Dragon's Soccer Party

Final Half Time snack of orange slices. Phoenix doesn't typically like oranges, but when you can do orange smiles he's all over that.Aren't they all so cute. L-R: Matthew, Antonio, Phoenix, Jasmine, Kaleb and Madison. They were such a fun little team.
At our End of Season Party Phoenix and Jasmine had to show of their loose teeth. Same one for both of them. Jasmines Mom pulled hers out during the party. I tried to convince Phoenix to let her "look" at his loose tooth too, but I think he knew what "look" really means.

Crazy pizza kids. This is their real personalities. They are sweeties.

Had to throw in this video of Sicily. Seriously, it needs to go on Youtube it's just too funny.

What good is a party with out a pinata. But in this case a 20 lb soccer ball. And just a little more sugar to top off the evening. Go Dragons!!

We all got our trophies with our names on them. So proud of this little team.

Turtles, Turtles, Turtles

Growing up we used to go to the pond to feed the ducks. Bread, crackers, whatever. Well, here in Texas things are sometimes a bit different.

Turtles! Tons of them! They are just the cutest. The kids like to feed them Goldfish Crackers the best. They always try to get them to the baby ones, but those big ones can be pretty fast.

Pretty Ballerina

It's that time of year again. Time for frills, curls and twirls. Aspen has been learning ballet and jazz all year and gets to perform a ballet in a few weeks. Picture time always comes first, and though the pros did it first, I thought my shots weren't all that bad. Plus I don't have the professionals to show you yet.

She's always been such a poser. Jared thinks this doesn't look like her at all. I think he forgets his little girl is growing up.

I have an Owwie!

Sicily is always wanting me to read her books in the car or show me her dolls or look at her silly faces. Today it was,

"Mommy, I have an owwie on my belly button."
"Where?"
"Right here."

It was just a tiny dot of a scab, no idea how she got it. My children are related to me after all.
I just love little nakey tummies, they're so fun to tickle. But since I couldn't reach her I got a camera shot instead. Don't worry, we were stopped at a light. :)

Field Day

I got the chance to volunteer at the kids Field Day this year. It's always so much fun to see them do their relays, cheer each other on and laugh at each other. They had the day split up between the grades, and since I couldn't be there ALL day I got to hang out with London and the other 5th Graders. I was in charge of the Potato Sack Races. So funny to watch them fall on their faces. We only had 6 minutes per group so I made them race each other forwards and then backwards. Backwards was a riot.

I had a couple of down times when no group was at my station, so I tracked down London's class for pictures. Phoenix said later that he did this race on his tummy, ended up scuffing his knee (surprise, surprise).

As I was leaving through the school I heard a whole lot of giggling. I took a pause in the gym to watch Phoenix watching the magic show. Those kids were rolling. He was a cute magician.

Houston Arboretum and Nature Center

Our 2nd Grade Field trip took us to the Arboretum this year. Everyone was telling us how boring it was and that the kids are not fans. Well, they were all wrong. It was a lot of fun. We learned a lot and got to see tons. It just depends on your attitude.They split us into small groups and we each got a guide. Our group was all girls, thank goodness. Aspen was usually in the for front looking and learning about whatever the guide told us. As we hiked through the woods the kids rolled over logs looking for bugs, lizards, skinks and worms. The lady would catch stuff for us to look at and the other Mom's did all the screaming. :)Our guide was kind enough to teach us all what poison ivy looks like. Good to know around here, because it's everywhere.

We came across this pond to watch some little turtles but also saw some water snakes. That's it on the lilly pad. Looks a bit like a worm. It's just a baby, but we did get to watch it eat a fish, that was kind of cool.

And here's his Mommy. They get up to 7 ft long, just Stripped Water Snakes. Pretty and not venomous.

This is Aspen's whole class. How they ever get this many kids to sit still for a group picture is beyond me. Mrs. Minshew on the left is retiring this year, Aspen has loved her since day 1. She's been an excellent teacher.

And last but not least a Coral Snake. We thankfully observed him through the window. "Red on Black friend of Jack, Red on Yellow kill a fellow." This was not one of the friendly ones.

Blue Chickens

I know, quite the title. Sicily and I spent most of a day painting and beautifying our new Chicken Coop. And I'm proud to say, it's DONE!!

