New year, new blogger

Hi everybody, this is Kristi's daughter Landry. I was laying on the couch with my mom, when I told her I wanted to take over her blog, because with her crazy life she doesn't find much time to blog here. Her response was, "That's a great idea Landry!" So you'll be hearing a lot more from me as I turn into my mother. You might think my mom and I are as different as blue and orange, but let me tell you, we have just as much in common as we do different.But as I get back to the point I want say that this should be a good year. You might see an occasional blog from my mom, but don't count on it.

Wordless Wednesday: My first dangly earrings

two peas in a pod

LE has been looking forward to this day for months, literally months so when a cold front moved in that was going to prevent her from participating in her first throw in months she was devastated.  The night before the competition PawPaw called to tell her the throw was moved indoors and they would be able to compete.
LE and PawPaw could brave the cold in a barn, but the rest of stayed warm at home.  We did make the drive to Ghost Town in Manor for their final round and neither disappointed.  LE got multiple sticks as did PawPaw.  LE won first in the youth division (out of two throwers) and PawPaw won first in the professional men's division for his tomahawk.
This girls' determination and passion for any thing she puts her mind to is a inspiring.

The Little Mermaid play

Boo was given a special gift from one of my fighters in tickets to the Palace Theater in Georgetown to see the live production of Little Mermaid.  He is a volunteer and wanted Boo to see a production because of her excitement in theater.
The Little Mermaid opened the weekend after her birthday.  It was a phenomenal production.  It reignited her desire to pursue theater again.  (Her teacher is taking some time off to raise her kids).  We are looking for a new production company for Bella to be a part of, but we will probably have to wait till summer or next school year to enroll.

library pumpkin context

The girls entered the RR public library's pumpkin contest.  The theme was a literary character or book, pumpkins had to be decorated and could not be carved.
LE used two pumpkins to make Garfield sleeping in his bed.  Boo decorated hers as Jack and Annie from the books Magic Tree House.
We were so excited when we got the call that LE won the contest and received a bundle of books.
We are so proud of both of our girls and the gifts God has given them.

Happy Halloween!

Bethany Hamilton aka LE
Britt Nicole aka Boo
a vet aka r2
Chase from Paw Patrol aka HR

We had a fun night of trick or treating in our neighborhood with our friends in the cul-de-sac.  Too much sugar was consumed and too much is still in my pantry.

she's an orange belt

Doing karate is probably one of my better choices. Yes, I have decided to pursue the black belt. I can't say there has been blood, but definitely sweat and tears. All through my wait and all through the test I had every kind of flying creature in my stomach, not just butterflies. There were 6 others testing, 2 for orange, 4 for purple. I had done the moves so many times as soon as I heard what to do I tried to remember  which of the many moves it was, I did it.  I owe it all to my instructors, my family, and Jesus Christ.

our first slumber party

We survived our first slumber party.  It was not nearly as bad as I imagined.  On Friday afternoon, LE got to pick four friends (plus a special bonus friend b/c she couldn't stay the night) to come over.  We spent the evening having mani's and pedi's, pizza, cupcakes and watching the new Jungle Book movie.
Mimi came into town and took the boys out for a night on the town.  For breakfast, I had juice, milk tons of fruit and a TX size RR doughnut.  Imagine my surprise that all of the fruit was left, but none of the gigantic doughnut.
She was blessed with cash, new beanie boos, a Star Wars tshirt and craft supplies.  I am so glad we gave in because it was a super low key party and lots of fun memories were made.

a tweenager

I seriously thought you'd be a tweenager once you hit twelve; I wasn't expecting you'd turn into a young lady over night.
This one is a tough one for me because now you are in sixth grade, junior high youth groups, and becoming more independent by the day.
I love that you still want to cuddle, and kiss Daddy and I goodnight and good bye and you still sleep with Fluffles.
I should just have you type up your favorites as they seem to change every day.
I think your:
Favorite food is cheeseburgers.
Favorite book is Ramona.
Favorite subject is reading and Texas History
Favorite movie is Soul Surfer
Favorite color is hot pink

We love you and are so proud of the young lady you are becoming.

round the rock challenge part 2

We marked off number 30 on our challenge this week.  We tried geocaching, found a trail in RR to hike, we skipped riding the train at the outlet mall and instead rode a time machine, who knew time travel was cheaper. We've done 8 of the 10 Where's Waldo challenges at Kaleidoscope Toys.  We had breakfast in our pj's at Chick-Fil-A which counted for 2 because it was a restaurant with a playground.  All four participated in Bass Pro Shop Summer Camp including earning badges for archery and gardening.  This past Saturday, we visited a farmer's market to complete our 30th of fifty activities on the list.
LE has been working on a list we can do after school starts.  It has really helped me to be get us out of the house and try new things this summer.

Highland Lakes PreTeen Camp

This past Sunday, Ben dropped the girls and I off for Preteen camp at Highland Lakes.  Our church took 21 kids and 4 chaperones to camp.
I quickly realized I am a Mama.  The clutter, giggling and disregard for rules was almost too much for me.  Jesus and I had a moment that first evening and I realized there is a lot I have to let got of.
The girls had an awesome time.  We swam, kayaked, rode a banana boat, had outdoor fun at archery, and BB guns, BMX bikes.  The guest speaker was phenomenal.  He knew how to connect with the kids and taught on obedience through the story of Noah, loving like Jesus and the story of Elijah like I've never heard before.  I am so grateful I had these four days to connect with my girls, but I think it was a one time adventure for me, unless I can learn to relax again.

