Alyssa'a first date

Yes, Alyssa had a date last night! She was asked on this special date last week and has been excited every since. Monday evening she and I went dress shopping, since no girl can go out without a new dress. Oh what fun we had. We went to the big city store (J.C. Penny's) and started the hunt. We tried on dress after dress and each one she wanted to think about. None of the dresses were a no. They all went on the maybe list! Of course when it came to picking them out she was very mindful of what Dad would approve of. No spaghetti straps and nothing too short. So the perfect dress emerges, but still she's not sure. So we do the enie-menie-miny-moe thing to help decide! I kept telling her to pick her favorite, so now we have 2 on the list. She picked the one she thought her dad would like the best, which was my favorite too! All week she has been so excited she could hardly contain herself. Is the day here? Time yet?? So yesterday she gets home and I tell her jump in the bath your big day is here!
Our Friend Ms. Kelly came over to help with the "gettin' purdy" process. Kelly and I tried to do something with her hair for almost an hour! We finally picked a style and tried to make it stay. Kelly made Alyssa feel super special by applying just the right amount of make-up. Alyssa felt sooo special. She knew this was big, make-up and a special hair style! Oh, what a day!
And the hair spray! We all needed gas masks! All this to look pretty! I forgot what a chore it is for a girl to get all dressed up to go out! Maybe that's why I don't do it any more! But she got beautiful! And then got dressed!
I almost wanted to cry! It's like prom! She was all dressed up and ready and looking like such a big girl not a seven year old. Her excitement was just...oh you could feel it, how excited and nervous she was.
I know I'm partial an all, but, really, have you ever seen a more beautiful girl in all your life??? There is just not a girl more beautiful on this earth (her mom comes in a close second!).

And her date was there and ready! You didn't know this was her date?? I didn't tell you it was her Dad that asked her out?? Oh, shame on me! I thought I told you she had a special dinner date with her dad to go to his company Christmas party at River Oaks Country Club. Sorry! Guess you assumed we had lost our minds letting a 7 year old go on a date with a boy! Well, part of our sanity is intact because she and her dad have an understanding! He is the only one she can go out with until she's somewhere in her LATE 30's! And for now she doesn't complain about that. Boys are still kinda gross and that's cool with me!

From the little I got this morning, they both had a great time last night. They didn't get home until after 11pm. ON A SCHOOL NIGHT! So this morning was difficult! But they had fun and that's all that matters!

Moody Garden's

Ok, so it's been awhile since I last updated, but I have an excuse, a real good excuse! I have three kids! Ha! So there! Beat that one! We have been keeping up with the usual schedule of karate, scouts, and life, and in between all that I have been fighting a cold. Well, Ashlyn had the cold and gave it to me and apparently it liked her alot more than it likes me. While she's running around and getting into things I can barely move. I think I may be on the downside of it though and hopefully I will be getting better by the end of the week!

Last weekend I decided to take the kids to Moody Garden's. My friend Shawna and I loaded up and went (after a long day of girl scouts and birthday parties!) .

We did most of the park. Spongebob was a big hit. Both here and at the festival of lights. They were so excited to hug and talk to him (or her, Austin swears he saw a face through the eye of spongebob!) Do you notice Alyssa's hair? Yes I straightened it! (Took an HOUR!!!) But that is how she wanted it. Good thing I only agree to it once a month or so!!Then We went to the aquarium. This is by far their favorite part. They get to touch and watch real ocean creatures at play. This trip they even got to smell them! UUGGHHHH! It was very fishy smelling but I think that is because of the renovations from Ike.The seals are a favorite!


Touching sea urchins and star fish. Alyssa was pretty creeped out but she did it after 10 minutes of grossing out but the boys jumped right in!Then we went in this huge room that was all glass and the fish and sharks and sea turtles swam all around you. LOVED IT! This is john and the sea turtle!

The kids were so excited. Unfortunately I have to give a shorter version of what happened here on this blog, but to put it in a short story, Mom had too many things in her hands to take a lot of pictures but the ones I got I love and I am sad about the ones I didn't. Galveston is still showing signs of Ike, with huge sail boats on the side of the road and houses barely standing. This said, after seeing the news immediately afterwards and knowing what it did look like I'm sure this is a great improvement. Anyone that knows me knows I love the beach, even Galveston with the icky water and sometimes stinky smells, but all the landmarks I remember are mostly gone or under construction. It's sad really. The ferry is still there, but don't act like your lost because then you have to go through a line where they check your car to make sure you are no threat to national security. How do I know?? I asked to many questions! Bolivar is run on generator and at the end of the ferry landing is just a line of busted up cars that Ike so thoughtfully detailed but left in undrivable conditions. The ferry ride at 11 at night was nice though and was a great end to or night. It was relaxing (except for the screams from the back of the truck about our ferry sinking, and being sea sick, and vampires and ..well, if you know my kids you can imagine the rest of the idea's that their little brains thought up!) All this said I really enjoyed the trip and I think the kids did too and and I hope we can go back before the end of the holidays!

