Harper Overnight

During the week of Princess Prep & Warrior Prince we had one of our favorite princesses spend the night. After coming home from "school", we took big naps (Harper's last words before falling asleep were "But Shani, how does Justin do it? How does he fall asleep?") and then went out for a night on the town.

Harper wanted to dress fancy, so we put on her best outfit from the suitcase, found a somewhat acceptable hairdo, and walked out the door to Laurenzo's. We love this place with diner-type booth seating and awesome food. It's owned by the crew at El Tiempo, so you know the food has to be good. My entree of choice is the seared ahi salad - I could eat it for lunch everyday. But sadly, I don't.

I didn't have my flash with me, so I did the best I could with the light at 6:30 at night sitting by a window. Call it an involuntary artistic touch if you will.


These two were wanting every combo of a picture to be taken of the four of us. Harper is two months older than Justin, and as of late these two haven't been able to get some quality play time. So they were giggle boxes all night long, acting like twins. Harper would slide up next to me in the booth and whisper what I was doing, thinking, eating, etc. Such a girl, and quite different from my 3 year old fella. But I loved every minute of it.


I guess I thought Justin was going to drop the camera, thus the neck stretch.


Harper wanted a go at the heavy camera. Maybe I should carry a camera that is lighter weight for the three year olds taking the photos. Or maybe just scratch those photos as funny and a good attempt.


Like I said, they wanted every combo we could think of for this group at our booth.


We brought our colors with pages with us for some down time. It allowed me to sip on my glass of wine without having to gab like girls with our guest of honor.


These two were always kissing each other's foreheads sweetly, and when they thought no one was looking. Almost like a sibling tenderness. But at dinner Harper was going in for the kill. Justin didn't know what to think.


Derek and I were dying laughing.


We then went to Marble Slab for some dairy goodness.


Add some sprinkles to a scoop of vanilla and everyone wins.


That night Derek was reading them books as they both sat on the beanbag in Justin's room. Harper leaned onto Justin's shoulder as she murmured, "Justin, I want you to be my prince." I think someone was eating up the whole princess week. The next day she told her friend Grace that she was going to marry Justin, and Grace couldn't live with them, but she could come to the wedding. I thought that was generous.

The light was bright the next day as we were on our way to drop the kids off again. Harper, of course, was dressed in her princess best.


Derek looked at me the next night, sans free of Harper. He said being around Harper made him long for a girl. I told him it made me want the same thing...

Warrior Prince Academy

Several of our friends from church had told me that this summer I needed to sign up Justin for the Warrior Prince Academy. So after winning the basket with the gift certificate to the week of events at Justin's school auction, we were all a go for the excitement. Each child has to be 4 years old by September 1st, so since we barely make the mark with an August 31st birthday, we were golden. We attended the 9am-12pm, Monday-Friday event at the Second Baptist Woodway campus.

Justin was in a room with buddies Braden & Christian, so he would literally skip all the way to his room with excitement. The ladies were also in session, so we would run into our Princess buddies everyday on our way to our classroom.

What I love about Royal Purpose Ministries is their emphasis on teaching our children that they have a purpose to serve for the Lord. And I quote, "Royal Purpose Ministries is a non-denominational ministry that exists to teach, equip, and encourage others about their true identity in Christ so they can walk in freedom as they seek to live out God's purpose for their lives." While the girls were taught how to be a princess for Christ, the boys had emphasis about putting on the armor of God and carrying the sword of the spirit.

Friday morning all the parents were invited to a graduation.


The ladies went first because, well, every gentleman lets the ladies go first. The girls were allowed to wear princess clothes all week, and let's just say that the outfits were a hoot.


They all just looked like maids in a row with their dresses, sometimes tiaras, and the arm wave that they were taught to do from the bent in their elbow. Precious.


Next the knight in armor led the boys in to perform.


Since I was sitting several rows back, my camera kept trying to avoid the i-phones and video cameras that were popping out in front of me.


I finally just embraced it on this photo - my camera wanted to just focus on this everytime.


Justin was so cute at first as he was clearly looking for me. When he found me he waved really big - melt my heart. Then he just stood there chewing on his name badge for the first song. At one point he tried to sit down, but after making eye contact with me, he decided against it.


