April '13

In March, Carol Wenzel, who worked for the Waco Trib, sent us a March Madness project that Justin absolutely loved.  It not only helped him keep up with the tournament, but also was a geography lesson as well.  There were certain stickers for each level of play.  Even I know where That small school in Florida is now.  Justin is pointing to the winner, and is looking forward to doing this again next year.

Pottery demonstration at Whole Foods one day

We had a playdate with old roomie Andrea Allen and her kids, Sydney & Drew.  So fun to be with them, and great weather as well. 

Levi and daddy had a date with the bike extension.

Pajama day at the Friendship School.  Justin had a home day so he joined in on the fun as well. 

The kids and I went to watch Luke Wilson perform at a school play one evening

The boys and Derek went to an Astros game.  Justin was doing the books like Birdie.  He really enjoyed learning how to keep track of the game.

Levi did crazy hair, as he likes to call it

Daddy went to Midland for work one morning and left letters either in the form of paper airplanes or folded crazy for the kids and me.  Derek one summer wrote me everyday and folded the letters differently each time while he was in Iowa.  Brought back memories. 

Took Roxy to get a haircut at Gizzie's.  Lexi and I about bawled as we watched her at the window standing on her hind legs as we were driving back.  "Come back and get me!"

Zoo date with my treasures

Walking down memory lane in my scrapbook that my mom passed down to me.  Never remembered (nor did she) that Caryn was on my team.  Go team!

Making forts one morning

Had to make us some fake makeup after playing with Georgia Junod's stash.  I did an eye roll, got on Pinterest, and made it happen with some crazy nailpolish.

Lexi put this number together and came in and said she looked like cousin Hilary with her leggings, workout shirt, etc. 

Levi tying shoes.  He is so great at it!

Yay for Godfrey from occupational therapy who helped this along.

Making posters for the big standoff between two undefeated teams in the baseball season.

Justin was totally digging bubble letters this spring.

So thankful we got to see my Papaw and Gloria in Lufkin on our way to the weekend campout.  Thankful my children can have great grandparents on this side of heaven.

We then drove to Jacksonville, Tx, to drop off the boys for the Smorby campout, and Lexi and I headed to Tyler to Grandma & Grandpa's house (great grandparent names G.G. & G-pa).  Lexi and Amy were two peas in a pod, brushing hair all day.

They really had a great time with one another.

Lexi & Hilary found a worm, and named him Wormie. 

Lexi loved her some G.G.

G-pa reading a book he would read to us.  My brothers were so scared at the end with the shark.

Grandpa really gets into it

And starts to role play as well

Lexi was thrilled and even had an encore presentation.

Aunt Joannie sent some Lexi stickers...and there was one with a worm.  Appropriate to put on the matchbox when Wormie died.  :-(

We made a cross out of toothpicks and sang a song for the funeral.  Amy looked around and told us this was weird.  We all laughed.

Speaking of worms, my boys and Derek were totally loving their campout.

Silliness with cousin Clay.

Breaking down the beaver dam, which made sweet-hearted Levi cry.

Before the ladies went out for the Saturday night dinner, G.G. arranged a tea party in honor of her great-granddaughter's visit.

She literally threw this together in ten minutes, hats and all.  Here she is teaching about having your pinkie up.

We were all dressed for the part.

Not sure who wins the hat contest

Sweet tea...yes please.  Been a long time since I have had some of that!

Fishing on the raft

It's fun for everything to come full circle and my cousins are playing with my kids, like I remember playing with them.

Valerie encouraged helpers.  They were thrilled to make a campout cake.

Dawson in the mack daddy hammock

Everyone works hard while they are camping

Just a joke...I didn't take this....

Levi my climber and adventuresome boy

Grant & girlfriend Courtney...the other female camper to keep Valerie company

The swing.  It made me nauseous just watching them.  Me no likey the swing.

A fun time had by all, and many thanks to all the generations that made it happen.

The following weekend we had Waco visitors in town.  We had a blast with the Smiths, and we were getting ready for a big boy bike ride.

That afternoon we went to Lupe's to play in the different sand pit.  A little crack attack.

Justin & Stacey making a plan

Wyatt, Coyt & Crew, JT, SRIII, & Levi

The lone lady

Love this sweet friend for hauling her crew our way.  So fun that our families enjoy one another. 

Lexi loves her some Caryn, even to ask her to be her mommy as well.  :-)

Me & D.  Thanks, Stacey & Caryn, for such a fun weekend!

Justin had a Great American Presentation, and chose Thomas Jefferson.  Mrs, Stolle, his teacher, held his poster for him.

I found out dressing up was mandatory, not optional...two days prior.  He wanted a brown costume, but Amazon Prime wouldn't get it there in time.  So we were stuck with the blue blessing, which he got made fun of when wearing the hat.  Good learning lesson on how our words affect others.  He also wore his white Adidas soccer socks to top it off.  We were hodgepodge.

I learned so much on Thomas Jefferson, including that the signing of the Declaration of Independence is on the back of the $2 bill.  Who knew?

The troops

Levi & Lexi supporting big brother

Lexi decided one afternoon to paint some faces.

She got her Papa to be one of her clients.  Patient man.

Even went on the top of the head.  Nice.

Someone didn't want to take a photo.  Looks like a brown goo.

I threw together a shower I found online to bless my cousin who lived in Arizona and couldn't quite get a shower together for her in Texas.  Plus how to get the gifts back home, etc.  So we did a slightly different type of shower.

I mailed out invites, and everyone ordered something online and sent it her way over a period of about a month.

I included some plates and napkins and surprised Ginger with her shower that would slowly make its way to the West coast.  It was a win win for everyone, and she got lots of great goodies in the meantime to bless overdue baby girl that we are waiting for as I write this!

April was a delight, with fun memories and cool weather.