Monday, October 17, 2011

Before I forget...

Yesterday in the car Levi was humming in the backseat. When I asked him what he was humming, he said, "That wasn't me. That was God." hee hee

Totally need to catch up on my blogging. After Halloween...I promise!

Monday, May 23, 2011

A Morning with Levi

Today's Tiny Treasure: A quiet morning with Levi.

Levi never gets up before Eden. Never. So when I saw him coming down the stairs first the other morning, it was a happy surprise. We shared a nice little moment, before the rest of the house woke up. He drew me a picture with his tongue out for concentration...just like his granddaddy Simmons. Way too precious for words.


PS - That's a dolphin he's drawing. Just in case you can't tell.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Sweet Little Conversations

Today's Tiny Treasure: Conversations with my Kids!

I love to hear them tell me...

all about their day,
who they sat with on the bus,
the play they made up with friends at recess,
how that bounce house birthday party was such a blast,
that they love me 139 (which, by the way, is a really lot),
that their pet leopard is eating his dinner,
the steps of a project we're working on together,
100 times a day to "Watch, Mommy!",
their favorite butterfly,
their "night, night" prayers...

And all the other tiny conversations we had today that have already slipped my mind.

Note to self: Get the video camera out more and record these precious moments. They are flying by too quickly and I just know I'm going to miss those little voices when they are all grown up!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

My Little Man is Five!

Once again I am behind on my birthday posts. It's like some little part of me goes into denial after the party is over. They can't really be growing up. Right?

I guess it's time for me to face the music. My little man is five.

Levi is the sweetest soul I know. Always thinking of others, always giving you that sideways smile that melts your heart and always in a happy mood. Sometimes I can't believe how lucky I am that I get to be his Mommy!

At five, Levi loves to...

Play baseball in the backyard.
Make up stories about his day.
Give hugs to his Leopard.
Laugh.
Eat Watermelon.
Swim.
Sing Justin Beiber with his sister.
Play with his puppy.
And kick a soccer ball.

He is all boy and is honestly the coolest boy I know.

We celebrated his family birthday at Gatti-town (a little piece of Heaven on earth if you are a 5-year old boy). And topped off the festivities with a Leopard Bowling party with his friends.

I hope he felt special and loved - since that is the way he has made me feel every day of the past five years! Mommy loves you Levi...all the way to Pluto and back.



Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Monday, March 21, 2011

Binge Blogging - Part Eight

Part Eight brings us up to date...

Today's Tiny Treasure: Playing the "Lava Jump" game with the kiddos before bed. Each level I would move my legs a little further apart and if they didn't make it all the way across they would fall into the "hot lava". The first time Levi stepped in the lava, he quickly informed me he had on his "hot-lava-proof shoes". Smart boy.

Binge Blogging - Part Seven

The kids went back to school today after a very fun and relaxing Spring Break. The house sure was quiet this morning. No one building a fort in the living room, camping out in the playroom, asking if I could turn on the xbox, make something to eat, get out the paints, make lemonade for the lemonade stand, etc. I felt a little lonely, to be perfectly honest.

We were able to squeeze in a quick getaway over Spring Break - joining the crowds at the Alamo, Riverwalk and San Antonio Zoo. The kids found the Alamo very interesting (much to my pleasant surprise), loved the boat ride on the Riverwalk, and got to watch "feeding time" for the Condors (and see lots of other fun things) at the zoo. The trip was a hit and the perfect way to round off the week.

Binge Blogging - Part Six

Just to clarify the whole, "I love the Rodeo" thing. I still think it would be beyond cool if Levi grew up to be the next Tony Hawk.

Just saying...

Binge Blogging - Part Five

On the list of Top 20 things I never thought I would hear myself say, this would probably make the list.

I love the Rodeo!

Eden and Levi do as well. For about two weeks after this trip to San Antonio the game of choice was "bucking broncos". One munchkin would "ride" on the other ones back until they were thrown off (sound really safe, huh?) They would probably still be playing it today, if we hadn't watched the Karate Kid. Now they just practice their "karate" moves on each other. But, that's a whole other story.

