It was a fabulous trip...

Well it has been a week since we returned from trip to Washington D.C. and we had a great time! From the moment we landed we hit the ground running okay really walking rather fast the first two miles and then we slowed down from there. We went to the Mall to go to John Stewart's Rally to Sanity and/or Fear. Well we ended up going to the Lincoln Memorial and it was at the Capitol. Well was can say we were at the Mall and saw lots of people caring lots of signs.

The bus ride to Mount Vernon was so beautiful and we had some good girl talk. I think I could go there every time I go to D.C. The house is just beautiful and to walk up the stairs and put your hands where George Washing, Thomas Jefferson, and Ben Franklin once stood is a pretty amazing feeling. Just think how much history is in that house it gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. The master bedroom is so very peaceful all in white with a colorful rugs, white cotton curtains, and a sitting desk.

As for the food I think we did a great job of finding some wonderful places except for the Italian in Old Town Alexandria. I feel in love with Greek food at Zorba's and Mourayo and reaffirmed my love for French Onion Soup at Bistrot Du Coin. The shrimp and grits at Georgia Brown's was a great choice and so was the cheese samplers at Clyde's. And who could forget the lemon raspberry and coconut cupcakes from Hello Cupcake!

After all the walking and seeing the monuments I know that I can't wait to take Jeff and Lauren. To stand inside the Lincoln Memorial, by the Washington Monument, walk along the Wall, and stand in the center of the Capitol is something you have to experience and can never explain. To see the Declaration of Independence makes you realize how truly blessed we are to live in the United States of America.

To end our fabulous trip we stopped for manicures and pedicures and an added foot and leg massage. Great idea Beckie! Afterwards we head to a great dinner and then dessert in the hotel room were we could sit and relax. One last day of sleeping in our cozy beds and then we headed home to our wonderful families.

Reduce!!!

So I remember in the third grade in Ms. Carson's class reading the Weekly Reader about Earth Day and the importance of recycling. Back then no one paid importance to it. We only recycled aluminum cans for money not to be green. Now everyone is recycling, we even do it at home. Lauren loves to take out the recycling and I constantly badger Jeff to do it as well. Even huge corporations are taking a stance on it not only for the environment but to help their bottom dollar too. The recently remodeled Washington Hilton is one of the premiere places in D.C. to have a conference and one of the the things they mention is the large amount of "facilities" for use. So being curious I checked them out also because of need. Well I walked in one of the stalls and saw the toilet has a green button and a white button on the "magic" toilets as Lauren calls them, okay self flushing. So here is where it gets cool. For a small amount you can manually put the green button for a slow watering saving flush and if you have a large amount you can push for a regular powerful flush. If you opt not to touch the buttons the sensor times how long you sit. If you have short sit you get a green flush for a long flush you get a regular flush. How ingenious is the this. You know if I am sharing this on my blog I thought it was pretty darn cool! Can I get one of these for my house?

Well birthday number 3 has come and gone. Sunday was dinner with Nanny, PawPaw, and Grand. We had homemade chicken and dumplings with a strawberry cake and cream cheese icing. Gifts included all things Tinkerbell...two shirts, stamps, hair clips, and movies. She even got a Tinkerbell card in the mail! Monday was a trip to the Cameron Park Zoo with Papa J and Big Mama. So much fun and the weather was perfect. We saw lots of animals and had lots of fun feeding the fish. For her gift she got a tea set and then had to come home and have a tea party with Elliott. Tuesday was pink cupcakes with pink frosting and sprinkles at school with all of her friends. She was so excited to take them to school and show them her birthday shirt too. They sang Happy Birthday three times for being three years old. Tonight as I was laying down with her she started crying and was sad. She was upset because her Birthday was over and she wanted more cupcakes! She thinks everyday should be her Birthday!

Washington D.C. here we come!!!

Tomorrow my best friend Beckie and I are headed to Washington D.C. I have a conference for the National Council of University Research Administrators so Beckie is coming with me to enjoy the beautiful city. We have never taken this long of a girls trip so it is going to be so much fun. No husbands, no kiddos, no work, no daily chores we have to worry about. We are actually going to have some one make our beds and clean our bathroom everyday...it is going to be paradise. Of course by day two I will be missing Jeff and Lauren so much and wishing I was home! Can't wait to walk on the Mall and see the Capital, it is an amazing site. Mount Vernon and Arlington Cemetery will be great too. Okay let's not forget the real purpose I am going. I will learn a lot of information on cost transfers, effort reporting, and cost sharing. But in between those sessions there is fun to be had!

