Trip to the Zoo

Trying to get out of the door with a dwadling preschooler and a newborn is almost like a comedy routine. We had hoped to leave for the zoo on what was promising to be a gorgeous fall day around 8:00 a.m., since it opens at 9:00 a.m. HA! What were we thinking?? OF COURSE Leila woke up reallly early when I was planning on packing up while they slept. OF COURSE the baby had a blow out, on Leila's bed no less. And Patrick still had to put together the double stroller. But we finally made it out the door at 9:40 a.m. and actually got good parking. We laugh that when Leila was born we did not want to take her anywhere but with baby #2 we are itching to get out of the house.

It was a beautiful day and we got to see all of our favorite exhibits--Leila's is still the goats. The most random thing ever happened at the Lion exhibit. We were looking at the lions when one of the moms next to me addressed her daughter as "Skylar." I asked if her daughter's name was Skylar to make sure I heard correctly. It turns out BOTH of the little girls on each side of us were named Skylar. So we had three Skylars in a row! What are the odds of that??? We all agreed it was a beautiful name.

Leila got to feed the giraffes--look at his tongue!

Family portrait! Doesn't the baby resemble her daddy?

Ah Sweet Summer

One wonderful thing about living by Galveston Bay is there is always a breeze. We spend a lot of time outside, and it has been really pleasant. We have a covered patio in the back and a sand table and a baby pool so we are set.

The last few weeks have been a blur. Leila is out of school for the summer. Her last few weeks were really fun. The kids had field day, which was hilarious. They had a pool party the last week and a special chapel where they were chosen for specific character awards. Leila was chosen as the recipient of having a "Gentle" character. We think that is really sweet, but as the youngest and by far the smallest in the class she kind of had to go along with everyone else, lol. Not that she didn't hold her own--she managed to make the biggest boy in the class her friend so we think she is pretty smart, lol.

We went to Moody Gardens with Cindy, Mary's closest friend from St. Louis who flew into town to spend time with her and meet Leila. Leila has been asking for Cindy ever since. Thank you for spending your birthday with us Cindy!

For Memorial Weekend we stayed here and had some fun family time. The McKinneys are building a log cabin at the ranch so we will probably wait to go there until it is complete this summer. We went to our "secret" beach in Seabrook and enjoyed a gorgeous day in the (still oil-free) water. We went to the pool, twice, and grilled burgers.

We have had a couple of playdates and parties with friends, and Leila is really into birthdays now. She sang the complete "Happy Birthday" song to her Uncle Sean today which was Adorable. If you ask her how old she is, she will say "two." We have no idea how she came up with that. She knows her birthday is August 3 and is crazy about cupcakes, because they mean "birthday." So funny!

Stay tuned for our next blog... my brother Jimmy is getting married this weekend and we get to meet my brother John's new baby, Samantha, for the first time.

Riding Gray's ATV at a pool party at his house. Did you know they made motorized vehicles for toddlers??

Tanning in our backyard, just like mama

We luuuvvv our pool! Thanks Mimi!

Leila's 1st experience with a push up popsicle was a little traumatic

Chillin at the zoo... and you thought only monkeys could climb

Hanging out with Leila's bff Avery at the zoo.

Mmm.... cupcakes! Leila decorated this one herself. It took me a week to get all of the sprinkles off of the floor, lol.

"Yea Aya!" Leila is proud of herself after she makes a goal at field day. We always cheer her on and now she cheers too. She calls herself "Aya" and I hear the words "Aya do it" about 20 times a day. Leila already has chores (feeding the dog) and if she wants to do more, by all means have at it baby girl!

Cuddling with her Nana after her 1st tea room luncheon

Leila's Mimi, her friend Cindy, Leila and myself at Moody Gardens

Mother's Day at the Zoo

Sunday was a surprisingly cool, cloudy day and perfect weather for our trip to the zoo. After church Patrick made me a delicious breakfast. We went to the zoo and rode the train around Hermann Park and the carousel. Leila got to brush the goats at the petting zoo. Thank you Patrick & Leila for a wonderful, relaxing day.

Leila's class sang a song for the moms - cute!!

Riding the carousel with Daddy

A sweet kiss for mommy

Leila being cute... sort of long but it was taking too much time to edit

Spring Break

We had a crazy week. You know it is Spring Break done right when it involves vomit. We went to the Children's Museum, the Zoo, Galveston, the library, the park, and Patrick and I went to the Rodeo. I always try to plan activities for us, but life with this 1 year-old is never dull. We play tea party, a lot, and it usually results in big wet messes. At the zoo, all of her friends sat nicely in their strollers for lunch while my daughter ran around with her sandwich exploring while I followed her.

Saturday - Kayak exhibition, met my family in Galveston
Monday - met Cassie & Avery at the Children's Museum
Tuesday - Erica & Grant came over to play, Patrick & I saw Keith Urban at the Rodeo
Wednesday - met Sarah & Ryan, Jennifer & Kylie, Jill & Cannon at the zoo
Thursday - Went to Story time twice at the library, then went to the park, then she got sick and threw up all over both of us (but felt better afterward, until it happened again)
Friday - Recovered from yesterday, introduced water color paints

Last weekend Patrick bought a kayak and I hope to take it out tomorrow if the thunderstorms stay away. I have some pictures from last weekend when we tried them out. We are only 2 miles from Galveston bay and surrounded by lakes so there are a lot of places to go.

Leila liked the yellow one, but daddy bought green
Patrick tried out all the different models in the lake next to our house (um, that is not our house in the background, lol)

We met my family for dinner at Guido's on the Seawall in Galveston

Leila and Avery both like the ball pit at the Children's museum. Pacifiers keep things from entering their mouths! Last time we went to the museum, she came down with a 102 fever.

Who is that girl looking at me?? I like her top.

First time on a tricycle and loved it even if she couldn't pedal.

At the zoo with Ryan (top), Cannon and Kylie

Enjoying this short-lived gorgeous weather at her grandparent's house with Belle

She is either deep in thought over her artwork or I caught her doing something

Leila piled the chair with books to read at the library then sat on top of them


This is her illness recovery look.. Favorite Elmo shirt, dark glasses, new flower bow from mommy... she felt better by the afternoon