Up, up and away

The kids and I went out looking for adventure today. And, we found it at the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area in Fredricksburg. I wondered if climbing to the summit with all three kids and no other adults would prove to be too much for this mama, but we did it...and we had a blast! And, no one even got hurt! The weather was perfect, the children were eager, and I'm so glad we had the opportunity to make some special memories. And you, my friends, get another slide show to enjoy!

Springtime in Texas

[Somewhere, there are words within me. I just know it. But, the pictures are easier to get to and to put together late at night, so you will have to settle for yet another slide show. However, the pictures are really quite lovely--if I do say so myself--so, enjoy!]

Sweet Berry Farm

A Beautiful Life

All pictures were taken at Mercer Arboretum in Humble.

El Jefe

Jeff does not like to be featured on the blog, so I will probably get in trouble for this post. But, I don't think he really reads it that often, so maybe I'll be o.k.

While we were having lunch today, Jeff was telling me that he had set up a meeting with a couple of CEOs. Ruth wanted to know what CEOs were, so we explained. Then, I told her that Daddy was a CEO. "Really?!" she said, completely shocked. "Really?!" Max mocked. And, I have to admit, that I forget this fact from time to time myself. I mean, the baggy shorts--which are his daily work attire--just sort of throw me off.

All kidding aside, I want to say how very proud I am of Jeff for building his own business and for making it successful! He is excellent at what he does and deserves some kudos.

Takin' Care of Business

• prayed with my husband before the sun came up
• worked out
• read the Bible with my children and taught them about the Lord
• called a glass company to come give me an estimate on replacing a pane of my leaded glass front door (casualty of an over-zealous greeter)
• set up an appointment to have our sprinkler system repaired (casualty of a stinkin' cold winter)
• hired someone to mow the lawn and clean out the flower beds (after losing the battle to our own lawn equipment on Saturday)
• made a hair appointment
• did mountains of dishes
• sat on the floor in multiple bathrooms, reading board books, just waiting for something to happen
• helped someone with his preschool workbook and his reading
• paid bills
• played my personal best on "Popword"
• watered the houseplants
• put clean sheets on my bed
• made a pitcher of sweet southern mint ice tea
• talked about the future with my sweetie
• read a bit of "The Help"
• consoled crying kids
• distributed pain meds and kisses as necesary
• made a semi-gourmet dinner (sausage-stuffed Portabella mushrooms)
• burned the garlic bread (trying to make my momma proud)
• saved room for dessert

It's not a glamorous life, folks. But I wouldn't trade it for anything! 

Easy and Delicious

Cocoa Puff Candy

Bring to a rolling boil: 3/4 c. sugar, 1/2 c. Karo syrup, 1/4 c. honey (Your're dissolving sugar in sugar here, people. How fabulous is that?!)

Stir in: 1 1/2 c. peanut butter. Mix well and then add 5 c. Cocoa Puffs (or your favorite off-brand).

Drop by spoonfuls on wax paper, foil or other smooth surface. Let cool. Try not to eat all in one setting.

Now, about that weekend...

Not so cool

We arrived home this afternoon from our wonderful long weekend. I may have more to share about the weekend at another time, but what I simply must tell you about is our return home.

When we got the van unloaded, the children made a beeline for the yard to stretch their road-weary legs. And, I made my way to the mailbox to see what bills lay hidden there for me. In a rare moment of mailbox joy, I found fun mail--a package, no less--addressed to me! Woohoo! I tore into the package from my Secret Relative to find Easter chocolates, not yet a puddle of chocolate syrup, but well on their way. I quickly plunged them into the fridge, noting that there was something of a smell emanating from the appliance, which I assumed was from some produce that had gone bad while we were away. I had no time to investigate right then, as screaming kids seemed to be coming at me from every direction.

Later, the children came in from playing with a powerful thirst. Ruth opened the freezer for ice and said, "Uh, Mom. I don't think our ice maker is working...and it smells kind of funny in here." I quickly made my way to the freezer and confirmed, to my horror, that the freezer was, indeed, not working. Nothing was even remotely cold. And the stink and the mess nearly knocked me out. Then, I opened the fridge below and found that it wasn't the least bit cool in there either...and the smell became worse.

