Pirate Bowl-a-Thon

My work is a big time supporter of an organization called Junior Achievement, and I got roped into participating in a Bowl-a-Thon last weekend. The kids had already had a full day of baseball, McDonalds Playland, and dance/gymnastics class. I had planned on leaving them with a babysitter. However, she was a no show (her sister was involved in an accident that day), so I ended up dragging the kids along. This was the girls first time bowling. They had a blast and I think they knocked down more pins than I did. Elizabeth was pretty stoked that it was a pirate themed event. All behaved wonderfully despite forgoing naps, and I was glad to still have Sunday to recover.

Kiddie Park

This past weekend, I met up with my girlfriends and their munchkins for a trip to Kiddie Park. Kiddie Park is America's Oldest and Original Kids Amusement Park. It has been a San Antonio landmark for kids since 1925. Previously, it appeared somewhat run down and dangerous, but they closed for a couple of months for renovations, including getting rid of the roller coaster of death. They recently re-opened under new managment. All the kids had a wonderful time. There are only 8-9 rides and they are all geared towards the under 8 crowd, but it was perfect. Plenty of shade, no long lines, cheap tickets, confined space to let your kids safely run around. The girls would just run from one ride to another, or ride the merry-go-round 3 times in a row. It was so much fun we spent a couple of hours there in the morning, and then came back again after dinner.

Scariest ride in the whole place...the helicopters.

Which they rode 3 times in a row. Even Casey and I took a spin. Elizabeth's favorite ride. Casey hated it.

The bus was another popular ride, the girls loved how it jerked going around the corners.

Casey got a kick out of driving the little cars.

Pumkin Patch

It is that time of year again when everyone is blogging about pumpkin patches and apple picking. We made sure to capture our share of fall fun. The kids were off on Monday for a teacher training day, so we had big plans for an outing. There were some small hick-up due to all the rain we have had lately. We desperately needed it, but it has turned everything to mud. Two of the pumpkin patches were closed, but we finally found a third that was open and we were on our way. An hour later, after listening to "are we there yet," we arrived at Love Creek Orchards in Medina, TX. Then it was sensory overload. Tractor and pony rides, hay bale mazes, shows, a petting zoo, pumpkin muffins and apple pie, plus lots of room just to run around. The kids had a wonderful time. We may even do another outing this season, so that Ryan can join us next time.

Tractor Time

Casey likes anything with a steering wheel. Maybe NASCAR is in his blood. Ava and her new best friend. An pitiful attempt at a family picture. Don't look too close at the strange faces, or the fact that Casey is covered in mud from rolling down a hill. Special treat of the day Casey loved catching chicks and trying to rip their head off or poking them in the eyes. Shh, don't tell PETA. Elizabeth told me, "Mom, I can just sit here all day and hold this chick." True love. They dressed him. Guess who picked out the pink pants.

Project Runway

This was a project that I started before Ava's accident. I found a blog about making these twirl dresses and they looked simple enough to complete with my basic sewing skills. Ryan is always telling me to get a hobby. As if I have time for a hobby while raising 3 kids and working full time. However, the dress looked so cute, I figured I should put my sewing machine into action more than just Halloween. The blog warned that these dresses took a lot of time to assemble. I should have given that statement more merit. It took me about 5-6 nights (with a 2 month break in between) to cut all the squares, sew all the rings of squares together, and then attach all the rings. I think Elizabeth's dress has 140 squares in it, and Ava's only has a few less. Well I am finally finished! I think they turned out really well, and the weather is still warm enough for the girls to wear them. They have plenty of room to grow with their dresses, and if they get too big, I can always pair them with leggings or turn it into a skirt. Bottom line, they are going to wear them forever.Next challenge...the Halloween costumes.

Pre-Season

Ryan will have to come in here and add the explanation to the wrestling pictures. Don't expect me to tell you the difference between a cradle and a single leg. So enjoy the pictures and videos for now, and check back later for verbiage.

"I WANT THE BUM, Rrrr!"