Tink!

So this was the first year that Lauren actually knew that there was something different about today. It was her Halloween celebration at school. She kept asking me this morning if it was "Halloween Day". So that meant one thing she finally got to wear her Tinkerbell costume to school. She has broken it in a few times so she was quite excited to wear it to school and show all of her friends. Mom and I fixed the wings so they would stay on and she loved the wand...let's hope no one got a black eye as school today. Jeff and I went up to her class party and she was having so much fun. So great to see her playing with all of her friends!

Beer Hockey

You always hear how kids these days have too much stuff and
don't know how to have real "fun". Kids in the old days didn't have
toys to play with they had sticks and rocks. Well yesterday while
waiting on lunch to be done Nanny and Paw Paw taught Lauren
how to play with what you have. We all know that Lauren
loves to sweep and Paw Paw loves to have a beer on Sunday
before lunch. So what came about? Beer Hockey. That's right
I go outside to tell everyone that lunch will be ready in about ten
minutes and I see Lauren and Paw Paw playing hockey with a beer
can and two brooms. Pretty ingenious and Nanny had to get in
the fun as well. They were having so much fun and laughing. I
am just so happy that Lauren will have the memories of playing
with Nanny and Paw Paw as I did as a kid or playing the fun games
that they invent. I remember painting Paw Paw's boat with a
paintbrush and water a hundred times and dragging a magnet in
his shed to pick up lost screws, nuts, and nails. Now that was real
fun!

Dallas Arboretum

We went to see Uncle Nick and Aunt Ray Ray. A great trip was had by all. The baby room is coming along great and we can't wait for the arrival of Baby Dillon! Saturday morning we headed to the park and for a walk along the creek. Once Aunt Ray Ray got home it was off to the Dallas Arboretum. We got to ride a "bus" because of shuttle parking. Lauren was a bit nervous at first but then had a blast. I have never seen so many pumpkins, over 40,000. We walked through the pumpkin houses. It was pretty amazing. I just love all of the fall colors. Then we went to the big hill that overlooks White Rock Lake and Lauren saw lots of kiddos running down the hill and rolling. She had so much fun doing that. Rolling wasn't too successful but she did okay. Then it was back home to some great steak and potatoes. Just think the next time we see them Baby Dillon should be here.

National Night Out

We were so happy that National Night Out got moved from August to October this year. This meant it was 80 degrees outside and not 100. So Lauren, Grand, and I headed to the park (Daddy was on a work trip). So much excitement this year. Hotlinks and cookies for dinner and then Lauren and I both won door prizes. We will be making a Sonic trip soon let's say. Then she spotted the air jumps so that all the energy was about to let loose. Next it was on to balloon animals, of course we got a kitty, and train rides. Then as the sun was setting Lauren finally decided that a pony ride was a go for the that night. She was a bit nervous at first but she held on tight and was ready to go. She was so excited and wanted to go again, but by that time the moon was out and we were out of time for fun.

Princess Party

Well Lauren got her first invitation to a birthday party in September. It was for her "favorite" friend Abby. It was a princess invitation with Snow White, Cinderella, and Belle so we new it was going to be fun. When we arrived Ainsley and Lily were there as well so it was the four girls. Princess crowns awaited them along with princess shoes. Eight feet running up and down the hall and no one falling down was pretty remarkable. Once present time came around the last present was the best. Abby's Grandma had gotten her four outfits to play dress up in so all the girls had an outfit to were. Of course Lauren didn't want to because it was itchy but she really liked looking at all of the sparkles on everyone else. A princess castle cake followed with a rice crispy treat wand. Three hours went by in fifteen minutes and now Lauren thinks every weekend should be Abby's birthday. She just can't wait for her Tinkerbell birthday!

How Can I Miss You If You Won't Go Away?

I saw the title on a sign the other day and today it came to mind. Jeff left yesterday morning for a business trip and is coming back tonight. Even though he was only gone a short period I really have missed him. I know it may seem silly but I have. I missed him sleeping in the bed last night even though I had a 27lb furnace right next to me trying to put her feet under my legs. I missed him when his alarm woke us up this morning to the sound of waves on the beach. I missed that the bathroom wasn't warm from his shower. I missed him when I was battling the 27lb furnance to put on her shoes and put milk in her Thermos. I missed him when putting his dirty clothes in the laundry basket and I smelled his cologne. I missed him when I climbed into the truck today and I miss him typing this. Just a few more hours and he will be home.