Here, I panicked momentarily as I wondered if my thinking the thing's death had actually caused it. Just last week, I was begging Jeff for a new fridge--not really because we needed a new one, but because I was just tired of this one. I sheepishly went to him proclaiming my innocence in connection with the fridge's demise, suspecting he wouldn't buy a word of it. And, then I set about the task of clean-up--which proved my innocence after all, because there is no way I would have intentionally wished this upon myself. I'll spare you the disgusting details, but as I was about to finish up, Jeff walked into the room and noted that the light was on in the fridge. This, he thought, was odd if the thing really had given up the ghost. So, he asked if I had checked to see that it was set on the proper temperature. That's when I found out we had been sabotaged. The dial was turned to the "off" position, plain as day. I can't name the culprit definitively, but I have a pretty good guess who it was...

I almost cried as I threw away all that food--for more reasons than I can count. And then, I almost cried again when I realized I wouldn't be getting a new fridge after all.  It was the kind of welcome home party I hope we do not repeat anytime soon!

possibilities

In answer to the question "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Weston gave a rambling answer that included the following:

• firefighter
• play all the balls
• veterinarian
• fly a kite
• clean house
• teacher
• make doughnuts AND
• fly a cow, but hold on to his pants so he doesn't get away

The sky truly is the limit, people.

B-ball

Jeff and I attended the NCAA basketball games here in Houston over the weekend. We were seated at center court...about a mile up! But, really, our seats were awesome! We could see all the action on the court, and what we missed was at eye-level on the Jumbotron. Wish our Aggies could have been there, but we still had a blast!!

Gratuitous self-portrait

First game: Baylor v. St. Mary's

Second game: Duke v. Purdue

Stuck ball

Portrait of a Champion

Well, I've always known that my daughter was brilliant, but now a lot more people are aware of that fact. Ruth competed today in the PSIA (UIL for private schools) District Meet. Our district consists of four private schools (with maybe 50-100+ total competitors each) and three home school families. For second grade, there are three possible contests: Storytelling, Creative Writing, and Spelling. Ruth competed in all three. And, she brought home two medals: first place for Creative Writing and second place for Spelling!!! Plus, she gets to advance to the State meet, which will be held in Ft. Worth (at TCU) in a few weeks. We are thrilled beyond belief and so very proud of our girl!!

Joining the (Book) Club

 I have been taking Max to the toddler story time at the library during the past month, and he absolutely LOVES it! He sings along with most of the songs and (get this) sits still during the stories, hanging on every word. He has even made some friends. I think it's awesome that he is following in the footsteps of his older siblings (while still marching to the beat of his own drum, of course), who also loved the weekly story times back in their day.

The mommies on the bus say, "Shh, shh, shh."

Doing the Hokie-Pokie

Listening to the story

Working on a craft

Max's Flower

Weston at story time in 2006

Ruth at story time in 2003

Rodeo Day

Is that a handsome cowboy or what?!

Last Hurrah

Today brought us to the end of Spring Break and to the last stop on our CityPass, which was NASA. We had so much fun learning about the space program and the astronauts and exploring all the equipment. And, the kids loved playing on one of the largest indoor playgrounds ever and eating astronaut ice cream. What a wonderful Spring Break we had right here in our own backyard!

Catching Up

It's going to be a long one, folks.

Health and Science Museum

On Tuesday morning we implemented Plan B because of the weather. We had originally planned to visit an historic ranch, but ended up going to the Health and Science Museum instead. And I don't think there is any way Plan A could have been more fun than Plan B. The kids had a blast looking at huge bugs, watching a dissection of a real sheep heart, working out mind benders, exploring the human body, and so much more.

Road Trip

On Tuesday afternoon, the kids and I packed up the van and headed northwest to my parents' house. We stayed the night there and then got up Wednesday morning to head further north and further west to my grandparents' house. My cousin, who is serving our country in the Marines, is deploying tomorrow for a tour of duty in Afghanistan, so we all gathered to give him some loving before he leaves and just to enjoy some quality family time. 

Tea Party

This morning we were greeted with cold, rainy weather. But that didn't stop us from celebrating Spring with some of Ruth's closest friends. She invited five little ladies over for a tea party deluxe. The girls decorated their own hats for the party and then dined on the finest tea party cuisine: cucumber sandwiches, chicken salad and crackers, quiche, fruit tarts, scones, lemonade, and, of course, hot tea. The girls were adorable in their beautiful dresses, and everyone had a blast.

Downtown Aquarium

After all the girls had gone home and the boys woke up from their naps, we made our way to the Downtown Aquarium, where the children enjoyed being eye-level with some beautiful and interesting fish. Their favorite part was the petting pool, where they were able to touch some sting rays and small sharks. We then had dinner in the aquarium's restaurant, which was a real treat for the eyes and the stomach.