I LUV San Antonio

On Saturday morning, we decided to fly to San Antonio to watch the 5A state football playoffs.  Steve went to Trinity and wanted to support his team.  It was a great game and they won in overtime.  We were on tv at the very end for a family hug.  We have it recorded on TIVO.  I am hoping to get it off there and upload it on here.  We'll see.

We enjoyed the rest of the day in San Antonio.  The kids wanted to go the the Alamo and so we toured it during the afternoon.  We went to the Riverwalk for dinner. It was all decorated with Christmas lights.  So beautiful, but very crowded.  We went to my favorite Mexican restaurant, Cafe Ole.  They had changed their salsa and food wasn't too great.  Guess we'll try someplace different next time.  We stayed the night and went to the Riverwalk again for lumch on Sunday.  We tried the Texas restaurant and enjoyed great burgers!  We also took a boat ride through the river; this was the kids favorite part of the weekend. 

We had an easy time getting there and back home.  Maybe we'll try using our free flights more often.

Shane's success!

12-6...On the Shane side of things, he has just woken up for the third day sleeping in underwear without an accident.  He has been potty trained since he turned three, but has been wearing Good-Nights to bed at night.  (Pull-ups didn't hold enough.)  Since his "pull up" has been dry so often the past few months, we decided to try underwear!  So far we are 3 for 3!  He is working to fill up a sticker chart for a Little Kin baby seal.

Update...12-17...We are on day 15 now and have only had one accident.  Steve and I are taking turns waking him to use the potty in the middle of the night.  Believe me, this is better than being up, changing the sheets, and trying to console an extrememly disappointed, crying child.  We now have "Cutie" (a little white seal) and can play with him on Webkinz.com.  We are working to get 20 stickers this time!

Author's Celebration

Sarah's second grade class hosted an Author's Celebration today.  This followed their party and all parents were invited.  It was funny, yet pleasing to me that Sarah was more excited to share the story she had written than about the Christmas breakfast.  (I was thrilled that the two kids' parties were at two different times so that I could attend both.) 

The teacher had it set up so that they got to sit in a Director's Chair in front of the class and they got to blow "New Year's Eve" type horns to celebrate each student's story.  What fun!  Her story was about her Disney cruise that my parents took them on in Nov.  Hopefully, it will come home soon so Steve, Grandy, and Papa can read it, and I can post.  One thing that was especially cute, was that throughout her writing, she talked about herself and also included details about Shane's experince.  They really do love each other, even though they seem to be going through a "He's looking at me....She has her feet on me" stage.

Did you know? Santa cannot read

Shane got to visit with Santa today at his preschool Christmas party.  When I arrived, he told me that Santa cannot read.  When I asked him how he knew that, he said..."I sent him my list, but he still asked me what I wanted. He couldn't read my list." He told Santa that he wanted a double Lightsaber and an Incredible Hulk figure. 

He enjoyed his party and getting a new book.  It was fun to be able to be there and to just "be a mom!"

Great News! Santa doesn't have a budget!

Sarah and Shane were talking about their Christmas "lists" the other night in the car.  Shane looks through every ad and toy catalog that comes in our house and cuts out pictures for his list.  After he filled the third page with wanted toys (5 of which are different types of car racetracks), we started talking about one or two that he would REALLY like to have.  I explained that Santa has to get gifts for so many children, so he cannot get everybody all the things on their lists.  Therefore, he has narrowed down his list to include an Incredible Hulk figure and a double lightsaber that is red like Darthmaul's.

Anyway, he was asking Sarah what she REALLY wanted and trying to help her decide on two must-have items.  She wants the Paperoni craft kit and a Just Like You American Girl doll.  Another big item that Sarah has on her list is the American Girl doll Treehouse.  Shane reminded her of this item and we were talking about how this item is very expensive ($250).  He said, "That's OK, Mommy, Sarah can just get it from Santa."  Obviously our economy lesson didn't stick, but its nice that the kid dreams BIG!

Later on in the conversation, I overheard Shane asking Sarah if she had a little sister on her list.  He said that he was asking for a little brother.  Oh, my!

