Yeehaw!!

Wednesday was our third annual visit to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo! What a fun and exhausting day! We started with the Livestock Show which was really neat but very stinky! The kids loved the bunny rabbits that were on exhibit! I am always amazed at how beautiful the cows are once they've been shaved and groomed!
The kids' favorite part is the carnival, of course! Thomas loved the slide, but Mary Frances and Chase chose to visit the petting zoo. They had deer with collars on! How funny!
Honey and Grandaddy had fun watching the kids! My favorite part was the Caramel Apple that I wait all year long for! I know you can buy them at the store, but they just aren't the same as at the carnival! Yummmm...
Chase and Mary Frances already had rodeo hats and boots, but Thomas didn't have anything. So, we started him off with some boots from Cavender's Boot City! Then, Honey and Grandaddy bought him a cowboy hat at the rodeo. He looked so cute in it!



Check out Thomas on the camel!
Chase and Thomas both took a turn on the mechanical bull! They looked like real cowboys waving their hats around! The pictures above and beneath are of Chase.

Both pictures above and beneath here are of Thomas!

All in all, it was a fun day! But at the end of the day, we were tired and ready to leave it all behind!

Day 2

We slept until NINE this morning!! I seriously don't think I have done that since before kids - even on days when the kids have been elsewhere! It was so amazingly wonderful!

After lounging around and getting some work done on the computer, the kids made lunch! Really! They made sandwiches for all three of us and called me in there when they were done! I had a drink, turkey and cheese sandwich, and chips! What a turn around!! Is this my life?

After lunch we went bowling and had a blast! We all got strikes. Mary Frances actually got two and gave us a perfect bow after each one! There were no losers. I was the first winner. Thomas was the second winner, and Mary Frances was the third winner! I love their twists on things!After a game of bowling, we stopped for a drink at Sonic and then took Thomas to get his allergy shot. Then, we went to the public library. The kids were disappointed about missing their library days at school this week. So, they asked it we could visit the public library instead on each of their days. Why not?

I loved watching them choose their books. At school they have learned all about how to choose good books. Mary Frances told me the way she chooses hers is to read it a little to see if she likes it.

Thomas requested a "book buddy" which holds the place on the shelf while you are pulling books out. The librarian didn't have one but did give them strips of paper to use instead.

After that, we went to the grocery store and then off to pick up Honey, Grandaddy, and Chase! We were so excited to see them! The kids were thrilled to be back together. It never ceases to amaze me or make me feel all warm inside at how much they view themselves as a unit.

They all had a hard time being away from each other! In fact, Chase hugged all over the kids, but completely forgot about me even though he called me several times while he was gone and said, "I hope you miss me" in the most pathetic voice you've ever heard!

Well, we're all back together -- except Ray C. who is SICK in Guatemala! We're hoping and praying he feels better tomorrow!

We're off to the rodeo tomorrow!! Yeehaw!

Houston Tourists

Today we toured Houston a little!! I told the kids I would take them to the Museum of Natural Science but didn't realize until we got downtown that they really never see it down there! I've gotten used to the city because I do so much work down there, but they were mesmerized by everything. So, we decided we were tourists for the day!Our first stop was the Metro City Station where we parked our car and paid (a very weird thing to do for those of us in the "country" where we park for FREE). Then, we made our way to the Metro Rail, paid for that, and jumped on when it made it to our stop. The Metro Rail is actually a train that runs through the downtown area of Houston and makes stops just like a city bus! We have those too, but we thought the Metro Rail would be more fun -- and it goes right through the museum district. This is the best picture we could get on the train without looking like TOTAL tourists!

When we got off the train, we had to walk 2 blocks (on another GORGEOUS day) to the museum. I pointed out several things to the kids as we walked. One was this fountain that MANY brides come to for bridal and engagement pictures. So, Mary Frances suggested that we take our own pictures. So, we stopped for a mini-photo session! When we walked back by after our trip, we saw an engaged couple, a bride, and a girl having her quincenera pictures made.


The main reason we went to the museum was to see the dinosaurs! We were so excited to see T-Rex. Well, Mary Frances wasn't, but we were! We saw several different types of dinosaurs, a mastodon, and much more! Thomas really liked the fossils!
They both agreed that the science presentation was one of their favorite parts! They both were chosen to be helpers. Thomas assisted the scientist with a density experiment. It turns out that a boiled egg will sink in fresh water and float in salt water!
Mary Frances assisted with an acid v. base experiment. I was a little afraid that he had chosen the wrong person because I could just see her dropping it as soon as it fizzed, but she did great! He put vinegar in the bottle, and then attached a balloon with baking soda in it to the top. When the baking soda dumped into the bottle, it fizzed so much that it made the balloon start blowing up! She was a great assistant!
Thomas was very excited to see the Egyptian Exhibit! We even got to see a REAL mummy, but we weren't allowed to take pictures. It even showed the CT Scans that were made when it was discovered to show the backbone and more!
Can you tell how excited he is?
Who needs to go away for vacation when you can tour your own city? I must say that I am very proud of myself for being able to get to the Metro Rail, get off on the right stop, and make it back to my car without any problems. That is saying a lot for the girl who doesn't go anywhere in Houston without the GPS!

