Goofball consequences

This would be an excellent addition to Far Side's 'school for the gifted' sketch. R was playing around with a suction cup the other day. He had the kids pull on it to try and get it off. As you can see, the shenanigans left a nice hickey in the middle of his forehead. This did not go away for many, many days. Great ice breaker conversation piece for the new job, right? (:

PB and J's

That's what A. calls this area of the house. It's the name of her restaurant. (:

It's been a busy week, but a good one! HS is going great! More pictures this weekend.

Birthday fun

We've been busy! Sunday we went to the beach as part of HZ's birthday bash and ate at a fun little Italian place that gave the kids dough balls to play with while waiting. As I previously mentioned, yesterday we went to the children's museum and had a great time. The kids had such fun exploring!

Happy birthday, HZ!

He had a fun day. We went to the children's museum and had a great time! We then met dad downtown after work and had dinner together. When we all got home we celebrated with cake, ice cream and presents. It's late, so pictures tomorrow!
-L

Electric Avenue

I'm warning you, this is such a strange but true WT story to share with you my friends. We had a huge lightning storm. Kids were playing at the back of the house while I was texting a friend. As I walked by the front door, lightning struck the tree closest to our home. I felt it come up through my feet, through my chest and out my right hand into the phone. The phone screen lit up bright white. It really did! And yeah, it did not feel pleasant. It felt like a wayyyyyyyy too tight hug in the chest and down my arm. It hurt for a good bit after..a bit heavy and very tingly. I'm telling you this because if I were the one hearing this story, I'd want to know what it felt like. Oh, and there is an electrified dead squirrel at the base of the tree. I thought you would want to know that too. Because that's weird.

Most importantly, the kids were far enough away that they were okay. A. did say that her foot felt funny when it happened but it didn't hurt. HZ was on the couch and didn't feel anything.

Tree swings

Whew! At last! We have a new computer! The old one was beyond repair despite R's attempts to bring it back from the brink.


This picture:
We have a beautiful oak tree in our back yard that has been perfect for two homemade swings!

Broken

Our main computer has died. Completely died. Once we get another one I'll be back to blogging. Many pictures to share.

Bye! Come see us!

Bye, neighbors! Come and see us some time! Thanks for the going away party. We will miss you!

At the entrance to our neighborhood....park, trails, creek, and a fishing dock.
HZ said he saw a wide mouth bass (wink).


Reading at the window seats!


Many thanks to Nana and Grandpa Doug for watching the kids a couple of days while we got settled!

We're moving!

I've been busy packing away while the kids have been quietly entertaining themselves while I get work done. See?

HAAA! If you believe that, then SOMEONE just fell off a turnip truck.
( :

Blog times might be a bit spotty for the next week. I'll do my best.

Father's Day/Birthday adventure

We had a city adventure for Father's Day/Birthday. We had a great time! We ate at the #1 place for breakfast tacos and went to the science museum. Nice day.

Yes, these pictures are a month old. Busy times, folks. Busy times.

First fish

I'm catching up on some old photos. This one was taken back in May at a birthday party. The fishing party was creative and fun for HZ and Dad (many Dad's went with their sons). HZ has GROWN since this picture was taken. No lie.

Pajama par-tay

Friday night pajama party with the neighbors. Good times!
We will miss you when we move! ):

Watermelon shades

HZ tried to hide from the camera. (psssst.....I still see you!)

Father's Day post

This is an older picture that I don't believe I've put up on the blog. I personally love it because it is the visual image that comes to mind when I think of Rick as a Dad. When he comes home from work he'll grab one of the kids' favorite toys and make it do something funny. On other days he might peek around the corner until the kids see him and then run and hide while HZ and A. are rushing out of their dinner seats to go and find him. He's a wonderful dad.

This picture is of Rick after work holding 'Baby Move' while the kids are running around in excitement. 'Baby Move' was named by A. because the doll always gets into precarious situations and runs away. So, Rick will put 'Baby Move' in places for the kids to find (like on a high counter or on a curtain rod). I know. Kind of weird, but I'm writing this down so I can remember later. For when I have even more gray hair.

A good 'bug' to catch!

