Hide N Seek

Look where I found Timmy.

The Frio River

Every July since I was in the second grade my family has gone out to a little camp on the Frio River. So this year, like every year past we made the trip. It's great living where we do now, because it is only 1 & 1/2 hours away, as opposed to the 5 it has been in the past. I love going here, it is my "happy place". Family, friends, and friends of family gather and we take up the whole camp and just relax and enjoy each others company. This year the water was low, and so the tube was exceptionally slow, but it was still fun. I love how everything here is laid back and slow paced. We were happy to have our buddies Rick & Desi join us for a day, they added some extra fun to an already great vacation. Thanks for coming. Sorry the slide show is so long, I actually trimmed down the pictures a lot! Towards the end you will see mushroom day 1, and day 2...this was growing on the kitchen counter in the trailer we rented. It was coming up between the sink and vinyl counter. Sick I know, but funny in a way.

Indoor Camping

Dave picked up a small tent for the kids this weekend...they were so anxious to try it out! So they camped in the living room for the night. Aren't they cute?

Soccer Anyone?

Dave has decided he wants to "coach" the kids in soccer. After seeing the cost of the other programs in the area, he did some research and found he could get all the equipment needed to coach his own little team for the same cost of sending one kid to a program. He is thinking it will be a structured practice once a week, and a scrimmage every other week (details are still sketchy, this is all in planning stage right now). He wants it to be more of learning drills and basics than competitive, which we think is really good at this age. So now, we need some more kids! We are thinking ages 3-5 (mainly because Addy is 3, and Jimmy is 5) but nothing is set in stone. He would be doing it for free, your only cost would probably be shin guards. SO let us know if you are interested! And spread the word, ask other friends!

Youth Sports

So for awhile now I've been wanting to start the kids in some sort of activity. Last fall I thought soccer would be great, but it was the end of August and registration was closed on every site I searched. So I started early in the spring thinking I would try T-ball...but then OUCH the sticker shock set in! I couldn't believe the fees, then you needed equipment, and a uniform, then there was a fund raiser. I just couldn't commit to so much especially without knowing if it was even something the kids would like.

Well, I thought I'm thinking ahead now, so lets try soccer this fall. I never ended up pricing it last year since I missed registration. So today I have begun my internet journey to try and find an affordable youth sport program. And Alas, I have failed. While there are many programs available, they all seem to be lacking in the affordable category. I find a site and think, yea ok this might work...but then the hidden fees start appearing and adding up. Such as one I came across and I thought wow! only $55 for the season. But then there is uniform and equipment, and then $16 photo id fee required for all participants. What is that! Has youth sports gotten so competitive that they really have to check a photo id to make sure you have a legit team???
I'm blown away! So far the best price I've found is $50, but it is located 45 minutes away. So in reality with current gas prices that would end up costing more than $100 programs even with the registration fee of $30. OUCH!
So, here's a series of questions to all those who read my blog:

1. Do you know of any good youth sport programs in the area?

2. Is it worth it? What I mean is, it seems like so much to spend for only 8-10 weeks of "fun" for the kiddos. In your experiences has it been worth the cost?

3. How do you know if it's right for your kid? I mean my kids say they like sports, but in reality we are not an athletic family, so I don't know that they have a real view of sports. I wonder if they will be done with it, way before the season is over.

Please feel free to leave your responses in the comments section. I am new to all of this, and appreciate any feedback you may have to give.

Memory Tag

Sara had this on her blog and I thought it would be fun to do.

Here is how you play:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty cool (and funny) to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you too!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Dave! I'm a little slow...sorry. Dave had a birthday on Saturday, and it was the best ever.! Why, You ask. Because I am SOOO spoiled! His birthday, but he insisted I sleep in! Yea! Then when I wake up I am surprised to see him and Jimmy have gone to HEB for donuts, and flowers. But it gets better they aren't just any flowers...I got 2 dozen long stem pretty purple roses! How amazing is that??? Thanks Davo! I love YOU! Dave had a cake, and picked out a golf bag and tool box for his gifts, so he was on the recieving end too. But I think I got the best deal!

All Cowed Out!

So on Friday we met up with 2 families and all got cowed up together. We had lots of fun, and thanks to Rick & Desi, and Jerusha & Patrick for joining in the goofyness with us! We hope you all had fun too!

