I could be in pictures…

So, if you despise bathroom talk, DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER!!!  For memories with my children, I had to blog about our evening last night. 

Brad was at a work golf tournament and was not going to be home until around 8:30 pm so around 5:00 pm I got a spontaneous idea and asked my in-laws if they would like to have dinner.  To my delight, they said “yes” and the children and I quickly headed out to meet them at the I-45 and Airtex Cracker Barrel.  We needed to be there by 6:30 pm and it was already 5:45 pm.  I live at least 30 minutes from the restaurant (not in traffic), so we had to book it!!!  Allison showed up ready to go in blue cotton shorts with shells all over them, a purple Jasmine t-shirt, feather boa, Aerial princess crown and to top it off, pink high heels.  I said to heck with it, it’s just Cracker Barrel, right? 

Surprisingly, we actually made it to the restaurant on time (beating my father-in-law who is NEVER late).  I am always late, so I was quite excited.  We sat down to what I thought would be an enjoyable meal with my in-laws, of course this was short-lived.  Within minutes of being at the restaurant Will started to fuss and squirm in the highchair.  I tried feeding him rolls and giving him a drink but after a little bit, these things no longer worked.  He started to scream and I could tell he had reached his limit and was extremely tired.  Unfortunately, we had not even received our meals so I was a little unsure as to what I should do. 

Well, we passed Will around from my sister-in-law, Hilary, to my mother-in-law, Pam.  Meanwhile, Allison had to go to the bathroom and was loudly clopping along when she slipped and fell.  Thankfully, she was ok but I felt like I had two whirling tornadoes going on and I was caught in the middle.

The dirty looks came shortly as Will became harder and harder to deal with.  Eventually, my father-in-law finished his meal and waltzed Will outside to the rocking chairs and checker boards. 

As we said our good-bye’s, I apologized to my mother-in-law who came back with a hilarious remark, she said “ that ok, I just feel like I have been on a tilt-a-whirl!”

I envisioned a quiet ride home with my babies fast asleep.  As it turned out, neither fell asleep and by the time we got to the Beltway and Clay Rd., Allison started telling me that she needed to go potty  I told her to hold it but she kept asking and by the time we reached Kirkwood, I thought she may just go in the car.  I quickly pulled over to the Embassy Suites hotel off I-10 thinking this would be a rather safe place.  Just so you know, we keep a potty in the back of the car for these kind of emergencies.  I took Allison out of her car seat barefoot, opened up the back of my car and sat her down.  Then, I waited, and waited and waited some more.  Finally, after about 10 minutes I asked Allison if she was done.  She shook her head “No” and don’t cringe, but I made the decision to leave her in the back, on the potty and drive the 2 miles home.  As we drove Allison, said things like “Mommy, look at all the lights”, “Mommy your beating that truck in the race”, and “Whoa Mommy, that was a big bump”.

As I drove, I was reminded of Steve Martin in the movie Parenthood when he searches through garbage cans from a place like Chuck-E-Cheese for his son Kevin’s retainer.

The things we do as parents.  When we got home, the poor girl was still not done.  I sat out there with her while Brad took Will on into house.  Part of me thought she was enjoying the attention and the other part of me thought she really needed to go #2.  Finally, she was done and informed me that she was sick and had diarrhea (thankfully, she did not).  As I cleaned out the potty, I thought “only for my children would I do this”.  I know this is a pretty gross story but definitely one I never want to forget.  In these moments, all I can do is laugh and see the humor in the situation.  I mean, two children under 4 years of age do some pretty hilarious things.  I often feel my life could be a movie.

To top off the night, when Brad and I were bathing the kids I noticed that Abby had something red (which looked like blood) on her coat.  We soon realized it was only strawberry jelly from lunch.  Obviously, Will had let a glob fall from the highchair onto the floor.  Life just doesn’t get any better or for that matter, real.  I know I will one day miss days like this.

Allison’s first day of ballet

It seems like for most people, this week is pretty momentous! I have so many friends whose children are starting kindergarten and even a few friends starting new jobs.  As we leave the lazy summer days behind, I am excited to get back into a routine.  Today,  Allison started Creative Movement at Houston Academy of Dance.  I so enjoyed getting her ready this afternoon and remembering how much I hated my own mother putting my hair back in a bun!  Nevertheless, Allison looked absolutely beautiful and I was so excited to see my little girl embarking on a real “girlie, girlie” activity!  As most of you know, I am NOT an athletic person.  I started dancing when I was 5 and didn’t even make it to my first recital before dropping out.  Oh, how I now wish I would have stayed with it.  For years, I struggled with being completely uncoordinated and I know if I would have stuck with dance, it just might have helped my athletic ability.  But of course, at five who thinks beyond that day.  Anyway, I did end up in drill team during high school but have to work really hard to get the steps all down.  I definitely have fond memories of my dancing days and if anything, maybe Creative Movement can help Allison gain coordination for her life in sports.  She is already showing her natural ability and I will be there to support her as a ballerina, volleyball player or pro soccer player.  It is so much fun to see my children growing as individuals and shining in their God given gifts and abilities.

Chloe, Allison and Sydney before their first dance class

Have fun girls!

Girls just want to have fun!

