A Visit from the Toothfairy!

Parker was feeling very discouraged because he had never lost a tooth so for Valentine's we bought him a chapter book called Tooth Trouble about a little boy who was the last kid in his class to lose a tooth. What do you know! Three days later Parker had a loose tooth! After a month of wiggling and jiggling, his tooth finally came out yesterday when he bit into a chocolate bar at church!

The Toothfairy paid us a visit last night and left Parker a note about taking good care of his teeth, some sugar-free gum, and a $5 dollar bill although there was some disagreement between the Toothfairy's helpers about how that's too much and he'll expect it every time and has a lot of teeth to lose! I, er, I mean the Toothfairy's helper was convinced by Aaron, I mean, the other Toothfairy's helper that his first tooth is something special, especially when he's been waiting for so long so it's worth more to the Toothfairy!

Loose!

Gone! Ka-CHING!

Leapin' Lizards and the Cutest Lil' Cowgirl in Texas!

Parker and his friends caught a lizard yesterday. They named her (yes, they decided it was a girl and no, I can't remember the name), 'studied' her, and let her go. Oh boy! The excitement of four little boys when they've caught something so cool!

You know what they say - "When in Rome..." er, in Texas! This really isn't her new look. They had a RODEO theme at Anna's school and she got to wear her cowgirl best and eat pancakes with her class.

Both kids are really liking their new schools and are adjusting well. They still talk about home and family and friends there and can't wait to come for a visit but for now, think this is an ok place to be!

Kemah Boardwalk

Valentine's Part II

Every year for Valentine's we have a candlelight dinner with the kids. We let them drink out of wine glasses and put out some candles and they just think it's the neatest thing! After dinner we watched Madagascar 2 and Aaron made us some strawberry cheesecake. It's fun to spend special times like these with the family!

Valentine's Part I

Yesterday Anna had her Valentine party at preschool. She had such a fun time! So much fun that when I picked her up she was still singing and dancing and squealing and it didn't wear off for several hours. Then she cried all through dinner because she was just too tired to eat and wanted to go to bed! She loved opening all her Valentine's.

Parker's Valentine party is today. He had to make a Valentine box for the party and although I'm not the biggest fan of Spongebob, I think his box turned out pretty cute.

Yesterday we also got a nice surprise! Our family received a special package from Kristi with Valentine's for everybody, even Molly! The kids had SO much fun opening them and are always SO excited when they get anything in the mail! Thanks for remembering us even though we're far away! Happy Valentine's! We miss you!

I REALLY Love my kids!

I was just watching the slideshow below and 'Little Wonders' by Rob Thomas was playing and I really felt a surge of gratitude for the two little ones I have been blessed with! They are amazing! I forget that the past year hasn't been easy on them. They were there when I had my accident and felt the worry and fear as they watched their mom leave in an ambulance, plus the adjustment they had to make when I lost the use of my hand for a couple of months. They were separated from their dad for three months and had to leave behind their schools, their friends, their family, their home and familiarity of the only place they've ever lived and yet look at their sweet happy little smiling faces! They bring me so much joy!

Today I have watched cartoons, made cookies, played Barbies, put together puzzles, and played hide-and-seek. All of these things I get to do because I have Parker and Anna to do it with and there really is nothing better. I know I've said it before but I just can't believe how fast they grow! I would give anything to keep them little! I know with each passing day it leads me to a time when Anna won't want to play Barbies and they won't have time for puzzles or be interested in cartoons. They're going to grow up and there's nothing I can do to stop it. I can just cherish each little moment and fill my head and heart and scrapbooks with all of the memories I can possibly hold on to!

Our First Adventure in Texas - Galveston