Then he started jamming to his favorite song. We came home with a CD of songs that we now listen to non-stop. A 30 minute CD in a two hour time frame almost seems to lodge itself in your brain for forever.


Put on the armor of God
And you will win the battle
Put on the armor of God
And you will win the war
Stand up, don't be afraid
He's given you what you need so
Suit up, suit up
And put on the armor of God


The end of the graduation there was a knight's race where all the kids were in a screaming frenzy for their horse to win.


Blue takes the cake


Justin hugging Braden


Ethan joining the mix of the warrior princes and their matching shirts


We got an official invitation to the graduation, as well as the schedule of what they talked about everyday for their biblestudy lesson. Justin's favorite remains to be David. Of course there's a song about 5 stones on the CD, but I won' t bother you with the rap chorus line from it.


I loved the Warrior Prince Prayer. I love that they taught my son the importance of living his life for Christ.


I loved the shadow box that Justin painted himself, as well as the scroll, compass, cross, and flashlight that tied into their craft everyday.


If you live in Houston, then either check this out in Katy at the end of July or sign up for it next year. Justin was pretty bummed that we weren't going back to Warrior Prince camp the following week. He loved every bit of it.

Shaving

I came in the other day and found my son hard at work, his daddy nowhere to be found.



All on his own he got his own razor, which always has the guard on, and was shaving his face.


So glad that we are ready for puberty to start. Or at least know what to do when it happens. Especially if he ends up having a hairy chest.


Hopefully that will happen many many years down the road.

Clay's Restaurant with old friends

The Junods are back in the states, so a group of us headed to Clay's to cram in some quality time during the brief Houston visit. I haven't been around this group in awhile, and it really brought back wonderful memories. These ladies have been around a long time, and though distance (and sometimes oceans) keep us from seeing each other a lot, our families truly love being around each other.

Tracy, Wendi, Katie, & I on the new deck at Clay's


Derek, Jeff, Nick, Paul, & Josh


A new addition at Clay's - we all called it the jail cell. Not quite sure of its purpose, so we would just encourage the kids to have fun inside of it. Kind of like a kennel for dogs, only taller.


We brought our own ball and bats and used them until we realized you now have to rent the balls for $5. But here's my leftie taking a swing.


Barrett kicking the football


This photo made me laugh - Derek sitting at the kids' table.


These two were inseparable all night. Brooks and the J man sipping on some drink.


After dinner some of us headed over to see the Tuleys' new house. Justin wasn't in performance mood at 10:30pm when this photo was taken. Late night, yes, but all the kids did great until it was time to head out.


Man it makes me miss the Junods (as well as more time with the Hopkins & Tuleys) after having an evening with all of them. So thankful for whatever time we get with all of them!

Ice Cream Social

Our annual ice cream social for the neighborhood. This year I actually got smart and organized a social committee, thus, I basically just had to show up to this event. Thanks to the brains behind this event, we had a super fun activity geared for mostly older kids.

A Games2U entertainment van that allowed up to 16 kids to play a video game at once. There was also a place to do Guitar Hero on the end.


As one who did not grow up with video games in our house (and my brothers were not too traumatized), this van was nuts.


Derek and I once again confirmed that our son is going to have to go without at our home.


All he wanted to do was be somewhere inside or around this van. Our son would never move a muscle if we allowed him to sit and play games all day. Must fight temptation!


3 big screen TVs and up to 10 controllers inside the van. Absolutely nuts.


The real reason for the get together was the ice cream.


The ice cream was donated by Taste of Texas (thanks to an employee who lives in the neighborhood). Cinnamon bluebell ice cream has never tasted so good. In previous years we have rented an ice cream truck, but we decided for old school make your own ice cream sundae. The Memorial City Mall Chick-fil-A donated 2 nugget trays and a platter of brownies. We love our Houston Chick-fil-A!


Lily loved her some ice cream. It's still funny to think that she and Justin will be in the same grade, although Luke & Justin are closer in age.


The neighborhood ladies


We had some paintballs run askew


Some of the fellas that came for the event.


Not only was this a fun outing but I also didn't have to plan it! A big thanks to Denise Janowski for the brains behind it all.

Summer is here

Justin and I left Houston for 9 days and returned to triple digits heat! Oh Houston, what were you thinking?


After the three of us get over a random stomach bug we have I will start posting about the fun we've been having!