Friday, May 29, 2009

Got Milk?

Where's your mustache?


Milk - it does a body good. Especially on a 34 pound body that thinks it's a "treat." Suckers :)

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

All in a day - Emily


Not a day goes by where she does not dress up the dog. Good thing Saffron is a good sport - we're just glad we don't have a cat.

Sometimes she even interacts with people.

Hmm... I was wondering where those little blonde hairs were coming from...

"Abby, it's almost like looking in the mirror - I'm so darn cute."

Happy in water.

They'll never find me in here...

She loves playing with bugs. Notice the "ring on her finger." She found it at the park and said she is going to marry Aidan with it. Oh, and yes, that's a dead roach. (I wonder if it died when she tried to do its hair?)

Enjoying some quality big brother time.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Memorial Day Weekend

We didn't do a whole lot over the weekend. We had chores to do - you know cleaning, laundry, yard work. Dreaded responsibilities.

However, it was nice having 3 days to share with the whole family. The swim meet on Saturday went about the same as last weekend. The girls expired at about the same point and this time James took them home. My mom came and we stayed back to finish watching Austin. We came home and James and I had a date. Not ballroom dancing, wine and roses - just the two of us running around town without the kiddos. We went to REI and then to lunch. I got a fanny pack for our trip, and boy I am going to be so stylin' it this vacation, you have no idea. Oh and we got 3 whistles - that was James' idea. Just in case someone gets lost... and of course to scare away the bears.

The mention of bears is making me rethink what we're about to do.

Next we went to lunch at Friday's where everything on their menu is $5. Cha-ching.

Saturday night we had friends over, Sunday we skipped church, and Monday we went to James' coworker's farm. When we got home, we jumped in the pool. It was a lot of fun, although I'm sure the whole neighborhood could hear a chorus of "watch me mommy, watch me daddy" and was wondering what was going on back there... Emily finally put her whole head under the water. Baby steps.

Oh and look at my pretty girl's face. Poor thing! She was in her room on Sunday afternoon and we heard a big boom. Apparently she hit it pretty good on the bed railing. That girl is a walking accident. She looks behind her as she walks forward, so this isn't her first bruise on her face, but I think it may be the worst! Ouch!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Sisterly LOVE

Abby: "Just because you were born 1 minute before me, don't even think I'm going to unload the dishwasher for you."
Emily: "I have a dress with pockets - and you WILL unload it for me. Don't mess with me today - my hair already looks bad and I have no problem taking you down Little A."

Well, that's not exactly the conversation. Probably just discussing which one loves Austin more.



Hope everyone has a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Swim Team

This is Austin's first year. I must say it is quite the commitment. We started about a month ago. Practice is Mon-Fri at 5:00 and swim meets every Saturday starting at 6:45 until around noon. This goes on until the end of June. Last Saturday we got to be there at 6:00 for setup (well James did). And every family has to volunteer 6 hours (or else they will cash a $150 check we gave them at the beginning of the year). I'm doing the heat sheets, and then something with the end of year party. Austin seems to be enjoying it so we will continue, although I will say I really did not know all that it entailed until after we joined. So much for my Saturday morning step class until July.

This is the way the meet went on Saturday:
6:00 James arrives to help setup.
6:45 The kiddos and I arrive. Sign in and warm-up by swimming a few laps of the pool.
7:45 The girls have completed all the puzzles and finished all the games we brought.
8:30 The girls whining has officially begun.
9:05 Austin's first race, he was chosen to swim a relay because of his fast times last weekend. His team won.
9:35 The girls are officially too hot, and according to them they can't bear to be in the sun anymore.
10:05 Austin's second race, a freestyle, which he completes in 36.81 seconds.
10:30 The girls have officially expired, I take the girls home. James stays.
11:45 Austin's third race, 25 meter backstroke, he completes in 48.87 seconds (10 seconds faster than last weekend).
12:00 James and Austin come home. Austin takes his first nap since a year ago.

Phelps, eat your heart out.




Completing Candyland at 7:30.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Emily and Bronco

Spending most of my younger years in Colorado, I was a die hard Broncos fan. When they were behind, I remember excusing myself from the family room - heading to the stairs and getting down on my hands and knees. I pleaded to God that I would do anything if they would win. Of course I don't think I held my part of the bargain, but I did see a lot of John Elway 4Q comebacks. These days I will still cheer for the Broncos, but playing fantasy football I pretty much cheer for the individual players and unfortunately they could be on the opposing team.

Outside of our gym there are a lot of roly polys. It reminds me of Colorado also, we had tons of them in our yard and I would love to play with those little guys. Emily saw one today, picked it up, and would not leave without that roly-poly. I emptied out a water bottle and we put it in there so she could take it home.

She kept talking to him in the car, explaining that she would help find his family, but also that he would be happy with us. Then she told me his name: Bronco.

I almost cried tears of joy.

That girl is 100% her daddy. But this just shows there is a little bit of me in there somewhere...

I think Bronco might have been a member of our family for about 4 hours. She thought he was thirsty and put water in the bottle - I tried to save Bronco but to no avail. It was a great 4 hours though.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Abby's people

This is Abby.