Check out this blog...adorable craft ideas

I was checking on a friend's blog and she had this post...
"So a friend of mine suggested I check out her friends blog, and I love it! This gal has great ideas and is very witty. She is actually doing a give-a-way right now. Go on over and check it out."

Here is the blog...  http://www.barnesfamilylove.blogspot.com/

All you mom's of little, not yet kindergarten girls, you must scroll down to see the instructions for making tu-tu skirts.  Adorable!  Wishing mine were still little so she could wear a skirt like this (for half a second...then I remember all the fun we have now that she is older). :)

I decided to become a follower.  My job is over, so why not.  All I do all day is sit around, drink hot cocoa, and play on the computer, right!

Conversations with Sarah

Well, today is Sunday and since we go to the late church service, it is a day for sleeping in.  Not for me, I guess.  I was up late Christmas shopping online and woke up at 6:45 ready to get out of bed.  It's gonna be a good day! :)  So...what to do in a nice quiet house?  While I should be cleaning up my study floor, I know there is carpet under there somewhere, I am choosing to blog instead. (This room is full of in progress scrapbooking projects, Girl Scout stuff and permission slips, etc.)

Yesterday, Sarah and I had two memorable conversations...

#1 After the Girl Scout Cookie University, we came home to wait for our friends to come over and play.  Our friends got a cat last week and today it is not doing well at all.  I was trying to explain to Sarah that the cat had surgery last week so that it couldn't have babies.  The vet thinks that the stress of the surgery caused some other underlying health condition to pop up and the cat might not make it. 

Anyway, Sarah said, "Maybe the cat was pregnant." I explained that the cat was a boy, so it couldn't be pregnant."  Sarah then said, "Well then why did he need surgery?  I quickly said, "So that it can not get a girl cat pregnant."  Sarah replied with "Huh? I don't understand." I told it was hard to explain and that seemed to be enough for now.  I wonder how long it will be until she comes back to me to answer that BIG question?  I pray that I will have the right words.


#2  Last night, we were watching Survivor in my bed all cuddled together and the kids started wrestling.  I told them if they didn't stop they would have to go in YONDER.  Sarah said, "Yonder?"  That's what Grandy and PaPa call the living room.  HA!  I called my dad so he could have a good laugh too. Over Thanksgiving we were tesing both my mom and dad about saying "Wrastling!"  Don't you just love Texas slang!

Sad hamster news

A few months ago, I wrote a post about hamsters making great pets. Well, Whiskers died yesterday,and so now, losing two hamsters this year, I have changed my mind. :(

We got our first hamster, Princess, on Sarah's birthday in January. She came home from school one day in April to find that it had died. So, we took her to Petsmart and she chose one that had the same grey coloring, only a little fatter, and she named her Whiskers.

Whiskers started out a bit grumpy. Not quite as willing to cuddle as Princess was, but she got used to us (and Shane's "love you to death" ways). We enjoyed the Hamster Derby a few weeks (or was that months?) back and things were going well.

Right before Halloween, Steve noticed that she had a big black bump on her tummy. We thought it was an abscess. So, we took her to a vet in Southlake that treats hamsters. They are considered "exotic pets" and therefore cost a lot to treat. But, when your kids look at you and ask what can we do for her, of course, you call and make an appointment and pay the $5o office visit. They found that she either had an infection or a tumor. They gave sold us some medication if it was an infection, and said that it might help. If it didn't, then it was a tumor and because it was located under left leg, near her abdomen, they could not operate to remove it.

The blackness went away, but not the huge bump. It was about as big as a grape...which is big if you are only 3-4 inches long and weigh less than a pound. Well, now, three weeks later. She did not make it. We returned yesterday from a short road trip to Glen Rose, to find her very lethargic and breathing very heavily. We explained to the kids that she was very sick and that she needed to be cuddled and told good-bye. Sarah held her for a good hour or so and then we decided it was time for bed. Just as we were about to tuck in the kids (who chose to sleep in the dining room floor next to the hamster cage),Whiskers stretched out long, gave a little squeak and passed away. Steve told Sarah that the little squeak was hamster's way of saying "I love you." Steve also found a bible story that told about Jesus' ascension into heaven that helped us explain where Whiskers went. Steve's grandmother, Grammye, died 5 years ago, and it comforted the kids to think of her in heaven with a new pet.

