Houston Happenings

We arrived in Houston on Monday at 1:00pm.  It took exactly 3 hours from my driveway to the Mission Burrito parking lot.  MB being our first stop.  Mary, Chloe, and Alex met us for lunch and then we went back to their house for play time.  Later, Laura and sweet Bella came to visit.  We had a home cooked meal at Mary's and then we all fell into bed exhausted!

Vocal Performances

The evening before we left for Houston, Todd and I were given an impromptu concert.  El and Eva sang songs in full costume!  It was quite a treat.  El sang, Put Your Records On, Eva sang her own creation of a Barbie story.  They did a duet of Bubbly. 

Happy Anniversary

Fifteen years and counting.  

The girls and I returned today from Houston.  Today is Todd an my wedding anniversary.  So we went to dinner.  We stopped out by the house and it is really coming along!  It is late tonight so I will have to download pictures tomorrow.  Many more details tomorrow~

Don't get too excited yet, Katie

Having a great time here in Houston! We hung out at Mary's yesterday and today. Saw Laura, Bella, Paola, Guisella, and Guilliana. Had dinner with Rex and Jim tonight (dessert was homemade cheesecake!). Heading back to Austin tomorrow. Will give details and pix when I get back home.

Goin' down to H-town!

We are off to Houston today.  The girls and I are going to visit with friends.  Friends, if you see this blog, I'll be calling shortly:)  I will also be stopping by to check on our new front and back doors which are being made in Houston!  Better go and pack... 

Lazy Lazy Day

Ok, I did not over do it today.  I am hooked on El's new Twilight book.  So I have been stealing that when able.  Eva (Elena then Odette then Elena again) has been busily playing.  This video shows her as Fairy Elena dancing the part of Odette in Swan Lake.  Our big outing was to Target.  Todd and El went to the Lazy River again.   

Splish Splash Splat!

We had a busy day.  I started the day with, what else, vacuuming.  Then Eva and I washed Cherry Bomb (that is my car).  El named it when she was 2.  The family trekked to the Lazy River for some cooling off.  Eva loves her floaty suit so she can swim with the big girls.  But in this picture she is practicing her real swimming skills with Daddy.  We then cleaned up and went to a family favorite for Father's Day dinner, The Grove.  

The waiter brought our water and gave a cup with lid to Eva.  She still managed to knock it off the table and spill it on her chair and floor.  The waiter then appeared with a new contraption to keep the water in the cup!

Oh, What a Day!

 I needed new brakes.  I needed to vacuum the house and run some errands.  No problem, I'll just get organized and get it done.  Call the garage, no problem, in at 10 out at noon.  One hour to pick up house, then go to garage, run errands, pick up El from playdate, vacuum, ready for play time.  

OR

Get to garage at 10 to be told my car will now take until 3. Hmmm, need a new swim suit...

OK, have garage guy take Eva and me to the Galleria.  Shop for a couple hours for swim suit, finally find one with very little self-esteem left.  Meet El and friends for lunch.  Go to Barnes and Nobles with kids and it is now 2:30.  Call garage to let them know to pick us up by Library.  Car will not be done until 4!  Stuck at Galleria.  Go to library.  Finally get picked up at 4:30, however, car is not quite done.  Make it home at 5:30!  Feed Kiddos.  Get vacuum out... Eva says she is tired and wants to got to bed (what???).  Put Eva to bed.  Guess I'll vacuum tomorrow.  

They best laid plans...

I guess if my worst complaint is being forced into a lovely day at the Galleria, I am not too bad off!

El got Twilight and she bought Eva Goldilicious.  

My other Sleeping Beauty

This is a picture of my other Sleeping Beauty.  When I first peeked in Lelly was asleep as well.  She woke as I was taking the picture.  El woke after the flash.  They just looked so sweet and serene.  El enjoys a good summer sleep in!

Mail time

Here is a new top from Gramma Pat.  Liana loves it!  She was doing some modeling.  She had to wear her bra with it!  I tried to explain that she did not need a bra with this type of top, but that did not help.  Never a dull moment!

Splish Splash Summer!

This is a picture of Eva (Liana) in the sprinklers at the Hill Country Galleria.  I took El, and her friends Catie and Emily, and Liana for some summer cooling off.  We then went to Yogurt Planet.  It is a place where you get yogurt and toppings in salad bar style and you pay by the ounce.  It is quite yummy!  

Just like my Big Sister

On the second day to pick up El from VBS, Eva wanted to wear her Alligator t-shirt.  How she even remembered it, I have no idea.  The shirt was El's as a memento from a camping trip with Gramma Pat and Pa.  The VBS camp is "Crocodile Dock" so the girls have a crocodile on their shirts.  I will be one lucky Mom if she continues to want to be just like her Big Sis!  

