Happy birthday baby boy and finally, we get to see the Legers!

We started this morning by going to meet our teachers for the 09-10 school year. Bailey got Ms. Downey, Emma got Ms. Baylogh and Ms. Garza and Jackson got Ms. Janacek. We are thrilled with all the teachers they got and are looking forward to all this year has in store for us. Jackson was chomping at the bit to get to Campbell to see his classroom and meet his teacher. The girls had so much fun showing him around and introducing him to everything. Here he is sitting in his VERY first desk in Kindergarten! He was able to find his name and take a seat! It's going to be great :)

Afterwards, we headed to Houston so that we could finally see the Leger's. Alisha and I taught together at Purple Sage Elementary in Galena Park in the late 90's. We both wanted to stop teaching after we had our first baby. I did quit teaching elementary school but thought I would do some teaching at night at the college level. I applied for a position at San Jacinto College and got a full time teaching job out of it. Alisha stayed home with her boy, Austen and she kept Bailey for me until she turned one.

I just love Alisha to death. I cannot tell you how different we are- she home schools, I don't- she is a terrific money manager, I am not- she is content at home always, I am not- really, we are so different. She is the BEST listener I have ever met and knows just what to say when I need to talk. She is a jewel! Our differences, I believe, are what makes us such fantastic friends.

Over the past 10 years, we have remained close and seriously, we have tried to get together all summer long. It's been one thing or another- we are busy and so are they. Last summer, we got together on Teague's birthday too. She made hot dogs for lunch and I brought over a boxed brownie mix to make for Teague's birthday cake. Austen, Bailey and Emma played rock band and Jackson and Teague played in Austen's room most of the day. They were in boy HEAVEN for sure. Look at all this good stuff to get into....
We took a break and swam for a short time. Bailey and Austen practiced strokes and timed each other. I was so funny to see them take their swimming abilities so seriously.

Jackson, Emma and Teague played on the play set.

We sang happy birthday to Teague and all enjoyed the brownies. Yummy!

When we were ready to go home, this is what we came into. I think Teague had pulled every single toy off the shelf! Alisha and I quickly picked it up and made the room all better. I had to take Teague out of the house kicking and screaming. None of us wanted to leave. We had so much fun hanging with Austen and Alisha and hope they will have us back sometime soon (considering the mess we made!).

Bowling

Check out our bowlers! We asked the bowling alley to put up the gutter guards and we were in business.

Our trek to San Antonio

The kids are getting restless just hanging around the house now. They are arguing more and beginning to get on each others nerves- it takes lots of interference from Jerrod and I. I really think they are ready to go back to school!! Until then, we are keeping busy with all sorts of things.

We knew that today we had to get everyone out the house and make some plans somewhere. We decided to go to Natural Bridge Caverns in San Antonio. We were reluctant about taking Teague, but our neighbors let us borrow a back pack carrier to walk with him in the caves. I worked. He really enjoyed it and was a real sport. The girls and Jackson thought the caves were pretty cool and Jackson kept thinking that it was where the Indiana Jones movie- Temple of Doom- was filmed. We all just agreed and let him think what he wanted...

Afterwards, we tried to go to the Alamo for a tour, but it was closed already so we went to the Riverwalk to take in the sights. We decided to get on the tour boat on the river so that the kids could see everything. Our plan was foiled when it started to rain on us- the kids actually thought that was pretty cool too.

The beginning of our boat tour... and then the rain came! As I remember this day, I remember the good times we had, but I will forever remember one event particularly. We stopped at a gas station in Bulvedere to get gas called "Big Tex". It was a miniature Buc-ee's of sorts. I went in while Jerrod was pumping the gas because we needed some cash. I went and picked up a few diet dr. pepper's and a vitamin water and went to the register to pay with hopes that I could get cash for over the amount of the purchases.

My cashier was so sweet but nearly scared me to death. She had no teeth...none, zippo, nada and I don't think she cared. She just S-M-I-L-E-D the entire time and was overly happy. It startled me. I just didn't expect that.

Then, it happened. I noticed a gentlemen behind her holding a mop (he clearly worked their too) and he was cutting up with several guys in the store. He caught my attention because he was picking his nose with his other hand. No, not trying to clear some dirt....not trying to wipe away or itch it inconspicuously. I continued to watch him because all I could think about was a young child. He was totally picking his nose- like a 2 year old would. His finger was entirely up his nose and he was really digging- for something good, I suppose. I couldn't believe my eyes.

Wait. It gets better. I went to the bathroom after I paid and I saw the gentleman digging for gold in his nose. The kids needed me in there (plus I needed something to distract me from staring) so I got them out of the bathroom and headed to the car. That's when I saw "goldie" cleaning the soda fountain machine with his bare hands. I loved my bottled DP. Enough said.

We used to drive back and forth to Amarillo when we had fewer kids and I have many a tales from those trips. I will definitely add this one to my repertoire of disgusting gas station stories.

Boy Power!

I teased the girls before they left by telling them that we (the boys and I) were going to party it up while they were gone. I was just kidding, but Jackson overhead me and he was NOT. He kept asking when the party was going to be so I called on my neighbors to help me throw one....thanks Audra, Nicole, Debbie and Stacey for coming over to swim with us! We had a ball!

As much as I hate to see myself in a swimsuit (or any of you for that matter!), I just couldn't pass posting this picture! You can just see how much fun Teague was having sliding down the slide with me!

Here are a few snapshots of the kids swimming:

We did popsicles at the end of the party! Yummy!

Cho-Yeh

Today was drop off day for an entire week at Camp Cho-Yeh. The girls are ready to have some fun away from Mom and Dad and are looking forward to the games and friends they make while there. The girls walking to their cabins:

Bailey walking with Teague:
Emma got a top bunk:

Bailey got one too!

One last picture of the girls before parents drive away:

Heading down to the lake to swim:

The boys enjoying the free cookies and juice:

Teague made friends with the Camp director right before we left so he got a private ride to the car! Go Teague!

I guess the boys and I will have to make do with all our free time away from the girls....wonder what we'll do? Party??!

Water balloons and My Fbg Neighbor!

Yesterday's doctors visit where they behaved so well got them several things- ice cream, of course and these water balloons. They promised me several things before they were purchased....they agreed that no one would "hurt" anyone, any and all games would be fair so that no one got left out and most importantly- clean up! They spent close to an hour blowing up all the balloons while Caroline and I tied them closed.

Let the games begin!!

My neighbor, Leslie, stopped by this afternoon to invite us over to swim after Teague's nap. The kids were excited and I was thrilled to meet a new friend (plus, she lives across the street :0)! Leslie and her husband have 3 children- a 12 year old girl and two boys (8 and 2). I had a great visit and I enjoyed watching the kids make new friends too. Teague found this Step 2 sink and it kept him occupied for a long time.

Here are the girls in the hot tub:

Jackson and Grayson swinging:

These pictures turned out really cool so I have to include them in this post. We all laughed when we saw these because we think it looks like the kids are walking on water!!

Thank you Leslie for opening your beautiful home and pool to all of us just one day after meeting us! You were such a gracious host! Thanks again!!