Let's Fly a Kite!

If you have never flown a kite with your little one, or even if you haven't flown a kite lately yourself, I highly (get it?) recommend it.

We flew kites today and it was priceless - the look on Dylan and Lane's faces. And watching Dylan run with her kite...until she headed for the power lines. It's much easier for her to ignore me when the wind is howling in her ear. Yikes!

It was so much fun. Best 20 minutes of the day. Yeah, it was short-lived but well worth it. After Lane and I accidentally let go of Elmo (Lane's kite) at the same time, I sprinted after it, to no avail. As it slid across and beyond the power line, I slowed to a jog as we watched Elmo's line wrap around a very tall pine tree a few hundred yards away. Man, was Elmo flying high then! Dylan kept yelling,"What happened to Nemo?" That's what she calls Elmo and I cannot seem to correct her no matter how many times I try. Even Lane calls Elmo, Elmo. I think it's just honary.

Anyway, I think it was Dylan saying she was hungry and heading for the car that made Lane and I turn our heads simultaneously and lose track of our kite flying activity.

Then we headed to The Hat...aka...El Sombrero for some really yummy Mexican food with Daddy and Pawpaw.

Following short naps, we picked up and played in the play room, then played outside while Mommy cleaned out her nasty, cluttered car, and then Mommy left for Boot Camp. Ouch!

So the kids enjoyed spaghetti-o's with Daddy and movies until I got home for stories and bedtime.

Wonderful, beautiful day. Sidenote though on the kite buying - apparently they make inflatable kites now. I had to blow these things up before we could fly them. Not too much, but still. What happened to the good ol' fashioned kites?

I'm a loser and have no pictures to account for our day.

I will leave you with this...as we finished reading Beauty and the Beast (Boo-Bsstt! as Dylan calls it) for the, no exaggeration here, 114th time, and we said our prayers and I told Dylan how much fun I had today with her flying kites, she said, "Where is Nemo?"

me: Oh, Elmo? Well...he flew far, far away.
D: Why?
me: Because Lane and I let go.
D: We can make another one?
me: Yes baby. We can make (buy) another one.
D: Otay. I love you much momma.
me: I love you too baby.

sweet, sweet baby.

Pics from last Thursday

It was so beautiful last Thursday! I know this is out of place/order, but I thought some might enjoy the pictures.

This picture makes me laugh! It was windy!

Green Masonry has a new branch of lawn services.

What a Wonderful Weekend

We've had a great weekend, I must say! Truly wonderful.

Friday, we spent the evening at home, and had the pleasure of spending time with Josh and Ashley out by the fire, catching up and hanging out.

Saturday morning we got up, shared Valentine's and donuts, and hit the road to Tyler for an afternoon at the Caldwell Zoo! The weather was slightly chilly, but the sunshine was warm, and it was near perfect. The kids greatly enjoyed seeing all of the animals. Especially feeding the birds in the bird sanctuary. Their reactions and faces were priceless. I was espeically fond of the way Lane appeared to be an explorer on a mission. It was in his walk. He would matter of factly walk up to each exhibit and peer in until he spotted the wild animal. Then his eyes would light up and he was spend minutes studying the animal. I had to pry him away from each and every exhibit, which proved to be easier if there was a promise of more animals to see! Our little zoologist or wild animal observer! We ate a picinic lunch about 2/3 of the way through our zoo tour, and then finished up rather quickly. Lots of walking and seeing and doing made for two tired kiddos! We were pretty tired ourselves.

I couldn't have asked for a better Saturday.

As soon as we got home, Dylan and I crashed on the couches for a late afternoon nap, while Philip and Lane tended to some business. Then Grandma and Mimi came over to deliver some Valentine's gifts and Dylan negotiated her way into leaving WITH Grandma for an unexpected sleepover. So Philip, Lane and I had a great dinner at Gonzales on the Loop. Yummy! Lane crashed out and Philip and I had a quiet evening of reading, music, etc.

This morning we got up, got ready for church, and were blessed with messages and companionship at church. Then we met Grandma, Grandpa, Mimi, and Dylan for lunch and came home for QT and naps.

I truly don't believe it gets much better than this! We are so thankful for such a great weekend!

Here are the pics!

The kids thought this little "kitty" was funny; I was thinking more hungry!

Penguins! The flash is covering Gloria.

Did you see that?!?!?

Tiaras & Tutus w/ Tea for Girls Go Red!

Every minute, someone's mother, daughter, wife or sister dies from heart disease and stroke in the United States. Reducing these diseases in women must become a national priority. Go Red For Women is a national movement founded by the American Heart Association to help women fight back against the No. 1 killer of American women; and increase awareness.

