Thanksgiving Day at the Homeschool Park

Here are some Oreo turkeys that the girls made on Friday.  They also played M&M Thanksgiving bingo.

Taliesen West

One of the offices that Kevin does business with invited a bunch from the design community to Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesen West.  The Foundation rents out the facility for parties and displays the buildings along with a magic show and plenty of food.  There were performers on stilts, oversized chess sets for the kids, bouncy balls and toys which made for a family friendly gala.  Of course, since most were architects it was more of a party of the barely employed, but everyone was in good spirits, and who wouldn't be with the food and drink overlooking the valley lights?  Chloe loved the buildings and exploring the courtyards.  Frank designed ceilings at about seven feet so it has a kid scale to it.  The girls were looking fashionable (which is a stage that has snuck up on me like a Japanese speed train) and were absolutely amazed by the magician during his one-on-one tricks. Of course, an evening out with our family wouldn't be complete without Kate mixing things up...which did happen while Christa, Chloe, and Kassidy were watching the full magic show, and Kate and I were in the nearby play area. The next thing I knew, there was crying, and  sure enough, Kate had bounced her bouncy ball right into the reflecting pool!  Fortunately it was only 18 inches deep and there were three adults on her before I could do anything.  I couldn't blame her on this one... those balls can really throw you.  The gentlemen that pulled her out said she swam well and even removed her ball from the pool before getting out herself.  Kate told me "those were my favorite shoes!".  They have the flashing red lights in them and I assured her that even though they were soaked they still worked.  Later by the fireplace Kate asked me to "dump the water out of her shoes."  I think I found it more amusing than I should have but the whole ordeal was just so "Kate" that what else can you do but go with it?

Schnepf Farms

Last Sunday was Kassidy's birthday (following a sleep over party on Fri/Sat.) so the whole family drove out to Queen Creek (the far east side of Phoenix) where all the roads end to Schnepf Farm for some fun and pumpkin selecting.  The girls had a blast riding the train, carousel and checking out a few shows and animals.    It was a nice warm day to take in a great family outing.

Bluff Called

Tonight while driving home Kate was acting up and it reached a point where discipline was required.  Mom turned to her and said if she kept up her behavior she would get a spanking.  Kate thought for a moment and said "But you can't reach my bottom." (because we were in the car on the freeway.)  Chloe thought this was a hilarious observation and started laughing uncontrollably.  Of course Mom and Dad tried their best to not laugh out loud.

Oxy Moron

A few days ago the "Oxy Clean" guy came on the TV with the blue shirt, beard and usual guarantees.  Chloe looked up and said "Yeah right" with a sarcastic tone and Kassidy turned to me and said "Why is he screaming?"  We sure are raising some smart girls.

Ice Skating with Dad

Daddy took the girls on an ice skating trip.  The Home School group invited us to meet a few of the families and it was a fantastic Friday.  All the girls had a blast and Chloe hit the jackpot at the ticket games.

Lucky joins the Family

A few days ago Christa surprised the girls with a spontaneous trip to the pet store to purchase a fish.  So here is a shot of "Lucky" named by Chloe and Kassidy.  Lucky has a fantastic life of swimming in circles, looking at back at the girls, swimming in circles, gulping specks of food, swimming in circles and screaming in terror as Kate picked up the bowl and walked through the house taking Lucky on a tour of the first floor.

Celebrate Fall

Christa and I walked into the Kitchen to discover the table completely decorated for a festive celebration of Fall.  All three girls raided the cabinets in the Dining Room and dressed up the Kitchen table.  We had a lovely dinner (complete with music) and closed the blinds to eat by pumpkin candle light, and finished up with pumpkin bread that Mom made earlier this morning.

Chloe the Artist

Chloe was allowed to use Daddy's special work markers and she took a blank sheet of paper and came up with "Dancing Fruit".  Very well done no matter how you slice it!  The pear is a great singer, someone turn up the juice!

Kate on assignment

Kate joins Dad on a project site visit cleverly disguised as a "Nature Walk."  The small mountain was steep enough that it was more of a ride along in Daddy's arms.

Bapa and Kate

Sunday lunch with Mimi & Bapa.

Race Cars

The Penske Race Car Museum is one block from the Gym and the Girls were excited when I told them what was there so we took some time this week to take a look.  It is 1/3rd of Penske's collection and the only public display of his collection.  It is actually a car dealership for Jaguar/Bentley and other cars.  The display had about 20 or so cars and many of which won the Indy when I was there.  The Girls enjoyed it more than I expected and they didn't want to leave.

Cake Birthday

Kate has a "Cake Birthday."

What do you think

Is it me or does Kate look much older in this picture?

July 4th

Liberty got into the spirit with Chloe's help.

July 4th

We spent the fourth of July at Gary's house for a pool party and then watched fireworks at a local neighborhood park that put on a great show.  We were very close and the girls loved them all.

Sisters

Nothing better than smiling sisters.

Chloe's Beauty Stop is open

The girls love to setup a store and this time they created a nail salon.

Family photo

Here is a shot of some of the family.

Kate turns 4!

Kate turns 4, Yeah!

Girls' last day of school

The 2008 School Schedule comes to a close.

Ready to work

Kate is ready for a site visit.

Daddy's assistant

Kevin was out to take some photos for work and Kate enjoyed exploring some houses in the mountains.

It's Official

Gary pops the question in Coronado, CA and now we have more family. Congratulations!

Lemonade Stand

A neighbor's garage sale prompted never before witnessed partnership and constructive efforts between the girls to create a Lemonade stand. They had some immediate customers because it was a hot day. You can see their creative marketing methods by sitting at the street corner on a stool. Kate would boldly exclaim "We need some customers!" when unsuspecting garage sale seekers would exit their vehicles. Over an hour or so the girls made over $9.

Blue Thunder

Kassidy's Blue Thunder Soccer Team Photo

5-0

At a police/emergency fair at the Boys and Girls club near the soccer practice park there were helicopters, ambulances and police/sheriff displays. While talking to DPS (Arizona State Troopers) Kate decided to climb in the back of a police cruiser by herself to check it out. Seemed like an amusing photo op at the time.