A good portion of my life has been spent playing the piano for everyone else's diva moments. Now it's my turn. I invite you to accompany ME through my life's diva and, well, not so diva-like moments. It'll be entertaining. Promise.



Saturday, December 26, 2009

How Does She Rate?!?!

No, these are NOT my nails...

They're my girls!

How is it that my 7-year-old gets a full nail set before her 34-year-old mother? Answer: Some generous grandparents and an out-of-control nail-biting habit. We have been trying for months going into years now to help Kaylee break this habit, and since Grandma and Grandpa Wadley gave us some money for Kaylee's Christmas I thought, hmmm. Turns out, she loved the whole experience and I dread the day when they start to come off and she wants new ones...birthday money, anyone??!! I should have taken a before and after...her poor nails are down to nubs. So, this is just another of many tricks...hopefully this one will work! In the meantime, they do look so much better, if not a bit pageantesque for a 7-year-old. Enjoy the glam while you can little one! :)

Christmas 2009






Monday, December 14, 2009

Ode to Sparky

I remember the day I first saw your cute little face.
You were under Rudy's sweatshirt waiting to take your place
In the Smith family, yes, little did you know!
Rudy played Santa that year with a Ho, Ho, Ho!!

He told us he got you from a customer at work
We were so excited, we almost went beserk!
You were so tiny, a cute little pup..
I couldn't wait to get home and just eat you up.

The puppy days were filled with the usual mess,
the cleaning, and yapping, and all-around stress.
It will get better, I said, just wait and see,
In a few months he'll be trained and be rid of the fleas.

A few months went by, then a few months more,
Cesar Milan and I bonded, yeah, really hardcore.
We made a little progress with the pee and the leash
Now if he'd only stop biting and chewing on everything...GEESH!

First it was the siding, then the grill knobs,
It finally came to a head after three sets of quads.
The dog at that point was banished permanantly outside
Where he liked to escape, yes he tried and he tried.

He was quite successful, I'll tell you why, you see
His mom (me) had to have a house built with pier and with beam. (But that's a whole nother story...I digress)
Rocks, bricks, cement were brought in by the ton,
But the sucker still got out and away he would run.

He liked his adventures, and I liked them too,
Cause when he came home he was too tired to chew.
We'd let him inside our room at night
At least then he'd be too tired to bite.

So threats were made, we came pretty close
To getting rid of the guy before our drywall was exposed.
Mostly it was me, I still wanted him around
You bond when you run together and feed him, I found.

He kept getting out, we tried really hard,
The temptation was too great compared to the monotony of our yard.
The street was too busy, he picked a bad time.
The sun was just setting and I can't find a rhyme.

We cried and we'll miss him even though he gave us grief.
Our time with him here in this house was too brief.
We're taking a break, no more pups for right now.
We've got plenty of strays who will eat up the chow.

So Sparky, when we see you again in the next life to come
We'll have a foundation and a door that doesn't succumb
To the South Texas weather changes. Won't that be grand?
Just wait for us boy, we'll meet you in the promised land!


Sparky Smith
November 2006 - Novemeber 2009
We'll miss you.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Crazy 8's

8 TV Shows I Love:
1. American Idol
2. 24
3. Any weather updates (nerd alert!)
4. American Idol Reruns
5. Keeping Up Appearances
6. Oprah (if she's talking about something I'm interested in)
7. American Idol
8. 24

8 Movies I Love:
1. Steel Magnolias
2. Dead Poet Society
3. Nadia
4. The Sound of Music
5. The Unsinkable Molly Brown
6. Ever After
7. The Wedding Singer
8. Hairspray

8 Restaurants I Love:
1. Olive Garden (the oldie, but goodie)
2. Macaroni Grill (I go just for the bread)
3. Snoopys
4. Kiko's
5. Small Planet! (shoutout to the DeHarts)
6. TGIFridays
7. Bamboo Garden
8. Thai Cottage

8 Things That Happened Yesterday:
1. Cleaned house
2. Taught a piano lesson
3. Went to see Glenn Beck's Christmas Sweater
4. Paid bills
5. Made dinner
6. Made breakfast
7. Made lunch
8. Picked a HUGE zucchini out of the garden

8 Things I Look Forward to:
1. My family being together with no responsibilities (ok, very few responsibilities) over the Christmas break.
2. Going to Messiah with Kay tomorrow night.
3. Getting old with Shawn and going on long walks together every day.
4. Watching my kids' faces on Christmas morning.
5. Next summer's trip to Boise and Seaside to visit the fam.
6. Starting the annual aroma of Christmas tradition in my home tomorrow.
7. New Years! (second favorite holiday)
8. The glass of eggnog I'm about to indulge in as soon as I finish this post!