How humbling it is to watch your kids go through a loss like this and not really be able to help them. It is so hard to hold a heart-broken child and not be able to "fix-it." At least we have the knowledge to explain that although it is not what we would have chosen, and that we don't understand why it happened, at least we can trust that God has a big PLAN of each one of us. And, somehow, this loss and pain fits into that PLAN.

Halloween 2009

Star Wars Tent

I know that I have posted before about it being ironic that we bought a house with enough bedrooms for each of our kids to have there own, And, though that may be true, they more often than not end up sleeping together.

I have noticed that sleeping arrangements have become a sort-of "economy" at our house. Sarah uses the right to let Shane sleep with her as an effective bartering strategy. For example, if she has a friend over, she tells Shane that if he leaves her and her friend alone, then he can sleep with her that night. Or, if Shane has something Sarah wants, or wishes to trade for, then she gets her way by offering to let Shane sleep with her.

Manipulative? Yes.

Creative on her part? Yes.

Do I really care where they sleep as long as they sleep well and are not in my bed or floor?

Not really.

When Shane does not sleep with her, he often sleeps in his Star Wars tent which is on the landing, right outside of Sarah's room. It is a square tent, so his little legs stick out the door.

One night, when I went to give them kisses before I went to bed, I found both of them in this little tent. It is nice to see that they really do enjoy being around each other. I am glad that they find comfort in being together.

Texas Waffles

We love to stay at hotels that include a free breakfast, espeically the ones that have make your own Texas waffles. We found this neat waffle-iron at the Texas store at Grapevine Mills Mall. Since life is so busy during the school/work week, I usually cook breakfast (pancakes or waffles) on the weekend. Sarah and I have started adding blueberries to our mix! The kids love to help mix, stir, and of course, flip the pancakes!

Creative Drums

A musician in the making for sure.

Lots of noise, oh yeah!

Fun for a little boy!

Fun teaching First Grade

Job Update:
In September, I started another long term substitute job teaching first grade. I am still at the same school I have been at for the last 2 years. (Justin Elem) I will be there until Thanksgiving. After teaching 4th grade for so many years, first grade is sooooo different. Refreshingly different. We start teaching guided reading groups on Tuesday. After I master that, I think I will feel confident about it all. While this is fun for a short time, I am still thankful that I do not have to work full-time. (IF I ever go back, I still don't think I will do kindergarten or first.)

Brownie Girl Scouts

We have started another year of Girl Scouts. Sarah is now a Brownie. We have 14 girls that meet every other week at our house. We work to earn Try It patches. The girls chose to work on Make It, Eat, Art to Wear, and Science Wonders. We are also completing scrapbook pages to go along with these badges and to document our year! They are a very craft, giggly set of little girls!

Hamster Derby

Who knew there was such a thing, huh?

Yesterday, we went to Petco, where Sarah's hamster, Whiskers, competed in the annual Hamster Derby. They divided the hamsters up into dwarf and regular sized and then they ran in heats to see who would go to the final round. (Side note...the regualr sized ones are called Teddy Bear hamsters and they are huge. Look much more like rats. Glad we got a dwarf one.)

Whiskers got second place in her first two races against other dwarf hamsters. Then she completed in the final round against one other dwarf and two BIG ones. She got third place over-all! We thought she wasn't going to get it because during the race, she got right to the finish line and stalled. Shane and I were screaming at her to keep going and cross the line! You wouldn't believe how exciting it was!

Pictures show:

• the staring lineup (there were actually 14 hamsters there to race)
• the race course
• Sarah coaching Whiskers during the warm-up practice
• Sarah giving a last minute pep-talk before Whiskers started the final race
• Coach and Whiskers with their 3rd place ribbon and prize (a treat log)
• Whiskers proudly displaying her ribbon once we got back home.