I have to say the funniest part of the evening was Jimmy covering his mouth and giggling. When I asked him what was so funny, he responded, "friend desi!" So I asked him why, and giggled some more and said, "because she has 4 inkles!" Ok background on this, when Jimmy was potty training and we talked about going "tinkle" in the toilet he named his boy part an inkle. Don't know why, but it made sense to him. So he mistook Desi's UDDER (which was way cool...see pictures!) for not 1 but 4 inkles out in the open. That was funny! We proceeded to explain about mommy cows, and milk and assured him that she did not have 4 inkles.

Anyways, it was a great night of friends, free food, and yummy ice cream!

Free Massage

So here's a shout out to all my local buddies that read this...

My cousin is in massage school here locally, and is in need of bodies for her class. She has 3 openings last I talked to her for this weekend. Sunday either at 9am, 11am, or 1pm.

Here's the deal you show up a few minutes early sign a waiver (since she is a student)and then head in for an hour and a half massage completely FREE!!! It's totally professional in a classroom setting (there is a BIG room with lots of tables and students).

Anyways, if anyone is interested drop me a comment or call me at home today, and I'll get you in touch with my cousin.

It's a win win situation! You help her with class, and YOU get a FREE massage!

Cow Appreciation Day

Friday July 11th ALL DAY is Cow Appreciation Day!
No I'm not kidding!
And yes, we have no shame!
So skip cooking on Friday and head to Chick-Fil-A.
http://www.cowappreciationday.com/
Here's a picture of us last July!

Rainbow Colors

I have to give credit to Amanda for this. I saw this on her blog a few weeks ago and finally got around to trying it. Way easy, way fun! Do you have loads of broken stubby crayons that your kids don't use anymore??? Then transform them into cool rainbow crayons! Here is the link she referenced with the instructions:

http://www.chicaandjo.com/2008/04/16/recycle-old-broken-crayons-into-fun-new-shapes/

Anyways, I've got all the stuff now, so if anyone else locally wants to give it a try just let me know and you can borrow the stuff!

Happy 4th!

We spent the 4th of July weekend in Dallas with Dave's family and had so much fun! Nothing beats a day filled with Family, Food, and FUN! We went fishing down by the creek, we had bbq, we played on the swing, we played in the kiddie pool, we had a fire and we made smores! Yummy, fun day! The morning after Dave took the boys out and they built the "double decker swing". Dave and Grandma were outside with the camera to capture the moment. Check out the video:

During the weekend I took a BUNCH of pictures for Marianne and Bradford. I'm not that good, but I figure if you take enough, you are bound to get a few good ones. So thats what we did. I had fun making them do silly stuff, because hey everyone needs a few goofy pictures for their album too, right? Anyways, it looks like they picked some out for their announcements. So yea, it worked out. Lots of fun, and now we are home.

a rainbow

isn't it pretty??? i thought so.

Day with Papa Jim

So while in Texas City, my Dad took a day off to hang out with Me and the kids. We had lots of FUN! We picked them up from bible school, then headed to the movies to see Kung Fu Panda. After that we headed to McD's so the kids could get Kung Fu Panda toys. From there we headed up the highway a bit to the one and only LEGO store in Texas. It was lots of fun. There were all sorts of cool displays, and a play area to build. When we got home Jimmy got to play pool with my Dad. A very fun day! Oh and during the week Timbo found some fireants...check out his foot. Thanks DAD!!!

Bible School

So after a weekend in Bryan the kids and I headed to Texas City to visit my parents. While we were there Jimmy and Addy attended Vacation Bible School at a little church where my mom goes for a quilting group. They had so much fun! They went everyday from 8:30-11:30 and didn't ever want to leave when I came to pick them up. I enjoyed the little break from them too! Anyways, on the last day they performed the songs they had been working on. Here is the first
song they did...


This is the last song they did...when the leader announced it, Addy simply stated, "No, I don't want to sing it." She then proceeded to sit down on the stage and play. As the song progressed she did her own thing, even went after a boy with a ball for awhile. During her "distractions" my Dad leaned over and said, "there is a reason Addy is spelled A-D-D-y." HAHA! That comment cracked me up! Good one Dad!