8 Things I Love About Winter:
1. That the weather is usually really nice here (present day is an exception).
2. Break from school routine around Christmas time.
3. All the goodies!
4. Getting together with family/friends to enjoy all the goodies! (and each other, of course :)
5. Going on jogs without dying in the heat.
6. The cold water that FINALLY comes out of my taps! (Funny story about that...when we fist moved to Baton Rouge from Idaho in August the water was warm when I would brush my teeth...I went to the landlady and told her there was something wrong with my water because it was coming out of the tap warm...she proceeded to tell me with her deep southern accent that I wouldn't get cold water until at least November...that's just how it was! I couldn't believe it!)
7. Christmas music!
8. The fact that I don't have to scrape icy windows once all winter long!

8 Things On My Wish List:
1. A new pair of glasses
2. A trip to the temple
3. A trip to the cannery
4. Dinner out with my schweety
5. An iphone
6. A cruise
7. A new diamond to replace the one that fell out of my wedding ring :(
8. A day of doing absolutely nothing (just one day...)

8 People I Tag:
You all know I don't do this...if you wanna do it, then do it! :)

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Thanksgiving!

We had such a nice Thanksgiving this year. We got together with our friends the Villas, some of their family, and the DeHarts at their Deli. The day was perfect with beautiful weather, fabulous food, and wonderful company. We have so much to be thankful for here in our little corner of the world. I love this day that reminds me to give thanks. Here are a few highlights from our day:
Aaron loved his first Thanksgiving meal! (He was too young last year)
So did my girl :)
Rudy and little Rudy samplin the goods The guys shootin the breeze...
The gals shootin the breeze...
The fabulous cooks (I got away easy this year only being asked to bring corn, or KERN, as it's more popularly called...what's up with that Pats?!?! Well, Shawn did cook one of the turkeys I guess...give me more work next time girlfriend! :)
The cutie pies...
Ring around the rosies...


The Thanksgiving/Christmas dance...

Awww yeah...that's what it's all about baby!

Saturday, November 21, 2009

The Harvest Has Begun!!

Actually, we have been feasting on wonderful zucchini for about a month now, but the rest of the goods are just starting to be ready to harvest!
Happy Day!!

Monday, November 16, 2009

New Look!

I was not planning to do this...it just sort of happened when I tried out the new trimmers I bought in an effort to conserve money. (What? Me? Trying to conserve money??? :) So now I know how to do it and can trim his hair myself when it grows back...yay!! I didn't like it at first but I'm used to it now and think he still looks pretty handsome. Oh, and new shoes today too...his first pair of tennies!!
I didn't plan the pics this way, but it looks like his legs are that of a six year old with these two pics together!! LOL!!!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Halloween!

If there is such a thing as Scrooge for Halloween, I would be it. I start grumbling in August every year thinking about the money I will spend on costumes/candy/decorations. I try really hard to bring up childhood memories of fun Halloween's (and I know I had them) and the excitement I always felt as a kid, but somehow those memories can't seem to overpower my general moodiness as I contemplate another year of scouring the stores for cheap costumes/candy/decoration.

(At this point all of you Halloween lovers can pick your jaws up off the floor).
Nevertheless, I stalwartly go about my yearly duty with a stop at the thrift store when I feel like if I leave it any longer my kids will have to resort to wearing a pillow case over their heads with circles cut out for the eyes. (Not that there's anything wrong with that, mind you, just ask Charlie Brown and co.)
Kaylee, bless her little heart, has informed me months beforehand that she will be a cheerleader and has already put together her own costume (without any prompting from me) from items in her room (thank goodness she loves dressups).

So, the problem is Aaron. It is not a matter of WHAT he will be for Halloween (although I did have a moment of inspiration to dress him as a football player since Kaylee was a cheerleader), it is a matter of what the thrift store has available in his size. The standing rule is I absolutely will not pay over 5 bucks for a costume. (All jaws that were previously picked up may now drop again).

Well, let me tell you, the pickins were slim. As in, ONE, yes ONE costume that would fit my little guy (plenty of choices for little girls....grrrr...). It looked like it would fit (no size tag) so I decided for $2.72 I would make it fit, as there was no trying on clothes that day with a disgruntled kid in the cart.

