August Randoms

Finally trying to catch up on all of our 2014 photos!

From August:

We got in one more visit to Sea World with some good friends before school started:


Bahama Bucks for a treat after dinner one night - check out the results of that cherry sno cone!


The rest:


Top row:  (1) Impromptu dinner out with some friends from Life Group after the power went out in our area - we definitely made the best of not being able to use our kitchens! (2)-(3) Another "last visit for the summer" - playing at the McKenna Children's Museum in New Braunfels.

Middle row:  (1)  All Claire wants for First Grade is her two - wait, make that FOUR - front teeth!  She lost four teeth in a span of 10 days - crazy!  (2)  Working together on a computer game at the children's area of the library (3) Will built a big castle in his classroom at church before everyone else got there (I was working in his class that day), and he asked for a photo beside it before he knocked it all down.  :)

Bottom row:  (1) Thursday afternoon, first week of school.  Claire was insisting that she wasn't tired, but I suggested that she go lay down for a few minutes.  She was out for a good nap, and still went to bed easily that night.  First week wipes everyone out!  (2) At the park with Will.  He loved showing me how high he could climb.  (3) A comfy (???) spot on the couch.

April Randoms

A round-up of random photos from April that I wanted to document:


Top row, left to right:

• While I was away at our church's women's retreat, the kids set up a bake sale and a dragon sale for Robert.  He said that they were basically "out" of everything he tried to buy.  :)
• Our MOPS Service team worked with a nearby assisted living facility to set up at Easter egg hunt for our preschoolers.  The kids and the residents all had a great time.
• We had some gift cards to Toys R Us, and the kids picked out ukuleles.  Let the concerts begin!

Middle row - outdoor fun

Bottom row:

• Will and I went to a nursery to pick out some plants, and he was fascinated by some chickens that they had on the property.  I practically had to drag him away.
• Waiting for Chuy's to open after church one Sunday
• Having fun on the merry-go-round at Hardberger Park.  I think this may have been their first time on one - you don't see them around much anymore.

And since I always love a good "asleep in the car seat" photo - apparently this day they had a particularly exhausting swim class.  Both kids were asleep with 10 minutes of getting in the van.

March Randoms

Wrapping up March:

Before and after of a much needed haircut for Will.  His hair is looking a lot like the "before" picture - I need to make him an appointment!

On our way home from Will's haircut, traffic was backed up, and we realized there was a lady in a stalled car on the highway.  A few men were helping her out by pushing her car off the road into a parking lot, and Robert jumped out to help.  The kids thought it was pretty funny, and they still think about it - just the other day we were all together, and Robert got out of the van to make a quick run into a store.  Will said "I guess Daddy needed to go push a car off the road!"

Photo by Claire - getting her backpack ready for school

Robert was in Houston for a couple of nights for work, and I flew down to join him for an event.  The hotel was booked up, and they upgraded him to the Presidential Suite.  There were several decor choices that made us laugh, and we kept thinking it was so weird to have this huge dining room, living room, and a full kitchen, but just the one regular bedroom.  Not sure who actually would book it except someone who needed a place to hold some meetings.  Really random, but it was fun!

These two always have fun with balloons!

Claire's Kindergarten teacher was awarded "Teacher of the Year" for her elementary school - well deserved!

My little cowboy.

Family indoor picnic and movie night - "Frozen", of course.

Visiting Grandmommy and Grandaddy Martin.  They got "Just Dance Kids" for their Wii, and Claire and Will had a blast playing.

Exploring the new space exhibit at the children's museum

January Randoms

A wrap up of January...

Clockwise from top left:
1) Pilates at the Y - I'm there at least once a week!
2) At Pump It Up for a birthday party
3) A scary bug in our house!
4) An evening tea party by lantern light


5 & 6) A yummy meal at Sustenio...before they changed their menu.  :(
7 & 8) Quality family time at Hardberger Park


9) Pretending to be termites at the zoo
10) A big cookie from Daddy's trip to Chicago
11-12) Family visit to the children's museum


13) A visit to The Thinkery in Austin with Grandmommy & Aunt Carol's family
14) Pretending to be shepherds
15) Sleepy girl
16) We love our library!

What's Going On in Our World: The Photo-Free Post

I am so behind on sorting photos, and I keep waiting until I have everything organized to post, but I feel like I'm missing the chance to record our "current events".  Time for a Crawford House Gumbo-style post!

