Blood

Carter had his blood drawn and he was very brave. He said, "Little boys should be able to take home their blood."  I told him he could take home all the blood that is still in his body.

Art Camp

As part of Painting Party To Go, I hosted a four day art camp at my home.  I had 19 kids ages 5-10.  The kids painted a painting every day and did some other art activities.  It was really busy, but I think they all had a really great time.  I know my kids enjoyed it.

Father's Day

I took the kids to the dollar store to pick out gifts for Sam for father's day.  They always amuse me with their choices.  Carter made Sam a key holder at preschool and picked out a cell phone case for him.  Renee got him checkers and Gavin got him a novel, which he is actually reading.  Sam has plans to buy a mountain bike on craigslist, so that is his real gift.  I got him a charcoal chimney in the mean to cook his porterhouse steaks Alton Brown style.  They were really good.  Here is the recipe if you are interested.

Celebrating 13 Years

Sam and I spent the night at a bed and breakfast in Fort Worth to celebrate our 13th anniversary.  Mary spent the night with the kids.  Lockheart Gables is charming.  It was built in 1894 as a family home and so much about it reminded me of my parents house.  We ate dinner at Del Fresco's, which was fantastic.  The rest of our stay we spent hauled up in our room, enjoying the quiet and a break from our busy lives.  The heart shaped tub was a special treat.  Breakfast was brought to our rooms at our requested time.  We didn't even have to get dressed, just put on a robe:)  Before we returned home we stopped at the Amon Carter American Art Museum and saw the John Singer Sargent paintings that were leaving with the Clark exhibition.

Our welcome cookies

Jetted heart shaped tub

Breakfast in our room.

Horseback Riding Camp

Renee got to spend her days this week at horseback riding camp.  She even got to sleep over on Thursday night.  We picked her up on Friday and the girls put on a horse show.  Renee did the barrel race pattern for us.  It looked like Sissy (the black and white horse) didn't really feel like doing the barrel race pattern:)  Renee sure loves horses.  I am not really sure what she will do with this skill, although you can get a rodeo scholarship to Texas universities.  She is already asking for a horse but I keep telling her that our HOA won't allow it.  

Renee riding Cowgirl

Carter with the newest horse at Horse Crazy Stables.

Fruit of the Spirit

"The fruit of the spirit is in this cake." - Carter while eating strawberry shortcake. Thank you Methodist preschool.

Bowl Pride

Gavin loves the bowl that he made at camp so much that he is eating dinner out of it.

Cub Scout Day Camp

Gavin gets to spend the week going to cub scout day camp.  Each parent has to volunteer one day, so I got to go on Monday.  It sure is hot being outside all day in Texas.  Gavin had a great time with his friends.

Javelin throwing.

Archery

Sling shot making  

Gavin's BB gun target.

Digging through an owl pellet 

Making a caveman bowl.

This is what it is like being there:)

Collin Classic

My girlfriends and I rode the Collin Classic. 60 miles took Lindsey and me 3 hours and 50 minutes. It was really hot, and 60 miles was really tough, but we made it!  Most interesting thing we saw was a huge bird, maybe a hawk or a falcon, swooped down and flew right into a bike ahead of us.  It bounced off landing on the road and just sat there looking quite stunned.  Kris and Kelli said they saw it fly off, so it was okay.    Never thought I would see a bird get hit by a bike.  Especially such a large bird.

Lindsey, Kris, Kelli, and me before the race.

At the start line.

Lindsey took this of me while she was ride.  (She has excellent balance)

Rest stop at mile 40.  We rubbed ourselves down with melting ice, filled out bottles with ice and water, and even got a  popsicle.  

We made it!

Lunch after the race.  Kris, me, and Kelli

I'm a Docent!

Today I became a full fledge docent at the Kimbell Art Museum when I gave my 50 minute tour.  The program has been a ton a work.  I did more reading for this than any of my college classes.  Even though it was tough I have loved the experienced and have learned so much.  

Turkish Tile

We took the kids to a Mexican restaurant and Gavin pointed out some tiles and told me, "Those are Turkish tiles." I asked him how he knew that. He said, "From the Snake Charmer." It is a painting by 
Gérôme that is part of the Clark Collection.  It is on exhibition at the Kimbell Art Museum right now.  I am very proud.

Venus Transit

We went to the Science Museum to view the Venus Transit, with the help of the Fort Worth Astronomical Society.  A Venus Transit is when Venus passes between the Earth and the sun.  We can see Venus (with protective glasses) as a black spot on the sun.  It won't happen again until 2117.

Wearing her Venus Transit button and Fort Worth Astronomical Society button.

You can see some the the telescopes set up behind the kids.

Another way to see it.

or on the computer.

Gavin looking at the transit.

The Science Museum projected the live image on the wall.  Each kids wanted their picture with it.

another way to view it

Carter still can't keep his pants up.