Winterhaven

A zoo in lights... this went on around the corner... it was pretty spectacular

This year we decided to visit Winterhaven after Christmas.  I think we all really enjoyed extending the Christmas fun by one day (or more, Patrick was just listening to Christmas music in his office...) so this may become the new tradition.  Also in the spirit of newness, we walked down roads we have never visited before and were surprised to see the water and light show set to music that I thought had gone from the neighborhood... It was smaller than the old one, but no less delightful.

Almost able to get a picture of all three of them...

I think my favorite part this year though was the massive snowman.  The girls were enchanted with the "snow" aka bubble machine. I felt a little bad that this was as close as they'll get to snow this Christmas season, but not really... they did spend all day outside yesterday playing in the yard in just pants and a long sleeve shirt.  It is all about the tradeoffs :)

Merry Christmas!

 Merry Christmas!!!

We had a wonderful Christmas and lead up to Christmas!  On the 23rd we took a trip to the zoo for zoo lights and the annual trip to see Santa.  Although Izzy insisted she would not sit on Santa's lap, when push came to shove she jumped right up there and chatted with him as if she knew no Santa fear.

 Christmas eve was a fabulous time of family and fun. Evie finally had Izzy open her present (an Anna doll from the Disney Store), which she had been waiting paitently for a month to give to her sister.  After presents, the night was complete with songs on the piano and a buche de noel from a French bakery.

Geneveive was also pretty excited about the minecraft books I bought for her.

Buche de noel and cuteness.

Izzy with her doctor set... which originally was a present for me (the new, almost, Dr.) designed by Patrick to hide the amazing ring he picked out for me.  I think the nerdy look suits her.

 Today Santa brought a bike and clay charms set for Evie and a guitar for Izzy. Patrick and I hosted (for the first time ever) the big Christmas dinner at our house (although my mother and aunt took pity on us and brought all the food... so it was really only a quasi host...  I did buy Christmas place mats... a big hostess step forward for me :)

It is now chilly and just started to rain... who knows, we might just get snow tonight!

And the holidays begin...

Last weekend we kicked off the Christmas month (aka December) with a breakfast with Santa up at one of the fancy Tucson resorts.  Our inspiration for this new event (because goodness knows we need another Christmas-related activity!) was Genevieve's school choir, who is asked to preform at the breakfast each year.  It turned out to be a good time.  We were watching my teenage cousin this weekend and the two of us even went up and sat on Santa's lap and had our pictures taken, which gave me a strange sense of silliness and joy.  Evie's choir did a great job and then she and Patrick were off for another rehearsal for a Christmas dance performance that we'll go to next week.

While they accomplished that task Izzy, my cousin, and myself went on a very important mission... find Sadie a nice warm cozy sweater.  Said sweater was of critical shopping importance because little miss dachshund has decided it is too darn cold (yup as nippy as 40 degrees in the morning) for her to spend enough time outside and do her business.  She was running outside, running back in, and then relieving herself inside.  The mission was successful, sweater was acquired, however, it was made for a regular dog, not an extra-long one.  As a result if you try to put the back straps on her legs she ends up walking around like she has a diaper on and looks decidedly uncomfortable.  It's tough finding sweaters when you are long in the torso. 

Then in the afternoon we all went out to find our Christmas tree.  My cousin tried to convince us that we really should get at least 3 of them, like her family does... fortunately we resisted.... among other things I have no idea how we would have fit two, let alone 3 trees on top of the Subaru.  The challenge every year with the tree au natrual is how the heck to get it perfectly upright when it is a far from perfect thing because, well it is natural.  In the past we have managed to give a semblance of straightness by putting shims under the tree stand in key places or just by rotating the tree until you couldn't really tell it was leaning.  This year, however, the tree was so very leaning that there was nothing to do but go out and buy a new fancy tree-stand that would let us adjust our leaning tower of treeza until it was just perfect.  Patrick came back from his mission with not just a new tree stand but fake snow and tinsel...  I am afraid my cousin is a terrible influence on us.... We now have a straight, well tinsled tree surrounded by a halo of fake snow.... so much for au natrual :)

The power of the blog

So clearly I have let this whole blogging thing slide for other things...  Other things consisting mostly of taking every Saturday morning (and sometimes afternoon... and sometimes Sunday too) away from hearth and home to work on and finish(!) my dissertation.  But here we are on a Saturday morning, the girls are enjoying a little my little pony and Patrick is away so I do not have anyone to sit with for hours and drink coffee.  So I find myself pursuing the old blog posts. 

It was interesting to me to see that it was the descriptions of the "normal" days and moment that made me so happy.  We all remember the big vacations and events, but somehow the little moments get lost.  And it is for this reason that I am going to pick this blog back up now that I am so. very. close. to. having. my. PhD. finished!  So in the spirit of remembering those little things... a little tale about black friday and the box trolls.

