10 days of spoiled children

The first week of June Eric's Grandparents came for a visit and actually did really well keeping up with our crazy kids. Ethan and Gracie just adore Germ and Lapiz and were really sad when it was time for them to go. I don't know if it is because they hate to see them leave or realize that they aren't there to spoil them rotten. During the time that they were here we were able to visit the other Missions here is San Antonio. There are a total of 5 including the Alamo. It was my first time visiting the other 4 missions and it was really fun learning about life in the 1700's. We also visited the popular riverwalk and the land out in Bandera. While they were here they got to see how Gracie can really torment her older brother. Everyone back home thinks our little girl is pure angel so I am sure Germ and Lapiz will clue them in. One time Germ scolded Gracie for something so Gracie turned around pointed her finger straight at her and scolded her right back with babble. It was funny because she is just so young to have such of an attitude. We all had a laugh when Ethan laid out his blanket on the coffee table all pretty and within two seconds Gracie grabs the blanket and bolts in the opposite direction. She looks behind to make sure he is running after her to get it back. You should see her little legs go. Germ nicknamed her the "instigator". Plus, the mean looks she can give you are just unbelievable. I already know her and I are going to hit some major rough patches on the way to adulthood. It is her way or no way. I will often joke with her when she is having her "moments" that I feel sorry for her future husband and we are already saving for her tuition at military school! She loves the word 'NO!!' and uses it all the time. Ethan is the only one to get any affection out of her, she will protest you if you even dare ask for a kiss. Her older brother just adores her and lets her get away with more than he would let anyone else. They do have fun playing together and see eye to eye most of the time, that is until Gracie has a drama moment and the whole world has to come to a screeching halt. Ethan will often agree that she is just too funny.

Ethan feel asleep on Lapiz lap so Gracie was there to bug him.

Gracie getting a sink bath from Germ

Whats good for the goose is good for the gander!

Playing Sleepover

Germ and Ethan at one Mission

Ethan has no idea what he is doing, Eric placed him like this

Not everyone is a history buff....

Us at another mission

So pretty

Amazing detail for back in the day

Germ, Lapiz, Gracie and Ethan.

US

Gracie Smiling

Ethan and Lapiz at the reservoir.

Out at the land

"I wonder if she notices I am holding the stick she has told me to put down"

Every time Grandparents visit, Cheetos are handed out!

Germ, Lapiz and Ethan at the riverwalk

Me, Ethan and Lapiz at the riverwalk

Normally, I catch Eric taking pics of my lower half so I am surprised this made it in.

Gracie trying to ride the bike

Playing outside with Chalk

Ohh the love!!!

.

San Antonio Missions

Today we went to a minor league baseball game with a few of our friends. It was really nice because our seats were in the shade and the kids lasted till the 5th inning. I thought with all of them, they were only going to last till the 2nd inning so it was actually nice to see half of the game. Afterward, we went to the play area which was huge and had about 5 different blow up jumpers, slides and obstacle courses plus a playground. The kids had a great time and enjoyed hanging out with their buddies. I have no idea who won but to be honest I could really care less, it was an enjoyable afternoon with great company!

Watching some baseball

Everyone

Gracie and Daddy

Eric acting crazy

Griffin, Amelia and Ethan

More silliness

Walking to the play area

Playgroup Buddies

Here are some pictures from playing at the pool and going to Peter Piper Pizza with our playgroup. Gracie was a little shy of the pool and really tested the water for the first couple of minutes but just like her brother she instantly became addicted to it and was having so much fun. Just like her brother she just doesn't have a sense of fear and kept trying to jump in. Ethan had a blast with his friends and was just being a little fish. The only time he got out of the pool was for a snack.

Thanks for walking away while I am taking the picture.

Ethan being sprayed

This was basically a carnival ride in the restaurant. It went pretty fast but Gracie did really well sitting next to me.

She is defiantly our child, We love pizza!

