4th grade concert

Wednesday Ben had a concert at school. Luckily I was able to get off work for it (Ben must have asked me 1,333,235 times if I was coming). My mom and Kim met me there with Evan. I already knew most of what they were singing (Ben likes to sing), but I still loved it.

Ben was so excited that he didn't even mind wearing a shirt and tie (thanks Kahea for getting a picture up close).

Can you spy Ben?
In this song he got to play a drum. I had to hold Evan back (he wanted to play the drum too).

I love this boy.

Sunday

was Balloon Day. Per Xander and Michael, Balloon Day is always celebrated the Sunday after Valentine's Day. They started this tradition a few years ago - when Ian and I started getting them balloons for Valentines Day. I think they actually like Balloon Day better than Valentines Day, although it should be called Balloon minute, because that's about how long it takes to let the balloons go.

Xander got to let the first balloon go. Notice the airsoft gun in his hand.
Evan liked letting the balloons go, but after it was done he wanted them all back. He threw a fit, which made me wish we had done Balloon Day while he was napping.

Xander also got to let the bunch of balloons go. I'm not sure why, probably because he's Xander and has a way of getting his way. Notice him shooting at the balloons. He managed to shoot a few, but not enough to stop the bunch.
I'm not sure the day lived up to the hype the boys were giving it, but they sure had fun.

And that's what matters.

Thursday

I went to the Renaissance Festival with Xander's class. I don't know if you can tell from his face in this picture, but the day did not start out well.

I thought I was going to spend the whole field trip with my son being mad at me, but luckily he soon snapped out of it.

One of my favorite things there was the glass blower. The whole process was fascinating to me. The boys however, were quickly bored so I didn't get to see the end product.

You're never too old to dress up.


This stick game was a favorite. Too bad it cost so much to actually buy the sticks. The boys could have stayed there for hours.

The Wylde Men show was by far the best. Is there anything better than comedy combined with mud wrestling? I think not. I'm sad I didn't get a picture of the drummer - he was awesome.

Anytime Xander can pet an animal, he is in heaven. He could have held this goose for hours.

Michael told me he can talk to birds. He wasn't kidding. That boy cracks me up.

You gotta eat a turkey leg at the Renaissance Festival. The boys looked forward to it all morning.

After they bought their swords (with their own money, might I add). Michael, Xander and H took a shot at throwing Chinese stars. The guy at the booth told them to turn around and bawk like chickens - which they did. No questions asked. It was a great photo op. Btw, H's mom is a talented artist. Check out her blog here.

Stephanie (H's mom) took this picture of me and my boy(s). Michael is the son I never had :)

I like this picture of me because I'm wearing my favorite jeans. They are the softest most comfortable pair of jeans I have ever owned.

When we were getting ready to leave I got a group shot with Xander's teacher. She's so much fun.

Favorites of the Festival included:

-Wylde Men show

-The jousting tournament (even though our guy lost)

-chocolate covered strawberries

-the falconer

But most of all...spending time with my son :)

Hula Fun

The other day at Target Ben talked me into buying a hula hoop. O.k., really he just asked and I said, "YES!" because hula-hooping brings me joy.

Later that day while we were waiting for Ben's science experiment to work, we had ourselves a little contest.

I will admit that Ben has some good moves. It helps that he has my ghetto booty.


Even though it looks like it, I am NOT surrendering to the cops in this next picture. This is the picture Ben took of me hula hooping. Right after I said, "Remember to get the hula-hoop in the picture!" Which he totally forgot. Just like he forgot his lunch today. And he forgot his backpack at his friend's birthday party. And he forgot...nevermind, you get the picture.

I look tired in this picture. I'm not going to lie, that's what having 4 boys does to you - it makes you tired. All. Of. The. Time.

Here is Ben's second attempt. I LOVE this picture of me. Mostly because I know Ian will hate this picture of me. In fact, I think I'm going to use it as my Facebook picture. I like irritating Ian. It brings me joy. Plus it makes our marriage spicy.

I won't tell you who won the contest...you'll have to guess. Also, Ben and I decided we need another hula hoop. Because then we can challenge each other.

Man that kid is fun...he's my favorite. (JUST KIDDING XANDER!)

Wilderness Fun

Today we went hiking.

We went to the Superstition Mountains. The hikes there are steeper and rockier, but so much fun. Everything is green and beautiful.

Evan liked it at first. Then he discovered that it was much more fun riding on my shoulders. It's times like those that I really miss Ian. My shoulders were burning after 5 minutes. Then I switched off holding Evan, making him walk and then I'd put him on my shoulders. I think I got a pretty good work out.

Xander is looking for water. We've done this hike before and have always hiked to the spring. But today, we had Evan and Molly and it just wasn't happening. Plus the rocks by the spring are slick and steep and I could just picture one of the kids falling in.

I love James' smile. The boys were relaxing after our long hike.

Evan and Emmy taking in the beauty of nature. Not really. Emmy cracks me up. At one point I had Evan on my shoulders and she asked if I could hold her too.

I had hoped to wear the boys out. That didn't happen, but we all had a great time. Next time, I think I want to hike it with just Ian and try to go to the top of the mountain. I might be able to do it if I'm not carrying a 30 lb. toddler on my shoulders.

Or maybe that's just wishful thinking.

P.S. Notice Ben is wearing flip-flops. I'm trying for Mother of the Year.

Stars

Tonight Max, Ben and I went on an optional field trip with his class. First we had dinner at Burger King (one of the families in his class owns it). Then we went to the Gilbert Observatory where we saw Mars, Orion's nebulous, the seven sisters and an asteroid. And we ate some kettle korn. It was awesome. I couldn't take pictures at the Observatory (the flash was too bright) but I got a few at BK.

Here's Max with his Valentine. Their romance has cooled (she wrote him a Valentine saying, "I already have a Valentine, but you can be my friend!") but they are still good friends.


Ummmm....what boy wouldn't love this! Way to go, Max!

Half of his class showed up at BK. Can I just take a moment to say how much I love his teacher? She is kind and soft spoken, yet exuberant and fun! The perfect teacher for my boy! We really lucked out.
Even though I was exhausted after work, I'm so glad we went. It was interesting and fun. And I had a blast hanging out with Ben and Max. A perfect end to my day!

Blessings

This little boy had a rough day today. Which caused his grandma & aunt to also have a rough day.

Today I feel thankful for:

a loving & patient grandma

a loving & patient aunt

a thoughtful sister in law

a husband who makes me laugh so I don't cry

a brother who is patient

children who do their chores (without being reminded)

most of all...

I'm thankful tomorrow is a new day.

A trip to the State Capital

Last week I got to go with Ben on a fieldtrip to the state capital. I haven't been there since grade school.

Here's the seal of AZ. This is the view looking down from the 3rd floor balcony. It's interesting because this seal is missing 2 things that are on all other AZ seals. I learned on this fieldtrip, people!

Ben looking at the seal.

Standing in front of some petrified wood in front of the capital. Neat, huh? My favorite part of this fieldtrip (besides spending time with Ben) was going into the state senate and watching the senators come in. The kids were so excited - it was like they were watching celebrities!

Ben's class. Where's Waldo, I mean Ben? Hint: Look for the bright yellow shoe laces.

Another great part of this fieldtrip was hanging out with my friend Kahea. She's so much fun to be around. She took this picture of Ben & I. I think I look a little too happy and have crazy eyes.

It's always a great day when I can spend it with one of my kids.