I know that I haven't blogged in TOO long. I can't decide if this will get better or worse when I go back to work! I took a job at a fabulous high school. I am going to be the testing administrator. I will do TAKS, AP, PSAT, and ESL testing. And that is about the gist of it. I will be able to put my organization skills to work! Good thing I really like organizing.

I have been fairly productive lately. Both of the kids closets are cleaned out, as is my laundry room, I have cleaned out my bathroom cabinets, and I have reorganized the playroom. I still must do my horrific desk and my closet. The office closet is also very bad but Brokeback messed that one up so I don't know why it is my responsibility to clean it. So I don't think I will.

Not so many crafts, lately. We do playdoh, paint with watercolors, draw with markers and crayons, but it is all free-style, you see. We did this craft for the 4th, which I absolutely adored. I think I may have enjoyed it more than the kids did.

The potty training isn't going so well. Hayden can pull down his underpants to pee, hold it until he is ready, etc. He, however, doesn't ever go in the toilet. He is scared of the big one and won't sit down to pee. So we are taking a break and hope to reacquaint him with the big potty soon.

I go back to work on August 5th. I am trying to soak up as much fun with my kids as I can until then!

Syd's First Dance Recital

Syd's first dance recital was alot of fun for us! She loved every minute of it, and was so patient every time I put on her make up or did her hair. She really is a girly girl and I am not sure where she gets it. The theme was Signs, Symbols and Other Silly Things. She did a dance to "I Love my Cabbage Patch Kid". I don't think she was ever nervous at all, and enjoyed being on stage with the other girls.

You know what time it is..........

The pool is open for summer! We had an impromptu kick off yesterday with Gigi, Poppy and Aunt Morgan. H-Dub was quite hesitant at first and hung onto Morgan or Poppy like a spider monkey. But by the end of the day he was swimming and floating alone in the hot tub. Fun was had by all and H-Dub has a great base tan going from his few hours outside. Wish I had his skin.

Fun with Playdoh

H-Dub's attention span is getting longer now that he is a little older. We played with playdoh on Saturday morning and it held his attention for about 20 minutes! This may be a record. Syd enjoyed herself for an hour or so. Apparently the toothpicks are the biggest hit, but they also get into the rolling pin and the cookie cutters.

Beautiful!

So precious. Tears.

Our Newest Family Member

We have fostered Guiness since spring break. He is a very big dog, and we have a very small yard, so I don't know that we are the best home for him. But we have decided to adopt him anyway. He has lately exhibited some interest in swimming in the pool or running around it so he can get some exercise that way. He is now virtually house broken, and he is the sweetest dog. He was never socialized before coming to stay with us and when Brokeback would pet him he would literally gag with anxiety. We have come a long way. He loves the kids and chases them around the house. He is half german shepard and half mastiff so he will get pretty big. We don't know how big, though. He is about 8 months, now. He has a very loud, mean bark when someone (even me) is at the door or walking by the house. Which is good for Brokeback's paranoia.

Syd and Guinny, as she calls him. H-Dub was not supposed to be in the picture but was randmoly a camera hog.


Daddy and H-Dub. When H-Dub saw I was taking pics he would try to get really close to the camera. So close it wouldn't focus or take a picture. So he hopped in daddy's lap and said cheese til I took a pic. This is not something that happens very often so I decided to include it here.


Full body shot of Guiness, albeit from behind. I love Brokeback's face in this one.


Hayden loving puppy.


Guiness enjoying a wand.


Syd asked me to take a picture of her so I did.

Mother's Day Tea

Syd's school lets the 3 and 4 yo classes sponsor a Mother's Day Tea every year. This was my first time to get to attend and it was wonderful! Not only did they take the kids to United and let them decorate a heart shaped cake for their mother, I also got the cutest tile necklace that is a bunny made from her thumb print, and a big E that she decorated with paper. I have it in my office.

Syd and the others sang three songs then we had cookies and tea or lemonade. It was a great time. Syd did such a good job on stage, I don't think she was nervous at all.

Mama and Syd.


Syd with the cake she made me. Not her best picture.


Peforming on the risers.


Waving before she starts.


Her favorite, random pose. I don't know why she insists on bending forward and putting a leg up.

Spring Craft

Syd loved this craft so much she made a male and a female version. They are chicks. The male was black and the female was yellow. I believe she named them Harry and Harriet. Aunt Morgan was here to help with this craft which was an added plus.

