First Day of School

Here we go, another school year. Now there are two in school.

My mom always made me wear a dress the first day of school to make a good impression. I suggested that to my daughters, but they didn't agree with my recommendation. They wanted to wear their new t-shirts. They said that they looked nice and they were comfortable. I couldn't fault them on their second point. Being able to play on the playground is very important, so I figured as long as they brushed their hair and teeth it really wasn't important what they wore. In typical Ava fashion, she opted for color coordinated t-shirt, leggings and sparkle shoes. Elizabeth still prefers eclectic fashions and went for cowboy boots, a skort, and a tie shirt. It says formal, yet fun. Sometimes, I can't believe these two are sisters. Ava will weary very few of Elizabeth's hand me downs, and they only have one identical outfit. My little girls are growing up, and I fun to watch their sense of style emerge, but sad that I can't dress them up anymore. Baby boys aren't that much fun to dress.

Elizabeth was a bit reserved about her first day of school. You do have to cut her some slack because she changed schools. She found school shopping boring, other than picking out a new backpack and outfit. Last year she carried a Transformer backpack all year. This year, she picked out a WWE backpack with John Cena on it. I asked her how she knew who John Cena was and her response it that she watched wrestling with daddy. A claim that Ryan denies.

Ava couldn't have been more excited. She talked about this day for a month straight. She was in heaven during school shopping, picking out a backpack (Princesses), crayons, folders, pencils, and a new outfit for school. While she was little reserved at meet the teacher, she had no fear when I dropped her off the first day. She is the child who will show you every worksheet she completed, every picture she colored, what she did, and what everyone one else did also. The hard part isn't getting her to tell you about her day, it is getting her to stop.

I hope the girls have a good school year. I have heard great things about Ava's teacher. The school is small, 170 kids with just Kinder and 1^st. Every teacher has a full time teacher's assistant, which is great when there are about 20 in each class. They have music, art, computer, library, and gym on a weekly basis, plus lots of field trips.

Ava's 5th Birthday

Ava said she wanted a surprise party this year for her birthday. She didn't want anyone to tell her when it was her birthday. Ava has a general concept of months and days of the week, but she doesn't understand dates yet, so surprising her on her birthday wasn't too difficult. No one talked about her birthday the week prior, and we didn't wish her happy birthday day when she woke up the day of her birthday. We just sent the kids off to daycare as usual while we worked. Ryan made a crown cake this year and decorated it with berries and candy for our little princess. She secretly wishes that she could have been born into nobility.

When I picked the kids up in the afternoon, I sent the others inside and asked Ava to help me with the garbage cans. Then we came in and when she walked up the stairs everyone one yelled surprise. She was surprised and very happy. We just had a small family celebration, and Ava was quite content with cake and some presents. Little things can make her so happy.

Goodbye Old House

We are out of here. Last morning in our old house. It is sold and destined for another family now. We are off to North Carolina for an at least a couple of years. We came to this house with 2 and a babe, and we leave with 3 and a babe. I promise we will not be adding any more kids after this move. Our fish, Pinky and Sharky, went to live with some friends. Sam the dog is coming with us. Texas has been wonderful to us. Good jobs, great schools and childcare, awesome friends, fantastic weather, and gracious family nearby. We can only hope that North Carolina can match at least half the list.

Colorado Vacation

Ryan's best friend, Mark, invited us to join him and his family on a vacation in Colorado for a week in July. In addition, his wife invited her cousin and her family out as well. The result was 9 kids, 6 adults, and pure chaos for the week. Someone was always hungry, tired, in tears, whining, fighting, or upset. Alcohol for the grown-ups and snacks for the kids made it all bearable.

Despite the amount of time it took to get everyone out the door, we did get to see and do a lot on our trip.

• The kids got to play in the snow and go sledding in JULY. We reaffirmed that Elizabeth loves the snow, and Casey hates being cold.

• We took some beautiful hikes and saw lots of waterfalls. The kids even did a six miler, which is not easy at 10K ft, and the first half of the hike is all up hill. Casey was a real trooper and completed every hike under his own power.

