Summer Time Fun

I’m a little behind in my blogging. In May, it was abnormally hotter then usual. We were having 100 degree plus days. But kids still need outside time or they go crazy. So I had to think of some creative ways to go outside.

Of course, we made sure we went out earlier in the day. Also, we have a pool but some times going to the pool is just alot of work for a last trimester pregnant woman to get 2 kids ready for the pool, supervise and then help dry off and redressed.

So I was hot one day and needed an activity. I filled two spray water bottles (like you spray plants with) and gave each kid a spray bottle with one rule. The only rule is not to spray each other. They sprayed their selves, the slide, the fence and even my windows. Thanks for cleaning them, kids. They stayed out there for over and hour. And the next day Zander asked to do it again. Now we’ve been doing it once a week.

Here are some summer time fun pics.

Lexi having fun spraying

Oops pointed the wrong way, Lexi Lu Lu

Zander having fun spraying!

He even sprayed out the grim in the window track.

Their new bathing suits are so cute!

Children’s Museum of Phoenix Review

Recently our family had the opportunity to go to the Children’s Museum of Phoenix. (http://www.childrensmuseumofphoenix.org) I had heard some great things about the museum and was also considering it for an upcoming MOPS event. (for those that didn’t know, I’m a Mothers of PreSchoolers Coordinator for our church) So I was very excited when Dale emailed saying to thank his company for their support and contributions, the Children’s Museum of Phoenix

Lexi waiting in line in her stylish glasses.

was graciously offering a free day of admission for the employees and their family members. Normal admission is $9 for 1 year and older. I didn’t want us to miss out on this deal!

The Children’s Museum of Phoenix is located in the 70,000 square foot historic Monroe School building in the heart of downtown Phoenix. All exhibits are hands-on and interactive to engage the minds, muscles and imaginations of 0-10 year olds. Learning thru playing is GREAT!!!

We had a little line to get in but not too bad. They had chalk out, so that while we waited to get into the museum, the children could draw with the chalk on the sidewalk and under the covered area.

One of the first exhibits you see when you walk in is Whoosh!

Zander drawing on the side walk while we wait to go inside.

Although we waited to the end of the day, right before we left to try it out. Also, one of the first things you see is an wall of cd’s which looks very impressive and the sunlight coming in shines on them making them twinkle and very stimulating to any age. Whoosh! is like a bunch of pipes put together with wind in side so that when children put in neon scarves; they are pushed thru the pipes quickly and then they float down for the kids to catch.

An exhibit that we spent a lot of time in is Pit Stop. It had three levels of race tracks for toy cars. There was also a race car and motorcycle to play on. It also had like a gas pump slash rocket thing that the children enjoyed making the lights light up and flipping all the different switches.  There was this xylophone made of wrenches that the kids (and Dale) had a blast on.

Zander and Lexi on the motorcycle.

There was also Noodle Forest. It is a huge area with those gigantic pool-noodle like noodles hanging from the ceiling. As a mom to a 5 and 1 year old, this actually concerned me because once they were in there, I wouldn’t be able to see them at all. Call me paranoid or overprotective but that’s the first thing I thought when I saw it. Dale tried to stay with Zander and I kept Lexi in the stroller so that we wouldn’t loose track of them. This was fun but even with this method; Zander lost Daddy once and we had to track him down. Which made a bit of a panic for a minute and then we left the noodles.

Daddy helping Lexi with the Whoosh! exhibit.

The smaller of the two pipings for the Whoosh! Exhibit

Daddy and Zander in the Noodle Forest

Mommy pushing Lexi thru the Noodle Forest.

There was an awesome Art Studio there with lot of things to choose to do. I wish I had known this before hand since the only thing Zander wanted to do included getting completely covered in paint. My poor new van. Thankfully, we opt for a program that was scheduled.

Stuffee the mascot.

In the Junior League of Phoenix classroom, we were able to participate in the Body Basics with Stuffee program. We met the Museum’s health mascot, Stuffee. He helps children discover the importance of the heart, lungs and stomach, and how to keep each organ healthy. Zander seemed to enjoy this but this was really a bit over Zander’s and definately over Lexi’s head.  She complained to let us know she was ready to do something different. I loved the walls covered in children’s art and gave lots of ideas of things we could do next year for art.