Round the Rock Challenge in June

This summer we are participating in the Round the Rock challenge.  We have a list of 50 activities to complete this summer to receive rewards from merchants in Round Rock.
In June (from top left), we watched a movie in RR, participated in the library reading program, found the wagon ruts, participated in a summer library program, played in a RR park, took a pet to the dog park, played at All Abilities Park, found Sam Bass final resting place, found the RR mural, enjoyed a cool treat, had a RR Donut, found the Round Rock, went to an Express game, and found the statues in downtown RR.
We have had so much fun and earned our first gift card to Kaleidoscope Toys.

Vacation Liberty School

This past week, the girls participated in Vacation Liberty School.  A homeschool friend is one of the leaders and every she invites us.  This was the first year we could make it work.  The girls loved it and cannot wait for next year.
They started off in England as peasants living under King James and had to travel to the New World.  They met George Washington and Ben Franklin.  They also made cards for soldiers in the army.  I regret not making this a priority in past years, but will make sure it doesn't happen again.

last day of school 2015-2016

I have fallen victim to Instagram and thus my blog has been neglected.  As much as I love the easiness of Instagram, I love coming to the end of the year and reviewing our year. I also love seeing LE and Boo looking back at where we've been.  Thus, even though I know most have given up on blogs I will persevere.  Great, now I've got I will survive stuck in my head.
We wrapped up our official school year on May 26th.  Which means LE finished her elementary school career.  And when we begin in the fall I will have a junior high student, 5th grader and two beginning kindergarten.  Be still my heart, I am not sure how that is humanly possible.  We will continue to read and do Math U See during the summer.  We are participating in as many reading clubs as we can join, no complaints there.  I hope they can some day fall in love with their math books.

karate kid

LE has been asking to pursue karate for a while now.  And recently we found a karate studio very near our home.  She had the opportunity to try it for a week.  After two classes, she decided she wants to pursue the black belt.
She goes twice a week, and she has to pay half of her tuition to participate.  She is learning discipline in and out of the gym.

day one by Landry

My day started with yogurt for breakfast.  Mom said we should go to the pool and that's just what we did till lunch.  I enjoyed a lunch of ham sandwich and fruit.  On our way to the pool earlier, we saw a game room which we hung out in after lunch.  There was video games, chess, checkers and foose ball.  There was also the stuff to play shuffleboard and the board was outside.  Dad and I played shuffleboard.  After that we hung out in the game room and had popcorn till supper.
There was spaghetti for dinner.  And then we took walk around Bass Pro Shops.  We went to the Wal-mart to get sugar and goggles (for the pool) and the boys got pool toys.  Then, we went back to the hotel room and everyone went to sleep.
P.S. I don't like journaling. -Landry
P.S.S. Too bad - Mom

Chrismtas: Toby Mac Deep Hits

For Christmas, we gave the girls tickets to see their first concert, Toby Mac.  Ben and I saw DC Talk when we were in high school at Schlitterbahn, so we think it is surreal to be taking the girls to see him 20+ years later; yea he is the coolest 51 year old around.
We also got to see Britt Nicole (Boo's fave), Building 4:29, Colton Dixon, Finding Favor, Hollyn and Capital Kings.
Thank you Mimi and PawPaw for taking the boys so we could make such a fun memory.

pioneer girl

Over spring break, LE and Paw Paw went to the Southwestern Regional Rendezvous.  They stayed in Paw Paw's tipi and LE said it was the best rendezvous yet.
One of the biggest surprises was when I got to see my pen pal Gracie again.  I haven't seen her in two years.  We went to kids' games, did the gold scavenger hunt and play hide and seek.
Me and Paw Paw did everything together.  We did the tomahawk and knife throw.  I watched some of his gun competitions.
I won forty trader bucks for first place in hawk and knife throwing (twice). I won first place in fire starting. I cashed in my trader bucks for necklace and bracelet for Boo, a pitcher for my mom, a coffee mug for Dad, toy gun and holsters for my brothers.  I got a new dress, anklet and a top game and a chicken game for both Mimi and I.  I gave my friend Gracie a necklace and one for her sister.
One of my favorite kids' games was the gold rush.  Our teachers told us about the gold rush in California.  During the night, our teachers spread gold painted rocks around the campsite and whoever found the most won a prize.  I found the most gold, 1,628 pieces, I won a toy gun for finding the most pieces and I found a gold and silver golf ball and the prize was a real bottle of gold (flakes).  I cannot wait till the next rendezvous.  

scavenger hunt with Dad

I went on a hunt with my sister and Dad.
It might have been the most fun I ever had.
We had to find lots of stuff.
But we didn't need a piece of fluff.

We counted our points and we had a big score.
195 points, no less and no more.
But much too soon the hunt came to an end.
What a great way to spend,
Our night. - LE

I loved our scavenger hunt.  We went to Bill Miller's BBQ (b/c it started with the same letter as my name, a task assigned).  We went to the park to take a picture.  We ate salmon and took a picture behind the seafood counter.  In the end, we got 195 points.
Then, I made myself a strawberry surprise ice cream.  So, that means it was AWESOME!! - Boo

Pumpkin Party Palooza

Last night we had a pumpkin party,

That idea was quite smarty.

There was food. There was friends.

I wish that party didn't end.

Pumpkin carving. pumpkin goo.

Pumpkin guts. Ew! Ew! Ew!

But alas, the party soon came to an end,

Goodbye! Goodbye! Please come again!

By,

Landry E. Richards