What FUN!! Some of you teased us because we have a potty-trained hamster. Now, you must really be jealous. :)

COWBOYS

Well, Steve's dream of being a Cowboys ticket holder has finally come true! He is super excited to have tickets for the 10 home games for the 2009-2010 football season. The new stadium is amazing. We have been to several concerts (Reba McIntire and Jonas Bros.), the Open House, and then to a few games. Since we only bought 2 tickets, Steve takes a different person to each game. Our seats are in section 201, row 6, seats 16 and 17. This is caddy-corner to the end zone. They have a great view of the field, the big screen overhead, and the cheerleaders. One of the pictures shows us all 4 sitting in our seats at the Open House. The kids were amazed at the vastness of the stadium and had fun going all the way to the top of the nose-bleed section. Another picture shows Steve with the tickets before he had to tear off the first one. Being the husband-of-a-scrapbooker that he is...he knew it was important to take a picture of the tickets before the picture was disrupted.

I enjoyed going to the Inagural Game against the Giants. I am not a fan, but it was impressive and exciting to be at the game. The enthusiasm of the fams was very contagious and we had a good time. One of the pictures is of a huge U.S flag that military service members unrolled on the field during half-time. Steve's sister Debbye bought a party pass for the game and had her picture taken with the Tom Landry statue.

"Hey Batter, Batter!"

Shane's first T-Ball game was this Saturday. He played last spring and liked it so much we decided to play with the local YMCA this season. His team is the Aggies and is made up of 3-4 year old boys. It was quite fun to watch. Here are some of the highlights:

• Kids hitting the ball and then running after that same ball
• Kids running to third after a hit
• A kid crying at first because he didn't want to run to second
• Many kids on one base at a time
• Inning 1: Kids watching the ball as it was hit and noone going after it
• Inning 2: Kids dog-piling each other and trying to wrestle for the ball

The pictures show Shane in his uniform, Shane with Coach Brian ready to bat, hitting the ball, and then waiting for a "High-5" after scoring a run.

Shane's first day of preschool

Shane is attending Heritage Christian Preschool again this year. He is in the 4 year-old Zebras class. He absolutely loves school and attends T/Th from 9-2 pm. They do a lot of kindergarten prep stuff and also learn bible verses and stories. They go to Life Prints where they explore science and Spanish.

Do they make a bed bigger than a king?

With last night's storm, I gained two extra people in my king-sized bed. At midnight, I finished a 3+ hour phone call with my mom and went up to check on the kids. Shane has been sleeping with Sarah a lot these days. She uses it as a bartering system when she has friends over. "Shane, if you let me and Kate play alone, then you can sleep with me tonight..." Pretty smart girl. I think she is comforted by him as much as he is by her. If she won't let him sleep in her bed, he sleeps outside her door in a little Star Wars tent. Hopefully they'll still get along like this as teenagers. I said hopefully. {picture to follow}

Anyways...when I went up to check on them, Sarah was wide awake, scared of the thunder. Steve was out of town, so I invited them down. I don't think any of us slept well. Shane was in the middle, but his knees and feet were on me the whole time. Next time, I think he is going sleep in the floor. I keep a pillow and blanket on my side of the bed so that when he shows up he has a place. Note, he came down often when he was allowed in the bed, but since I put out this blanket, he doesn't come near as often.

I read Cari's post about the 4 of them in the same situation, and I think they have a queen! Maybe I should just utilize the lock in the bedroom door?

bible

Tonight at dinner we were talking about the bible and and how there are only 2 books named after ladies. (Ruth and Esther.) Well, Sarah pondered this a minute and then as serious as can be asked "What are we going to do in Sunday School once we have learned all the bible stories?"

I have done several studies and still don't even feel like I have a little glimpse at all the bible has to teach us. Sarah on the other hand is worried about running out of content. Oh, the things kids think and say. :)

2nd grade...here she comes!

Tuesday was the first day of school for Sarah! She has been ready to start for about a month now, missing the hussle and bussle of school, playing with friends, and chasing boys at recess. She didn't want a backpack this year, but chose a messenger bag instead. She did consider a Jonas Brothers bag for half a second, but went with Hannah Montana, of course.

At the end of first grade, Sarah's class "visited" second grade so that they would know what to expect. Sarah wished all summer to have the teacher that she visited, and she did get Mrs. Buce. Not only did she get a great teacher, but she also has several other girl scouts, her best friend from down the street and some kindergarten buddies all in her class. We're hoping that she is able to control her behavior as well as she has in the past! She is not quite as chit-chatty as her mother (yet).