Yesterday was Longview's Go For Women Luncheon, and today was Girls Go Red!

A Longview woman (or maybe a few, not sure) began an event last year, called Girls Go Red! It's for young girls, to help increase their awareness about the importance of a healthy heart. It's a girly-girl event and is so much fun for the little ones. All ticket proceeds go to the American Heart Association.

Dylan's Pop "sponsored" her and Macie, so they could attend the event.

Macie arrived this morning about 9:20a.m. all dolled up in her pink leotard, pink tutu and pink shoes. Dylan was presently stark naked, so she quickly dawned her red tutu and matching shirt, with matching red bow. As we rushed out the door, and got loaded into the car, my mom sent me a text saying she had an extra tiara and a red boa. Boa?!!? I backed back into the driveway and ran inside to grab a pink boa, couple of purses, some accessories, and some tiaras/crowns. Then we were off!

As the girls approached the entrance of the Cherokee Club (at Lake Cherokee) the "Queen of Hearts" awaited them and greeted them as they tip-toed into a realm of red. It was a little girls dream world. Like walking down the red carpet. The minute they stepped inside a photographer (East Texas People's Joe Popma) snapped their photos, and then we entered the festivities room.

They made valentine's, and then were glitterized. They were aerosoled with glitter hairspray, brushed with glitter eye-shadow, painted fingers, and glitter stickers were arranged on their angelic faces. I was having a blast watching their eyes light up, and trying to memorize their expressions.

Miss Texas was the guest of honor (as she was last year), Rebecca Robinson. She's a hoot! I fixed the girls a plate of piggies in blankets and fruit, and they ate in the red-adorned ballroom. As they were eating, a woman began to teach the girls tea etiquette. What a trip! It was a little over their heads, although Macie was following right along. As the woman was explaining how to properly eat a cupcake, Dylan was licking her's like a popsicle. I didn't bother.

Then Miss Texas sang, not her song of choice due to technical difficulties, and shared with the girls how important it is to take care of our hearts and then...the best part...she walked each and every girl down the runway stage. It was very entertaining. The girls loved it! She walked each down, showed them how to wave like Miss Texas, faux-crowned them, and walked them back. She was a great sport, and truly seemed to enjoy it.

Afterwards the girls had their way with the runway and danced and jumped around, and then it was time to go.

Miss Texas gave the girls each an autographed photo and a hug goodbye. What a morning!

They had so much fun. I hope they made some good memories, and remeber WHY we were there. For four cupcakes, glitter, and tutu twisting with Miss Texas, right? No! For the heart of it!

We Went Skiing

A few weeks ago, Philip came home and said that his Dad wanted to take the kids (and us) skiing. That's a good idea, I said. The next day, at work, I got an email from Kathie with the link to the place we would be staying! So, it was decided. We were going skiing end of the month. Let me rephrase that - we were going to Angel Fire, NM, where you CAN ski. Having a 3.5 and 1.5 year old, doesn't automatically include full days of skiing.

So, last Wednesday around 4p.m. we hit the road for New Mexico. About 2a.m. we stopped for the night in Dalhart, and finished our trip up the next morning, after sleeping in a bit and grabbing some small-town breakfast. The kids were great! We couldn't have asked for a better trip.

We arrived at the house Bobby and Kathie rented for our group of 14, around 2 or 3p.m. on Thursday afternoon. As soon as Dylan woke up and saw the mountains and snow she said, "Dat's awesome!". My thoughts as well. It was picturesque; beautiful. As you would imagine. Frozen rivers that were still flowing - sending me spinning in a literary sense.

The house was amazing. Our group included: our fam of four, Bobby, Kathie, Kathie's two sons Kelly and Kacey - Kacey's wife Kristin, and their two kids Colton and Kylee (who are the exact same ages as our kids), Kelley Green, my aunt Robin, her friend Shawn, and a semi-15th guest, Korie's fiance, who was with us 1 1/2 days.

Day 1 (Arrival day; Thursday): Within 10 minutes of us arriving, after a tour of our home away from home, and after I layered the kids up, they were out playing in the snow. Dylan took to the snow and the cold as if she were born for it. She never complained of being cold or not wanting to be outside, unless snow had been thrown in her face or unless her daddy had thrown her from an intertube, face-first into the snow. She immensely enjoyed our new surroundings.

Lane on the other hand, couldn't quite understand why he was now unable to lift his leg high enough to step onto the back deck, much less bend over, or pick anything up. I guess his layers were limiting his mobility, to say the least.