New Identity

Only Elena for about 2 hours.  She is now Princess Annalise.  That is the princess from Princess and the Pauper Barbie movie.  She had designated El as the pauper Erica.  I am the Queen.  I could do worse!

Wore Out!

Eva wore herself out!  She continued to sleep... for three and a half hours!  She woke up, ate some dinner, watched a movie, and went back to bed without any protest.  First thing this morning she asked if we were going back to the lazy river after we pick Issy up today.  She continues to be Elena today and my be giving up panties again:(  She told me today that her panties are the wrong size, so she needs to take them off.  

Swim Star

We went to the lazy river today after VBS.  I had Eva (Elena) wear a floaty suit to see if she liked it.  She LOVED it.  After about the first 1/2 hour she was, "I'm doin' it!", on her own.  She loved the autonomy and being able to move along with the big girls!  She was swimming and turning and leaning back.  She giggled with delight when the current would catch her and move her quickly along spinning.  She managed to wear herself out.  She fell asleep in the car on the way home and is still sleeping an hour and a half later.  Hope she sleeps tonight.  I would have a picture or video, but I (grrr) walked out without the camera:(

HAPPY SUMMER!!!

Just for you, Katie!

This is a little reminder of the 3R's.  Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

It is important for the survival of our planet that every person does their part in using the 3R's.  Now this does not mean sitting in the dark or never using paper.  Just be careful about waste, use any item you can more than once, and recycle what you can. Sometimes recycling can double as a fundraiser.  Some schools have large bins to collect paper and then the school receives $ for the paper collected.  Recycling in that manner makes you feel doubly good.  We can all do a little, some can do a lot, please, just do what you can.  The 3R's can help to keep the planet a better place for those little ones who will be here when we are not.

The House

We met with the builder today.  We are finally getting to the end:)  I will not jinx it by putting a date on it.  I am at least seeing the end of the rainbow.  The sheetrock is going in now.  Wish us luck!  

El shot this photo while sitting back and enjoying the view of her new backyard.

ID crisis continues...

Sleeping Beauty is branching out again!  Today she is Fairy Elena.  This fairy is from the Barbie movies Fairytopia, Mermaidia, etc.  She has been Princess Aurora for so long now it is difficult to change.  We talk about how I miss Eva.  She assures me Eva will return one day.  

Just like Daddy???

Yesterday Eva came up and sat on my lap while I was chatting with El and LoLo.  She reached over, pulled out my shirt and looked in.  We  stopped talking and looked at her.  She then looked up and simply said, "That's what Daddy does".  We immediately cracked up.  In Todd's defense, I do not ever remember him catching a peek in that manner!  As previously mentioned, there is no lack of imagination in this home. 

El is 10!!!

It seems impossible to me that El is 10 and going into 5th grade!!!  I am so proud of her.  This picture is from her Luau as she learned to Hula.  I had a lady from Hawaii give the girls a lesson for the first half hour of the party.  Then it was swimming, eating, presents, and sleepover!  All were asleep by 2 a.m.  Yes, I was exhausted!  Now we are on to the lazy days of summer... ahhhh...  

Sleeping Beauty's latest obsession

The good news is we have left the "no panties" phase that has been going on for about four months.  Eva now insists on wearing a num-num holder (aka bra).  With the bra she likes to wear panties!  Go figure.  She wears a bra and panties all day under her clothes and then at night in lieu of pajamas.  You may be wondering just where one finds a bra for a three year old.  I have had the pleasure of finding undershirts and sewing them into bras!  This picture is from the morning after El's 10th Birthday Luau sleepover.  

Just for you, Kimberly!

This video is for my friend, and El's second grade teacher, Mrs. Hyndman.  She is currently dealing with a love/hate relationship with birds.  

Kimberly, since you pledged a bird hiatus, I thought you may need a bird fix:)  Feel free to log on and watch as often as you need!  Much love from Up Over!

This video is part of El's class trip to the San Antonio Zoo and Alamo.  We have been so busy with end of school year stuff!  I am sooooo ready for summer.  Will post more when school is OUT!

El Rocks!

El just received her TAKS scores for 4th grade.  She achieved "Commended Performance", the highest level, on all three areas of the test!  The test covered math, reading, and writing. For the written portion she earned a perfect score.  Rock on El!  OK, proud Mom will stop bragging now.

Sleeping Beauty Rock On...

Here is another clip from Sleeping Beauty's concert.  For this song she did not sing a known song.  You will notice that she is looking around the room.  She is using what she sees to make up the lyrics.  

Officer on deck!

El has been a busy girl this spring.  She served on Student Council this year and was elected as Secretary of Student Council for 5th grade.  This is the position she wanted and won by a landslide (it helped that she ran unopposed).  

The 4-H club also had it's elections.  This year she served as Reporter.  She was elected into the 2nd Vice President position for next year.  Way to go, El!

