Trip to the Big D

(Warning:  Lots of pictures)  We had planned a "little" trip.  We didn't go anywhere big this summer and I was just itching to go "somewhere."  I talked with my Mom and I talked to Summer and we couldn't really agree on a destination.  Soooo we settled on a quick trip to Dallas.  BUT less than 24 hours until departure, the weather people were predicting an "artic blast" with flurries and ice and all kinds of crazy cold things.  Well, we South Texas folks (especially my DAD) don't do that and we almost canceled the whole thing!!!  BUT I am so glad we didn't!!!!

 

I did some research and we started our trip with a trip to Palestine, Texas for a ride on the legendary Polar Express.  We were going to start the Christmas season with a BANG!!!  We caravanned up to P-town and were so happy when we got there!  Cold but happy!!!

 

 

There was an awesome train waiting for us and Rocco was in train heaven!

 

 

EVERYBODY was wearing their Christmas pajamas but I did not plan for 32 degree weather so the girls were FREEZING in their nightgowns.  (But they looked cute and they were troopers!)

 

 

ALL Aboard!!!

 

We were served delicious hot chocolate and cookies!!!  There was singing and dancing and the story of Polar Express was read to the children.  The train rode through the East Texas countryside and it was a perfect night. 

 

The train rode through the North Pole and we were told that Santa himself had boarded the train.  Can you tell my kids were waiting with baited breath?  They could not take their eyes off of the door. 

 

He's here!!!  He gave each child a beautiful bell!  It was wonderful and I may or may not have shed some tears over the perfect evening!!

 

On to our hotel in Dallas......seriously, this is all my kids care about......staying in a hotel.  They LOVE a hotel. 

 

In the morning, we literally walked 20 steps across the street and visited the Dallas World Aquarium.

 

It was an AWESOME facility.  All kinds of animals not just fish.  Birds, monkeys, reptiles, jaguars, sloths, manatees, sharks.  Uh-ma-zing!

 

Mommy doesn't always get in the pictures so we stopped and took our picture under the shark tank!

 

The jaguar was the most beautiful cat I have ever seen!!!

 

This girl falls for the flamingos every time!!  These were electric pink so even better!!!

 

When we left the aquarium, it was freeeezing and we ducted into a Subway for lunch and it was so warm.  The kids were so excited to not be outside.  Ha!!  It made the food taste yummy!!!

 

My dad had never seen Dealey Plaza so we walked a couple of blocks in the freeeeeezing cold to tour the TX Book Depository and the grassy knoll.  There was a ton of people since it was the 50th anniversary.

 

By this time, Jillian had had ENOUGH.  Ha!!  She was crying that it was sooooooo cold!!!!

 

We woke up the next morning and walked another couple of blocks to the Ross Perot Museum of Nature and Science.  Again another FAB-U-LOUS museum with levels of different exhibits with space, dinosaurs, weather ( a cool simulation of earthquakes), the human body and MORE!!!

 

A person could spend days looking at everything.  We barely touched the surface of all the different exhibit halls.  My favorite was the rock and mineral exhibit.  They were all super cool.  Rocco loved this giant geode.  You got to "crack" the geode open and open it by rotating the wheel. 

 

I am so glad we didn't cancel this trip.  It was great!  I am sad that the weather was so cold and the icy conditions kept Shanna and Payton from meeting up with us but that just means we will have to go back!!!

 

 

Beginnings, Middle and Endings

I am going to start with the endings.....

Miss J finished her first soccer season.  Her last game was by far her best!  She was aggressive and scored a goal!  Very proud of her!

 

Mr. R finished his first soccer season.  Bryan and I discovered that coaching/helping with five 4 year olds is HARD!!  Ha ha!!  But I think the kids had a lot of fun and they were pretty good!  Even though we don't "take score" I think we won all our games.  Rocco had several goals in his last game!  He is such a handsome little devil with his medal.

 

 

I also discovered how hard it is to entertain a 2 year old while her older brother and older sister play a soccer game.  Thanks to Grammie and Poppy for constantly entertaining her. 

 

 

 

Next up the middle - we reached the 50th day of school.  The first grade team at our school always hosts a 50s bee-bop.  Well, now that I am on the first grade team I need to represent!  So me and Jillian got dressed up in our poodle skirt finest!!

 

 

 

Finally, Jillian has been begging for a while to return to dance.  I wanted her to finish her commitment to soccer and then we would sign up.  Well, she is now graduated to the 6 year old class which is a tap, ballet, jazz combo class. 

 

This year, the end of the year recital will be Peter Pan.  Jillian's class will be the Tinker Fairies and she is thrilled.  Her is a preview of her costume. 

