It's interview season at work, so I've been making quite a bit of small talk about the weather. Here in Texas it changes day-to-day from unseasonably warm, to freezing, to pouring rain. Last weekend Aurora and Chuck were both feeling a bit under the weather and it was pretty cold, but we headed out anyway for a hike at Wild Basin Preserve with Aurora's girl scout troop. It was great fun!
Sunday wasn't quite as cold, but it was a snow day at the Galleria so it sure looked like winter!
Today it was sunny and 73 - absolutely gorgeous. My team at work took the afternoon off to hit some range balls at Top Golf. I'm no golfer like my dad and brother, but I actually scored pretty well!
It should be cold again next week as we get closer to Christmas, which is just how it should be. Hopefully all the colds and sniffles will be gone and we can just relax by the fire. We have a few outings planned, but most of them are indoors!
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Wish List
Aurora wrote her Christmas wish list a couple weeks ago, and it was very sweet. Just one little thing for her, and something nice for each person in the family.
She asked me what I wanted and I said a new oven. My microwave and oven came (used) with our house nearly 8 years ago, and they're breaking. I asked if she'd go shopping with me to buy it, and she said no! She was going to ask Santa for it, so we couldn't buy it. I explained that grown ups get things for Christmas, but sometimes we have to buy them for ourselves. Then she crossed it off the list. My dad installed the new microwave yesterday and the oven is coming next weekend. I can't wait! Regardless, she's had her heart set on a Doc McStuffins tool kit for weeks, and I already have it wrapped and ready to go. Today as we prepared for our visit with Santa, she decided she'd also like to ask for an American Girl doll. Uhm... WHAT!? She said she couldn't just have one present from Santa, and all her friends were asking for American Girl dolls. Luckily, I talked her into waiting for her birthday for the (very expensive) doll, and she stayed true to her original request.
We had a fantastic visit with Santa. After contemplating a 30 minute wait at the Hill Country Galleria, we opted for a new toy store I'd been hearing about called Millie & Mox which includes a printed picture, cookies, and little gifts for the kids. There was no line and it was pretty much the best thing ever. I don't know if a ball is really on Clark's list and I don't think Chuck even knows what a Minecraft creeper is, but I'm guessing they'll get everything they wish for, too.
She asked me what I wanted and I said a new oven. My microwave and oven came (used) with our house nearly 8 years ago, and they're breaking. I asked if she'd go shopping with me to buy it, and she said no! She was going to ask Santa for it, so we couldn't buy it. I explained that grown ups get things for Christmas, but sometimes we have to buy them for ourselves. Then she crossed it off the list. My dad installed the new microwave yesterday and the oven is coming next weekend. I can't wait! Regardless, she's had her heart set on a Doc McStuffins tool kit for weeks, and I already have it wrapped and ready to go. Today as we prepared for our visit with Santa, she decided she'd also like to ask for an American Girl doll. Uhm... WHAT!? She said she couldn't just have one present from Santa, and all her friends were asking for American Girl dolls. Luckily, I talked her into waiting for her birthday for the (very expensive) doll, and she stayed true to her original request.
We had a fantastic visit with Santa. After contemplating a 30 minute wait at the Hill Country Galleria, we opted for a new toy store I'd been hearing about called Millie & Mox which includes a printed picture, cookies, and little gifts for the kids. There was no line and it was pretty much the best thing ever. I don't know if a ball is really on Clark's list and I don't think Chuck even knows what a Minecraft creeper is, but I'm guessing they'll get everything they wish for, too.
Friday, December 13, 2013
Tooth Fairy
Yesterday Aurora's wiggly tooth reached the point where it was just barely hanging on, and I told her I was pretty sure that brushing her teeth would make it come out. She liked the sound of that and asked me to take video, so I did - not really knowing if would actually happen.
It happened! Afterwards, she fell asleep right away and as I went downstairs to contemplate how much money a tooth might be worth these days, it hit me... I AM THE TOOTH FAIRY! I mean, that's sort of a big deal. I'd been watching the wiggly tooth and thinking about how big she's getting, how she'd look with one, two, three teeth missing. We listened to "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth" a few times, and our dentist appointment is coming up so I've been contemplating caring for big teeth and hoping she won't need braces. But I hadn't given much thought to this whole Tooth Fairy business!!! I'm sure teeth are worth a lot more with inflation, but our Tooth Fairy thinks $2 is about right for a 5 year old who doesn't know much about money. She was VERY happy with that.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Holiday Parties
It certainly is the season! My folks came over twice over the weekend so Chuck and I could go to our company parties, and they were both a lot of fun. Yesterday I took the kids to a Gingerbread Social and Aurora had a great time decorating cookies with her friends. She's smiling kind of silly because HER TOOTH IS TOTALLY LOOSE! I expect to have news of the tooth fairy any day now.
Clark had a great time, too. He ate too many cookies, found lots of candy on the floor, and tried his hardest to mimic a dad who was standing against the wall with his foot up behind him.
