Football and Family

FOOOOT-BALL...it's the sport of kings .....better than diamond rings.... well that is debatable but none the less it consumed our weekend.

We bagan Friday with pictures. Which on a personal note why does it seem that all picures are stressfull...demanding the kids do a natural smile on cue, and then the pleading...ugg I am not a big fan of pictures can you tell?? We did the kids individually and then their respective groups. For groups, I was in charge of Macy, Duke maned Dale and Reid. Reid...did great but possibly had a forced grin, but appeared pleasent, Dale did well except for his "football face," in the last shot , and Macy...well lets just say that by the time it was time to take the group picture she had been standing in the same place ready for the picture for 15 mins, the photographer was unhappy with the line up and changed it and changed it. SO then the simple command... put you hands on hips....hers were up under her arms like chicken wings, then the next one she resembled a body builder flexing complete with a grr face and arms bowed infront of her body, one she is looking sideways....ugg a disaster..but a memory none the less forever recorded. Then saturday...early...too early on a Saturday in my opinion but at the crack of dawn we drove to the games in Pflugerville. Reid's team stomped the hawks 36-0., Reid played defense.... and Dales beat their Hawk team 19-0.

Dale played both ways and did some amazing runs and blocks....he was very pleased with himself and so were we, and he scored the extra point!

Dale running

Dale Tackling

the end is Macy doing a her cartwheel...which is more like a flop...but she tries....I have another great run of Dales, and Macy cheering but these videos take a LONG time to load so maybe tomorrow.

Also a huge plus was that Uncle Scott, Aunt Tanya and baby Sam came to see them and brought freinds Matt, Stacey, and baby Kendall. It was a huge treat to see them, since we have not seen Sam for well....too long. Here is Sam in his doo-rag...so stinking cute huh.Then Duke and Dale went to the UT vs. Rice game with some tickets from Becky and Luis, thank you so much Becky, they had the best time. Duke is so eager to share in football with Dale now that Dale gets it and the positions and all so it was a bonding time, and the seats were great to see the game, in the shade, and we stomped Rice so that was AWESOME! I drove them in and dropped them off for the game, went back to Scott and Tanyas and had some great pizza from Papa Joes...it is a take and bake and they have gourmet and kid freindly versions and some killer cinammon sticks that we deamed practically a health food, since they were made with whole wheat flour and oats...AMAZING...I wish we had one here. Then we hung out with Scotts neighbors a bit and then when the 4th quarter began, I loaded up the truckster with Macy and Reid and picked up Dale and Duke on the side of Red River and hit the road home....and made it here LATE. Here are my 3 monsters all crashed out and peaceful....ahhh....Thank goodness we had a relaxing sunday and recooped for the week ahead...hope you had a great weekend also!

love this song

Weekend all over Texas

So our weekend began in VonArmy, 40+ mins south of San Antonio for football games. Both Reids and Dales team won their games, and Macy cheered a little....and looked super cute in her uniform. Then the kids went to Kerrville with Grandma and Bepaw and Duke and I ran home, showered and changed and drove to Austin. There we met up with Troy, Carolyn, Mama Sam, Terry, David, Brie, Magnus, Cory and Tammy at the Texas 4000 Tribute. This organization honors a group of UT students who ride from Austin to Anchorage Alaska over the summer break. They do this to raise money for cancer research, and educate the individuals they come in contact with on cancer prevention material, and also stop at hospitals and such on the way. It is a powerful event....not everyone can ride 4000 miles on a bike, I think the will power alone must be enormous. Each day each team, there are 2 the Rockie team who rides the Rockies, and the coastal team who go up the California coast, begin with a dedication of who they will ride for that day....mom, dad, someone they just met.....it is cool. The tribute has an amazing dinner and great auction, and dancing as well. This year Carolyn put up an amazing painting, Icons of Austin....check it out its great... and duke and I got some UT tickets for he and Dale to go to a game. It was a fun night and then we drove home that night. It was a LATE night but our own bed is so worth the drive. Sunday afternoon the kids returned and we were invited to a friends house, Becky and Luis's, to swim and eat. The kids had a great time....thanks again Becky. And so back to the weekly grind and football/cheer 3x's a week....is is wrong to hope Hurricane Ike rains out practice a few times!