Home we go, and after a wash and stretching of the fabric I decide it will do (barely).

Whew...costumes are taken care of.

Kaylee again saves the day by bringing home two lovely pumpkins she had drawn at school for decorations to add to the cute, crafty decorations she made with Sarah (who also saved the day) when we went to San Antonio. Decorations...check.

Now, for candy. Everytime I go to the store I see the isle. Every time I go to the store I avoid the isle. I finally have to walk the isle at Walmart to buy two bags for the ward halloween party...actually I make Kaylee walk it while I hide trying to find battery operated pumpkin lights (which they're out of....grrrrr..) Ouch, that was painful. Finally, the day before trick or treat I brave the isle at our local HEB....WHAT!!!! You want 3.99 for a teeny tiny bag of Twix's?!?!?!?! I love Halloween...I love Halloween...I love Halloween... I love Halloween...

Despite my general scrougeiness, I always end up begrudgingly admitting the money spent on cheap clothing and teeth rotting sugar is not so bad when I see and feel my kid's excitement. This year we had the ward party the night before, then went to two parties (a friend's from PTA and birthday party next door) on Halloween. Kaylee got to trick or treat at the birthday party down our street then I took her out to some friends in the ward later. Aaron hadn't taken a nap that day so he had fun at the parties and by 6:30 had had it. Daddy took him home to bed, watched football and handed out candy. Going out with Kaylee was my favorite part...she was so excited...fun to watch her those two days.

Oh, we also carved pumpkins the Monday before and they turned out great. I made pumpkin soup which was OK (wouldn't make it again) and tried a new recipe for a pumpkin roll that turned out fabulous!

OK, maybe the holiday is not so bad...maybe...I guess. :)

My girl helping out with the decorations...

Shawn's master pumpkin carving...

Kay with hers...


Ready for the ward party

Can't get enough candy!
Playin' games...

The three amigos...Bro. Pena, Bro. Morlett, Bro. Rangel...they kept Aaron fed and entertained most of the night. :)
Aaron with Christiana...his favorite buddy at church.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

A Beautiful Sunset Cruise on the Bay










Always wanted to do it and so glad we did - our city is beautiful!!

South Texas Jazz Festival

Last Friday we took in some sights and sounds at the annual South Texas Jazz Festival. The weather was beautiful and it was just a fun night to walk around and hear some good jazz music.
Me and my girl

Ridin on the trolley
The infamous trolley that I stalked as we were leaving to get one more ride - mine and the kids favorite part!!


This was taken while we were waiting for the trolley - in the video Aaron shows off his fun bye-bye trick, although he's too busy to actually look at the camera... :)

It was a fun night!!

Monday, October 5, 2009

General Conference Thoughts...

I am grateful that I can listen, watch, and read General Conference in the next few months while my kids are asleep...

That is all.

:)

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Birthday, Cute Kids and New Trick!

So, last Sunday was Shawn's birthday and it was really nice. We got a sitter and went out to dinner on Saturday night to Texas Roadhouse. After stuffing ourselves with their heavenly rolls and cinnamon butter we rented a movie and it ended up being a great one - The Great Debates (or Debaters?) with Denzel Washington. Then on Sunday we had some friends over for a Texas BBQ - yummy fajitas, rice, beans and tortillas. Good food and good friends - what could be better than that on your birthday??! Oh, yes, a new itouch which didn't make it in time for the birthday but came the day after - he is loving it!

A random pic of my cute kids...Kaylee loves to take Aaron on the rocker for "song time" or "story time"...she is the BEST big sister ever!
Aaron's new trick :)

Monday, August 24, 2009

First Day of School - Second Grade!

I always approach this day with mixed feelings. It is always hard for me to drop my child off in an unfamiliar space for 7 hours leaving her in the care of someone I don't know. On the other hand, I am a creature of routine, and love the fall for that reason (even tho we really are in the middle of summer here temperature-wise...sigh). Luckily, Kaylee was pretty much born to go to school and is always super-excited to go, so that makes it a bit easier to deal with the first day. Still is hard though.

On the Aaron front, he did the cutest thing yesterday. I was cleaning in the dining room and I heard him walking through the kitchen making his "uh" sound. I turn around and he walks up to me with his book open, stops right in front of me, and holds it up for me to read. SO CUTE! The best part was the book was "Are You My Mother?"! He loves that one. I love to read to my kids, and love that they love it.