Summer in NYC

Peace and quiet

To prepare for our upcoming plane trip, we bought the kids each their own headphones. These are specifically made for kids by Kids Gear and they have a lot of positive reviews on Amazon. After Wednesday, we'll let you know how well they work. On a side note, we had ordered these from Amazon at 10:46pm using the super saver free shipping and they arrived the next day at 2:28pm. It's a good thing we didn't pay for upgraded shipping and I guess it helps that we have an Amazon distribution center in Phoenix.

Eye exam

I just had my eyes checked after almost 5 years since my last checkup and about 5.5 years since I had my PRK eye surgery. The doctor said that my eyes were 20/20 and that the results were basically perfect. I still think my right eye isn't as good (good being relative) as my left but overall I'm still very happy with the decision.

Summer fun

I can't believe I've been blowing all this time. Where has this invention been all my life.


Lauren showing some pretty form except she's right-handed and not left-handed.


Cole insisted on only using one hand.


Lauren frozen during freeze tag. Cole is about to unfreeze her. Then again, maybe not.

I'm 4 yrs old today!

Turning 4 yrs old has been a pretty significant milestone in my life. 4 yr olds can do so much more but at the same time the expectations also increased. For example, I don't get any more bunny crackers when I use the potty. I also can do more things such as climb the rock wall at the YMCA.

Itty Bitty Sports - T-Ball

A little stretching before starting.


The coach had them practice running around the bases.


Here Lauren is throwing in a group of 3. Some of the kids don't understand that the other person should be ready to catch the ball. Luckily most of the kids are not very accurate yet.


Lauren is running to first after hitting the ball.

I'm 2 years old today!

Finally I'm 2 years old now. Since I didn't get a new bed for my birthday, I'm beginning to wonder how long they plan on keeping me in the crib. My sister was already out of the crib before she was 2. Well just to recap my past 2 years.

527 photos to produce the 24 monthly photos
4 states (AZ, CA, NV, WA)
2 airplane rides
1 outpatient surgery
0 ER visits

Birthday treat

Cole at Sesame Street Live.

Itty Bitty Sports - Basketball

The second sport in the Itty Bitty lessons is basketball. Here Lauren is trying to shoot a hoop.


"Can we play soccer?"


Cole enjoyed dunking the ball.



"Who's ready to do suicides next week? They are just as fun as basketball."

Easter fun

We decided to check out the annual Ahwatukee Easter Parade this year. It consisted of mostly local groups (even the local TEA party) and lots of girl scout troops (brownies and daisies included). One common theme though was the passing out of candy and easter eggs which Lauren loved.


Here's a dance studio with their own float.


This was a boy scout troop.


The organizers of the free concert in the park series also had an Easter egg hunt. Here you can see Lauren and Cole hunting for eggs. There weren't too many kids in the 3 and under category.


Cole is enjoying all the loot he picked up. Turns out some of the eggs had money or gift certificates in them. We got four gift certificates for free frozen yogurt. Definitely beats jelly beans.

Pancake Art

We recently bought a pancake batter dispenser to be used for filling up mini cupcakes but since it was actually designed for pancakes, I thought I'd give it a try. I must admit I am not an artist and actually had a lot of trouble coming up with things to draw.


This was supposed to be a smiley face with two eyes but it looks more like an African soapstone sculpture.


Heart.


Flower


Car


Triangle. I told you I had an hard time thinking of things to draw.

I'm 23 months old today!

I can't believe I'm almost 2 yrs old. I heard I'm going to be going to see Sesame Street Live! I can't wait. I wonder if I'll get upgraded to a real bed and out of my crib just like Lauren did.

Ostrich festival time again

After attending last year, we are making the Ostrich Festival sort of a tradition. Last year Lauren wanted to go on the swings and this year we took her on the little ones.


Unfortunately Cole was too little so he had to watch from the side.


They even had a little Ferris wheel.


Lauren once again got to go while Cole waited on the ground.


You can see the bigger rides in the distance.


What's an Ostrich festival without some ostriches.


My favorite part.


Lauren enjoying her time in the dumbo ride that Cole finally got to ride in as well.


This year they had a Sea Lion show that was pretty good. Who needs Sea World.


They also had a little dog show but we missed that.

Itty Bitty Sports - Soccer

We signed Lauren up for Itty bitty sports which teaches soccer, basketball, and Tee ball. Lauren is raising her hand after the coach asked who knew how to do jumping jacks.



"Is that your ball or mine?"



Lauren is practicing her dribbling.



Time to score a Goal!

Transportation Day

Ever since last year's Transportation Day, we have been looking forward to this year's event. Only Lauren went last year but unfortunately, Lauren came down with Strep so only Cole got to go this year. Here you can see the helicopter and this year the firefighters hosed down the dirt patch so it didn't kick up when the helicopter landed.


This year we decided to watch the landing from within the school bus. A much safer bet.


"Dad, I don't know who that kid is but I think he just put something in my pocket"


Cole is checking out the helicopter.



The event even featured some biplanes.

"I can't believe they don't trust us to not touch the trains!"

"Officer I swear. I have no idea what this is in my pocket."

"I wonder if my car seat would fit in here. "