A Day at the Zoo

For Andrew's first week of summer break, we headed off to the zoo. My sweet mother-in-law bought me a membership to the zoo for this year and it expires in October so I figured I better get some use out of it so it doesn't go to waste.
I have only been to the zoo a couple times and I was never a big fan of all the walking and the heat (it seems whenever I go it's ridiculously hot - I guess that's AZ for you). But, I fought back the negative thoughts and let the positive attitude shine and off we went this morning.
My hope was that kids are still in school so it wouldn't be crowded and it seems that I was correct; it wasn't crowded at all!
Andrew and I ventured around the entire zoo, stopping in the middle to eat our packed lunch and let him play at the water park for about 45 minutes.
We loved seeing all the animals (tiger, lions, elephant, monkeys, wolves, cheetah, giraffes, otter, etc.) and were bummed at the ones that were hiding or hard to see (bear, wallaby, coyotes, etc.).

Taking a rest

It's water time!!!

(He's in the green shorts)

Memorial Memories

On Monday we headed out to Roosevelt Lake for Memorial Day. We went last year, but I did not get any pictures so here is a do-over. We had a ton of fun, got too much sun (just ask my shoulders and Jeremy's back...), and there were a lot more people that came up this year.
Here is Andy and Mindy's boat that was providing non-stop enjoyment for adults and kids of all ages (until it ran out of gas...).

Here's a shot of the bridge. I love that picture. I took a picture of it last year on my cell phone and it's been the background image on my front screen ever since.

Here's Andrew and Mackenzie swimming in the pristine water... Mackenzie was quoted as saying, "I'm allowed to pee in this lake." referring to the time they got stranded out in the middle of the lake and she had no choice but to pee in the lake.

Jeremy watching Ariana and Andrew fish on Andrew's little Cars pole.

My boy and me.

Andrew bringing in a catfish after Ariana brought in a bass of about the same size. I've never seen any prouder parents than Jeremy and Danielle. It was great!

After the water activities and time spent in the sun, we headed back to Globe for some yummy mexican food at Guayo's on the Trail. Our group took up one of the back rooms and it wasn't even half of the people that were out at the lake, I don't think. We helped eliminate the restaurants food supply by eating all the chips and chicken that they had. Most of us had to change our meal selection from chicken to beef (I was one of them, but it turned out for the best - the beef tacos are AWESOME!). Poor Pastor Bill and Kelly came too late to order food since they ran out of everything but rice and beans, but we all shared. Now's not the time to be greedy when the Pastor is hungry!!! Next year we will need to warn them ahead of time (like a week) we're coming or we need to get there earlier than 8:00 pm!

Preschool Program

Last Thursday (May 21st), Andrew had his last day of preschool. Parents and family were invited to come watch their program. Jeremy, me and my parents were able to make it and it was so cute! Andrew did a great job!
Here he is with Ms. Jones. She was such a great teacher and if anyone needs a preschool teacher in the Queen Creek area, let me know!

Here are all the kids in his class. Andrew was bummed that there were no kids' birthdays between August and December so he had to stay seated so long while they were singing the Months of the Year song.

Here's a video of the Days of the Week song. I was surprised Andrew learned the days of the week in Spanish this year! It was so cute to hear them sing in Spanish.

Here's a video of Andrew's part of the production. You may have to turn the volume way up to hear him. He did a great job and practiced really hard to memorize his lines. It wasn't so quiet in person - I'm not sure why it's so quiet on my camera...

Jeremy and I were so excited to see his program and see his progress throughout the year. It's amazing the confidence he has gained from a couple days a week in preschool! He is so ready for Kindergarten and even wants to bypass summer break all together and start school right away.

