Super Sonic!

A couple of times over the past few weeks, we've gone to Sonic after we pick Sarah up from school for a special drink/snack. The girls just think it's the best thing in the world. Julia usually gets an apple juice slush, Sarah has fun picking out a different flavor slush each time and we usually split an order of cheese sticks - yum! I laughed yesterday as we were driving back home because all I could hear was the squeaking of straws against styrofoam cups as both girls tried to stir their slush.

A weekend at home

Last weekend was the first full weekend that the girls and I have spent at home entirely by ourselves since Carlton left, and it was wonderful! We really needed the down time to just play, watch movies, take naps and go at our own pace. On Saturday morning Sarah and Julia pretended for hours. Then we went to play outside and before it was all over Sarah decided to have some water play in the sprinkler ... in her pajamas! It was just the kind of spontaneous thing she needed, and I had fun just watching her be a kid. Little sister is a bit more reserved about playing in the sprinkler so she watched from afar.

Our little Texan/Afghan princess

We got a package in the mail from Carlton today (happy day!) and in it were some dress-up clothes for the girls and scarves for me. Julia's favorite past-time these days is playing dress up, so she didn't waste anytime putting on her new "Barbie dress" as she calls it.

Cute cousin Carter

We were thrilled that my brother, Stephen and his wife and new baby could come visit us on their way home Sunday. They live in Houston and have been house-hopping since Ike, so I know they were anxious to get back to their home, where they finally have power. But we sure were happy to see them and play with Carter for a little while. This little guy is as cute as can be, and Sarah and Julia just loved on him, probably more than he (or his mom!) were comfortable with. :)

A girls weekend

Last year, my mom, sister and I went to NYC for a girls get-away, and we had so much fun that we decided to plan another trip this fall. Although it was a little closer to home and not quite as glitzy, Fredericksburg was the destination of choice. Good food, good shopping and great company - perfect! My girls ended up coming with us too, which provided some entertainment/drama/laughter/and yes, tears that we wouldn't have otherwise had, but we made some great memories and just had fun being together.





My mom's birthday is next weekend so we surprised her with a little celebration.


By the time we were leaving and trying to get a good group picture, Julia was acting, well, like a 2 year old.



We hope my sister-in-law, Gina, can join us next year!

Missing Sarah

For every way that Sarah has had to adapt to the new school schedule, so has Julia. I have to wake her up in the morning to get Sarah to school on time (and sometimes Julia just tags along in her pajamas with cereal in hand) and I have to put her down for a nap earlier, and then wake her up from her nap to go pick up Sarah. Well, lately, when Julia and I are going to run errands, or sometimes even when we're getting ready to go to her school, she'll say, "pick Sarah up?" This morning after we took Sarah to school, we came home and got Julia ready for her school day, and she was just moping around. I asked her what was wrong and she said, "miss Sarah!" Oh, she got lots of hugs and love for that response! Usually, she's whining for her pacifier or blanket, but this morning she just wanted her sister. Great reassurance for mom, given the bickering that's gone on between these two sisters this week!

A sweet and swirly treat

Sarah and Carlton went to the circus a few months ago and got these lollipops. I had stored them away for a day like today when we just needed something yummy and fun to help pass the time.

A visit with Melodi

My childhood friend and college roommate came to visit me and the girls this weekend, and it was so fun to hang out with her! Melodi and I have some fun stories from our past - ranging from church camp as kids to late nights during college in Austin. We rode the train in Breckenridge Park and fed the ducks today before going out for lunch. Thanks for the visit Melodi!

A yard-mowin' kind of gal

Mowing the yard has never been one of my chores or responsibilities. I'm not too prissy for it, I've just always been fortunate enough to have men in my life (dad, brother, husband) that took care of that job. Well, guess who has already mowed the yard twice since her husband deployed? And I've actually kind of enjoyed it (shhhh, don't tell Carlton that!) I haven't braved the edger yet though - that thing scares me. I'll post a picture if/when I attempt that.

Julia's first day of preschool ... well, kind of

Today I dropped Julia off at her first day of preschool at Northern Hills church and she did great! She actually attended mothers-day-out at a different church last year, so whether you call it MDO or preschool, she's already had a year of this. But this year she's going to a different church, so in a way it's a "first."

She strutted her tough-guy walk (something that makes her such an individual ... a sweet little blonde haired girl that walks very macho sometimes!) from the car to the building as if she had done it a hundred times. When we got to her room she was a little more reserved and held onto my leg as I helped her teachers get her belongings in the right cubbies/baskets. But the teacher quickly distracted her with some dolls as I left the room.

As I walked out to the car, I was torn between feelings of elation since I now had a few hours of freedom to spend my time as I pleased and a tinge of sadness that another year was starting, which inevitably means time is marching along and my little girls are growing up. Now, I love to watch and experience each step of my girls growing up - I marvel at the way they learn and the way they transform from chubby-cheeked babies to toddlers and then "big girls" who want nothing to do with bows in their hair. So I let a few tears well in my eyes as I drove off in my sentimental state, and then quickly cranked up my music and started cleaning my house. (Yep, that's what I chose to do with my first day to myself ... it was badly needed!)