Patrick left yesterday morning to head out to Texas to go hunting with his friend Gene and see his Dad.  The girls and I were terribly sorry to see him go, but I was excited for him to get a chance to get outside and for me to have some time to spend just with them doing "girly" stuff (whatever that means).  Once he left we all got dressed and headed down to Cost Plus where just about everything was buy one get one free.  I got in trouble with Genevieve right away as I made a b-line for the scarves and earrings... "Mommy, and who are you buying those for?... We are supposed to be buying presents for other people"  Oh all the lessons that do come back to bite us in the bum.

After I surreptitiously placed a scarf for me (and one for someone else too...and maybe a pair of earrings) in my cart we set out for the toy area, which was the real reason why Evie was hassling me... earrings and scarves are boring and she was on a mission for a present for Izzy.  On the way to the toys we each picked out an ornament as our "2014" ornament.  Evie had to contemplate quite a bit but ended up picking a wooden horse.  Izzy on the other hand knew immediately which one she preferred, a blue very fragile airplane because "I want to be an airplane flyer when I grow up." I picked out an owl made out of woodland bits.  For some reason I am obsessed with owls of late, I can't tell if this is because I have an affinity for them or some clever marketing scheme that has lodged itself in my psyche.  Anyway we browsed the toys and found a few good stocking stuffers but not the perfect present.  My plan was to head home after a brief stint at cost plus but Evie really wanted to go to the mall... so we braved it.  The target of her desire was the Disney store, which had pylons set out in front of it for those "door busters" that thankfully we had missed.  What we hadn't missed though was the "early-bird" 20% off everything in the store... so I distracted Izzy while Evie found a present, stood in line and paid for it.  Evie was very excited to achieve her mission.

Seeing how we were there anyway I decided we should pursue a few other places looking for red tights and pants for the girls for school (a constant mission of mine).  Limited success was met and then it was time to meet 20+ Rimszas for lunch at Chicken and Waffles.  By this time the girls were both looking a bit peaked, but, fared pretty well at lunch (I think the lemonade helped).  I actually broke my cardinal rule and let them play on my phone during lunch... the noise of the whole experience was a bit much for Izzy in particular, who decided she would take my phone and go and hide on the floor in the corner.  After we finished lunch we returned movies that were only a week and a half late (awesome) and then decided to make one last trip out and went to Target.  This was spurred by Evie's desire for a new nutcracker, and for some reason she was positive she could find one at Target... and to her credit she did.  With two new nutcrackers, which could never crack a nut and actually rather creepily open and close from their chest because they are ballerinas, in hand we finally headed home.  (These nutcrackers, however, have become Izzy's favorite thing, right now as I write this the two of them are in the other room making up stories and ballets around their nutcrackers and Izzy insisted on sleeping with her's in their room last night)

After a nice rest we decided that the day was young and so are we so we all went out to the movies to see the Box Trolls, which was super fun.  Izzy cuddled on my lap for almost the whole movie, much sprite was drunk and we almost finished an entire box of popcorn.  A good time was had by all and after a bath all said good night.

Hiking with friends

To celebrate submitting the draft of my dissertation to my committee last weekend I (gasp) took the entire weekend off.  Saturday was spent mostly doing all of those things I have been ignoring for weeks to months (laundry, chicken coop, the disaster that is my closet).  Sunday though we met one of Izzy's friends at Sabino canyon and one of Evie's friends was over for a sleepover.  We went for a glorious (albeit short) hike to the dam and back.  Part of the reason for the hike was because Isadora is now not the only girl in her preschool class and is making friends with one of the new girls, which means her previous best friend, a little boy, has felt rather left out.  The two of them have had a very cute and special friendship for the past few months, so we wanted to give them some time to play together just the two of them. 

Friends, Sunsets and Rainbows (oh my!)

Last weekend was uncharacteristically social for us.  We started the weekend with a friend's wedding (8 am... about the only time you can have an August, outdoor wedding in Tucson), had different friends over in the evening (well really it was Evie who had the friend over... and then we just convinced the friend's parents to hang out for a few hours chatting) and then still different friends over on Sunday afternoon (OK so again they weren't really our friends... Izzy had a friend come over and once again we convinced the parents to hang out with us... there might just be a trend to the nature of our social life here...)  It is really fun though to see both girls at the point where they are having friends over to play.  Evie's had a great sleepover with her friend Ruby and Izzy had a great time playing with her new school friend Leo.  Izzy was particularly impressed with Leo's visit because he came with flowers for her (oh so very cute) and macaroons. 
 
This weekend is shaping up to be decidedly less social but no less fabulous.  There was the most amazing rainbow and sunset combo last night... (I am afraid I am better at taking photos of rainbows and sunsets than of play dates.)

