonight," I said after it had been with us for about a week.

"Yea, I guess," Blake said.

"Well, let me take some pictures first," I said.

"No, that's silly, no pictures," Blake said.

Later that day as Blake gets ready for practice ...

"OK, I'm taking the trophy back ... shouldn't we take pictures?"

Good idea, Blake. :)

10 Things I Love About My Kindergarteners

2009-11-12T22:13:00.018-07:00

Zach and Allie with their cousin Trent

It's been nearly three months now since Zach and Allie -- my babies -- have been in kindergarten.

I'm sure a lot of us moms share the same mishmash of emotions as our youngest starts school -- alternating between between gearing up for a happy dance because we finally get a chunk of our lives back and grabbing the tissue box because we realize that our days filled with chasing butterflies, blowing bubbles, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and maneuvering the big "car" cart at the grocery store have been traded in for homework, backpacks and school lunches.

And somehow having twins makes it feel like it's sped by even faster. Between the blur of sleeplessness in the early days and the fatigue of chasing and entertaining two little balls of energy in the toddler days, this whole having-all-my-kids-in-school-now thing still seems a bit surreal. But I do have to say that I've always loved having a kindergartener -- or two! -- in the house.

With Zach and Allie, I love that they:

Still hold my hand as I walk them to school ... and then give me a hug and kiss before they join their classmates in line. Zach gives me an extra special, unique, crossed-arm wave each day as his class heads into the classroom and the last few Moms (yes, I confess, I'm one of them) lingers around to wave good-bye.
Are so excited on days they get to buy lunch. "Mommy, mommy, check what's for lunch today," Allie always asks.
Want to do homework. "More, more, can we do one more page, Mom." No bribes, rewards or threats involved ... so refreshing (uh-hum, Blake. Cough, cough, Nick).
Get so excited when they see Blake or Nick at school. When it happens, it's always the first thing they tell me. "Mom, I saw Nick in the bathroom today." or "Mom, I saw Blake going into the cafeteria." So sweet ...
Sing new songs around the house. "B-L-U-E spells blue. B-L-U-E spells blue. Hi, ho, did you know, B-L-U-E spells blue."
Look around at words and sound them out with a new mission in mind. Out at dinner one night and Zach, his eyes stuck on a restaurant sign and his eyebrows scrunched as his brain juice pumped, asked, "Mom, does that spell pizza?" Indeed it does.
Are so excited when I come into their class to help. "Mommy ... are you coming in to help today," they ask about every other day.
Come home eager to share what they've done. "Mommy, look, we made pumpkins," as they proudly hold up their paper cutout pumpkins covered in orange square pieces of tissue paper.
Have huge smiles on their faces when I pick them up at the kindergarten gate at the end of the day.
Pretend to play teacher when they're at home. Allie will grab a book and read it to her class, which usually consists of stuffed animals or imaginary students. It's so cute watching her hold up the book to show her "students."

"And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together."

~ Robert Fulghum, All I Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

Halloween Highlights

2009-11-03T11:48:00.009-07:00

Zach and our resident witch.

Batman and "Fifi" the poodle.

It was another fun Halloween in Anthem, Arizona, our little hub along the northern fringe of Phoenix.

While I do miss the chill in the air and having family members accompany us on our trick-or-treating ventures, Halloween is loads of fun here.

Some of our 2009 Halloween highlights:

Zach was Batman -- a family favorite. Blake was Batman back-to-back years when he was 3 and 4. Allie was a little, fancy pink poodle. Many mistook her for a bunny. Nick was some yucky, creepy, bloody, lab tech guy. And Blake, for the first time, opted not to collect candy. Instead he manned the homefront and handed out candy.
Nick has fun not only trick-or-treating, but also hiding in the bushes and scaring the trick-or-treaters on the way to our door.
Brett had another stellar jack-o-lantern -- an intricate spider web with a spider. I think if he had it to do all over again he could have been a successful surgeon.
Notwithstanding the cold front that swept through for a few days before Halloween, the weather was awesome. While kids are decked out in costumes, most parents are in short sleeves and flip-flops.
At most houses, kids don't even need to knock on the door. Many parents are out enjoying the evening on their front porch or driveways as they dole out the candy.
Our neighborhood is DECKED OUT! Most of the houses in our little neighborhood have lights, blow-ups, and plenty of spooky decor to keep the kids on their toes. In fact, since early October it has become our evening ritual to take a walk or bike ride through the neighborhood so Zach and Allie can admire the visionary Halloween feast night after night.
Parents get into the mood just as much as the kids. The Iowa State fan up on the corner was handing out beers in bags. The woman who lives in the house with the blue lights had a tray full of margaritas alongside the holiday candy and one father was pullining his cooler in a wagon with his little ghosts and gremlins.

Nick carving his pumpkin.

Spooky!

Brett's jack-o-lantern

Blake's Soccer Team Wins in Vegas!

2009-10-27T09:54:00.003-07:00

Blake in action earlier this month.

This past weekend, Blake and his soccer team, the CCV Stars Black team ventured to Las Vegas for their third tournament of the season. After being shut out at the Surf Cup in San Diego and being beat by the No. 1 team in the state at their second tournament, Blake's team emerged the U13 Boys Champions at the Mayor's Cup.

They won all their games with only goal against them the entire tournament.

When Brett and Blake got home at about 10:00 Sunday night, Blake proudly sauntered in with his usual post-game-I'm-so-sore limp, wearing his winner's medal around his neck and a huge smile on his face.

Way to go CCV!

Kickin' it.

The Faintest Keystrokes ...

2009-10-20T14:35:00.026-07:00

Zach and Allie with cousin Trenten.

My adorable nephew Carson

The other night as I was watching Mad Men -- the best show on TV aside from Dexter -- ad man Kinsey is fraught with frustration after coming up with a brilliant idea for a campaign, neglecting to write it down, and then forgetting it the next day.

“The faintest ink is better than the best memory,” he laments to colleague Peggy. And that line immediately made me think of my little blog, my chronicle of my family's life. The one that I've neglected for weeks now as those special moments evaporate and the details pass me by like the kids heading to the refrigerator when they get home from school.

So the time has come to dust it off and dig back in. It's been a crazy month in our household. Busy, crazy, time-consuming. Things like:

Company. Spent many days getting ready and then enjoying the company of my parents, my brother, sister-in-law, and two nephews, including 6-month-old Carson, whom I met for the first time.
Illness. Blake got THE flu. Influenza A. Likely swine flu, according to his doctor. The poor boy was couch-bound for 4+ days. Fever spiking to 103, aching body, couldn't talk. Missed 3 days of school. Then Zach gets an ear infection, Nick gets a sinus infection and Allie, well, Allie was a good actress.
Soccer. Weekend before last Blake and Nick both had soccer tournaments. In different locations. On opposite sides of town. While our company was here. Seven games over three days. Exhausting! Not to mention Blake practices three times a week and Nick twice.
It was my birthday. I know, not really relevant, but I got a new FlipVideo HD, which I love. So cute and handy.
Homework. Can you believe kindergartners have homework? Well mine do. No, it's not time-consuming, but it's just one more thing to cram into the busy evening. The hard part isn't the actual pencil to paper, but the typical 15 to 20 minutes it takes begging, cajoling and threatening the kids (OK, just Zach. Allie's a girl; she loves homework). And then there's the 4th grade special projects. Nick has to make a timeline. OK, he can handle that. But wait, he needs pictures. OK, scan the computer, find the pictures. Shoot, out of photo paper. Double-shoot, out of color ink. Off to Walmart ... and so it goes. And then the parent vs. boy showdown with HIM about getting his normal homework done. Draining ...