There were several little exhibits in the halls that the kids love. One made lots of noise and the sand table was hit. But the exhibit that we spent the majority of our time in was the Place for Under-Threes. This is for the younger visitors and designed to meet the needs of infant and toddlers. It had a deck, slide, a kitchen/house play area, ball area, pillow area with books and just soo much. This was the whole family’s favorite area. Everyone had so much fun. There was a vent that had a sensor so if a child crawled or walked over it blew air, which was neat to see the children’s reaction. It had different things for sound and touch. There was just so much I’m sure we missed some of it but enjoyed all that we did.

Lexi over the sensored air vent!

Lexi in the ball area, catches her self in the mirror

One of the hallway exhibits.

Washers down a metal pipe..so loud but so much fun

Mommy, 30 wks pregnant, and the kids playing at the sand table.

Lexi and Zander loved the sand table.

We visited the cafe but there is not much to it so I would not advise to plan lunch there, maybe just snack. Also, having younger kids, I didn’t think that $9 was worth it for the ages of my kids since they could not participate in all that the museum had to offer. I think this is great for school aged, but not great for full price for infant to preschoolers. That’s just my opinion. As the museum continues to grow and open new exhibits and galleries, I’m sure my opinion will change. However for now, I’m glad I had a free pass for my 1 year old. =)

Overall, we had a fun filled family day!!  Daddy doesn’t always get to do our activities with us and I’m very glad that we all got to go together, have a blast and make new memories!

Zander’s Last Space Place

We have so enjoyed going to the Arizona Challenger Space Center. http://www.azchallenger.org Once every month from September to May they talk about a planet, have craft time and play time. May was the last month for Space Place till September. It was on Pluto. Although Pluto is no longer classified as a planet, they discussed this and why.

I’m hoping by us going every month for Space Place, this summer he will want to go the summer camp they have for Kindergarteners.

May, they also went outside and let off fizzy rockets. Take alka seltzer tablet and put in a film tube and fill with water. Put the lid on, set it down and walk away. POP!! A fizzy rocket. Zander loved this. Here are a couple pics of the fun.

Zander setting the rocket.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1 blast off!

Zander impressed!

Lexi’s Growing Up

Dale and I have both notice a big change in Lexi over the last few months. She is certainly developing a little personality complete with attitude. She is also developing very well in language, social and motor skills. And she IS a girly girl. I just wanted to take a few minutes to write down all the things she loves or doesn’t loves, so later we are able to cherish this time that goes by so quickly.

Zander and Lexi are two peas in a pod and best friends. I ponder about what the new addition means for them and the new baby. I hope that they all will get along as they do now. But for now it so awesome to see them play and love each other. If Zander is hurt or upset, Lexi will go over to him and

Zander and Lexi up to their mischief. March '09

hug him and offer her support. (Zander does the same for her) They are really great together! Of course they have their sibling fights, but they truly love each other.

Lexi also has a great bond with Mommy and Daddy. She is so lovable and adorable. And I can not imagine our family without her. She gives hugs and kisses. She had developed her own little games with each family member.

Lexi is enjoying books even more. She has a few favorites. She loves Corduroy On Wheels and Doreen Cronin’s books; especially “Giggle, Giggle, Quack”. She has started to bring us books and ask us to read. She will even say, “Book”.

Lexi "reading" Milly Molly Mandy. April '09

Lexi has several words she is able to say: mommy, daddy, ander (for zander), grammie, baby, quack, no, doggie, book, eat, ut oh. She will repeat almost anything she hears Mommy or Daddy say, which is not always good thing. She also has several words she signs: more, please, thank you..and understands banana, stop, help, sit, open, close, all gone,.. Recently, Dale was going off to work and had said good bye to all of us. As he opened the door to leave, Lexi started to half run half toddle (in that toddler way) right for the door saying, “no, no, no, no”. It was so very cute. She did not want her father to go to work. They gave each other a great big hug. Just thinking about it makes me smile. I hope to never forget that moment.

