Cousins...

I LOVE my cousins! I have several, but these two are definitely more than just family to me! They are both older than me and we were not in the same stages of life for a long time, but the thing that has mostly brought us together is motherhood. They are both so wise and WONDERFUL mothers and I am thrilled to have them as cousins and friends.

Jodi is the mother of Anna Claire's "Nevada cousins", Jack and Julia.

She is my oldest cousin on my Mother's side. We are so proud of her husband Steve and his success with his business and even though they moved far away, we celebrate their successes and look forward to more visits. Their clan came to Texas this summer and we couldn't have been happier! We love catching up with them through Blog pictures, emails and phone calls, but to be together in person is the BEST! Anna Claire loves to pray for them at night and "check Jack and JuJu" on the computer.

When they came we planned a scavenger hunt filled with clues all over the house and each spot had a new clue and a new prize. Anna Claire, Jack and Julia were LOVING it!

Jack was fantastic at reading each one and the girls loved guessing and finding them! We also enjoyed swimming, playing on the play structure at church and just being together!

Not too long after the Connolly clan's visit we had a swim day with the Smith girls. Holly is one of my many cousins on my Dad's side and though I love her and her sisters, I have been able to be closer to her. Anna Claire LOVES spending time with her daughters Saylor and Sutton.

We had fun swimming at our house and not long after we had a fairy party at their house.

Anna Claire LOVED dipping the "fairy wands" (marshmallows) in chocolate. I think a little bit made it on the marshmallow. :)

Anna Claire LOVES Saylor and Sutton and now they get to see each other every week at Children's Day Out!

Fourth of July/60th Wedding Anniversary

Since Fourth of July was almost 3 months ago, I decided I can finally blog about it :) We had a great time starting out with a festive pedicure...

We drove down to Fairlie, Texas to "the farm" to celebrate the fourth and my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary! Can you believe it?

60 YEARS! We all chipped in and bought them a windmill for their farm. They seemed to like it. Don't they look festive?

We were able to see a lot of family...

Eat some delicious food...

Play with our cousins :)

Dress up the dog...

...and the kids even put on a FANTASTIC Fourth of July show! I don't have a picture of "Miss America" (Julia), but she was stunning. Isn't Anna Claire crazy? She entertained us with many made up songs on the key board and Jack was an incredible announcer.

At the end of the night we set off our own fire works and danced in the yard with sparklers. Aside from Jack almost losing his hearing from a Black Cat, we had a wonderful time! I love summer :) I hope you all had a wonderful 4th with friends and family as well!

Dentist

I finally took Anna Claire for her first dentist visit this summer. I have mentioned before that A.C. does the best if she is prepped with a book of some sort before a "major" event. So...ironically I won a book titled Going to the Dentist from an Usborne rep at school right before school let out. I began reading it to her and booked the appointment. She was precious! She LOVED the atmosphere and I told her I am glad because that is the LAST time Mommy will spend that amount of money on a dentist visit. None the less...she was brave and well behaved and told the dentist and ALL of the nurses that would listen...

"I don't need a shot in my mouth today thank you because I have eaten all of my "begetables"! She may be a LIAR, but at least she is cute, right? I did find out that the "gap" between her teeth is caused by skin growing there, but doesn't need to be clipped or anything and that braces (cha-ching) will fix that in several years. SO...until then we will be gazing at these precious chompers.

I think it adds excellent character, don't you? Don't worry I won't be saying that to her when she is getting ready for her prom! ;)

Did we even go to San Antonio?

This trip feels like it was SO long ago! It was a fun 4 day trip to San Antonio with my fantastic parents and of course the princess. We have loved San Antonio for as long as I can remember with several trips down there over the years. My first time was when I was 3 and my Mom was expecting my sister. We took my cousin Jodi and I thought she was so cool. I would prove how cool she was, but she would kill me for the picture :) I also went to San Antonio in high school for drill team competitions and to watch Lindsey's as well. Needless to say it is a family favorite and here are some of the highlights.

MEXICAN MARKET - only here could you watch little kids dancing to "Grease Lightening" and have a HUGE crowd cheering them on. My child was among the many fans.

SEA WORLD:

Anna Claire LOVED Shamu! What kid doesn't?

But look at the amazement on her face...

and then her looking at me and saying "AWWWW!" Too cute!

She loved the aquarium and all it's beautiful colors. Fishy face!

I turned my flash off and got this cool shot...

Enjoying a very nutritious meal of ham, cheese and strawberries (that of course cost an arm and a leg!)

I think my parents began tiring at this point...

But Pop wasn't too tired to stand in a forever LONG line with Anna Claire to play in this "water park"!

