Where is Katie?

Can you believe we found Katie sleeping like this one night? Bear Bear and blankie go everywhere with her! We don't know how she decided to snuggle with Grace! She is definitely a second rate baby, only good for playing babes when they are going to school, mingo (a.k.a music) class, or bimnastiks (a.k.a. gynastics) or other activities where large numbers of babes are needed.

First Day of Kindergarten

I can't believe it! Caleb started kindergarten at UCC last week! He was overjoyed, his mommy and sister were a mess! Katie cried for a full 45 minutes after we dropped him off! I tried to convince her that it would be great because "we had 3 hours for playing babes, kitchen and painting our nails"! Best of all we wouldn't have to worry about pesky boys sneaking in to play "baby blast off". All she could say through her sniffles and tears was "I don't want to play with you, I only want to play with brother. I love him." She eventually decided to "do art" with me and take her babes to the doctor (they all have a terrible case of the stomach flu). We had a good day, just the girls! But I wish I had had the video camera to capture her reaction when she saw Caleb walking out of his class at noon. Her smile could not have been any bigger, her giggle any brighter, or her hug any tighter! It was priceless!

Don't you love that cheesy grin! He was most excited to go to the reading center where he could listen to a book of his choice on headphones! Pretty soon he will be able to read it on his own. Tonight he read his first BOB book to me. It was awesome, I never thought I would find "the dog had a rag hat...sad dog, sad mag, sad cat" so interesting and exciting!

Caleb's Accomplishment

Two weeks ago today, Caleb mastered riding his bike in mere minutes. We were so proud, as was he! But I must say it was very anti-climatic! Steve and I have been gearing up to teach him to ride a 2 wheeled bike since his fifth birthday. Planning the perfect spot for smoother crashes, a day when we had a large chunk of time to devote to the momentous occasion, etc., etc.. Fortunately or unfortunately it required none of our planning or brilliant teaching methods. In the time, I put on my make up (which you know takes well under 5 minutes) Caleb learned to ride his bike by himself!

There was no chasing him down the street trying to prevent a fall, there was really no instruction, there were no tears, there were only shouts of pure joy from an excited little boy (and a proud sister) and cheers from all the neighborhood kids. He is very proud of his ability to jump curbs, zip up and down driveways, and go off-roading.

Of course, we could not wait to get him on a mountain bike trail! We took him to Cedar Hill State Park for his first mountain biking adventure a week later. We all had a blast despite the chiggers that attacked us! We have been scratching all week long.

Katie attempts to go "bike hiking" on her princess bike!

She quickly realizes that training wheels and trails don't mix! And settles to hike with mommy behind the boys.

Why I love 2 year olds!

Today, I was reminded of how much I love 2 year olds. Our morning started off with great joy and excitement about last nights ice storm. Followed by a major melt down over something I will never understand. Followed by many slobbery kisses, spontaneous "I love you's!" , and hours of playing babies. Followed by another melt down because I gave her a blue plate at dinner and "BLUE IS FOR BOYYYYYYYS!" I never thought my choice of every day dishes would cause my daughter to have a gender identity crisis! Then she proceeded to offer me a bright pink Heillo Kitty band-aide for the zit on my face. She was very insistent that I needed to wear it "to make my booboo all better". Then there was another melt down because she couldn't get the toothpaste on her toothbrush and then Caleb committed a huge mistake by sweetly offering to help her.



We ended the night with this sweet rendition of away in the manger!

Sorry, I can't figure out how to rotate this video!

"Nose" Painting

This is what happens when you don't supervise a 2 year old with paint! When I walked into the room, Katie exclaimed "Mommy, mommy I paint silly with my nose"

She then proceed to demonstrate for me! I couldn't help but laugh and think of my mom, knowing she was laughing with me. And wondering if she ever tried this method after a long and frustrating day in her art studio!

The finished product!

Neighborhood Fun!

This is proof that boys will be boys despite their mother's best efforts to shield them from superhero's, swords, and guns!

Caleb having his first light-saber battle with Blake, Cade, and Garrin! Unfortunately, I think he lost the battle!

And Girly girls can dig ditches, build roads, and get covered in dirt despite their mother best efforts at keeping bows in their hair!

Katie playing with her friend Libby!

Boy's Night Out

Last Friday night, Steve and Caleb had boy's night out to Bass Hall for the Symphony! One of neighbors felt this was some form of a 4 year old torture treatment. But Caleb was very excited about wearing his new tie, hearing a saxaphone play, and spending time with Daddy. They had dinner downtown and I am sure Caleb is the only person that has dined on a corn dog, french fries, and Strawberry daquiri (virgin, of course) in one sitting.

Unfortunately, Caleb is an early to bed ...early to rise kind of guy. And peacefully fell asleep in his daddy's arms shortly after the National Anthem!