The Big Deal Bike Rider

So my baby girl #1 has learned to ride a Big Girl Bike..not a Harley..a 2-wheeling-no-training-wheels-bike! She is hitting those milestones like crazy right now and I am so proud of her. I honestly didn't know if she was ready for it, but I think she rises to the occasion! My Big Girl!!

Emmaline is also hitting the corners well. Really it was remarkable how quickly she went from being satisfied on her bike to wanting to try no training wheels.

I read a blog or maybe saw on Pinterest..the key is, and I COMPLETELY am sold now, to take the pedals off after they get used to pedaling.

They coast around, on their own, for a few days, and BAM...done! She seriously took off just like that! And was successful! She is turning corners, stopping and starting all on her own and most importantly with confidence! Love it! And then she tells me she is "going to Kindergarten"..umm.sorry, we can't let you ride a bike there..but sweet thought! Ignore the annoying Mom in the background...just "GITT BAAACK!" and if you don't get that then I don't know how to help you! {I thought I could upload a video but can't figure it out now..will try later.}

Flint, TX

My parents took the girls on Sunday to the RCI waterpark in Flint, TX and set up the condo where we would spend the next week. Me and Hayes came down Monday and saw them in the pool. HB was so excited and wanted to get in the pool so bad. He couldn't get his diaper off fast enough!

His floaty was more of a hinderance than a help for him in this pool. He did so good in the water and is quite a fish!

We LOVE watermelon!!! Me and the kids ate a personal watermelon in about 5 minutes..

It was delicious!! Me and Carrie took the kids to the Tyler Zoo. I can't believe all these kids are mine(the kids with 2 legs not 4..hehe)!

It was perfect weather and not too crowded. There were some schools there but we managed to get around them ok. The kids had a blast running around being silly, feeding the ducks and listening to all the noises they were making.

Georgia loved seeing her favorite animal, the giraffe, and hasn't stopped talking about the baby and Mommy giraffes she saw! She wants to be one for Halloween, again (this would be the 3rd year..not gonna happen)!

Checking out the stinky penguins..Daddy's favorite!

My favorite of the day was the bears..they were 'fighting' and it was so entertaining and fun to watch!

We got to see deer and turkeys..the girls quickly proclaimed, "Daddy would shoot them!"

Hayes and Georgia loved driving the tractor! I love this zoo..it's so natural, shady and perfect for kids!

Amy, Avery & Ansley came to visit from Forney to stay for a few days. The girls did so good playing together and it really was a fun few days with them.

So thankful that I get to see my old friends' kids play with mine!

After the rainstorm we tried to figure out what to do and went to the Sonic playground. It was kindof chilly and windy and the sandy ground was covered in water. They had the best time splashing and throwing the sand around. It was like our own personal beach with a playground built on top!

We got all the kids interested in a movie for a while.

They were so cute all cuddled up! It was a great vacation eventhough the weather didn't really cooperate, the internet doesn't work there and Jackson got sick and had to leave. I hope we can make it an annual trip!!

Livin' the Dream ~ Mother's Day 2012

So this was my 6th Mother's Day. I was in College Station and left on Saturday after lunch and after getting my Mother's Day gift from my parents..a Kindle Fire

I am so excited to get back into reading and think it will be fun for the kids too! After a pretty quick drive, we arrived home from our vacation on Saturday night. Daniel had a yummy dinner ready to go.

We had hamburgers, hotdogs and fresh mojitos - the babies had milk, if you were wondering! There was also beautiful yellow tulips in one vase and wildflowers in another.

The next morning I actually got to sleep in with no interruptions!! Then about 9:30 Daniel and the kids came in saying, "Happiest Mother's Day" carrying homemade hot breakfast and a present. I ate chocolate chip pancakes dipped in strawberry compote with fresh fruit. I finally got to open my present..it was 2 really cute makeup/toiletry bags.

We had a wonderful day lounging in our pjs watching tv. We finally made our way outside and opened up our Bug & water baskets from the auction..it was too neat! So much stuff and the girls were constantly oohing and aahing at it. We opened up the slip n slide and had the best time.

The girls couldn't quite figure out the slide part so they wanted Daniel to throw them down it. It was hilarious watching them take turns having him slip them down the slide.

We grilled out for lunch and then put the kids down for nap. While they napped we layed on floats in the pool and just talked, listened to music and got a sunburn. It was a really great afternoon.

I have to say this was one of the best Mother's Day I have had, ranking right up there with my first. I truly feel so blessed and lucky and ever since we moved here, I just feel it so much more. I don't want to seem like I was unhappy in SA but it is just different here. Each weekend, we have the best time being together as a family.

So thankful for that!

Cinco de Mayo ~ Talk Derby to Me!!

For my older brother, Michael's, birthday we decided to celebrate in CS with the group. There was a party planned for Lake Bryan's Icehouse restaurant for the daytime then on to other places as the night went on.

