First Grader

Ashley and Brian just left for the First Day of School! She is so excited about being a first grader. We met her teacher and saw the classroom last Thursday. Her teacher seems great and receives rave reviews from everyone who's had her before. There are two kids in Ashley's class that she knows from last year (one a good friend, and one she knows from playground). Believe it or not, Ashley was Ms. Shy at Meet the Teacher last week. It was so odd. But, she had us return to the classroom 3 times after we initially left the room, so she could check it out again. Then she told me she wanted to start learning, as in right now. I'm confident the Ashley we all know will return today once she settles into her new class. As with last year, the first day, the cafeteria serves Pizza, so she took her lunch. She's still not a pizza gal, despite actually eating it twice this Summer.

Well, the other 2 kids and I are off to do exciting things today like - laundry, vacuum, empty dishwasher and the big one, the grocery store! Yeah!

I'm already anxious for Ashley to come home and tell me all about her first day. We are starting our new carpool this afternoon, so I"ll have to wait a little longer. Good Luck and Best Wishes to all kids starting school today & the Moms sending them. Especially those Kindergarten Moms!

Familiar Sight

This is a very familiar sight in our house, almost nightly. After the kids go to bed, Brian retires to his office and works late into the night. What is difficult to see in the picture is that he is almost in the dark, with only his little desk light and his big monitors illuminating the room. I bought him a floor lamp, but he says he likes it this way.

Brian used to work late at the office several day a week, but now comes home for dinner every night, runs, plays with the kids, goes to soccer practice, etc and then works late into the evening here at the house. It is a sacrifice that the kids and I really appreciate. We see him so much more now than before and enjoy every moment of it. Thank you honey. We love you.

Precious

I had to take this picture tonight of Birdie sleeping. She was so Precious and Peaceful. I just stood there and watched her sleep and then decided to share it with you.

New Blogger

If you take a look at my Friends and Family Blogs Lists to the right, you will notice a new one. It's called "Clan Forbes". Karen has FINALLY started a blog in anticipation of Emerson starting Kinder next week. It's nice to see you go from a lurker to a blogger Karen! Check it out and leave her lots of comments to encourage her to keep blogging. Your first two posts are great!

Vacations!

Spring Break 2009! I've been reluctant to blog about the trip because I don't want to jinx it, but reservations are made and confirmed. (Right, Mom?) My family has been discussing taking another trip ever since our Carribbean Cruise Feb 07. Dad and Mom wanted another cruise, us kids (Shelly, David and I) really wanted to go to a resort or something instead. Dad didn't want to fly (maybe its the 7 kids tagging along?). We've been really brainstorming over Margaritas on Friday nights. Then Mom was making suggestions to me on the phone a few weeks ago and out popped the destination - Big Bend. Immediately, I said YES! Brian has been talking about wanting to visit Big Bend since forever, though his plans probably didn't involve 7 kids and 8 adults.

I was at a park with the kids when Mom suggested it and before I could get home, Mom was online checking it out. Sure, its 11 hours away in SW Texas on the Mexico border, we will have 3 cars, 8 adults and 7 pretty young kids along for the journey. But it is someplace so different than where we usually go or would pick on our own. It's an adventure!

Lisa in Big Bend June 1978

My initial excitement was tempered by the fact that there aren't many places to stay in the National Park (ok, really only 1 motel) and it has been booked for months. The nearest "town" between the National & State Parks have a few (maybe 3) motel/hotels and they turned out to be booked. It was really looking bad for us. But today, Mom worked her magic and got us reservations in Marathon TX, the last town before you drive South into the Park. It's only about an hour and half drive into the park.

But it doesn't end there! We are also visiting a Resort West of the Parks for 2 nights (a nice place to relax and eat great food), and then heading North to Fort Davis for a few nights. Brian has always wanted to see the McDonald Observatory and I'm dying to go also. Then on our way back to civilization, we will stop in Sonora to see the Caverns. That is special because as a child, we drove all over and stopped at every Cave we passed. For some reason, Mom tells me we've never seen Sonora. How is that possible? **Update** Dad tells me Yes, we have been to Sonora Caverns. It is one of his favorites. The pictures on the internet looked a little familiar to me also.

Shelly & Lisa in Fort Davis June 1978

(Yes, I'm the cute squirrely one)

As it gets closer, we will have lots of planning to do. We've gotta be super organized to travel as a group with 7 kids, ages 9, 7, 6, 5, 2, 2, 11 months. But my parents are old pros at this type of trip. After all, the last time my family was in Big Bend, Shelly was 7, I was 4 and David was 11 months. No problem. Where are those pictures of David sitting in an umbrella stroller in the middle of Big Bend?