This was Anna Claire's favorite part of the WHOLE day (besides Shamu)! It was an animal show with tons of trained animals (rescued pets) performing stunts and tricks. It was called Waggin' Tails! She was in awe and got to pet a cat at the end.

SALADO:

Our last stop was in Salado and we stayed a night at the Stage Coach Inn and ate at their glorious restaurant! Of course Mom and I squeezed in some Salado shopping. Here is the famous stage coach that I think my sister and I have several pictures by. The tradition continues...

Here we are on the ride home...chicken nuggets, french fries, DVD player...HEAVEN!

More fabulous sayings by Anna Claire

I know...I know... to long to wait right? SORRY!!! Here are a couple of funnies from the last few weeks and be prepared for a mass of blogging coming your way! #1.) Anna Claire had petting zoo day at school last week. All my very "shy" child wanted to do was chase and chase the bunny. They told her to be careful picking it up, but she did it anyway. It proceeded to act like Thumper and "attack" my child's fair, baby soft skin leaving horrid scratches up and down both arms. Anna Claire throws down the bunny, looks at her teachers and says this, "Okay! I am DONE being a farm girl!" Anna Claire, silly girl! #2.) After many nights of a visitor in my bed (A.C.) from not feeling well, I picked her up early from school to take her home for a nap because she WON'T take one at school. She came home and slept 4 hours people! Well that threw her whole week of sleeping off whack even more. I got to school Thursday and was told she didn't nap, so here was our conversation. Me: We are going to eat a Chick-fil-a tonight and I will let you play, but we will be going straight to bed when we get home because you didn't nap today. A.C.: With and exasperated look on her face, "Who on earth told you that?!?" Me: (trying not to crack up) Nana did. A.C.: Okay, I am waiting for you to talk to me about it. #3.) This one is from a while back (and please don't think I am the worst parent in the world! A lot has skipped my memory since 1985 when I used to watch this particular movie ALL the time): Anna Claire LOVES music of all kinds, but especially musicals. She is fascinated with ANNIE so I let her watch it. I know people, it has harsh places in it, so I fast forwarded the VHS (it was mine) through the Carol Burnett drunk scenes and called it a day. Here is our conversation 2 weeks after she has watched it 3-4 times. As I am on my way out the door: A.C.: Bye Mommy! We don't say god d*** -it! Me: (as my Mom turns white) No Anna Claire we don't! Where did you hear that? A.C.: On Annie at the end when Rooster is chasing her. Me: Oh honey please don't ever say that again! (I exit) After a week of repeatedly saying "We don't say...." and then still saying it my Mom has a conversation about all the pretty words you can say with God's name and how it makes everyone sad to say ugly words like that, we haven't heard it again. Oh, I should also mention that I bought Annie on DVD to be able to select particular scenes and also Anna Claire can now sing you Meet Me in St. Louis from the Judy Garland musical better than Tomorrow :) and I feel like a better parent.

Three-head

Hello everyone! It has been CRAZY around here! I was asked on Monday of this week to move to third grade and have my room ready by last night because we had in-service all day today and Meet the Teacher is in the morning! I have been an emotional roller coaster, but overall I have remained very strong and positive. I will be teaching 20 third graders starting Monday and I truly am becoming excited because the new team I am working with is excellent! I have SO many blogs to do, but I am so busy because of this switch so, I pause only for this brief moment so that I won't forget this hysterical conversation with Anna Claire this morning. God has shown me his love through so many people this week. I have had a lot of help and encouragement and hearing these precious words out of my daughter's mouth got me through the day. Here was our conversation this morning.. A.C. - OUCH! I bumped my three head! Me - What honey? A.C. - I bumped my three head (rubbing her forehead) Me - Anna Claire it is called a forehead. A.C. - No Mommy! I am not four yet! Priceless!!!

Unforgettable Humor...

Anna Claire has been CRANKY the last week and I knew this couldn't be right so I took her to the doctor and they decided to do a urine culture for various reasons. I explained to A.C. that she would need to urinate (pee-pee) in a cup. This is the conversation that occurred while she was half laughing/half crying...

A.C. - Excuse me but I cannot pee-pee in cups they are not for pee-pee! That is disgusting. Nurse - Okay sweetie how about I go and get you a little hat to pee-pee in? A.C. - Not a hat! You can't pee-pee in hats! That will mess up my hair. Oh no Mommy! Me - (after much coaxing and the sample had been given) Great job sweetie, now let's pour this in the cup and get out of here! A.C. - Oh my goodness why would they want to keep my pee-pee forever? That is gross. Tell them you will flush it.

Traumatic day...OVER!