And up next: Brett's Mom will be in town for a visit later this week, I'm getting things ready for Zach and Allie's class Halloween party (but you can't call it Halloween, it's "Harvest Party,") Brett and Blake are in Vegas for a soccer tournament, I still have "get back into freelance writing" on my to-do list, and, of course, it's getting close to Halloween.

Boo!

Nick Turns Nine!

2009-10-02T19:49:00.007-07:00

Nine!

So, first things first ... yea, it's been awhile since my last post. You would think now that Zach and Allie are in school I'd have more free time. Somehow between scouring the Internet trying to figure out if and when I can revive my freelance writing career to trying to get more runs and gym time in to volunteering in Zach and Allie's class and offering to be a room mom to dealing with five soccer practices a week, I feel much busier than when they were home. Go figure.

Nick opens his prized XBox 360.

Anywho ... Nick celebrated the big 9 a couple weeks ago. So hard to believe. Seems like just yesterday he was our baby.

Nick began the day with fresh bakery donuts, thanks to Brett. Then I took him his favorite ham-and-lettuce-on-Italian-herbs-and-cheese-bread sandwich from Subway. And then, the opening of the present he'd been BEGGING for forever -- an XBox 360. Sigh ...

Oh, and his birthday "cookie." Nick always prefers a giant chocolate chip cookie to cake. All Brett and I say to that is good thing my birthday is just two weeks after Nick's so we can get some gooey, chocolatey cake -- a genuine cake -- for my birthday.

So about a week and a half after his birthday, Nick invited a few friends over for a sleep-over. Video games, swimming, soccer, craziness, a bloody nose, young boys. Nuff said.

Zach helps Nick blow out the candles.

A blast from the past ... Nick turns 3.

Storytime

2009-09-24T08:59:00.002-07:00

Allie reads a story to her "class."

Ever since school started, Allie's taken to playing school at home. No, not where I'm the teacher and she's the student, but where she's the teacher to her menagerie of stuffed dogs, bears, cats, horses and whatever other fluffy critters she's accumulated through the years.

She'll very methodically bring out her "students" from her room to a designated spot in the house. Sometimes on the couch, sometimes on the floor. Or, seated among the dining room chairs.

Once the animals are positioned just right, Allie starts her storytime. She'll ask the animals questions along the way.

"Who hears an "r" sound?" she'll inquire. "Horsey, do you?"

It's just so cute ... I love kindergarten.

The End

Allie's "students" listen to her read a story

The Pictures Before the Pictures

2009-09-16T11:19:00.002-07:00

Zach and Allie before going to school on Picture Day

So last week was Picture Day at the kids' school. And if you were around our house for the week prior and spent any time with Allie, you'd think it was Christmastime.

"Mommy ... how many more days until Picture Day?" Allie would ask with bated breath.

"Um ... four more days, honey," I'd reply.

"When should we pick a dress out?" she'd inquire.

"Soon," I told her.

With Blake and Nick, Picture Day always meant hoping their payment envelope would make it to the teacher and then fighting them to wear a collared shirt they professed to be "dorky" or "lame."

This year I tried not to be so anal about it and let them wear what they wear much of the time anyway -- a pro soccer jersey.

With Allie I knew I wanted her to wear her cute red dress with white polka dots. But Allie likes to choose her own clothes, so I had to be very strategic. One day while she was playing in the playroom I went to her closet, removed the dress from the back of the closet and put it right up front, pushed the hanging items on both sides so the dress had plenty of space to hang all on its own, and closed the closet door.

"Hey, Allie," I said nonchalantly. "Why don't we pick out your dress for Picture Day tomorrow."

"OK," she squealed, quickly abandoning the lesson she was giving her stuffed animal students.

She darted into her room, pushed open the closet, put her 5-year-old hands on her narrow little hips and peered inside.

Suddenly her eyes lit up.

"Mommy! This dress would be perfect" she proclaimed, pointing to the little red dress.

Bingo.

And sweet little Zach? He was very cooperative in wearing the dorky collared shirt Mom picked out for him.

My Zachy

Say Cheese!

A Dog in the House

2009-09-03T10:59:00.004-07:00

Zach, Allie and cousin Hailey play with Foxie.

Last month the kids got one of their biggest wishes granted -- at least temporarily. They've been wanting a dog for years, so when Grandma and Grandpa said they planned on bringing their new chihuahua, Foxie, on their visit, the kids were ecstatic.

As soon as they heard the news, they talked about it as often as a teen texts. And soon, it wasn't "Grandma and Grandpa are coming," it was "Foxie's coming" and "How many more days until Foxie is here?"

And Foxie didn't disappoint.

Upon Foxie's arrival, the kids (well all of them except for Blake, who's much too cool to get excited about a dog) Allie, the supreme princess of the house, kept Foxie under her sole supervision during the first day of her arrival. She took her to her bedroom, sat with her on the bed, sat with her on the couch, carried her a bit awkwardly in her arms ... all while Zach and Nick tried to nudge in a little doggy time of their own.

With all the attention, Foxie would periodically make a sudden break for her carrier, finding cover in her comfy little crate.

As the week went on, Allie grew a little less possessive. Saying good-bye was hard for all the kids, but they're looking forward to November when they'll see Foxie again.

An hour after she left, Zach said he missed Foxie.

Then, after about a week, out of the blue, he said it again.

"I miss Foxie, Mommy ... when's Thanksgiving?"

10 Things About Blake

2009-08-27T11:03:00.008-07:00

Just about wherever he goes, you'll see a soccer ball nearby. Might be in his backpack, or combing the ground, scurrying from foot to foot.
He devours books. More so than anyone I've ever known. Every teen/young adult series out there (except those involving vampires, which, I might add, it's hard to find non-vampire books for teens these days) has been in Blake's hands at least once. He's read many books four and five times. It's not unusual for him to stay planted on the couch for HOURS at a time just reading.
Blake's goal in life is to play professional soccer in Europe. And he has so much drive and passion -- not to mention talent -- that it wouldn't surprise me if he does rise to the ranks of professional someday. In fact, the whole Europe -- and especially England -- dream, coupled with his recent reading of the Harry Potter series for the umpth time, has him sometimes talking like a Brit. "Mum, where's the remote to the telly?"
He loves Jell-O. He could probably eat a whole batch if I let him. But the poor chap has three siblings and must share. "Shall we make some more, Mum?"
Blake practices soccer whenever possible. With his team, with other teams, on his own. And he always wants to get to practice early, which doesn't always work out with three siblings, meals and homework. Not to mention the heat. Do you really need to be an hour early when it's 105 out? I think not. "I'm going for a run before school, Mum. I must keep my fitness up."
He's become a collector of Nike soccer shoes ... mostly the indoor kind, which he wears to school. He loves bright, bold colors. He has yellow, silver, and a bluish-green.
Ninety-five percent of his time on the computer is looking at things soccer-related: stats from his indoor league, upcoming tournaments and schedules, professional teams, and, soccer.com, where most of his surfing is for shoes.
When it's not stinkin' hot outside and the kids are playing outside, Blake is great about playing soccer with his three siblings. He teaches Zach and Allie how to dribble the ball properly and he and Nick get more competitive, setting up the pugs and going at it, one-on-one.
When he's not playing soccer, looking at soccer stuff online, or reading, he's usually playing video games or hanging out with Anthony.
He's pretty good at Boggle ... but some family members can still give him a run for his money. ;)

And, oh, did I mention ... he likes soccer? Sorry ... futbol.