 

Zinger: Walking the Dog

Patrick took Kita, but not Sadie, out for a walk.  Sadie came to me whining and protesting.  Genevieve noted, "Of course she is upset mom, walks to dogs are like ice cream sandwiches to kids!"  True, so very true.

Back to School

They both have the exact same goofy half smile!

This was Isadora's and Genevieve's first week back to school.  For Izzy it was (kind of) her first official week of preschool and for Evie her first week of second grade.  They were both very excited on Monday morning and remained pretty darn jubilant throughout the week.  Izzy is in the French preschool class with about 5 other kids who are 3 and 4 years old.  Her teacher's name is Mr. Abdul and he is originally from Lyon, France.  Izzy is going to do two after school clubs, preschool choir and kids zumba.  (oh the cuteness)

Genevieve is in French 2nd grade.  Her French teacher this year is the same as last, Mme Bouchard, and she is super excited because her French teacher this year is also her P.E. and Art teacher.  In addition to Art, P.E. and French she has the same english teacher as last year, Mrs. McDonald, the same music teacher Mrs. Ausprung, a new science teacher Ms. Nelson and a new math teacher, Lao Shu Chang.  Her form tutor (like homeroom) this year is Senora McKenna.  (Whew kid has a lot of teachers)  Evie is planning to try four different after school clubs (I say try because we may veto one or two if she seems to tired after the first few weeks).  She is going to do Oddessy of the Mind, Gardening Club, Science Club and Choir.  She has decided she really wants to learn to sing so she is also going to try her hand at voice lessons once a week before school.  (If nothing else she is sure to sleep well every night!) 

This week also marks my first official week of working full time again.  In order to swing this change in schedule Patrick and I came up with an elaborate scheme of drop offs and pick ups that I now have posted on my wall at work so that I won't mess it up, but really it just means that Patrick is picking one or both girls up from school every day.  He is really enjoying this and so far this week has gotten them donuts twice, tried to take them to a splash park (only open on the weekends as it turns out, it was tragic... so he got them ice cream), and to the bookstore.  At this rate they may never want me to pick them up or take them into school again :)

Belated Birthday Pics

 We came back from our summer vacation a day before Isadora's 3rd birthday.  This meant that if we were going to have a party at all it would have to be almost totally pre-arranged.  I must admit I am pretty proud of myself for getting it all put together over a month ahead of time.. although we did break with our birthday-parties-at-home tradition.  We asked Izzy where she wanted to have her birthday and she told us at the jump place... so the jump place it was. 

We put together a little party of mostly family (and Evie's friends... poor second child with a summer birthday to boot) and got to celebrate on her birthday proper with a special smurf cake I had also ordered before we left. 

I think Izzy had a lot of fun, although she was definitely overwhelmed by all of the presents for just her, and the next day she slept in until almost 9 am and then took a 4 hour nap....

Pool Time

Although as a person who works in water management our pool is my dirty (not so little, not so) secret, it is definitely the highlight of Genevieve, Isadora and Patrick's summer.  At least the girls, and usually Patrick too, are in it every single evening.  Sometimes, like yesterday, they are in the pool morning, noon and night.  Even though I am not so keen on the water use, I must admit it is pretty fun to watch them play and to see just how good both girls are getting at swimming.  Isadora in particular started the summer scared to even get in (probably due to a run in with a bad swimming teacher this past February) and is now jumping in on her own and swimming to the side.  She has not quite become graceful in the water but she is making it her own way and is definitely enjoying herself.  Genevieve on the other hand has progressed towards graceful in the water.  Her favorite pool activity is getting thrown into the air by Patrick.  I will still advocate for turning the pool into a giant rainwater harvesting cistern when the girls grow out of it but for the time being I will admit I am pretty happy our house has a nice wet outdoor playground.

Age of Not Agreeing

-->

Although it began in little bits and pieces about six months ago, a tipping point has been reached in the Lacroix household these past few weeks.  Genevieve and Isadora have begun to honest to goodness disagree and fight.  And while (mercifully) it is not all the time, it is definitely a noticeable change in the house....one that perhaps deserves a (remade) song....

When you push and shove in hopeless tirades

Insisting to ev’ryone the conflict is true

You’re at the age of not agreeing

When all the harmonious play is through

When you set aside your habit of sharing

And your sisterly love is lost up on a shelf

Your at the age of not agreeing

And you begin to argue amongst yourself

You’re an argument a day and no one solves

The petty discord you believe to be true

Where did all the happy endings go?

How can you work this out and play anew?

You must face the age of not agreeing

Doubting that sister you thought you knew

Until at last you start agreeing

And realize there’s something wonderful…

Truly wonderful with you two

3rd Birthday Interview

On the occasion of her 3rd birthday and interview with Isadora...

