tales from a far-land

For the past ten months, our backyard has undergone a huge renovation.  We wanted to create a backyard that embodied our family's attitudes and ideals.  We want our kids to have a place where they can be kids -- to run, jump, and play all year round.  We also love to entertain, so we wanted a backyard that would fulfill this goal as well. We spent many months searching for the right contractor to create our dream backyard.  And after much negotiation and company interviews, we decided to sign a contract with  California Pools & Landscape .  So, in August 2015, the backyard demolition and renovation began.  Throughout the next ten months, our project progressed.  We did have some challenges along the way.  Our project was overseen by three different Construction Managers, which created some transitional issues as they didn't always know the entire background of the project.  We also experienced weather and permit delays.  And l...

This spring Aiden started playing in the recreational division of  Sereno Soccer Club .  We decided to try this league out as it is closer to our home and wanted to see if it would work better for us working parents.  We definitely missed Coach Tamera at ASA and her coaching style, but luckily, Aiden and Madi will be in her summer soccer camp this summer in Munds Park.   For the most part, this soccer club was a good experience for all of us.  Josh and I made some new friends and even ran into some existing ones while on the sidelines.  Madi finally figured out how to support her brother and play at the same time.  And Aiden finally scored some goals during the last two games of the season.  This season really allowed Aiden to become a more confident player.  He has always been one of the younger, smaller players, but this season allowed him to finally shine.  It was very exciting to see him so happy, beaming with pride.  ...

Spring semester for Madilyn at BASIS Central Phoenix was full of tons of hard work, but also included some fun, friends and fantastic achievements. Madilyn really started to excel in school and in herself.  Our little princess has become more confident in her abilities.  She has made huge strides in her academics, personal growth, friendships and was excited to go to school each day to learn something new.  We could not have been happier!   Student of the Week in April The robots Madi's class built in engineering Aiden wanted to build one too Spending time with friends during Madi's 2nd Spring Break Olivia, Madi and Gretchen End of Year Kindergarten Celebration Ms. Arnold and Madi's Classmates Madi with her graduate hat Being Silly Madi and Ms. Arnold Gretchen and Madi Kindergarten Class of 2016

Last Friday, Aiden graduated from Anderson Preparatory Academy preschool.  It was a pretty special graduation for our family.  It was our last preschool graduation.  We started attending APA as a family when Aiden was six months old, and now, he will be attending BASIS Phoenix Central in August. We have really enjoyed our time at APA.  These special teachers have become a part of our family. They have helped our children to grow into the little people they are today.  They educated them. They nurtured them.  They disciplined them.  They created special memories for them.  And most of all, they loved them.  And our kids loved them back.  We will miss our APA family, but excited for the next chapter of our kids' lives. The APA graduation ceremony was beautiful.  It was full of smiles and tears, singing and dancing, diplomas and scholarships, karate kicks and jumping jacks and most of all really proud parents and teachers.  Th...