Zach and Allie Go To Kindergarten

2009-08-18T17:21:00.005-07:00

And just like that, Zach and Allie are in kindergarten. And Nick started 4th grade. And -- gulp! -- Blake is now a 7th grader.

We've been getting ready for weeks. Reading and re-reading Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten, picking out the perfect backpacks and lunch boxes (Transformers for Zach, Hello Kitty for Allie), buying some new duds, getting some new sneakers (and learning that Allie's feet are a size and a half bigger than Zach's!). And of course, conquering the list of school supplies published on the school's web site.

For Blake and Nick, there wasn't much excitement -- or at least it was contained. I so vividly recall how excited Blake would get for the first day of school, organizing his binder so perfectly and smiling so brightly as I took first-day-of-school pictures. Now it's all so casual for him.

And Nick, well, Nick's never been too excited for the first day of school. I tried my best to make the morning go smoothly. I got up early and showered, had all the lunches made with time to spare, had the kids pick out their clothes the night before, had the backpacks ready to go.

But of course, there was bound to be a glitch or two.

Blake left first (it's not cool to be seen with your parents, you know) ... but forgot his schedule. So I had Nick run out to try to catch him with the schedule. And in our hurry to have him reach Blake, he forgot his lunch (but don't worry, grandmas, we got it to him:). And this is only Day 1.

So Brett and I accompanied Zach and Allie on the short (but scorching hot -- I think we hit about 107 on Monday) walk.

We met the teacher at the gate, got in line and walked them to their seat (they're in the same class, but not sitting together) in the class. Zach got weepy, kept asking for "one more kiss and hug." Allie got a bit teary, too, but stayed composed.

When I picked them up, Zach said it "was long." But they both proudly showed me their coloring papers and told me about their jobs for the day: Allie was in charge of turning off the lights and Zach was the door holder.

Once I got home I hopped on the treadmill, but the rest of the day seemed surreal and I had a hard time focusing. I went to the grocery store and tried to do a few chores and made cookies.

I've always loved time to myself, but on this day, 3:30 couldn't come fast enough.

My Babies are 5!

2009-08-15T19:48:00.017-07:00

With a little help from their friends, Zach and Allie blow out the candles on their Hello Kitty/Transformers birthday cake.

Zach blows out his FIVE candles.

I know it's a cliche, but it seems like just yesterday that Zach and Allie entered the world, gracing us with their laughter and smiles, frustrating us with their temper tantrums, prompting us to the join the ranks of minivan owners, and letting us become spectators in their unique twin bond.

After I found out I was carrying not one, but TWO babies, I spent many nights unable to sleep, wondering how in the world I'd have the skill, patience, and energy to care for two newborns AND shuffle Blake to and from 2nd grade and soccer practice AND devote special attention to almost-4-year-old Nick. It seemed an impossible task.

And now, five years later, I still lie awake. But now it's about whether Zach and Allie should start kindergarten or wait one more year, how we'll manage five soccer practices a week between Blake and Nick, how we'll make sure all the kids get their homework done, and how we'll keep from losing our minds in the process.

Somehow all those worries seem insignificant during the magical moments -- like watching Zach and Allie run hand-in-hand along the beach, snuggling next to Allie and several of her dozens of stuffed animals, receiving the special brand of Zachy sideways smooches. And my current favorite -- getting out of the van and reaching out both hands, waiting for a warm little hand to cling to me on each side.

And despite Allie hurting her ankle on the play structure and Zach screaming and crying at Nick during "Happy Birthday" because Nick was trying to blow out the candles, more magical moments transpired watching Zach and Allie's excitement mount as their first "real" birthday party drew near and the big day finally arrived.

"How many more days?" they asked about a dozen times a day for the two weeks leading up to the party.

Then squeals of delight when a friend's mom would call and RSVP.

Picking out the cake design (half Hello Kitty and half Tranformers -- so cool!) and helping assemble the goodie bags, hugging their friends as they arrived and indulging in two pieces of cake ... fun times and great memories!

Oh, to be 5 again ...

My 5-year-old Allie.

Allie and friends Lizzie and Alyse.

Family Beach Picture -- Take 6

2009-08-07T10:22:00.016-07:00

It's early August now ... that point in the summer where you're winding down from vacation and weeks with more relaxed schedules and starting to gear up for school and five soccer practices a week between two boys. Groans and moans are erupting from the 7th and 4th graders. Eager questioning and excitement about picking out Transformers and Hello Kitty backpacks from the soon-to-be kindergartners.

We just got back from a week at an Oceanside condo with a great patio view of the ocean. Blake played in the Surf Cup soccer tournament in Del Mar, we went to San Diego Zoo and Sea World, and we spent several days playing at the beach. The kids had their share of tantrums and whining sessions but about mid-way through they seemed to be in the vacation groove. It was a much-needed getaway from our brutal 110+ heat.

I think we were all happiest when we were at the beach ... although Brett and I are both still reeling from sore shoulders/back from boogie boarding. His is much worse than mine. One of the things I wanted to do was take an updated family beach photo. Back in 2007 I brought my tripod, snapped a couple shots and we captured this moment, which has been my favorite family image ever since:

On this particular beach day I repeatedly requested that nobody go running into the water until we take our picture; I knew how hard it would be to gather everyone once boogie boarding had commenced. So ... here I am setting up the tripod. A little crooked.

And then there was this one where it looks like I'm about to kill somebody, not to mention awkwardly holding the board, and Allie and Nick are looking at some sort of sand critter.

Then this one where Blake has a dorky look on his face, Zach looks to be in pain, and we just look all spread out.

And then all of a sudden everyone disappears, flops, flexes, or decides to be airplanes on the beach:

After everyone spends a couple hours catching waves and creating sand tunnels, I ~~force~~ politely request their presence for one more attempt ...

Michele, Brett
Zach, Blake, Allie, Nick
Oceanside, July 2009

Nightfall = Pooltime

2009-07-21T22:37:00.004-07:00

I know I just posted about the evils of July in Phoenix, but it's consuming ... our lives center around it these days.

We've finally had a couple little monsoon storms come our way the past few nights. Fierce winds mostly. We were concerned about our trees, especially the one in the back yard that was planted last year to replace the tree that we lost during a prior monsoon storm. It's a beautiful tree and growing quickly, but jutting out at an angle -- the type of angle storms love to eat up.

