Irish Guilt

I can not believe a week has passed since one of the most important holidays of the year and I am just now posting photos of the kids in their annual Old Navy St. Patrick Day tees. Rest assured, we did celebrate with a few Harps and plenty of green icing (on cookies and cupcakes), as it was a kid friendly night in a neighbor’s basement pub. But I still feel like I didn't do the Foley name proud. I promise to represent better (and more promptly) in 2011.

Parental Sacrifice No. 36

Shoes with lights. Enough said. But let me be clear that they were purchased accidentally. I guess the 50% off tag overshadowed the “These Mary Janes Come With Obnoxious Flashing Lights” warning written on the box. So therefore, the pink, mini bulbs on the toe and in the soles were not discovered until Avery was trying them on for size and running through the kitchen. At that point there was no turning back and I knew I officially became one of those parents who sacrifice fashion and sophisticated taste for the likings and preferences of a two year old. I am sure a Dora swimsuit will be next ….

The Co-Pilot

I would not call Alex a back seat drive, but a co-pilot. He never tells me where to turn, when to slow down and how to best weave through all the heavy traffic on Branch Hill Guinea Road. But he does give me up to date (like every minute) status reports on the temperature inside and outside, my current speed, my current direction, my current CD selection, the current time (and then the estimated time to our final destination) and how much gas is in the tank (little variance usually occurs on this one).

Our new car – which may really be the shocking detail of this story since I planned to drive my beloved 2001 Pathfinder (that had been through two major wrecks involving both deer and an icy overpass, yet I would always love it for all the great times and places it took us to in Colorado, but finally have to give up because we needed the optional third row to stay in the carpool mix … take a breath) forever – does not have that many more gadgets and readings, so I can only assume Alex’s weekly “letters and numbers” homework is sinking in and keeping him entertained on all our driving excursions.

Getting to Know and Love the Cactus League

Although I have been traveling to Tempe for work for almost three years now and have been getting used to the heat, vegitation (dirt instead of grass) and culture, I think I finally found the best reason to like Arizona – Reds Spring Training. And I also think I discovered the maximum number of days I enjoy being away from Alex and Avery – six.

We were anxious to get home to the kids, but other than that could have stayed in Scottsdale through end of the Cactus League season.

Along with spending some QT with the Cox family, the trip highlights included: four ballparks (of course the Reds’ new Goodyear stadium), 30 innings (Andy actually agreed to skip out early on a baseball game), countless Fat Tires (with the exception of a few Miller products while watching the Brewers), countless calories (from local Mexican to posh cuisine) and one dance club (Andy actually agreed to go dancing, too!). It is safe to say we will soon be experiencing baseball (and the sunshing and day drinking that comes with it) withdrawal.

Click here for more pictures from Spring Training 2010.

Time for the Great Outdoors!

I don’t want to get over confident, but we are on day number three of sunshine and 50+ degree weather. It was enough for me to schedule a last minute pedi and hit the mall for an express shopping trip to supplement my warm weather wardrobe and to be sure I am not unprepared for open toe season (and especially my trip to PHX). Loving all my new finds: strappy sandals, light weight kakis, tissue thin merino wool sweaters, Old Navy tees and a canvas cargo coat, which is all the rage and this spring’s must have according to US Weekly.

But along with the damage done at Kenwood Towne Center and to our AM EX bill, the true sign of spring is the fact the Cozy Coupe, along with 20 other plastic toys, have displaced the Matrix from the garage. We all better get used to more time outside.

Photos from February 2010

Snow, work and testing our patience while eating out with two kids sums up February.

However, March already looks more promising: We said goodbye to my beloved Pathfinder and hello to another Pathfinder (but one with a third row to ensure we are in the car pooling mix someday); Alex is this month’s Star Student in his class; the ladies’ Friday happy hours have started back up; Avery is going pee on the potty; and at least two Reds' spring training games are in our very near future as Andy plans to fly out and join me on my next work trip to Arizona.

Click here for more photos from February 2010.