Were CLOSED

On Wednesday afternoon Duke and I closed on a some beautiful little acreage in Bulverde. This will be the new spot for our family's home. The plan is to start construction in a year, and move there in about 2 years. We are all excited, as the kids can ride 4 wheelers out there till their hands hurt, and not bother anyone too much. Each one of the kids has drawn a house, Macys has 30+ rooms off her room for all her babies, Reids has a huge garage for the cars and 4 wheelers and even bigger pools...yes like 4 pools, and Dales has secret passage ways and tunnels....not sure if all of that will make the final cut but we'll consider it all. It is on a cul-de-sac which is important to me and so many other perks. The kids will have to change schools, which is sad, but thats at least a year off, and they will eventually attend Smithson Valley HS, which is a great school, and small perk, it has its own stadium, something that is not an option where we are now. Not a big deal but I think it is cool to have. SO now we have to come up with a floor plan and architect and start from scratch including a well and septic....but it will be our original and have a huge garage for Duke and a pool for me and beyond that we will see what time brings. Hopefully Duke and I can work together well in this endeavor....could be interesting, as I am opinionated and he is smart....especially when it comes to building stuff....I may have to let him win a couple of battles but we will both win the war when the house it finished! I am sure we will keep you posted.

More Milestones

Yesterday was the first day of Reid's school career. He is officially a kindergartner. He has Mrs. Washington, who Dale had in kinder and we LOVED her. On last Monday, we went to help the PTA deliver the kids pre-ordered school supplies to classrooms. When we went to make sure his supplies made it to his class, she was there. She allowed him to pick his cubby 1st, and he chose the best one (in his mind), and then helped her in the room for a minute and we left. We returned on Thursday for meet the teacher and realized a friend from pre- school was in his class, and Reid helped him pick his cubby...the one next to his, they colored a picture and we departed to await Monday...the first day. I have to admit Reid is the one I worry about, he is my sweetheart.....not sure if it is a middle kid thing or what but he has such a tender heart. Mrs. Washington asked for a note about the kids and this is what I wrote:

Mrs. Washington,

Here is a summation of Reid; I hope he will be an asset to your classroom this year. I am very excited that he has a teacher I adore, and he already has a connection too.

Reid 101, to keep this brief, he is reserved, and very shy, until he is comfortable, then is goofy and silly. He is affectionate, loving, eager to please, imaginative, listens well, wants to learn, and plays well with others. He enjoys learning, but will come up with excuses of why he cannot do it, when he gets frustrated or bored with the task. He loves to be a sidekick and helper for Duke and I at home, and for his pre-school teachers. I must add that he is a fantastic help too. He also wears his heart on his sleeve, when he gets upset at home his first reaction is to run and hide. If he dinks his toe at home, and Mom is near, he is very emotional. However, if he gets hurt with his peers, he is generally very stoic and tough, resisting emotion unless there is immense pain or blood involved. Reid is my sweetheart, and is a mini version his daddy, which is possibly why he holds a special part of my heart.

My hope for him for the year is to have a positive exposure to school. I am confident in your teaching abilities and techniques, and know you will prepare him well for his school career. I will facilitate all I can at home to reinforce what you teach in the classroom. Please let me know if there is anything more I can do to help him learn.

Reid and Mrs. Washington

He said when I picked him up, that he had fun, and would go back tomorrow... I take that as success.

Reid here is the beginning of a new chapter in your life, you are bright and strong and have so much to offer, I cherish that I will be able to watch.

Dale also started 2nd grade. I swear he has not been alive long enough to be in 2nd grade...but time flies apparently. He has a great teacher that is very well spoken of, and he has 2 friends in his class. He DID NOT want to be walked to class, so he went solo and did great on his first day too. It is strange b/c Dale is now a "big" kid at the school, and yet so still my little man in my heart. I have to share that Dale astounds me with the nurturing and caring he does for both Reid and Macy, Dale is walking Reid to his class each day to make sure he get there and last week at Fiesta Texas he helped Macy get into her seat for all the rides and got her settled, then after made sure she got out ok and held her hand to walk her out....it was a pictureesque moment that actually happens frequently and made my heart melt and also felt so proud of him....I guess he is getting bigger after all...

On a side note that is actually a huge plus for me....I got the boys an alarm clock. Initially I thought they do not need one...but then thought about how grumpy Dale can be in the mornings and thought maybe I can pass the "bad guy who wakes me up" tag to someone or something else. So bought the clock, set it to a radio station, and guess what.... this morning was SO drama free it was scary. The boys both woke up to the music at 6:50 am, got dressed, and came downstairs and made their own breakfasts....even Macy got up and got dressed....since she felt the need to sleep in their room last night. I went in at 6:48, and decided to wait and see what the 2 minutes would bring, went to finish getting ready and those 2 minutes brought me a slice of HEAVEN. We have become the family of planning to combat mornings...with the mantra of IF it can be completed the night before it is....bags packed, lunches made, clothes and shoes laid out....all to ease the tension that some mornings bring when you toss a tired, grumpy kid in the equation. I hope this is a trend that continues.

Macy also starts in a new room, but has the same teacher as last year but is no in a 4 yr old room. So she too will be learning new and fun things....here she is doing one of her cheers.