Anyway, Blake's been having soccer practice, Nick's been playing in some evening soccer sessions, and Zach and Allie have just finished up swimming lessons.

Our pool is pretty lonely during the day ... blame it on the 92 degree water reading. But in the evening it's much more enjoyable.

There's really nothing like playing in the pool at nightfall ... and beyond ...

10 Signs It's July in Phoenix

2009-07-09T22:40:00.010-07:00

"You know you live in Phoenix when the four seasons are: tolerable, hot, really hot, and are you freakin' kidding me?!"
~Author Unknown

We were spoiled in June ... the coolest June on record in nearly 100 years. The kids played outside, we went to the park, we barbecued, and it even felt too cool to get in the pool -- at least to us adults. But now, July has unleashed its fury, more than making up for our picture-perfect June. Forecasters are telling us to expect 114, even 116 this weekend. And we'll only get as low as 90. And all the other signs are here, too. Like:

Upon returning to the van from the grocery store, the twins immediately scope out both booster seats. If one has even a sliver of shade, they both bolt for it. They argue. They jostle for position. Tears are shed.
Starting to feel like a vampire : we're losing our tans in July because we're all inside during the day ... we only come out at night.
Breaking a sweat just walking out to your driveway to get the newspaper.
Taking the kids to the community pool and having to banish my Iphone to the beach bag because it's too hot to touch.
The kids not wanting to swim in our backyard pool during the day because it feels like a bathtub. Adding huge blocks of ice doesn't seem to help.
You see an occasional runner and hope paramedics are nearby ... just in case.
Tossing aside your strategy to go grocery shopping and run errands early in the day ... it really doesn't matter ... hot is hot.
Wondering if the kids are getting enough exercise from playing hide and seek in the house.
Watching the boys kick around the soccer ball out back for about 10 minutes and then returning with bright red faces and racing toward the refrigerator for water.
Getting really jealous when your Facebook friend posts a 4th of July picture of her kids in sweatshirts. You ask where they were and she answers, home -- in Elk Grove (the place you used to live). How quickly I've forgotten.

Hair Yesterday, Gone Today

2009-07-03T19:45:00.010-07:00

I guess the heat had finally did them in.

Yesterday Blake surrendered -- to what, I'm not sure -- and got his silky locks cut off. And Nick, in typical sibling fashion, tried to one-up him by opting for a buzz cut.

Now every time he's near, I have the urge to grab him and rub his head -- my new good-luck charm.

I tried to remember the last hair. For Nick it had been about two months. And I honestly couldn't remember the last time Blake's hair had seen scissors. Probably a good four months.

Ever since Blake adopted his long style some four years ago, taking him to get it trimmed has been unsavory, to say the least. One time when we were still in Elk Grove, he threw a little tantrum in the quickie haircut place. I had to drag him by the arm to the chair as he protested through tears.

He's been better in the past year or two, but I still have scars from the times he's cried, yelled, screamed, made threats, everything. Come to think of it, I don't think there's any other issue in the past few years that's sparked such opposition from my oldest. All it took, I suppose, was one bad trim.

"I'm not getting my hair cut by someone with two weeks of training," he'd counter, remembering the "bad bangs" experience.

But they both surprised me when they enthusiastically hopped in the car, Blake proclaiming he was going to "go short."

"Really?" I asked.

"Yep," he replied.

Nick looked to Blake, then out the window.

"I'm gonna get a buzz cut," he said.

"Hmmm," I replied.

I silently wondered if they'd follow through.

And ... they did.

Making a Splash -- From the Diving Board

2009-06-25T13:21:00.008-07:00

I just got back a couple days ago from visiting a friend. I actually flew on a plane all by myself (can't remember the last time I did that!), Brett took a couple days off work, and I was gone for four days.

Around the second day, Brett called to tell me that Zach and Allie jumped off the diving boards at the local pool. I was kinda nervous and gave him the dreaded 100-questions routine.

The next day, Brett called again and the first words out of his mouth were "Guess what your daughter did at the pool today?"

And I have to confess, the very first thought that came to my mind was that she peed and that Brett was the parent who would get the awful scowls because his child forced a 24-hour closure of the pool on a 103-degree day.

But no ... Allie's a big girl.

She went off the flippin' high dive. Yep! I nearly dropped the phone. I couldn't believe it.

So when I got home, Zach and Allie showed me their jumps off the diving boards. Zach isn't ready for the high dive, but he loves leaping off that regular-height diving board.

Here they are, Zach first:

4 Weeks Down, 8 to Go (not that I'm counting)

2009-06-18T21:28:00.012-07:00

Zach and Allie, so proud of themselves on the high bar.

Not that I'm counting, but today I noticed that it's been exactly four weeks since the boys' last day of school.

They returned from their annual California trip just over a week ago. The first couple days back they were still in their honeymoon phase of being back home with Zach and Allie and among friends again.

But, alas, reality soon set in. The bickering, the boredom.

It feels like I have two separate jobs when it comes to keeping the kids entertained and busy: the twins and then the older boys.

For Zach and Allie we've been going to a summer gymnastics class once a week. The thing is, though, is that they're the only ones in it. No socializing for them ... or me. They love it and I just bring a magazine or stay occupied with Facebook on my Iphone. But it's so quiet ... not sure if it's a sign of the economy or just locals who have the good sense to get out of Phoenix in the throes of summer.

And we've also been going to the weekly summer kids movie. Once a week we go see a kids/family movie -- about half of which we already have on DVD. It's like seven bucks for 10 weeks. We're about to go to our fourth movie tomorrow. So far, OK. They still get a little antsy about an hour into the movie. The good thing is that we're going with two other kids, friends made in gymnastics (not in the deserted summer session, but before). But the first time I think I escorted Zach and/or Allie to the restroom four times. I think we got it down to two times this last week.

Then we have swim lessons. Zach and Allie are like little fish now and able to maneuver their way around our pool without life jackets anymore. They sputter down the slide and glide on over to the wall.

What's funny is how totally different their swimming styles are. Zach is very powerful with his legs. When he jumps in or enters the water when coming down the slide, he'll really kick his legs with all his might, his arms usually stationery at his side or out in front of him. He looks like a little otter.

Allie, however, will jump in, bob around, start laughing and smiling and looking around, catch her breath, and attempt her arm movements to get her where she needs to go. Not much kicking but lots of arm-flapping. More like a flying fish.

The great news is that June has been really, really mild. 80s and low 90s, breezes. Totally gorgeous. Great evenings. Great for hanging out outside.

And what have Blake and Nick been doing to fill their days? I'll save that for another post.

Blake and Nick Return

2009-06-11T23:23:00.012-07:00

Their 2.5-week visit with their grandparents in California seemed to speed by, but by the end I think everyone was ready for them to be home -- the two sets of grandmas and grandpas entertaining them, their little brother and sister who kept asking how many more days until their brothers are home, and Brett and I, who took advantage of a bit less responsibility, but at the same time couldn't fight the "it feels weird without them here" feeling.

