Ritual

This is very late but I decided to post it anyway. Tracey's theme for this Thursday is ritual. We probably have several during our day but the main one lately is our get ready for school ritual. It's typical, nothing out of the ordinary. But today was special. Today Daddy decided to go in to work late (we had two appointments at the house that we made early). He takes Natalya to school most days but he has never taken Vienne to school. And V has been wanting him to. So today we got ready as usual but instead of just Daddy and Natalya leaving the house, we all left (in two cars because Daddy did still have to get to work). We had planned on dropping N off, going to the bakery for muffins, then dropping V off. We got to Natalya's school, unloaded and OOPS- no backpack. Natalya giggles. Daddy goes back home to get it then meets me and V at the bakery. We have our muffins then take V to school. We unload at her school and OOPS no school bag! Vienne giggles and I go get the bag. Greg heads to the house for our construction meetings but not before saying, "I'm never doing this again. It threw everyone off." Our usual ritual was interrupted and not without a price. There is a reason we have rituals. It keeps us all sane.

Tomorrow, a super fun friend and I are heading to what is said to be a famous antique show a couple of hours away. A girls road trip. We're staying a night then shopping Saturday. I'm hoping to find at least one good treasure. And it's not even the shopping that thrills me the most. It's the idea that this will be the first time that I've been away over night without Greg and the girls. Ever. Don't judge. I'm just overly attached. I'm learning to let go. Hopefully I'll bring back a good story.

House Update

Just an update on the house. It is moving along very well. They've sheet rocked the inside and textured the walls. They are currently putting the stone on the exterior and will paint the stucco as soon as I get a chance to run over there and check out the sample color they put on the wall.

The exterior will be part stone part stucco.

The front door waiting to be stained. Although it's up now, I think they will be taking it down. They don't usually keep the doors on and usually use construction doors. They had to install it to make the door frame. Hmm.

Blogger is Whack...

...This morning. I guarantee the pics are there. Please check back later. Hmm...Is someone working on it? Is anyone awake? I was packing up to move two weeks ago and thought, "Well, it doesn't happen that often." Time to rethink. Ugh.

Happy Monday

This was Natalya's serious face. I just love it. I have been practicing more with Stacey's "eye pop" tutorial. What a difference it makes. This is My Best Shot. Heading over to Picture This.

Before and After

If you don't visit Stacey on a regular basis like I do, you're missing out on some great photography (and, well, cute kids!) But as an added bonus, on Saturdays she posts photography tips. I'm constantly trying to improve my craft so I love her tips. Stacey is a fantastic teacher and her tutorials are so easy to follow. Today's tip was on how to dodge the eyes to make that wonderful "eye pop" that I've seen a lot of lately. Go over there and check it out. But first looky at what I've done! The first shot is the before and the second is the after. I followed Stacey's eye pop directions and then processed some more for the final oomph. What do you think, Stacey?

Before
After

Pic of the Day

I had already published this post with just this picture but I had to come back and add a note.

Today I had lunch with Natalya at her school. If your child's school offers this, I would definitely take the opportunity to do it. It was very nostalgic. It has been a long time since I've sat in a school cafeteria. Honestly, I was even a little anxious. I don't really know why. Maybe I was just excited.

And I had great reason to be. When Natalya saw me she started jumping and had the biggest smile on her face. She came to me and gave me a humongous hug like she hadn't seen me in days. She had even made me a "Thank You" card for coming to have lunch with her. Ok, I've been crying some these days because of the trouble that I've been having with Vienne. You can't imagine how happy she made me just in this one minute period. I cried again. She'll have no idea how much I needed that.

So we sat and ate our fries and chicken. She told me all about the lunch time routine. The teachers have taught the kids sign language so that they can ask for things with less words. That cracked me up. She told me about some of her friends and then about what they had already done in class today. I saw my baby grow up so many years right before my eyes.

Lunch was over and she joined her class. I thought to myself, "She is my angel. She gives me strength. How lucky I am."