We had these cute green cups made for the festivities! We (Daniel actually got to go with us this time) got in on Friday just in time to meet at the Hilton to see Nat, Toodge and Sus! There is never a dull moment with that group! ;)

Saturday I tood the girls to a few neighborhood garage sales and we scored these 'L' sweat bands!! Then we played with the kids until it was time for the party. Mom dropped us off at the Lake and we started the party!

We got cups made, drank margaritas and Dos Equis, enjoyed the beautiful afternoon on the lake and then headed to Northgate. Eventually we ended up at Rockies, a country dance bar, owned by some old highschool friends. College Station is such a small town! On Sunday, my parents took the girls to Flint, TX where we would be vacationing the next week and me and Hayes drove Daniel to the airport

Me and the boys hit up Willy's on the way to meet Uncle Carlo at the St. Rose Spring Festival. He was working at the beer and margarita booth! That cracked me up!

One of the first things we did at the Church Festival was ride the barrel train. They both loved it though I think that Daniel was a little dizzy!

Me and Daniel love a silent auction and they had a huge one going. I loved so many of their baskets they put together. We ended up winning the bids on a Bug package full of toys, games, puzzles, gadgets, etc. relating to bugs. It is really cute! We also got a water basket with fun things for our pool including a basketball goal, tube, slip n slide & waterguns! How fun is that!!?!

Hayes got to have 2 snowcones at the festival and loved it all..He was so cute and such a good boy even skipping his nap!

That evening, I met Aunt Drene (my college friend Marigene) at a BBQ where Hayes had the most fun being the only child..He got to run wild and learn how to do the 'pound and then blow it up' hand shake.

We spent the night at her new apartment, stayed up way too late chatting but it was so great to see her..it's been way too long!!

Crawfish boilin' in SA

A few weeks ago me, Emmaline & Georgia went to SA for our good friend's Jason's birthday bash..his annual crawfish boil!

Daniel had a grad school function in CS so he took Hayesman with him for the road trip! I have to say how nice it was to have a break from having a baby around. The girls played so well with Ainsley and Britton and can do so much on their own now. We basically threw food in their general direction and they took care of the rest. Of course I missed my boys but I guess what they say is true..absence makes the heart grow fonder..and sometimes we need to be a little absent!

Thursday we showed up late and me and Leslie knew it would be our only night to get out so we went to Gypsy's for hookah and wine. Friday the kids were out of school for Fiesta, so we decided to do what normal Moms do and went shopping with them..it was obnoxious and rowdy, but fun to be back with friends to spend the day with. We never got naps that day but we had lots of fun perfecting the Pimm's Cup..a New Orleans favorite!

Saturday was the big party! While Jason was out buying the crawfish, I taught Leslie how to mow the yard. It is one of my favorite chores to do, so I thought she should know how and could help out the hubby on his birthday. I think she liked doing it, though I don't know if she will ever do it again. Jason returned with the crawfish and set the cardboard box in the laundry room, located right next to the kitchen. Me and Leslie were busy getting brisket, coleslaw and things ready when we see a little body crawling out in the hall. We squeal and point and call for her son to pick it up!

It was so funny because for the next 30 minutes, maybe an hour, we kept finding the crawfish in the hall, kitchen, all over the laundry room. We asked Jason to come take them outside but he was too busy with the yard. The crawfish were under the dryer and would come out with their little pinchers in the air all covered with lint! We eventually used tongs to pick them up and put them in the box that had holes in the sides where we figured out they were escaping. Two weeks later they found a live one at their neighbors pool!

The party was lots of fun and the crawfish were amazing. We made birthday cake shots, made with real vanilla cake mix and sprinkles, and they were so good!! Leslie always makes the most fun drinks.

Georgia and Cambrie were so sweet together. While they played Georgia would talk sweetly to her and help her. It was nice to see her being a good babysitter! She loved tying a leash on Cambrie's walker and making sure she didn't get too far away. And she fed her countless Cherrios!

It was a really fun weekend and Daniel and HB had a great time too! My mom really enjoyed getting to watch Hayes some by himself. She said he is such a sweetie...I KNOW!!

iphone dump ~ April

Burger King lunch after Outlet shopping..E threw up just minutes after this..she ended up being sick with a UTI (a first for us) and only showed symptoms of little appetite and fever..so thankful the residency dr. caught it!!

'Rapunzel' just keeps showing up at our house at the most random times! ;)

one day at the park, just playing in the dirt! It doesn't get anymore free or entertaining than that! G is taking a break from her bike..she gets so tired on her bike and says her legs hurt..I'm not sure she is our athlete!?!

our hummingbird feeder is popular and lots of fun to watch!

popsicles on the trampoline are always a hit!

This was HB's first trip to the ER..probably not his last if his wild demeanor sticks around or (GULP!) gets worse..he had nursemaid's elbow..and before you go blaming me..it was all this little tantrum throwing boys deal..OH and he 'fixed' it before we even got seen by a doctor..but we still paid like we did! LOVELY! And the dr. said to expect this to happen again..yippee, more good news!

having fun with oranges! Orange you sad you missed out?!!

me and kids went for a walk/bike ride one evening D was working late. It was nice but that sit n stand stroller is not fun to push..