International Day 2013

Last Saturday was our 4th go around as Belgium at International Day for Evie's school.  It was a great day, and for the first time ever I sold out of my waffles.  Not only did I sell out, I sold out in just 2 hours (of the 4 hour event).  Not bad considering I made around 70 waffles.  This of course made for some disappointing kids but actually made the whole experience pretty relaxing for me too.  For the remainder of the event I got to just hang out and pass out chocolate to the kids who correctly guessed the "things" related to Belgium on the cards I made now 3 years ago.   The highlight for me was Patrick dressed as Tintin, unfortunately I lost my Tinin about halfway through the event due to a very unhappy 20 month old who sorely needed a nap.  Next year we may have to bring along Izzy back-up.

Birthday Fun

For Patrick's birthday weekend (yes clearly behind on posting again) it was a great mix of hot on Saturday and nice and springy (i.e. not so hot) on Sunday.  Patrick and Evie both have been itching to get into our pool and finally were able to fulfill that desire on Saturday.  The water was really still pretty cold, 70 degrees, and when the wind kicked up it seemed a bit more like torture than fun to me but by god a swim in the pool was had.  After a nap Izzy joined in too and seeing them all have such fun I decided to take a dip as well.  I managed to dive in 3 times before I decided trying to swim in a cold pool was not my cup of tea.

Then on Sunday it was too cold to swim but just right for a hike so we all ventured over to Catalina State Park for a short (very short, like 3 mile round trip) hike.  Izzy managed to hike for most of it herself and really the hike was just a vehicle for stream play, which of course is a wonderful thing!  For the rest of Patrick's birthday we hung around the house and then made a good (and not so Irish) dinner of steak and a stout (quite Irish) for drink.  Ahh so lucky to have a spouse who has the best day to be born on ever.

A rare photo of all 5 Lacroixs, and even more rare, all but one looking at the camera...

Spring is in the Air

Quick catch it while you can, the two weeks of spring in Tucson before "summer" arrives are here!

This year it is an extra treat because we have a bunch of deciduous trees in our backyard that can be used as field verification for the arrival of spring.  After school last week Evie set about some serious science on springs progression.  It was so cute I uncharacteristically (at least of late) ran inside and dug out the "real" camera. 

 Izzy is too young to draw the emergence of new leaves but was definitely intrigued by what Evie was doing (or maybe just the fact that her sister was sitting in a tree...)

Adventures near and far(ther)

Izzy at Sabino Canyon

I must admit I am for some reason finding it hard to put finger to keyboard for the blog these days.  Perhaps it is just the chaos that usually erupts when I try to do so.  The other problem I think is that I now have an iphone so many of my photos of late are there and I never plug the thing into the computer.... but by George it was done tonight... but first I had to wait until child #1 was asleep so I could momentarily steal it from her room... my phone doubles as a music machine for child #1 and Patrick's for child #2.... just in case any of you ever try to call us after eight and wonder why we don't answer.... it of course would never be because we are asleep already ;)

Anyway.... back in Febuary Patrick and Evie took a fabulous 4-day trip together to visit Abu and Oma out in Texas via the train.  I think they both had a blast, both in Sanderson and in the 26ish hours on the train.  The way I hear it there were many games of cards, movies, pictures and socializing done while train bound and much bad influences (from Abu) and good influences (from Oma) while in Sanderson.  The trip has taken on a mystical quality for Evie because she found a "treasure" in the form of a mountain of Barbie's and Cabbage Patch Kids at the Lacroix ranch house that once belonged to Patrick's sister.  They all (a massive suitcaseful) came home with her and are now in her care until the point when Vivian asks for them back... which, Vivian, if you are reading this I beg of you be sooner rather than later!! I mean don't get me wrong, I am a big fan of Cabbage Patch Kids in particular, but I now think that Evie has more dolls at age almost 6 than I did in aggregate my entire youth!

Evie and Patrick getting on the train to come home in Sanderson, Texas.

While Patrick and Evie were away Izzy and I had a relaxing weekend just us two.  We didn't do too much of import.  I did manage to get Izzy (and my brother) out for a hike at Sabino Canyon.  Both the hike and the company were lovely.  Izzy, among other things, is very, very, very into brushing her teeth and spent a good 30 minutes on Saturday night like this:

Last week we celebrated my birthday in a nice low key way with my folks and this weekend we will likely do the same for Patrick.  (Although I am working on him to go camping because it is going to be so nice... we'll see if I succeed) Yes folks it is birthday season in the Lacroix household... one of the best times o' the year!