El Dorado Royale May 2005

Before I focus on the Big Bend trip, we should be excited about our Mexico trip! Brian & I and David & Leah are taking an Anniversary trip to Playa del Carmen in October. It is our 10th wedding anniversary and their 4th. We are staying at the same resort we were at 3 years ago, but in the nicer "Casita" section. Woo - Woo! Can you say Guacamayas? Where's Neil Diamond on my iPod? It's just not the same trip without a little "Sweet Caroline". Do you think Brian will make friends with another bartender? How about that crazy cab ride into town?

We had a such a great trip in 2005! Here's to another wonderful vacation in Playa del Carmen! Oh, did I mention, no kids? Thank You Bob & Pat and Mom & Dad! What would we do without you? Keeping the kids is a great anniversary gift!

Return to the Zoo

Since we had such a great time at the Zoo last week, we decided to go again before school starts. We had a great time. We even made an effort to see different animals this time around. Luckily, the Houston Zoo is large enough that we can't visit all animals and exhibits in one trip.

Of course we had to ride the carousel again. Actually, we rode it 3 times. They all loved picking out different animals to ride each time.

We topped off the trip with a ride on the Hermann Park Train. They all three loved it. And I have to admit, I really enjoyed it also.

Going to the zoo is actually one of my favorite things to do with the kids. I have so many wonderful memories of going to the zoo with Granny Merr and my own parents as a child. The best part is that so much of the Zoo, Hermann Park and the Train are the same as when I was a kid. It makes sharing the zoo with my kids and helping them create their own memories of it even more special.

Tennis Anyone?

Ashley took 2 weeks of Tennis lessons this month. She LOVED it! She improved quite a bit during the lessons.

Doesn't she look like a natural tennis player?

Flashback

With the end of Summer upon us, we spent the week doing all those things that need to be done - verify school supplies are purchased, buy new shoes, last minute fun, doctors forms, and the dreaded - trying on last years clothes. I had Ashley go through her clothes to weed out what does and doesn't fit, which is only properly done by trying on said clothes. Talk about a Flashback. Suddenly, I have a vision of my mom sitting in front of my dresser with the drawer open making me try on jeans. I'm whining and fussing about having to do this and her being adament about the necessity of it. Same thing happened in our house this week. Ashley whined and fussed while trying on all these pants and shorts. Its funny how time doesn't change certain back to school necessities and our reactions.

For the record, Daniel happily tried on his pants and shirts!

Summer's Almost Over

So I woke up this morning thinking - School for Ashley starts two weeks from today. No, Not YET!!

I know you think I'm crazy, but I'm not looking forward to the start of school. Summer has been so wonderful I don't want it to end yet.

We have been laid back all Summer following our own schedule. No Summer Camps, no VBS, no vacations. Just swim team in June and Tennis one hour a day for two weeks for Ashley right now. (She's had 3 lessons so far and is loving it!).

The kids have gotten along so well. Each of them playing with the other two, as a group and in pairs. Like little best friends. It is so very adorable to watch them together.

How do I express it in words? I'm really going to miss them as school starts. They are such strong individuals and growing up before my eyes. I don't want to miss a second of it.

What I'm not excited about is the craziness of our schedule once school starts. Hopefully this year won't be such a shock to our system like it was last Aug/Sept. Wow, that was a difficult first few months of school. Ashley has school everyday until 3, Daniel 10-2 T/TH and 10-12 W and for the first time, Laurie will go to MDO 10-2 T/TH. I'm really going to miss her but also enjoy the few hours with no kids.

I'm making a pledge right now to try to stay relaxed and organize my time better once school starts. Try to remember this feeling of happiness and continue it through the school year. Enjoy this time with my wonderful munchkins. So remind me of my pledge if I start complaining or not looking at the bright side during the school year.

We still have two weeks. Gotta look at my Summer To Do list to see what we still have left to get done. And maybe throw something fun in there also.

Birdie Boo Is 2!

Today is Birdie's 2nd Birthday. I can't believe it's been 2 years already. Our baby is growing up. We started the day with special pancakes and a birthday crown (which I made at midnight last night because I realized we always had one for the other two kids).

After a great but hot and exhausting zoo trip, Birdie played in her room for almost 2 hours, then fell asleep by herself in her bed. We are still struggling with naps, but this is the second day in a row she has taken one by herself. Yeah!

