Pony Riding

Today is Aidan's day to ride a pony at school, and he was ready to dress the part. This is as close as we could get to cowboy clothes in this house. Thanks Omie for loaning us a hat!

Rodeo Season

It is Rodeo time here in Houston. Friday was "Go Texan Day" at the Katy schools. Next week is Rodeo Week at Aidan's school. Last night Tyler and Gigi went to the start of the Houston Rodeo - the BBQ Cook-off. All of Houston gets into the rodeo spirit.

This morning the kids and I went to the Katy Rodeo parade. In all my years teaching in Katy ISD and now living here, I have never been to the Katy Rice Harvest parade or the Katy Rodeo parade in Old Katy. I was always able to pawn them off on the other cheer sponsor when we had to do a float. Ha! This morning though, I decided to give the kids a little taste of small-town parade fun. (I warned them that it would be very different from the Disney World parades. Allison said, "Yes, Aidan. There will be drums.")

We went around an hour early. I wasn't sure how early to go to reserve spots. I think we could have waited a little while, but it was fine. Allison, Aidan, and Lilly quickly made friends with a boy and girl sitting right next to us.

A few notes to myself for next year - #1 Only bring chairs for the adults. #2 Bring bags for the kids to collect candy. I gave Allison the ziploc I had used for Lilly's dog food, and Aidan used his monster hat. Mom of the year. Hey, they didn't seem to care. #3 Lilly was very scared of the loud drums and trucks. Bring second adult to take pictures so that I can hold her like a baby, or leave her at home. She made so many people happy beforehand, that someone will have to suck it up and come along.

The Parade Start

High School Band Members

(This was a combination of all the Katy ISD High Schools Bands)

Aidan's Tractor Moments

Rodeo Riders

Later in the day Gigi and the kids enjoyed the beautiful weather by blowing bubbles outside.

Rodeo season also means that our cotillion season is coming to an end, and it is time to start preparing for registration for next season. My little sweat shop was eager and willing to help tonight!

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Yee haw!

Valentine's and More

Allison had fun at her Valentine's Day party last Thursday. I was able to go for twenty minutes before having to leave to pick up Aidan. They made hanging hearts, decorated cookies, and played games. Aidan also had fun at his party, but I wasn't invited to that one. Ha!

In other news, Omie and Papa Fred were here this past weekend. They babysat twice while Tyler and I went to dinner and to one of his employee's 50th birthday party. For the birthday party night they took the kids to Clay's, and both of them rode the pony. Aidan was a little nervous at first, but now he cannot quit talking about it.

Earlier in the day on Saturday the lovely snaggle tooth that had been hanging around, crooked, finally came out! We had been harassing Allison to pull this thing for weeks. It was slanted in a diagonal and completely crazy looking. After gymnastics on Saturday she pulled that sucker out! If you go back up to the Valentine's party pictures you can sort of see it.

 Later in the day on Saturday, while at the birthday party, I had my phone in my back pocket in case there was a call about the kids. Since this is something I rarely do, I completely forgot it was there when I took a restroom break. Well, you can guess what happened. Let me just tell you, the rice thing did not work! On Tuesday I packed up the kids and headed to the Apple store for a new phone. Allison had been pretty sick the night before with a stomach bug, but she was such a trooper. Both kids behaved so well throughout the hour-long process actually. It was shocking. So, afterwards we spent a little while in the American Girl Store and on the mall playground as a reward and to spread her germs all over the mall. Kidding! There was half of jar of hand sanitizer used. Allison, Aidan, and I (yes, we were all sick) are all feeling back to normal thank goodness!

 In Lilly Land  we are dealing with full-out puppy chewing. She loves to get into the kids' toys. Now I know, you're saying, "This will teach them to leave their toys on the ground." Umm, no it won't. They seem to not care as much as I imagined they would.  A sure sign they have too much junk. These are two of her latest kills from yesterday.

Allison's My Little Pony

Aidan's Flying Dinosaur (Sorry, no clue what it's name is.)

This morning Lilly and I headed to Petsmart. I had already bought her a few toys, but obviously there weren't adequate and don't smell enough like the kids. She loves her new chews and toys. Let's hope we see some relief. She even destroyed Allison's nice dress shoes. 

New Toy from Today

We are, of course, all still ga ga over this little girl. She continues to sleep with Allison each night, and she is such a sweet cuddly, lap dog. She gives Tyler an excited welcome each evening as he walks in the door, and she races to the bus to greet Allison each afternoon. She and Aidan have been playing in the backyard most days as well. They chase and play fetch. She is 100% puppy right now.

Friday Funday

Aidan and I went to the Children's Museum on Friday. It was so pretty outside, and our original plan was the zoo. As we were headed down Main St. to the zoo, Aidan said he wanted to go to the museum instead. They're both right there, so it was an easy switch.

Lego Machines

Laser Pegs - Aidan has some of these that he bought with some birthday money, so he was thrilled to see an entire dark booth dedicated to them.

Grocery Checker

Forensics Lab

Viscosity Investigation

States of Matter

Friction

Fishing with a Net

Turning a Sailboat into a Submarine

We were going to visit Daddy at work afterwards, but Aidan was soaked after playing outside. Instead we just headed home.

When Allison came home from school they both worked on their Valentine's cards for this week. Allison's were sweet, pink and red, with a nice Life Savers gummy. Aidan's were gross bugs with fangs and a sticky hand. Typical girl and boy!

Golf and Chili Cook-Off

The weather was so pretty today. Tyler and I played nine holes early, and then we picked up the kids and joined in on the fun at the chili cook-off.

Tyler taking a practice swing.

My pitch shot. I had to take a picture of it, because my pitches are usually horrible. This one was from quite a distance out, and it actually landed on the green. 

Tyler testing out chili at one of the booths.

Jimmy, the crazy golf pro, dancing in the staff chili booth. He did these moves just for my camera. Goofball. Check out Chef looking at him. Ha!

Allison and Aidan had so much fun in the bouncy house. They were also had fun just running around with the other kids at the club today. It really was a great way for us to spend the day.

The beauty and the beastly socks by her head.

Doughnuts with Dad

Allison and Daddy headed out bright and early this morning for Doughnuts with Dad at her school. One person in this picture is perky and excited. The other one, happy to do it but definitely not a morning person. Haha! Let's hope they have plenty of coffee.