Lexi trying to convince Daddy not to go to work. Good luck, Lexi! Feb '09

Lexi drawing while Zander does Home School. Feb '09

Lexi looooves to draw which probably is because Zander does. But nevertheless, she will climb, jump, look under furniture or do what ever it takes to find markers. I never had an issue with Zander writing on anything he was not suppose to. However, Lexi

Lexi searching for markers. April '09

has been a challenge. She likes to write on anything, books, paper, floor, walls, whatever she sees is her canvas. We are working very hard to correct this quickly. =) She gets markers all over her and all over her clothes every time she has some. We do have and let her use crayons, chalk and pencils but she prefers markers and will make it well known. =)

She is a lil helper and wants so bad to help. After meals and snacks, we have Zander take his plate to the sink. Lexi tries to do this but is just not tall enough to get to the sink. If you don’t watch, she will then put it in the trash can, she can reach that. Give her a rag and she will wipe anything you ask. She gets up on a stool and really wants to help with dishes.

Lexi after dinner "doing the dishes" Feb '09

I’m just a few weeks away from giving birth and when I point to my belly and tell her, “baby”; she will cross her arms, shake her head, and say, “no”. She is also checking out the option of little tantrums. So far nothing major but can see that she is testing the water to see what she can get away with.

She is just into riding the little cars. Zander loved those baby push/ride on cars. But Lexi is just now learning how to push her self across the room.

She can unzip, unsnap and get her nightclothes off. She seems to think this is hilarious. She especially loves to unzip and zip back. She also tries to put her shirts on by herself.

Helping clean up after dinner. March '09

She loves music (as our whole family does). She loves to dance and pretend her finger is a microphone (when brother is hogging the plastic one). While watching/listening to an American Idol sing, she put her hands up like a ballerina and twirled on her toes. How does a little girl just know to do that? Zander never did that till he saw his sister do that. We will play the radio and she just naturally begins to dance.

She (like her brother) loves to talk on the phone. Anything can be a phone. Both of them, at this age use their hand when they can not find or get to a toy one. In the van, they pretend to talk to each other on the phone. Lexi will put her hand against my (or Dale’s) face and want me to pretend to talk on her pretend phone.

Lexi loves the pool–loves being in water. If she hears the sliding door open, she will come a running to see if the person is going into the pool area. She almost out runs her brother to get into the pool. She does not like floats (unlike Zander at this age) She wants to play independently on the steps or be in some one arms totally in the water. Recently, we bought a small pool and both children play it in quite regularly. They love to splash and play with the water toys. And she also loves her baths. Several times she has gotten out her baby bath tub and just played in it, with her clothes on; no water of coarse.

Lexi getting a bath in the sink. May '09

Lexi getting a bath in her baby tub. She loves this tub. Feb '09

Lexi loves shoes. If you get her shoes, she will head straight for you. She likes to try to put them on. She likes to try on other family member shoes, too. She also like purses. She has one from Grammie Sackrider that she carries and she likes to go thru

Lexi playing with Zander's hair. March '09

mine. She will climb to get to it. She will pull over a stool, chair or whatever to get to it. She also loves to play with hair. She does not pull or get rough. She just likes to pat and put her fingers thru hair. She such a girly girl. Although, I probably shouldn’t (hehehe) when I put lip gloss on she asks for some and I do put a little on her lips. She thinks this is the best.

She is totally ready to be potty trained but mommy is holding her back until the new baby arrives. I am afraid that she will regress after the baby comes so I’m wanting to wait till her birthday. I see all the signs though. She tells you when she’s dirty and she’s holding her pee. Guess its time to find the little potties.

Lexi is very particular about what she likes to eat. She loves yogurt, crackers, and has to have a banana for breakfast. She does not like meat and is picky about her veggies. She loves fruit. Her absolute favorite is blueberries but not so fond of cantaloupe. Some times she will eat cheese and some times she will not.

She hasn’t always been, but recently she has become a snuggler. Whether its me during the day or Daddy during the evening; whoever is sitting, she wants to be in your lap. She seems to not care if you are up and doing something; she won’t ask to be held, but as soon as you sit, she asks to be in your lap.