Syd working diligently on Harry.


Harriet in all of her splendor.


Aunt Morgan keeping a close eye on Syd's work.

Easter

Are these late? I would say so. And I don't even have the egg dying pictures as they were taken by my mother. But here are some pics of the kids enjoying their baskets and Syd hunting for eggs. Hayden had pretty much no desire even though they were "hidden" in plain sight. Maybe next year, eh?

And, okay, these pictures are not so great. But we had a GREAT Easter. Aunt Missy and Uncle Bill were in town, and Missy took a ton of pictures, probably even some of the kids in their Easter outfits. Which is something I obviously failed to do. So add taking good pictures again to the list. I am just realizing exactly how much I have slipped lately. For shame. I will blame on the fact I have misplaced the memory card for my purse camera. I WILL go buy another one today!

Back Again

So, another long break. I will say again that I have had a REALLY hard time balancing working and home life. I for some reason feel I should be able to still get it all in, though because there is only 24 hours in a day and I am so not one to do anything after 9 p.m. I am not sure how that is possible. Somethings have had to give, and unfortunately those things have been picking up around the house on week days, blogging,and cooking dinner. I plan on working on this for next year, because, my job is over! The counselor came back on Weds, I worked with him Weds, Thurs and Fri. I do have two substitute teaching jobs next week but that leaves me off Tues, Weds, and Thurs so I have some time.

We have some fun plans for summer, which to me starts around June 1st. I made the mistake of signing up for too many classes last year, thinking Syd would be bored. This year, we plan on swimming alot, obviously and inviting friends over to swim with us. Syd spends as much time as possible with our next door neighbor C, who turns 4 next weekend. I am sure that will continue through the summer months.

I have also printed out a June, July, and August activity calendar and wrote in all the fun things that are going on throughout the summer. I wrote down the story times at the library, the Critterfest at the Science Spectrum, the VBS that Syd is going to, Theater in the Park, etc. This way if we need something to do, and most mornings they want to get out of the house, we know where to go.

Syd will go to VBS one week, and she will also take three weeks of the Art Factory that she LOVED last year. It is just 9-10:30 a.m. M-F, there is a theme and a snack. We will do bible study on Wednesday mornings, and H-Dub and I plan on doing one class a week together, a Mommy and Me craft class. And I think they are going to take gymnastics for either the month of June or July.

I also have big plans to go to Dallas, Austin and Houston. We will see if this possible considering I also have big plans to reorganize my desk, laundry room (this one is a MUST), kitchen, closet, kids closets, AND possibly paint my room, bathroom, guest bathroom, office at whatever school I end up at, and Syd wants her room painted pink. I will also potty train Hayden, exercise and eat well, and teach Syd to read. Seems like some lofty goals, no? We shall see what actually happens. I will let you know.

Hippo Therapy

Let me preface this by apologizing for the lack of pictures. We left the house like bats outta hell as usual and I forgot the camera. He goes back April 15th and I will DEFINITELY take pictures then.

He enjoyed it! He had no issues with putting on his helmet and belt. He brushed the horse, loved walking beside it with Daddy holding him, and sat on it for a few seconds, no saddle, his feet off one side. They told me that he was the best first time they have ever had. So I am proud. He will hopefully get on the horse the next time, or the next. I am so proud of him and he loved it.

By the end he was tuckered out. The wind today was ridiculous so he had some dirt in his eyes. He has only met his OT once before and she was giving many directions so that threw him off. He yelled at Brokeback to take him to the car at the end and of course Brokeback quickly obeyed.

BTW, Syd has no idea that H-Dub is doing horse therapy. The diva would throw an ugly "it's not fair" fit so we are just avoiding the whole thing. She and the dog we have (yes, Brokeback is fostering a very sweet pup) went over to Poppy's.

The Boy

H-Dub is in high spirits today. He is wearing a new "Pidaman" shirt from Aunt Momo, and he has been able to bum around the house, eating whenever he wants and watching tv. He is bummed that I didn't have the french fries he asked for, but so is life.

Today Gigi and I went to Target to get new shoes for the kids. I was beyond thrilled to find gold sandals in Syd's size that I have been searching for for weeks. I saw them, decided not to buy, went back 2 days later and they were gone. I even went to the other Target in town and to two Targets while in Austin! We went back today looking for "other" shoes and POOF there they were! Woot! Made my day. We bought two pairs of shoes for H-Dub that he had to choose between. I put one on each foot. He couldn't make a decision. He came back to me later with both pairs, I asked him to pick one. He did and I shoved them onto his porky little feet. He then began to whimper and cluck. He wanted one of EACH on. Such an eccentric child.

