Duck Duck GOOSE!

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This week has been all about adapting our current plans to whatever the crazy weather is doing. I know that I have been referencing Texas weather on the good ole' blog a lot here lately.

Believe me, I know.

Crazy weather really has been the theme of this fall/winter/sorta spring season. I like to think that we all wake up wondering to ourselves, "What the H-E-double hockey sticks is up with this weather?" No?

You just NEVER know what you are going to get.

This morning was by far the most beautiful Texas blue sky I had seen in a while. PERFECT. I was so giddy that I almost didn't even need coffee. Almost.

Pretty morning but this afternoon it poured. The day before was cloudy at wake up, beautiful for the early morning so we made big plans for parks, picnics and ducks. Loading the car we heard the rumble... and while I do drive a mighty mini, it is most definitely not that mighty. We chanced it though--- called its bluff per se. The clouds might have showed us up but in no way did we let it steal our thunder.

We adapted. We came to feed the ducky/monster geese and by george we were going to feed them. I like to think of it as a drive through zoo. Very hands on... but with caution because man, those geese looked MEAN. They sure were fearless.

Duck...


Duck...
GOOSE!

March Madness

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Well, it seems that we have taken a nice break from all things indoors recently because quite frankly --- we've been there and done that. Unfortunately, our computer lives inside because I have yet to invest in a nifty sun screen for our laptop. So alas, it has been break from blogging too.

Wait a second.

Did I say sun screen? Oh yes, that is right! Let me catch you up... After months in hiding it seems that our dear friend, the sunshine, has decided to up and rejoin Dallas living. This sunny stretch was just about better than any major holiday. It is amazing how pale I look in the light. I'll take what I can get though.

Now, don't get me wrong here. March 1st arrived and decided to hang with the "in" group for awhile and keep it nice and consistently RAINY. A cold, wet, bad-for-grocery-shopping-but-clearly-out-of- food rainy sort of Monday. I was not impressed. But we survived it... after all --- we are no longer wet/snowy winter greenhorns here...

And then one day just like that, it stopped.

It seems our March decided to embrace individuality and let its little self shine... brightly for 6 straight days. So we threw a party and invited our friends...

And had cupcakes, of course.
Sunshine just never felt so good.

So now, the rain is back. The heater kicked on tonight for like two seconds and it had that house is burning smell to it. While it was an initial icky smell, it was also a nice reminder that we have not had the heat on in a while. Hooray gas bill. I like to think of this today rain as a chance for us to say hello to the house again, feed the forgotten cat, visit our indoor toys for the next day or so- you know, take care of business.

After that, bring on the sun because we have got some great places to go...

and we are ready.

Super Saturday!

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What a soggy Monday! Our poor backyard has slowly transformed in a swamp with what appears to be a torn up something or other throughout the yard. While I really want to blame Rosie George, I know that in my heart it was probably me that left some trash sitting out because I didn't want to lug it to our big bin. Ugh. Maybe the rain can just wash it to someone else's yard? Shameful I know.

Typically on a day like today I would be a little in mourning. You see, a Julie without vitamin D in abundance is really not very fun to be around. Luckily, today is not typical BECAUSE... this weekend we basked OUTSIDE in the gloriously rare and slightly warm SUNSHINE! It was lovely and quite possibly my favorite weekend ever. And that says a lot.

This weekend was the first one since I can remember that we were obligation free of EVERYTHING. No plans. No commitments. Just fun in the sun. Saturday was by far the most packed. We started early and loaded up for a family walk with the baby jogger. I think I might have referenced before that weekend walks (coffee in hand so not TRUE exercise) happen to be my most favorite part of my marriage. There is nothing better than having constant adult conversation about your hopes and dreams with the person you love most in the world. And... because my husband is brilliant and decided to use the splitter on the ipod for the kids to listen to we had UNINTERRUPTED quality talk time. That would have been enough right there.

We went on a long walk and ended up at our local elementary school playground. Rosie was so pooped that she took a nice little nap while Gabriel brought her around 17 quality sticks. That pup was SO tired. We played in the sun for a good hour before going home for nap time. After nap it was off to the arboretum. I have referenced before how much I love this place so I will spare the details... and leave you instead with some pictures...

This is a true riding-in-my-covered-wagon-world-is-against-me pout. Very little house on the prairie of her.
We ran home after the arboretum to grab our coats because it was getting chilly! We kidnapped one Nonnie and took to dinner by way of Trolley. Perfect ending to a perfect day.

So today I can handle the rain but tomorrow I am definitely hoping for more sunshine! Hurry up, Spring!!!

