Quinceañera in San Antonio

We went to San Antonio a few weekends ago for a quinceanera for one of Mondo's cousins.  It's like what the gringos call a sweet 16 party except this one is for when they turn 15.  This was the second one we've been to.  The boys enjoy getting to dance all night.  We also used it as another mini vacay and did a little sight seeing...even though we've been to San Antonio a million times.  ;-)

We picked the kids up early from school on Friday and hit the road.

We took a few touristy pics on the Riverwalk.

Caleb kept giving us a heart attack by getting too close to the water.  He can swim but that water is disgusting!  He was obsessed with the ducks...and he came milimeters from falling in at one point.

This was outside of a restaurant on the Riverwalk.  We didn't eat there but the boys thought the long horn was cool.

We went into Ripley's Believe it or Not and the Palace of Wax but didn't pay to go fully inside.  We just browsed around the entry way.

I think this wax figure is a wrestler?

We were going to go inside the Alamo but the line was super long.  I guess it usually is on a Saturday afternoon.  And the boys were getting hot so we walked around outside then went to the gift shop.

Papa, Caleb would like for you to make him some wooden swords like these.  :-)

Mondo giving a little history lesson with the mini figures.

Watch out!  They're loading the cannon!

This was inside River Center Mall.  I turned around and he was doing this!  ;-)

We did a little shopping and Caleb kept himself highly entertained by talking to all of his reflections in the mirror.  It was pretty funny!

The night of the party.  Almost dancing time!

There were several special dances before the dance floor was open to everyone.

That's Mondo's grandmother (his Dad's mom) giving her the special doll.

Caleb broke it down out there!  He was a sweaty mess!

The cake.  I'm not sure if they even cut it!  We left around 11pm and no one had touched it yet...well, except for a few kid's grubby fingers.  ;-)

It was like a kid dance party at the beginning.

Caleb said he was ready to do some "Mexican dancing".  I was his dance partner.  ;-)

There were little candy bags that someone got into after we left.  ;-)

Plano Balloon Festival

A few weekends ago I got a Saturday night off.  We didn't really have anything planned.  My mom told us about the Plano balloon festival and it sounded like something fun and different to do.  It was kind of like a little carnival with food and bounce houses.  We were a little let down when we found out the balloons weren't going to fly in the evening like they were supposed to.  It was too windy.  :-(  But it was still a fun evening...and I wasn't at work!

There were tons of people!  I found out later that some of my work friends were there too but I never saw them.  It's hard to tell from this picture, but all of the festivities were down in this bowl type area.  Everyone sat up on the hill to see the balloons. 

Every time we pass a Mustang Ethan says that the car he wants when he gets older.  He better start saving those pennies!!

No this picture isn't crooked, that's how steep the hill was! 

Ethan was super excited to find tornado tators just like at the state fair!

And of course, if there's pizza, that's what Caleb is going to pick.

 

They were all excited and ready for the balloons to launch.  What a bummer when they didn't!

Instead we got to enjoy a "light show".  Lame-o!  Different balloons lit up at different times to music.  Not very exciting when compared to watching them launch!

Down in the kid's area there was a little dance floor where the kids could go break it down.  I was suprised that Caleb did it.  He's standing behind Ethan in this picture so you can't see him.

There was a little area full of instruments that the kids could try.

No, he did NOT put his mouth on that flute like every other kid did.  He just pretended.  He wanted to take a picture for Aunt Ree since she played the flute and he says that's what he wants to play. ;-)

Watching them make kettle corn.  Smelled good! 

Mommy waited in a VERY long line to get those balloons!  That's all Caleb begged for the whole time we were there.  Now they're hanging up in the playroom.  :-)  Maybe we'll try to go again next year and actually see some balloons fly!

Crosspoint in the Park

A few weeks ago, we had a cook-out at Lynn Creek park with church.  It was just a time to get together and invite friends and show them how awesome Crosspoint is.  ;-)  We had hot dogs and burgers, played games, and had a concert.  Luckily it wasn't quite as hot as it was last year so it was more enjoyable!


Mondo helped cook hundreds of burgers and hot dogs.  He stood at that smoker for hours!



The kids helped fill up water balloons...and threw them at each other.  All of the kids had to stop "helping" because they were supposed to be used for a game later.  But how could they pass up a water balloon fight when they were hot?  ;-)

The boys went on a boat ride with our friend Scott's dad Hugh.  I had to cut the cord because I couldn't go on the boat because I was helping with the food.  I was a little freaked out but knew that they were in good hands...and they had life jackets on.

Enjoying some food.

The teens and kids playing games.

I was proud of Caleb for joining in.  This was the water balloon toss.

There was a concert by a christian singer during all of the festivities.  Then there was some "congregational singing" at the end.

Caleb and Maddie playing by the water.

Another one of Caleb's buddies from church.  They were having a serious discussion!  ;-)

Back to School!

It seems like the summer time just flew by this year.  I'd been dreading Caleb starting kindergarten since he's such a momma's boy.  And Ethan started 3rd grade. Only 3 more years at Larson then it's off to junior high...yipes!!

"Sneek a Peek"



The week before school the kids got to go "sneek a peek" at their classroom and find out who their teachers were.  Ethan got Mrs. Long.  I didn't really know anything about the 3rd grade teachers but she seemed fun.  She is from South Africa I think so she has a fun accent.  He is in class with a ton of his friends so he was super excited about that.

 

He walked Caleb to the kindergarten hallway....melt my heart!

Caleb got Mrs. Loteryman!  She was Ethan's kindergarten teacher so we were super excited to get her again.  Of course he clammed up and wouldn't even look at her or talk to anyone.  He's super shy when he doesn't know anyone...just like his momma.

He decorated a shirt to hang on a monkey outside the classroom.

He got a cute little baggie full of goldfish that said "You are o-fish-ally in kindergarten!"  So cute!

First Day of School

Of course I had to put them in matching shirts.  :-)  I'm so excited to have them at the same school!

First day of school?  No big whoop for this big 3rd grader.

That's about the biggest smile he could muster up.  No tears, but not super excited to be there either.

This is how he looked when we left him.  Coloring his paper with intensity.


**Update**

One perk of me taking forever to post this blog...I can update Caleb's school progress.  He did great for the first 2 or 3 weeks.  Walked right in and got to work.  But for the past several weeks he's been crying every morning once we get to the classroom door.  He hugs me and won't let go.  I peel him off and shove him in but he comes right back out.  He asks every day when his next break from school is.  He says school is fun and he always comes out smiling.  I think it's just separation anxiety and also he's not used to going to school 5 days in a row.  I tried sending him with Mondo one day and Ethan another but he still cried.  So we're pushing through and the tears are getting a little less...but they're still there.  My poor little critter.  :-(