Pictures and Legos

Daniel is always asking to borrow my camera to take pictures.  I find pictures of Legos, the tv, his sisters, plants and all kinds of things when I get it back.  Even a few crazy videos sometimes.

This time I was really surprised when I took a look at his pictures.  Would you believe that my 6 year old took pictures of himself by setting the timer on the camera?  It's true.  When I asked him, he said he wanted to get pictures of himself with his favorite things - LEGOS! 

What a BOY!

Run Daddy Run

Brian ran his second 1/2 marathon in January here in Sugar Land.  It was great for it to be close so the kids and I could attend easily.  The morning of the race found our part of Texas a rather cool 21 degrees.  It was tough to believe it was that cold and Brian was going to purposely run outside in it.  And it was horrible to think that the kids and I were going to voluntarily sit out in it!  I know Brian was really concerned about running in that cold of weather, but once he got going, it was fine.  Not that he wants to run in that cold again probably, but it wasn't a huge factor.  

The race was set up nicely so the spectators could easily cheer the runners on from several mile markers.  We saw Brian and Leah 5 different times in 13 miles, not including the finish or start lines.   Because of the cold, I left Birdie with my parents.  Ashley, Daniel and I met up with Linda, Ron, David and Bryan to cheer for our favorite runners.  The kids made adorable signs for their Daddy.  

We were so very proud of Brian and Leah for their great run.  The kids just LOVE to cheer on their daddy and I love to see him succeed at something that makes him happy. 

Small Successes (14)

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that. (From Faith &; Family Live)

1. I'm getting back in the habit of making my kids lunches.  Before the holidays it was just too easy to allow them to buy the junk food served in the cafeteria because I was so rushed all the time.

2.  Cleaned my whole downstairs in one day.  Why is it that after you put away the Christmas decorations everything is dusty and dirty?

3.  I left breakfast dishes on the counter and left the house on time to make a 8:30 pilates class Monday morning.  Usually, I come up with lots of excuses of things that must get done so I'm either late or don't go at all.

Wacky Day

It is Wacky Day at school for Birdie!  

How do you think she did?

Believe it or not, it took a lot of coordination on my part for her to look this uncoordinated!

Small Successes (13)

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that. (From Faith & Family Live)

1.  I created a meal plan with Brian for the week and followed it with no problems.  It was great not to worry about what to fix for dinner at 5 p.m. this first week back to school for the kids.  It's not just that dinner was planned, but we actually made good dinners.  The favorites of the week were Brian's excellent Sweet and Sour Chicken with rice and my very tasty Chicken and Dumplings from tonight.

2.  After a hiatus for the holiday break, I returned to the gym this week.  One day of running/walking on the treadmill and today I attended a body sculpting class for the first time.  It was not what I expected, but I enjoyed it.  While it was tough class to me, and my body is already hurting, I really want to go back and do it again.  Just not tomorrow.

3.   Friends of ours invited us over for their 3rd Annual Penguin Swim Party on New Year's Day.  Brian and I brought swim suits only to sit in the hot tub, or so we thought.  We said there was no way we'd jump in an unheated pool when it is 50 degrees outside.  What can I say, our friends are pretty persuasive.  Even after we agreed to do it, we started having cold feet.  Our friend helped us both into the water - I was thrown in and Brian pushed.  It was shockingly cold (water was 54 degrees) and I couldn't get out of the pool fast enough. The reward of sitting in the hot tub on a cool day laughing  with friends made it all worth it.

Go Horned Frogs!

After watching a disappointing bowl appearance for our Houston Cougars last week, the kids were pumped to watch GrandDaddy's TCU Horned Frogs take on Boise State in their bowl matchup last night.  They put on their new purple shirts, a gift from their GrandDaddy, to help cheer on the team.

They only got to watch the beginning of the game due to bedtime, which might have been for the best since the Horned Frogs could not hold on to win the game.

The kids were a little sad this morning when they asked us who won the game.  But, they can't wait until next season when they can wear their shirt every Saturday (alternating with their Cougar shirts of course) to cheer on their Horned Frogs to Victory!

New Haircut for a New Year

For some reason, the kids had one more day off today for winter break, so I took Ashley to get a haircut while out running errands.  If you remember from a few months ago, she attempted to cut it herself - ending up in a small mullet style.  Kathy was able to incorporate the short stuff in the front into bangs.  Ashley and I were arguing over how short to cut her hair - she wanted it cut just under her ears and I wanted it at her shoulders.  Kathy talked us into a compromise, which looks great.  She used the straight iron on Ashley's hair today, so it will end up a little shorter than here in the picture.

Its a great new haircut for a New Year!

Happiness Day

If the kids are good at Mass, we usually stop for donuts on the way home as their treat.  Today, Brian and I really didn't want to stop for donuts, it was so very cold and we are trying really hard to start the year out avoiding extra sweets.  But the kids were really, really good this morning.  So very well behaved the whole Mass.  Brian told them instead of treats, we would have" Happiness Day".  I'm not sure he even knew what it would entail when he said it, but it sure sounded great at the time.

While we were eating lunch at home, we discussed how Sundays were really about spending time with God and each other as a family.  Therefore, in the spirit of the announced "Happiness Day" we would do something together they would love - play Lego Rock Band on the Wii.  This is an extra special treat since we had only opened the game 2 days before and hadn't all played it yet.

There was a little argument over who would sing first, but it all got worked out pretty smoothly.  We had a ball!  The kids were introduced to some great new songs like - "Ghostbusters", "We are the Champions", "Free Falling", and "Two Princes".  They sang some of their favorites - "Life is a Highway" , "Kung Fu Fighting", and "Walking on Sunshine".  The standout favorites of the day had to be our finale of "We Will Rock You!" and Ashley's new favorite, Bon Jovi's "You Give Love a Bad Name."

What made it even more great and fun was Daniel getting into the guitar playing.  He would dance around the room while playing making cool "rocker" expressions.  I found it incredibly hard to concentrate and play while he was dancing around.  Luckily, this game has not only a "super-easy" mode but is always "No Fail".

Birdie got into the act by helping Ashley sing, Daddy on the drums and even strumming the guitar on a song.  Once she learns a few of the songs, there's no holding her back.

I would really love it if next Sunday after Mass, instead of asking for donuts the kids ask for another "Happiness Day" with the family.