May 30 - Early Mornings

Last Tuesday....

"I stretched my arms and legs and opened my eyes. It was still dark outside but I felt rested. Another great night of sleep! I got out of bed, opened my door and decided to see what Julia was up to. I opened her door and she appeared to be sleeping. Really, sleeping at this hour? It was time for breakfast and time to play. I touched her shoulder but she didn't wake up. Hmm..how else should I wake her up? I got it! She hates loud noises, this should work. I took a deep breath and screamed at the top of my lungs:

"JULIA!!! WAKE UP!! LET'S GO PLAY!! JULIA!! JULIA!!"

Next thing I know, Mommy comes running into the room and picks me up quickly. She said "What are you doing? It's 2am in morning. You need to go back to sleep." I stared at her and realized she was putting me back in bed. Darnit! I told her "Please don't lock me in my room. I'll go back to sleep." She tucked me in, rubbed my head and next thing I knew, the sun was shining through my window. 

Thursday (2 days later)...

"Another great night of sleep. I stretched and decided to go wake up Mommy for breakfast. I was super hungry for my oatmeal. I looked in her room and didn't see her there. I looked in the green room (also known as our guest room) and didn't see her. Hmm. Sometimes she sits outside with Amelia late at night or in the mornings. Let me check. I walked downstairs, grabbed my little chair and looked at the back window. No Mommy and no Amelia. I decided to lock the doorknob on the back door. Hey, why not? I brought my little chair into the foyer and stood on it. I took a deep breath and started screaming: 

"MOMMY!! MOMMY!! MOMMY!! MOMMY!!" 

I knew if I kept yelling she would show up. And guess what? She came running from upstairs and asked me "What are you doing? It's 2:30am! You need to go to sleep." Hot diggity. I really thought it was morning this time. I asked her not to lock my door as I drifted back to sleep.

May 28 - Little Chefs

Julia's class dressed up as little chefs for Mother's Day and served us delicious baked goods and punch. They then surprised us with two songs and you guessed it-Julia had a blast singing and dancing!! Happy belated Mother's Day to all the mom's out there!

Cutest Little Chefs 

Jules and Mommy

Homemade card

You Are My Sunshine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQdrsvAxZgY

You Don't Know You're Beautiful (She's such a performer! Singing and dancing!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEKIrtBV_w4

May 17 - Zoo

The weather has been absolutely gorgeous here lately (unseasonably cool for May) so the kids and I decided to take a trip to the zoo before the heat and humidity settle in for the summer. We ate lunch next to the giraffes and saw our favorite animals: elephants, lions, tiger (there is only one), chimps and then took a train ride around Hermann Memorial Park. All around, a great day!

Lunch with the coolest view ever

Carousel fun (it's very difficult to get Luke to smile nicely for a photo these days)

Aquarium 

Kids play area - I love Julia's ballerina pose on the net

Are those groundhogs?

Elephant statue

Train Ride around Memorial Hermann Park

Mmm..orange push pop!

May 15 - April Catch Up

Gymnastics!

This is how I do cakes: six layers of deliciousness! Happy belated birthday babe!

Love this girl

Disney on Ice

Christmas in April - Thanks Uncle Jay!

Hey, let's empty Luke's dresser instead of playing with our toys. 

Besties!

My little man

May 13 - International Festival

The annual international festival was last month and we all had a great time!! The weather was amazing and the kids were so cute performing (I use that term loosely for Luke) with their classes. 

Julia, Jenna and Ms. Farah

Julia and Mitsunge (her BFF from Ms. Farah's class)

Surfin' USA - Julia rocks the routine!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrouGea7L6I

Too Cool to Dance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRdGepV3qo4

May 9 - Happy Belated Easter

Happy belated Easter everyone! I am slowly catching up with these posts...I hope to catch up by the end of the month. We had an absolutely fabulous Easter weekend and were lucky to have gorgeous weather. We were busy, busy, busy! Over 3 days,  we went to a festival at a local church (pony rides, bouncy houses, face painting, train rides), went to an egg hunt at our old neighbor's house (over 20 kids, it was crazy), dyed eggs at our house with Hannah, dyed eggs at Evey's house (neighbor), somehow squeezed in a birthday party at the bouncy house place, hunted for eggs and baskets Easter morning and then went to a local nursery to get photos taken in the rose garden (that was a great idea..until Luke started plucking petals off the flowers). 

Easter festival - the kids loved the pony rides!

Egg hunt with friends

Stopped by daddy's work to see the robot (the walls are mint green which is why these photos have a nice greenish tint)

Dying Eggs with Hannah

Little tree climbers!

Another Easter Party

The Baskets

Easter Loot!

Happy Easter everyone!!

May 2 - In Honor of Guinness, 2000 to 2013

If it should be that I grow frail and weak,
And pain should keep me from my sleep, 
Then you must do what must done,
For this last battle can't be won.

You will be sad - I understand,
Don't let your grief then stay your hand,
For this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship will stand the test.

We've had so many happy years,
What is to come – can have no fears,
You'd not want me to suffer so,
When the time comes, please let me go.

Take me where my needs they'll tend,
Only stay with me until the end,
And hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.

Finally in time you too will see,
It is kindness you do to me,
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.

Don't grieve that it should be you
Who has to decide this thing to do,
We've been so close, we two those years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

**

G-Man, you were only with us two short years but we'll always have so many wonderful memories. You were the stealthiest food thief ever (ninja dog!), best Frisbee golf dog, superb swimmer, but most of all, you were Amelia's first friend and one of Julia's first furry sisters. We love you!!