Weird but true story:

I have been getting calls from (I presume) a bill collector.  The calls are for Veronica Marks.  The other day I was finally fed up and spoke quite harshly that the caller needed to remove this phone number from their files.  El inquired about the conversation.  I explained why I was annoyed.  She then went off to grab her latest writing endeavor.  She returned with a grin and said, "Look Mom, the main character in my latest story is Veronica Marks!".  Isn't that odd??? What are the chances?

Dance Ballerina Dance!

For Daddy's birthday we had the pleasure of attending El's ballet recital.  The video shows the dress rehearsal and the recital.  

Luau

Yesterday we went to a Luau at the Lazy River in the area where we will be living eventually. There was food, drink, magician, water slide, swimming, live music, etc.  The picture below is a caricature drawn by an artist at the party.  As we entered the pool area Eva exclaimed, "This is going to be the best party ever!"  

My Young Poet

For teacher appreciation week the students were to write a Thank You note to their teacher on Friday.  El and her teacher, Mrs. Tilley, both enjoy writing.  So El decided to write her a poem about writing.  Here it is.

Writing

In a dash

Ink spreads upon the page

Leaving drops behind 

As the writer plunges their character

Through poverty and disaster

Or simply frolicking and galavanting through a field

The writer copes with surrounding nudniks

Just to record the words

Of an untold tale.

Waiting for Prince Phillip

This is where we often find Eva.  When the house gets too quiet we know it is time to find our sleeping princess.  She is most often found on the stairs or in her bed, arms crossed, with a rose on her chest.  She will stay there quietly for an amazing amount of time!  The other afternoon it was quite solemn, so I called her down for a snack.  She did not reply so I went to kiss her awake. What I found was that she had stayed waiting long enough to actually fall asleep!

Sleeping Beauty Rocks

We have had about two weeks of Princess  Aurora.  She found her sisters bed and guitar and had her own jam session.  This is just one of many songs I enjoyed that evening.  I chose to post this one as it is the princess's signature song.

My Jakey Boy

I was following the blog of my friend Laura's brother, wife and their new baby Jack.  I had heard so much about them as Laura's Bella and her cousin Jack were born only a few weeks apart!  On the blog was a picture of their dog Lucy.  She looked so much like Jake!  So here are a couple old pix of the greatest dog that ever lived!  Top is El and Jake kissing.  Bottom is Jake and me on the porch of the Hawthorne house.

Austin Arts Festival

This weekend was the Austin Arts Festival.  We had a good time.  Eva painted a rock pet and El had her face painted.  El learned the joy of cotton candy.  We were in a Recycle Parade.  Eva was the parade princess!  How she managed to snooze during this very loud parade is beyond me!     El and I also went ice skating last weekend.  I managed to land squarely on my behind!  Ouch.

Jasmine

Eva is, for a brief time, Jasmine.  Most days she is Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty).  At least for the time being I do not have to learn a new name every day.  Hail to the Princess!

You have cocktails on your belt!

As El and I discussed the new term heatherific... it reminded me to tell El the story of our visit to Little Rock, Arkansas.  We went up to welcome our new arrival, Lilly (Heather's first child).  Just as we arrived after a LONG drive, El said, "This better be good Mom, you were the wanter".  Yes, Lilly, I was the wanter to come and meet you:)  Anyway... as we walked along the street in the farm market yapping our gums (as usual).... El(4yrs old at the time) pipes up with, "Heather, you have cocktails on your belt!"  We cracked up.  How many 4 yr. olds recognize a martini glass and know the word cocktail?  I have to attribute that knowledge to her Daddy.  The picture is of Lilly and El 4 years later.

Heatherific!

Eva coined a new word today... heatherific.  She used this word and El and I joked that Heather would like to hear that word:)  Then through the evening she used it a couple of more times.  Finally I asked her what heatherific means.  She replied, "It is the fancy word for pink."

And suddenly the world makes sense.  

Clean!

Eva is fresh out of the Shower!  She wraps her hair just like a grown-up.  Eva (AKA Marty today) wants to be grown-up so badly.  I continually ask her to be my baby... but she flatly refuses.  At least she still likes to snuggle!

More A's!

El had another amazing report card... straight A's!  She enjoys working on Robotics in her discovery class.  I enjoy her writing the most.  She writes wonderful stories and songs.  The best birthday gift I have ever received was this past year when she woke me up singing a song she had written for me!!!

Future member of NOW???

When El was young we sang the "Mr. Golden Sun" song.  As an extension of that we always referred to the moon as Mr. Moon.  I have carried this on with Eva as well as talking about God.  However, when Eva talks about these three she ALWAYS refers to them as Mrs. Golden Sun, Mrs. Moon and God as She!  My budding feminist.  

