Marci's Village

Summer Week 7

 

Read it from bottom to top

 

 

Double playdate. The four of them played well together.

We visited the newest library in Phoenix. A very modern building, which reminded me of some of the industrial buildings in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The kids signed up for their first library cards and we brought home this treasure:

Not the original edition (1935), of course, but a newer one. We've been reading one chapter a day. The TV series was a favorite of mine growing up (yes, I imagined myself dressed like Laura, having my hair braided, and running around green fields!). It's my humble attempt to transport my children into a time where life was hard and somehow children were much more resilient and content.

Finally, this morning we watched another great movie in the Summer Program! I can't wait to chat with Grandma and suggest that they watch it too, since it takes place during the Great Depression (Phillip was intrigued about that aspect of the movie). As I mentioned before, I really appreciate movies about smart girls and how they deal with loss and change.

Did you know?

Reading while wearing a chef's hat makes it ten times more fun?

 

 

Trying new recipes is also more interesting if one is properly dressed for the occasion?

 

We still play with big blocks (and love them!) around here?

 

Phillip and neighbor

It was a shiny Independence Day

 

 

I came home from work as fast as I could. Bruce had dinner in a container ready for me. A quick shower, some red, white, and blue clothes, and we were on our way! The firework show was cancelled in Glendale, so Bruce found a cool dead-end street for us to watch the Peoria show. There we sat in our chairs, I ate my potato salad, and we waited for the show. It' turned out to be a very enjoyable evening.

Crafting

 

Catching up

It's a challenge to sit up and blog when there is so much fun to be had out there! This past week flew by. We had a couple of playdates for the kids, the usual swimming, and a special program at the local library. Without further ado, here is the "Reptile Man":

 

Dragon bearded lizard

 

 

It's not a snake, but some type of lizard!

 

A male iguana. Kids loved the story about it still needing a "diaper" (a paper towel under it).

 

Snake - I wish I could remember the names of all these...

 

A ball python. This beauty is six years old and fifteen feet long! The kids were allowed to touch it.

Favorites

[Maya sitting on my lap] - Mom why do you love Phillip more than me? (She had a mischievous smile on her face, as if asking for me to disagree with her).

[Me reacting very dramatically} - What? No, no, no... You know "I love you ALL the same, bigley or littlely, boy or girl" - referring to this book, which they love.

(Both kids smiling big at this point).

[Me, adding my own version] - Crazy or Loco - I love you all the same!

Big laughs all around.  

Duh!

Yesterday I had a little problem driving to work. I noticed a "brake" light on my dashboard right away when I started the car, but being the optimist person that I am, I decided to just try driving and see what would happen. Everything was fine (except for the light still starring at me) until I got on the freeway. My beloved mini-van started shaking. First I turned off the radio and thought I was hearing a helicopter (very common on I-17), then I decided that maybe it was the back door that was unlocked. No. The shaking got really bad. I decided I was in trouble, so I took the first exit off the freeway.

I couldn't possibly call in at work, since it would be too late for them to find a replacement. I decided to still try driving like that. The car was no longer shaking, so I thought I would be fine. I took the commercial route, which I knew would have plenty of gas stations I could stop and ask for help if I needed.

I made it to work on time. I called my dear husband who was not very comfortable with the "shaking" part of my story and decided he would come to my rescue. After swimming lessons, accompanied by two hungry and tired little creatures, he came to the sunny uncovered parking lot under 100 degree weather to confirm what two of my female co-workers had suspected all along:

I WAS DRIVING WITH MY EMERGENCY BRAKES ON!

At least I got to have lunch with my lovely family in the hospital cafeteria. The kids were ecstatic they got to see "mom at work".

And, my question to one of my co-workers was: "Do all cars have emergency brakes?

By the way, the kids had been playing in my car the day before. Darn kids!

More birthday goodness

 

There are so many beautiful words contained in these cards... I am a lucky girl. And these are only about half of them!   

These are bookcovers made by Clarissa's mom, Dona Kaka. She's a great quilter in Brazil. My little notebook of recipes fit perfectly in the green one. The other one is soft and beautiful, just a perfect gift.

Birthday goodness

I had a wonderful 41st birthday, full of family activities. Bruce took the day off on Friday. We went to the Summer movies, lunch right after, then to the Science Center for a Lego exhibit, and dinner after a quick stop at home. I received many cards and well-wishes. I feel happy and blessed.

Last night we played Uno and laughed our heads off (Maya has a gift for getting the best cards and messing up everybody else's game!). The kids are happy to have me home this weekend. There has been lots of reading, some piano playing, a "puzzle fest" in the living room, and lots of building with Legos this morning (the little neighbor is here playing with them).

L i f e   i s   g o o d!

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

  

 

 

Maya had enough for the day

 

Zzzzzzzzzzz...

 

Fried ice-cream -- Yummy!

A special evening

Time spent with friends is high on my list of the things that bring me great happiness. Yesterday I had a great share of it.

 

Great wine (brought by Deanna - a new friend), a succulent (how did Patty and Cory know they are my favorite?), and a giant zucchini from Patty and Cory's garden.

   

Kids eating together

 

 

 

Foam lightsaber fights. Cory got really into it!!! It's over 100 degrees outside, but that did not stop them.

 

The kids watched a movie (Nim's Island -- my new favorite) while the adults chatted in the kitchen.

Patty's comment: - "Next time, let's pick a longer movie".