Spring... are you out there?

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Anyone else feeling a little tired of the rain, cold and snow? It started in October and we have yet to see a break. Mays NEED sunshine! How else are we going to break in our sweet rides?

Thank goodness for new birthday presents because they have definitely kept things interesting indoors...
I have decided that because we have had such a looooooooooonnnngggggg cold, wet season than we should be granted a nice looooooooooooooonnnnnnggg spring with sunny skies and mild temps... right? please?

Pinkalicious!

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Because Molly's birthday falls in the summer she celebrated her half birthday at school yesterday. See, having your birthday at school is really fun! The birthday student gets to bring yummy cupcakes for friends, wear a fun hat all day and best of all... gets to be LINE LEADER. Molly was MOST excited about that! Her cupcakes of choice: Pinkalicious of course! Easy breezy and they came out pretty great and PINK.

Much like Pinkalicious, Molly's face is now stained pink too. Perhaps, I should have her eat a healthy dose of green things too... (if you haven't read this book, you need to!)

Lots of sugar here, folks.
But a happy day for our little Pinaklicious!!!

And her sidekick...

Just you and me, kid

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Molly and Gabriel have always had their baby well-checks on the same day because they are almost exactly 18 months apart (18 months and 6 days, technically). While having the doctor appointments knocked out in one day has always been very practical it has also been consistently um, chaotic? Let's just go with that.

Well, now both my children are on yearly schedules. WHOOHOO. This meant that yesterday was Gabriel's first visit to Dr. Sue without his Molly to distract him from those yucky vaccines. And while she can be a great distraction, the tiny room can quickly become a little... loud? Yeah, let's go with that too.

Loud until yesterday. Gabe's doctor appointment was great. It was calm and easy and I even had time to shamefully fill out his ages and stages questionnaire last minute in the waiting room while he played. He sat naked in the back room on my lap reading Diego with me and there was quite a bit of singing with Mommy. I like our special dates---even if they take place at the doctor. Gabriel was in the best little mood and handled the vaccines like a champ---well, he was rather miffed about the bandaids. Why is it that is the worst part?

Here are his stats:

Weight: 30.4 lbs - 75%
Height: 35 in. - 65%
Head: 19.5 - 75%

Short, stocky with a big brain. Yep, sounds like our Gabey (and a bit like Daddy too...)

Hooray for great appointments and here's hoping we won't have to go back until NEXT year. Wouldn't that be nice?

His newest trick is using the big boy potty every night with success!! He's becoming such a big boy...

Cookie Monster Birthday

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So I have to say that it is pretty wonderful when your birthday falls on the weekend. One day FULL of celebration. As a parent this translates into one day of CRAZY doings and finish it up with a nice mellow weekend... bring it.

I don't want to jinx ourselves or anything but this definitely was our BEST birthday celebration ever. And by best, I mean easiest because in parent vs. toddler world--- easiest is ALWAYS best. Saturday was the most relaxing day to celebrate---which is VERY fitting for a Gabriel. Most days.

We started it off with a nice visit to the fire station. My uncle is the lieutenant at our local station! I feel that we had a nice little barter system going--- we bring cookies for the "fire daddies" and trade them off for fun on the firetrucks. SOLD.


Uncle Mark, they had SO much fun!!!

Lunch, Nap and then time to party! My friend, April, gave me this GREAT idea for Cookie Monster Cupcakes. They came out really cute and were SO easy!

There was no rushing to finish or quick set-up, thanks to the help of one very wonderful, Nonnie.
And miracle of all miracles... it didn't rain! It threatened, maybe even spit a couple of warning raindrops out at us but that was it.

We really had such a great time!

I love how different my children's personalities are from each other. Molly can't get enough of the solo action while Gabe prefers the chorus a little.

maybe a lot.
I can't believe how quickly we filled the table with kids.

I mean, who doesn't love cookie monster?

Gabriel's littlest friend, Jack, really wanted a cupcake.

We promised that his would come several hours later. He seemed okay with that.


Gabe is only two but his party was triple the fun! He's just an over-achiever that way.


Present opening with littles. Is that ever not crazy? Meet the opening team. All these girls to boss Gabey around. He is SO lucky.

I really feel that this picture best portrays the opening experience...

Busy, no? And in the world of a toddler an unwrapped present must immediately be opened and put together.

You can see Gabe's intensity in his stance.

We survived the unwrapping and looking back made it through so much more...

Daddy football without ANY trips to the ER...

along with a cupcake redo at home sans tears...

Such a great day to celebrate our little, Cookie Monster!