Twenty-Eight

28 years ago today I was born. Here's 28 things about me:

1. Name: Kara Beth Dalmacio
2. I'm married
3. Mother of 1 child, Andrew (age 5)
4. Favorite color: pink
5. Hobby: scrapbooking and reading
6. Favorite movie: Pride & Prejudice (1995)
7. Favorite book: Twilight series
8. I love going to dinner and a movie on date nights!
9. I enjoy watching Jeremy play sports (basketball, softball, baseball…)
10. Even though I’ll miss him, I look forward to sending Andrew off to school in July.
11. I love to shop for myself, but feel extremely guilty after I buy anything.
12. I really love the elliptical machine at the gym.
13. I HATE HATE HATE sweating. You’d think I’d be oblivious to it since I live in AZ…
14. I need my sleep or I am NOT fun to be around the next day.
15. My house is never clean enough to me.
16. I look forward to paydays even though it usually means we’re broke (again).
17. I hate confrontations and will avoid them at all costs.
18. I really enjoy traveling (especially on a cruise ship).
19. I occasionally ponder what vehicle I will purchase next. Weird, huh?!
20. I really dislike talking on the phone; I prefer texting.
21. I plan on having 3 more kids (by the time I’m 30). Notice I said “I plan.”
22. I love homemade tacos (ask Jeremy’s family).
23. I am a complete control freak in my vehicle (poor Jeremy).
24. I can name the location of pretty much any object of Jeremy’s or Andrew’s that is out of place in the house. Just in case they ask if I’ve seen it.
25. I am not a big fan of getting older. I feel like time is running out sometimes. Scary.
26. I prefer baking to cooking any day!
27. I don’t like my routine to be messed up unless it’s by my own doing.
28. I like talking about myself!

Good times, Good friends, Good news!

It's 6pm on Sunday and I am trying to stay awake for a couple more hours, but I am TIRED! I don't think I got much sleep this weekend and I'm really starting to feel it!
This past Tuesday was fun! I spent the evening with Danielle celebrating our birthdays. Her husband made us appointments for manicures and pedicures at a beauty school in Chandler and Jeremy's gift to us was dinner, so we ate at Shangri-La on Alma School and Elliott. Dinner was yummy and then we headed over to the beauty school that was in the same strip mall. I had never had a manicure (besides getting acrylic nails put on), and I've never had pedicures done at a beauty school. I was really impressed by the whole experience and our finger and toe nails came out beautiful! I'd go back again for sure and the prices are very reasonable!
I also had the chance to ride in a convertible for the first time that night. Danielle drove her little Eclipse and I have to admit it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. However, by the time we got to the restaurant, I was sweating a lot (but I didn't really notice until after I got out of the car). I always thought my hair would be all over the place and it wasn't (but I had it pulled back in a pony tail), and I always thought I'd feel really unsafe like flying objects would nail me; like bugs, debris, or other vehicles if we got in a wreck. Luckily nothing like that happened and we arrived to our appointment and back home safely.
Saturday morning (yesterday), we went over to Schnepf Farms for the Peach Festival. We met up with Gail, Kristi, Steve, Dustin, Tess, and Mikey at 7:30 am. We ate pancakes with peaches and whip cream on them and were joined by Taylor, Erin, Quinten, and Barrett. The kids played at the park for a little bit before we headed out to the orchards to pick peaches. It was super hot and I couldn't wait to be done and go home. We got our measly box of peaches (only $6 worth because last year we bought a lot and a lot went to waste).
Jeremy had to book it to his golf tournament and he took Andrew with him. I was able to squeeze in an hour nap before getting ready and heading over to April's house.
April and I went to Central Christian Church in Mesa to see Wm. Paul Young (author of, The Shack) be interviewed by the senior pastor of Central. April and I were really impressed with the interview and were so glad we were able to hear him explain the book and the story behind the story. We were surprised that we were also blessed in different ways by some of the things he spoke about in his own life and spiritual walk with God.
We booked it outta there to drive out to Surprise (aka the complete opposite side of the state) to see the Globe Tigers vs. Wickenburg in the 3A State baseball championship game. April's brother-in-law, David is the head coach so it's always great to see someone you know coaching young kids and being so successful at it! Globe won the game 4-2 and it was amazing! Very close for most of the game so I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Also, where we were sitting had the potential to get hit by foul balls from the left handed batters so Jeremy constantly reminded me to 'pay attention dang it' whenever a left handed batter was up and I was chit chatting with Mindy. Only one ball came our way and I was OK because I WAS paying attention (dang it).
Anyway, good times it was, of course! I was so proud of David because he's obviously worked really well with those boys and all his effort really paid off!
Today was a typical Sunday. Get up early, run around getting ready, being late to help teach the kids at the school, show up to service a tad late, out to eat with friends, then home (well, this Sunday, Jeremy filled in for the co-ed softball team at 3:00 and now he's working on people's yards while Andrew and I are at home).
I heard some awesome news from my friend today that she is expecting her 3rd child in November and her story is so inspiring of how God works! She has been trying for quite a while to get pregnant with her third and discovered she does not ovulate. Her doctor said he would put her on a low dosage of a fertility drug. She filled the prescription and was supposed to begin taking the pills with her next cycle. Wouldn't you know it, the cycle never came because God decided to show her the awesomeness of His powers before any medication could be given credit for His doing!!!!! She was already pregnant! I say AMEN to that and it will always be a reminder to me that God can do anything at anytime He wants and it's sad to think that we sometimes won't give Him credit for the stuff He does for us. It's made me realize that I want to remember to give credit to Him for all He does for me and my family because I realize how easy it is to think, "oh the doctor did this", or "the medicine I took allowed this", etc.
Let that sink in for a bit.
On that note. Good night!

