Princess Bowling

The birthday celebrations continued into the weekend - Mia's party was on Saturday. For her birhtday party this year Mia wanted to go bowling, but not just any kind of bowling - she wanted to do it princess style!! So we had a wonderful afternoon with her friends bowling in their tiaras, eating pizza and a yummy princess cake and then playing "royal" arcade games. Mia was truly the ultimate birthday princess and is already planning what she wants to do next year. :)

Our birthday princess!

 

Go Mia.

 

Varia and Mia - bowling (and school) buddies.

 

All of the princess bowlers!

 

Mia Turns Six!

Our Mia turned 6 on April 6 - we went from a weekend of Easter candy and fun, into a week of birthday celebrations and parties! Meemaw and Pop-pop flew in from Florida for the big birthday week. On Monday Mia was off of school so we had a girls day (just mom, Mia and meemaw) at the spa as a pre-birthday kick-off. Mia got her first pedicure and loved it!! She looked so grown up sitting there (all smiles) and enjoying the massage and toe painting. Her birthday was on Tuesday, and she got to wear a birthday girl crown at school and get all the attention (her favorite thing). We all went up to have lunch with her and took cupcakes for her class. After school we opened presents and went out to eat. We came home and continued to stuff our faces with chocolate birthday cake and ice cream. It was a great day!! Mia had so much fun and loves saying she is 6 now.

Getting her toes done.

 

Almost done - they just needed to add the flowers on her big toes. So cute!!

 

Opening presents, but still time to hug her sister.

 

Happy Birthday Mia!!

 

Easter Egg Hunt

I cannot believe April is almost over, and I have not posted anything! We have had such a great month and time has gotten away from me. So, I am going to do my best to catch up on some of the exciting things we have been doing.

Texas had great weather for Easter, and we enjoyed hunting for eggs out in the yard and by the pool. Finding the eggs the girls had colored was fun, but they really just wanted to jump in the pool. So, after our hunt the girls got to get in the pool to swim for the first time this season!! Another spring/summer of swimming is in full swing at our house.

Finding the hidden eggs!

 

Lily was so proud of her finds.

 

Ready to swim.

 

Rollerskating!!

Mia has spent the last 4 Saturdays in rollerskating lessons. Yes, rollerskating still a big there around here. There is a rollerskating rink in our neighborhood that is used for lots of school and birthday parties and the first time we went things didn't go so well. Mia decided she wanted to know how to skate so she could go and have fun, without falling all the time. So I signed her up, and she loved it. I was amazed at her progress in 4 weeks. She's definitely our super skater!! Her favorite part was doing the chicken dance and YMCA during free skate at the end of class. Some things never change - I remember loving the YMCA song while on rollerskates when I was her age. :)

 

 

Spring Break - Houston Rodeo

We kicked off our spring break of animals and rodeo fun with Lily's preschool class going on a field trip to a farm - and she was so excited because she got to ride on a pony. She named him Chocolate Chip, and keeps asking when she gets to ride him again. She really wanted nothing to do with any of the other animals and didn't want to feed any of them because she said it would get her dirty. That's my girly girl!!

This past week we spent some time at the Houston Rodeo. Jason and I went down Wednesday night for another great Gary Allan concert - and had a pre-concert dinner with his friend, Jamie, who plays guitar in the band. I just love that night because it is the one night a year I can get Jason to enjoy country music! And then Friday we took the girls down for a day of riding rides and seeing all the animals at the rodeo. The best part of the day was entering Mia in a mutton bustin' contest. (For those of you not versed in rodeo talk - that is sheep riding!!) It was hilarious. She was a good sport and hung on for dear life as that wild sheep came out of the bin. She didn't win the fastest time (and belt buckle prize) but it was something we will talk about for years. So funny!! Of course our Lily wanted nothing to do with the sheep - she just wanted to ride the rollercoasters and eat corn dogs. It was a fun family day, and we look forward to going again next year.


Lily on her pony, Chocolate Chip!

 

Mia preparing for her big sheep ride.

 

Go Mia!! We love mutton bustin'.

 

The girls at the rodeo.

 

Great State of Texas

Thanks to Mia we are all getting a grand education on Texas as she learns all about her home state at school. We had an open house the other night to see all the work they have been doing as the learn about the state flag, flower, bird, tree, etc. Here is a little trivia for all you non-Texans - Texas has its own state pledge. Ask Mia next time you see her, she knows it by heart. And the Texas flag is the only state flag that can fly parallel to the American flag. Its been a fascinating look into why everyone around here will tell you they are "Proud to be a Texan!!" I can't believe we will have been residents of Texas for 5 years this summer. We are still loving it here, and I am developing a little of my own pride for our great state.

 

 

Valentines Weekend in Seattle

I just returned from a sweet weekend away with my favorite Valentine!! Jason had a conference in Seattle, so I went along for some fun. While he was in meetings, I had plenty of time for relaxing and shopping!! Jason's brother and his wife are living in Seattle right now, so it was super fun to meet up with them and have a tour of the best things to see in the city. Of course it rained most of the time, but that didn't slow us down. We had lots to talk about because they are expecting their first baby this summer - so we filled them in on all the "joys" of new babies. :) I flew home last night, and Jason had to stay on a few more days. At least I got to be with my Valentine for some of the actual holiday. He surprised me with breakfast and an incredible heart-shaped chocolate donut (yummy) before my flight!! The time away was great (and romantic)- we loved Seattle, but I was ready to get back to TX and see my two little Valentines at home.

Jason - ready to shop at Pike Place Market (on his phone and with his hot chocolate - his two accessories of the weekend).

 

Me and my accessory of the weekend - my umbrella.

 

Me and my valentine at the troll statue.

 

Jessica, Justin and Jason. (I didn't get in the picture because my name starts with M). :)