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.

Syd's Valentine Party!

I was in charge of planning Syd's class Valentines party this year. I decided we would eat pizza and the kids could decorate their own cupcakes. They seemed to really enjoy themselves and took the cupcake decorating very seriously. She brought a mailbox full of fun stuff home with her. The parents in classroom (including me) really go nuts on holiday parties. Tons of candy, little toys, etc. are brought by everyone.

Syd enjoying her pizza.


Taking cupcake decorating seriously.


Okay, now this is a special picture. Syd is a really neat child. She cleans things up, doesn't like to be messy and is a fairly neat eater. I have no idea why she decided to be such a little piggy when eating her cupcake.


Here is the reason her face looks so messy. Andy from a Christmas Story, anyone?

Syd's First Bike

So apparently never even posted about the rest of Syd's birthday. I must apologize for my just dropping the entire blogging thing. There has been a ton of stuff going on, stuff to stress about, etc. so I have just focused on getting through each day and being sweet to my kids and husband through all of it.

Here is a picture of Syd's favorite birthday gift. My parents gave it to her. She learned to fully ride it and steer today! So proud of her and she is very proud of herself, as well.

Has it been this long?!?!

I think this is my longest hiatus ever. I feel bad. I have had some busy stuff going on with subbing, sick child, I got sick, etc. etc. And I doubt that my misplacing the downloading apparatus for pictures helped, either.

Here is a quick story that I don't want to forget. Terrible reality tv is a guilty pleasure of mine. I try not to watch the really trashy stuff but there is currently a fabulous show on called Toddlers and Tiaras. Syd and I watched our first episode this morning. There was a 2 year old named Marleigh that really gave her mother a run for her money. At one point she repeatedly slapped her mother's face. Syd later told us, "Marleigh is a tush." That she was.