As I sat outside the gate watching their plane arrive, Blake sent me a text, "We've landed."

"Yep, I c ur plane," I replied.

After about a dozen people walked off the plane, there they came. And they both had the same look. A big smile, but then quickly trying to look like they don't have said smiles. You know, trying to be cool and act like seeing your mom is no big deal.

I was happy to see them and as we saw our bags ride around to us on the luggage carousel, Nick confidently grabbed one and started rolling it toward the elevator. The best part is that they both started telling me in-depth stories of their trip. None of their usual one-word answers.

They told me how after three camping trips they've had their fill for quite a while. They told me about the bear in Yosemite, the rain in Tahoe, the how-to-put-down-bad-guys by Grandpa's sheriff's officer friend. They told me about the yummy brownies Aunt Terri made, all the questionable movies Grandma and Grandpa let them watch, how Nick paid Blake $10 to let him "rent" his Ipod for three days (Blake is always looking for a way to make a buck these days).

And then as we got on the highway, Blake began texting away. "Can I go to A's house?" he asks.

"When?" I say.

"When we get home ... he can pick me up to take me to the fields at 4:30," he says. I look at the clock and it's 3:30.

"Come on, Mom ... why are you going so slow ... go faster," he said.

And then, not once, but twice, he calls me "Grandma." He catches himself and is bowled over with laughter. I let him get away with it since he just spent two weeks with two different grandmothers. So Blake is home for about 15 minutes and then is off with his friend. Geesh ...

Then Nick is eager to pick up the twins. When we get to their classroom, he runs in and he and Zach run toward each other with a huge embrace, reminiscent of some cheesy romantic made-for-TV movie.

They are all so happy to be together again. Nick is a rock star the rest of the night. Zach and Allie fight over who gets to sit by him at dinner, they want to sit by him as they watch TV and they are just so ... so ... agreeable. So not used to that.

And I know it's only a matter of minutes until the sibling love goes on the back burner, as fighting over a toy or who gets the last waffle will be reality once again. Until then, I'll continue enjoying their little lovefest.

A Quiet(er) House

2009-06-03T20:16:00.011-07:00

Zach and Nick doing their special four-step handshake before Nick and Blake leave for Calif.

We're two weeks into summer vacation now. Only 10 more to go. Gulp.

Two days after school got out, Blake and Nick hopped on a plane to Sacramento to spend a couple weeks (17 days, actually) with their grandparents. They've done this every summer now since we moved here.

Last summer Blake had just gotten his fist cell phone and started dabbling in text messaging. This year, however, he's a text expert ... or maybe addict is a better word. The phone is his new appendage ... it's become one with his hand. I know this because anytime I text him, whatever time of day, I get a reply within 30 seconds.

And when he's hanging out at home, he clings to it and turns his attention from whatever he's doing to read and reply to any messages.

And his answers are always short and sweet. But I've learned not to take it personally -- this is how he texts his friends, too.

Blake texting by the light of the campfire.

Me: "What are you guys up to today?"

Him: "Nothing" or "Headed to Yosemite."

Me: "Good night. Love you."

Him: "K"

Me: "Are you having fun?"

Him: "I guess." I think this is code for yes, but he wants to be cool about it. You know how 12-year-olds operate.

Me: "Is it cold?"

Him: "Yes." This must mean it's freezing. Of course, he's got Arizona blood now.

And then when I heard from my Sacramento Facebook friends that they had crazy wild lightning and thunderstorms, I texted Blake to see how he and Nick fared as they camped at Lake Tahoe with Grandma and Grandpa.

Me: "Hi. Did you have lots of thunder and lightning last night?"

Him: "Maybe."

Me: "What do you mean maybe?

Him: "I mean it did."

Meanwhile, the house has been a bit quieter. No big boys fighting over who gets to play Playstation or who gets to pick what to watch on the good TV. I've been doing way less laundry and don't have to go to the grocery store as often. Milk and cereal are lasting so much longer. And their bathroom is staying so clean.

But still, the house always feels not quite right when any of us are gone.

I'll be ready to see them when they come Tuesday. Until then, I'll enjoy my quiet(er) house.

The grandparents' idea of humor. Good acting, Blake.

Nick's turn.

A cute little bear

10 Signs It's The Last Week of School

2009-05-20T09:51:00.006-07:00

Here in Phoenix school gets out EARLY, at least compared to Elk Grove, where we had our year-round schedule and most kids were at school through June before returning again in late July.

Here it's the real deal: a bona fide almost-3-month-long summer vacation.

And, just like Christmas, the kids are counting down the days. Or I should say, day. Tomorrow is it. Last day ... and a half day at that.

The past couple weeks something has been in the air ... or the water. Coupled with the recent string of 100+degree-days, it's about impossible to miss the signs that the school year is coming to a close.

Things like:

Schools. Out. For. Sum-muh. Nick gleefully singing Alice Cooper's ode-to-summertime anthem." Zach loves to chime in, too. They both know it well because it's on one of the Guitar Hero games.
The backpack coming home filled with empty folders, binders, rulers, markers and other odds and ends that I have no idea what to do with.
The evenings feeling more relaxed without the homework ax ready to fall. No. More. Homework.
The plotting of parties, sleepovers and get-togethers at Extreme, the local computer gaming hangout frequented by tweens.
Nick counting down the days until their trip to "Cali." This year they're leaving on Saturday for their annual summer trek to torture, I mean spend quality time, with their grandparents.
Me scrambling to find summer activities and camps for the kids. So far: Beach house rental on the coast for the family for a week, Blake's overnight soccer camp, Blake and Nick's trip to California, swimming lessons and gymnastics for the twins ... still working on something else for Nicky.
Not noticing (or maybe not minding) that Blake and Nick are going to bed later and later.
Nick announcing that today's the day "We stack our desks and chairs." And then telling me they "get to" sit on the floor tomorrow. Ouch. But really, it's just a half day and they're having a party ... who needs chairs?
Nick pulling out his tubs of K'Nex building pieces and has even drawn (on four pieces of paper taped together) a diagram of the elaborate roller coaster he plans on building.
Me poking around online for a good laptop. These days Zach and Allie are clamoring for computer time and of course Blake and Nick want their gaming and surfing time, too. All the kids home (with one computer-dependent mom) with just one computer isn't gonna cut it.
And (OK, this is 11 ... oh well) the overall bouncing off the walls.

"No more pencils
No more books
No more teacher's dirty looks

Out for summer
Out till fall
We might not go back at all"
~ Alice Cooper

Slip N Slide -- Times Two

2009-05-14T13:38:00.003-07:00

"Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it."
~Russel Baker

Back when we lived in our house-without-a-pool in Elk Grove, we often took Blake and Nick to the community swimming pool and the pool at our gym.

But on those days when we didn't feel like packing the pool paraphernalia and getting into a scorching car in the 100-degree heat, we whipped out an old favorite: the Slip N Slide. And who doesn't love a Slip N Slide?

Now that we're in Phoenix and are lucky enough to have a pool (actually luck had nothing to do with it; it was one of my demands during the should-we-move-negotiations) the Slip N Slide was a distant memory.