We wanted to give Birdie her favorite meal for dinner, so we decided to order out to a local grill. We were sitting looking at the menu online discussing what to get the kids and suddenley Laurie says "Hamburger". I asked her if that what she wanted to eat and she said "yes, Hamburger and French Fries". It was so very cute. So that's what she got. It's terrible to admit that her favorite food is French Fries.

I realized earlier in the day that I didn't have a cake mix to make cupcakes for her. And no, I'm not going to make them from scratch. So Brian ordered a couple slices of chocolate cake with our meal.

We put a candle in a piece and sang Happy Birthday to her. It was so great. She really seemed to realize it was about her. Course, she's only heard Happy Birthday sung to her about 100 times today (Ashley and Daniel are having a fun time singing it to her). Oh, and she blew out the candle by herself after several tries.
While she was eating her cake, I took this video. I don't know about you, but it makes my heart melt to watch her.

She was such a chocolate mess when it was all over. But a really really happy Chocolate Birthday Mess.

I think she's ready for her Birthday Luau this weekend!

Summer at the Zoo

For Laurie's Birthday today, I decided to take the kids to the zoo. Something we haven't done in months because I've been a little scared of going to the Zoo with temperatures over 90.

We got there early and had a great time. The place was empty so we got to see everything we love. Of course, the kids had to start with the Reptile House (obsessed with the snakes), Elephants and Giraffes. The zoo keepers were giving the elephants a bath which was really interesting. We saw a Tiger going for a swim, Orangatans playing, the Tropical Bird House (which we'd never been in before), the Sea Lion show, and them feeding the pelicans.

Talk about Teamwork! Do my guys know how to work together or what? This Lion water fountain has been at the zoo since I was a kid. I'm sure there is a picture somewhere of me with it.

They told me their favorite thing today was riding the Carousel. Laurie seemed a little nervous until it started and then loved it! Saying "Up, Down" and "YaHooooo"

The Zoo had misting fans set up all over the zoo. The kids (and I) loved standing in front of them to cool off for a minute.

We had such a good time, that I'm thinking of taking them back next week.

Boys Cooking

The other night Daniel decided he wanted to help Brian make dinner. It was so very cute. Daniel was in charge of dredging the chicken for Brian to bread. Daniel was very proud of himself and his chicken. Which was very good.

I love watching my boys work together.

Our Cuties!

I took the kids to have their pictures done today. We had a good time and all three of our little people were cooperative. It was hard to choose which ones to order, so I ordered most of these. That means, if you want a picture, let me know, I have a ton!

Return from Girls Weekend

Back in mid-July I went away for a Girls Weekend at the ranch. See the Silver Belle Ranch Blog (link to the right) for my post. When I got back Sunday night. This is what I found in the playroom.

Brian is such a fun Daddy. He went out and bought a tent so they could have a camp-out while I was gone. We kept it up for a few days and now the kids want to go camping for real. Sounds like a great weekend trip this Fall when the weather is more mild.

My Cloffice

Last week, Brian brought home my desk I bought when I still worked from home for Supportkids . It had been at his office since we moved last year. I know this sounds crazy, but it is now in our master closet. Previously, I had a small table in there for scrapbooking, but now, I have my desk back. It is so wonderful to have so much space to spread out for scrapbooking and other crafts. I've been calling it my Cloffice. I've stolen the name from a podcast I listen to, Rosary Army. They broadcast from their master closet which they call their Cloffice.

Brian even admitted to me the other day, that he likes the desk in there. It's pretty big, but don't worry, our closet is big, we still have plenty of room for our clothes and other stuff. I'm really happy to have my own "space".

Batten Down the Hatches

Tropical Storm Edouard is headed our way - a projected path straight into Houston. Since it is our first real storm threat of the year, I picked up a little water today, checked my gas and batteries. Even though the storm is only a tropical storm, we decided to clear off the patios in case of high wind. All the patio chairs are tied to the tables to hopefully prevent them from going in the pool. We've had chairs in the pool before, and it didn't take a tropical storm wind. All our little tykes toys are duck taped together on the side of the house. The soccer goal is duck taped to the climbing structure in the backyard. Hopefully everything will stay put. In case of loss of electricity, I am freezing several containers of water for extra ice. My gut tells me this all won't be necessary, but it's better to take the precautions. Hopefully, it will be a quiet day with a moderate amount of rain. No flooding!