Day 1 (and 2) Without Mommy

(I've been trying to do this for two days ... but it wasn't working!)

Carrie left bright and early Sunday morning, and the boys and I spent the day playing and cleaning around the house. Here is a photo of them sharing goldfishes and crackers during snack time. We went "swimming" but the water was kind of chilly so we mostly splashed around the pool for a little bit. I didn't get a chance to warn Corey before he jumped in, so he was quite surprised. After baths we had grilled cheese sandwiches to "warm up."

Corey and I got out his hockey players to play with during Brody's nap. Brody joined in on the fun after he woke up (Corey was trying to get him to drop the puck in the middle and Brody kept saying, "How about riiiiiiiiight HERE?" and picking different spots.)

Last night we watched Snow Buddies for family movie night (we also watched Bee Movie this weekend after Corey got ALL GREEN LIGHTS last week)!

Today we're all wearing our Vikings jerseys ... hopefully they can muster a better showing than the Cubs' pathetic performance this week! (So far, so good!)

Kansas Trip

I did have an excellent birthday - thanks to everyone for their well wishes! I've got a few Kansas pictures to share, courtesy of my father. (Dad, note there are a few I'm NOT sharing - you should just delete those!) :)

One of our activities while we were in Kansas was going to Ben's soccer game. We missed Grace's soccer game, but as you can see we were all dressed prepared for the KU football game later that day. In the picture are Nana, Bobo, me and Julie. And if you look carefully, you'll see the back of Grace's very blonde head!




Note Ben was taking his turn at goalie, and he doesn't look thrilled about it. Of course, when I asked Corey if I should sign him up for soccer this fall, he turned his face and said no way, he didn't like soccer. He's clearly on a hockey mission!







One of my favorite things to do in Kansas City is eat! I took care of the BBQ need right away with a trip to Jack Stack. The next night we went to Garozzo's - my favorite Italian restaurant - a pre-birthday celebration. Here is adorable Bobo smiling - such a good eater. A rare moment of stillness for him, by the way.

One of my other favorite activities is shopping. Of course, it's always better with someone else, and even better still if they're buying! Thanks, Mom, for the great clothes for my birthday! Pictured at left, Mom couldn't resist the cute denim jacket, though it will have to be 32 degrees outside before she'll wear hers. (Yes, it's short-sleeved.) My office is so cold I've already been wearing mine!




Dad commented, when he sent the pictures, that Brody always looked like the cat that swallowed the canary. I think this picture personifies that - he's always got a private joke he's giggling about!

And while I have shopping and Brody shares my love for eating, Brody really enjoys a bath. And it was evident that Brody enjoyed his solo baths (no Corey) as well as the size and activities in Nana's bath. In fact, the turtle in his hand in this picture went to bed with him that night.











Hope I didn't miss anything! Thanks for a great birthday!

"Happy birthday to Mama"

Well, I'd have to say Carrie had a pretty great birthday/weekend/week! Corey helped me make her breakfast in bed this morning, they made cupcakes together and then we went to Corey's Coyotes hockey class. Carrie got to go shopping this afternoon, we went out for dinner tonight and then had cupcakes and spumoni.

When we sang "Happy Birthday," Brody either giggled after every line or sang "Mama" every line. We spent lots of time this weekend watching movies we had rented for the FIFTH ("Aristocats" for Brody) or FOURTH ("Speed Racer" for Corey) time!

Here are pictures of Brody singing to "Istin" on the phone for literally about 10 minutes, Brody coloring at dinner and Corey with the birthday girl.

Have a good week!

Hockey hockey hockey

It's still September and 100+ degrees outside, but Corey is still skating. On Saturday and Sunday he participated in a free hour-long clinic at the Gilbert Ice arena and then had his weekly class again tonight.


Here he is skating in his "Coyotes Kids First" jersey and all his equipment.




Here he is listening to one of the coaches. They did a bunch of different things (skating with and without the puck, sliding on the ice ... even skating backward).


Carrie and Brody got back EARLY this morning (Corey and I got to the airport at 6:30 and they were taxiing)! Everybody was happy to see everyone, but we're all tired. Carrie and Brody were in bed when Corey and I got home from hockey at 7:30. We took two cars to the arena because Carrie got to go watch since Corey got a green light today, but her and Brody still were able to sneak out early. Before leaving, Brody helped "encourage" Corey from the bench and found the best seat in the house!

Here is a video of Corey skating this weekend (I'll leave it up to Carrie to provide the update from the Kansas trip) ... enjoy!

Saturday morning

Corey and I went to the new Phoenix Children's Museum this morning with Hope Kids. It wasn't as cool as the one in Minnesota, but we had fun.

Corey rode a tricycle in a "city" car wash area (see photo), there was some big race tracks for wooden cars, a grocery store for shopping, some arts and crafts, a reading loft (see photo) and a cool area with different things to roll balls of different sizes through (see photo).

Up next ... Coyotes First Kids hockey clinic!