school rain

As we settle into the third week of school our lives find an rhythm of routine and familiar.   It hasn't been easy or smooth by any means but, there is comfort in the sameness of what we experience everyday.   Part of the hard part is this time of year in Arizona.   It's the hottest and longest part of the year.  As we open the garage door in the morning the blast of 100 degrees awaits us.   Then it heats up all day and as we are making our way back home from school in the afternoons it's beyond bearable.   By the time we get home, we are sweaty, tired, and a little overwrought.

Yet every once in a while there is a little break.    Storm clouds starting forming about 2:00 and when I stepped outside the heat didn't take my breath away or burn my feet.   It was cool, windy, and about to rain.  Heaven.  I gathered up the kids from school and we rode home as fast as we could go.   Just in time to watch the sky start to fall with millions of raindrops.    It was so beautiful and welcomed.

But, the heat rages on and we are all looking forward to winter around here and the next day it was back up to 108 when we walked home.

So, after school we must find things to keep us busy.   Our pool is definitely used everyday this time of year.  It is like a little piece heaven in our backyard.

We also have other activities that keep us out of trouble.

You see, if Gabriel is doing something with his hands he isn't running around driving us all crazy.    His yo-yo is always in his hands.   When I hear the purr of the string, I know Gabriel is close by.   He is actually quite good at all his tricks.

And when he's not playing with his yo yo he may be playing his Saxophone.

You will find Gracie with her princess dress pretending to be Snow White.   Her preschool teacher tells me that she is always an evil princess at school.  Freezing everyone in sight.  Evil Princess Snow White?!

We always have reading time after school.   Everyone always whines but they love it once they get started.

It seems that Eli didn't make any of my pictures this time.   Well, it's probably because he is busy sending text messages or face timing someone on my phone.  This is his new obsession.  He loves to add pictures to all my contacts and memorize phone numbers.    He works my iphone better than I do.  So, if you get a call from him in the near future don't be surprised.