We are on Spring Break (or as Carter calls it, our nine day weekend).

It is glorious.

So far we have gone to the Science Center where we watched a 3-D movie about the monarch butterfly migration, the boys played in the water area, and Husband and I showed off our awesome wooden block building skills (mine is on the left).

Another highlight has been the Desert Botanical Garden plant sale where we bought Oscar.  Oscar is an ocotillo.  We had the choice of some beautiful, mature ocotillos for $350 or some two foot immature ones for $40.  This is not to say that Oscar is immature, he actually seems quite well versed in most things botanical, but his size is far from impressive.  Until we are fully ready to commit to our front yard landscaping plans he will hang out in his pot.

We also bought some flowering plants and two varieties of milkweed for what will become our butterfly garden.  Due to these purchases, I have gotten up at five a.m. the last two mornings, so as to beat the heat, to prune and weed and otherwise ready the space for these plants.  Damn butterflies better appreciate my efforts!

The boys have rediscovered our swimming pool – the water is still very cold, but they don’t seem to mind – and I have rediscovered my love of margaritas sipped on the back patio while watching the boys swim. 

I have determined that an outdoor laundry hamper will be in our future based upon the randomly shed articles of boy clothing forming a trail to the steps of the pool.

Later this week, we will venture north to the Grand Canyon where we will meet up with some family allowing for plenty of time for the boys and their cousins to get into trouble.  In all, we will arrive at the canyon’s edge with four children.  My hope is to leave the rim with the same number.  I will let you know how it turns out.  

All in all I highly recommend the nine day weekend.