When is it too cold to camp??

This past weekend my husband decided to take the family camping. Unfortunately he wanted to camp on the COLDEST WEEKEND EVER! Listen to my advice, don't go camping if the temperature is to go below 60! For me, I don't like to camp if the temperature is to dip below the freezing 70's, but, that's just me! So here's our weekend! Stay warm while you read, I wasn't warm while I took the pictures!
We started out Saturday afternoon ready to camp. As you can see, the kids were already camping in the back seat, since watching mom and dad pack the truck was so exhausting! Yes, we even took the dog! We were loaded with tons of blankets and jackets, clothes upon clothes, we were set. Or so we thought! When we got there the wind was whipping so hard it bit through your clothes and you couldn't put on enough layers to stay warm. This issue only worsened as the sun went down. Luckily, the wind went down but so did the temps!
The kids were bundled up tight to keep out the chill, Pooter decided that is was much warmer in the truck where she could watch movies. That is where she spent the majority of her time. No, I'm not a bad mom, that is where she wanted to be! Can't blame her!
We build a BIG fire for the big kids and adults and didn't get far from it for 3 days! Can you see them shivering, wondering whose wonderful idea it was to camp in this weather?? Actually, they loved it, until Alyssa got cold and started whining so we put her in the truck too and she and her sister sucked up the heat in the truck watching movies. Austin is too tough for that! He slept in the tent in 20 something degree temps, bundled in jackets pants and shoes in a sleeping bag. He never admitted to being cold.

The girls and I spent the night in the back of my truck where we could run the heat if we needed. The girls sweated while i froze! Shawn joined us the 2nd night and he slept in the front seat and ran the heat. I don't think he could admit he picked a bad weekend to go!

The kids braved to elements to go fishing. Austin couldn't stand being that close to the water and not getting a hook wet. He back lashed the fishing pole 3 times and gave up. But, he got a hook wet and got fishing out of his system and all was right with the world again! We came home Monday and are still trying to get rid of the stuffy noses and frostbitten toeses! I think we will wait until late spring to try this camping thing again, or at least get a hotel room that has good heat!

He did it!!

For those of you who don't know Austin in is Karate. Scratch that, it's not karate it's tae kwan do, not that I can spell that either! This class is very structured and they demand manners and trying your best. Austin has been doing this for about 2 months and is loving every minute of it.

He works very hard to remember the moves and to mind his manners. The weekend before last Austin had belt testing. When you first start out you are a white belt and as your skills and confidence increase so does your rank. The belt colors are white, yellow, red, blue, brown, and black. Before getting the next belt color you get a stripe on your belt. So Austin tested for the yellow stripe. I think I was more nervous than him. He was confident and paid attention to what the instructors asked. The younger guys were tested in small groups for time purposes and so they wouldn't be so nervous. Here they were tested on some combat skills. All these months I've tried to tell him to keep his hands to himself, down the drain! It gets some energy out though! Each boy took a turn.
At the end is a special ceremony where the Grand Master recognizes them and their accomplishments, they turn from him and a Master places the stripe or new belt on them. It is very exciting to watch since Austin was so pleased with himself and I am very proud of him.
Here is Austin with the Grand Master. He is a great guy who gives the kids and adults such great encouragement! He told Austin what a great job he did and too keep trying, keep practicing, and to always do his best!

Trick or treat

This was Ashlyn's first real Halloween. One where I could dress her up and take her around and not feel like the mom looking for free candy. Luckily, dressing her up was easy. This year she was Tinkerbell. Alyssa had the Disney princess dress up kit so we borrowed from it. Ashlyn loves to dress up so the skirt was easy. The wings on the other hand, not so much. She ran from me at first and then ..well, they came off after the first house. Alyssa dressed up as Sharpei (or however you spell the name) from ;High School Musical 2'. If you haven't seen the movie yet, it's the modern day version of 'Grease'. It's cute. And Austin, as if you couldn't guess, was Batman.

Alyssa helped take Ashlyn around to a few houses to trick or treat. The people who left buckets of candy out for the kids were in trouble once Ashlyn figured out that she was suppose to get some and put it in her bucket. We had to drag her away from the candy. Shortly after this house, though, Alyssa got tired of going slow and left us!

This is the group we trick or treated with. Josh and Miranda. Miranda is Tinkerbell too and Josh, I bet you can't guess it! He's BROCCOLI!! He's the comedian of the group. There were a few others but they were were still getting ready and these guys were so antsy to go super glue wouldn't hold them!