Aurora's getting too big too fast, and Clark has such a cute little personality. Both of the kid's classes will have holiday parties which I probably won't be able to attend, and tomorrow I'm hosting a volunteer holiday party at work. Friday is a birthday party, and then I THINK we're done with parties for awhile - though, we certainly won't be done with fun activities. Much more to come!
Clark had a great time, too. He ate too many cookies, found lots of candy on the floor, and tried his hardest to mimic a dad who was standing against the wall with his foot up behind him.
Aurora's getting too big too fast, and Clark has such a cute little personality. Both of the kid's classes will have holiday parties which I probably won't be able to attend, and tomorrow I'm hosting a volunteer holiday party at work. Friday is a birthday party, and then I THINK we're done with parties for awhile - though, we certainly won't be done with fun activities. Much more to come!
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Neighbors
While my parents were living here, we had dinner together nearly every night and took lots of walks through the neighborhood. Now that my folks have moved out, dinner is on our own and we've been going out with friends and hanging out with our neighbors. Yesterday Aurora had dinner with her friends down the street while Clark and I went across for a playdate with our neighbor Will. The boys played so well together!
My parents aren't exactly down the street anymore, but they're just 20 minutes away and we have them scheduled to come over a lot in the coming weeks. This morning they helped get Aurora off to the bus for a late start, and this weekend they're babysitting twice so we can go to our company holiday parties. The kids got so used to seeing them everyday that it's really nice to have them back - especially when it means we can go out alone! I hope they're settling in to their new condo and enjoying the area. They'll be back for dinner one night next week, but it won't be at our house - it'll be across the street with Will and his family! We do have great neighbors...
My parents aren't exactly down the street anymore, but they're just 20 minutes away and we have them scheduled to come over a lot in the coming weeks. This morning they helped get Aurora off to the bus for a late start, and this weekend they're babysitting twice so we can go to our company holiday parties. The kids got so used to seeing them everyday that it's really nice to have them back - especially when it means we can go out alone! I hope they're settling in to their new condo and enjoying the area. They'll be back for dinner one night next week, but it won't be at our house - it'll be across the street with Will and his family! We do have great neighbors...
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Long weekend
In the past, long weekends often felt too long. By the time Monday rolled around, both Aurora and I were ready to head back to work and school. For some reason, this long Thanksgiving weekend was so nice it got us all excited for the 2-week Christmas break. Aside from doctors appointments and holidays, we found so many fun things to do, including a kid's workshop at Home Depot. Did you know they do this FREE every month?! We'll definitely be doing it again - especially as Clark gets old enough to join in. Grandpa came along and Clark found a friend at the kid's workbench.
Yesterday mom & dad watched Clark so we could take Aurora to see the movie Frozen in 3D. We had frozen yogurt afterwards and have been listening to the soundtrack ever since.
Today we went to one of our favorite parks and the weather was absolutely perfect.
Then we had brunch with some old friends who recently moved to Austin. They have two little girls now and we will most definitely be going to the park and having brunch together more often!
Yesterday mom & dad watched Clark so we could take Aurora to see the movie Frozen in 3D. We had frozen yogurt afterwards and have been listening to the soundtrack ever since.
Today we went to one of our favorite parks and the weather was absolutely perfect.
Then we had brunch with some old friends who recently moved to Austin. They have two little girls now and we will most definitely be going to the park and having brunch together more often!
Best weekend ever? Maybe so. Now we're gearing up for a very long, very busy week at work and school. I sure would love more time off, but it's coming soon enough...
Friday, November 29, 2013
All the holidays
On Wednesday Aurora and I had a special Thanksgiving lunch with Clark's class at the Children's Center. The babies made potato stamp placemats and handprint cards. Clark is thankful for me (of course) and I am certainly thankful for him.
This morning I put away the Thanksgiving decor and made our little Halloween pumpkins into delicious pumpkin bread before shifting gears to celebrate Chanukah (a few days late). We lit our Menorah, listened to Chanukah music, and opened presents from Grandma Nancy.
We spent Thursday at a friend's house - the same house we've been going to for the past several years - we just brought more people with us this time! My parents came along and everybody had a good time. We brought the mac & cheese and fruit salad, and the food (and company) were excellent.
Aurora had tons of little girls to play with, and Clark spent the day doing his favorite things: napping, petting a dog, playing with a remote control, and uhm... getting carried around by little girls.
This morning I put away the Thanksgiving decor and made our little Halloween pumpkins into delicious pumpkin bread before shifting gears to celebrate Chanukah (a few days late). We lit our Menorah, listened to Chanukah music, and opened presents from Grandma Nancy.
I feel this pressure to switch gears again and decorate for Christmas this weekend, but it's all happening too fast - the holidays are just too close together this year! I'm not ready to shop or send cards or put up a tree or any of that. I'm just going to wait and decorate for Christmas next weekend. I love the holidays and want to enjoy them all, but I can only have one table setting in place at a time!
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Time for your check-up
This probably isn't what you were expecting on Thanksgiving. Don't worry, turkey day festivities are coming soon! School was closed today so I decided to schedule Clark's 15-month well baby visit. He weighted in at just over 21 lbs, so he hasn't gained much weight since he started walking. He's 31" tall and while he's got some pretty impressive sniffles and sneezes going on, he's still never had an ear infection. He did get 4 shots today, which is always a good time.
