Shopping for Geodes

Today I went shopping with Kyle's teacher. We went to Black Market Minerals at AZ Mills Mall to go rock shopping. She was looking to get some geodes and other rocks to start their rock unit at school. I had promised the boys I would get them something while I was there so I bought each of them a large geode that they could break. One good hit with the hammer and they broke nicely! Here is a picture of one of the boys "rocks".

Valentines Day Party

Today was party day at school! All the kids had great fun handing out and eating their candy. Here are a few shots of Kyle in class enjoying himself. When I got home I had a nice surprise waiting for me, delivered via UPS. I got Mark an off road ATV guide of AZ and he is having a hard time putting it down.

Launching Boats at School

Since I have Wed and Thursday off of work I often volunteer my time in Kyle's class at school. The kids have been working hard the past few days on making boats out of misc. materials to float in "Lake Pathway" which really is a large retention basin near the school. Since we have gotten a bit of rain lately it has water to sail in. So Mrs. Browne and I march the kids off in the direction of the water, once there we try to find a nice spot to have the kids launch from. Well on the way we find that out path is riddled with very soft MUD! So nice and sticky that it took one of my shoes clean off my foot and was very hard to get out of the mud (took 5 tries). One kid threw his shoe in the water and on the way back to the school one kid slipped in the mud. It was a good launch but next time I think there needs to be a bit more thought in the planning stages....LOL.

Roasting Marsmallows

Tonight the boys had a friend over till about 8 pm. So I figured it would be fun to have a campfire and roast marshmallows for dessert. Can I say that as soon as I said marshmallow the kids were so excited, the only thing that would have made it better would have been if we had all the other makings of Smores. The kids did not seem to mind as they each took turns cooking their own marshmallows just the way they like them. When it was time for their friend to go home he did not want to go! I guess that is a good sign.

Does the tongue make it work better?

Most of the time when the boys are concentrating their tongues poke out of their mouths. We always tease them asking if it helps them do whatever they are doing. But like eye color and rolling your tongue I think it is hereditary. I often find that when concentrating on a difficult task I too will stick out my tongue. Today the boys were playing Wii and I caught both of them doing it (most of the time it is Bryce we catch doing it).

Super Bowl Sunday

What is more super than spending time with friends. We were invited over to a friends house to watch the big game this year. The boys loved the fact that there were other kids to play with and a pool table too. Everyone had a great time and the team Mark was rooting for won!

Rhino Rides Anyone?

Today we got to really break the Rhino in! We drove out to Rolls HOV Area just north of Saguaro Lake with Nana and Jerry. On the way out of town we picked up lunch/dinner and had a picnic lunch off the back of the Rhino. After lunch it was time to RIDE. Bryce was 1st to get a ride and Kyle and Uncle Jerry took a walk looking for fossils. Kyle got the 2nd ride of the day and while they were out Bryce and Nana went for a walk. Next Nana got a ride followed by Jerry then ME!
































Yep I went out for a ride on the Rhino. While Mark took me out I got a few shots of the Scenery and the sun shining thru the clouds. Once Mark and I got back Mark gave up control and let Jerry drive the Rhino down one of the trails.


Before we packed up for the night (it was almost 6 pm) Mark drove thru some puddles near where we parked with Bryce, Kyle and Jerry. Now the Rhino needs a BATH and so does Mark! It was a great Saturday spent outdoors with family.