Time to wash the car

It is finally warm enough to wash the car at home.  El and I have always made a good time out of washing the car since she was about 2.  Eva can now join the fun (now that we have a driveway)!  She loves it.  She also loves her bikini!  Somehow we always end up as wet as the car.

School carnival!!!

We had a fun filled weekend!  These pictures show Eva's new "do",  El on a bungee race, and our game for the carnival... the Toilet Toss (are they trying to tell me something?).  The video is Eva loving the swings!  

#3

Well, I will now see who is really reading my blog.  Those reading are the first to know of the next addition to our family!  Surprise #3!  Believe me, I am as shocked as you.  Well, here we go again... happy April fools day!

Just for you, Feather!

Here are a few requested pictures of our future home (hopefully near future).  The top picture is of the front of house taken from the side of the property.  Where it is white will be covered with stone and the black will be stained wood. 

The second photo was taken from the back yard. The third is Todd and El standing in the back yard.  Not a bad view.  

*note-El took the pictures of the house.

AKA

Eva's identity crisis continues.  She has been Odette, Erica, Annalise, Pink Lelly, Serafina, Liana, Alexa, and my personal favorite Theodore!  I simply enjoyed watching reactions as I called Theodore and she came running.  She has been those names individually as well as any combination of them ( i.e. today she is Serafina Erica Annalise the pink dog cat).  Now if you forget and call her Eva (gasp!) she screams "I'm not Eva!!!".  So, we are working on that.  I have let her know she needs to say instead, "I am Liana, please".  This has been working to a degree.  Then the other evening she screamed and I redirected her.  However, she was not in the mood to be compliant.  So, after several prompts of "I am..." and no compliance I told her she was going to have to go to time out if she was unable to remind us the right way.  So, I prompted one more time, "I am..."  and she replied, "I am who I am and I am not Eva!"  I had to turn my back before cracking up!  Oh well, at least she is smart.

Eva is a big girl!!!

It is official... Eva is all grown up.  No more nummies!   She made a big girl Build-a-Bear to celebrate the occasion.   She made a lamb and named it Hannah Montana (I guess she really is a big girl). 

As you can see from this photo we have had some very warm days already.  Eva and El have already enjoyed running through the sprinkler.  Eva really likes her bikinis.  She also likes to wear her bikini top as a "num-num holder".  

River Oaks in bloom!

On our quick trip to Houston (in and out in about 26 hours) we took a drive through our old neighborhood and found some beautiful azaleas!   On our trip back on 290 there were wonderful bluebonnets.  Theodore (AKA Eva) was sound asleep so I chose to skip the Kodak moment and drive on.

The Girls are back in Town!

My Poe teaching team... reunited!  Laura, Paola, Anna, and me... we missed you Tanya!!!  Tanya couldn't meet with us this time.  We did meet Laura's new addition, Bella beautiful Bella.  We had a nice three hour lunch at - where else? - Mission Burrito.  There were surprises, congratulations Paola and Michael!   As you can see below, Anna learned the importance of a pacifier:)  Miss you girls!  Hope to do it again soon.

A Belated Happy Birthday to Lolo and Katie!!!

I just want to wish Katie and Lolo a belated Happy Birthday!!!!  You are wonderful nieces and cousins!!!   Lolo, we can not wait to see you.  Here is a picture of Katie painting your present:)  I hope you are having a wonderful Spring Break!   Many hugs and Kisses XOXO ~tk and the girls

Katie's Build-a-bear

Katie asked for El and Eva to make her a build-a-bear for Christmas.  I had the brilliant idea to give her a gift certificate so she could make the bear herself (that is the fun of Build-a-bear!).   I just knew she would love it.  Well, as it turns out she was disappointed because she wanted one made by her cousins!  Sweet Katie.  Soooo, during her visit we went to Build-a-bear and the girls made Katie a horse named Belle (short for Belvedere).  Eva is ready to go back again and again and again!

Ride like the wind!

El had a horse show this weekend.  She is riding Athena.  She did a great job and cousin Katie was here to watch!  I am only missing one of my girls... we miss you Lolo!!!  I hope you are feeling better.

A day at elementary school

El     did a great job in track and field day.  Odette (AKA Eva) played "hide and seek" and "chase me" with Gramma Pat for three hours!   I was the official photographer of the event.  Pa thought he was bright... he sat on a bench in the shade... then he was joined by a few 5th grade boys... then he was soaked with water by some 5th grade girls:)  You really have to be careful who you hang out with in school!

So Busy

El had her TAKS writing test this week.  She just visited the Capitol and Bob Bullock museum on a field trip today and has track and field day at school on Friday!  See why I called this blog, Busy Busy, Busy!!!  My parents leave Friday after track and field day and Katie arrives Saturday. El is in a horse show on Sunday.  

Eva has been Ariel, Pocahontas, and Odette this week.  Beware if you should call her Eva!  If only my kids had good imaginations...