Muffin Madness!!!

Lauren loves going to H-E-B not only for the fabulous Buddy Balls but also for all the fabulous food she gets to eat! We always taste the fruit samples. Let's just say she didn't fall the grape tomatoe being a red grape, but she did love the pineapple. A banana is a must and then she is usually satisfied. Well today she was really hungry and saw the chocolate muffin so I said you only live once why not. So for the rest of the trip she was face first into the muffin and I had to break out the shopvac to get all the crumbs out of the car when I got home. It must have been on good muffin!

Mommy, I need a nana

So it's eight o'clock and I am relaxing on the on the couch and I hear Lauren calling me from her bed. I am thinking she is not feeling well since she has been coughing and has been a little congested so I run in there and lay down to snuggle with her. She proceeds to tell me doesn't feel good so I rub her tummy which I always do. She starts to sniffle so I ask her what her hurts and she says, "My tummy hurts because I need a nana." Such the manipulator I tell you! Lauren will try everything to prolong going to bed. We do the normal read books, prayers, and sing songs. Then we have to go to the bathroom, drink some water, get a sticker, and then get a tissue. Well for the past two weeks Lauren has been wanting a banana because she is hungry. A few times we have caved because she does not eat dinner, but tonight was just a game. So funny a an almost three year old can be so manipulative. I had to reminder that she already had a banana before her snack today. So she got to go potty one more time and then to bed. Let's just she how long before I hear Mommy again.

Aarti Party

We all know that I am a reality and Food Network junkie. Well the new Food Network Star is Aarti Sequeira who makes Indian food with an American twist. Well tonight was pulled pork with mango BBQ sauce along with apple-lime slaw. Talk about amazing! It was so flavorful and now one of my favorite meals! I can't wait to try some more of her recipies!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/aarti-party/summer-lovin/index.html

9 years...

Well it has been nine years since Jeff and I tied the knot. So here is a list of the top 9 things that I love about my husband.

9. He let me get a dog...Dixie and then a second...Snickers

8. I painted our bathroom in Katy Friends purple and buy mulberry (purple) furniture

7. I cook, he does dishes

6. He made show my emotions

5. He can make the most random and inconsiderate remarks and not even realize it

4. He has grown to love my family and care for them

3. It doesn't matter how mad I get he can always make me laugh

2. He loves me, the dogs, and the purple furniture unconditionally

1. He gave me Lauren

What do you do on a Sunday afternoon in Texas when it over 100 degrees outside? Well that's simple you head to McDonald's for ice cream and the indoor Play Palace. Lauren and Elliott had such blast playing on the toys and chasing each other!

Girl's Trip

Well we had a girls trip with Grand, Lauren, and me. We started it off by going to the Children'sMuseum in San Antonio. Lauren loved the toddler area with the lifesize light brite. So much fun moving those pegs!

She also loved the ball tubes and milking the cow too!

By far the best time had at the museum was shopping at the tot size HEB and sorting returns. Let's just say that is was inevitable with two parents that met and fell in love at HEB.

We then headed to the Buckhorn saloon to take in the sights of the elephant, giraffee, moose, and buffalos before heading to the River Walk. We had dinner at the Rainforest Cafe. I don't know if was a wise call to take a two year old who is afraid of thunder and lighting to a place that has a thunderstorm every thirty minutes, but the dancing gorillas kept her mind off of the thunder. The alligator did scare her, but she got Orangatan to keep her safe!

Next to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for some fudge souvenirs for Daddy!

The next day our adventure took us back to Sea World. I think she had more fun the second time around because she new what to expect. She loved seeing Shamu, dolphins, sealions, and the walrus.

A few things to note:

1. The jelly fish look like bubbles

2. We rode the conveyor belt a second time not to look at the peguins but to ride it

3. Alligator biscuits look like dried dog poop

We finally made it home after a super duper long drive back to B/CS that included...new Crocs for Lauren and Grand, longest wait at Freebird's ever, projectile watermelon which caused the impromptu stop at Bastrop State Park, and Grand running over roadkill. Let's just say fun was had by all! Just wish we would have had two days to recouperate instead of one!

The shoes...

