Play Date at the Zoo

A few days ago I checked the weather forecast and it showed today was supposed to be a beautiful day. For once they got it right! So I tried to rally some other moms up to plan a zoo outing. I met up with Katie H and Sarah S and their boys there. The place was packed! I guess everyone else had the same idea. My arms actually got a little burned. I love the sun! We had a lot of fun, even though Ethan spent the first part of the trip whining to go ride the train and play on the toys. We did that eventually. The train ride is too short, but it is still fun.

I found out that Sarah is from San Antonio! A fellow Texan and instant bond. We had a good time talking about Texas and how people who aren't from there don't understand it. She knows Schlitterbahn too!

I love the zoo and I can't wait to go back. We buy a zoo pass every year and definitely get our money's worth out of it.

Fun With Markers

Before my visiting teachers came over this afternoon, I was sure to get the kids plenty of stuff ready to keep them out of our hair. I set out markers, crayons, coloring books, etc. Markers...what a mistake that was. In the thirty minutes that we visited the kids decorated the whole upstairs and them selves. Walls, chairs, floors, every surface. These pictures barely do the job justice. Thank goodness for Oxy Clean! They must have decided to hurry and clean things up before I found them, because the bathroom was in utter disaray. I about died. But they were so cute and I had to snap a picture before I exploded.

When I went into the bathroom there was an inch of water standing on the floor. I think they took buckets and just dumped it out! Oh I was so mad, but I thought it was so funny at the same time.

Apparently Hailey and Ethan knew they would be in big trouble, so they got cleaning rags from under the sink and started sopping up water. This is what I found in the sink. I shoud have taken pictures of the five soaked bath towels that I used for the rest of the water. Oh these kids might put me in an early grave! And I should add that Ethan decorated the baby. I didn't get a picture of that, but apparently he had climbed into the crib while she was napping and drew all over her face. Lauren thought it was hilarious.

Weight Loss Update

Check out my weight loss blog. I finally updated!

Memorial Day

Some freinds of ours are moving from our neighborhood. They are so lucky because they are moving to a part of Texas that is only 45 minutes from where my parents live! They have been busy cleaning and working on their house so they can sell it. Today we watched Andrew for a few hours while they got stuff done. I promise Andrew is one of the sweetest two year old boys I know. He reminds me a lot of Ethan when he was that age. He and Hailey get along great and it was a joy to watch him today. I am really going to miss his family! Today things got kind of quiet and when I went to find Andrew he was playing with baby dolls. And that's what he spent a big part of the day doing! Such a funny little guy.

Cody and I barely did anything today but houswork. Kind of a crummy way to spend a holiday, but then again it was crummy weather outside so there wasn't much else to do. None of us wanted dinner because we grazed all day. So we decided to get ice cream for dinner instead! What a fun way to spend the evening. BTW, Ethan is sitting by himself at the counter in this picture. He insisted in being a big kid. Kind of makes me sad!

After ice cream we decided to brave the elements and go to the park. Ethan's graduation was at this really great park near the foothills and we promised we would let them go back there and play. There is something almost magical about a new park to explore. The kids loved playing tonight. But who would think it would be in the 40s on Memorial Day???

Cody stayed in the car with Lauren while we played because it was so cold! When I got the kids ready to get back in the car this is what I saw. Lauren was sitting in Cody's lap having so much fun playing with the buttons and honking the horn!

It's Fun Being Hailey

I don't post enough about Hailey. She is at such a fun age and she is always doing something new and making us laugh. She is definitely musical and it is fun to watch this talent emerge. I love to play the piano as a way to unwind, yet whenever I sit down to play, my shadow climbs right up next to me and wants to play too. No matter what piece I am playing, she always pulls the Primary Song Book out and flips it open to "Popcorn Popping". She forces me to play it all the time! Today I caught her playing and singing to herself. She is so cute and sweet and I love her to death. The brain of a two year old is absolutely amazing to me. She is a sponge and absorbs everything around her. I am so excited to continue instilling my love of music into this delightful kid!

