Father's Day 2013

Much easier and better pictures this year than last!

Big parenting fail

If you were to ask me what is the most dreaded/hated task that a parent has to do it would be brushing teeth. Lucas is the absolute worst. He doesn't sit still. It's a battle twice a day to get him sitting down so I can brush his teeth. And because of that Lucas has A LOT of cavities. Because of his young age the best course of action was to put him under general anesthesia in order to fill all those cavities. The day that it was scheduled he couldn't eat anything for breakfast and it was straight to the dentist. It was frightening to see him all hooked up. After it was all over the anesthesiologist laid him in my arms and I waited for him to wake up. It took a while and it was freaky because he was shivering a ton. The shivering was his body's way of restoring his body temperature but it was just so unsettling having to hold him while he shivered. He didn't really wake up until we got home and he was a bit disoriented. But he was fine later that day and was back to normal the next day.

Getting gas

All hooked up

Unfortunately he still hasn't learned anything from this experience and brushing his teeth is STILL a twice daily battle. I do have to say that I am more diligent about it but I still absolutely hate it.

Pre-K Graduation

Caleb graduated from preschool. They walked into the courtyard as Pomp and Circumstances was playing in the background. They took their seats. The teachers said a few words. The kids sang a couple of songs and recited a poem. Then each kid's name was called and they received their diploma from their small group teacher. Caleb was in the second row on the opposite side of where I was standing but I could tell that he was barely singing the songs. We don't think he has any acting or performing arts theater in his future. When his named was called he walked through the gazebo like a penguin. After the ceremony there was cake. It was short and sweet. I didn't get choked up or anything (to my surprise). I was a bit annoyed at myself because I didn't have any foresight to ask Caleb if he knew where he was sitting so I could pick a better spot to watch. Oh well. Next up Kindergarten! I'm still in disbelief but I guess I have a couple of more months to get used to the idea.

His small group teacher Sophia

Goalie Wars

Caleb has been in a Kidz Love Soccer class for over a year now. He really enjoys it. Today during the game "Goalie Wars" each kid takes a turn being a goalie and shooting a goal. If you don't make a goal or don't block it you are out. Caleb stayed in the game and was up against 3 kids before he was out. When watching him, I notice that he really tries to think about where he wants to shoot the ball. As the goalie, he'll always make some kind of effort to block. Last week during the Goalie Wars game, he blocked the ball with his hands and the ball hit his thumb kind of weird and he started crying. I tried to comfort him and make sure he didn't break it or anything and all he said to me was, "I want to go back now" through his tears. I am so glad that even with a setback like that he is very much into playing. Since it was the last class of the session I brought my camera and shot some video. We'll let him do soccer for as long as he wants and I hope it's for a long time.

Preschool Penny Carnival

Caleb's preschool has a Penny Carnival completely run by parents. Obviously this is our first year attending. There were lots of booths and activities for the kids to do. We didn't get to every booth and went back to a couple twice. It was a great time. Since it's only for the 4 year old classes we won't be returning for another two years when it's Lucas' turn.

Enjoying the Boswick the Clown show

Bubble making

Cookie decorating

Cookie eating

Bouncy house

Bouncy house

Balloon guy

Ping pong knockdown

Angry Bird Catapult - one of the most popular games at the carnival. One of the dads built this game himself.

Taking aim

The catapult

The pigs

Baseball Pitch

Lucas wanted a try to hit a baseball

Texas Trip

Last year M & R visited the GVZs. This year I didn't want to miss out on the all the fun. This trip marked the first time I have been officially been to Texas. (I don't count layovers in a TX airport as visiting TX). Before I left Jamie asked that I bring him home a 10 gallon hat and was looking forward to hearing what TX is like as he has never been either. I already knew that it was going to disappoint him since I had no intention on being a tourist in Austin. I did manage to bring him home an Austin City Limits baseball hat procured at the airport gift shop. Our flight to Austin was smooth and hassle free. Jamie downloaded a bunch of Team Umizoomi episodes on the iPad which kept Lucas occupied for a good portion of the flight. The gentleman sitting next to me even commented that Lucas was well behaved. HA!

