9-1-1 Firemen in our Front Yard!

That got your attention, didn't it??!!?? I'm sure you haven't forgotten that the twins started their bedroom on fire with a pair of underwear (or did I blog about that??!!??) Today, we didn't call them, but who'd have thunk that I could get a field trip from the fire department delivered right to my own front yard. . .

Hard to believe, but this is our 3rd home and the 3rd home we've lived in with a fire hydrant in the front yard. Could be that we like corner lots, but it is a strange coincydink (coincidence), don't you think? Today our friendly neighborhood fire department paid our hydrant a visit. This isn't the first time, but it's the first time that we've gone outside to see them. Could be that we had fantabulous 80' weather today so my boys spent the entire day outside, or the fact that we happened to be in the school room with a window that we could see them from, but either way, my kids HAD to go outside to watch. 2 seconds after the boys got out there, they turned and ran back in the house. Now when I tell you that I had NO idea where they were off too as they hadn't said a word, you probably won't believe me. My husband asked me 3 times. But seriously, they just took off without a word and when they came back they had their Halloween costumes on. I tell you they have twin-twin telepathy. For the first time ever, Wyatt was a little disappointed he hadn't opted for the fireman costume. From there, the firemen just took the show. My kids got their own personal fire-truck tour and even got to light the lights, play the sirens and blow the horn. They were in heaven. What a great day to be a kid! Thank you BVFD. . . You guys rock!

To see the picture more clearly, just click anywhere on the collage:

Valentine's Day

So who else but me would sign up to make sugar cookies and frosting for 60 kids in our homeschool group to decorate at our annual Valentine's Party? You guessed it! I also couldn't find the time to make them until midnight on Valentine's Day! We did get the kids' Valentine's mailboxes and valentines to give done on Sunday, but last minute me was up most of the night making the cookies. It was sure a lot of fun and definitely worth it.

A Fair Day

So maybe it was better than fair, but we were at the AZ State Fair! Our day started with lots of lines. Lines to get in (on free Homeschoolers Day), lines for free rides (the kids each earned 3 free rides for reading and writing about 3 books), lines at the petting zoo (which really had a Zebu), lines for the bathroom after waiting in the previous lines and then of course, lines for Cotton Candy! The best part of the day (aside from watching W & W eat their very first bag of cotton candy --yes they each got their own) was having 3 of the 4 of my kids picked to participate in the Mad Science Show. Of course Walker wasn't too happy about being the one who didn't get his turn, but I'm sure the ride on the very huge slide made up for it! The worst part of the day was that W & W were not tall enough to ride on almost any ride. We went on the slide and resorted going back to it for a second run only to find out that they weren't tall enough and the carny didn't care that I had proof on my camera that they had already gone before! Walker especially didn't understand and was reduced to a puddle wailing "stop saying that, mom! I am big enough! Stop saying that!!!" I was really frustrated, but sad for him too! I also have to complain (slightly) that nearly NONE of the carnies spoke English and that many of the rides were being explained in Spanish. On top of that all the signs said "DO NOT PLAY OR RIDE UNTIL YOU UNDERSTAND THE RULES. IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND, ASK THE ATTENDANT." Good luck with that!