April 28 - Splashing into Spring

To celebrate this gorgeous spring weather, the kids and I went to the zoo yesterday to see the animals and play in the splash pad. Our neighbors (John, Kristin, Evey and Lauri) met us there and we had a blast. It was pretty warm (mid-80s with humidity) but there was a nice breeze all afternoon. After our zoo adventure (we were there for over 5H, I was exhausted!) we went to the Root's to see their new puppy, Riley. He's 3/4 miniature poodle, 1/4 golden retriever and 100% adorable. Julia and Emma loved carrying him around. Luke was trying to 'direct' him (little Napoleon that he is) and I don't think Amelia even noticed the little fluffball until we were leaving their house. Happy Monday everyone!

Splash pad fun

Posing with the elephants

Coloring is always a hit

Petting zoo

Riley

Black eye, day 5

April 25 - First Shiner

A few days ago...

"Mrs. Y? This is the school nurse. Your daughter Julia was running full speed in PE, collided with another boy and then slammed her face onto the gym floor. The wood one. Can you please come to school and bring her some ibuprofen? She is very swollen and I can see bruising all ready." 

April 23 - Little Nudist

Yesterday morning:

"Luke, it's time to get ready. Take off your pj's and get dressed." - Mommy

5 min later....

Luke is rolling around the floor buck naked, happy as can be. 

"Why are you naked little man?" - Mommy

"I love my naked buns." - Luke

My little nudist, love this little dude!

April 21 - Happy Easter

Happy Easter everyone! We had an absolutely amazing weekend so let's dive in. Both kids had parties at school on Thursday. We were supposed to do an egg hunt in the park with Julia's class but the weather didn't cooperate so we did it in the cafeteria. Her teacher made all the kids walk and it was a little odd watching such a calm egg hunt but they still had fun. Afterward we had a big lunch and the kids were excited about the chicken nuggets and chocolate. 

The kids and I were off Friday. After a quick parent/teacher conference for Luke (he's doing great) we dyed eggs at home. I bought two dozen eggs and accidentally dropped the grocery bag before boiling them (oops), so we only had nine (I'm the only one who eats egg salad so it worked out fine). The kids really wanted bright colors and they did a fab job!!

Friday afternoon our neighbor Kristen (Evey and Lauri's mom) invited us to her company picnic (Boeing, they encourage employees to bring friends and family). It was the best corporate event we've ever been to. They had rodeo clowns, several bounce houses, 36' rock climbing wall, dj, face painting, balloons, volleyball, corn hole tournament, photo booth and tons of food and drinks. Luke spent almost all of his time in the bounce houses while Julia tackled the climbing wall. The first time she went up it, she made it halfway up and said she was scared and came down. Then she ran into her friend Sophie from Girl Scouts. Sophie quickly bragged she made it all the way up. Never one to back down from a challenge, Julia immediately climbed to the top and rang the bell. The girls then spent the next hour or so going up and down the wall. 

On Saturday, we went to visit Chance, Jenna and Paige (old neighbors) on their 800 acre ranch about 2 hours north of Houston. There were about 12 kids there (all girls except for Luke and Chance) and the kids had fun running around, playing on their small bounce house and playing on the swing set. Amelia came with us too and had fun running around. There were lots of people to throw the ball for her as well! The kids went to see Jamie and Kevin's new office at one point and when the kids were gone, the Easter Bunny stopped by and delivered...approx. 800 eggs and baskets for each kid. It was insane. Some of the eggs even had money in them (Julia ended up with over $17). 

The Easter Bunny also came to our house yesterday morning and the kids hunted for eggs and goodies. After a great breakfast, Luke and JD went to the garden store while Julia, Amelia and I went to the park. Later that afternoon, we went to Siddhant's house for a playdate. The cap off our fabulous weekend, JD grilled steaks, corn on the cob, and we had twice baked potatoes (mmmmm), watermelon and chocolate lava cake for dessert (Luke had that while Julia had part of her chocolate bunny). 

Rodeo Clowns

Working on his throwing skills

Julia on the left, Sophie on the right

The Amazing Spider-Man

Snowflake balloon

Julia and Jenna

No mom, I am not smiling for this photo

Silly Man

Snuggling with Mommy

Patches

Baking cupcakes

Julia's note a few days before Easter..

Julia and Jack (next door neighbor) - they love to sit in the cab of his dad's truck, with stuffed animals, making up stories

April 7 - Penguin for Sale: $258

Spring is here and we are enjoying the gorgeous weather. Last weekend the kids set up a lemonade stand (and brownies). Although they were their own best customers (who can resist brownies?) but they did pretty well and made $7. Julia got the entrepreneur bug and tried to sell some of her stuffed animals. She sat in front of our house in the middle of the afternoon for almost an hour before she came in upset that 'no one was stopping over to buy stuff.' It was hilarious. 

We went to Nic's new house in Kemah last weekend for the first time. He lives across the street from Clear Lake and the kids fished off the dock for a little while. The girls had a blast! Luke was tired and didn't enjoy it as much (he wanted to sit inside the house and watch tv) but he keeps asking when we are going back again. 

In other news, the house is decorated for spring (I change things up seasonally) and the kids are getting excited for Easter. We went to the mall yesterday to go shopping for JD's birthday present and saw the Easter bunny. We didn't plan to see him but there was no line. Luke was  scared of him and refused to go near him, but Julia had fun. I'll post a pic later this week. 

Penguin for sale

Someone is very happy mommy is home from vacation

Watching the kids play

He loves his truck

Frozen movie night

Mall fun

April 4 - Florida

After our great day at Epcot, we drove to Tampa to visit Grammie, Uncle Chad, Uncle Greg, Aunt Nicole and Leah. It was fabulous seeing everyone (last time we saw everyone was last August). JD flew to Pensacola for work the next day but the kids and I stayed until Saturday. We had a fun time visiting a few parks and the beach. But most of the all the kids had fun playing with cousin Leah. The girls were so cute together, I wish we could have stayed longer. They had fun running around the back yard, playing soccer and playing with bubbles. 

After spending a few days in Tampa, I left with the kids and we started our drive to Pensacola (I had a bad stomach virus the night before so it was a rough day of driving for me). We stopped at Uncle Brian and Craig's new house in Ocala, FL for lunch on the way, and it was great to see everyone (including great Grandpa). The kids also got to see some horses which was pretty exciting. 

Enjoy these pics!  

Running down the dock

Tampa Bay

Cool park near Grammie's house

Mom, it is really sunny. Do we have to take a picture?

Cousin Love

Yamo brothers, together again!

Smoochie smoochie

The Yamo women!

Sister in Laws...and reading fanatics

Little snugglers, they played great at Grammie's house

Uncle Chad's first selfie

Julia and Great Grandpa

Checking out the horses in the pasture behind the house