The Coria Family

Most that know me, know I HATE going to the movies. It’s not movies per se, but I can’t stand theaters. Too crowded, in fact I get nervous going to a sporting event too even though I think it’s fun, there are just too many people for my comfort level.

Well, I took Ginger to see Hunger Games Friday night (it actually was a 3:50pm start time) and we wondered how long it had been since we went to a movie together. Well, the answer to that question is, 2003 for the Lord of the Rings, Return of the King.

What can I say, I just don’t like going to the movies…I thought it was good, though, but it might be another 9 years before I go again.

They actually did!  My crazy kids got in the pool on Wednesday afternoon.  I, personally, thought the water felt like ice when I put my foot in, but since they had been asking for about a week I said “go ahead”.  Sophia was taking a nap so I didn’t have to get in with them.  I didn’t see the harm, besides, my brother had been here that morning to clean the pool.  It really was the perfect moment for them to brave the cold and get on their inner fish.  Gracie was very proud to be declared the “first one to dunk this year”.  Audrey stayed in the longest, maybe about 20 minutes.  She really got into it turning summersaults and doing handstands in the water.  Carson jumped in and played with his kickboard a little bit, but quite quickly the cold took over and he’d had enough.  I don’t know if they will get in again before spring break is over, but they can say they officially went swimming on spring break…crazy fish!

Gracie treated us to breakfast in our own kitchen this morning.  She did such a good job that Audrey gave her a $2.00 tip which she used toward an icee at the movie this afternoon.  Her great service gave the kids an idea to have their own restaurant for lunch today.  We invited friends over to enjoy lunch “on the house” at the “Just Like Home Cafe”.  Here are some pictures of our lunch date….

The Customers

The Staff

The Menu

Carson has avoided learning to ride a bike without training wheels for far too long. So today, the day after New Year’s Day we went to the park and decided we would make him learn. As I suspected, he took to it just fine and probably could’ve a long time ago, but just decided he was too scared or we were too lazy to push him. (Or his mother wouldn’t let me push him until now). Anyway, it’s about time he learned how and stopped riding that silly tricycle.

So that is it, the famous tumbleweed Christmas tree.  This is it’s 55th year lighting Chandler’s downtown, but our first as a family to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season by being there in person when it was lit.  Being long time residents of Chandler, I thought it was about time that we participated in the festivities.  Marc had been as a child but we have neglected our own with this great City of Chandler Christmas tradition.  Boy, did we choose the year to attend.  It was extremely cold and VERY rainy.  We were pretty drenched by the end of the evening, but somehow, we didn’t let that spoil the fun (even though the children tried their best).  Amongst the complaints of being cold and wet, Marc and I kept reminding them that soon enough they would be home in their dry, warm beds and all would be well.  Needless to say as soon as the tree lit up, Marc snapped the above photo and we were outta there!

The evening began with a trip to Santa’s house and our annual picture with Santa.  Audrey was a good sport and held Sophia to keep her comforted (I couldn’t let the fact that she is almost 12 spoil the tradition of ALL our children being in the photo).  It was especially sad since we are beyond the years of crying babies in Santa’s lap.  I really don’t know why I would make the trip all the way to the mall every year since this is right downtown and FREE!  They gave us a copy of the picture and even let us take our own shots.  YAY for the Chandler Lion’s Club who sponsor this event.

After our trip to see Santa we meandered through the crowds, local entertainment, and vendors.  We tried to keep warm with hot chocolate and waited for the parade to begin.  The kids’ elementary schools’ Dad’s club always has a float.  It was fun waiting to see it and cheering for our Sanborn Suns!  During the parade is when the rain began, Marc and I even thought we saw a few small snow flurries.  I’m serious- it was COLD!  The rain eased up a little before the big downpour toward the end of the parade.  The crown thinned out quickly and we were amongst the few crazy people to wait in the cold, cold, rain for the lighting of the Christmas tree. 

It was a fun family night though we were happy to return to our home where it was warm-ish and dry.