Lauren's Blanket

Lauren got a package yesterday from her Great Aunt Sheryl (Cody's aunt). It was a beautiful blanket! Aunt Sheryl made Ethan and Hailey gorgeous blankets when they were babies and Lauren finally got hers too. She always does the coolest and most time consuming trim. Lauren has had fun rolling around and slobbering all over her new blankie today. Thank you Aunt Sheryl!

Planting Flowers

On Saturday morning Cody was working the yard. He came in and shocked me when he said he wanted to get some curbing, soil, and flowers to put around the trees in our front yard (or better yet on the front sidewalk). This is coming from the man who in years past has said planting flowers and landscaping is pointless. In fact, he has given me grief whenever I have wanted to put in flower beds.

So in the afternoon we took a fieldtrip to the local nursery. Pre-made casters cost a total of $40 for both trees. Not bad! Then when we got home he dug up the sod and placed the casters with the help of the kids. I have a notorious black thumb. I don't know why, but I have a very hard time getting anything to grow. Last spring when I re-did the front bed, I spent a week working that soil over and tilled it down about twelve inches with fertile soil. Then I planted about 100 bulbs, yet this spring barely anything came up. I got ONE tulip to bloom and it was puney. Yet some of the perinnial lillies are finally coming up and I think they may look good.

I really want to find some good shrubs to put along the house and I want to get a few more flats of flowers to plant. But this is a start. I really love gardening and working the yard. I just wish I didn't kill everything!

Ethan's Preschool Graduation

Before I forget, I added something to my creative blog! The class picture project is finally done!

Today was a very busy day. First Ethan's gym show, then dinner at McDonald's, then straight to his preschool graduation. It baffles me that an entire school year has passed. I see how once your kids are in school that the years truely do fly by. I was in no hurry for the year to end because he loves school so much and we all adore his teacher, Mrs. Kari.

We feel so blessed to have found such a wonderful teacher for Ethan. She taught elementary school for a few years but decided she wanted to be her own boss, so she started a school out of her house. This was her first year doing it, and Cody and I were a little uneasy at first, but she has proved to be an incredible teacher and friend to our little boy. Kari has three classes, making a total of thirty eight students. Yet she knows each child very induvidually and I know she loves them so much.

Tonight at graduation she gave each parent a portfolio of their child. I was blow away at the thought, effort, and time she put into this priceless gift. And to think that she whole heartedly made one for all thirty eight children! I am amazed. We are so blessed to have Kari in our lives. Ethan is enrolled for another fun year with her and Hailey already has a spot for the 2010-2011 school year! Hailey talks about Mrs. Kari all the time too and can't wait to be in her class. In fact, at the end of graduation tonight Hailey gave her a big hug! So sweet.

I am very sad to see the year end because I have grown to love all twelve kids in Ethan's class. I have spent so much time working in the classroom and I feel that I've gotten to know them all. They have been like a little family to each other. I will miss them.

The performance tonight was spectacular and I'm so proud of Ethan. Cody and I thought he would get stage fright, but quite the opposite took place! He sang and danced and said his lines with ease. Way to go Buddy! When we got home Ethan wanted to watch the video of the graduation so we watched it, and then he wanted to watch it again. He had fun pointing out all of his friends and singing along with the songs. Ethan, we are so proud of you and how far you have come this year. You are growing into such a bright, funny, and spirited boy! We love you! (BTW the kids made their tie-dye shirts themselves. I was a fun and messy class project!)

Ethan's Gymnastics Show

Today was Ethan's spring gymnastics show. He has come miles and miles from when he started gym 1 1/2 years ago. He has come out of his shell immensely since then. He has a major man crush on his coach, Ryun. He seriously loves the guy and in fact, he will be taking a break from gym next month because Ryun will be out of town working at a cheerleading camp. If Ryun isn't there, Ethan sees no point in going and throws a bad tantrum. Sorry some of the pictures are blurry. Most of them were taken while bouncing a baby on my hip. BTW, the one of him lying on the floor is hilarious. He HATES warming up so he just lies there while the kids dance around him. He looks so bored!