Illustrated cover — Sky Zone & Moana Days, Glendale, Arizona, July 2026, a jump arc and a film clapperboard under a full moon

Sky Zone & Moana Days

Two low-key, high-fun days back to back: an evening bouncing off the walls at Sky Zone, then an afternoon at the movies for the new Moana. Abby and Lucia came along for both, and it turned into exactly the kind of stretch that doesn’t need a plan to be a good one. 👪 The Crew Me — driver, ticket-buyer, and designated seat-picker. Charlotte — age 8, equally all-in on trampolines and animated musicals. Abby and Lucia — Charlotte’s friends, and very good company for both a jump session and a matinee. 🤸 Sky Zone First stop: Sky Zone, with a Fuel Zone pit stop for Icee’s before anyone was allowed near the trampolines. ...

July 28, 2026 · 2 min · TJ Swanson
Illustrated cover — Charlotte's First Circus, Phoenix, Arizona, July 2026, a big top under a full moon

Charlotte's First Circus

The circus came to town. The actual, capital-C circus — Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey rolled into downtown Phoenix, and Charlotte had never been to one. I remember my first. It was her turn, and she didn’t go alone: GiGi brought Sammy and Nathan along, so it turned into a six-person outing in Section 115. We’d booked the opening weeknight to dodge the weekend crowds, with the bonus of a day off right after for the cabin. Here’s how it actually went — the pick, the seats, the food, and what turned out to be the best act of the night. ...

July 23, 2026 · 4 min · TJ Swanson