Plano Balloon Festival

This party of five managed to squeeze one more (Gigi) into the car which was already looking a bit Clampitt-like. Besides the 6 humans in the car, we had our all terrain wagon (which was the envy of many), 4 folding chairs, 2 picnic blankets, a stroller, a diaper bag, my camera bag, and enough snacks to survive a long winter. All for a night of Hot Air Balloon gazing.







Dear Future Kyle, you may be wondering why you aren't in any of these pictures. The answer is that you refused to let us take your picture. I tried to tell Present Kyle that Future Kyle would be a little sad when he couldn't find himself in any of the pictures. Present Kyle didn't listen and this is the best shot we got. Sorry Future Kyle. (Oh, and Present Kyle is not wearing a shirt because he spilled a little water on it and didn't want to wear a wet shirt.)

doll baby

I love this shot.



Annabelle loves dolls. Her eyes light up when she sees one. I had no idea that she would love them so much so early. Up until recently I had not bought her any dolls. I'd just hand her a toy car or some other toy within easy reach. But when we were looking at this house on our house hunt a few months ago, she saw a doll that belonged to the little girl who lived here. Annabelle laughed and squealed and shook with excitement over the doll. Oh man, I had been depriving my child! Now she has dolls. And they are her favorite toy right now. I keep finding Annabelle putting her "baby" in her swing. And pushing her baby around in the doll stroller.

Barrett's Fun Run

Barrett had his fun run on Friday to raise money for his school. He did great! Gigi, Kyle, Annabelle and I went to watch and cheer him on. Kyle was giving high fives at every lap.

Beautiful Day

This has been a very hot summer. One of the hottest on record. So, the other day when the forecast was calling for sunshine and a high in the lower 80's we decided we would spend the entire day outside! We started off by heading down to the Dallas Farmers Market with a plan to maybe hit the zoo next. The Farmers Market is right up my kids' alley. Fruit everywhere! We walked to the first stand and they started slicing up some free fruit samples for us and those kids were in hog heaven! We bought about 10 bags of fruit and veggies but I think at least 3 were polished off before we even got to the car! All that eating made us hungry so we went to lunch. We sat on the patio so we could enjoy the weather. The McKinney Avenue Trolley passed right by our table and the boys wanted to ride it of course. So we did. The driver made a joke about how his "a/c" in the trolly has been broken all summer. On this day it was nice with the windows down. When we got home, Cody took the boys fishing in a pond in the neighborhood, while I stayed with Annabelle as she napped.
All day long we couldn't stop saying what a beautiful day it was.

First steps!

Guess who decided to take her first steps yesterday! Miss Annabelle has been working on standing and walking the past few weeks. And yesterday, it all just came together for her. We are so proud of her and she might just be the proudest of all. When she gets going, her smile goes from ear to ear and she is so excited she actually bounces as she walks. I don't how anyone could look at her walking and not smile and cheer! What an amazing miracle she is. This is one proud mama!

Happy 5th Birthday, Kyle

Dear Kyle,
Happy Birthday sweet boy! You are 5 years old today. Unbelievable. I remember when you turned 5 months old, I was putting you to bed and it hit me that the past 5 months had flown by so fast. I rocked you for the longest time that night just staring at you (and crying). And now you’re five years old!?! Tonight Daddy is putting you to bed but you gave me a big strong hug and I gave you 5 big squeaky kisses. I love your hugs and kisses and in a few minutes I will go up to tuck you in and get one more kiss like I always do. And when I do, you will probably ask me to rock you. I will probably rock you for an extra long time tonight and shed a few tears as I stare at you.

The birthday card I gave you today, says “You rock! Seriously, every year, you get cooler and smarter and funnier…and more and more you!” Sometimes cards say so well what I am thinking! You are such a unique person. A true individual. An individual who wears backwards shorts, a floaty vest, and a superman cape out in public and makes it work. You have always marched to your own beat. I love that about you. You know what you like and it doesn’t matter what others think. I think Dr. Seuss once said, “Be who you are. Those that matter don’t mind, and those that mind don’t matter.” So true.

You are such a good brother to Barrett and Annabelle. Today, you let Barrett play with a toy right after you got it as a gift for your birthday. He kept telling me how nice it was of you to do that. You are very sweet to Annabelle too. The other day I walked into a room and found you reading a book to her and talking to her so sweetly. You like to help me give her a push when she’s swinging and you get so genuinely excited with every word she says and every milestone she reaches. She is so lucky to have such a caring, loving brother.

Right now you are really into Star Wars and Legos…and Star Wars Legos. Robots, aliens and space are also among your favorites right now too. You also really like to draw. I thought it was coloring that you enjoyed, but I was wrong. Coloring books are okay, but you would MUCH rather get a blank piece of paper and draw something using your imagination. I sometimes ask you how you came up with the idea to draw something and you proudly say, “I thinked of it with my brain and just drawed it!” It amazes me how creative and smart you are. The other day, you told me in detail how chocolate is made, and then you told me the Spanish word for chocolate. Right now you are really into games, too. You love car games like I Spy and The Animal Game (our version of 20 questions), and board games, card games and you just learned how to play SkipBo. These days you are taking karate and I think you really like it. You already have your orange belt and you are well on your way to the next one. At karate you are learning how to defend yourself as well as self-control, and honor, and perseverance. These are all qualities that will take you far in life. I am so proud of you. And you are proud of yourself too (as you should be).

That card I gave you mentioned funny, right? You are so funny. Just hearing your laugh can get me going. Sometimes you are funny without even trying. Tonight, you were asking about the tooth fairy. You asked me if she can really fly. But before I could mutter an answer, you said, “She must fly because it would be absolutely ridiculous for her to walk up the stairs!” I started to snicker, you started to laugh, and before I knew it we were both howling! I love your laugh and your sense of humor.

I love you and I am proud of you everyday. Good days…bad days…I still love you and I am always proud of you. You are a good kid with a sweet heart and I am so lucky to be your mommy. Happy birthday!

I love you more than words can express.

Love,
Mommy

Here you are first thing in the morning on your birthday this year!


And here's one from your second birthday.

A swinging new 'do

Annabelle was born with a mohawk and for a while she has been sporting a single ponytail on top because that's where all her longest hair is. If a baby with a ponytail on top of her head is cute, then a baby with two little pigtails must be twice as cute! Here she is busy at her new favorite hobby - swinging!





And more swinging (on a different day)


The girl likes to swing! Everytime we pass a swing I have to hold onto her a little tighter so she doesn't jump out of my arms.

Cute as can bee