Ooey Gooey Good Time

There's this chocolate factory in downtown Glendale, Az. that I love. I can remember my dad taking me Cerreta's when I was a kid. It's nothing like Willie Wonka's chocolate factory, but what is? It's a plain building, with copper awnings. But the inside, ahhh, the inside. As soon as you open the doors, you're pelted with a thick layer of cool, chocolatey air. You take bigger breaths when you're in there, as if trying to suck in as much of the delicious air as possible, as if it will satisfy the inevitable grumbling of your tummy. It's awesome! So, it was only natural that when the kids and I visited my parents we made a special trip to Cerreta's. Ava, who loves the book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" couldn't believe she was in an actual chocolate factory. We happened to go on a Saturday and Ava got to take part in a fun kids' activity. Armed with melted white chocolate and loads of toppings she went to work decorating a milk chocolate bear, sneaking several tastes during the process. Unfortunately, Jax was tuckered out from all the traveling and was asleep in my arms the entire time, so G-Ma decorated a bear for him.

Check out the giant Santa in the back

Of course, we left Cerreta's with a bagful of filled chocolate candies (YUM!), and my new fave: chocolate cayenne bars.

Our Little Soccer Playa

When we moved to our little town, we gave Ava the choice: soccer or dance. I would love her to do both, but money and time simply don't permit right now. To my surprise, she chose soccer. To be hoenst, I couldn't be happier. Not only because I was a soccer player myself and get great joy out of passing on the tradition to my daughter, but because dance is a little different here in the South. Basically, most dance studios are preparing girls for the pageant circuit. Not all, but many. And as beautiful and talented as my daughter is, I don't think the pageant circuit is the best place to share that.

So, soccer it is. For the second season in a row, I'm coaching Ava's team. We're sponsored by a local business called Falco. The kids couldn't agree on our mascot, so we're the Falco Falcon-sharks. Pretty dangerous. I am loving coaching, and more importantly, Ava is loving playing. Our team is 4-0, which has nothing to do with my coaching ability and everything to do with the talent on our team. Seriously, I'm impressed. Ava has improved greatly this season. She's much more aggressive, and handles the ball quite well, although on game days she tends to be easily distracted by what is going on on other fields. She's working on it though.

Right before soccer pictures. Don't worry, her Belle doll didn't make a cameo.

While we were in Phoenix Ava had the chance to take part in a kids soccer clinic at the indoor soccer field I used to play out. I tell you, the girl was on fire! She was the only girl on the field (seven boys) and she scored all of her team's four goals. While many of the boys gave up, or complained of being too tired, our little soccer player ran up and down the miniature field, scoring at one end then defending her goal at the other. All went smoothly until she and a boheameth of a boy collided and he stepped on her arm. It happened near the end of the clinic, so she called it in and rested until snack time. Injury and all, it was such a joy to watch my little girl enjoying soccer so much. It was even better watching the looks on my parents' faces as they cheered her on, as they did for me for so many years. A little part of me can't help but be proud she's carrying on the soccer torch.

Phun in Phoenix

Two weeks seems like a long time for a vacation. But, to be honest, we could have spent another two in Phoenix and still not accomplished all the things we wanted to. However, the things we did and the places we went kept our days full and busy, so busy as a matter of fact, that by the time nighttime rolled around Jax was begging me to go to sleep. That never happens. Ever. As I right this, he is in his room reminding me that it's not time to sleep, or so he thinks.

Our first full day in Phx., the kids, G-Pa and I took a trip to the Phoenix Children's Museum. Awesome! Where was this place when I was a kid? Seriously. I could go on and on about the activities the kids (and I) enjoyed, but I wouldn't do it justice. I'll let the pictures do the talking.

We call this the "Dr. Seuss Tree"

painting the castle

taking a ride on the race track (there are several types of vehicles for the kids to use)

Jax's favorite part: the giant race track. He didn't want to leave.

Ava's favorite part: the grocery store

A few days later, we hopped on the freeway and headed out to Arizona Mills to check out the new Sea Life Aquarium. To be honest, I wasn't expecting much. I mean, it's Arizona. Not a whole lotta sea life there. But, I was wrong. Oh, so very wrong. The place was amazing! Of course the animals in the tank were super cool, but I was almost more impressed by the aestetics of the aquarium. Ava's favorite part were these little bubbles/helmets that you stuck your head in, giving the illusion you were actually IN the tank with the fishies. Jax was a little hesitant at first, but after I talked him into going in (and by that I mean, I carried him in with me, kicking and screaming) he loved it!