• We saw mountain goats. Elizabeth can climb like one. She and Ryan did a little bouldering adventure.
• We took in the Breckenridge 4th of July parade and fireworks. The fireworks were pretty weak, but the kids enjoy them and all the candy they got at the parade.
• The boys toured the New Belgium Brewery.
• We also took a tour of an old mine and learned about how to pan for gold. Ava found all sorts of pretty stones, but alas no gold. We also dropped in on "Old Town Days" in Frisco to learn more about the gold rush and the mining culture.

Run, and jump, and sled and play, while Gaby Baby slept the day away. Ten week old Gabriel spent most of his vacation in the back pack or in bed, so his adorable little face was not captured in any photos.

Odd converstations

Kids will say the darnedest things, and I would hate to forget what they are so I figured it is best to record them here. These are two recent ones pertaining to death. The girls brought them up on two different and very random occasions.

While driving home from work/daycare:
Ava: Mom, when am I going to die?
Mom: Well Ava, most likely you won't die until you are a very old woman.
Ava: You mean like when I am 24?
(Personally, I am hoping she can live happy and healthy to the ripe old age of 94.)

Dropping off a movie at Redbox:
Elizabeth: Hey Mom, when Dad dies can we get a cat?
(Ryan was not so amused that he could be so easily replaced. Perhaps he shouldn't be allergic to cats.)

Midsummer night's dream

While big sister is away, Ava will play

Ryan headed off to his annual NASCAR pilgrimage over Father's Day weekend. This year's race was in Michigan. Since he was flying through Ohio to meet up with his brothers, he decided to take Elizabeth with him so she could spend the weekend with GinaMom and crew. Here on the home front when I am short a kid, I go and adopt another. Ava invited her best friend, Analiese, to a play date at the Splashpad (which is are favorite "free" place on a hot day and fantastic for taking pictures) followed by a sleepover. I swore that I wouldn't let the girls have sleepovers until they were 8, but I caved because we are moving in 3 weeks and this is Ava's one and only true friend. Of course, I had a little girl in tears at 9:30 at night asking me to call her mom, so that she could go home. Fortunately, I got her calmed down and asleep before 10pm. I knew she wouldn't have wanted to miss out on a pancake breakfast in the morning with Ava. Casey had a good old time terrorizing his sister and her friend. Gabe just stayed out of the way... what a good boy!

Before I forget about number 4

Gabriel's 4 month milestones: -rolls front to back and back to front -big grins and a hearty laugh -still wakes me up twice a night -loves the music on his swing and playing with his feet

P.S. His spots have all cleared up and he has beautiful smooth baby skin.

Schools out for summer

This girl rules the school.

Elizabeth had a great head start in schooling from last year's private Kindergarten program at her daycare. She did fantastic this year. Her biggest academic improvement was her reading. She is now reading by sounding out words she doesn't know and using context clues. In addition, she is gaining speed in her reading. She is starting to enjoy sitting down and reading to her brother and her sister, when they will actually sit still long enough to listen to her read. I will catch her at night looking at books when she should be sleeping. She is looking forward to the day when she can read the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series all by herself.

She also learned a lot socially. She learned how to deal with peer pressure when a girl in her class told her that she could only wear "girl" clothes, and that her favorite camo pants and football jersey were taboo. Elizabeth was probably the only girl in school to a wear a pink tutu and carry a Transformer backpack. Her teacher even commented on how much she looked forward to the outfits that Elizabeth put together. One day would be legwarmers with basketball shorts and a pirate t-shirt. The next would be a dress, boots, and a headband. Elizabeth is very particular about putting together "girl clothes" and "boy clothes."

Side note: All I can say is that her fashion sense is nothing like Ava's, who I think has been secretly reading Vogue. That young one is all about skinny jeans, leggings and boots, lip gloss, and doing her hair. She will now do some model pose when you take her picture. She claims that she learned it from her Aunt Andrea.

Casey joined me to watch Elizabeth's Kinder"garden" show.

Elizabeth is a social butterfly and makes friends easily. She also has a bit of sass that drives me crazy. Like the time she told me that she "isn't my maid" when I asked her to throw some papers away. She is also my child who leave her shoes and jacket in the middle of the floor and forget to brush her hair in the morning. Arrgh! I hope we can raise a nice young lady. It is challenge as well as a pleasure to try.

