Grossology

We were meeting friends in Fort Worth for dinner, so I took the kids to the new exhibit at the Science Museum.  Carter had a full blown panic attack about going in.  I think he was afraid we were going on a ride or watching a movie.  I had to drag him up the stairs and then into the exhibit.  He ran out several times and I would have to go out and drag him back in.  (He is really heavy now.)  The whole time he was screaming that he was tired and wanted to go to bed.  After about 15 minutes he realized that Grossology was a fun place to be.  Afterwards, all he could talk about was how much he loved it.  I think it is time to see a specialist about his anxiety.  When we got to the restaurant I noticed that he had red marks on his arm.   They were from me pulling him up the stairs and into the exhibit.  Now I am worried that his preschool is going to think he is abused when all I wanted to do was take him to a science exhibit.

Renee is the only one who wants to pose for pictures, so most of these are of her. 

Face Time

Face Time is making Sam's business trip a lot easier for the kids.  I have to set the timer or they fight over him.

Pinewood Derby Time

The paint job was a little rushed, but Sam and Gavin finished this minutes before he had to get on his plane to Tennessee.  This was all Gavin's design.

Goodbye Again

Sam is off to Tennessee again, but this time he is only going for two weeks, which seems really manageable.  Now that I have my new laptop we will be able to use FaceTime, so the kids will be able to see Sam while they talk to them.  I am hoping that it helps.

Storm Trooper

I taught another painting class for Darren's birthday. Storm Troopers this time.

Fake Valentines

Sam and I don't celebrate Valentines Day on Feb. 14th.  We usually pick a Friday sometime after the date.  We do this because;  I am bratty enough to want my birthday to be all about me, restaurants are a nightmare on Valentines Day, and you can get heart shaped boxes of candy on sale.  Texas de Brazil sends me a birthday coupon for a free dinner every year, so it has now become tradition for us to go there for dinner.  I love you Sam and I love celebrating our love with half priced candy and all you can eat meat.  Thanks to Pinterst, I made Sam this awesome valentine.  I am sure all his co-workers will be jealous of it sitting on his desk.

After seeing what I made for Sam, Gavin asked me to make one for his girl friend Sydney Taylor.  I told her mom that we would be over after school and Sydney opened the door the second he knocked.  She gave him a heart shaped cookie and a note professing her love.  I am not encouraging my nine year old's romance, but I do want to teach him to give the girl he loves thoughtful gifts.

Mentos in Coke

For the science belt loop the boys have to do a science experiment for an audience.  We thought Mentos in Coke would be fun.  Here is what happened to Gavin.

Yes, he got Coke all over his face.  Yes, he loved it!

The Nelsons Visit

Alycia and the kids spent Presidents Day weekend with us since the kids had off school on Monday.  Alycia and I did some shopping and came home to find Sam and the kids like this:

They were watching the Muppets on YouTube.
We also made yummy crepes and had a little too much fun with the whipped cream

But nothing was funnier that how Renee and Sydney set up their crib mattresses to sleep on.  Sydney's is on the table and Renee's is balanced on chairs.

Cubs at the Science Museum

Lindsey and I took the bear scouts to the Fort Worth Science Museum to help them earn their science and astronomy belt loops and pins.

Gavin, Kai, and Isaac (with Lindsey and I in the background)

Spinning Tops

Gavin and Tyler making paper airplanes.

Carter after shooting off his plane.

Texas Certification

I got my fingerprints taken today, which was the last step to get certified to teach in Texas.  I passed the two tests, one about teaching in general and the other about art.  I'm so glad that is finished!

My Valentines Day Birthday

I had a fabulous birthday! Sam made me a 33 pancake.  The kids got their heart shaped box of chocolates and ate them for breakfast.  After the kids left for school I opened my huge pile of presents from my sisters and friends.  I was given such great gifts.  Thank you!  I got a message and then went out to lunch with Wendy, Rachel, and Yumiko.  When Sam got home from work, I got to open the gift that the kids picked out for me at Sam Moon (an accessories store).  My biggest surprise was the MacBook Pro, which I am using right now.  Sam asked me what I wanted on Sunday night, so I wan't expecting much of anything.  I really am so excited to have a new computer and this is my first laptop.  Kris and Peter invited us for dinner and Kris made an amazing dinner of filet mignon, ravioli in alfredo sauce, stuffed baked potatoes, salad, and pink fluffy stuff.  I brought cheesecake to blow out my 33 candles on.  My birthday really was a great one.  Thank you to everyone who helped to make it so special.

My birthday pancake.

Chocolate for breakfast.

Carter isn't complaining.  

Renee's box message is so fitting.

She wore a heart tattoo on her cheek.

My pile of presents.

My fun gifts.

My necklace with matching earrings that my kids picked out for me.

So excited!

No, the fire alarm did not go off.

I love cheesecake.

Thanks for a wonderful dinner, Kris!

The Valentines

Jenne made 60 of these valentines for the kids.  We filled the alligators with airheads.  I apologize to her future children, because she wasted the labor intensive valentines on my kids.

Boys

Gavin - "Can we invite Uncle Dane for Christmas?"
me - "We can but I don't think he will come."
Gavin - "I want to show him my burping skills."

Sam is home!

After five weeks of being in Tennessee, Sam finally got to come home.  He brought the boys helicopters, which they already broke, and a bag full of makeup and jewelry for Renee.  We are so glad to have Sam home.

Accessorizing

Jacalyn helped me do some accessorizing in my living room and dinning room.  She mostly moved around some things that I already have and of course we did a little shopping.  Thank you for making my space beautiful Jacalyn.

New lamps, host and hostess chairs, and pillows.  Jacalyn also added the art books to the coffee table.

I bought these chests over 10 years ago and restrained them in my classroom.  The plants also got tied up.

I love the new peacock chairs.

New mirrors in the entry way.  They make it feel a lot lighter.

Repositioned painting to cover . . .

the uglies on the wall.

New console table, mirror, and accessories.  Still working on finding something for the bottom.

Stock Show Rodeo

Jacalyn was lucky enough to come during the Fort Worth Stock show, so we went to the rodeo on her last night here. It was quite an experience.  We hated the announcer and the rodeo clowns, but the events were really run to watch.

Renee watching the horses.

Renee and I in our boots.

It was a huge arena.

Calf Roping

It was so much fun having Jacalyn here.  Thanks for coming.