Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Gateway drugs

Waking up at 6am has been tough on all of us. Sadly, Parker has been hitting the hard stuff lately.
and it always ends badly.


Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Fun in the Perpetual SUN!

We have this ongoing joke, that really isn't much of a joke but something we say and laugh at in a strange, ironic, slightly depressing way..."It never rains in Arizona." For example, I said it yesterday to Hailey when I had to throw away her Dora umbrella that had been destroyed over time and wouldn't block a sprinkle. And we say it when we are reading the signs people hang on street poles announcing garage sales and block parties and they are written with no fear of the paper wilting in the morning dew, or the ink running in the impending thunderstorm. We say it when we plan outdoor activities for the weekend and have a passing thought about the chance of bad weather. And I think it EVERY SINGLE MORNING when the glorious, life giving sun shines through the skylights that adorn the ceiling above my bed.


We have seen a grand total of 2 days of real rain since we moved here in July. TWO DAYS! And one of them was Parker's birthday. And strangely, it seemed like Mother Nature's gift to P. Diddy, a day of quiet, soothing rain. Phoenix has had 2.75 inches of rain this year. Not this month. Not this week. THIS YEAR! Apparently the heavens don't do a whole lot of crying out this direction.


So we seek out the 'rain'. Splash pads they call them. Last week I took Hailey and Parker there after picking up big sister at school.


Now that Parker is walking, he loved it! No fear for this boy.

Hailey always has great plans for running in the water and splashing around, but without fail we get there and she REFUSES to get wet. Avoids the spray at all cost.


Not Parker, he was right in the middle of things.



First you must scope it out and make a plan.



Strike a pose, there's nothing to it...vogue.

Couldn't you just eat this face?



And then....IT GOT HER! She thought she could jump up before the water started but she was outsmarted by the giant snake head. And she L-O-V-E-D it!!

Gone are the days of swimming in our backyard pool. Which is fine cause its crap anyway. But it is actually too cold to swim in. I KNOW! I NEVER thought it would happen. But we tried the other day and I never got past my feet and Hailey's lips turned blue. And today was the final day for the splash pad to be open for the season. Weird considering it was still 100 degrees today.


Wednesday, September 23, 2009

MISSING
Have you seen me?
My owner misses me desperately and is willing to offer a reward for anyone who locates me in the general Phoenix area.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Celebrate good times- COME ON!

Parker had a SUPERB first birthday this past Saturday. Grandma was here from Idaho for the weekend and the two families that we have become good friends with came over to party it up!

I dare you to tell me that this is not THE cutest little man you have ever seen!


P Diddy's day started with smiles and hugs...and of course, balloons...

I am left to wonder why we bother with presents when all he really needed was a few, strategically placed, shiny decorations.
He shopped a little...

cleaned a little...

and did a little cookin'. Such a good husband I am raising.

Grandma was the ultimate recipient of Parker lovin'- he RARELY hugs me like that!

And then the party began.
Hailey and Ella got their groove on,

while Emily made sure she was appropriately accessorized.

Parker and Dimitri cruised the strip, making sure they got some love from the ladies.


Hailey and Zoe sang a rousing rendition of 'Happy Birthday' and earned their horribly blue cupcakes.


After a meal of his favorites- mac & cheese and avocado- the little man was given his cake. At first he was apprehensive...


but it didn't take long for the demolition to begin. And while he loved destroying the dessert, he did not eat one single bite.

The post cake sugar buzz lead to some extreme present opening...

and complete silliness.



Next year I'm teaching him how to do laundry.


Saturday, September 5, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PARKER D!





On September 5, 2008, at 6:19am, this beautiful little man entered my life...and it will never be the same. I love you so much Parker Daniel, you have changed this family forever and we are so very lucky to have been blessed with such a miracle.