Happy Anniversary

Steve and I celebrated 14 years this past week! Our brother-in-law kept the kids so we could go out. We decided to go to Itallianni's...the place where it all began. The food was great, Bellini was cold, and of course the company was perfect. If you haven't eated there, check it out. It is on Precinct Line Rd in Hurst.

For those of you that don't know, here is a little of our story...Steve and I started dating in the fall of 1993; I was a senior at Richland High School and Steve was a senior at UTA. My best friend Cari was working there and always raved about the food and how much fun she had. I decided to get a summer job to save up a little cash; little did I know that getting that job would be the start of a whole new future.

Steve worked as a bartender while he was going to school. He also participated in ROTC at TCU where he would get a Commision in the Air Force the following year. He always tried to woo me with chocolate milk, milkshakes, or cherry-sprites. After a while, and a smart decision stop dating the guy I was dating, Steve asked me out. We went to see a movie and pretty much things continued from there. We dated all through my senior year and Steve willingly went to many high school functions...dances, games, pep rallies, and prom. We continued to work together, even once he graduated and I went to TCU for my freshman year.

Steve went active duty in February 1995. When I went to Biloxi, MS over Spring Break to visit, he proposed. We got married August 12th! Steve's military career took us to South Carolina (Air Traffic Control training) , New Jersey (ATC for him and I graduated from Rowan University), Mississippi (pilot training for Steve and subbing for me), Washington (Teaching 4 years and a graduate degree in Reading and Literacy for me, C-17s for Steve and SARAH was born!) and finally to Del Rio, TX (Steve taught students to fly the T-1 and I stayed home with Sarah and SHANE).

Now we are back in Texas, near where we both grew up. {Steve graduated from Trinity}

Wow! What a ride it has been! Here's looking forward to 46+ more years!!

Wanting a new camera

I am officially in need of a new camera. Steve tried to get me a new one last year, but I resisted. Now, the one I have is just taking too blurry of pictures. So...I am seeking advice for a good camera. I am looking for a brand, price range, why you like it, etc. Please leave a comment if you have an opinion.

Thanks for any input you might have.

Lunch, funny questions, and PaPa's farm

We ate lunch with Grandy today at Red Lobster. My grandma Beej, mom, and I used to eat there each time we came home for a visit {during our 12 years in the military}. I guess Sarah eventually started eating with us, too. I always eat snow crab legs; today, Sarah also ordered a kid's portion. Boy there were a lot of shells to crack!!

In March 2007, Beej had surgery for colon cancer. The surgery and removal of cancer was successful, but during the surgery, her hernia expanded and compromised the air in her lungs...she has been in a nursing home and unable to walk ever since then. Until recently, she was also on a pureed food diet. So...today we snuck her in some coleslaw and those wonderful Cheddar Bay biscuits!

Anyway...while we were eating, Shane asked "What kind of animal does chicken come from, a pig or a cow?" We all answered "Chicken!" Shane then asked, "The bock-bock kind?"

With PaPa's farm in Burleson, the kids are immersed in a whole range of fun experiences. PaPa has many cows which he raises and then sells or butchers. He trapped three wild hogs [Bacon, Tenderloin, and Pork Chop]; we have enjoyed the meat from one-but, not sure which one. We also love to go down and pick fresh fruits & vegetables--corn, zucchini, squash, watermelon, blackberries, potatoes, sweet potatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, and mouth-watering tomatoes.

Have I mentioned that I am so glad to be back in Texas and close to family!!

Meeting Darren Sproles

One of the highlights from our vacation to San Diego was meeting Darren Sproles (#43) who is the back-up running back for the San Diego Chargers. Steve is a true COWBOYS fan, but he also watches San Diego games so that he can hear "Sproles scored a touch down." Now let me just put in here, that with tivo, Steve is able to replay these announcements over and over to make sure that each person in our family gets to hear. :) Even though his name is spelled differently, it is pronounced just like ours. Here is the process that we went through to get our picture made with him...

Day 1-- We went to the retail store and found out where the player's practice facility was located. Then we went there and met a really nice receptionist who told us that we had just missed Darren. She told us to come back the next day a little earlier.

Day 2 -- We went back to the practice place and found that Darren had not come in that day. We met another nice representative of the team that let us take pictures with the trophy case and also with a poster featuring Sproles making a great catch that were both in the lobby. At this point, we thought this was all we might get, so we were excited.