He gots the spots

What does Gabriel have?

a) Chicken pox

b) Eczema

c) Impetigo

or d) no one really knows so we will treat him for all of the above.

Any way you slice it, the poor little guy isn't very happy.

The youngest man

There have been some requests for updates on Gabriel.

Currently, his favorite activity is to talk to and play with his feet. If there is a blanket on his feet, it makes the game even better. The crazy things that entertain you when you are 3 months old. I love this little guy.

Our new home (before)

Hopefully, our new home on June 15th. 4 bedroom, 3 bath, 2200 sq ft, 3/4 acre, and backs up to the elementary school. Here are the pictures to document the "before." We will be moving in July, so give us a little time to post the "after." Everyone is getting excited for the move, but we are also very sad to leave our great TX friends behind.

1963 Bi-level home w/ carport

Master bedroom World's smallest master bath Living RoomKitchen (I'm a big fan of the wall paper) Family room Kid's bedroom (others are similar) Guest BathKid's bath Backyard

Mutton Bustin'

The girls pre-Mutton Bustin'

Elizabeth- post Mutton Bustin' She broke her arm up near the shoulder. It is a place that they can't cast, so she is in a sling with an ace bandage wrapped around her body to immobilize her arm. It was one hell of a ride! She is such a champ.

Ramblin' Man

Casey has graduated from speech therapy. He is now solidly in the normal range for speech (pronunciation), as well as expressive and receptive language skills. A big thanks to Crystal, his therapist, for working with him two days a week for the last 18 months.

April Action

Wow, it is only April and we are already in Stage 1 water restrictions here in San Antonio. It is hot, hot, hot. Much to Elizabeth's chagrin we don't have a pool in our back yard and we need to find other ways to play outside, yet stay cool. Luckily not all of the rivers in Texas are dry creek beds.

We can't keep clothes on this boy.

The Friesenhahns invited us over for their annual Easter lunch and egg hunt. After hosting the Brooke Army Medical Center Auxiliary Easter Party at my house the previous week with about 50 people between moms and kids running a muck, I figured the Friesenhahn luncheon sounded like a good way to simplify life . It was a smaller gathering then usual as the younger generations are going off to school, getting married, and starting families of their own. The girls especially missed Aunt Andrea. However, even she was forgotten when we let the kids dive into their Easter baskets.

The month was rounded out with Gabe and I taking a house hunting trip to North Carolina, leaving Ryan with the other 3. He survived but I did hear quite a few words about devil children. All I can say is welcome to my world, as he has been gone for the previous 8 weeks leaving me to single parent. They are not bad kids, just high spirited. It doesn't help that their world has gotten a little crazier with a new baby brother, our house is for sale, and dad off training for two months straight. Things will get better after the move this summer. The good news it that we have a contract on a house in North Carolina. Sorry Elizabeth, still no pool in the backyard, but the house does back up to an elementary school so that we have playgrounds and soccer fields at our disposal and the YMCA is down the street. More on the house to follow.

H-A-P-P-Y B-I-R-T-H-D-A-Y!

Just a private party at home with family this year, which was just fine by Casey. He was not about to share his "Happy Birthday cake" with friends. At least this year he can tell me the name of his friends. He speech has improved so much. He can even be understood on the telephone. His speech therapist said he could be discharged when we leave here. Now, if we can just get him fully potty trained. Casey currently has a thing for Mickey Mouse and Justin Bieber. (I blame his sisters for the latter). I figured Mickey was the better option for a cake. Not much has changed in the last year. He is a little taller a little heavier, but still a runt. Casey is still crashing into things and usually sports more than his fair share of bumps and bruises. However nothing will slow him down, he is bound and determined to keep up with his sisters. Since Elizabeth has entered Kindergarten, Casey and Ava have become best buddies. He will call for Ava first thing in the morning to let him out of his room and then curl up on the couch with her to watch cartoons. Casey is charming and delightful one minute, and destructive and obstinate the next. Most recently he destroyed his window blinds because he didn't want to take a nap. We prefer our sweet little boy, and hope that he will grow to be a good big brother over this next year. A marble run was his birthday gift this year, which all the kids are enjoying. I figure about the time they get bored with it, I will have to put it away because Gabriel will be crawling and putting everything in his mouth.

I am three, don't mess with me!