• The beginning of the summer was busy.  We had something big every weekend for a month - I was out of town for a MOPS Steering retreat (I'm going to be a table leader in my Mothers of Preschoolers group next year - I'm excited!), we had family in town to celebrate Robert's grandparents' anniversary, and we went to two family reunions.   
• Will & Claire started swim lessons at Aqua Tots last month, and they love it - one of the highlights of  their week.  Will started out in a parent-child class and was ready to move up to the 2.5-3 year old class after a few weeks.  It's nice to be able to just sit on the sideline and watch!
• The kids and I are really enjoying our summer days - trips to the zoo, berry picking, museums, play dates, a few fun craft/science projects, and lots of time outside.
• Robert has been busy with work and travels a few times a month for meetings.  It's usually just an overnight trip, and on those days, Claire likes to have a sleepover at Nana and Granddaddy's house.  They all love their time together - games, movies, bubble baths in the big tub - and it makes the evening and early morning much more relaxed for me.  Will enjoys the one-on-one Mommy time, too.
• Claire and Will moved to a new preschool program this week.  We have been at the same place since Claire was about 11 months, so I thought there might be somewhat of an adjustment period, but we are making a pretty smooth transition.  Will is going to continue there in the fall after Claire starts Kindergarten.
• We are planning a family trip in August to San Diego - one last trip before school starts!

Overheard Yesterday

Will making up a new song: "I need a boat to go down the river, the river, the river."

Claire after some solid playground time:  "Mommy, I need my water bottle.  I am running out of energy."

Will with microphone in hand:  "Claire, it is time to ROCK!"

Year End Wrap Up - June Randoms

Photos from June that never made it to the blog...

At the beginning of the month we made one more trip to Sea World before our current annual passes ran out.  We usually didn't go on any rides during our visits, but since we were planning our trip to Disney, we thought we'd let the kids get a little practice standing in line and trying something new.







First pair of tap shoes for dance class!


Claire liked to decorate Will while he would still tolerate it - stickers, bows, etc.  He didn't seem to mind - guess it's just part of being the little brother!




Ice cream after meeting Grandmommy in Gruene




Zoo playdate with friends




Hanging out in the playroom


Claire doing some cutting practice while Will watches


Summer haircut - he looked so much older!


Nana and Granddaddy got moved into their new house in San Antonio, and along with the house came access to a great neighborhood pool.  Finally - pool access!

The Fall Routine

Wow - I am so behind!  Today I tried to get caught up by starting to organize photos, and I have over 100 that I want to share.  We have been busy with our new fall routine and enjoying the last days of summer.  The kids still go to school on Tues/Thurs, and while they are away I go to pilates at the Y (reformer on Tuesdays and mat on Thursdays), shower, clean a little, run errands, work on my Bible study, do laundry, appointments, finally get people out to fix the floor in the hall, etc.).  Claire has started speech therapy on Mondays and is really enjoying it.  On Wednesday mornings we go to Bible study, and we go to MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meetings every other Friday.  This is my first year in MOPS, and I am loving it!  The kids have fun in their classes, too, so it's been a great thing for all of us.

A few recent pictures...Will stayed with my parents on Monday while Claire was at speech.  C and I picked him up, and the 3 of us went to my parents' neighborhood park for a picnic lunch and to enjoy some cooler weather.  There was definitely more playing than eating - we had to have Lunch #2 when we got home.

By the way - Will LOVES this t-rex shirt.  When he sees it, he'll exclaim "Dinosaur shirt!  That a 'T'! ROAR!" and will roar many times throughout the day with his hands up high like claws.  So funny!

May Randoms

They thought it was hilarious to get in the old Exersaucer - I'm thinking it's time to pass it on!




A quick trip to Kohl's on their grand reopening celebration day ended up with an opportunity to check out the fire truck.  Will wasn't interested, but Claire was excited!


Climbing at the Museum


At the playground - he loves to sit and play in the gravel.  Just give him a cup and he can entertain himself for quite awhile


He always thinks he's being so sneaky drinking from my cup


Trying to reach her butterfly mobile when she's supposed to be napping


Will figuring out that he can take photos of himself with my iPhone


Trying to hide in Claire's hamper


Wondering what happened to our living room - old carpet was out, and we ended up with new carpet.  Long story.


I've started keeping a little container of baby powder in my purse to help remove sand from the kids after playing in various sandboxes.  Claire found it and wanted to hold it - I told her she could as long as she didn't open it.  A few minutes later, this is what we found.


Goofing off in the playroom


Claire's picture of me - we need to work on the severed heads.  :)


Claire checking out Nana's laptop

April Randoms

I'm finally trying to catch up on the blog, including going through my iPhone and cameras and posting a few photos I like that hadn't already made it onto the blog.

Styling in her black leotard, navy sweater, and brown shoes


Sneaking a sip from Mommy's drink


Peeking through the bars at the playground