Day 3 -- We went once more to the practice field and found out from a not so nice secretary, whom was filling in for the super nice lady, that Darren was practicing, but we could not wait in the lobby for him. We could, however, wait outside in the parking lot. He also told us that Darren drove a white Chrysler...something or other...and that as long as his car was there, then we might catch him. So, outside we went to wait. We waited for 45 minutes to an hour and made friends with a guy that washes the player's cars each week. He went inside and talked to Darren and told him that there was a family visiting from Texas with the same name that would like to meet him. Not sure if he told him we were stalking him, or what, but anyway...Then the car-washer-guy came out and told us that Darren was wearing a red shirt. This helped us "pounce" on the right player. Well, as it all turned out, Darren was a very nice guy that took a picture with us. He was a little shorter than we had expected, a couple of inches shorter than my 5'9". I guess this helps him "hide" behind the big guys and then run fast in for touchdowns.

Here is a link that Steve sent me about Darren Sproles http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9KxK9k6sI8&feature=related

Steve is super-excited about the fact that San Diego will be playing here in Dallas this season. Steve will be the one COWBOY fan wearing a Sproles jersey, cheering on his namesake. Luckily, the game is well into the season; hopefully, by then, Steve will have befriended those ticket holders around us well enough that they don't bludgeon him with their programs. If Steve has it his way, he will trade game tickets with those around us, so that all 4 of us can attend this game!

Garlic Lime Chicken Marinade

This was super easy, and the chicken was so moist!

Ingredients:
4 chicken breasts
1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup fresh lime juice --about 2 med-sized limes
1 T. Worcestershire sauce
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 tsp. coarsely ground pepper

Instructions:
1. Place chicken in a ziploc bag. Mix together soy sauce, lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic and mustard. Pour remainder over chicken in bag. Toss to coat well.
2. Marinate in fridge 30 min or up to 4 hours. Drain chicken; discard leftover marinade. Sprinkle chicken with pepper.
3. Grill chicken and enjoy!!

More Fun for Sarah

Sarah earned her first Brownie "Try-It" badge at a Girl Scout Workshop at the Young Chef's Academy in Ft. Worth. http://youngchefsacademy.com/

The badge was called "Make It - Eat It." At her cooking class they made sloppy joes, Brownie soup, baked apples, and lemonade. This was right up her alley, as she loves to help out in the kitchen. This summer, she has taken a real interest in helping her PaPa in the kitchen. He is a great chef and has a lot to teach her. He doesn't always know how to duplicate a recipe beacuse he puts a little of this and a little of that, but I think that's probably true of most cooks.

I wish I had paid more attention to the things he tried to teach me about cooking before I got married. Maybe then Steve and I would have eaten a lot fewer "out-of-the-cardboard-box" meals as newlyweds.


Yesterday, we went to Sunshine Glaze Art studio in Southlake http://sunshineglaze.com/ and made a mosaic picture frame. We went with Kate and her mom, Renee. I will take a picture of the finished product once we grout it. Sarah also went to this shop for a Girl Scout event and got to paint a ceramic kitty jewelry box.

Horsing Around

Colleyville hosts a Reading Celebration every summer to encourage kids to read. This is the 2nd time we have attended this FREE event. Lots to do...bow and arrow shooting, creating with Legos, make your own snow-cones, a mock cattle-drive {this time it got out of control, the longhorns kind of went wild. Lots of Daddys gathering up their kiddos to keep them safe. Why are men's reflexes so much faster?} sand art, balloon animals, and riding ponies.

We enjoyed the evening with our cousin's Lynnze' and Jimi who have recently moved back to Texas from Pittsburgh. Since Steve threw out his back this week and couldn't work, he went with us as well.

"Pedi" FUN!

Sarah got her first pedicure! We had gone to the gym to work out, but our trainer had something come up. There is a great nail place in same shopping center, so we both enjoyed some pamper time! I must say that Shane did great waiting--he played with his Batman and Robin toys in the big chair and got a little massage, too. We scheduled a Sweet and Sassy day for the weekend before school starts (Aug 25th) for Sarah and her good friend Kate.