There is a reason we named one of our chickens Curious. That should have been all of their names today though. They all got into our painting so much that they are now all blue, somewhere. Sicily took this shot of me. I wanted one of her with the blue paint in her hair and smeared across her face holding another rather blue chicken, but by the time I was ready for the camera, she was ready for a nap. So you get a shot of a headless me taken by a 3 year old. :)So, for those of you that haven't been reading this blog for forever we used to own a 100 lb Golden Retriever named Charlie. Jared built this blue dog house for him about 4 years ago. Charlie passed away from cancer last August and we haven't had the heart to get rid of all his things.

So instead we refurbished and updated and got a couple new little pets and gave them Charlies old home.

Charlies house....

Chicken House. Isn't it gorgeous!!

Yeah for my amazing hubby and all his wood skills. And yeah for me and my painting skills. :)

Sicily had to show you how the nest boxes open so we can collect the eggs, once the chickens start laying.

And of course, the Chickies love it.

Chickens and Playgroup

I think the highlight of hosting Playgroup at my house is watching my poor little chickens get some exercise. :) Those kids LOVE them. Sicily's the only one able to catch them properly. Not that the others don't give it their best shot.


One of the boys did manage to get ahold of one...by the tail. I just sat there and laughed as I told him to let it go. He looked at me in shock like I was telling him to "put down the cupcake." The little chicky was just squacking to get away. So funny. They'll probably never lay eggs for us, just out of spite.

Playing Together

"Dad, can we make a tent?"
"Sure, go get a sheet. One of the old ones."

So they come downstairs with the sheet about to be put onto Phoenix's bed. Aww well, they were playing together in their 2 foot tall playhouse and not trying to kill each other. Let them play with the sheet, it's worth it.Next time I'll show you how to use chairs for a tent, then you'll be about to actually sit up in your little playhouse.

Bugs

Apparently we don't have enough animals in our home because Aspen came home with a new friend.
A: "Mom! I caught a Moth!"
M: "Great, what are we supposed to do with it?"
A: "Add it to our bug collection."

So the poor, beautiful thing spent a few days on display, still alive, and is now currently part of our bug collection. And I must say...
I need a bigger box, there are too many cool bugs in Texas.

My Little Shadow

Some people think that a shadow is something that's dark, flat and follows you around outside in the sunshine. But not for me. My shadow has strawberry hair, a sweet little giggle and is typically holding a baby doll. Sicily follows me everywhere. Everywhere! But I love it. I always have someone to talk to, sing songs with and play with. I love my little shadow.

Gator of the Week

Phoenix was the spotlight in class this week. This is a big ta-do for a Kindergartener. He got his little sheet read: My favorite food is MEAT, My favorite thing to do with my Dad is FISH...etc. He also got to bring a collection of pictures from home and tell his classmates about himself.

This was rather entertaining. This particular picture is him riding an elephant in Thailand when he was 18 months. The kids, and teacher, loved the fact that he was born in Australia.

Phoenix you're a pretty cool kid. Mrs Timmons is his teacher. I think she's been teaching Kindergarten for 30 years at least. She's great and the kids love her. Her decorations are always so fun, and full of meaning.

Errands

While doing our grocery shopping this morning Sicily and I had a fun conversation:

S: "Where are we going next?'
M: "To the Bank and then home."
S: "Mommy, I'm thirsty?"
M: "Sorry Baby, I don't have anything to drink."
S: "But I'm thirsty?"
M: "We'll be home in a minute and we'll get you a drink."
S: "But we have to go to the Piggy Bank first."
M: "Yes. :) First the Piggy Bank and then home."
S: "OK."

I love their take on things.

2011 Spring Piano Recital

What an awesome event this was. London and Aspen were amazing! They did such a good job and we are so proud of them both. This is Miss Pam, she's a great teacher and the kids love her.They have been practicing these songs for weeks, so enjoy the show.

London is playing "Sonatina" by Clementi.

Aspen is playing: "Families can be Together Forever" by Vanja Watkins and
"Entry of the Gladiators" by Julius Fucik

Hope you liked it. Not everyone at the Recital had the time of their lives like us. This is Lil' G (Gary Jr.), he's in Sicily's Play Group. This is Miss Pam's little boy and he was just too sleepy to enjoy the recital like the rest of us.
While having refreshments at the end, one of the other Moms approached London and I and asked if London would be available this summer to help "tutor" her son with his piano practicing. Miss Pam had already talked to us about this being a possibility. His name is Leo and he's 7, he has a little 4 year old brother and 9 month old sister so his Mom just does not have the time to sit and practice with him. So London has himself a summer job, helping a fellow pianist practice the piano. Should be fun.