But nothing stops my little Laner, so he dove hands first onto the deck, like a beached whale. Quite humorous. Bless his heart. He didn't take so well to the snow that first day. The layers, the mittens, walking in the understurdy snow. But he definitely warmed up to more and more each day, and by the 3rd day, when I finally stopped dressing him like we were in the Antartic, he gained mobility and confidence, and quite enjoyed the snow himself.

Our house had a huge sloping hill behind it, which was probably the 2nd or 3rd biggest source of our entertainment for the trip! It was awesome! We had our very own, personal, private, free, tubing/sleding hill. Right in our "backyard," of which mountain ranges rose up all around us.

I never did get enough of the scenery. It just breathtaking. I wonder if people who live there grow immune to it. I would think it difficult. But I digress.

So, Day 1: Settled in, lots of sleding on the hill, relaxing that evening in the game room, adjusting to the altitude, and unloading an army tank of groceries.

The basement level of the house was a game room with a pool table/ping-pong table, big screen TV , which we played Wii on, games, etc.

Day 2 (Friday): Spent the day outside at the house. Sledding, building a snowman, etc. Just a laidback day.

Day 3 (Saturday): Dylan and Colton went to ski school!! We got up early, got everyone geared up, and headed to ski school. Dylan stuck out the half day of ski school, although we don't think they taught her much, nor did they spend much time outside at all, but she did learn to stomp in her skis - for a few seconds anyway. This did however, allow Philip and I to do some skiing. THANKS to Robin and Shawn keeping Lane, and then keeping Dylan as well, the 2nd half of the day, Philip and I were able to ski a little over a half day, which I never expected I would get to do. So that was terrific! And I must say, our ski skills came right back to us. That was a great day!

Day 4 (Sunday): Played in the snow 1st half of the day, and went SNOWMOBILING the 2nd half! This was incredible - I think we had 10 snowmobiles total. This was the most fun - for the most part. It proved to be slightly difficult to drive a snowmobile at a comprable speed with an 18-month old falling alsleep at the wheel - or while slamming into the wheel. Once Lane woke up fully though, he held on better and things were great. Dylan absolutely loved it. Philip said he couldn't keep her hand off of the throttle. She kept wanting to go faster. After riding for half an hour or so we decided to ride up to the top of the sledding hill. This is one of the steppest hills I've ever seen. It was massive. They had sleds up at the top waiting. Dylan and Philip went down first. Philip ended up putting his boots out and using them to slow their speed, because he was actually worried about how fast they were going. That ought to tell you something. I was planning to go with Dylan after Shawn went. Shawn got into the sled and went down. As she slid out into the open field of snow/ice she rolled off and onto her knees in the fetal position. We were kind of laughing b/c we thought she was thanking God that she made it in one piece. Once Stu brought her back up to the top of the hill, as Dylan and I were getting ready to go, she said she had really banged her arm up going down. As she began to shed layers to take a look at it, we saw it was bleeding pretty badly through her clothes. I motioned for our guide to come over, and he and Philip began to cut her arm sleeve off, until they saw how bad it was - then they stopped and tied a turniquot above her elbow. A few radio calls were made they took Shawn back to the office where an ambulance met them. Long story, short, Robin ended up driving her to the ER in Taos, where they x-rayed and cleaned her gash out. I never looked and refused to view the pictures, but Philip said it was at least a finger long and VERY deep. They thought the bone was poking out and broken, but her bones were fine. It did cut through her muscles and some nerves. And one place lost all skin and will have to heal from the inside out. Shawn was such a trooper though and showed much courage throughout the entire ordeal. And remained in high spirits for what she had gone through. Colton ended up with a busted lip but other than that all else was okay. And thank goodness Shawn wasn't hurt any worse than she was.

Day 5 (Monday): I spent the morning packing. We loaded up the car and headed to Taos late morning, where we piddled around the awesome little Pueblo town, bought some souvineours, and then ate some authentic New Mexican food (not spicy enough or falvorfull enough for me, but it was still really good). Then we drove through the city of Pueblos - the ones Ansel Adams has painted - and then hit the road, the scenic route. We drove until midnight, and then stopped for the night in Witchita Falls.

Day 6 (Tuesday): Finished our travels back to Longview, East Texas. We had a fairly pleasant trip back. Actually, an amazing trip back b/c we made it safely.

All in all, it was an amazing trip, and a great time spent with family. Colton and Dylan had a great time playing together and were inseperatable for the most part, at least in Dylan's p.o.v. We were very blessed to have been able to go on this trip.