 

I seriously CANNOT believe we are in the middle of November.  Where is the time going?

 

A Superhero Halloween

We had a great Halloween 2013!!!! 

 

Jillian as Wonder Woman!! (She posed herself.)

 

 

Rocco as Superman!!

 

And Little Miss as Supergirl!!!!

A fearsome crime-fighting trio!!!  The girls' boots were a hit!!  Hadleigh toddling around in the heels was hilarious but she actually did pretty well considering she has trouble walking in regular tennis shoes!!  ha!!!

 

We met up with our superhero cousins (Ironman and Spiderman) and trick or treated around the block. 

 

Simple and perfect!

Life at the speed of light

Its 11:00 p.m. and I am still going.  This is typical.  I have become a night owl.  There are not enough daylight hours to get everything done.  I am swamped with 1st grade stuff.  The bottom line is this:  the transition from kinder to 1st for ME has not been easy.  I am involved in too much stuff.  I am still part of leadership of MOPS (this is my last year).  I volunteer to teach Sunday School once a month in both Rocco's class and Jillian's class.  I am stretched thin to say the least. 

What else?  It is October so we have been full swing into fall.  We went to Devine Acres at the beginning of October and the day was perfect.

 

Our church pumpkin patch is perfect too!  My mom and I saw these candy corn dresses and immediately thought of my beloved Grandma Ruth.  She loved candy corn. 

 

Jillian sang beautifully in the choir showcase at church.  She LOVES choir. 

 

 

We have almost completed our last week of soccer.  YAY!!  Last games are this weekend!!  Rocco has really found his groove.  Reminds me of his Daddy!!  Regularly scores 1-3 goals per game!

 

 

He got so excited after a particular goal that he tried his version of the Brandy Chastain.  Ha!! 

 

I have a lot to say but I gotta go work on some laundry.  I will leave you with some great clothes that I found for the girls.  I belong to several groups on FB that sell used clothes.  Look at these cute sets that I have found!!!

 

 

Happy almost Halloween!!

 

 

Same Dress Different Girl

Something about old-fashioned quality hand-me-downs makes my heart go pitter-patter. 

It all started with me circa 1980.  My mom made this dress.  It is reversible. 

 

30+ years later, the dress made a return in 2009.  Jillian was not thrilled.  BUT she looked so DARN cute!!!!

 

4 years later, the dress is still making girls look adorable. 

This was Hadleigh this morning on the way to school. 

 

This makes me smile on this yucky, rainy day!!!  Sweet girls!!!

A great start to 1st grade

On Friday, we had our first morning assembly for October and we honored the students of the month.  We are so excited that Jillian has had a fantastic start to 1st grade.  She adores her teacher.  She even abandons me after school so she can go "help" Mrs. Sides.  During the month of October, instead of honoring the troops on our red shirt Fridays, we are wearing pink to honor the fight against breast cancer!  Jillian wore her pink too! 

 

 

Yay for Jillian!!

 

We really are so lucky to live so close to all of our family.  My parents can come celebrate at school for all the special occasions!!

 

Bryan's mom came too and Jillian felt so special with all of the grandparent love!!

 

We are so proud of our girl!  And once again, I feel so blessed that I get to be with her at her school and see her during the day.  I can't believe that Roc will be here next year!!

 

 

1st surgery

Well, a loooooong time ago, Rocco and another little boy in the neighborhood were playing and ran right into each other.  Rocco's teeth landed on the other kid's skull.  It was pretty traumatic and the dentist said the two front teeth were dead but as long as they were not changing colors, they could stay in.  Every dentist appt., they evaluate those two teeth and see how they are doing.  Well, an infection has now set in on top of the teeth and the only way to cure the infection is to take out the teeth.  Sigh...... 

 

I took a picture of his sweet smile that will never be the same little boy smile again.  Seriously, I am an emotional mess!!!

 

 

The surgery went off without a hitch!  He took a loooong nap afterwards and really is feeling pretty good!  Here he was last night with his new toothless grin!!!

 

I was all worried about sneaking in to the kids' room to put the money underneath the pillow.  Uhhhh, that was dumb because the kid was halfway down the bed.  Ha!!  I safely put the coins under the pillow!

 

Here he is this morning and ready for show and tell.  He is bringing his teeth, the new fancy teeth holder, the coins and two bracelets that hold his keys.  Whew!! 

 

Rocco also had to make an "All About Me" Flag for his PreK class and I think he did a really good job!!

 

The girls never like it when the Roc gets all of my attention and were begging for me to take their picture too this morning!  Yes, they still eat frozen waffles for breakfast!  Ha!!