Half full

Last night I attended my first book club. I made my artichoke spinach dip, I have read the book and was ready to discuss it and couldn’t wait to have a glass of wine. Needless, to say I was excited especially because of the day I had with the kids and finally a chance to enjoy some no- kid time since Eric has been back. You know a night where I remember my name is Destiny, not Ohh MOM! I was psyched!!. Well about an hour after I get there, I receive two phone calls. One from sister and one from a neighbor who I talk to all the time, so I just ignore both of those and decided I was going to call them later. Well than about fifteen minutes later I get another call from my neighbor and this time I decided to answer it. The voice on the other line is Eric, he is telling me he is using our neighbor’s phone, has been locked out of our house with the kids and that I need to come home to let him in. Mind you it is an hour and half past bed time so I know Gracie is probably going crazy and it has started to sprinkle! I explain, to Eric that he needs to walk over to our neighbors house and ask them for our extra key. He says that he doesn’t think they have one and says “who gives their neighbors extra keys”. We hang up and I decide it is just not the night for a book club. I hop in the car and start to drive to home. Eric calls me as I am driving and promptly tells me not to worry or come home; lo and behold the neighbor had a key. I explain that I am already half way there so don’t worry about it, while secretly thinking of the half full glass of wine that was left behind. At the end of the night, Eric says he is sorry that he didn’t think to ask the neighbors, I say I am sorry because it was a good night that had to abruptly end. As a Mom you always want to feel needed, and you often reassure yourself that if it wasn’t for you to find lost shoes/blankets, wipe away tears, or even know how to ward off an upcoming temper tantrum the house would literally fall apart. It is a sense of accomplishment when you know you are needed that much, it means you must be really good at your job. However, last night was not a night that I felt accomplished!

By looking at what Gracie was put to bed wearing, Eric had a pretty rough night himself. The top is Ethan's old spider man pajamas and her bottoms are not pajamas they actually go with a top that is hanging in her closet.

Memorial Day Weekend

This weekend was one of our busiest in a long time, It was a BLAST! On Friday we were happy to welcome our good friends the Bolin's back to San Antonio. However the next day they we were quickly put to work though because we were having a big barbecue on Saturday. It was so much fun! It was great because we had some old friends, new friends and our neighbors all under one roof. The kids had a blast and enjoyed the bouncy castle. It was a Fiesta Potluck so we all gorged on mexican food and desserts. It turned out to be a beautiful evening and since our back yard doesn't face the sun in the afternoon it was not hot at all. Besides the bouncy castle and the swingset the kids enjoyed playing with the rice table. ( Yes, I said rice table! We don't believe in sand at our house, I turn into Joan Crawford with sand). By the end of the evening we were excited and exhausted. Ethan couldn't even wait for Eric to come and say good night. As soon as his head hit the pillow he was out. I thought we would all pass out too, but our next door neighbors kept the party going till 4 am. Thankfully the kids slept through it but Eric and I being the closest to them got only a couple hours of sleep. Ahh the life of childless people!

Then the next day after all the visitors were gone Eric finally attacked the garage cleaning head on and that kept us pretty busy. After months of me just tossing things in there he finally got it organized and cleaned out. Ethan's highlight though was when he and Daddy went for a ride on the 57 which Ethan calls "Monster Truck". However after a couple of miles the battery went dead so I had to go and tow them back in. He loves riding in it and was just excited it lasted as far as it did.

Gracie and Nycole jumping

Faith and Ethan jumping

Griffin going down the slide

Precious Gabrielle-Don't you just want to pinch her cheeks.

Thomas mid-laugh

Gabbing in the kitchen!

The kids being kids

Thankfully we own a blower!

Gracie having a good time!

Gracie's little "boyfriend"
He was born exactly two days later than Gracie and his name is Grason.
Perfect Match.

Ethan the Observer

Yesterday I came downstairs wearing a skirt and this is Ethan’s reaction.

Ethan: Mom, you are dressed like a princess!

Me: Thanks, Ethan. It is a skirt and I am sure you have seen me wear this before. Sit down so I can put your shoes on, we need to go. (I start to put his feet on my lap to put his socks on)

Ethan: No Mom, (moving his feet) I don’t want to ruin it. You look beautiful!

Me: I will wear a skirt everyday if you will put your own socks on!

The other day we were all in the car driving down the road and it turns out to be a classic example how literal kids take things.

Eric: LOOK Ethan, there is a 1956 red corvette (pointing down the street) Oh my god he ruined it by putting 22’s on it; my dad would shoot him if he saw that.

Ethan: DAD, your dad is going to shoot him (gasp, serious face)

Eric: No, he really isn’t going shoot him. It is just a figure of speech, meaning my dad would be very upset if he saw that.

Ethan: Yeah Dad, but we don’t shoot at people or cars. That is not nice!

My Little Artist

Here are some pictures from our day at the Children's Art Studio. We had such a great time, and can't wait to go back.

The plate goes on a record player and you use a marker to create designs.

Ethan painting over invisible ink. It appears when it is painted on. The lady said it was invisible ink but I think it was a white crayon.

Putting Sand over glue to make designs

The only thing Gracie wanted to do was push the chairs around.

Gracie and Noah having a snack

Noah making dot art and Ethan in background making marshmallow shapes with toothpicks

Making balloon art

Amelia and Ethan making Balloon Art

Ethan and his friends learning from the teacher

Play-do.