weekend getaway

Our cousin, Emmie celebrated her birthday and we took that opportunity to travel home to see family.  Gigi and PopPop were out of town so we got to take over their house and the creek for the weekend.  It was a much needed R and R for Mama and Daddy and the kids had a blast on the creek for three days with cousins.
I will say working the way we do, I truly appreciate the little things in life far more.

San Antonio Zoo trip

I am teaching zoology at co-op this year and for our end of year project I coordinated a field trip to the San Antonio Zoo.  I thought since was spring break, it could be a little crowded, but was not thinking the zoo would be hosting spring break camps.  It was crazy crowded and humid.  Mimi, Emmie and Avery met us for our outing.  It was a long day, but R2 got to see his favorite animal the hippo up close and personal, so all was right with the world, that and ice cream.

swim lessons 2015

My mom signed the kids up for private swim lessons with a friend from their church.  I was very reluctant about her having six kiddos in the pool with a young man that was like ten the last time I saw him.  When we picked the kids up on Saturday, she shared a video of R2's lesson and I was impressed.  He handled R2 better than I do.

On Sunday morning, we went to the pool so the kids could show us what they learned and Wow! What a difference one week made.  HR was putting his face under water, kicking, and his confidence sky rocketed.  Boo and LE learned several new strokes and Boo picked up some speed.  R2 is still apprehensive, but we see an improvement in him.  Thank you, Mr. Chris and Miss Summer.

wordless Wednesday - campground breakfast

Sea World Christmas

Mimi blessed the girls and I with tickets to Sea World for the Christmas Spectacular.  The girls have only done the homeschool days, so they were really able to experience all of the park.  The weather cooperated nicely, there weren't tons of people and we were able to see all 4 shows early in the day which gave us the afternoon to play.  Bella rode her first roller coaster.  I sat with her and LE sat in front of us.  Both girls came off crying, but I was so happy they tried it (idea of their own). 

stocking sutffers

gingerbread houses

The tradition continued, but this year we enlisted help from Grandma (my grandmother), Mimi and Emmie.  We made mini houses this year and the girls had just as much fun. 

wordless wednesday- cousins

Pumpkin Patch

What a difference a year makes, and I am sure I will be saying that next year too. We met Mimi, my brothers, and sis-in-laws Friday afternoon at a nearby Pumpkin Patch. The purpose was to get some fall photos of the cousins. Thankfully there was 5 cameras b/c my loyal, trusty companion decided to break today. I went to view some of my photos, and they were black. I got a few to choose from, but hoping one of the other cameras captured some memories for me.

more orchard fun

The apple orchard had the best climbing tree. All 3 of the girls climbed and explored. We could even hide inside of it.

A is for apples

We spent Friday afternoon at the Love Creek Orchards to learn more about our topic for the week - apples! We had fun running through the orchards and got to sample Gala Apples and apple ice cream.

Daughters of Republic of Texas

The girls and I are eligible to participate in the Daughters of the Republic of Texas so we made sure to stop by their booth at the Living History Day. The girls had so much fun writing with beet and berry juices.

Sea World pt 2

three princesses

meeting baby Emery

Landry was very excited to meet her cousin, Emery. At the end of Marissa's pregnancy, she daily talked about baby Emery in her tummy. Even declining to eat food b/c baby Emery would not like it (she thought she had a baby in her tummy). On Monday, when Marissa was in labor, the girls went to see Gigi while we went to the hospital. It was a very long day and I am so glad they had their Gigi to play with during the day. On Tuesday, evening the girls finally got to meet her. I knew it was going to be a special moment, but with the girls you just never know. I am so glad Ryan had his camcorder b/c LE was so excited. When she first walked in my grandmother, Granny was holding her. LE's response, Granny has a baby, but when she realized it was Marissa's Emery, she proclaimed, "Oh, it is so good to see you. Thank you, Marissa for taking care of Baby Emery in your tummy. She is so beautiful." Bella was a little more apprehensive. She gave her kisses on her forehead, but she was perfectly content to hold Aunt Susan or play with Lindsay. Landry is saying in one of the pics, "she likes me."