Train stand & Puppy dog guts

This was us last weekend....


Proud as can be and giggling like no other on top of his train table.


And I wondered why he took a nap until 5pm? Because apparently beforehand he was annihilating his large stuffed puppy dog that he uses as a body pillow to sleep with. Here's the pile of stuffing that he would not make eye contact with as if he was pretending he didn't know why it was there.


Poor, deflated puppy. It's hard to tell, but Justin has a furrowed brow as he keeps saying, "Oh no!"

At least I got a break until 5!

Dinner for Leslie

Had a dinner for Leslie for baby #2 due in a month. I met Leslie in line for MDO last year. After bumping into each other several random times over a month long period, we realized we were meant to be friends. She's now one of my closest buddies, and it helps that our boys are best buds. And apparently as a combo these two rambunctious boys are not the teacher's pets at school. :-)

Here's Leslie with her giftcard from Target. She insisted on no gifts, but Lori on the sly organized a group giftcard. Leslie doesn't know what she's having, so it will be a pleasant surprise when the baby comes. My vote is a girl.

We ate at PF Changs, which I have not dined at in a very long time. They now have these delicious, cheap, small desserts. For $2 you can have just enough to satisfy your palette. I chose the Great Wall of China chocolate cake.

I think someone is a bit obsessed with these desserts - just as many photos of the food as the people.

Trying to be artsy with the fortune cookie.

Melissa, Lori, Leslie, Emily, and Shani

Leslie & I. So thankful for another strong believer in my life! I was with Leslie at the zoo when I ran into Sarah Perut who invited me to visit their Sunday school class. After one visit, Derek & I were hooked. So fun to see God's hand in even the small things in our lives.

Can't wait to meet this sweet baby! Luke is going to be a great older brother.

Valentine's Day

A week later - a post about our Valentine's Day fun. I hope everyone's day started as early as ours did at 6:30am. Justin is showing off his new spin toy. My Mamaw, who recently passed away, had a toy like this at her house. In fact there's a photo of her and Justin while he plays with it. So I had to get this toy to remind both of us of sweet Mamaw.

This sucker lights up!

After homemade pancakes and omelets, we headed off to the train at the zoo. Hermann Park is starting to look different. The train now makes stops along the way on its new route. The playground and spray park area along the track is new and lots of fun. Have to add that to our list of things to do this summer.

We then went to the Children's Museum. the toddler are and part of the museum inside is still under construction. But as always there were lots of fun things to do there. There was an entire exhibit with golfballs - right up this little boy's alley.

And then there's the water are outside. I had heard about this but had not seen it. We literally had to pull Justin away when it was time to leave.

He played and played and got soaking wet. There's even a small playground area, wildlife preserve, and lots and lots of water fun.

We finished off at the puppet show. Justin decided to be the frog. Wendi - this photo is for you.

This little boy is wet, pooped, and ready for a nap.

After the nap, Justin went with his father to pick out something for Mommy. Apparently he chose everything - including the Diego card that I received. He doesn't even know who Diego is.

Justin took this photo - didn't quite capture the first "reasonable" flower bouquet he pointed to. But he did put the limes in the vase like he's seen me do for flower arrangements that I make for new mommies in the hospital.

Derek said he had a blast with Justin and teaching him how to treat a lady, starting with his mother. Til next year...

Ava's 2nd Birthday

Ava had her birthday party at Fundamentally Music. Once again a place I had never been to before but Justin absolutely loved. I love trying out all these new places at birthday parties - gives me ideas for some things to do this summer.

Ava getting her fluids in her before the party begins. Justin making a fan with the material while dancing to a song.

Kai was in Stroller Fit with us. It was fun to see him so grown up, shaking the eggs full of rice to the beat. Justin making a fan with the material while dancing to a song.

Campbell having some alone time with her daddy. Justin and Isabel dancing around. I told Sophie she needed to sign Isabel up for these classes. I've never seen her have so much fun - she loved it.

Big sister Megan, Ava, & Erin ready to blow out the candles.

This boy loves a birthday cupcake. Here he is doing his "seafood" trick that Birdie taught him. Thanks a lot, Birdie.

Another fun party. Go check this place out. The lady in charge sang a song with every kid's name in it - we were all stunned. I had never told her Justin's name to begin with. She had a photographic memory, just one of the many things that impressed us parents. And since I'm a music buff, everyone should let their kids have some musical fun.

Aubrey's 3rd Birthday

Aubrey's birthday was at Bannon's Gymnastics a couple weekends ago. I literally threw Justin in the car after waking him from his very long nap to make the 30 minute drive to the party in Spring. Price you pay living in Houston - must drive long distances in order to keep up with the friendships. And I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Birthday smile

Aubrey's baby brother, Carter, slept the entire time.

Justin had a blast playing with the parachute. Since we never did Gymboree or any type of class like that, this was all new to him.

All the kids underneath the tent.

Tried to get the whole gang. My lens wasn't quite wide enough to fit everyone in.

Sweet Anna was there. Since we all missed the Junods at this party, Anna was a good replacement. She such a smiler!

This photo just makes me laugh. Never thought he looked so much like Grandpa Tom until this smile. About to bust a gut with this grinner.

Blowing out candles.

Favors for girls....

...and for boys. Justin traded his red ball in for a purple one. Not sure how excited I am that he chose his mother's favorite color (being a "tough" boy and needing everything to be blue and all).

Aubrey is definitely three.

No doubt about it.

Fun party! Wish we could back and play again.

Coloring in the Bath

The Michaelis' gave Justin some bath colors awhile back for Christmas. They've been in Derek's truck until Sunday. So here we are two months later starting to try them out.

Sesame Street pals

So excited to play in the bath.

Such the little artist. Look at that gut.

So happy to be in the bathtub. And decorated, no less.

Thanks Grandpa & Grandma for the fun activity!

Rocket's Game

Last weekend we last minute got tickets to go to a Rockets game. Last time I went was when they were playing at the Summit. It was Valentines' Day, 2001, and we went with the Junods and I believe the Pitts. I didn't enjoy it one bit. Couldn't see anything, what a great romantic treat for Valentines Day, etc.

So then came this game, and we were sitting this close to the goal.

I have no zoom lens, and I chose not to crop any of these photos. Just so you can see how close we were to the game. The team getting ready for the game.

The tip off. Yao was of course the point man for the job.

We were on the FRONT ROW - literally right behind the camera guys with out feet on the court.

I felt like Derek was going to jump out of his seat and go join the game. My heart was even racing being such a part of the game.

After seeing this photo I realized it's been awhile since i used my bleaching trays. Must do this!

Other end of the court.

We were right by the Rockets' bench. I could hear their words, smell their sweat. It brought back memories of being an athlete's wife. It brought back memories of my heart racing every time I watched Derek run on the court at the Rice basketball games. I know he misses it when he watches this sport. He wishes could would have made more of an effort. Can't play them all, honey...

Saw the Hibbetts, also on the court level, in another section. Funny that we ran into friends we knew. The tickets, from Derek's coworker's dad, also let us into the Lexus lounge where we got free everything!

Reminds me of a scene form Hoosiers. Shane Battier, who has the ball, is the same age as Derek. He, Artest (another Rocket), and Derek were all at the same All American Nike camp in high school for outstanding basketball athletes. Another one of those moments where you think "could have been me".

Yaozers! Had to say it...

Hard to see, but Elizabeth & Brad Hibbetts are in this photo, slightly highlighted. They were across court a few rows back.

Hope we get asked back. We had an absolute blast. Can't believe I am admitting it.