Rodeo

Last Sunday we took the kids to the rodeo. Once we left, Josue and I were wondering what we had just done. The kids didn't get a nap, oh no. And we were thinking the show, Randy Travis, started right at 3PM. Wrong! It didn't start until 6PM. So we had to fill in the time. There were rides (super expensive) so they each got to ride one. These were the sweet moments.

Joshua chose a motorcycle ride. He even looks the part of biker with his cool Diego shades.

Josue took Tabitha on the carousel. Daddy and his little girl are so sweet together.

Bedtime was super sweet for us parents and probably the kids.

Telling Stories

Joshua really likes to hear stories, and if they are about him, all the better. I recently pulled out some of his baby photos, and he really liked them. So this week, Tabby, Joshua, and I sat on the couch together to look through Tabitha's baby book. I showed him a picture of him holding her-well, here. Take a look for yourself.

After seeing that picture, he wanted to hold her. This time she wasn't so compliant (she wanted her mommy holding her), but here's what we got.

Then I showed him a picture of him kissing her. She had just come home from the hospital.

What did he want to do? Kiss her right then and there.

So sweet! To this day, they get along pretty well. They have each pulled the other's hair which is as bad as it's gotten. But usually you will find them chasing each other around the house and giggling. They are such a blessing!

Spring is here!

Well not technically. It's still winter according to the calendar. But if you step outside, you'll agree Spring is here. The weather is cool and sunny. There are even the spring insects. We've seen butterflies and rollie pollies. I feel like it is the start to something new. So, I began potty training Tabitha. I have attempted it a few times, and just give up. But not this time. I am determined not to buy another box of diapers. Joshua was this same age when he was potty trained, and they say girls learn faster. We'll see. So far, she's gone a few times in the potty. Progress is good.

In the morning, I pulled out a craft, and in the end Joshua made a pair of glasses and put on a cape and cowboy hat to go with them. Too cute!

Joshua and his sidekick, Tabitha.

Then we went out to our back patio to clean it up. The sandbox was ruined due to the rain so we emptied it completely, added soapy water, and the kids washed the outside toys. In the meantime I was taking all the furniture off and adding give a soapy rinse to the concrete.

We then had a picnic, came inside to clean their rooms and they took a nap. It was a great morning. Very productive, much time spent with the kids, and nobody was bored. Joshua didn't even ask to watch Scooby Doo. (That means he was having fun!)

A Week in the Making

Well, here I am with many things to write about. My computer was giving me some problems which kept me from writing during the week. This entry covers Monday (March 9)- Sunday (March 15).

On Monday we found a bug in the house, so Joshua ran to get a bug catcher. Once inside the jar, I think it was a little roach. Disgusting! That didn't stop him from looking at it, and possibly playing with it because it was gone an hour later.

I am attempting to do a few more art projects with the kids. My good friend Elizabeth sent out a website of a mom who does art projects daily with her child and includes the ideas. I will add it to my favorite websites. When they woke up from nap that day, I had a large sheet of brown paper taped to the floor for each of them. I had them lay down so I could outline their bodies. Tabitha had no problem, but Joshua was quite wiggly. After we outlined, I showed them a picture of a body with organs and then the skeleton. Joshua decided on his own to add the spinal cord to his picture. He later added a heart and stomach. I think he even put some bones in his leg. I chose for Tabitha the heart and stomach and had her color them in. It was such a simple project, and they really didn't seem too interested, but now I realize it was a learning experience. Joshua now has "spinal cord" in his vocabulary.

After three or four days of cold, rainy weather, I decided to take them to Goin' Bananas for some indoor fun. I have written about this before. It has a lot of inflatable bouncers as well as large toys to play on. Boy was it packed! And there were at least four birthday parties going on. Mental note-Check into this for Joshua's winter birthday.

I was so proud of Joshua sliding. He is a little timid but decided to do this all on his own.

There was a bouncer for kids three and under. Good because there were some really big kids there who don't seem to watch out for the little ones.

Tabitha found a pair of superstar shades. The girl knows she looks cute, and she didn't even have a mirror.

To finish the week, we celebrated Buela's birthday. Joshua has been planning it since the day after his birthday party (December 29th). I was glad it was finally here. We just had a simple lunch after church with our church family. That morning even with many things to do before going to church, I took the time to let Joshua decorate. We hung up the "Happy Birthday" sign we always use and put up streamers. When I asked him where he wanted the streamers, he pointed to the places they were at during his party. We also decorated a chair just for Buela. When I later saw her sitting in another chair and the birthday chair was vacant, I told her Joshua had decorated it just for her. She said he had already come up to her to inform her but there was a little girl sitting there. I should have known. It was probably the first thing he told her when she came in the door.

This is Buela with her small group.

Tabby and Joshua enjoying the birthday cupcakes.

Buela and my babies.

What a fun week!

What a Weekend!

This past weekend was a busy one and fun one. Friday night we took the kids to Amy's Ice Cream. For those of you who have never been, it is delicious. They have Mexican Vanilla ice cream that beats any regular vanilla ice cream, sorry Blue Bell. We ate the ice cream outside by a fountain. Here's Daddy and Tabby.

This is Buela (Josue's mom) and Joshua.

Buela and Tabby.

Tabitha really liked the fountain. She started by putting her feet in.

When we jokingly suggested she take a bath...well, see for yourself.

We then read the sign that says "No Playing in the Fountain" and had to peel her away.

Saturday the University of Texas was having an open house, Explore UT. It was for children toddlers through high school. Josue and I are proud graduates, and naturally want our children to attend there. (Imagine how we cringe when we hear Joshua say he likes the Aggies. I may be living in denial, but I don't think he understands what he is saying.)

The first place we went was the College of Engineering. There the kids got to build a skyscraper. With the help of an engineering student, Joshua was able to make one as tall as himself.

In another place they got to color brains (a new vocabulary word) and shrink plastic. Tabby got a longhorn painted on her face.

We stayed two hours which was just perfect. It was nap time once we left.

I have some new posts for this week but I will do that in a couple of days.

I Do

Tabitha's speech is rapidly developing. She went from saying nothing to saying many things overnight. In this video, we were heading to the park. I had the kids loaded in the van when I asked them, "Who wants to go to the park?" I was anticipating Joshua's usual response, "I do" and Tabitha raising her hand. I was pleasantly surprised by Tabitha's "I do". I quickly grabbed the camera from my purse to catch it on video. I sure am loud, but I was so excited to hear her speaking. She also knows the word "Me" very well. If you ask her her name she says, "Me." It is fun watching her become a toddler!

My Little Chefs

Today I decided we would make cupcakes. Joshua and I have enjoyed cooking together in the past. I haven't done it much with Tabby (actually never) since I have two little ones to supervise. But I didn't care today. I placed everything on their little table and away we went.

Joshua has gotten much better at measuring things. He was so careful, and he hardly made a mess. Tabitha really enjoyed helping. She measured things as well and enjoyed pouring them into the bowl. Joshua really enjoys cracking the eggs, but his all time favorite part is licking the beater. Tabitha even enjoyed this. It was a fun project!