Degree progress: your questions answered

I am fortunate to possess several talents: one of which is the ability to keep myself busy. So, as you may recall, the summer Lilly was born, I began another degree. It's been a long journey; very rewarding and very challenging, especially with two small children, two dogs, a husband and a job. Many of you have asked me "how's your school?" or "when are you done?" I thought I'd take a minute to outline my doctoral program at Northern Arizona University and let you know where I am along the path...

Program Requirements and Status:
1. Doctoral coursework: DONE
2. Comprehensive exams: DONE
3. Dissertation:
a. Chapter 1- Introduction: DONE
b. Chapter 2- Literature Review: DONE
c. Chapter 3- Methodology: DONE
d. Prospectus hearing with committee: DONE (this gives the approval of chapters 1-3 and the green light for data collection)
e. Data collection: DONE
f. Data analysis: In progress
g. Chapter 4- Data analysis: Not done
h. Chapter 5- Conclusions and recommendations: Not done
i. Dissertation oral defense: Not done until dissertation is complete
4. Graduation: scheduled for December 11, 2009.

I can see the light at the end of this very long tunnel. I'm technically "in candidacy" after completing the prospectus. The goal at the end of this degree: Doctor of Education, emphasis in Higher Education and Leadership

I think I can. I think I can... choo choo. This train keeps moving!

A new favorite...

Every child loves the park, right? Lately, Lilly and Claire are more interested in "how" we get to the park rather than actually being at the park. When our neighbors moved to Florida (we miss them!) they gave us a million fabulous things their children had outgrown, including a green wagon. This wagon has become the favorite mode of transportation for the girls. Claire gleefully rides inside while Lilly either pulls the wagon, also rides inside, or terrorizes Claire while riding inside. The wagon has a super-cool door which the girls love to open and close. Of course, Lilly informs me every time it is not completely closed when the wagon starts to move. It also has two cup-holders, perfect for sippy-cups, and a hidden storage compartment under one of the seats. The wagon is even wide enough to sit two little ones side-by-side. When Emma and Kate visited in March, we even attached the caboose to the back of the wagon, allowing for an extra passenger. So, needless to say, Lilly looks for every opportunity to "take the wagon." Enjoy the photos from our most recent outing.

So cool... you gotta wear shades!

Being big girls
Cutie Claire waiting in the wagon for big sister to join her

Lilly terrorizing Claire on the way home from the park

Summer Project #1... Complete!

My mom made stockings for Amy and me when we were little, and I always thought it was so neat that my stocking was handmade by mom. So, making stockings for my own girls has been a goal floating around in my head ever since they were born. At the end of the semester I began making Claire's stocking - I started on hers first because the Sugar Plum Fairy stocking Lilly chose is quite complex. I figured Claire's would be a good transition into the embroidery world.

It took me about 3 weeks (countless obsessive hours) to create the stocking for Claire, but I think it turned out well and will hopefully give her much joy during future Christmas seasons. For those of you who know me, you know that once I have a "project" I obsess about completing it.

Lilly's stocking kit is coming in the mail anyday, and as expected, she is very excited. Hopefully I will have a finished fairy stocking to post within the month. Until then...

A visit with the Denver cousins

What's more fun than watching children play? -especially cousins who don't have the opportunity to see each other often. For Memorial weekend, Scott, Monica, Andres, Sofi, Lucas and Mia visited from Denver. To the children's delight, we visited Bounce Jungle, swam and played nonstop. Here are a few photos. I will post a slideshow soon. Until then...
The Denver Z and the Arizona Z cousins
Lilly, age 2 1/2
Claire, age 13 mo.
Sofia, age 4

Lucas, age 2 1/2

Mia, age 12mo.

Spring Photos

These photos capture Claire just before her first birthday
and both girls in their pretty Easter dresses.
Enjoy!
Happy birthday little Claire. Silly Lilly

Happy 1st Birthday, Claire

Claire turned one in high style on Saturday, April 11. Dressed in her pink birthday dress and hat, Claire was the star of her party. Her special guest was Nana all the way from Kansas.

Big sister Lilly was ultra excited to greet and play with party guests, eat cupcakes and pizza. The pinata was the highlight of the party... providing much needed sugar and toys galore. Lilly and friends successfully disassembled Claire's pull-string pinata. When the pinata opened, Lilly selectively gathered only the dum-dum "suckers" from the pile of candy. Claire watched from the sidelines.

Homemade cupcakes provided another much-needed carbohydrate rush amongst party guests. Chocolate or vanilla, take your pick... homemade chocolate buttercream or 7-minute frosting. Yum! Nana and mom had fun making (and eating) these before the party started.

Claire dug right in and enjoyed her little slice of heaven... sugar sugar sugar. Claire is a carb-o-holic, so this was a moment of true glory for her that probably left her wondering: "Where's the ice cream?"

But before the party began, we had a "balloon incident" in Lilly's room. The hazards of having ceiling fans all over the house become apparent everytime we have balloons. Inevitably, one (or 12) will become wrapped around the fans. Rob had fun "cleaning up" this one.

Happy birthday, Claire. We love you and wish you many more healthy and happy birthdays. Thank you to everyone for your beautiful cards and gifts. Claire adores each of them.

Thanks Easter Bunny

Easter is almost here, so a trip to meet the Easter Bunny was on the list of things to experience with the girls. We talked it up for days with Lilly, knowing it was highly likely she would wimp out once in front of Mr. Rabbit. Claire wasn't a concern given her young age.

We ventured to the mall, walked up to Mr. Rabbit's house and stood in line to meet him. Lilly was extra excited to be there, even waved to him multipled times from the line, said hello from a distance, and even told us "He's my friend." But when the big moment arrived, she was not willing to sit on his lap, sit on the chair beside him or even stand in front of him. Instead, she stayed in the safety of Rob's arms while Claire had her pictures taken. In polite Lilly fashion, she showed much enthusiam as we walked away from Mr. Rabbit's house exclaiming: "Bye Rabbit. Will you come to my house?" Enjoy the photo of Claire.

We'd better begin talking about Santa right away...

Claire's first introduction to the Easter Bunny