At the rodeo, we saw a chick that was just minutes old, got to pet a pig, ride a pony and watch the cowgirls do some serious barrel racing (among many other things). Turns out, I kind of like being a Texan and secretly hope my kids do too!



Binge Blogging - Part Four

Snow? In Austin? Again?

For three years, when Winter rolls around, I try to explain to Eden and Levi that it really doesn't snow in Texas all that much. I tell them not to get their hopes up. It probably won't snow.

Every Winter for the past three years, it has snowed. Not that I'm complaining.

This year we were able to enjoy Texas-style snowboarding...



A "snowman" when the snow was too cold and dry to stick (Levi's creation). Can you see it?



And then a real snowman when the snow started to melt...



What can I say? Cheers to Mother Nature making me a liar once again!

Binge Blogging - Part Three

Just in case you're curious, as of February 2011, Eden would like to be a Shamu trainer when she grows up and Levi would like to be a World Cup Soccer Player. Easy decision for Eden. Levi, on the other hand was torn. It was between a soccer player and a professional wake-boarder. His daddy should be proud!

Career Day 2011

Binge Blogging - Part Two

We spent President's Day with my mom at Aquarena Springs in San Marcos. The kids loved the glass bottom boat ride and we all learned that a snapping turtle has a really long tail? Who knew?

My mom remembers going there as a little girl and watching the mermaid show. The abandoned "sky ride" from the 60's is also still there (covered in vines) - giving the place a very nostalgic feel. After the boat ride, we visited a park and grabbed some ice cream. It was a perfect little day.

Binge Blogging - Part One

Well, Wow! One post in two months does not a happy blog make! I am way behind on updates and have no other way to catch up. Time for a little binge blogging...

My last post was about Eden's Valentine's Day preparations (and Levi's mustache shenanigans). I'll pick up where I left off...

We managed to squeeze in homemade valentines again this year. We have been going in so many different directions lately that I have to admit the box of Tinkerbell and Ironman cards at the check-out line were pretty tempting. But, despite the time crunch, we made it work. I was so proud of the kids for taking their time and really making each note special for their friends. I think they turned out perfect. My only regret: I didn't have them make one extra, for mommy.


Saturday, February 12, 2011

Heart Scraps

Today's Tiny Treasure is this idea Levi came up with as he watched his sister cut out hearts for Valentine's Day.

Her heart scraps became his paper mustache. Eden loved the idea and had to get in on the action as well. My kids are hilarious!

Saturday, January 15, 2011

A Donut Date

Today's Tiny Treasure: This Donut Date with my monkeys. Life really is about the little things...and I loved every second of this one.



Thursday, January 13, 2011

A Work Perk

I won't lie and tell you there isn't a little piece of me that hates when I have to finish up some work after the kids get home from school. My absolute favorite part of the day is watching them come running off the bus and then walking home with them as they share tid-bits of their day.

But, once we're back in the house, I usually have a few things to wrap up before I can give them some serious Mommy-time. Lately, though...I can't help buy notice a little "work perk" that has popped up somewhere between the bus stop and dinner...

My little munchkins are having a blast playing together! Yesterday the giggles filled the house. It was a perfectly happy afternoon, capped off by sweet little notes they wrote to each other right before dinner. It was about 100 tiny treasures all rolled into one.




Plain and Simple

Levi just ran across the street for a playdate with his friend. All. By. Himself.

I stood at the door and watched his little camo jacket bounce across the street - his hood was up because it is freezing out and he is a good boy.

Right before he left I helped him put his shoes on and told him I would miss him. His response, "Yes. You'll definitely miss me."

Once his shoes were on he took a couple steps down the stairs, turned around, gave me a sweet little dimple smile, then threw his arms around me for a kiss and hug. Oh my word. That boy just steals my heart. Plain and Simple.