Mitch reprised his role as a pirate for maybe the 5th year. Shan went as a sassy cowgirl!
It was a school night, but the neighborhood did the usual group trick-or-treating loop. A happy, hyper bunch of kids!
31 October 2017
30 October 2017
Accolades
Last week we had conferences with the kids' teachers. Bryan and I left feeling good about the little people we are raising. Today the week began with them earning some awards at the school assembly.
Shannon was recognized as student of the month in her class for the trait of trustworthy. We are very pleased that she displays this quality at school and hope she will continue to work on being honest throughout the year! We'll get a clearer picture when she gets her plaque.
During the assembly, Mitch was recognized as being a top reader as well as the first student to earn a Junior Joggers shirt for the year! He has earned 130 tickets in this first quarter and assures me he'll reach 140 in the final 2 days. Uncle Russ promised him some money at year's end if he reaches 300 and I think it's safe to say he'll have to pay up!
Mitch also was awarded a classroom award from Mrs. McNeill. She wrote, "For his perseverance and effort to learn more in math and reading. Mitch is thoughtful and helpful to others."
We are so pleased with both our kids!
29 October 2017
Scottsdale Wedding Weekend
We got to take a long weekend to Scottsdale and were delighted to escape to the sunny south! We left after a half day on Thursday and took Friday off (Bryan not so much - an AD is never really "off duty"!). It was great timing for a break!
Friday morning we went to the zoo!
After our last trip to the Phoenix zoo, the kids were so disappointed not to have seen the komodo dragon so it was actually our first stop. He was awesome!
It was pretty clear that McCloud would have made a snack out of us if given his druthers! This was Mitchell's favorite part.
The squirrel monkeys were charming and came right up close to us. Shan loved this part best!
We spent a lot of time watching the orangutans and this mandrill was particularly handsome. The rhino from our previous visit was gone and replaced with a shy version. The big cats were sleeping and we didn't feed the giraffes again. Still, we had a great time!
Shannon like the flamingos.
There was also a dinosaurs in the desert exhibit with huge prehistoric lizards and Jurassic Park music. It was pretty cool - especially for a certain 2nd grade boy!
Equally cool was finding a lizard of their own in the plants beside the faux giant versions.
We wrapped up the zoo morning with a spin on the endangered species carousel.
These were some tired and warm kiddos! So we went to lunch at the Sugar Bowl and happened to park next to . . .
Baseballism! It was like the faithful flocking to Mecca. Bryan brought his dad back the next day for another visit.
The kids and their dad and grandpa enjoyed some pool time in the hotel's saltwater pool.
Warm weather, cool water and no sunburns - a win!
Saturday morning we had a brunch at Dianne's with Bob's family. Then we went to the McCormick-Stillman Railroad park. There we enjoyed a lively model train display, as well as the fancy Pullman car that was used by Presidents Hoover, Roosevelt, Truman and Eisenhower.
It was certainly impressive for the time, but such tight quarters!
The other cool item at the park was a Merci Train car - a 48! - that was gifted from France following WWII. Many of the contents were also on display in the museum.
Saturday afternoon was Alecia and Carlos's wedding. The kids were not thrilled about dressing up for the event...
They managed to fake it for pictures, though, and we let them change before the reception.
Mitch enjoyed being the paparazzi during the reception, even stalking the bride and groom for a bit. He also took many photos of the dance floor and our relatives. Pretty cute kid.
We found a lime tree!
And a cheesy sister!
Aunt Rachel was in the bridal party.
Waiting for dinner
Screw balls!
We flew out of Mesa early Sunday morning. More kid photography - each cactus was individually captured by his lens!
We weren't smiling when we landed in Pasco sans baggage. Still waiting to hear about its whereabouts...and doubting the likelihood of its return. However, a grand trip with beloved family from AZ and MN! Congrats to the Alfaros!
19 October 2017
Neighborhood Pumpkin Carve & Chili Feed
Of course the night we plan to do the neighborhood chili feed and pumpkin carve we have a rain storm. Nevertheless, we persisted (!) and had a great time. How very fortunate we are to live in this neighborhood: such a variety of folks on the political spectrum and yet we all manage get along. Huh. Anyway, I digress...
Mitch helped Audrey clean out her pumpkin's guts. In return, she held a flashlight for him to see as he worked on his.
The carving crew!
It was not only wet, but dark by the time we were done. Still a great time was had by all - and so much good food was eaten!
Mitch collected seeds to plant next spring so maybe we'll grow some pumpkins of our own!
Shan chose a complicated cat silhouette pattern for her pumpkin. There were tears, but Bryan managed to save the day!
This photo doesn't show how actually dark it was. We finished up by the lights of cell phones and flashlights.
Ta-da! Happy kiddos!
18 October 2017
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