Mom and Daughter PJ Party

Our church holds a bi-weekly after school class for girls ages 8-12. We call it Faith in God, or FIG for short (London calls it FIG Newton). They have so much fun learning etiquette, sewing, service and all that sort of stuff.

But this weeks activity included us Moms. It was such a fun night. Stephanie Echard is their teacher and she is so brave. Who knew a little group of girls could be just as crazy as a bunch of Cub Scouts boys.

So here she was explaining to us all the meaning of PJ'S: Prayer, Journal writing and Scripture Study. The 3 things you're supposed to do before you go to bed. So cute!
And here they all are. Sweet, smiling, innocent.
Here's the REAL group. Crazy, psycho and fun.
They put on a little skit for us, which Sis Echard was sure to tell us the girls wrote themselves. It was all about 2 girls that stole a teddy bear, after they had to go through a laser zone. Then they left clues at the Library, Pizza Shop and 1 more place I can't remember. In the end the clues led them to a FIG activity where Sis Echard was holding the teddy bear. Apparently he was the PJ'S Bear, there to remind them to do their PJ'S before going to bed.
Last but not least we had a Pajama Fashion Show. Some of those girls got right into it. Even though they were giggling with embarrassment the whole time.
They were even sweet enough to give all of us Mom's a "treat". In actuality it was some very nice smelling bath salts and a loofah. Rather creative I thought.
Thanks Aspen for a fun time.

5th Grade Talent Show Try-Outs

At the end of the year the 5th Grade puts on a Talent Show Assembly. They have so many kids that want to participate that they all have to try-out for their part. We, of course, wanted London to try out with his amazing Piano skills.

But he said, "No. Star (his friend) is going to play and 1 other boy that I know is really good too. And they only take 1 of each instrument so, no, I'll try something else."

"WHAT!! London, you are really good. Try!"

So he did. He got up in front of this panel of Judges and played his (this Saturday) recital piece. The blond lady smiling at the camera is actually Aspens teacher. She told Aspen in school the next day that she knew London would get in before they even tallied their scores. :)
Have a listen.

He did so good and I was so proud of him. There were a total of 6 pianist that tried out. Star had gone first and played for a good 2 minutes before they stopped him. There were 3 others next, before London, and none of them were in there for more than 45 seconds before they came out. And London played a good portion of his piece before they stopped him.

At the end of school the next day they made the announcement. And low and behold London AND Star both get to play the piano in the Talent Show. End of the month, so he's hoping to master the 3rd movement by then. He's only playing the first 2 for his recital, but 3 weeks off, he should be able to get the 3rd one down in enough time. :)

Time-Out for Women

This years "Time Out for Women" was in San Antonio, TX. If you are ever visiting Texas, that is the city to go to. It is amazingly beautiful, so much to see and do. We spent the weekend doing A LOT of talking and talking and talking, I think we were up until 1 AM. It was like a 2 day long Relief Society Meeting. Doesn't get better than that. We stopped on the way up at the Outlet Stores, and even hit Bucees on the way up and back. Thank goodness for fudge and jerky tasting.
We stayed in the Historic Crockett Hotel, which is right behind the Alamo.
Of course we had to do a little tour of the Alamo and snap a few shots, it's so pretty at night.
On the other side of the Alamo there are a lot of wax museums and ice cream parlors. I had to get this shot for Phoenix. He LOVES Bumblebee! And Sorbets are never bad for you when you've been walking all day.
So it wasn't all just food and chatting. There were some excellent speakers too: Sheri Dew, Emily Watts, Amanda Dickenson. And some Music by Jericho Road. I took tons of notes, cried some here and there and was very much spiritually uplifted. I am so grateful to Deseret Book for bringing this program to us Mormons that don't live inside of Utah. Thank you!

Another Pack Meeting

London is coming to the end of his Cub Scout Career. He's earned about every Webelos pin you can get so we're gearing up for his Arrow of Light at the May Pack Meeting. Come join us for cake if you like and LOTS of pictures. May 24th I think.

Almost Time for the Recital

Aspen got her costume! Isn't it adorable. Of course they won't have the black leotards on at the recital, and they'll all look so CUTE! I'm so excited. June 10th is the recital date. Tickets are $9 if you want to come.