The other night I went to water the lawn a bit when Lauren wanted to play outside. She loves to water the grass so not a problem I can sit and watch. Since it was still hot she had to have shoes on because her feet would "burn". So she went inside and forgoes the usual Crocs and comes out with her princess high heels. It was hilarious to watch her walk around watering the grass in the heels. Jeff was just thinking what it would be like when she is 16 and I don't even want to think about that!

4 years later...

I knew from the moment we looked at our house for the first time I wanted to do some sort of landscaping in the front corner. Well this spring after cinch bug infestation and the front lawn dying I thought it would be the perfect time to start the project. The grass was already dead right so we didn't have to dig it up. We put the plants in, spread the compost and today we had a landscaping company come out and do the rocks. I absolutely love it. I am already planning my next project to put rock around the the crepe myrtles...Jeff is just thinking there goes my new computer money!

Pea Shellin' Time

Well this year Mom decided to plant purple hull peas and let's just say she has had a bumper crop this year! She brought over a bunch for us to eat...the catch was we had to shell them first. So while we sat in the living room (way to hot outside) we shelled and shelled until our fingers turned purple. Lauren even joined in on the fun although she like to eat them as fast as she could shell them. She also ate some of the others as well. It was something fun to do and something not many people do anymore. I remember Nanny and Paw Paw picking peas and more peas. We had so many that they had an automated peas sheller, where was that on Saturday? That's okay because we ate them on Father's Day along with Jeff's favorites: deersteak, fried squash, rice, and brown gravy. What's even better is the leftovers I have been eating!

Sprinkles

Well this is the infamous "Sprinkles" dress that Lauren loves to wear. The first time I put it on her I asked her if she liked her new dress and she said, "It has sprinkles!" I guess small polkadots do look like sprinkles. If you are wondering why Lauren has a camera too, it's because everytime I want to take a picture of her she runs to get her camera to take a picture of me too. It is the only way I can get her to somewhat smile for a picture. As I am typing this I realize that she has grown so much. We put the door knob child protectors on just as she was reaching the knob and now she is as tall as them. Boy does time fly!

Prayers

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

Our Father

Please Jesus Bless..

Guardian Angel

Hail Mary

Glory Be

Act of Contrition

Hail Holy Queen

These are the prayers that Lauren and I say every night. Her favorite is Hail Mary. I love to hear her starting to say the prayers with me and then skipping a few words before she says the next. At the end we say who we love and let's just say that Goofy has been replaced with Minnie.

Sea World!

Well we finally made to Sea World and it was a blast! We had such a good time and Lauren loved all the animals! We started off on Friday afternoon and saw the Shamu Believe show, it is pretty amazing how big they are and how beautiful they are too. Lauren's eyes were so big! Next we made it to the dolphins and the shark tank before stopping off at the coral reef exhibit to see Nemo. That was it for Friday so we headed to Pappadeux's for Jeff's etoufee fix. Let's just say Lauren didn't agree with the sit down dinner so she and I played outside and looked at the waterfall. Saturday morning Uncle Nick joined in the fun we stopped to feed the sea lions first before heading to see the penguins. Then Nick and I rode the roller coaster twice and what made it so much better was that we didn't have to wait in line at all. The ride was awesome and so smooth. It made me feel so young again. Lauren then got to feed the alligators and watch the turtles take a ride. The afternoon was spent at the waterpark and we had a blast. It was overcast and windy so it was a little chilly. It was time to go when Lauren started shivering and lips turning blue, but she wanted to stay so bad. A stop at the souvenir shop and then it was time to go. It was a fun time had by all...now to start planning our next trip. As Jeff says, "I don't like to sit still."

Lauren's 1st Tea Party

Lauren had her first tea party on Friday afternoon as I was trying to pack for our family trip to Sea World. I was getting all the food and coolers ready to be packed for the big adventure and Lauren of course had to right in the middle of it. So she took one of the coolers and made a makeshift table and then pulled up her two chairs and brought the airplane along for another chair. You can see that only the most important people were invited. Of course there was Goofy he was the first to arrive, then came Cutie, and then Puppy flew up on the plane. She had so much fun giving them cookies and coffee. I went to go get the camera to take a picture and she had to get hers as well. We had such a fund time that evening we even forgot about dinner.