Until ... we went to Allie's end-of-the-season party thrown by her dance studio. As soon as Allie and Zach spied it, they were hooked. Brett got a good workout in, too.

Things Nobody Ever Told Me About Being a Mom

2009-05-07T15:24:00.013-07:00

"Before I got married I had six theories about bringing up children; now I have six children, and no theories."

~John Wilmot

This year marks my 13th as a mom ... and like all moms, I'm muddling my way through, learning as I go. I've read what I can in books, magazines and online forums. I've talked to other moms, teachers and friends. Whether it's ear infections, diaper rashes, preschool, bullies on the playground, soccer tryouts, kids using cell phones, or dealing with adolescent attitudes, we compare notes, share triumphs and lament the challenges.

But there are some things that just come -- no rehearsals, no preparation. Some hit you head-on; others touch you softly like a butterfly kiss.

Some things nobody ever told me about being a Mom:

That I'd end up eating my morning bowl of cereal while standing and making school lunches instead of sitting down and eating.
How eerily quiet the house is when they're all at school.
That sitting in a dentist chair for an hour feels like a break.
That wearing a floral sundress, striped tights, and princess tennis shoes could make a little girl so happy.
That I'd watch (or hear) Cars, Pirates of the Caribbean and Star Wars movies for months at a time.
That I'd have so much fun watching soccer games on weekends.
That I'd get competitive about playing tetherball against an 8-year-old.
That' I'd love it so much when I beat my husband and kids at Wii bowling.
That staying tough and not giving in is sometimes so difficult.
That knowing when to pick your battles is an art form, requiring practice and deliberation.
How having a child stay home sick can really throw you off schedule.
That putting a little girls' hair in a ballerina bun for dance class could be so difficult, but wow, isn't she so cute?
That I could be SO relieved on the rare nights my 3rd grader doesn't have homework.
That my heart would warm when, watching my 8-year-old play soccer, he'd make a great play, look over to see if I'm looking and then give me a great big smile.
How happy I'd feel when I'm at a restaurant and my 4-year-old says, "I want to sit by Mommy."
That I could be SO happy about not buying and changing diapers anymore.
How relieved I'd feel after my child, who had struggled with reading and writing, finally is caught up with all our hard work.
That even though four kids is definitely, positively IT for us, I still get those little yearnings when I see a pudgy-faced, smiling baby.
That I'd never get tired of crayon drawings and watercolors of flowers, hearts and butterflies.

Playing Catch-Up

2009-04-27T19:14:00.014-07:00

Somehow, some way, I've gotten way behind on writing blog posts. Another day will pass and I'll think, "Oh, I need to write about the strange rustling-about noise we heard in the middle of the night ... or how the boys have decided to take up flag football in the off-soccer season. Or how Zach and Allie's latest bedtime ritual involves Brett holding them, in turn, like a little baby and singing "Rockabye Baby." But somehow the daily routines seem to swallow up my time and energy lately. So to get caught up ... some highlights of late:

Blake and Nick's soccer season ended about a month ago. And while I love watching their games, I was kinda looking forward to a respite from the weekly grind of practices, broken-up dinner times, scrambling to do homework and providing chauffeuring. That little sigh of relief was short-lived, however, as both boys decided to give flag football a try. So now Nick practices on Mondays, Blake on Tuesdays and both have games on Wednesdays. Sigh ...
Allie is still enthralled with her weekly dance class. She loves practicing her stretches and the five ballet positions. Recently when I was playing little-kid baseball with Zach and Allie, it was Allie's turn at bat. I told her to choke up on the bat, turn her feet around and to "get into position." She then proceeded to turn her feet and get into her ballerina first position. Priceless.
Zach, who had about an 18-month obsession with all things pirate, has now progressed to all things Star Wars. Light Sabers and action figures and endless showings of our collection of Star Wars movies keep this little boy going these days.
Although it's starting to heat up here, the pool is still a little brisk for most of the family. There have been three or four times where Zach and Allie will ask to get in. Zach will stand on the top step with his life jacket on and just dabble around a bit. But Little Miss Adventure, I mean Allie, will gleefully run to the side of the pool and jump in without even testing the waters. And she's done this more than once.
School is in the home-stretch now. Our last day is May 21 ... three weeks and two days. Always mixed emotions. I am excited that we can say good-bye to 3rd-grade homework and that I don't have to pack lunches (yippie!).

"The odds of going to the store for a loaf of bread and coming out with only a loaf of bread are three billion to one."
~Erma Bombeck

The Heat is On: 1 Down, 105 To Go

2009-04-21T15:29:00.004-07:00

Yesterday marked the first day this year that hit 100 degrees in Phoenix -- 102 to be exact. Mighty, mighty early, especially considering that last year we didn't get struck with the start of the triple-digit brigade until May 19.

The steering wheel was scorching and it was just too stifling to run in the morning, as I usually do on days when Zach and Allie are in preschool. Apparently there are an average of 106 days with temperatures of 100 degrees or higher in Phoenix, according to our weather forecasters here, who, I'm convinced, from May to October, have one of the easiest jobs around. Pretty hot, hot or really hot.

But anyway, a few days BEFORE the beastly heat snuck up on us, my parents visited. The weather was NICE -- 80s. We took a little walk in Cave Creek and saw lots of flowers in bloom.

Allie and Zach check out the view.

A beautiful magenta bloom -- not as common as the yellow ... at least where we were in the Cave Creek Recreation Area.

The more common yellow-orangish blooms (hope that's not too technical for anyone :)).

Meanwhile, today isn't quite as warm and I'm hoping we might be lucky enough to get at least one more little cool-down before the real stuff -- the miserable, why-am-I-living-here heat -- rears its ugly head.

Toothless Wonder

2009-04-08T11:24:00.003-07:00

"Other than a dimple in a cute little chin,
What's more adorable than a toothless grin?"
~ Azu "Betty" Espezia

A couple weeks ago amidst playing tag with Zach and Nick, Allie stopped in the middle of a spirited sprint from the one who was "it" and pronounced, "I have a loose tooth."

I bent over, looked at her cute little 4-and-a-half-year-old face, and obligingly pinched the tooth between my thumb and forefinger and gave the tooth the test. It wiggled a little bit and I told her it was a little loose.

Over the next couple days I'd spot Allie wiggling her tooth. Again she'd mention how loose it was. Again, I felt it and this time it was REALLY loose. I became a bit alarmed; she's only 4 years and 7 months old. Surely she bumped it on something while playing with her brothers, but she told me she didn't.

Nicky lost his top teeth just a year ago when he was 7 and a half.

So I made a dentist appointment for her, scoured the Internet, got opinions from Facebook friends and sought the advice of a friend who works for a dentist. She thought it was too early.

Then, two days before the appointment, the tooth fell out. I panicked a bit. How can my baby girl be losing her tooth already? This isn't supposed to happen until kindergarden or first grade.

But Allie was so excited, she felt like such a big girl and had heard so much about that Tooth Fairy from Nicky, who has been receiving frequent visits the past couple years.

