Poteet Strawberry Festival

Today we went to the Poteet Strawberry Festival. Last year we were busy driving from Ohio so we couldn't make it but I made sure we made it this year. It is a big festival and I think the biggest one I have ever been too. The highway driving up to the festival is filled with the farmers selling crates of strawberries. Of course there were more at the festival as well as all other types of food and entertainment. We saw the Mountain Cloggers dance and the Doggies of the Wild West Show. After that, Ethan got to ride some of the rides but his favorite was the rollar coaster. I also think he really liked the petting zoo because they had some babies in there so he just stayed petting them for ahwile. Unfortunatley Gracie was in one of her moods so she was just not up for pictures, however once we got home and everyone was exhausted and ready for nap--Gracie decides she is ready for picture time. Hence the last one of her hiding. The day before I was getting Ethan all pumped up about going and telling him he was going to ride on some rides, pet the animals, eat strawberries, watch people dance and he turns to me with out looking impressed and says, "But are they going to have food?" I said "Yes, they will food" Ethan says" Great!!!" Yup, he is my child alright! Show me the food!

Doesn't he looked thrilled!!

You would think we made him go on it.

There's the happy face

The dog show

Ethan riding a pony

Petting Bambi

Pettign the baby goat

Are you ready to take a nap NOW?????

Easter Bouqet

Today we made a our Easter craft and it was a bouquet of Hand print Easter Lillies. They turned out really cute and were a cinch to make. It is our Easter gift for the grandparents.

Soapbox

I am going to take a little seat and vent for a moment. I truly try not to complain on the blog but the more I think about this, the more I feel like this is in order. Any woman can tell you that once she becomes a mom; a different world opens up, one that you had no idea existed. At every town or base we go to, I always have the luxury of meeting different woman/mothers and have made wonderful friends. Some I know will be our friends long after the military. However, along with this I have also meet women who literally crack me up. First, there is the mother I like to call “LOD”. Lack of discipline Mother is usually the one whose child hits, bites, kicks, throws and basically shrugs it off as if no biggie. I often find their response is “I keep putting him in time-out but he just runs away so what is the point” Anyone who knows me, knows that I could really care less how you raise your child, but the moment your child hurts my child and you shrug it off will be the moment I introduce you to my mouth! (It has happened folks) Moving on, the next mother I always seem to attract is the Competi-Mom. She is the one who immediately has to let everyone know how much she spends on her childrens outfits and toys. The one who looks down at anyone who shops at Wal-mart but in funniest of coincidences that is the exact place you keep running into her at. Now, this is not a “Holier than thou” vent because my good friend Carmen can tell you that I am a Competi- Mom, but just on the opposite side of the spectrum. She and I will try to beat each other on who got the best deal. Like, “Oh yeah, well I got this for 75% off” kind of talk. I actually find that more exciting to see who got the better deal. Plus, if you’re married to Eric it has to come willingly. Now, those are two very normal circumstance for everyone but just recently I have met a whole new type and the sad thing is it has nothing to do with gender. In a way I actually have learned so much about the type of person they are. As mentioned in an earlier post I have been taking care of our neighbors little girl. Our neighbors were caught in a bind after a family member backed out and their spot at the daycare was not ready. Now, I have always said that I have the greatest and the hardest job of my life being a stay at home mom, but it is something I know is a privilege and especially during these economic times not everyone can do. So when I saw another mother frantically worrying about her daughter (who I have know since birth) knowing I am right next door, I offered my services. Now, this is a paying job so I am not in any way being a savior but I took on the responsibility of helping them for three months. Trust me it does get busy with three little ones but she is the easiest. She is still at the wonderful stage where she is in the exact place you left her and since she doesn’t talk, I never hear any back talk. There are days when they come to pick her up I try to hand over one of mine in her place. To be honest I truthfully didn’t think it was a big deal and she has been on my schedule anyway from the time she was 3 months so I knew it would work out just fine and it has being her last week with us is next week. Okay, back to the my soapbox, Seeing how Gabrielle has A LOT of dark hair and just simply doesn’t look like me, the first question out of other moms mouths are “ Who’s is she?” When I explain “That I am babysitting her for a friend” these are the responses I get: “What on Earth would make you want to take on someone else’s child”, I hope they are paying you a butt load, because that is crazy”, “This people are not even related to you and you still offered to help them”, and my most favorite one of all “Really, at what age do you take kids.” After I explain to them that this is a special circumstance and that I have no ambition to be a daycare provider than they look at my like “Than why do you do it”. One lady, after expressing her negative attitude had the audacity to invite me to join her church. I responded immediately with, “Uh, no thanks!” Secretly thinking, I would have better luck joining a church where I had to become the 16^th wife; at least I know I could depend on the other 15 wives in time of need. What came out of this whole experience was being shocked how people reacted. I honestly feel it wasn’t a big deal to help someone else out even if it meant giving up my time. I would hope to God, that if I was ever in need, I wouldn’t come across these women. My point is, due to the multitude of negative responses, am I just the crazy lady who took on more than other people can chew or do people really think it is a dog eat dog world and giving is a mere act of depriving oneself ???? Enough time on the soapbox!

“We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give”. Sir Winston Churchill

I lost the fork fight!

She is one tough cookie and will not let me feed her anymore. As you can see by the plate, she still manages to get some of it in her mouth.

