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.

Babe's

If you come to Texas, you have to eat at Babe's.  Gavin went to Great Wolf Lodge with the Angerbauers, so Renee, Cater, and I took Jacalyn so she could enjoy some fried chicken.

100 Day

Renee wanted to bring in buttons for 100 day so we made her this shirt.

The Nightmare Bed

Sometime we wake up and find kids sleeping at the bottom of our bed.  Today I found Renée and Jinx.

Published Photographer

Nick wrote an article for Landscape Architecture and I took the photos.  It was really exciting to see them published.

Our Day in Fort Worth

I took Jacalyn to downtown Fort Worth for the day.  We went to the Justin Boot outlet, where I got my first pair of boots.  We watched the cows being herded down the street in the Stockyards, and then ate lunch at Jo T. Garcia's.  I also took her to the Kimbell Art Museum to show off all I have learned in my docent class.