We went to the dentist, took x-rays and the dentist confirmed it came out naturally and on its own; the permanent tooth will be in in about 3-6 months. And the other top tooth will be coming out soon, the dentist said as she showed me the x-ray of the baby tooth with the root already dissolved.

So even on your third and fourth kids, you still get thrown some curve balls and are reminded that every kid is different.

I was glad to hear everything is normal and as it should be. But still, there's a little part of me that's sad that this milestone came so early. Just another sign that she's not a baby anymore. She's now my little big girl. Just never saw it coming.

A Hike Up Camelback Mountain

2009-03-27T19:29:00.008-07:00

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

2009-03-21T21:25:00.013-07:00

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

2009-03-11T07:38:00.013-07:00

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

2009-03-02T08:37:00.002-07:00

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

Tiny Dancer

2009-02-25T23:30:00.008-07:00

So our little Miss Allie started dance class a few weeks ago. Ever since I took her to see the Nutcracker, she's been eagerly asking, "When am I going to learn to dance like in the Nutcracker?"

She adored The Nutcracker, sitting quietly and watching closely throughout the entire performance. At times she'd sit on my lap, her mouth just a touch open and her hand fluttering about, in sync with the music.

Up until that point I had been hesitant because it felt weird to have Allie embark on a new venture that didn't include Zach. But I'm sure that's a good thing sometimes; they each need to have things that are all their own.

And I confirmed with Zach. I mean, occasionally you see a boy or two in dance class. I was 90 percent sure what his answer would be, but the fairness police officer in me had to ask anyway.

"Do you want to do ballet with Allie?" I asked in the most neutral tone possible.

Zach gave me the furrowed eyebrows.

"Nooooo," he said with a giggle as his toy pirates continued their sword battle.

Now each week, the excitement builds for Allie as she counts the days to "ballet day."

Here she is doing ... well, I'm not sure exactly what. It is only her third time.

Here she is with her classmates practicing their pointy toes. I'm not a dancer ... I don't know what these positions are called ... can you tell?

Miss limber Allie extending.She may not be all that coordinated, but this girl can s-t-r-e-t-c-h.

Doing her chasse -- tongue and all...

At home she likes to practice her many moves.

She'll twirl and spin and often has to catch her balance to keep from falling down. In her case I think coordination will be a learned trait. She can also be frequently spotted holding onto the kitchen table and throwing her leg up in the air. And lately she'll slip on her ballet slippers and slide across the wood floor into an attempted splits position.

All the while, the pirates continue to fight.

Everyone Loves A Party ... (Especially Zach and Allie)

2009-02-16T10:42:00.010-07:00

Over the past few weeks I learned that in a 4-year-old's eyes, being invited to a birthday party trumps just about everything else in life ... except perhaps Christmas and going to Disneyland.

Several weeks back as I picked up Zach and Allie from preschool and fished out the photocopied "Letter F" book with hand-colored fish, frogs and firefighters from their folders, there it was, hidden in the deep fold.

Unmistakable by the smallish, almost square-sized envelope with "Zach and Allie" carefully penned on the outside, inside was a piece of paper that would unleash excitement, and as I soon discovered, a valuable -- although short-lived-- tool in my Mommy arsenal.

Now that Christmas is over, I can't use Santa anymore. If you're a parent, you know what I'm talking about.

"If you want Santa to come, then you need to pick up your toys."

"Santa's watching you, you need to quiet down and go to sleep."

For a 4-year-old, these little threats always work wonders. With Christmas gone, it's back to square one.

But now, with a party invitation in hand -- and a costume party to boot -- I eagerly employed my new-found power.

"If you want to go to the birthday party, then you need to go make your bed."

"OK, Mommy," as they hurry to their rooms.

And so with the invitation also came two weeks of anticipation and questions.

"Mommy, is today the birthday party?"

"Mommy, can I wear the Spiderman costume?"

"Mommy, can we wrap the present yet?"

And when the day came, I've never seen two kids more excited -- costumes and bouncy houses and cookies and cake. Despite the coolish weather and the sniffly noses, they oozed with delight in their Spiderman and ballerina costumes and so excited as together they held the gift to give to their friend.

My two youngest doing what little ones do best -- laughter, excitement, smiles, and sweetness.

"Mommy, this is going to be SO fun," Allie squealed.

"Yes, sweetie, it's ALL so fun."

Happy Valentine's Day!

2009-02-14T15:35:00.000-07:00

The Tooth Fairy Revealed

2009-02-10T14:37:00.004-07:00

So yesterday Nick pounced up to me and announced he had a loose tooth -- the top one to the left of his front teeth.

"Mom, look how loose it is," he said.

And just as he said it, it gently removed itself from his gums and into the not-quite-as-safe confines of his bare hand.

"Wow ... I didn't even know you had a loose tooth," I told him.

And so throughout the day I had to frequently remind myself that the Tooth Fairy MUST make a visit ... she's so forgetful. Once the missing tooth remained under the pillow and no money was in sight. We had to write that silly Tooth Fairy a note.

So this morning, after the early craziness of feeding the kids breakfast, making lunches, getting Zach and Allie ready for preschool, and not feeling very well, Nicky and I made our way to the bathroom mirror when there was about 5 minutes until time to hop on his scooter and scurry on his way. Just a few minutes to comb his hair.

Standing in front of the mirror, Nick says in a sly, somethings-up tone, "Mommm."

"Yea," I say, looking up in the mirror at his playful blue eyes and adorable freckled face.

"I saw Dad come in my room with a dollar last night," he says, nearly in a fit of laughter.

My mind was racing and I concentrated on not letting my face give me away. My mind kept going back and forth. He is 8, after all. But, I can't just admit it, can I?

"Well maybe she left it in another room and Dad was putting in your bed for you," I said, realizing how lame that sounded.

"Nu-uh ... It's true ... there IS no tooth fairy," he said, all too proud that he had cold, hard proof.

"Wow, look how late it is ... time to go," I tell him, hoping my change of topic isn't as transparent to a child as it is to an adult.

He raced out of the room, turned around and gave me a smile and a shake of the head.

Oh well ... guess it was inevitable. Now I'm just waiting what he'll have to say in a couple months about the Easter Bunny.

Blake Turns 12

2009-02-02T08:40:00.008-07:00

Cell phone in hand, Blake gets ready to blow out the candles on his birthday cake.

How in the world do I already have a 12-year-old??

So many changes. Some are subtle, some not so much as he grows into who he's supposed to be. His tenderness grows more sophisticated, his interests are maturing, his tolerance for Mom and Dad's advice is waning, but at the heart of it all, I'm still in awe of this amazing 12-year-old, my son.

It's so cliche, but he's growing up so fast. Too fast.

The bright yellow head band he dutifully wore for soccer games when he was 6 is long gone. But soccer is still there, rooted within his body and soul.

The wedge cut and short spiky hairstyles have grown out, replaced by beautiful long silky locks. I keep wondering when he'll announce that he's ready for a short style again ... when the long hair will be another wonderful memory.

The Harry Potter and Lemony Snicket volumes -- and scores of other favorites -- are still on the bookshelf, having been read and re-read through the years. He still loves to read but these days more time is spent hanging out with friends -- usually Anthony.

