Pops' House

Sitting on Pop's lap

Fishing in Pop's garage- their favorite activity

Still Fishing

A picture with Grandma Bev

Our vacation up North went great. After a couple of days of driving (18 hours total), we were all relieved to finally stay in one place for awhile...unpack and relax. We all had a fun time visiting Pops, his dog Reba, my Grandma Bev, all my aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. We had a couple family parties, went to the parks, did some fishing, and just played outside a ton since the weather was so wonderful. It was so pleasant, my dad didn't even have the air conditioning on. Ummm, I think we've had our air on in Houston since March. Nothing like cool, crisp nights and throwing the 'ole sweatshirt on.

Last day of Pre-school

Oh my gosh. I have had every intention of getting on this blog and writing an update on how we're doing but each time I look at my computer, I can't bring myself to do anything with it...except google people I know or look at other people's blogs. Nonetheless, here we are. We're ALIVE!!!

So Andrew had his last day of pre-school on May 23 and it was a bittersweet day for me. I was choked up saying goodbye to his teachers and they were teary eyed as well knowing that their students wouldn't be back next year. I had this voice in the back of my head reminding me that Grace will be there next year and so I'll see many of the faces again. But still, it's hard knowing that this small part of Andrew's life is behind us now. We're faced with "real"school, homework, a gazillion other students some which may be mean to Andrew. Thinking about it now makes me want to cry but I also know that he'll grow each year and become stronger and more independent and in the end, that's what I want as a parent. The sad fact of life is that he's going to have to get pushed around or called a name or two in order to really understand life and how to deal with the not-so-good experiences we all have to face one time or another.

And some of these pictures are of Andrew and Tomas, his best friend from school. Those two are a riot watching them converse (Tomas is from Columbia and although he knows English, it's a little broken at times) and laugh at each other's jokes. I'm glad he's learning what good friendship is. So here's to my little graduate...I love you Andrew!

Muffins with Moms

Our last "Muffins with Moms" was held at Andrew's school this past Thursday. The kids baked muffins for us, served us special punch, sang us mother's day songs, and presented us with hand painted pots with flowers in them. It was so bittersweet as this is his last year at pre-school and last "hurrah" with regards to these sort of celebratory things. Once school starts there will be no in-room birthday parties or special holiday celebrations. There were a couple moments when I was thinking, "don't cry, don't cry." When they were singing I definitely had some tears that were ready to bulge but I held back. But that's just the fact of life. Your kids grow up so we just have to deal with it you know.

And Grace was so cute this mother's day as well. She must have sang me "Happy Mother's Day to You" (goes to the birthday tune) at least 10 times. Out of the blue she would just look at me and start singing it. Matt and the kids made me breakfast that day and also a special steak dinner. I honestly did not do one thing productive. I made it a goal to not rinse a plate, put one load of laundry in, make one bed, etc. To just really have one day off from doing anything around the house. We just relaxed and played outside all day. It was perfect.

Sweet Nothings

A future David Beckham?

Okay, long time no blog. Here are a few cute things that Andrew and Grace have said lately:

Andrew: 1. Last week while putting him to bed, the two of us were lying with the window open, staring at the dimming night sky. We were cuddling and it was silent. All the sudden he turns to me and asks about the "crafts" he makes at school. Do I throw some of them away? Honest as I am and scared perhaps he's seen me in action at the trash can, I say, "Yes, I do throw some of them away." He says, "Why?" OKAY, my heart is breaking and I want to cry. Then he says, "How do you decide which ones to throw away?" So I have these really cool portfolios that I got at Aaron Brothers and I keep most of the kids' art work in those. But I can't keep everything. I just don't have the room for it. Oh man. I explained this to him but I felt like such a bad mom.

2. I was running the other day. Grace was in the stroller and Andrew was biking. Grace had been a little whiney and was bugging Andrew. As we were finishing our last mile, I reminded Andrew to let me know when he needs a break. He told me, "Ya, I need a break." I said okay, EEEERRRR. Stop. "I need a break from Grace and her whining." I had to buckle over I was laughing so hard!

Grace: 1. She can recite almost the entire Chipmunks movie now. Her favorite saying is, "Dave likes to wear dirty underwear, dirty underwear." Oh, my polite little girl.

2. We were cuddling the other night (she loves to be spooned) and she rolls over towards me, puts her hands on both sides of my face and says, "I love you so much. I love you all the stars in the sky." OOOHHHH. This is something I usually say to her and here she was, out of the blue saying it to me. Talk about melting my heart.

Don't forget Earth Day Tuesday!

Just a reminder to "think green" not just this Tuesday, but every day. Whether you're more cognitive of your showering length or what you throw in the trash can versus the recycle bin, it is your responsibility to take care of not only your own personal surroundings but those that might affect you or your children later in life. So here are a few things I do, and that I teach my children to do to be more aware:

Buy snacks in bulk packaging, not little individual packages.
Use reusable Tupperware type cups with lids for snacks.
Use less paper towels and more washcloths, towels, etc.
Pick up after your pet poops in public places.
Put soap on hands, wet hands and turn the facet off until rinse time.
Buy reusable water bottles for travel, the park, etc.
Try to run errands on one day, or to those places furthest from your house.
Shower together! :)
Plant native plants, shrubs, trees.
Eat less processed food and more fresh food.
Eat organic when possible.
Buy local produce at farmer's markets. This supports all the "little" guys who grow their crops locally.
Use reusable bags for groceries, mall trips, etc. Our grocery story sells them for $.99/each. What a deal!

And like I said, it's about being more aware. Teaching your children to recycle and turn the lights/TV off when not in use. Teaching them about and exposing them to nature and how to appreciate it. That's where it all begins.

Recipe Tag

Recipes, Recipes where do I begin? I LOVE recipes. I may not try all of them but I could sit and look at a cookbook for hours. Just imagining in my hungry, food loving little mind how every item would taste. BUT, here are a few of my favorite, EASY recipes:

Chicken tacos:

Put 2-3 frozen chicken breasts (depends on how many are eating, however leftover chicken is great on salads) in a crock pot. Cover with a small can of diced green chilies, petite diced tomatoes, and 1 packet of taco seasoning. Add some water to cover the bottom of the pot. Put on low for 8 hours, high for 4-5. Then, put in soft or hard taco shells with all the fixings. So easy!

Grilled Mozzarella, tomato, basil sandwich:

Take 2 slices sourdough bread, spread pesto on one slice. Fill the sandwich with sliced, FRESH mozzarella, fresh basil leaves, tomato ( I sprinkle with salt and pepper) and then grill with butter like a grilled cheese. I grill on very low heat and I cover the frying pan with another frying pan to trap the heat inside and melt the cheese to perfection. OOOOOHHHHH yummy. You can also dip your sandwich in marinara if you'd like.

KU WINS CHAMPIONSHIP

This particular post is dedicated to my Jayhawk loving Dad, who after 20 years can finally celebrate another National Title win with his Alma mater. After years and years of wearing his numerous, and I mean numerous, Jayhawk shirts, hats, shorts and jackets he can now wear them with renewed pride. And to my brothers too, who are also fanatic KU fans, this is for you. GO JAYHAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!