Ashlyn really enjoyed the candy! I don't know how many suckers she eventually ate but I found an awful lot of wrappers in her bucket! She had a blast!

By the end of the night she was tired and ready to sit (finally) and enjoy ANOTHER sucker!!

Fun in a small town

When you visit a small town things are different. Everyone knows everyone (or they are all related! ha ha), and life is slower. This is no different in Mooringsport Louisiana, where Shawn's grandfather lives. The second week of October is a big deal there, it's Fall Fest. Two days of fun. Friday begins with a children's parade and costume contest, a band and karaoke contest. Never in my years of visiting have I heard the town rocking past 7 pm but Friday..they partied until after 10. We could hear the karaoke contest all the way to Pop's house from downtown. Saturday was the big parade and festivities. People line the streets of town to wave at those they know and those they don't and the kids line up for the candy and beads and anything else they are willing to throw.

This is Austin and his cousin Colton at the kids parade on Friday. There was a little candy thrown that afternoon and the boys waited and watched. And when the chief of police came by they questioned him about where his candy was. It was funny! They enjoyed seeing their friends in the parade dressed up. Saturday was the BIG parade. They honored the veterans of the city this year. The Vets rode on the first float, which was a pontoon boat. Here is Shawn's grandfather with the other veterans. Can you believe he actually smiled for the picture?? I'm just kidding he smiles for most his pictures!This is Alyssa and Grace with Grandma Jan. I tried talking them into jumping up and down and say "ME! ME! ME!" so I could get more candy, oh, I mean, so THEY could get more candy! I've got to say they raked it in pretty well! We came home with two huge wal-mart bags full of candy and beads and cups and we even got a t-shirt!
Ashlyn joined in the fun. Her candy stash was very small since she watched everyone throwing candy at her and she decided to throw it back at them! It was comical!

See these nice officers??!! Officers are suppose to be your friend right??!! NOPE! This officer is saying "Here little girl! Take this nice LOUD whistle and irritate your parents by running around and blowing it for days and days. Hide it in the truck so that on the 5 hour trip home you can pull it out and make sure everyone in the car stays awake!!" . Just kidding on the car ride thing. I had that stupid whistle packed and hidden within an hour of getting back to Pop's! Don't worry, I'm smarter than my kids sometimes!I have so much more to share about the festival but I have to share this! Elvis sang to Ashlyn! She didn't know what to make of him but I loved it. I think I took about 100 pictures of Elvis. Course it ruins the whole Elvis thing when my 9 year old gets smart! He says "mom you know that's not really Elvis! Elvis is dead." I said well how do you know that. Austin says " he took too many drugs and died so it's not Elvis" Where he learned this I don't know but he got kinda confused because after this whole 'Elvis is dead' lecture he looks at me and goes "right?". I don't know if Elvis is dead or not but this guy did an excellent job of making you believe that the king was alive and in the building!

My Boy!

My boy likes to talk. He likes to talk so much that he volunteers for his school musicals for the speaking parts. I'm am so proud that he has the confidence in himself to stand up in front of the students of his school and their parents.

Last night the third grade did the musical "Schoolhouse Rock". His group was singing about the constitution. HE had a speaking part and sang with the class. And the funny thing is, not only does he like to talk, he's LOUD! Of all the kids that spoke last night, in microphones, mine was the only one you could hear! I think they heard him all the way to Houston!
If you look real close you can see the band-aid on his forehead. That's what happens when you let a boy go away with his dad for the weekend! They went to boy scout camp this past weekend and another boy threw a stick at Austin. This stick somehow sliced his head open and instead of stitches (which is hard to do on a screaming boy) they glued it shut. He decided he didn't want to go to school because all the kids were calling him glue face. I admit it was hard to keep a straight face when you think about the name. I understand his pain, i really do but "glue face"??? Oh, it was too much! At least it wasn't Frankenstein! I went to work at the school on Wednesday and his class asked me about the type of glue we (not the doctor) used on his head (Elmer's or super)! Sometimes it's hard not to laugh and I'm sure in a few years he'll laugh about it too but for now he wants to stay home until the glue comes off and he doesn't have to wear a band-aid any more. No matter how tough the band-aid looks!

Oh my!

In case you didn't know my kids, they have alot of imagination! Some times imagination is good while other times not so much! Like right now I have these 2 ramps in my front yard. Yup, that's a turkey frying pot in the middle. My son thinks that it is cool to jump this on his bike and will make him a master stunt jumper! I threaten him daily that I am not making a trip to the hospital today but he keeps jumping! Alyssa is not so brave yet! She likes jumping from one to the other like a ballerina or it becomes a stage for her to sing and "teach" her class! To be able to dream up stuff like this is priceless! I think it's neat the way their minds work. Let me show you one more example!