Lexi knows how to ham it up for a camera. April '09

I have never had any trouble sending her to bed. She loves to sleep. You put her in her bed and she says, “AHHHHH” as you cover her over with her blanket. She sleep thru the night. It is very rare for her to wake up but if she does its usually because she does NOT feel well.

Miss Cutie at Applebee's. Feb '09

Lexi, you sure are growing up fast. Mommy just wanted to write a few things to remember this time. It goes so quickly. It seems just like yesterday I was pregnant with you and now in just a few short months you will soon be two. I love you very much, Princess.

Mother’s Day ’09

A little late on bloggin this, but wanted to make sure that I wrote about it so that I would remember this day years from now.

This Mother’s Day started a little rough but turned out so well! Being pregnant you have good days and bad days. I wasn’t feeling well in the morning. I had a bad cold and my sinuses were going crazy and couldn’t breath. But Dale knows I love a good road trip. So we ended up heading for much cooler weather. We decided to go Prescott, AZ. We chatted on the way up and rolled down the windows once we hit Prescott. We went from 100 degrees to 70 degrees and a beautiful breeze.

Prescott View

Once we arrived in Prescott it was lunch time and Dale took me to my favorite restaurant, Red Lobster. I love seafood. But having a cold, I couldn’t taste very much. The children were a little fussy. Lexi had an explosive diaper and I was soooo glad it was Mother’s Day. Dale had to take Lexi in the bathroom and try to get her cleaned up. Her outfit was not salvageable. But all in all lunch went well and enjoyable. At least to me. =) Dale might have a different outlook.

Zander touching a lobster at Red Lobster.

Since we were feeling a beautiful breeze, Dale remembered that I had not ever flown a kite. So while we went to Target to pick up something for Lexi to wear; we also picked up two kites. We got one Lighting McQueen/Cars and one Elmo kite. They were very inexpensive to my surprise. As we checked out, we asked for directions for a place to fly the kites.

Putting the kites together.

We ended up at a park not far way and used the outfield of the baseball field to begin our fun. It was gorgeous outside and we were all glad to be enjoying it. Dale put together the first kite. It did not take long and Dale had it flying up in the air. Zander

Dale showing Zander how to fly the kite.

took to this quite fast and was a pro before long. He was running around and loving flying a kite. While Zander flew the Cars kite, Dale put together the Elmo one. This one seemed not to want to fly. We gave it to Lexi to “fly” since she was feeling a bit left out. But she was having fun chasing the tails. She also thought it was fun to step on the tails and thought this was hilarious that it kept the boys from getting the kite into the air. It was awesome to see Zander so proud of himself flying a kite and its always nice to see Dale’s blue eyes sparkle when he’s happy, hehehe

After spending a couple hours of flying the kite that worked, we packed things up to head home. But not before we headed into a Dairy Queen for each of us to have a vanilla cone. What a great day way to end the beautiful day!! Thanks family for making it a great Mother’s Day.

Zander flying a kite. That sure didn't take long.

Lexi grabbing the tail.

Lexi having fun with the kite.

Dale snapped a pic of me flying my first kite.

Wildlife at our Library

Thank you Glendale Library and Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium for teaming up and giving the community’s children a free way to learn, respect and encourage a love for animals.

A few months back, the Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium (www.wildlifeworld.com) made a visit to our local library. It was an awesome opportunity for us to take advantage of. And although the auditorium was not packed out; approximately 75 children ranging in ages all seemed to have a blast.

Two employees from Wildlife talked and showed off a several of their residents including a boa constrictor, Madagascar hissing cockroaches, a sugar glider and a baby alligator, just to name a few. The children were able to touch, see, hear some facts and ask questions for each animal shared.

Here's the Alligator

the Boa Constrictor

For my two, this was awesome. Both Zander, 5, and Lexi, 1, love animals. They were very curious. Zander asked a few questions and even wanted to hold one of the Madagascar hissing cockroaches. This he did not get from his mom. lol It held their attention and was very educational. Even Dale and I enjoyed the event. Even more we enjoyed seeing the children smile, laugh and enjoy learning.

Zander, proud after he asked a question.

Lexi, loving the animals.

To sweeten the deal, they handed out coupons to every child their for free admission to the zoo. What a great night we had.