This is the view of a guitar stingray from underneath. So ugly! This guy was swimming in the ceiling above us.

G-Ma, G-Pa and the kids walking through the aquarium tunnel

Inside the bubble

Look closely. Do you see Ava inside the stingray bubble?

Monkeys!

If you have kids, and you live in AZ, you must check these places out. You won't be disappointed. At least you shouldn't be. If you are, well then, your standards are too high. Or I'm just easily amused. Or both. But, it's all about the kids, right?

Stay tuned for more from our super fun vacation...

The Highlight of Jax's Vacation

The kids and I spent two weeks in Arizona in September. There's really too much to blog. That's why I've neglected it for a week, I have no clue where to start. I was sure two weeks was plenty of time to accomplish all I wanted to, surprisingly it wasn't. My biggest regret is that we didn't make it down to Tucson to visit our friends there. But, there simply wasn't time. On the other hand, it was nice to have a busy two weeks, and to enjoy time with mine and Andy's families.

As all my readers know, Jax is monster truck-obsessed. So, you can imagine his overwhelming excitement when G-Pa told him we were going to see a real monster truck.

This truck just hangs out in front of the office where it's owner works. He was kind enough to let my kids climb all over it. And, I'm pretty sure Jax drooled on it. The kid was in love and asked if he could drive it. Then, if he could earn it. He still talks about it and how he's going to "jump Red Inc when he's bigger." I believe it.

Curly Sue and Fancy Boy

No, no, these are not new superheroes. They are my children. Last night after cutting Ava's hair I got the idea to put curlers in it. She, being the girly girl she is, was all for it. So much, as a matter of fact, that she was willing to endure uncomfortable sleeping conditions, all in the name of beauty. We were disappointed, however, when I started pulling the curlers out of the back of her hair this morning and her hair was still wet. That's what happens when you have mounds and mounds of thick hair. But, the front curled up nice and ringlet-y and we made up for the rest with a teeny tiny curling iron. And our little beauty went to church looking just as lovely as ever!

Jax, not to be outdone, went to church today sporting his very first bowtie. I made it for him with some baseball fabric I had leftover from a blanket I made for him last year. He L-O-V-E-D it, and kept telling us, "I look fancy in my new bowtie!" AND he got tons of compliments at church. We'll definitely be making more of these babies.

How adorable are these kids?

Masterpiece

We've been spending a lot of time with crayons. Every morning the kids and I spend close to an hour coloring and drawing. It's just become routine. They each have a "Thought Book" in which they draw a picture of something they're thinking about that day, then write a sentence about it (I obviously help Jax). I got the idea from my dear friend Erin and just love it. It's fun to let the kids draw, but often it's even more fun to see what's on their precious little minds. Jax's usually involves a monster truck, Ava's is usually an animal. These are things that are important to my kids right now. They're already growing much too quickly for my liking, and with that comes changing interests so I love the idea of chronicling the things that are on their minds at various stages of their lives.

After "Thought Book" time we usually just draw on plain sheets of paper or color in one of their many coloring books. The other day, Ava was very secretive about her artwork and repeatedly reminded me not to look at it. Finally, she approached me with this:

STEGOSAURUS! Isn't it awesome?! She told me she was frustrated because she ran out of room on the side and was unable to include all his tail spikes. She also told me she was being silly and gave him six legs. I think it's just perfect, missing tail-spikes and extra legs included!

On a side note, if you notice she spelled her name "AVAV." I asked her why and she said, "Because you and Daddy call me Ava-Ave." She sounded it out and AVAV is what she got. I love that she tried to figure it out on her own.

This masterpiece is currently up on our refrigerator. But it will eventually land in her baby book. It's a keeper!

Just One More Page...

All who know and love Ava know just how much our little girl enjoys books. They're her favorite things in the world! We're currently ready the Felicity: An American Girl set together. Each night we read 2-3 chapters, but that just wasn't enough last night for sweet Ava. She needed just one more chapter. So, I told her she could read quietly in her bed after she and I had finished reading together. I knew she wouldn't last long, so when I went in her room I wasn't surprised to find this:

First thing this morning, she joined Jax and me on the couch where we read 16 books before breakfast. As I write this blog, Ava is reading to Jax. Reading/books is such an important part of our family's daily life. I love that it's something we can enjoy and do together for years to come!