The care and compassion for his 4-year-old brother and sister have blossomed. On a recent day he was in tears when we couldn't find Allie, who was hiding under a bed. When Zach cries at night, Blake comes to his side and tries to soothe him.

The relationship with his 8-year-old brother is becoming more complicated (is that just a nice word for they fight more nowadays?) as they both struggle to find their place in life, within the family, with friends, and with each other.

Homework is an inconvenience for him; it's often done at the last minute and he's still not the most organized person, yet he still gets straight A's.

Skateboarding proved to be a phase. Baseball was given up two years ago. Sending and receiving text messages is of utmost importance these days. In fact, I didn't notice it at the time, but as I looked through the pictures I took of Blake and his birthday celebration, there it is, in hand -- his cell phone.

Apparently he had to check his text messages as the rest of us sang Happy Birthday.

"Don't wait to make your son a great man - make him a great boy."
~Author Unknown

Soakin Up the January Sun

2009-01-25T19:39:00.013-07:00

Now that it's late January, we're entering what most of us locals would say is the best time of year here. While we still get a downpour of rain now and then and the clouds play an occasional game of peek-a-boo, temps in the 70s have dominated.

While I predict my relationship with my new home city will once again turn tempestuous come June, for now we're all enjoying the honeymoon time of year outdoors as we dig out our shorts (packed away only two months ago), jog and bike through the neighborhoods, and get the grills fired up.

I know relatives in frigid parts of the country -- Minnesota, Iowa -- are freezing their tails off right now. Some have accused me of rubbing it in -- our glorious weather, that is. But I like to think of our six months of perfection as our reward for enduring months of torturous 110+-degree days. It really is a trade-off when we live in a climate with such Jekyll and Hyde weather. Miserable for five months; divine the rest of the year.

So, with the sun smiling upon us, we embraced this past weekend outdoors. Blake had two soccer games (both losses, unfortunately), we played at the park, I went for a run, Blake and Nick went paint-balling with a few friends (and Brett) to celebrate Blake's upcoming birthday, and we fired up the grill.

It was a great weekend, as most are this time of year. Visitors are always welcome; we have a guestroom :)

I always love watching Blake's soccer games. Here he is in action:

I love this next one. Zach and Allie poking their cute little heads out the caboose. This is a little train at our community park.

The beautiful Arizona clouds. This is the view toward the east from the big community park.

Nicky and his friend Rickson have their ups and downs.

"The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet."
~James Openheim

10 Signs I'm Living With a Tween

2009-01-18T19:44:00.010-07:00

It's hard to believe, but Blake's less than two weeks away from his 12th birthday.

Brett and I have survived the sleepless nights, the potty training, the homework, the learning to read, the first sleep-over, the swimming lessons, the Chuck E Cheese's birthday parties, the learning to ride a bike, the trips to the emergency room -- all that kind of stuff.

But there's a huge aura of mystery that looms as we ponder the next six years and the warped obstacle course we'll be forced to fumble through as we take on the new role of being parents of a teen.

We have one more year of our oldest being a tween. One more year until that "w" is plucked from his title and we officially have a teen. Insert scream here.

We're frequently reminded that a tween is in the house -- more and more so each day. The first 10 things that come to mind:

Just last week I was asked to buy Clearasil for a tiny little bump that can barely be seen with the naked eye.
His friends get more face time with him than we do.
He doesn't get in the car without his Ipod.
He asks if he can get unlimited text messaging because 200 messages a month is just not possible. And he basically texts just his best friend.
Paintballing is the thing to do. Every time I see him surfing the net he's checking out paintball guns. What happened to squirt guns? Or even Nerf?
Coming home from school and eating two bowls of cereal is normal. I stock up when our favorites are on sale -- it's not unusual to see a dozen "extra" boxes in the pantry at any given time.
Brett and I are requested not to chaperone field trips. At this point we can still attend soccer games, but perhaps there will come a day when we'll have to don masks and wigs and hide behind trees.
The top requests for birthday gifts are gift cards and cash. But Blake, don't you remember how much you loved that magic set when you were 5? Doing those magic tricks with that cute top hat. Sigh ...
If something is wrong in his world, it is, of course, all Mom's fault.
Getting him to take a shower is no longer an issue. :)

London Bridge is Falling Down

2009-01-12T19:35:00.013-07:00

First things first ...

Our excitement over the weekend was -- grandparents, don't panic, everyone is fine -- Allie's trip to the Emergency Room.

We had a restaurant gift card stuck to the refrigerator, teasing and taunting us, so Saturday night we packed up the kids and headed to Scottsdale for dinner at Maggiano's. We had a great evening, which for us means the kids were well-behaved. No slinging meatballs or forks at each other. No simmering pre-pubescent attitude. No pre-school outbursts. No wine spills. And all four kids LOVED their dinner -- a rare feat.

So driving home Zach and Allie, still on their pizza bread and pasta high, start belting out "London Bridge is Falling Down."

Part way through the song they decide to hold hands as they sat side-by-side in their vehicle booster seats.

"London Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down."

Hands latched, the arms start swinging.

"London Bridge is falling down, my fair lady."

Squeals and giggles burst forth as the arm-swinging develops a little more motion.

"Take a key and lock her up," Zach is really getting into it now as his voice overpowers Allie's and he starts to add a bit of pull to his arm swing, which I notice as I turn back to steal a glance of this sweet moment.

"Lock her up, lock her up."

And then this is about where the singing stops and the blood-curdling screaming starts.

"My arm HURRRRTS," Allie bellows.

She is crying and screaming and has that puckered-up wounded face, which I seldom see on her. Like most moms, I've learned to distinguish cries. This wasn't a trying-to-get-attention cry, or a I'm-mad-at-my-brother cry, or this-hurts-a-little-bit cry. This was one of those rare I'm-in-major-pain cries.

We ask Allie to lift her hand.

"I can't move, move, move my arm." Allie stutters and sobs.

"OK, sweetie, try to squeeze my finger," I try.

Next comes a blood-curdling cry.

"It HURTS."

Brett and I look at each other. The last time we had to send a child to the emergency room was when Nick was a year old and broke his leg (another story for another time). I was there with him on a Friday night, just a few days before Christmas, for 8 hours.

Meanwhile, when we got home it didn't get any better. We gave her some Tylenol and an ice pack. Nope. More screams and cries.

Then Brett and Allie headed to the emergency room. As the boys and I sat and watched the Arizona Cardinals demolish the Panthers, I asked a forlorn Zach (he hates to see Allie in any discomfort; he really just got carried away) to show me how he grabbed Allie's hand. Demonstrating with my hand, he said that he grabbed her wrist with both of his hands and PULLED. Hmmm.

Miraculously, or maybe that's just how it is here, who knows, they got in within an hour.

We called and Allie seemed to be in much better spirits. She wanted to talk to me and Zach on the phone.

They talked and laughed. Zach was really busting a gut, it was just too cute. They were chit-chatting away then Brett gets on the phone, laughs, and tells me Allie was holding the phone with her "injured" hand.

And sure enough, the x-ray confirmed that all was well.