The Farm at South Mountain...

We spent the day at The Farm yesterday with Abby, Gadiel and Jenny. The Farm is an actual farm in the middle of central Phoenix at the base of South Mountain. They are open to the public from November thru March. It's a really fun place with two restaurants, lots of picnic tables and space to run around. The more informal restaurant-"The Farm Kitchen" is the one we visited. You just go in, pick up a picnic basket and fill it with anything you want- salads, soups, sandwiches, decadent desserts, etc. Then you can eat on the patio- which is what we did, or you can take the basket out to one of the picnic tables. They used to have chickens and goats roaming around the property, but for some reason, they no longer have them. On the patio- I don't know why no one is smiling:) Goofing around! Having a conversation at one of the outdoor "sitting areas":) Collecting rocks:)

Last day of Zoo Camp....

Apparently, today was Luka the Andean Bear's first birthday. The entire zoo had a birthday party for him! His cake was made of "butter, blueberries, and other things" according to Jasmine. The 1st and 2nd graders made cards for him and some of the other kids wrapped presents. I guess there was some type of meat or food in the boxes. His (Luka's) mother had to help him open the presents because he was too slow:). They also learned something (?) about turkeys today. The turkeys "pecked at everyone but me", said Jasmine- probably because she coerced someone into carrying her:) Perfect weather for camp. In the 70's and blue skies all week. Never again will we go to zoo camp or even visit the zoo in the summer- blah:). Too bad, because the July 4th fireworks are nice there, but just unbearable heat. Making the usual goofball face! Papago Buttes in the background. Not a week goes by we that don't hear about someone climbing to the top and having to be rescued. It's constant, especially on holidays and in nice weather. On New Year's Day, I was picking Jasmine up from the zoo- and sure enough, a helicopter was hovering over the mountain lifting some yahoo who had climbed up there and couldn't get back down:)) It happens much more often in the winter months with the "winter visitors" coming from all over the country, but it definitely happens all year around with the locals, too. When I took that Emergency Rescue Class a couple of years ago, someone asked one of the firemen how often they have to climb Camelback Mountain/Papago Buttes or any of the other peaks around the city. His reply was "every single day"!!! It takes major athleticism to climb those mountains, then get back down on foot. Guess that's why they use the helicopter when they can, but the person is not always accessible with the helicopter.

At Zoo Camp this week....

Yesterday, I could only find out that they put pieces of meat up in the trees and watched the tigers climb up and get them. Today, they made boxes and filled them with raisins and walnuts for the monkeys. I also see that they made bird nests. That's all the information I could eek out of Jasmine! First morning of camp. With Shannon today... the main Grade 1-2 teacher.

Talking to Grandma.....:)

Overnight with Hope Gonzales.....

Roller skating on Friday night, then swimming at Kiwanis Wave Pool on Saturday. Apparently, Hope colored a picture and submitted it to a magazine. She won the admissions into the wave pool for her coloring:)!! Jazzy is exhausted- yeah!

Christmas 2013....

Jasmine woke me up almost every hour to ask me if it was time to get up yet!! I woke up and felt like I had been hit by a truck- flu like. We opened up our presents that Santa brought, then went over to Jim, Jacky and Katie's for a nice dinner and even more presents! It was really nice out... around 75 degrees, so Jim, Katie and Jasmine went to the park while Jacky and I stayed home. Peppa Pig sleeping bag:) Lots of cute clothes:), a skating Zuka bag from Grandma and Grandpa-(which she has really wanted for a long long time), tons of games and toys. Showing Jessie her new bed and treats:) Katie and Jasmine:) Opening presents at Katie's. We had cake/cupcakes/lots of food. Yes, she's "spoiled", but she deserves it!!

Running around like crazy people today....

Gym, Petco for the puppy and pigs, then Whole Foods Market for the party tomorrow. We are bringing the salad and the vegetable dish- and since Whole Foods is so close, that's where we go. Everyone says... "Oh, this is so good. How did you make it?".... I slaved all day... not! Then off to Sea Life Arizona- largest aquarium in the country, and it's not really all that big. They have a jellyfish exhibit right now. You are not allowed to take flash photos in there...so all of the photos turned out badly today. No flash. Then...after Sea Life, we saw the movie "Frozen". It was really cute:) Cleaning the house right now so Santa can actually get in.:)) Shopping at Whole Foods. Jellyfish exhibit!