This summer has been so much fun!  I have gotten to do so many activities with the kiddos and have even made some wonderful friendships along the way.  Below are pictures of Allison with her good friend Sydney.  The girls have known each other for a few years but really connected this summer.  The girls enjoys playing Disney princess and trying on each other's clothes!  It has been so neat to see Allison develop this friendship and a blessing for me as Sydney’s mom and I have become close.  It is interesting how God places people in your lives just at the right time.  Our families have so much in common and I look forward to many adventures ahead.  Thanks Lindsay!

Locks of love

 

Tonight we experienced a momentous occasion, Will’s first haircut.  Brad had been trying for weeks to get me to cut his hair and after it began to resemble a mullet, I caved.  We took both kiddos to our family hair stylist, Than Lee.  Me, my mom, dad, husband, and children all go to Expert Hair and see Than Lee.  Allison even tells Brad’s mom that she needs to go see Than Lee!  I was glad that we were her last customers because it took her an hour to cut Allison and Will’s hair.  Allison was very serious during her haircut but kept asking if she was done.  On the other hand, Will was all over the place.  It took Than Lee 20 minutes just to cut the back of his hair.

Anyway, it ended up being very hard for me to let those golden locks go.  As blond curls would fall, I would try and catch them in hopes of holding on to his beautiful baby hair.  My sister-in-law, Hilary put it best “You are cutting off the hair he was born with”. 

When it was all said and done my comment to Brad was that he looked like a boy.  Brad of course responded, “That’s good.”  I am hopeful that his tight blonde curls will remain but know this is the first of many “growing up” experiences for Will.

 

I love this picture!  It has DIVA written all over it!

 

My beautiful Allison!

 

Will relaxing before his appointment

 

Yeah!  Great job Allison, you are all done.  Thanks Mrs. Than Lee.

 

 

  Mommy is so sad!

What a little man!

 

Than Lee desperately trying to cut the back!

 

Yeah!  Will’s all done.  Good job big boy!

 

Happy Birthday Alex

This weekend, my brother was in from San Diego and we celebrated his 36th birthday.  It meant so much to me to see Alex interact with my children.  Allison adores Alex and couldn’t wait to go swimming with him.  Alex kept her in stitches and made her feel so special.  We had our best weekend ever!  My brother has changed sooo much and his relationship with the Lord has grown leaps and bounds.  I know that God has a special purpose for my brother and I can see how much he has worked in Alex’s life.  I love you Bubba!


Allison having fun with Uncle Achie after dinner

Singing “Happy Birthday” to my Big Brother 

My mom makes a wonderful chocolate pistachio cake, a family favorite!  (Email me if you want the recipe)


Allison helping Alex blow out the candles!  What fun!  We will cherish this memory for years to come. 
Alex, you are a wonderful man, I love you and am so proud of you!   Love, Sheesh

Moody Gardens-Palm Beach

Today, we loaded up the kids and headed to Moody Gardens, Palm beach in Galveston.  We had never been there before and Allison had received 2 free tickets for completing the Houston Public Library Summer Reading program.  Of course, she had a little help.

I’m not sure if I would pay full price to come here, but it sure was a lot of fun.  Allison was able to walk and swim by herself in the pool and Will looked so cute in his life jacket (provided by Moody Gardens) and sun hat.

After playing in the water, we headed over to the waterslides.  I think this was Allison’s favorite part about Palm Beach.  She went up and down the slides I think around 30 times!  Will was also able to play, in a small splash pad by the slides.  He would walk up to the shooting water, get sprayed, and quickly walk away to avoid any further water.  Of course,  he went back and forth doing this about 30 times!

I loved sharing this time with my children and making lasting memories.  I told Brad how fast time flies and how quickly our children will grow up.  We need to take every opportunity to make special time for our family.  Normally, Saturday’s are for shopping and running errands.  It felt so good to take a day off and just enjoy being with my husband and children.  No one cried or whined while we were there, so it was a BIG success!

After the water slides, we hit the main splash pad and then went to build a sand castle.  Allison LOVED  the beach and I definitely think we need to plan a beach vacation for next summer.  Will was intrigued by the sand and just wanted to dig his feet in it.  I said to Brad, “Can you imagine how it must feel to touch sand for the first time”!  How exciting!   Below are some pictures with the kiddos.

My sweet boy!


What is he thinking?


Will, what’s wrong?  I think he wanted to go back over to the sand.


Even though he looks uncomfortable in this picture, Will did enjoy the water.  Brad referred to him as Roly Poly!


You can never get a shot with both kids smiling at the same time.  It is absolutely impossible!  Picture #1.  Let’s try that again.

Picture #2, nope not gonna happen. Will is thinking, “forget the picture, I am not going to smile, let go of me!!!”


Father and son having fun.  Hey, that rhymes!




This picture is sooo Allison.  She was trying to spit at the camera, thank goodness she missed!

Dog days of Summer

I am starting to get a little bored with Summer.  I am not traveling anywhere until Labor Day and really don’t have much planned before school starts.  This may seem like a dream, but when you have two active children, this leads to trouble. Trouble meaning tantrums, being mean to siblings, disrespecting mom and dad and wrecking the house so bad that it takes hours to clean up. I have been racking my brain daily to entertain Allison and Will and so far, it has worked but I am quickly running out of ideas.

Today, I found Will entertaining himself in Abby’s crate.  Amazing, who needs toys when you can crawl in and out of a dog crate!

This is how I found Will in our bedroom.  Perfectly content!

 

I think I will crawl out and shut the door to the crate.

 

That was so much fun, let’s do it again!

 

Look at me mama!