J's present from us was for me to take him to Mesa to see Eoin Colfer, the author of the Artemis Fowl series - a GREAT set of books, by the way. T and I love them as much as J does, and I was as excited to go as he was. Eoin (pronounced "Owen") was doing a tour to promote the latest book in the series and did a presentation at the Mesa Arts Center. He showed pictures from his childhood and told anecdotes about growing up with brothers and how his family influenced the characters he created. He is a talented public speaker and his stories were hilarious. He was a teacher for many years and really knows how to relate to youth. Plus he has a beautiful Irish accent which was lovely to listen to. At the end of the presentation he did a book signing, so J was able to talk to him for a minute and get his own personalized copy of The Time Paradox. After the show we went to dinner at Chevys (yummy) where J and I shared this dessert. Olé!
The next day we went to the Visitor Center at the Arizona Mesa Temple, then drove to Phoenix and spent a few hours at the Arizona Science Center where they have hands-on exhibits and were featuring a Chronicles of Narnia display with props and costumes from the movies and interactive features (they didn't allow photos in there :( ).
My favorite display had to be the Dancing Iron Dust Trees by TechnoFrolics. Magnets and iron are choreographed to different songs - I could have watched it all day. It would be fun to have one for a party!
Hey, this is better than email! Love the pictures. Whose lovely grandchildren are they, anyway? :)
ReplyDeleteThat dessert looks really yummy :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday J! It looks like you had a fun birthday! I love your cake! How cool to meet Eoin Colfer! I appreciate you always saying hello to me at church! I miss Primary. Keep up to good work!
ReplyDeleteLook at you getting all fancy with your blog already! I knew you were going to like this!
ReplyDelete:)
Jen, what a fun trip for you two to take! You are fancy now with your cute little slide shows and all. I need to see V though! She is probably walking now! I feel like I have been gone forever and life is super fun without me! I hate that! Miss you!
ReplyDeleteI've never read the Artemis Fowl series, but I just recommended them to someone based on reading this a couple of days ago.
ReplyDeleteLooks like your trip was great...:)
J. I'm certain that you had a wonderful birthday. With all those neat things you were able to do, it was a fantastic birthday. It's also a very special thing to be 'the only one'. You didn't have to share your mother with anybody else. That doesn't happen very often when you are the eldest child. Love, Grandma Leona
ReplyDeleteI want a birthday like that one! The dancing dust trees were cool--it would be great if they could light up! We miss you all! Hugs and kisses.
ReplyDeleteAuntie Beth