There's a lot to be thankful for, and I have to say I'm pretty darn thankful for two (mostly) healthy kids. Even when they're snotty messes, waking up in the middle of the night fussing, they are pretty much the best little kiddos a mama could ask for.
I scheduled an appointment for Aurora at the same time to follow up from a UTI she had last week. The antibiotics worked! Clark had pink eye around the same time, and both of my parents have had a stomach bug so... that's been fun. What really WAS fun was taking Aurora to the nail salon this morning! I got a pedicure while she had her fingernails painted with pink sparkles and flowers.
There's a lot to be thankful for, and I have to say I'm pretty darn thankful for two (mostly) healthy kids. Even when they're snotty messes, waking up in the middle of the night fussing, they are pretty much the best little kiddos a mama could ask for.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Sunday, November 17, 2013
The next big thing
Now that soccer's over, Aurora and her little friends have embarked on an awesome new activity: GIRL SCOUTS! That's right, Aurora is officially a Daisy. Their first meeting was a month ago, and we just went on a whim. Another mom told us we should come check it out, and before I knew what was happening Aurora was reciting the Girl Scout promise. Seriously, the troop leader sat all the girls around in a circle and asked what they'd like to do as a Girl Scout. The first girl said arts and crafts, the next said she hopes to see a cave, and when it was Aurora's turn she said she wanted to help others. What!? I was so proud, how could I say no? Besides, her best friend Presley was there.
How cute are these girls? I hear they won't sell cookies or go camping this year, but today they all had their vests and started earning badges. Next month we're going on a guided hike, and who knows what the rest of the year will bring? Hopefully she'll get the chance to help others...
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
That's my boy
I feel like most of my posts (and most of our activities) have centered around Aurora recently, but that doesn't mean that Clark isn't doing amazing things! One of these days I'll take some video to show you that he's starting to talk, he's got some serious dance moves, the toothiest smile, and he's becoming fairly opinionated. He's also just moved up into the Bunny class where they nap on cots instead of cribs, eat at a little table instead of in high chairs, and do art projects!
This weekend he went to a birthday party without his sister. It was for our neighbor who just turned two, and he had a fun time! Who doesn't like games, gifts and cupcakes? Clark knows what's up.
That's my sweet, handsome, silly, snuggly boy. He can sign AND say "all done" when he wants down from the dinner table... but often he just screams and arches his back instead. He runs to get his own shoes and socks when it's time to go. He will always eat all of his bananas and might ask for more strawberries, but he'll probably throw his peas and sippy cup on the ground and say "uh oh" in the sweetest, most innocent voice. He also enjoys sitting with his "oompah" and loved exploring his Grandpa and Grandma's empty condo over the weekend.
WHAT!? Yes, my folks just closed on a little condo and they'll slowly be fixing it up in the coming weeks before they move in. Of course they stayed in Austin... who could leave this sweet boy!?
This weekend he went to a birthday party without his sister. It was for our neighbor who just turned two, and he had a fun time! Who doesn't like games, gifts and cupcakes? Clark knows what's up.
That's my sweet, handsome, silly, snuggly boy. He can sign AND say "all done" when he wants down from the dinner table... but often he just screams and arches his back instead. He runs to get his own shoes and socks when it's time to go. He will always eat all of his bananas and might ask for more strawberries, but he'll probably throw his peas and sippy cup on the ground and say "uh oh" in the sweetest, most innocent voice. He also enjoys sitting with his "oompah" and loved exploring his Grandpa and Grandma's empty condo over the weekend.
WHAT!? Yes, my folks just closed on a little condo and they'll slowly be fixing it up in the coming weeks before they move in. Of course they stayed in Austin... who could leave this sweet boy!?
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Soccer Stars
Today was the last day of the soccer season! Our GU6 Soccer Stars had a lot of fun, even if we lost every game. Okay, so you don't keep score at this age, but if we HAD kept score I'm pretty sure we would've lost every game. Aurora loved wearing her uniform and enjoyed doing drills, but wasn't really into the 3 on 3 play. She would've rather stared at the sky, picked flowers, or chatted with her friends. Today she got a ball kicked pretty hard into her gut, so it's probably for the best that this was the last game of the year. Regardless, our little soccer star sure is photogenic!
We talked about having a banquet of some sort, but schedules haven't lined up so the coach decided to give out the pictures and trophies right after the game. Yes, our silly girls got trophies just for participating! They've had so much fun that I'm sure we'll still have one last get together - plus, we've already signed up for our next activity with many of the same girls. You'll have to wait until next week to learn more...
We talked about having a banquet of some sort, but schedules haven't lined up so the coach decided to give out the pictures and trophies right after the game. Yes, our silly girls got trophies just for participating! They've had so much fun that I'm sure we'll still have one last get together - plus, we've already signed up for our next activity with many of the same girls. You'll have to wait until next week to learn more...
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