Four Little Bubble Blowers

We had play group yesterday with some of our neighborhood friends. Look at my Sweet V. My dark haired beauty among all those blond boys.

Vienne's been having a hard time the last few days of school. I've had to leave her while she cries. It really goes against every thing I know as a Mom. When my children cry, I run to them. It's so hard to walk the other way. I felt like I had an angel today, though. A grandmother was dropping her granddaughter off and noticed that I was teary eyed. She came to me with the most heart felt hug and said the sweetest prayer over my shoulder. I can barely remember the words but I do remember "give her strength." It stayed with me all day. To you my angel out there, thank you.

Pattin' Myself on the Back

I'm still learning the flare thing but I think I did pretty good on this one. I got low to take this and happened to see the sun through the trees. I crossed my fingers and clicked. Not bad, eh? Then I chose to over expose a little and added a touch of grain. I chose this as My Best Shot. Now I'm going over to Picture This to see other amazing shots.

Botanical Gardens

Today we took a trip to the San Antonio Botanical Gardens. It really is a lovely place. When it's not in the 90's and humid as h-e-double hockey sticks. The gardens currently have a special exhibit going on called Dora and Diego's Garden Adventure. I debated about whether or not we should go to the gardens during this event because I really want the girls to like it there without all that hoopla. But we went and they enjoyed it. Dora and Diego lead you through some sections of the gardens where the kids can explore gardening, sand play, musical instruments.

Simple Pleasures

A couple of weeks ago, the girls got to experience water balloons for the first time ever. And they loved it. So I bought water balloons for them to play with at home. This was Natalya's face when we brought them out. It's so hard to remember how simple things can be so wonderful.

Craft Day

So me and some fellow hip mommas decided to get together today for our first Craft Day. A little something fun to do while the kiddos are in school. We all brought over a project, gabbed, and had lunch.

They only project that I could come up with was painting these letters for V's rooms. They have actually been sitting on my bedroom floor for months! Thank goodness for Craft Day.

Flowers

Had time to play around a little. Here's what I came up with.

My Best Shot

Follow the leader to Picture This for more Best Shot's this Monday.

Happy Sunday

Nothing to say today, just a few pictures to share.

The Morning Sun

Does anyone else ever feel guilty that they take more pictures of one child than another? Lately V has been more willing to participate. I guess I can be the one person who can say that they have just as many pics of my second child as my first. 'Cause I hear it sometimes dwindles with each child. But how cute is she?

Shhh, Baby Sleeping

(Wordless Wednesday here. Please tip toe.)

Hula Wants to Have Some Funna?

We do! We had a blast today celebrating Labor Day with a luau with our Fab Friends the Fab Five. I can't say enough how lucky we are to know 'em.

Festivities of the day included "Hot Potato". Err, um, "Coconut".

Water balloon toss. LOTS of busted balloons over here. This was the first time the girls had played it and they loved it.

The girls also got to make thier own leis.

The Hip Hubs probably talking shop. Or gossiping. You know how they can get.

My pretty island princesses putting their feet in the water. It only reached about 81 degrees today but it was very humid. We didn't swim because the water was cold. I somehow don't think the kids would have minded very much.

And where would we be without our friends. We love 'em.

Happy Labor Day

Hope no one is working on Labor Day and that you are out celebrating in some wonderful way (or just doing nothing). It's raining here this morning so that may put a damper on our plans. Have a fun day!

This was taken at the parade this weekend. To see more go here. This is My Best Shot. There's no homework at Picture This today.

Kendall County Fair

This weekend is the Kendall County Fair. There are livestock shows and auctions, a carnival, and this morning there was a parade. It was the longest small town parade ever at almost 2 hours. The girls had a blast and Daddy is now broke. We marvel at how much it is to go to a fair. The rides average about $3 each. You could easily spend $50 in just an half hour of play.

Pretty queens and princesses.

Candy! Run!

Sister love.

Daddy enjoying fair food and a refreshing beverage.

The longest corn dog ever. Vienne only ate two bites of it.

8 second ride. Any bull riding fans out there?