Shawn brought home some boxes from work for me. One night we had a sleep over. I think I bit off more than I could chew that night! 5 kids against 1 of me! AHHH! Yes, I have more gray now but we won't go there! Anyway, Jade came over and stayed and another friend, Dalton, who is 5 stayed. The kids took these boxes and made a HUGE fort in my formal living room. If you look at the first picture on the left the box that is not standing...well this box fell from where it was standing...did you know that forts now-a-days come with tanning booths??? Neither did I!! They put 4 tanning booths in here so each child wold have their own! My question is how do kids ranging from ages 9 to 5 know about tanning booths??? Or what they look like?? I don't even know what they look like!

The youngest, is my dress up kid. She will steal a sock, (not the pair just 1) and walk around all day with 1 sock on. She prefers her brothers socks but will settle for any she can steal from me!

Can you see her as a boxing biker babe ?

Her imagination is not as well formed yet but it's coming along. She pretends to be her sister. After watching her big brother and sister though I think I'm going to have my hands full when her imagination grows! I hope I never forget the silly things the kids create and pretend to be.

Creepy!

Living in the 'country' it's not unusual for us to adopt odd things. My kids love to keep frogs, and weird bugs. They will occasionally scream at the (and don't get all grossed out) giant cockroaches, (thank goodness i have cats!), until we let them know that he is a 'guard roach' and keeps bad guys out. I guess it never occurred to them that the bad guy will just step on it and keep coming in. (I hope bad guys are scared of roaches!!!) Then, once in a blue moon you have the creepy, odd thing that adopts you. No, I'm not talking about the weirdo down the street..even though he is VERY CREEPY! I just about peed myself when I saw this. No, I haven't killed it. That's Shawn's job. I'm kinda hoping to see a beautiful web of some kind out of it. Check this out!

This new 'pet' is living close to the back porch right next to the AC until. Guess it will never get too hot right there! Think the kids will believe it's a guard spider?? He's almost as big as they are! I think it's a banana spider, not sure though.

Ok so after I posted this my too-smart-for-his-own-good husband e-mailed me this: "One of our largest, brightest, and most frequently noticed spiders, the Black-and-Yellow Argiope They are also known as the garden spider (since they're very common in gardens) or writing spider (for the patterns in their webs). They catch large insects in their sturdy webs, including grasshoppers and butterflies. They are harmless to humans" Ain't he smart??!!

Makes you glad your not an insect, right?The web is amazing and growing every hour!

Then there is that animal that is soo creepy that we keep it locked up. It shakes the cage and makes alot of noise and then.....

It smiles and you release it for a quick bottle break!

I promise she really did do this on her own. I had nothing to do with it! Should I add the disclaimer that no children were harmed during the making of this blog???!!!

For Aunt Keela

As many of you know Aunt Keela and Uncle Scott work for a company which, following the storm needed employees working ungodly hours seven days a week. We offered to help them by picking up their "kids" and taking them to the 'hotel'. Let me tell you about the hotel..OMG!!!! I want to stay there! The staff is wonderful, amenities are the bomb, and for a few extra bucks they get extra play time with a human. I want to stay there!! Anyway we get them to the hotel and after school every few days the kids and i go for a visit and extra special play time! I think my kids like it more than the puppies, and I'm sure the puppies are exhausted after we leave!! But, today's post is to show Aunt Keela her kids and the love that they are getting. She thinks she maybe able to finally go to regular schedule soon! I hope so! Keela these are for you!

Gidget was were Gidget is usually forced to be when Alyssa is near! I don't think Gidget was allowed to walk much on our visits! I still haven't figure out if Gidget likes it or not!

Pearl found a spot with Austin. I kinda think she was forced into that too but she didn't complain!
Then they all found a safe comfortable spot. No Keela, they are not traitors, they know a child free zone when they see it!!
Ashlyn is still trying to decide how she feels about them. When they are not barking she loves them. She was clicking at them and giving kisses the whole time.
I promise I didn't do this to her. I was cleaning and found her inside the kennel with the door closed. I hid for a while and she was going in and out. Unfortunately, i think she knows it's for animals and she ended up stuffing the kittens in there! She released them and they run past the kennel and Ashlyn now.

She was pretty proud of herself for figuring that out! Plus she noticed the camera flash and had to put on that smile, so I couldn't resist another picture! She's too funny! Hope you are able to come home soon Aunt Keela and Uncle Scott! Thank you for suffering and working so hard for us! We appreciate it, and so do everyone else that is sitting in AC reading their internet right now! LOVE YOU! Oh by the way, we will be dropping the kids off on Friday at 6:30 and pick them up on Sunday late! haha!!! Just kidding!