My time in Austin can be summed up as a 5 day long play date with some of my favorite people. I was especially looking forward to seeing Lou since the last time I had seen him in person he was only 6 months old. He is a legitimate kid now and is a force to be reckoned with. The order of business each day was 1) breakfast 2) kid friendly excursion 3) lunch 4) movie/chill time for the kids; happy hour for the moms 5) play in the backyard/swim 6) dinner 7) bedtime for the kids 8) nightcap and girl talk late into the night. Our kid friendly excursions were: 1) nearby park that had a small splash pad and sand pit area with fake dinosaur fossils 2) Quarry Splash Pad - BIG and awesome splash pad with slide, sand pit, picnic area, and lawn area. It's probably the norm in Texas but I think it ranks up there with the water area at Great America and only costs $1/person! The only thing not big in TX is the price. 3) Indoor jumpy house at the mall 4) Play for All park. I thought the fake city was really cool. The streets had crosswalks and street lights so kids could scooter or bike around. Not that I would trust that kids would obey traffic laws.

For the most part we ate meals at home with two notable exceptions - Chuy's for Tex Mex and N's favorite restaurant Bellini's. At Chuy's Janet said we must have a Mexican Martini. What is a Mexican Martini? It's like a margarita without the tartness and much more smooth. All around yummy especially the green olive that had been soaking in it. I was lucky and got two since M doesn't like green olives. On our way to Bellini's I asked Janet if they served bellinis and she said she didn't think so. The restaurant was named after the owner's dog and not the drink. By the time we got there the kids were a bit restless (at least mine was). Probably because this was our last full day in TX and everyone was probably a bit tired from late nights and fun days. Lucas was freaking out because Ruby got a yellow napkin and he wanted one too. Ruby was really sweet and offered it to him but I refused because it BUGS me that he whines about something so trivial. The very nice and understanding waitress came by to take drink orders and I think she was the one who suggested trying out the bellinis! YES! They had bellinis at Bellini's. And they were delicious! We also had a Sunday evening BBQ with the Gilger sisters and their families. It was awesome to meet people I've only seen in pictures and heard stories about. And of course to meet baby girl C.

Favorite moments of the trip in no particular order:

1. Watching BFFs Ruby and Norah be together. They are true friends. They had their moments but managed to get over them like the BFFs they are.
2. I think Lucas fell in love with both Ruby and Norah. (who wouldn't?) He followed them around and wanted to do everything they did. And they were sweet and loving to him and made sure he was never left out. They treated him like a little brother but without the fighting. 
3. Late night girl talk.
4.  Seeing Lou walk, talk, and spit out his food. 
5.  Bellinis at Bellini's
6. **Going to HEB to grocery shop. While waiting for M to come back from the frozen aisle I got roped into sampling some wine. Sample wine in a grocery store? Why yes please.
7. Gluten free cheese sticks
8. Red wine spritzers... I am making them at my next pool party
9. Relief that Lou and Lucas never got in any altercation. There were a couple of close calls but Lou was a good host and let Lucas play with all his toys especially his beloved hot wheel car carrier truck. Maybe next time there will be a wrestling match and/or dogpile.

**The other "highlight" of the trip was a grocery store trip to HEB. Now the HEB we went to was located in a normal strip mall but OMG! It's HUGE. If you can't find it at HEB it doesn't exist. It's as big as a Costco but without bulk buying. M and I got caught up in looking at Foogos. Our excuse - we were kidless and had a moment to window shop at the HEB. Janet let us leave her alone with 4 kids proves how good a hostess she is. AND she even took them on a walk around the block.

It was truly a great trip because I got to hang out with some favorite people of mine while eating, drinking, and talking. Maybe next time I'll go see downtown or some bats flying out under a bridge at sunset. I probably am not doing justice to our awesome time in TX so I'll wait for Janet to give full details. She's a much better writer and picture taker. All I can say is I can't wait to go back again!

Not sure why he has such a sour look on his face

Waterslide at the Quarry splash pad. He would go down fast enough for him to keep landing forward on his knees but that didn't stop him from going down several more times

Carousel at the mall

This warms my heart.

Ambulance at the mall

Mexican martinis

If you have a boy, one of these days you will be holding a bottle like this. I guarantee it.

Bellinis

Past out in my arms on the plane ride home

*sigh* love my boys

Least favorite part of the trip. Lucas getting bit by a fire ant