H-Dub was recently diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder. He is a bit delayed in speech, and after being evaluated by an OT this what they think is going on. He has some issues with auditory processing, it seems, and some issues in the vestibular category, or balance. Brokeback and I aren't so concerned about that but we do want to improve the auditory issues as much as possible.

Sooo....tomorrow he starts his Hippo Therapy! Which is on a horse! We are so excited and hope he likes it. We don't know much about it. Oddly enough, when I was a counselor at Evans, the Guidance office offered us the chance to go and see what Hippo Therapy is all about but I declined due to my work load that day. Too bad. I will be back with the low down on this and pictures tomorrow, hopefully!

The shoes.



A rare picture of mirth.


Now it's passed. Back to business as usual. Milkaholic.

A Visit from P-Paw Steve!

We were so excited to see P-Paw Steve! It would have been two years this summer since his last visit. He lives in New York, so we understand. The kids had an absolute blast with him. Most of his time was spent in their rooms and playroom playing with the toys he brought them, watching their shows and playing with their other toys. He also took Brokeback and I to a fab dinner on the last night at Las Brisas. Soooo good. Here are some pics of the kids enjoying their time with him.

Putting H-Dubya's train together, which he repeatedly tore apart afterward.




There is a child/children under the sheet.

Spring Break Trip II

The kids and I trucked it on down to Austin the day after we returned from Ruidoso. I am blessed in that my kids are always great in the car as long as the DVDs are rolling. I think I was more impatient then they were at the bitter end. It was about 7 hours there and 7 hours back when you factored in our San Angelo lunch and one stop to potty each way.

We went to visit Nicole, Ash and Aunt Mimi Renee. They certainly showed us a good time! I lived in Austin for a few years and Brokeback and I were married there. So it is one of my favorite places. I had no idea that it had so many fabulous activities for kids! We only did a few and Nicole had a whole page of additional stuff we could have done. I didn't take any pics with my large camera but as usual Nicole did not disappoint. Here are a few pics of the time we had.

Immediately upon our arrival Syd digs through all of the good stuff and gets dressed up.



H-Dub absolutely loved being out of the car and playing on Ash's big swing set. On our way home Syd told me that was her favorite part! On the next visit I guess we will just let them play in the backyard and swim at the fun pool?



Zilker Park train. The best train ride EVER for $3. I think we paid $6 per PERSON on the Ruidoso train and it was nowhere near as fab.


Syd and Ash crawling through the cave in the Barton Springs exhibit. Warmed my heart to see it because my first year of teaching in Austin I took my fifth grade class to Barton Springs on a field trip and they enjoyed the same stuff.


Nicole took us to the lake and the water was really down. No rain.


Posing with the kids. Apparently the sun was in Syd's eyes.


Dancing to the band at Johnny Fins!


Someone ruined my bluebonnet picture.



He did love this little spring.


Thanks so much to Nicole and Aunt Mimi for all of their hospitality! We had a wonderful time and plan on coming back this summer before Mama goes back to work!

Spring Break Trip I

For the first part of our Spring Break we went to Ruidoso, NM. My parents took us all and we stayed in a great cabin on the golf course. Just about a block from the main shopping, it was the perfect place. We hope to stay there again.

We shopped (my new favorite children's clothing store is Klassy Kids-so cute I could have spent the day), the kids rode horses and a train, rode the go-carts twice, took a gondola to the top of the mountain, ate great food, etc. My only complaint is that H-Dub was not the best sleeper, there.


Family pic on top of the mountain after the gondola ride up.

H-Dub and Mommy on the go-cart. He absolutely loved it. May have been his favorite part of the trip. I think he liked the vibrations.


Syd driving the mini go-cart by herself. It didn't last too long, I think because she was the only child on the track and she is a social gal.


Syd riding a horse! Couldn't get H-Dub on one. He was in a TERRIBLE mood that morning and needed a nap.


Syd jumping on a giant trampoline!


H-Dub really enjoyed this tractor/digger. It cost 75 cents per ride.


Big wave from Syd while she and Momo are on the go-cart.


The kids exhausted after a busy day and ready for bed.