Momma's Day

This weekend was Mother's Day weekend. By the way, when did Mother's Day turn in to Mother's Day Weekend anyway? Has anyone else noticed that? Not that I'm complaining that I can claim a weekend to being spoiled and having the world revolve around me or anything (wink), but I've been noticing over the past few years that Mother's Day is an entire consummation of a weekend and it's dang stressful at times!
Here we are desperately trying to figure out a balance between spending time with my wonderful mom and Jeremy's wonderful mom - all the while having my own selfishness kick in and want to spend some time doing something for myself. It definitely takes up an entire weekend. (Then we have the non-mothers and single people at my work in charge of social events schedule a company picnic that same weekend - I'm just saying).
Anyway, I was able to see my mom Saturday afternoon/evening, but stupid me forgets a card and the picture I was going to give her because I was running around that morning getting ready for the above mentioned picnic. Where are my priorities?! Really?!
Yesterday, Jeremy made me a ham and cheese omelet and toast and I was late for church because I'm not used to eating breakfast. Whoops! Andrew made me a super cute card of our house on the front and our backyard on the back. It was very detailed (including the hammock and BBQ grill) and along the sidewalk he wrote Happy Mother's Day.
My other gift was a nap after church! That was the best!!!! I even got the upstairs to my self. Jeremy and Andrew took naps on the downstairs couch.
We had dinner at Kristi's yesterday so we could spend time with Gail. Again, I forgot the picture I was going to give her, but luckily Jeremy made her a card yesterday during his youth group, so she at least got something.
It was a nice weekend; not the most stressful Mother's Day weekend I've had and that's about all I can ask for at this point in our busy lives.
I hope all you other momma's had a nice segment of time devoted just to yourselves to unwind and de-stress!

What's New You Ask?

I left off with Easter... Hmmm what have I done since then?
I took a trip up to Heber the weekend after Easter with 8 other girls for a fun time of scrapbooking and relaxation (and by relaxing I mean stressin' about what to put on what page and stressin' about getting pages completed in our albums before we have to come back to real life). We had a GREAT time, as usual (that was our 3rd annual trip).
Jeremy and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary on April 24th by going to Carrabba's for dinner and watching 17 Again with Zac Efron and Matthew Perry. It was a funny movie! We really enjoyed our date and agree that it doesn't feel like it's been very long since we've been married. I guess that's a good thing, huh?!
We were invited by our concert buddies, Dallas and Kayla, to see Third Day and Brandon Heath at Celebrity Theatre last week. That was Jeremy and my first time seeing both of them. The concert was absolutely fun, of course! We didn't get home and to bed until 12:45 and I had to wake up at 4:45. Yuck, but poor Jeremy was at work by the time I woke up at 4:45.
We had our last soccer game as coaches this past Saturday. I am glad for that! I enjoyed coaching, but I was getting a little tired of the practices especially (having to figure out what drills and games to do). It was time for a break. I will probably not coach again, but it was fun to get the experience.
My friend Selene came out to our house Friday night and stayed the night to come to Andrew's last game Saturday. It's been awhile since she'd been out here. We had a nice time catching up and watching both Bridget Jones movies. I LOVE those movies! So funny!
That pretty much brings you up to speed on what's new for now.