Spring Break

We are looking forward to a unique and fun Spring Break! Ray C. left for Guatemala early Saturday morning, and my parents flew in and took Chase to Arkansas for a few days! So, Thomas, Mary Frances, and I have some special time together, and we have been enjoying ourselves tremendously!!

Saturday was much too busy to count as Spring Break with everyone coming and going and then the wedding I had to do. So, we started our Break on Sunday with Cowboy Sunday at church!! After church we ran a few little errands since no one was expecting us anywhere. Then, we came home, read, rested, and then went for a run/bike ride!

We played at the park and rode the bikes some more. Then, we came home and hung out in the house for a while until we heard the beautiful sound of THE ICE CREAM TRUCK!!! I admit it...I was the first to recognize it and start running! All the kids came out, and we enjoyed some delicious ice cream on the most beautiful day we have seen yet this year!!

It was so beautiful that we couldn't go back in. So, I cleaned out the car and the kids played until close to bedtime!!

What a fun first day!! In fact, Mary Frances said it was the best day EVER!

Egypt Day

The first graders learned all about Egypt in the last 2 weeks and finished up the unit with "Egypt Day". They had so much fun dressing up like Egyptian pharoahs, princes, and queens! Thomas and Jaryn, our neighbor, helped us make their costumes the night before. I went up to the school the next day to do some of the rotations with the kids. They made jewelry & head dresses, built pyramids out of sugar cubes, played "Are you Smarter than your Mummy?", and more! It was a lot of fun, and I can't believe how much they learned!

Thomas and Jaryn built "Patroclea" out of everything you could imagine all week long. It took a week of correcting them to finally learn her name was "Cleopatra"!!

Softball

Mary Frances decided to play softball this season. So, we signed her up at the last minute. She only got one practice in before her first game, but she did GREAT!!

We are so proud of how well she is throwing, hitting, and staying on the ball!

But most importantly, look how adorable she is!!! :)

Birds and the Bees

Unfortunately, this post is about exactly what you're thinking!! I had to explain you know what to Mary Frances last week - in much more detail than I would have liked to. But, I had already gotten out of it three or four times. It was inevitable.

I think having boys AND girls in the family just brings up these types of conversations more than those with just boys or just girls. You know, they do notice the differences!

Anyway...the story you're waiting for...we have a book called the Flip Flap Body Book that explains how the human body works. It talks all about the digestive system, the senses, etc. It also talks about how babies develop in utero. We've had the book for several years, but it has just now sparked some interest. We read it a few weeks ago, and the kids learned that a sperm and egg have to meet to make a baby and then all about how the baby develops inside the mommy. There is no indication as to how the sperm and egg get together!

So, Mary Frances and I were alone in the van riding home talking about when she was a baby in my tummy. She said something about the sperm and egg meeting when she became a baby and how that made her a girl (the "female" sperm). Then a pause...and my heart sank. I knew it was coming, and my policy has always been that I will tell the truth if asked but only as much as is needed.

So, she said, "Hey! How do those little things that look like tadpoles get inside to the egg?"

I stalled every way I could think of, and then finally said, "well, the daddy has to put them in there." So, of course, she asked, "How does he do that?"

I stalled some more, even trying what has worked before..."It's really gross. Are you sure you want to know?" She did.

So, I finally said, "When a man and woman get married, they have sex."

And of course she asked, "What's that?"

"Well, are you sure you want to know? It really is gross!"

"Yes. No. Yes. I do."

So, I just blurted it out..."The man puts his penis in the woman's vagina."

"Ewww..."

Long pause....and a very concerned question..."Will that happen to me one day?"

"Yes it will. See, that's a good reason to not worry about getting married."

So, she says, "Yeah, but the main reason is because I don't want my tummy cut open!" (That's because she learned about C-Sections last year when everyone was pregnant!)

So, we had a discussion about how this is a very private discussion and she is welcome to ask me questions, but she promised me she would not tell anyone at school. I told her that their parents did not want to talk to them about this! I also emphasized the importance of being married and how God said that sex is only for husbands and wives.

So a few days later, Thomas makes a comment at bedtime and I look at Mary Frances and say, "I told you not to tell anyone." So she says, "but he's my brother!! I didn't tell anyone else. I promise!"

So, I ask Thomas if he has any questions, and he looks at me a little embarrassed but very inquisitive and says, "How does it work?"

I said, "Well Mary Frances obviously explained it to you. How do you think it works?"

"I just thought you got married and slept with each other for a month of maybe a year and then you had a baby!"

So, I said, "How did you think the sperm got to the egg?"

His answer was, "I just thought it was magic!"

So, then we have a little family discussion about sex and how it is only for husbands and wives. We also talked about privacy, and how we need to close the door when we use the bathroom, get dressed, etc.
So to end the discussion Thomas suggests that mommy and daddy should do it again so we could have another baby! This is just way too early to be talking about this stuff...but I'm glad they learned it from me!