Favorites:
Color - Pink
Book - The "appletoot" (aka octopus) book
Movie - Frozen
Activity - Dance
Animal - Giraffe (so she told me this morning, I would also add kitties to that)
Food - Beans (no idea where that came from... not sure I have ever seen her eat beans, from my personal observations I would say her favorite foods are spaghetti-os and oatmeal)
What she wants to be when she grows up - a Happy Birthday girl
Best Friend - Jasmina (who she hasn't seen since December, but still talks about all the time)

Notable things - Went from wearing diapers to using the potty.  Starting talking so well she tells jokes and increasingly elaborate stories.  Started to learn to really swim (after a period of time where she was so scared by the pool she wouldn't even put a toe in, now she jumps in and swims to the side alone and even went snorkeling with us in Belize!).  Now plays with Evie (and other kids) instead of just next to them.  Established herself as the Lacroix night owl... if allowed she'll stay up past 9 pm and sleep in until 8 am. 

Belize (with a little Guatamala) Adventure!

On Wednesday we arrived home late from an amazing vacation to mostly Belize with a little two day stint in Guatemala.  The girls once again proved themselves to be amazing travelers!  Much like our trip to Costa Rica two years ago we traveled around quite a bit, and as Patrick put it made the trip "adventure forward"where we did the more adventurous portion of the vacation at the beginning. (Although we ended up ending the vacation with one last fabulous adventure).  On the trip we started in the Cayo District of Belize, traveled to Guatamala, and then out to the Turneffe Atoll in Belize.

Canoeing.  Patrick and Izzy were in one canoe and Evie and I in the other... it was supposed to be a two hour canoe trip but we made it last all day with frequent stops.

Floating dock for swimming in the river.  Evie is hanging onto the rope swing, which we all had fun using!  The water was amazingly warm.

At the summit after a steep hike.

Hanging out in the hammock on our porch

Evie and Patrick at the start of their tubing adventure.

Izzy and Evie at a lookout tower during a break from the canoes...

We started our trip in the Cayo district of Belize at a jungle lodge called Black Rock.  There we ate amazing food (well Patrick and I did... luckily for the girls the folks there were super nice and made a trip into a nearby town to get them the makings of mac and cheese for dinner...) slept in a cabin overlooking a river and the jungle, canoed the river, tubed the river, swam in the river, hiked up to a summit (to see what we could see), and visited an amazing botanical garden.

Dawn atop Temple IV...

View through the mists from Temple IV at dawn

Later in the day at the Grand Plaza

Temple I

Coolest turkey ever!

Its rough when the steps are as big as your leg....

Temple V

We then made the trek (not long in terms of miles but long for the drive time and border crossing) from Belize into Guatemala to visit Tikal.  We stayed in a hotel in the park for two nights.  The animals were amazing, as were, of course, the Mayan ruins.  We even woke up at 3:30 in the morning to trek into the jungle and the ruins to see the dawn break atop the highest monument in the park.  It was misty and other worldly and down right amazing!  After a morning nap we set out into the park again to see the monuments in full daylight, and they did not disappoint!  The girls trekked up monument after monument, and Tikal is so big that even in the middle of the day we found ourselves wandering around and coming across ruins with no one else around.  

Playing on the beach

Getting ready to snorkel off of Half Moon Caye

Nesting red footed boobies

Baby boobie...

After two nights in Guatemala we made the trek back over to Belize City to catch a boat to the Turneffe Atoll and Blackbird Caye.  The boat ride was 1.5 hours to get out to the remote island resort where we stayed, but it was well worth it!  We spent the next few days mostly relaxing and playing on the beach and in the ocean.  On our last full day of the trip we decided to go out to the Blue Hole, which is a 900 ft across and 400 ft deep submarine sinkhole about 43 miles off the coast of Belize, and the Half Moon Caye.  Both of the girls proved themselves to be amazing snorkelers on the trip.  Evie used a real snorkel and on the Blue Hole trip day went out for 3 separate snorkels with us.  Izzy went with a floatie and goggles and just floated along putting her head under the water to look at the fish.  At one point, while snorkeling the Blue Hole she said to Patrick "Daddy, I am going to swim to you in the deep end!"  Awesome.  We are both so proud of the way the girls just rolled with it on this adventure!!

Happy 3rd Birthday Isadora!

Happy Birthday to Little Bit... our Isadora.  I cannot believe three years have gone by since that stormy July 10th when she was born.  This past year in particular she has shown herself to be a funny, brave and amazing little person.  She has gone from diapers to potty not to mention starting to swim, articulate clearly what she wants (and doesn't want) in this world and crack a mean joke.  I'll "interview" her tomorrow... and hopefully update the poor blog :)