A Fun Day With Cousins

It's no secret one of the reasons we moved to Texas was to be closer to family. I wanted my kids to grow up with their cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles just as I did. While growing up I was always close to my cousin, Julie. Every Christmas break I would go spend a week with her and her family. We always had so much fun!! Julie now has two adorable children, Macy and Marshall!! Macy is 6 and Marshall is 5. Perfect--as Madeline is 7 and Kollman is 5! All of the cousins get along so well and are always so happy to see each other. On this particular day we met at my Aunt Susan's house (my Dad's sister and Julie's mom) and grilled out. There is a great little park area across the street from their house with great fish ponds and SHADE!! So after we ate we headed for the park. They all had such a great time feeding the fish and looking for acorns. There was a friendly competition going as to who could collect the most acorns --boys vs. girls. We all had such a great time visiting and playing....and look forward to doing it again very soon!

Girl Power!

This summer I had enrolled Madeline in a recreational cheer class. Of course, she fell in love with it!! After much consideration (and Madeline begging) Matt and I decided to let her be on a competitive cheer team. She is one of the youngest on the team (there is one more 7 year old and an 8 year old...the rest are between 10 and 13). I was nervous how she would do since the other girls were so much older and had been doing cheer for a while. Madeline fit right in. Her teammates took her right in and were so sweet to her. She had the cheer and routine down in no time at all! She is the "flyer." She just can't get enough of stunting! I just hold my breath when I watch! In addition to her cheer class she also takes tumbling. She has really improved and will be doing a back handspring very soon! I love the gym she goes to....Texas Cheer Academy. The coaches and staff are wonderful. I love the fact that they teach the girls how to do things properly and safely. This past Sunday was the first competition in San Marcos at Texas State. All 4 teams did an outstanding job!!! I was able to get a few pictures in b/f the competition started. I can't believe how grown up Madeline looks (and all the other girls)! Her favorite part was the make-up by far!!

Ryan's Day Of Fun

Since Ryan had been cooped up for a little over a week with the H1N1 flu virus Matt and I decided to take him out and let him RUN!!! He was so excited to be able to go back outside and finally felt good enough to play! We went to Coopers Nursery which is a small hometown nursery. The owners are awesome people and so so sweet to the kids! They have several fish ponds which is always a hit with the kids. They also have a huge dog...but so sweet and gentle. Ryan LOVES this dog....as you can see in one of the pictures he is actually kissing it! My other two are terrified of dogs...not Ryan, obviously! For the month of October they have a pumpkin patch full of beautiful pumpkins and even a place set up for photos. However, Ryan being 2 1/2 and ALL boy, had no interest in sitting for a picture......they are all taken with him on the run! Matt and I had so much fun with Ryan. It's such a special treat when we get one on one time with our kids!!!

Childhood Innocense

On this particular day something was falling from that sky that we South Texans have not seen in a LONG time.................RAIN!!!!! The air was cool and there was no thunder or lightening so Ryan and I went to sit on the patio. We sat and watched the rain for a while...singing Ryan's favorite song the Itsy Bitsy Spider. Then Ryan's curious side took hold. He walked over and watched the rain dripping off the roof. After a minute or two he stuck his hand out and began "catching" rain water in his hand. He did this for about an hour....giggling the whole time. Oh to be a kid again!

High School Homecoming

Friday night I returned to my High School Alma Matter...Floresville High School...Home of the Fighting Tigers. It has been 18 years since I have graduated. Man, that makes me sound old! Lots of memories came flooding back that is for sure. I was also ble to see friends that I have not seen in years...some since we graduated HS! The joke between a lot of us now is that we spent 18 years trying to get out of Floresville, yet slowly but surely we are gradually moving back!
As you can see in the pictures that we were sporting the school colors maroon and white. Madeline is wearing the spirit ribbon she had purchased at school for 50 cents from the HS cheerleaders. I remember buying spirit ribbons....but they were 25 cents back in the day! :) I just love being able to share traditions that I grew up with. Makes me feel like a kid again! How much fun is that?!

Water and Dirt

It's a known fact that boys are born attracted to DIRT! Ryan is no exception to this rule. In fact, I just bought him the cutest t-shirt that says "I am a dirt magnet." So true! At the end of the day, the bottom of the bathtub looks like a beach! However, when it comes to water...and by water I mean large amounts as found in a pool or at the beach... he really could care less. What? Last year I could not get him out of the pool! We have tried ALL summer to get him in the "big" pool or ocean...nope. He won't hear of it. At the end of August we went back to Rockport and tried once again to get Ryan in the pool....and FINALLY ......he did! He could not get enough of it and we actually had him floating and kicking! It was such a joy to hear him giggle and having so much fun! Of course, the dirt was a huge hit, too! Silly Ryan!

Kollman The Brave Starts Pre-K

Today was a HUGE milestone for our Kollman. It was a day that we have been praying about for months now. It was a day that I realized how far we have come. Kollman started pre-k today at First Baptist Christian Academy!! In the not so distant past it has been a struggle to leave Kollman w/ anyone outside of family. Kollman is a HIGHLY anxious little boy....to say the least. This morning I was expecting tears and a struggle...much like we experienced during VBS...before we even left. Much to my surprise Kollman was full of excitement about school! He was laughing, full of kisses for Mommy and excited about wearing his new sketchers and carrying his CARS backpack and lunchbox. No pacing, no tears, no whining....WOW! We dropped Madeline off first and then it was Kollman's turn. After big kisses and hugs from Mommy there was a slight hesitation (my heart was racing and my stomach in knots) and he began to tear up. He got out of the car and looked at me and Mrs. Joyce and said....."I am going to be brave." I fought back my tears (knowing that he really was nervous, but wanting to be brave at the same time).....until I drove off. The tears flowed from my eyes. Tears of sure joy in knowing that he is growing up....and tears of reflection....how far we have come! He had a WONDERFUL day and now LOVES school! Thank you Lord for answered pray. You are an AMAZING God.