Baby's first math test.

100%, of course. Way to go, Madelyn!

Vista Cheer Camp

Madelyn spent two days at Mountain Vista's Junior Cheer Camp last week (June 5-6). She had a GREAT time. And, all the parents got treated to a show off performance at the end of the second day. 

I'm not biased at all but Madelyn's squad (grades K-2) was by far the cutest and best group of the three (grades K-2, 3-5, and 6-8). They cheered, danced, and made two pyramids one of which our very own Mile High Madelyn was at the top.

Please pardon the blurriness of the pictures but my iPhone couldn't quite keep up with the action.

"TD! We want a touchdown!"

How cute is she?!

Holy birthday, Batman. He's 3!

Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday, dear Sawyer.

Happy birthday to you!

Sawyer is officially three years old. Now I no longer have to respond, "He's just shy of three," or "He's three," only to be corrected by the boy who was just shy of three that he is in fact NOT three.

Last year it was fire trucks. This year, he's all about superheroes. So, we had a superhero party. In spite of the rain that tried to stop our fun, we still had a great time. Along with family and friends, there were games, snacks, birthday cake, and bubbles. Most importantly, there was a happy birthday boy.

The dining room table with our Metropolis sky scene.

And, superhero capes for all the superheroes in attendance.

Captain America fruit tray. America...heck, yeah!

#3 birthday cake. Chocolate bundt cakes with vanilla frosting and sprinkles.

Team Anderson aka Super Friends.

Our sweet friend, Adam, and the birthday boy.

Both proudly rocking their capes!

Happy birthday, dear Sawyer...

Leah, Sawyer, and Madelyn.

Notice all the doting grandparents in the background?

Cousins.

Thank you to everyone who came and celebrated three years with this handsome little dude. And, to everyone who couldn't make it, we missed you and hope to see you soon.

Really?!

I wish I could snooze in the grocery cart while someone did all the shopping. Really.

Greatest. Day. Ever.

Station 18 (Our station!) hook and ladder (My favorite!) parked right in front of Westridge Rec Center on Wednesday morning. This is as close as it gets to a celebrity sighting around here. The firefighters must have been inside the building on some non emergency call as there was no one with the truck.

Neither kid wanted their picture taken with the truck. But, I say you can't pass up an opportunity like this one. And, since I'm the mama... "I'm not smiling because I'm not cool with this." - Madelyn. Bah humbug! Next time I'll have Madelyn take MY picture in front of the firetruck.

Pool time!

One of our favorite things about the Westin Kierland - there are many to choose from - is the swimming pool. Last year, the weather was overcast and cool for two of our three days which is very unusual for Arizona. Not so this year! We had 70 and 80 degree weather with clear skies the whole time and it was great.

Saturday and Sunday mornings, we spent a nice chunk of time swimming, floating in the lazy river, and riding the water slide. Poppie really enjoyed the lazy river while Madelyn couldn't get enough of the water slide.

After her first trip down with Griff, she said, "I want to do that one or two...or maybe five more times!" In all, she went down twice with Griff and a handful of times with me. She would have ridden it more but it was getting close to lunch time and In N Out was calling.

Playing with a new circus elephant pool toy.

Poolside in the shade.

Lazy river time.

Happy girl.

Splash!

Without sounding like a commercial, I have nothing but good things to say about the Kierland. It's the perfect place for a young family or an old family or a couple to vacation. Great location, beautiful hotel and grounds, excellent service...and delicious s'mores.

Rockies pre season game

Day two of our Spring break trip to Arizona included a Rockies pre season game at Salt River Fields against the LA Angels. We sat in the outfield lawn and caught most of the game. We even had a spot of shade which stayed with us throughout most of the afternoon. The weather was perfect and the company was good. Rumor has it, the Rockies even pulled off a victory.

Meeting Dinger. No tears here!

Post ice cream mustache. (Can you guess the flavor?) And, a happy boy.

 Tuckered out.

Thanks for the lift, Poppie.

Arizona 2014

We spent Spring Break 2014 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Honey and Poppie came with us this year, too! Our trip lasted three nights -- Friday through Monday -- and we stayed at the Westin Kierland. The weather was terrific this year. No rain! And, once again, the Kierland proved to be an outstanding, accommodating, family friendly resort.

Notable memories include:

* Kids First Class on the airplane.

* Friday and Saturday evening s'mores. Somehow, there was confusion when s'mores weren't available on Sunday. I'm not sure who was more upset - Griff and Poppie or Madelyn and Sawyer.

* Boy bed and girl bed in our hotel room. Madelyn wanted to continue this after our return home but Griff and I vetoed.

* Family breakfast in the club room.

* Trying to sneak up on Honey and Poppie's room only to have our plan foiled by the time we made it down the hall. We don't travel quietly especially when someone has to be first and someone else doesn't agree.

* Pool time. (See post to follow.)

* Child sized Candy Crush throughout the hotel. Or, so Sawyer thought.

* Rockies game. (See post to follow.)

* In N Out. Enough said.

* Cruising around Phoenix six passengers deep in a rented Dodge Caravan. Sooo cool.

Thanks, Griff, for very fun Spring break trip. And, thank you, Honey and Poppie for coming along. We had a great time and made lots of memories that I know the kids will fondly remember.

Friends and cousins having breakfast.

Life these days.

Sawyer: We're having a festival.

Me: What kind of festival are you having? A Not-Listening-To-Your-Mother festival?

Madelyn: Not that. Totally not that.

Me thinks I'm losing ground against these two.