They're Back

These three were ready to go back to school.

The boredom had set in.

The patience was wearing thin.

Their new shoes and school supplies were set out by their bedroom doors.

Yes, it was time.

And, on the first morning of the new school year,

these three were up by 5:00.

And, by 4:00, Elle was like this...

Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites
Yay, Friday is here!
The kids have only been back in school for a couple of days, but they are in need of a break already.
This school thing is really wearing them out!
So, today for my favorites, I've chosen a few things that I've either eaten or used in the last few days...

Here goes-

Ni Marcos Pizzeria in Flagstaff, AZ- So cute and cozy! We had some amazing pizza and they

these strange bleu cheese, crunchy cheese sticks that are pretty dang tasty!  

GU Peanut Butter Energy Gel- I can barely get these down during a run, but this

flavor is actually pretty good!



Political Animals- I am hooked on this new show on USA. It's a little scandalous!

Diana's Banana Babies- These sticks of awesomeness are all-natural and delicious! The perfect dessert without all the guilt. They come in milk or dark chocolate,

but of course, for me, there is only one way to go.

Sterling Silver Bracelets- Hoss Rogers designs these gorgeous, simple bracelets to your specifications. I wear mine ALWAYS. You can even get them in kids' sizes. HossRogers.com



Tree Hut Shea Sugar Body Scrub- I'm obsessed with this stuff.

Mostly, because it smells like heaven and you can get it at Walmart.

Have a great weekend!!

Flagstaff Getaway

 Last weekend, I took the kids up to Flagstaff for a last minute getaway before school starts.

As we drove up into the mountains and I watched the car thermometer slowly decrease in degrees, I became little girl giddy.

Going from 115° to 75° will do that to you.

We immediately stopped at NAU to take in a Cardinals training practice. The Cards put on a good show for fans, but this crew of mine is definitely more of the basketball kind.

We took in a movie (the new Diary of a Wimpy Kid is really cute), went on a hike, visited the Deer Farm in Williams, and ate at some pretty cute and tasty restaurants, including our new favorite-
Ni Marco's Pizzeria in downtown Flag. We also made more than a couple of stops at Flagstaff's Sweet Shoppe & Nut House for fudge and caramel apples.

Birthday Girl

Happy Birthday today to my beautiful, kind-hearted Elle.

I

love

you.

♥

For her big day, Elle invited some of her sweet friends out for a movie and lunch.

A Boy's Dream

 My two boys got to spend the last 5 days in the Prescott Pines at the Suns Basketball Camp. The camp is led by former ASU basketball coach, Bill Frieder. Each day the boys were coached through drills and played in tournaments.

There was some fun down time when they could let loose and play ping pong, pool, and mini golf. Their highlights were visits from the Gorilla and hanging with big names like Mark West, Tim Kempton, and Eddie Johnson.

Calvin brought home the League Champions Award and Max brought home the Lay-up Award.

Shooters

So, as  far as what I love watching my kids do,

basketball tops my list.

Every summer, we spend hours a day at the high school gym

where they sharpen their skills on the courts.

This year, Elle is the only girl in her group.

Today, she won a game of speed against the boys and

as we walked out of the gym, she said,

"Mom, one of the boys made fun of another boy and said, 'Ha, ha a girl who doesn't

know how to play basketball beat you!'"

So, I asked Elle, "What did you say?"

She smiled and explained, "I told him, 'What are you laughing at? I beat you, too!'

THAT'S MY GIRL!

My Little Cub

Calvin is spending a few days this summer at Cub Scout Day Camp.

Each night, he stumbles into the house around 11pm

with a huge smile on his face.

When I ask how it was, he exclaims,

"Mom, it was AMAZING!"

Swimming, bb guns, water balloon fights, bows & arrows...

What more could an 8 yr old boy want?

Strange Things That Make Me Smile

When I was a kid

we kept a little potted aloe vera plant in our bathroom at home.

My mom used it for everything that ailed us-

sunburns, cuts, burns, you name it.

My mom would take a knife, cut off a slice and rub away our pain.

This week, I bought my first aloe vera plant.

Seeing it sitting on the bathroom counter makes me smile.

Another reminder of Mom.