Dallas Trip

For a couple days we went to Dallas to visit with our friends and attend their daughters birthday party. Miss Kayla turned 5 years old! I remember the first time I held her when she was a newborn and can't believe how fast 5 years have flown by. Have you ever heard this saying coming from a mom to her oldest child, "All of my children are special but because you are the one that made me a Mom you will always be very special." Well in a different way, I feel that way about Kayla, she was the first baby in our group of friends and will always be extra special to me because she made me realize how bad I wanted to be a Mom. I get teary eyed just thinking about it.....Well anyway, her party was a lot of fun and Ethan loved jumping in all of the bouncers. While we were in Dallas, I was able to meet up with my sister Stephanie and her three boys Trevon, Donivon, and John Michael. We meet up in some small town so that one didn't have to drive too far. She lives closer to Dallas than San Antonio. After lunch, the kids played at a playground while we laughed and joked that much of our narotic behavior is due to our parents. Overall, it was a great trip and I am hoping we get to go to a Dallas again later this year for a Cowboy game.

*****By the way, thanks to Gracie my cell phone broke and as of 4:00pm today I have lost 5 years worth of phone numbers so if you can text or email me your number I would greatly appreciate it. It is so scary that the only number I know by heart is Eric's cell*****

Trevon, Doni, and Ethan Playing

Doni and Ethan

Gracie swinging

John Micheal and Gracie swinging

Cody, Kayla and Ethan playing before the party

Thomas was loving the jumping castle

Gracie was so scared of the jumping castle and wouldn't even go in there with me, however she would let Nycole take her in there and play with her and Thomas.

Cody and Ethan throwing basketballs in another jumping thing

Cody and Ethan having a blast in the castle

One of the few of her not crying

Ethan sliding down the slide jumper

Rule breaker

Splish Splash we were taking a bath!

Ethan goofing around

Playing with his toys

See her brand new chompers

Such a charmer

Ethan giving Gracie a kiss and her laughing hysterically

The joking around continued, she adores him.

Gracie acting silly

Gracie loves to rock on brothers rocking chair. She gets on and off all by herself.
They usually argue about who's turn it is.

Just call me Mrs. Stewart

I saw in a magazine how this woman had all of her children baptism outfit's placed in shadow boxes and thought it was such a neat idea. I think they turned out quite cute even though Gracie's box was being a little difficult. Our neighbor came over while I was in the middle of my little project and told me she was going to pay $100.00 just for one box. So I will be showing her how to do it next month. Now that I think about it, I saved Eric $140.00. That totally is worth a little mall shopping!

What have you done with my son??

Ethan has always been pretty good at taking naps, but now that he is getting older I think he is starting to outgrow them. So he gets a choice, he can either take a nap or he can have quiet time in his room like for instance, reading books, doing puzzles, playing with toys....etc. Well you can pretty much guess which one he normally picks. Here is a conversation we had earlier today.

Mom: Okay Ethan, Gracie is going to take a nap, it is quiet time for you.
Ethan: Mom, I don't want to go upstairs. (the whining starts) Please Moooooom.
Mom: You know your choices, which one do you chose?
Ethan: but Mooooooom I want to stay down here and play with you. (then the waterworks start)
Mom: Since you are starting to cry that tells me that you really need a nap so maybe you should chose the nap one.
Ethan: .......(silent thinking).........Okay Mom.
Mom: WHAT?????
Ethan: Your right(as he starts to walk to the stairs)I think I do need a nap.
Mom: Okay wait, are you playing a joke on me? Where are you going?
Ethan: Goodnight Mom.


NO JOKE, I went up after 5 minutes thinking I would find my child running rampant. You know using my lipstick on the walls as a way to get back at me, but instead I find him tucked in his bed fast asleep. As I walked back downstairs I kept asking myself, "Your the parent, right?"

I know, I know...

I know it has been a week since I last posted anything and if it weren't for the friendly reminders it would probably be another week before I got around to it. It is just that we have been really busy and by the time I get "my" time, I rather soak in a warm tub than get on the computer. The kids are doing great and as always figuring out which buttons need pushing. Ethan loves the fact that it is getting warmer outside so that is where we have been spending most of our time. Gracie's two front top teeth are making an appearance and she is starting to talk baby talk. Anytime she falls or hurts herself she says "owww", drops something it is "uh-oh" and finally when her brother is spinning her on the office chair she says"weee". She is too funny and I need to record her in one of her fits where she just throws herself down. Ethan just says with no sympathy "Your alright Gracie". The other day, we were on our way to a party and we came to a light that had just turned red. It seemed like it was taking forever to change but I thought it was just in my head till I hear, "OHH come on red light!!! Change....I want to go to the party!!!! . Poor Ethan, he was given his mother's patience and outspokenness. At least he knew I wasn't the one to be blamed. Below are some pics from us at the playground.

Ethan hiding

Gracie and her tongue

Yes Ethan, the 'I don't care what you are asking me to do
I will do the opposite look' is great on you.

Another one of Gracie and her tongue.

Finally, one without the tongue.

Ethan sliding.

Fun at the Zoo

Ethan brushing a goat

Ethan and Oliver playing in the sand

He truly loves his baby sister

Gracie Playing

Trying to climb the vine

Ethan fishing in the pond

Ethan contemplating if he should pet him or not.

Inner Book Worm

Since becoming a Mom, reading for fun was really put on the back burner. Well recently I had a chance to read a book by Ellie Kay named 'Heroes at Home'. It was really good and I think if you are married to a military service member this book should of been handed to you along with the marriage certificate. Ellie Kay is married to fighter pilot and basically write a survival guide for all spouses but adds in the quirkiest stories. Being a mother a five she has some funny stories to tell. I have also read her 'Shop, Save and Share' book. It was really informative and now I know why her nickname is "coupon queen". I have even started clipping coupons. Hopefully, I can get my hands on some more of her books. We have been trading in our playgroup and I really want "Money doesn't grow on trees" which basically teaches your kids about the value of a dollar. Especially since "Put it on your Christmas list" doesn't seem to be getting through to Ethan in the toy aisle.