On the hunt...

...for alligators. We braved the chilly air and went to Brazos Bend State Park. It is known for having lots and lots of alligators and last time we were there they were basking on the trail and easier to see, but this time it took some looking. We did see five, but this was the closest and the easiest one to see. The kids had fun but kept saying "this is a really big lake...how much bigger is it?" That was their version of, "Are we there yet?" Nothing beats quality time out in nature.

Mom, how'd you get those lines on your forehead?

Cody hit me with this one this morning while the kids were brushing their teeth. Try as he may, he could not make his forehead wrinkle. He tried pushing his eyes together. He tried looking mad, but, to no avail. I wanted to explain to him that at some point, lines and valleys appear out of nowhere and seem to deepen overnight and that when you look in the mirror, you wonder where the lines and valleys came from but then, a scream, a hit, a cry and oh, yeah. Four kids.

I ended the conversation by telling him that the lines are magic and that it takes years to get enough magic to make really good lines. This seemed to pacify him for the moment. Why scare him?

GQ, anyone?

This was just too cute and I couldn't pass up a blogging opportunity...although it has been 7 months since my last post.

But, I am back.

Wolf Creek Park, 2009

We went camping over Spring Break. We usually go the last few days of the week and the kids look forward to it every year and they talk about it all year long. This year was perfect weather it was, as always, a great time. No major injuries and everyone (well, not mom and dad) , even Zachary slept very well. Next year: cots for mom and dad.

Alex discovered fire this year. He found that even as the morning fire was dying down, he could "make a fire" by throwing pine needles on the coals which would produce amazing amounts of smoke and if he was lucky, he would see a small flame. I think our fire was hot all day long.

Boys will be boys.

If Shea is missing, she is up a tree. She can climb any tree, any where.

Cody tried to climb the same tree, but Shea's feet were as high as he could get.

Boys and their sticks.

Even Zachary carried a stick around. Well, dragged it around.

Alex

Alex is 7. Ahh, how time flies. I must say, he is a cool kid. I am constantly amazed at how his mind works and how he can figure things out. Anything. He has a personality and a giggle that are contagious and he genuinely wants everyone to be happy and goes out of his way to make others smile. His imagination and story telling (which to me sometimes falls into the "fib" category) are endless and he can spin a yarn with the best of them. I watch in awe as he grows up before my eyes.



To add to the party atmosphere, the first graders had Reading Restaurant today at school. The parents make a reservation and the kids have a menu and we get to choose a book (or 3) off the menu for the kids to read to us. It is really fun to see Alex interact with his friends at school. His teacher says that he is a friend to everyone - what more could a mom ask for?



Alex, we love you and Happy Birthday!

This year I had strict instructions for a cake. Half chocolate, half vanilla. Chocolate frosting on the vanilla side and vanilla frosting on the chocolate side. The sprinkles were just a bonus. (Notice there is a faint finger print in the chocolate frosting)

Stars Wars is big in our house this year. The card that Grandma and Grandpa sent even played the Star Wars theme.

Grandma, just so you know, this is already 1/2 put together.

$75. Nothing more can be said.

The new bike. I was concerned that it might be a little too big, but try telling that to Alex. Off he went without a second thought.

Zoomin' by

The three amigos...yes, Shea DOES ride her bike with her eyes open.

Zachary Taylor Jones

My baby turned 1. For me it has been a huge day. It has been a hard year for our family and I strongly believe that it was Zachary who kept us all together. Shea, Alex and Cody love him completely. Yesterday at school Alex wrote him a book (it made me cry), Shea picked something very special for him from the treasure box, and Cody just could not believe that we would have a party without party hats. He kept telling me it was time to "get this party started." They get excited about every milestone and they put up with extra attention that a baby needs and they realize that sometimes he has to come first. But it makes me sad that the baby days are almost behind us. Zachary gets more independent every day and needs me less and less and that breaks my heart. But, I look forward to the first hugs and first kisses and first "I love you's" that I know are close by. So, Happy Birthday Baby Zach. We love you.

With this new found freedom, Zachary has found his sense of adventure. Here are just a few of his escapades.

He loves the fridge. I am not sure why. It is cold and wet and things fall on his head but as soon as the door opens, somehow he always appears.

This he did all by himself. Opened the dishwasher and climbed in.

Yes, that is cord in his mouth. Talk about a safety violation.

The Sea Wall, Galveston Island

It all began very innocently. A simple trip to the beach. Galveston has finally reopened and we wanted to see what changes had been made since Hurricanne Ike. The most amazing thing we saw was the sailboats randomly placed in parking lots and the sides of streets with for sale signs attached. No trailer. They were still where the hurricanne left them. What began as maybe the kids will put their feet in quickly turned into a day at the beach. It is a good thing moms always bring extra clothes. Even Zachary couldn't resist the water.

Like mother like daughter. I was always the first one in, too.

Zachary had a very love/hate thing going with the water. He hated it while he was in it but then would crawl directly back.

Brotherly Love.

Is is seriously January???

This is January in Houston. 85 degrees and warm enough for sprinklers and bathing suits. But tomorrow there is supposed to be a windchill of 30 degrees so it is almost impossible to know what to wear day to day. But, I take this unpredictable weather over snow ANY DAY!

Butterflies

Shea is really into butterflies - she found this one over the weekend.