Home Sweet Home

This was shot from the back door.
Front of house (left side).
Living dining kitchen flooring
Driveway and garage.

Well, the house is coming along.  I have been dealing with one issue after another.  I will be heading out there shortly to deal with a stone and a driveway issue.  One day, hopefully in mid-September it will all be worth it!  

Anti-climatic reunion and honkers

Well... Eva did arrive for fireworks on the Fourth of July.  Only it was not quite as I had envisioned it to be.  I thought my sweet three year old daughter would be Eva and I would be able to grab her and hold her and say, "Eva, I love you!".  As I said, she did attend, but as an invisible friend of Sleeping Beauty!  So I still wait for my sweet Eva to return to me.  I do get to hug and play with Fairy Elena for today.  

Todd and I went out to dinner and had our babysitter Casey and her boyfriend Walter watch the girls.  They took the girls out to dinner and a movie.  They next day El informed me that while at dinner Eva was telling her knock-knock jokes for Casey, Walter, and the waiter.  There was a lull in the conversation so Eva decided to add, "I think my mom has big honkers!".  That statement certainly received more laughter than the jokes!  So glad I was not at that table.  Disclaimer:  I never refer to any of my body parts as honkers.  This type of reference could only come from one source.  I will be strongly suggesting that my husband watch his language around Eva!  

Eva is coming!!!

This is the evening we have all been waiting for... we are told by Fairy Elena/Thumbelina/Sleeping Beauty that EVA is going to visit us tonight during the fireworks!  We are excited to see her and call her by her name:)  I will let you know how it all turns out.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Twilight

We are full into the Twilight obsession in our household.  I have read all of the books and El is about half way through the third book (which will be her last).  The fourth book is not at all appropriate for her age.  I am going to tell her the story instead.  Today we will ichat with Katie and Lolo to discuss our special powers.  We have each made a list of what we feel each others special power would be if we were vampires.  We are going to share these with each other and maybe decide on one.  El and I have to be careful when we talk about the books.  Eva has been picking up on discussions.  We try not to use words like vampire, blood, kill, etc...  El has been dressing some of the barbies and styling them to be the characters of the book.  She then makes scenes from the story.  They turn out really cool.  I will blog about them when we download the pictures.  Here is a picture of Katie, Lolo, El and Eva from their last visit to Austin (too long ago!).

Expressions

It is interesting as children grow to hear what they have to say.  What you soon realize is that you often hear an awful lot of what you sound like!  I use the word actually, a lot.  I came to this discovery as El grew.  Eva and I were playing the other day.  We were chasing  and hiding and that sort of stuff.  I was able to evade her and then double back to surprise her.  As I rounded the corner she jumped, screeched and giggled, "Mom!  You scared me out of the daylights!"  So apparently, I use the phrase, you scared the daylights out of me, quite a bit.   

This picture is of Eva waiting for a butterfly to land on her at the Butterfly Museum.

My Heart Sings

I always know I am one of the luckiest moms in the world.  Yesterday was just more proof of that feeling.  Todd called and said he would be home late.  El asked if she could make pancakes for us for dinner.  Who am I to pass up a meal that I do not have to cook?  As soon as she started her little sis wanted to join her.  I thought, "Oh boy, I am going to need to distract Eva for a while."  Much to my sweet surprise El said, "Sure, here let me get your chair".  So there were my lovely girls working together to make dinner.  El guiding Eva with the patience of a grandmother.  I have to admit I was a bit choked up.  We have always had a lot of sister love in this house but this moment just warmed my heart so.  

The Butterfly Museum

We left Houston Wednesday after a stop at the Butterfly Museum.  Eva had never been.  The top picture is of a plant I found very interesting as it looked more like a bug than a bud!  The next shot is a butterfly I was trying to transfer to Eva's finger... it was only mildly successful.  The butterflies seem to like me, but El was getting frustrated.  She was not able to get any to land on her finger.  Her strategy was to rub her hands up and down my  arms to get my scent. The strangest part is that is seemed to work!  After that she held three or so.  We ended up staying there for 2 1/2 hours much to our surprise.  It seemed like much less time.  

If you are wondering why I am blogging about days ago it is because NOTHING is happening in my life because I am engrossed in the Twilight series.  I just finished the third book and will be starting the fourth in the morning.  Then I hope to get a life!  Don't worry, I am remembering to feed the kids.  Eva will keep me in line!  El and I could quite possibly wither to nothing with books in our hands.

Dinner with Rex and Jim

Tuesday evening we had plans with our favorite guys!  We went to Carraba's and... yum.  We later headed back to their house as Rex had made a CHEESECAKE... double yum!  It was just a regular night out in Houston.  Miss it.  I did realize, for the first time, I had to think about where I was driving.  That was strange.  

Babyville

We met with  Paola and her sweet girls GiGi and GuGu (Joo-Joo).  OK, only El and I call them by those nicknames:)  They are Gisella and Guiliana.  Paola has these twins who turned one in February and is 7 months pregnant!   I'm tired just thinking about it.  She, on the other hand, seems completely cool and collected.  These pictures are of the kids enjoying the toys and snacks.  El thankfully was right by GuGu when she started to get out of a chair and fell forward.  El managed to catch her with about a centimeter between her head and the floor.  It was so nice to get to spend some time with them.  I now know them apart!  

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!