The reading 'bug'! Aubin LOVES Junie B. Jones. We got her the entire set and she has read them all. They are funny little books! This is my favorite age so far. I love watching their personalities and interests emerge.
HZ is currently into 'ancient egypt'. He picked out an egypt book at 1/2 price with his Valetine's money from Grandpa and he was HOOKED! He has now read all of the egypt books for kids from the library and watched all of the egypt national geographics on netflix.
I wonder what they will be 'into' next?

Blog break

Yes, it happens. Although, I do feel bad that I didn't let you know it was going to happen. I didn't plan on it. Just got out of the habit. Then the days kept coming. Time is funny that way. (:

Back from Seattle

I've had the pleasure to help out with this precious little one. Thanks, Jess and Brian! I enjoyed our visit!

Pet Lizard

The kids love to play outside after school until dinner and today they spent a great deal of time trying to catch this little guy. See those red cheeks? It was 93 degrees today. Welcome to inferno season.

Sound it out

Southern kids learning how to spell make me chuckle (CHUH-KULL).

HZ often leaves kind messages for his sester.

Action shots

We are so proud of little A. She went out there, gave it her best and didn't give up. Great job A.!!!! It was H-O-T today and it's hard to keep going when it's close to 90 outside.

Way to hustle, HZ!

The story of "7"

R. and I both played baseball/softball as kids. We have fond memories of those times. When we were dating, we both played on the company team and he even organized a bus trip to Dallas to see a Ranger's game. We sat next to each other. Jager may or may not have been consumed. I'm not saying. (: He planned it so that during the 7th inning stretch, he professed his undying love for me. That was 12 years ago. Ever since then, we have always ended every written correspondence with "7". Always. Today, our son had his first ever baseball game. There was a mix up with the uniforms earlier in the week, so the kiddos received them right before the game. A. and I drove separately from the boys and met them by their field. HZ ran up to A. and I and said, "Hey! If you don't know who I am, just look for my number!" and he turned around. I immediately gasped, waterworks commenced, and shot a glance at Rick who was shaking his head and quietly said "I know".
Weird, huh?

Bluebonnet picture 2011

Oh. my. goodness.
Bluebonnet pics are even harder to take than X-mas card pics. You've got itchy grass, bugs...you know, NATURE.
This picture makes me laugh because the weather had perfect comedic timing. It was cloudy until I raised the camera to my face and OUT came the sun. Hence, the looks of torture from my children.

Caterpillars

Thirty-six caterpillars tore up Milkweed plant #1! We had way more than I had thought. I got a couple of cheap pop up laundry baskets for their habitat along with more milkweed. They are in their 4th 'instar' and should be in the 5th by tomorrow. Next, comes the chrysalis stage which lasts 10 days. We'll (hopefully) have plenty of monarchs to release!

Aunt Jess and Uncle Brian named the baby 'Emmalyn Grace'. We are so happy for them and really wish we were there!

New Cousin

Congratulations Jessica and Brian! After 19 or so hours of labor, including 4 hours of pushing that ended in a C-section, their baby girl was born. 8 pounds 1 oz! (I'm not sure if they have finalized her name yet, but I will post it when I know.)

When HZ saw the picture, he said, "Well, she looks like a nice cousin to play with, mom."

Monarchs

Spring break was a perfect time to purchase a tropical milkweed, the host plant for monarchs. The butterflies were headed north and happy to see our plant! Amazing! These are the pictures I took of them laying their eggs (do you see the tiny white egg in the second picture?) and the caterpillars that hatched about 5 days later. As you can see, they have been 'very hungry'.

Bridge pictures

R. has been working on this bridge since HZ was a wee little tyke. It has been his project 'baby' for quite some time. He helped to design this pedestrian bridge and it's nice to see it up close and completed!

Homework time

Grandpa was kind enough to help me with the kid's homework. He listened to HZ read while I listened to A. Then, we enjoyed a lovely afternoon outside. Spring is here!

6 years old!

Yesterday was A's actual birthday and she had fun. First, lunch with mom and Grandpa who is town. Next, a birthday snack with her classmates. One little boy said, "Hey, do I look like a garden gnome or what?" Made me laugh.
Finally, I took A. and her best friend to build-a-bear workshop after school for a special birthday treat. She said it was the greatest day ever that she didn't think it was even real.