Let me introduce you to my artistic little daughter's artwork. This is what she draws all the time.

This is me - a picture she did at Sunday School. James has a matching set at his office - exactly the same.

This is her Grammy - looks very similar to me, don't you think?

This is a monster with no eyes - definitely similarities between the three?

She even drew one of her "peeps" on an Easter egg.

Our little left-handed child has created quite a unique style for her people. Now if my husband the marketer can just figure a way to make them famous...

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Monsters vs. Aliens

We don't go to the movies very often so this was a real treat. I stuffed my purse with water and popcorn and we were on our way. Our first 3D experience was really cool (well it was after I popped a few advil - that 3D stuff totally messes with my eyes). And you gotta love our shades.



The movie itself was entertaining. The girls got scared at a few parts, especially with a trailer prior to the movie starting - some movie called "9." I don't understand the people who coordinate this trailer business - why would you put that kind of trailer in front of a movie that little kids are watching? It scares the bejeebers out of them. Then you have to calm them down and reassure them that it is not real. We had a good time. Emily has said everyday, "remember that girl who got big and broke her dress." Because that's the real travesty of the movie, not that the government is secretly hiding these monsters, but that Susan's dress broke. It's all about the wardrobe for that girl.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Soccer is over

Soccer is over...

and so is spring here in Texas...

and summer is coming!


Sunday, May 10, 2009

Mother's Day Memories

A beautiful bracelet and letter Austin made me at school.

2 wooden spoons the girls made for me at preschool - first thing I remembered was my mom threatening my sister and I with the "wooden spoon." I'm positive we deserved it.

A yummy breakfast James made specially for me.

Remembering today is the 3rd anniversary of James' mother's death. Thinking how precious life is.

Being woken up to 3 kids screaming "Happy Mother's Day!"

Austin trying to convince me that I want Denny's for dinner.

Feeling incredibly blessed to have my kiddos (and James). I wouldn't trade it for anything.


Happy Mother's Day to my mom and to all mothers out there!

Friday, May 8, 2009

Show Us Where You Live


One of my favorite bloggers, Kelly, is doing a neat thing called Show Us Where You Live Friday. You basically take tours of other bloggers' homes, each Friday spotlights a different room. I think it's a neat idea. I love seeing how people decorate their homes and getting ideas, especially since I have virtually no decorating skills whatsoever. I speak the truth - which is why I didn't participate in last week's kitchen edition. Some people get the creative genes (decorating, artwork, scrapbooking, etc.), I did not. But if you ever need someone to formulate, balance, equate, reconcile - then I am definitely your gal. Another reason I'm glad Kelly is doing this - I can use all the ideas I can get!

This week is the living room. This is my "most presentable" room in our house so I thought I'd participate. If you go to any other blog entries beyond this, you might get a chance to see our bright orange game room. What were we thinking? Oh, I know. We lived here for about 5 years with the builder's neutral colors and when we finally had a chance to pick our own colors, we went a little overboard. :) The swatch said "Kid's Play Orange," and a better name for it would be "Wow It's Halloween All Year Orange." One day we'll fix it.

View from the front door. You'll notice lots and lots of tile. Works for some people, but the grout drives us nuts. Eventually I would love to upgrade to hardwoods.


View from the breakfast room. The nook was made for a TV (but we have enough TVs in our house). Eventually I would like to put a desk and some shelving in.

I love these pictures of Austin, our kindergartener who's growing up way too fast.

Thanks Kelly for doing this! If you'd like to see other entries go to her blog, http://www.kellyskornerblog.com.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Pictionary

I can't draw worth... well you know. James can draw, it just comes with his occupation I suppose. That's where Austin got it from.

Abby: "Austin, my best friend, where are you? Draw for me."

Abby: "It's a snake"
"No."

"It's a bird."
"No. It lives in the ocean."

"It's a seal."
"No."
"It's a shark."
"No."

"It's a dolphin."
"Kind of."

Austin: "It's the Miami Dolphins."
Abby: "Take some lessons."

Oops, actually she said "congratulations," Austin explained. I thought it was funnier when she told him to take some lessons.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Zoo-pendous Idea

I am either the coolest or the worst mom ever. I allowed Austin to stay at home on Friday. He had a sty, which I know is not the worst thing ever, but when he gets them his eye all swells up. It was all bloody and looked pretty nasty, but he was feeling fine. It didn't help that some kid at an elementary school not even 5 miles from us got the dreaded swine flu (and so many schools are closing around us). So we stayed at home and practiced reading went to the zoo. I just hope his kindergarten teacher isn't reading this. To justify it, we did learn several things. Did you know meerkats eat poisonous scorpions - thank goodness for those little creatures. Or that African wild dogs only have 4 toes on their forelegs? Or there are over 200 species of jellyfish?

We certainly didn't.

Do you think he would have learned that on Friday in kinder? Now that I think of it, I think I may have done a great service to our son. Right?

I'm trying a new collage thing... not sure if I like it or not. Austin took the majority of these.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Lip Gloss

Girls love their lip gloss. Especially Princesses.

And if you look real close, dogs must love lip gloss too. It could be worse.