The Monsoon

It doesn't rain here much in the desert...in fact, until today, we had only had 4 inches of rain for the year (and that is about an inch more than we usually get). From June until September, we have the Monsoon season...this is basically our best chance for rainfall. It still cracks me up how everytime it rains, it is seriously breaking news on all the channels! I also can't get used to calling a thunderstorm a monsoon, but that's the desert for you. So, it rained on Thursday, and I let the boys go play in the puddles...they had so much fun! Isaac didn't understand why we were playing in water in the street and not the water in the pool!

Day of Play

Today, my friend Lindsey was called to jury duty, so I volunteered to keep her kids while she was gone. The kids had an absolute blast! We started off the day with a little dip in the pool. It wasn't easy keeping an eye on four swimming kids, but we managed. Then we went inside for a little snack then play time!!! After a gourmet lunch of dinosaur chicken nuggets and grapes, we got tattoos and then had a Wii bowling tournament. Then the kids had some arts and crafts time. We turned it into Christmas in July and made lots of ornaments, as well as some butterflies. Finally, we ended up with a little quiet time...the three oldest kids watched a movie while Isaac napped. It was a great day...thank God for well-behaved kids!!!

A.J., Hayden, Owen and Isaac playing

The Wii tournament

Putting the sparkle on the Christmas ornaments
(Isaac was a big help, as you can see)

Making butterflies

Getting ready for the butterflies' inaugural flight

And they're off!!!

Friday Night Fun

We were bored tonight, so after we went out to dinner, we stopped by the mall (my least favorite thing to do, especially on a Friday night). A.J. and Isaac kept watching the train go by and Isaac kept yelling "Choo-choo," so we finally decided to let them ride it! They rode in the caboose and the train goes all over the mall. Needless to say, they had a blast!

Bowling Banaza!

First, I have to apologize for the quality of these pictures. A certain little someone (not mentioning any names, but I'm sure you can figure it out from previous posts) tends to run off with my camera and gets fingerprints on the lens. ARGH!!! This morning, we were trying to figure out what to do, so we decided to give bowling a shot. We were pretty impressed by the facilities...they brought the rental shoes out to your lane for you, there were attendants that would come by and ask if you wanted anything to eat or drink or wanted more games, the bumpers on the lane automatically came up when A.J. bowled, but went down when Andy or I bowled, etc., etc. Plus, the games were only $0.99!!! Definitely can't beat that deal. A.J had fun, this being the first time he ever bowled. He was pretty consistent too, bowling a 74 both games. I think this will become a Saturday morning ritual!

Menace

So, this is what my little menace was up to today...

...yep, a whole box of Corn Pops. And please don't tell me how cute and innocent he looks!!!

Our Budding Artist!

Every once in a while, we try to do something special with each child. Since Andy had today off because the Fourth of July fell on a Sunday, A.J. and I decided to go on a date...we went to see Toy Story 3 and then went out to lunch. When we got home, this is what we found:

Isaac had decided to become Picasso with a pink highlighter all over the beige chair! Luckily, the covers come off and the stains came out in the wash...this is what happens when I leave Andy alone with the kids!!!

Children's Museum

Yesterday, the kids and I decided to go to the Children's Museum in Phoenix. The museum has opened some new exhibits since the last time we were there, and the kids had a blast!

Climbing the new 3-story tree house...it's a long way down!

Still making our way to the top

Driving the car

Playing with the pneumatic tubes

Playing in the new fort room

Riding through the bike wash