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.