Birthday Skates

Recently, Isaac discovered Paul's Rollerblades and protective pads/guards. He has been wearing them around the house and learning how to roller skate. Paul and I decided that it might be a good idea to get him some of his own, in say, his size. I found a set that came with all the protective equipment as well as skates that grow with your kid! This was Isaac's "big" gift and we let him open it on his actual birthday, the day before his party. The first picture captured his enthusiasm when he first realized what the gift was.
Just as we predicted, his first request was to go try them at Reid Park. Our neighborhood doesn't have sidewalks, but we live about a mile from a park that takes up a whole city block and has a path all the way around it which people bike, run, walk and skate. We headed over, Paul on his skates as a model and team, me as back-up if Isaac started to go down. By the end of it he was cruising along, keeping his balance and getting of the idea of pushing his skates in and out in unison to try to move along. Not bad for the first day!
One picture from the front. I still don't know how Paul could skate along side Isaac supporting him without falling over or tripping, but that's why he was wearing the skates and I was the back-up plan! I think it might be time for Momma to get some skates, then we can all go together!

Pima County Fair

Isaac and I have been looking forward to the fair for months...he for the rides, me for the food! It was finally here and we went on wristband night so that Isaac could ride rides to his heart's content. After Isaac and Paul made it through the little kid area and I found my nachos with jalapenos, we all rode this awesome swing ride. Last year I rode the ferris wheel with Isaac and let me tell you how much I DID NOT like it, especially when it was going up and over the top or wiggling. I wasn't sure if I'd like this ride, but it turned out to be pretty fun.
Paul sat behind and took pictures and video. I like the picture at right because as usual, Paul has managed to be in the picture, without being in the picture, and because you can see the fair lights blazing by below us.
Isaac especially liked the "fun houses" with moving, shifting, turning floors, mirrors, slides and rotating walls. The fair has a few of them and he tried them all more than once. We didn't get too many pictures, but there was lots of cool video. If I can get a small enough clip I'll post one from when Paul and Isaac rode the ride that looks like gliders and you lay in on your stomach. It's hilarious! Lots of family fun and can I tell you how MUCH I love funnel cake???

Colossal Cave Field Trip

Paul and I have been making an effort this year to go on field trips with Isaac's class. Earlier this semester I went with his class to the Desert Museum, and recently I went to Kartchner Caverns (they are oober strict in order to protect the environment of the caves so I couldn't take pictures) and just last week Paul went with the class to Colossal Cave. Since they allow photos, Paul took some pictures. First picture is of the cave. Colossal Cave is an inactive cave, also known as a dry cave. Kartchner Caverns is active/wet and truly amazing, a must if you ever visit.
While at Colossal Cave Isaac's class also had the chance to "mine" for crystals. Isaac was so proud of the crystals he brought home!




The last pictures shows Isaac's class. His teacher Jo is on the right (very tall woman with short gray hair) and the co-teacher Raf is on the left with the dark blue shirt. All together there are 17 kids and 13 of them are boys. I think that any other teachers couldn't handle it, but Jo and Raf have got it down! So happy Isaac will be in Jo's class again next year!

Our New Laundry Room

In March, Paul and I got an amazing deal on a fantastic LG washer and dryer. We have long wanted a set that could stack since our tiny laundry room would be so much more usable with them. Plus, our previous set was mismatched and when we moved in 7 years ago we doubted how long they would last. In order to prepare the room I had to remove the strongest cabinet ever made (I swear the maker thought someone would want to store their bowling ball collection in it!) by destroying it. Then I had to patch up the walls, sand them and of course paint. Isaac helped me do some sanding, see picture at the left. Isaac also did most of the first coat of paint with the roller! I spent hours painting corners and trim since there are FOUR doors in that one room. When Isaac ran out of steam, I took over and did the second coat.
Below right you can see the *almost* final product. The shelves are in, as are the washer and dryer. We still need to solve a cord issue, but the room is functional! This washer and dryer are super cool. They sense how many clothes you have in the load and add water accordingly, plus they have cool lights (blue and orange), smooth clicking knobs accompanied by super tech-y sounds. Paul is geeked out by the fact that it has a built in modem so you can monitor the time left on the cycle from another room (I could care less).