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!