Rhyming

Sarah (singing): Water in your mouth you can drink by yourself!

Sarah (now talking): That's my song. It's about food!

(Sarah has come up with several spontaneous rhyming songs already, but this was the first one I was able to write down before forgetting it. Note: mouth and yourself rhyme when Sarah sings it.)

Walking In Water

When Stephen stepped into the water at first he cried for a second, but then thought about it and went right back in. I knew Mama wouldn't like him getting wet feet but stomping in water is definitely an important part of childhood.

Zoo Carousel

This carousel at the Phoenix Zoo was for endangered species and each animal represented was an endangered species - American bald eagle, tiger, etc. Except for one.

Papa: I did not realize that the flying dragon was an endangered species.

Ticket girl: Yeah, I know, it's one of my pet peeves...

Anyway it looked like fun from the outside, but the kids didn't really like it, and it made Mama dizzy.

The Ducks

Papa: I think Stephen's favorite part of the zoo today was the ducks.

Stephen: (Quacks)

Sarah's Favorite

Mama: Sarah, what was your favorite part of the zoo today?

Sarah: My favorite part was playing with Stephen, and the animals, and... (sees clothes rack) and the clothes!

Zoo Pictures

Looking At Some Birdies

Up Close With A Giant Tortoise

The Kids Loved This Old Jeep

And Playing In This Human-Made Cave

We Saw 15+ Cute Little Monkeys In Here

The Kids Managed To Hold Down
This Bronze Lizard

Yep, They Had Giraffes

Stephen Loved Bouncing On
This Suspended Bridge

Sarah, With New Friend And Her Mom

Phoenix Zoo

We went to the zoo today. The kids loved seeing all of the traditional animals, like monkeys, a baby elephant, a tiger,  lions, zebras, giraffes, big hairy orangutans, and even a real Big Bad Wolf. They also got to ride a carousel (although neither kid liked that) and play in some great caves and another play area with a bit of water Stephen found to splash in.

Sarah made a friend in the last hour we were there, another 3-year-old girl, and the two were holding hands and running around everywhere together, which was a nice added touch.

And on the way out, we noticed some things that we didn't manage to see, which means we'll have something to look forward to for next time.

Then back at home... Mama had some delicious beef and veggies in the crock pot, which we tore into like ravenous wild beasts. Yum!

Cold

We thought we were leaving the cold behind in Ohio when we returned to Arizona, but were welcomed by Arizona's worst cold spell in 25 years.

Stuff is freezing and pipes are bursting all over the valley (not ours, thank goodness.) Still, it felt slightly balmy after the cold and snow of Chardon, Ohio.

Playing On Couch

We had these (previously mentioned) couches that Mama had seen on the curb and wanted us to pick up. She eventually changed her mind after enough times of sitting down to about 18 inches below where you would normally want to. Now the couches are outside waiting for us to drag them back to the dumpster.

Great For Climbing

Yes, This Did In Fact Turn Out Badly

Way Too Early

Sarah (heard through bedroom door, early in the morning): Open your eyes! Bricela, open your eyes! Open your eyes, Bricela!

(Poor Bricela.)

Just Go, Mama

Sarah (entering kitchen with her Tia Bricela): Mama why don't you just go, because Bricela and me needs to eat, and play! So why don't you just go!

Mama (laughing): Um, OK Sarita!

(Sarah loves spending time with her aunt Bricela.)

Uncle Bo's RV

Uncle Bo has been working on a cool project designing and building awesome, high-end conversion vans (think miniature luxury motor homes).

Here is an article detailing some of the progress being done.

Bo And One Of The Vans On Our Recent Visit

Don't Go

Sarah (almost crying): Papa I don't want you to go to work because I want you to stay right here! Don't go Papa, I miss you!

(This has to be one of the greatest pleasures of having kids.)

Happy And Sad

Mama: Sarah, when you're happy, I'm happy, and when you're sad, I'm sad, because I don't like it when you're sad.

Sarah (looking Mama in the eyes): Mama, when you're sad... I'm happy! Because I like it when you're sad!

Spinning In The Kitchen

Grandma And Grandpa Would Be Happy
To See How Much Use We Are Getting
Out Of The Sit-N-Spin

Door Jumper

Milk

Stephen (smacking lips)

Mama: Stephen, ¿quieres lechita? (do you want milk)?

Stephen (grins and nods)

College

Papa: Bricela, remember that college is also a time to go to parties and have fun.

Sarah (to Bricela): I can go to a party with you and dress me up like a rabbit!

Doll

Sarah, to Bricela: Y me traes una muneca que no llora! (Bring me a doll that doesn't cry!)

Bricela leaves for weekend.

Bricela returns after the weekend.

Sarah (first words out of her mouth): Y mi muneca? (Where is my doll?)

Geese

Sarah: Look at the birdies! (Points up at flock flying overhead)

Papa: Those are geese!

Sarah: Geese? (eyes wide) Geese eat us!

(Why does Sarah think this?)