Valentines

FINALLY, they can all do their own Valentines!!! This is the first year that I didn't have to write the names for all the kids' valentines at school. It was so much fun to watch them carefully write their friends names - even Chase did all of his! More proof that they really are getting older!Thomas had so much fun with his MadLib Valentines.

New Incentive Chart

We started a new incentive chart a few weeks ago that encourages the kids to obey with a good attitude - not just obey!!! So, they get points for doing what they are supposed to IF they choose to do it with a good attitude! If they do it with a bad attitude or have to be reminded more than once, they just don't get the points! It has been a wonderful addition to our life!

So, the reward for the first week was cooking a special breakfast with mommy on Saturday morning! They chose....

BISCUITS
BACON
EGGS (and toast)!

We had a lot of fun making the breakfast and it was delicious!!

King Bed

It's a good thing we have a King Bed, huh?

Run, Jacqueline, Run!

So, I started running last week, and I think I'm addicted! How weird??? Several of my friends just ran the Houston Half Marathon, and I'm feeling our of the loop. On top of that, I need some good, FREE, exercise!

So, I talked my friend Tracy into running with me twice a week. We're going to start next week. So, until then, I thought it would be smart to get a head start since she's already TWO half-marathons ahead of me!!

So, the first day I ran 1.5 miles!! The second day, I ran an extra 2 minutes. A few days ago, I had a harder time breathing and ran a little over a mile, but today I ran over 2 miles!! That's about 6 miles this week!!

I am so proud of myself..but on to the addiction! I want to run more! I actually have a desire to run in the evenings after I've already run the same morning! I haven't been able to give in to the urge yet because of scheduling, but something inside of me is pushing for more!

I don't think I've ever experienced such a desire for exercise! I am thankful for the desire and praying that God will continue to give me the strength and ability to do it along with a continued desire!

Of course, half of the reason I like it is the beautiful place I live! I am so blessed to have such a beautiful neighborhood that was built for enjoying the outdoors!

So, I'm contemplating running the half-marathon with my friends next year!! But in order to get there, I would like to run some smaller races first! What an accomplishment to say I've done it!!

Mary Frances Turns 6!

We celebrated Mary Frances' 6th birthday last Saturday! I can't believe it! Her biggest gift was a much-needed new and bigger bike! It is actually a little too big, but she is doing great on it!!
This was my first year not making the cake! I was just too stressed out with everything else going on to be able to do it with a good attitude! So, with all my experience with the best bakers in Houston, we went to KROGER to pick out a cake! I should have planned a little better, but the cake was good and perfect for a 6 year old!!
We did a Fancy Nancy Princess Tea Party. Mary Frances got the Fancy Nancy Tea Parties book for Christmas. So, we decorated for the party according to "Nancy's" instructions! It was so cute...lollipop place cards stuck in marshmallows, butterfly-shaped placemats lined with glitter and adorned with jewels, plastic spoons "engraved" with the girls' first initials and also adorned with jewels, and finally tissue paper flowers to top it all off.
We used our china tea cups and some special plates I picked up for the party. Mary Frances' place was set with her own china tea cup that she LOVES to take tea in!!
Thomas and Chase dressed as servers, something they say they learned from "Polar Express". Thomas sat by the door to welcome guests as they entered! He was perfect gentleman!
We played some fun games. In this game, they had a relay race to dress up and say "Happy Birthday Mary Frances" before tagging the next person to do the same. It was a cute game.

We also played telephone and "I'm packing for Paris" - 2 quiet games we played in a circle!
We were so excited that so many of the girls in Mary Frances' class could come. A few of our neighbors were able to make it too!
What a fun day!! Happy 6th Birthday, Mary Princess!!

Bridal Show

I exhibited my Wedding Planning business at the Houston Bridal Show last week. It was an amazing experience! There were over 4000 brides that came over the two days we were there! It was absolutely exhausting, but it was so exciting to talk to each of the brides. We are hoping that more brides will know our name and call us when they need a planner!

We launched the new business name at the show. Check out my new website if you haven't already. It's www.thegrandevent.com! My amazing friend, Tracy, designed it for me!

Family Reunion

Here are more pictures that I neglected to post from the family reunion. We had such a great time!
Chase and Maggie enjoyed dancing together on New Year's Eve!
Well, Chase dances with several girls! This is Finley!

Ellen made a delicious and creative cake for Grandma and Grandpa the last night we were there! It was this chest which she designed after one they have in their home. It was filled with edible letters that all the great-grandchildren made earlier in the day! There were also a few replicas of old letters they had written to one another while dating and in their early married years. It was so unique!

Look at all those great-grandkids!
Aunt Barb and her grandson Sawyer!
Finley loved the beach - as long as mama didn't go to far away!
Look at my sweet son, Thomas! He wrote a message for me in the sand - "I love you!"
We tried over and over to get a good pyramid of ours and Heather's kids, but it was quite difficult! It did make for some funny pictures, though!

Kiernan and Regan did a great job playing the piano!
Mmmmm... gotta love Aunt Ruth's meatballs!
Check out Grayson's cool doo!