Yesterday I while sitting on the porch at Hilltop Lakes I smelled smothing sweet. So I looked around and found an old Magnolia tree and could see all of the blossoms. So I walked over to take a look and to smell the beautiful blossoms. The smell was so sweet and clean. Such a beautiful flower and it brought back such a great memory. Jeff and I took a vacation to Hot Springs, Arkansas one summer and I remember walking down the street and all of the magnolia trees in were in full bloom. The air was so sweet like today. It seems like ages ago that we went on that vacation. We stayed at a cabin on one of the lakes, rented a boat, and just relaxed! The evenings were so peaceful just sitting on the dock and fishing. Oh I wish we were there now!

Why do I bother?

It was the normal frantic Monday morning. You know the coaxing of Lauren out of the bed, this morning all she wanted to do was get in her pillow case and hide, the dancing around as we try to dress her and the smearing of apple sauce on the counter that was actually suppose to go in her mouth. All this and we are finally in the car on the way to school. Then like everyday she says, "I don't want shoes Mommy!" Then their they going flying off and then one sock two sock and little toes are in the air with Lauren saying, "Look Mommy ! No shoes!" So then once we get to school I am on a scavenger hunt looking for two sock and two shoe and then wrangling two feet and keeping the one shoe on while I put on the other. Today I thought why do we even bother to put the socks and shoes on before we get to school and I said because that is what normal people do. Well we are not normal so tomorrow sock and shoes when we get to school!

At least they were Baked!

After viewing the sequence of pictures from above you can see that our ride home from the Grandparents was interesting to say the least. After being in the car for four and a half hours Jeff and I were pretty much open to anything Lauren wanted to do as long as she stayed in her car seat. It started off as a fun game in that she was handing us potato chips to eat but she had to name who would get to eat them. Then I teased her because she said that a chip was for Daddy and I ate it. So she began to tease me and eat my chip. I went to get my camera to capture her adorable smile and then I heard it. Lauren dumping out the remnants of a crushed bag of potato chips. She was so excited at first and intrigued but then she got mad and the waterworks started. At this point we were in Navasota and I told Jeff to floor it. It was only a matter of time before she started throwing the chips because she wanted them off of her. Then the salt got in the cut on her finger and the yells became screams. We finally got her calmed down and at this point we were exiting to get to the house. Then she decides to put the chips in her pants and crush them. Ok she is two I don't even try to understand her thought process, but they were baked so no grease stains. So let's just say that the last two minutes of the ride Jeff and I were laughing hysterically while she cried. When we pulled in the garage I jumped took her clothes off and all she could say was, "Let's play Mommy!" Gotta love it!

Muffins with Mom!

Well today was Muffins with Mom at daycare in celebration of Mother's Day. Lauren loved the banana nut muffins, note to self, good breakfast idea. When we got there she had to find her chair with her name on it. How fitting that the animal by her name on her chair was a Lion. I think that matches her personality perfectly. As the other Moms came in she was sure to tell them and all her classmates that I was her Mommy and not theirs. She would then tell me that was Samuel's Mommy and Abby's Mommy. Afterwards we played with the new chalkboard table in her classroom and I drew eggs for her. Such a fun time!

Cinco de Mayo!

Today at school Lauren had a Cinco de Mayo celebration complete with a taco lunch! She colored Pablo the Pepper and was so excited to show me when I picked her up. She wore a cute little Mexican outfit that a friend of mine gave me and loved the flowers on it as well. The halls were decorated with somberos, donkeys, and cacti. She had lots of fun showing me all of them. What a cutie!

30 years...really?

So it is that time of year again for the St. Joseph Festival. This year is the 30th year for the festival I just can't believe it. But then again I don't ever remember a year that we didn't go except may one when we were living in Houston. There were the usuals...grocery wheel, cake wheel, auction, fishpond (oh the fishpond), and lots of BBQ. That is one thing I look forward to once a year is the BBQ. It is so yummy the beans with the right amount of pepper, chunky mashed potatoes, sausage, brisket and the chicken my favorite. There is alway so much that we end up taking home so many leftovers. This year Lauren had a blast on the Moonwalk she did not want to leave at all. After about 40 minutes of jumping (this led to a 3 1/2 hour nap so no complaints) I had to bribe her to get out with the promise of ice cream. Her and Paw Paw had a blast eating triple chocoloate Blue Bell ice cream. I am still not sure who liked it more him or her. She was falling asleep on the way home and I walked her bed where she was out in two minutes. Can we do this every Sunday?