tales from a far-land

The Farrell-Landers family had a very busy, fun-filled Memorial Day weekend.  We headed out to California to visit family and friends. A couple of days before the trip, Josh and I decided that on our way to Laguna Woods, we would stop to visit Knott's Berry Farm with the kids for the first time.  So, travel day arrived and we loaded up the car and the kids on Thursday morning at three o'clock so that we would arrive at the front gates of the amusement park when it opened at ten o'clock.  Josh and I thought it would be a perfect time to travel.   The kids would sleep.  We would enjoy the quiet and our coffee.  But our son had a different plan. As soon as we left the greater Phoenix area, Aiden started to complain about his tummy hurting.  We thought that he was hungry as he didn't really eat too much for dinner the night before, so we gave him a couple of snacks,  That still didn't calm his stomach and he wanted to go potty.  This was just...

Aiden completed the City of Phoenix spring soccer league about a month ago.  He really had a good time playing this past season.  He really loved his coach and fellow classmates.  They had fun, but they all learned a lot about the game as well.  Fun times! Warming-Up  Big kick!  Team meeting before the game  Soccer boy!  Aiden and his teammate, Maximo  Aiden, Yosh and Maximo  Team Photo  Receiving his trophy  Everyone with the trophy  Aiden and Coach

For the past eight Saturdays, Madilyn has been taking an hour and half Musical Theater class at  Valley Youth Theatre .  During these classes, Madi studied the elements of musical theatre including music, dance and acting.  She thoroughly enjoyed class and we often heard her practicing her songs around the house during the week in-between classes.  On Friday evening, VYT had a Showcase for the parents so we could watch our kids perform what they had been learning in the class.  Her class performed songs from "Sound of Music".   Madilyn did such a great job!  No stage fright whatsoever!  She walked right up on stage and performed the songs with the choreography and knowledge of the words.  We were all so impressed! We may have another Thespian in the family. Madi and her Certificate of Completion Performing "Edelweiss" Performing "Do, Re, Mi" Performing "So Long, Farewell"

This afternoon Madilyn performed in her first dance recital.  For the past year, Madi has been taking a forty-five minute class at Dance Theater West  on Saturday mornings.  And this afternoon, she was able to show-off what she has been learning.  It was so adorable!  We are extremely proud parents. She marched right up on the stage with the other girls; no tears, no fear.  In fact, during her performance, she was the kid reminding the rest of her classmates what to do.  My favorite part of the performance was when Madi ran straight to me (I was one of the parent helpers) after dancing to give me a big hug.  She was so excited and proud of her accomplishment.  She was beaming! Thank you to Miss Sally for welcoming Madilyn as your student.  I love that she gets to experience your passion of dance just like I did.  I guess, I am going to be a "dance" mom. I apologize for the poor video footage.  I *technically* wasn't su...

Last Sunday, the Farrell-Landers family enjoyed celebrating Mother's Day with my Mom, Oma and Dad.  We met for brunch at Moon Valley Country Club.  The meal was outstanding and we never leave hungry.  We are so lucky be able to enjoy these moments with my Mom and my surrogate grandmother, Oma.  Cannot wait to celebrate motherhood again next year! Here is a photo recap of the morning: Text message I received from the kids (via Grandma) wishing me "Happy Mother's Day!" Photos after brunch at Moon Valley Country Club She loves to pose for pictures now!  Mommy and Madi Me, Grandma and the kids   Oma, Grandma and the kids  Me and Mom Cutest Mother's Day gift -- artwork and bracelets made with love.

Last Saturday, we attended THE BIG EVENT.  This is a charity event hosted every year by Josh's Boys and Girls Club of Metro Phoenix board.  This year, the date happened to fall on our anniversary so it was an extra special night out for us.  We were very lucky to spend the evening surrounded by many of our good friends enjoying good music, lively auction entertainment, and dancing.  We couldn't have asked for a more perfect evening.  SO.MUCH.FUN. Enjoying the limousine ride to the event Group Selfie Christy and Brandon Jenn and Jen Jennifer and Jim The Guys Photo Booth Pictures

Last Friday, Madilyn had the first of many graduations she will have in her lifetime.  She graduated from Anderson Preparatory Academy.  No more preschool for her.  She will be starting kindergarten in August. It was a very touching graduation full of caps and gowns, laughter and tears, an adorable slideshow and technical difficulties.  But most of all it honored a classroom of five year olds ready to embrace the next chapter in their lives.  I cannot believe that my little girl is growing up so quickly.  Everyone warns you how fast they grow-up.  I guess I never imagined the years would pass by this quickly. Madilyn Rae, we are so proud of you!  "Oh, The Places That You Will Go" and we are excited to be a part of all of your adventures. Pomp and Circumstance Singing "I'm On My Way" Singing "There Ain't No Mountain High Enough"

Celebrating Mother's Day with Madi and Aiden at Anderson Preparatory Academy. Celebrating Keaton's 5th birthday watching the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. 

What to where when it is going to be over ninety degrees today ... Snow hats and mittens, of course.

Today was a fun day to watch Aiden play soccer.  Although he is one of the youngest on the team, he is really starting to get comfortable on the field and with the mechanics of the game.  He is becoming more confident and more involved during the game.  He still has his day dreaming moments, but you can definitely tell that he is learning and becoming a better player.  In fact, at one point during the game, he took command of the ball, dribbled it down the field and shot on goal only to miss it by a little bit.  It was so exciting to watch.  This is something that he would have never done in the past.  I am so glad I was able to capture it on film. *So proud* Warming-up  Running to get the ball  Lookin' Good Taking a little break  Dribbling with a smirk  Go Sharks!  Excited to play  Mommy and Aiden selfie  Soccer Boy Aiden's breakout moment ... More of Aiden playing ...

Holidays are a time of joy and love, family and friends.  The Farrell-Landers family is very lucky to have our holidays filled with exactly that recipe.  And this Easter was no different.  We enjoyed our day watching children hunt for eggs, toasting Bloody Marys and Mimosas and consuming "egg-cellent" brunch foods on the patio while discussing the latest and greatest on-goings in each others lives.  We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful spring day.  We hope that your Easter holiday was just as special as ours.

A couple of nights ago while Aiden was finishing dinner, he started to sing Little Bunny Foo Foo. He asked me if I knew the words to the song.  I told him that I did so he proceeded to ask me if I would sing with him.  The whole thing was so cute I decided to take a video of our performance.  These are the small moments that make motherhood so much fun.  I love watching all of his facial expressions. They are priceless.

On the last Sunday of March, we took the kids to a spring training game at Tempe Diablo Stadium to watch the Angels play the Reds.  Sadly, the weather was extremely warm that day (ninety plus degrees), so we only lasted until the fifth inning.  While we were there, the kids enjoyed running down to the dugout in between innings in the hope that one of the players would toss them a ball.  We really enjoyed our time at the game with friends and our kids.  Too bad the weather didn't cooperate very much! The Bauman Family Megan and Aiden Palmer Girls Selfie Trying to obtain a baseball from a player View from our seats Aiden enjoying the game  Josh and Aiden  Travis and Connor