First swim of 2010!

I can't believe it, the kids got in the pool today! We've had the solar cover on for a week or two and it was a warm, sunny day today... the water must be somewhere between 65 and 70 degrees.

Way too cold for me, but they obviously couldn't wait any longer.

Holy **** it's raining!

Since leaving Florida in August 2008 to move back to the desert Southwest of Tucson, AZ, it feels like it just didn't rain in Tucson EVER. I kept telling Kirsten and the boys that we just missed the monsoons when we came to Tucson in late August in 2008 and to just wait until the monsoons hit during the summer of 2009... well wasn't I made a fool by the weather that summer. For whatever reason, (I'm sure it's directly related to global warming and associated climate change) we just didn't get any monsoon rains during the summer of 2009. It was sad and very disheartening for this water-loving family, 3/4+ pure Floridians and I felt like quite the idiot :(

Well, January and February 2010 have brought some welcome salvation from my idiocy! Tucson had the 8th wettest January in history this year... then February came along and we are now in the 4th wettest year in recorded history. Here are some pictures of what the precipiation looks like on the mountains (for good Spring water supply) and the kids LOVING the rain in the yard.

This is still highly uncharacteristic for desert rainfall patterns, but we'll take it!

Valentine's Day kisses

Happy Valentine's Day! The boys got candy lip thingies that made them look so funny, I just had to post this pic... so cute!

Grandparents Rock!

The boys are so lucky to have their Grandma and Papa a big part of their lives. They all have so much fun together. Here is a very good picture of Grandma and Papa with their grandchildren: Emmett (5), Harrison (3), and Lucy (1).
Kirsten is loving her new camera, thanks for a great picture babe!

Santa at the grocery store

We took the boys to a local grocery store where they were having a Holiday party/sale. Harrison's nose is green because they went to the cookie decorating table and ate their cookies before seeing Santa. There were also tables where you could write your letter to Santa, new ice cream flavors to sample, meat and cheese tray samples, green and red balloons being handed out. We had a great time even though you could barely walk through the aisles. Even bought some Wheat Thins for only $1.27 a box! They had a couple of other good deals, but that one was my favorite :) Our overall purchase shows price paid of $37 and amount saved of $33... almost 50% discount on a grocery trip doesn't hurt. Especially when you get both boys to see Santa at the same time without crying ;)

We moved to Tucson!

Well after much discussion and agonizing over many things, we decided to pursue a new chapter of our lives in Tucson, AZ. Aside from the fact that we made a move to a DESERT in the most intense heat of the summer, the move went as smoothly as a cross-country move with two small children can go!

The house we moved to has a huge pool that the kids love, we are close to Grandma and Papa and are enjoying their frequent visits and general assistance.

Kirsten will continue to stay home with the boys and now has the unenviable task of interviewing and finding a pre-K program for Emmett and a speech therapist for Harrison, while helping the kids adjust to a new life in a new place. Vanessa starts her new job on Monday (no rest for the weary traveler!) and is excited and nervous. This job is in a new industry, energy efficiency. She is opening the State of Arizona for a non-profit based in Massachusetts, and will be the AZ Program Director. The website is www.csgrp.com if you want to learn more.

Pictures of the new house to be added when we find the camera ;)

Neighborhood Playground

It seems our house has been deemed the gathering place of choice for the neghborhood children. The boys LOVE playing with all the big kids and it keeps everyone having fun and busy outside! The other kids vary in age from 7 to 12, and all of them seem to really enjoy playing with the boys. It helps that we have a very cool playground and some electric riding toys!

Of course they soak up the grown-up attention too, and the snacks :) Not sure what we'll do when it's warm enough to swim, I don't think we want to be running the neighborhood pool party everyday after school! Maybe I should have the other parents sign liability waivers

We joined the local CSA!

The farm is called Worden Farms, check it out at http://www.wordenfarm.com/

On Sunday, we attended a farm tour and member potluck. The food was great, the weather was beautiful, and the people were interesting and fun. If you are looking for a good book to read, try Pollan's "The Omnivore's Dilemma". I really enjoyed it and that book is what led us to the CSA (community sponsored agriculture, if you were wondering).

Here are a couple of great pics from the day:

Emmett the Turkey

Emmett had a Thanksgiving party at preschool yesterday. They had a great time, with lots of good food. Kirsten made these great sandwiches with turkey, stuffing and cranberries. She wrapped and cut them so nicely that the other parents were asking where we bought them :) She got some dirty looks when she reported that she had quickly made them herself, just that morning... Martha Stewart watch out (although, thankfully, Kirsten is not in danger of being arrested for insider trading!)

When Kirsten arrived to pick Emmett up from school, he was wearing his Thanksgiving craft and looked quite cute dressed as a turkey. He is doing great at school, the teachers love him. They say he is absolutely the kindest, most thoughtful child in their class and others. He's also very smart, the teachers have mentioned that we need to work hard to make sure that he is in a stimulating environment as he gets older. Just this week, he started writing letters and numbers with relative accuracy. He also is doing a lot of pre-reading by telling us "what" signs say, and identifying letters and themes anywhere there is anything written. He has also memorized a number of his books and likes to help us read them to him. What a big boy!

Oh and Emmett has become quite confident on his 2-wheel bike, with training wheels. He would ride off into the sunset if we weren't yelling behind him to turn around ;)

Harrison at the Park

Emmett's preschool is an affiliate of our local parks and recreation, and is located in a building that shares a campus with a great neighborhood park, Four Freedoms. When Kirsten takes Emmett to school, the boys usually have some park time before school.

Here's a picture of Harrison from yesterday. He really is starting to look like a little boy rather than a baby... I can't believe he is 18 months old now! He is a happy guy who loves to do exactly what his brother does. He waves at everybody, including passing cars and pets :) He loves watching birds, getting very exciting when he sees them.

The lump on his head is a result of his misplaced bravery on our swingset at home. He jumped for the monkey bars, missed, and fell about 5 feet to the ground, hitting his head on a piece of wood at the bottom of the swingset. Poor baby... unfortunately it didn't deter him from other climbing and jumping forays!

Never enough time...

This vacation reminded me yet again that I just don't get enough time with the boys. We had a such a good time, with no obligations, no schedules, no restrictions. Nothing like sitting in the sun in a beautiful park nursiing your baby while he takes a break from playing with his older cousins. And holding both boys while we chugged along on a hayride, pulled by a real farmer on a real tractor around a corn field. We are so fortunate to have these experiences together, but I always want more!

Columbus Day Parade

Eventhough all may not agree with our Country's choice to honor Columbus for his mistaken, not quite real discovery of America... considering others already lived here ;)

The kids still enjoyed a great, local parade in Cape Coral, FL with their cousins. Beaded necklaces and loads of candy... when can we go again, Mom?!