Reading and Magnets

Emily called me in to see the picture she made of herself, and this was the result. She used the shape magnets we have to make an image of herself:) She especially wanted to point out the long hair. Lately she has been very obsessed with her hair and that it is long. She loves to brush and comb her hair as well as her barbie doll's hair.

Darrell and the kids enjoying some afternoon reading.

Phoenix Zoo Trip

A month or so ago we enjoyed a day at the Phoenix Zoo. It was a lot of fun. The kids enjoyed playing on the playground and seeing the animals. We hit all the major attractions - the Sting Ray Bay, the Merry Go Round, the Playground, and the Giraffee encounter. The Giraffee encounter was my favorite. The kids all got to feed the giraffess and it was so fun. Sarah loved it, she giggled every time the giraffee's tongue took food from her fingers.

One of the playgrounds includes a "spider web" to climb on - the kids really enjoyed that.

Sarah mostly just liked to watch the other kids play - too many kids in an unfamiliar place:)

Derek's 6th Birthday:)

My little boy is 6! I can hardly believe it! It's amazing how fast the time flies. Derek is such a wonderful boy. He is a quick learner and asks a million questions. I am astonished at the concepts he can grasp with very little explanation. He is a good helper around the house, not always immediately cheerful, but he does a good job. He often wants Darrell to let him do "big people" chores when outside working in the yard.

As you can tell from cake, presents, and shirt...Derek LOVES star wars and legos. The book is all Star Wars lego sets and then of course an actual lego set. He has sooo many legos I don't know what to do with them all. Darrell says they are the only toy a kid needs:) I love my little boy!

Desert Fun

Going to the desert...a favorite pass time for Darrell and the kids. I go too, but it's not my favorite. It is nice to get out of the house and I like watching the kids explore the world around them. Derek and Emily bring home so many rocks...I find rocks everywhere. In the car, in beds, on the floor, in the couch...everywhere! Darrell has shared his love of rocks with them and they have embraced it!!

Of course you can't have an outing without snacks. I brought some blackberries and Sarah LOVED them. She was eating those berries like crazy.

Sometimes it is nice just to get out of the house and enjoy being outside. It gets a little claustrophobic in our house.