Pool Adventure

Dear Kids - I had so much fun with you at the pool today. God Bless the YMCA; especially the one in Katy - I just love their pool. William and Thomas - you guys are so big this year. You don't even need floaties. You are so brave and so excited. James, I believe you are part fish. You were intentionally putting your face into the water and splashing around - and squealing with joy. I just loved looking at the happy expression of excitement on your face. Victoria - you are looking more and more like a little lady these days. Boys look your way. I'm not sure if I am ready for that :) You are making friends with lifeguards and pretty much anyone in your path. I am not sure you ever meet a stranger. I really love being at the pool with the whole entire family. What a great way to spend an afternoon together. As long as we have sunscreen and some towels - - and swimmies for James - we are in business!

William graduated pre-school

Oh William - last night was one of those precious memories that will be etched in my brain forever. You wore the cutest little red cap-n-gown and graduated from Pecan Grove Baptist Pre-school. You were such a little gentleman. You looked so big ... and it warmed my heart to see you up on stage. The part I truly loved was how you told your teacher that you want to be a scientist when you grow - the kind of scientist who turns things into other things. I thought that was so cute. You were the only one out of everybody who said you wanted to be a scientist. I bet you could do that if you wanted to - you certainly have the brain for it!

Kindergarten Tour

So, William, yesterday you got to go on a tour of the elementary school where you will start Kindergarten in August. It was an exciting event. Of course, baby James and Victoria had to tag along - - and James was not happy to be confined to a stroller; and the boys kept checking out Victoria and her old teachers kept saying HI ... but all in all, it was a good thing.

I was surprised at how very quiet you were during the whole thing. You seemed like you were a little overwhelmed. You kept both of your hands in your front pockets the entire time, never smiled and never said a word. When it was over, you said you liked it very much - but during the tour - you were just so serious!

Oh, I can't wait for you to start Kindergarten, William. These are exciting times. I also love that you will be able to walk to school. And despite your objections, you know I will be walking with you. I'm not quite ready for you to walk there by yourself yet!

A walk around the block

Oh my precious children, what a precious day. The breeze is blowing, ever so slightly - the air is cool, not hot - the sun is bright - the sky is blue - - and this makes for perfect walking weather. So we packed up baby James in the stroller, put on our walking shoes - and headed out the door.

First along our adventure, we briefly said "HI" to Blain, one of our little boy neighbors that we all adore. We walked by Malyn's house, and commented about how we wish she hadn't moved in with her mom, so far away. Now, we hardly see her. Maybe she will be around more this summer.

So then conversation turned towards fire hydrants and why some have green tops and why some are red and some are yellow. Part of the sidewalk curved around to make room for a fire hydrant, and this was quite fascinating to Thomas.

William - I loved the way you walked so close to me, hanging onto the stroller. You are such a good big brother and you love James so much.

James - well, it is obvious that you just love being outside! You were sitting up straight, almost leaning forward - looking at anything and everything. William just stayed close to us, walking by our side. And James - you just kept clapping your hands. One of your new favorite tricks.

Thomas, on the other hand - you are wild. You run way far ahead - and then see something interesting, pick it up, steal a rock, break a stick or chase a cat - and end up lagging behind. You are never by my side. Of course; you also love to stop right in front of the stroller and nearly get hit sometimes.

Victoria, my sweet observant child - and good conversationalist ... (Did I spell that right?) ... you like to look at the yards and their landscaping, and talk about fences and trees and flowers. You talk about bricks on the houses and you love to ask a lot of of questions. Don't ever stop, please.

And then we saw one of our friends from Church driving by. Danel stopped by to say Hi, she had been at a phone store - trying to get a new phone. She doesn't live far from us - and we should make time to visit with her more often. She has four children, just like me.

Oh - and then we had some noisy trucks along our path. It seems someone was installing an in-ground pool and these trucks were running all sorts of hoses and digging equipment and making quite a mess. Thomas, you just kept holding your ears and saying "those trucks are too loud". William, you proceeded to tell me that you felt sure we needed a pool in our own backyard because then we'd never have to give the dogs water again. Yikes, I don't think so. Victoria proceeded to simply question how expensive something like that is. My observant daughter commented that such an undertaking cannot be cheap. (and yes, Victoria, you're right, it's not)

So, thank you kids - for walking with me and talking with me. I always love walking arouond the block with you all. You just never know what we'll find, who we'll see or what can be discovered.

Missed you kids

Missed you Kiddos!

Well, your father and I went away for the weekend without any children. Aunt Danyelle was kind and wonderful - - and agreed to watch you while we were gone.We spent the first night in Victoria, TX at a fabulous hotel. It was a nice hot tub spa that we got to soak in for a bit. The bed was probably the most comfy and luxurious bed I have ever slept in. It was right across the parking lot from a Red Lobster - and we used a gift card to have lunch there. It was oh so yummy. Quite enjoyable.

Saturday we drove to San Antonio - and it rained the whole way there. It then proceeded to rain all afternoon and into the evening some. We took in a movie and drove around the city. We had a nice dinner at a place called EZ's I think. It was a nice time, just spending time together and talking and connecting.

Sunday we had the very amazing pleasure of SLEEPING IN. Then we went to Government Canyon State Park - I think that's the name of it. We had a nice one hour hike. It was in the woods and on a rocky trail. The scenery was beautiful. Afterwards, we had lunch at a very cool place called Bill Miller's BBQ - and I had the best Fried Chicken I have had in years. Next stop was another state park, and I have no idea what the name of it was - but we took ourselves on another one hour hike in the woods (partially). Again, lovely scenery and very relaxing. The second park was almost empty - very few people - and incredibly quiet. I just loved that. Me, my husband, God and nature. We even managed to get a bit sunburned along the way.So, yes dear children - we missed you terribly - but it was a much needed rest and retreat for me and your father to focus on each other and our marriage.

A New Park, etc.

Oh kids - we had a wonderful time at a new park today. Your Aunt Danyelle told me about it and so we decided to check it out. It is "Sugar Lakes Park" off Hwy 90 near the old Sugar Mill. It is nice - the playground equipment looks kind of like a ship. There are also swings - even baby swings for James. There is a volleyball net with ample area to play - lots of green grass and even a sidewalk walking trail that surrounds the park. I was told by a gentleman there that if you walk the outside perimeter 4 times it equals a mile.

And speaking of Aunt Danyelle - she and your Uncle Matt have graciously offered to let you kids stay there at their home from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon. Talk about a big fat slumber party - my four kids plus her three kids plus Pedro ! Wow. What prompted this event? Well, your father and I are going on a much needed weekend get-away to spend some private time alone together. One of the best things we can do as parents is to take care of our marriage, so thank you for understanding. :)

Thank you, sweet kids

Thank you, kids, for the beautiful arrangement of backyard flowers that you all gathered for me (as a team). It is lovely. Mother's day is not my favorite day - but you helped make it special for me yesterday.

Thank you William and Thomas for the creative creations you made for me at pre-school. I will cherish them always.

Thank you Victoria for moving in with us 8 years ago today. I've always told you that you turned a crappy day into a happy day - and that is true. May 11th is the anniversary of my mother's death - but now it is also the anniversary of when you moved in with us and we met you for the very first time. You've been a treasure and I love you very much.