Twinkle Toes

So Dale is actually HITTING people in football....he was leery at first and that night Duke and I made him tackle us in the front yard...and it clicked. The next day when they did drills he nailed into a big kid and took him down....YEA DALE, not that I am all about the physical contact but it is a part of the game. Then he had to go on the opposite side and attempt to run past defenders and he blew up the sideline like an all-star....pretty cool...you gotta take the perks when they come b/c he will get hit and he did later that day but he made it past a good half of the time.


One TIRED TITAN

Reid is doing great as well, he has some very patient coaches and they are working on breaking a huddle and the hut....going on 2 has proven to be a tough concept for the 5-6 yr olds....but it is funny to watch. Also another favorite of mine is jumping jacks.....not many have mastered the skill and it is a show.



Macy is a fair weather cheerleader...she takes lots of breaks, but is learning the chants and cheers...and she hollers them out at home so I think her performances will be video worthy. But every time I try to record her she sees me and runs over to say HI.

Macy ready to Cheer

Fantastic Contraption

Our entire family has been taken hostage by this cute little frustrating game..... you have to try it....it is very brain training....Fantastic Contraption.....it is all about physics and Duke is very good at it...I am sub-par and the Dale is ok....Reid thinks he is awesome but hes not. Some of the challenges are super tough and once you beat it you can view others ideas....and some are crazy cool.

Attack of the Titans

Ok we are officially a Texas Youth Sports family. Dale is playing tackle football #10 he picked it, Reid is playing Flag #8...his choice, and Macy is one of their cheerleaders, she opted to cheer rather than ballet...for the Stone Oak Titans. It is a total time hog, and physically challenging but the kids are loving it. Last, this, and next week they all have conditioning practice EVERY day from 6-8. Dale was given pads and his helmet today. Macy ordered her cheer leading uniform today as well. It is tough but they are giving 110%, and I am pleased thus far with the organization, it is organized, they are teaching some actual skills, that are both good on the field and off the field. Once school begins Dale and Macy have practice tues, wed, and thurs and Reid has it tues, and wed. The best part is they all practice at the same place, same time, and games will be at the same place, Reid first and Dale second games each time, and Macy cheers for both games, if she wants....so even though it is 3 times a week....it is more like one for each kid, which I would have anyway if all three were in activities. The only down fall is the dumb fundraiser that you have to do and each child is on the hook for 100 dollars, or you have to sell 9 discount cards at 20 a pop to Nike...where you do save about 60% on merchandise but it is only a discount coupon card, but what you do not sell you have to still fund the remaining money....so any of you aunts and uncles and godparents, grandmas, grandpas and the like feel free to purchase a card....PLEASE...none the less I think it will make it neat that all are in the same organization, and are sorta together in spirit. Macys uniform is SOOO cute and they actually go participate in a competition on November 1st. She is a mascot and there are 3 other 3 yr olds participating and they just try and get what they can out of them as far as practice goes...and she is a ham so I am sure she will do great especially since there are bigger girls there and she loves to feel big too and will copy them. I am sure there will be plenty of updates and pics to follow. To say they are tired at the end of the day is an understatement...they run so much, but the objective is to be the best conditioned team on the field so they can finish strong in the 4th quarter...go TITANS.

July is half over...ekkks

I would bet money that it was just the beginning of July....those were 15 fast days here in our neck of the woods. Momma Sam came for a visit from New Jersey, bearing gifts for all. Dale got this new DS game card that has 20 games on it...we did not see much of Dale only the top of a head and feet hanging over the arm of the chair. Flashlights that change design, pig and chicken guns, a purse for me, a necklace for Macy...and a bunch of other goodies....we are so spoiled by Momma Sam and so lucky for it! While she was here we ran to Austin and got some items in her Austin home, did a few sparklers and pops out front to top off the 4th, and then tackled Natural Bridge Caverns....an idea that was popular with many folks...but we had a great time exploring and the kids got to do the coveted donut trip to Krispy Kreme 2 days....and we took in WALL-E.

The next week we had VBS at Crown of Life Lutheran Church.....a great program and the kids all loved it and it was close enough we rode bikes to and from school a few times this week. I have to say this summer has been the busiest I have been in a LONG time and yet I am doing nothing really special. All the kids are in swim lessons and loving it, Reid can swim....and gets stronger each day, Macy thinks she can swim, has NO fear and begged for lessons ....so we did it. The first day she asked

"So I am going to learn to swim?"

"yes"

"So today I can swim....because I will know how. right."

"It might take more that one time, but you will learn."

"YEA!"

Dale is also in lessons and he has the backstroke down pretty good....My goal is to have strong swimmers and we are on our way.

We also went to the Lake with my folks and the kids LOVED it.... we swam and swam.... a very nice relaxing day at the lake...it was great.

Rainy Day Entertainment

In a weak moment at the grocery store today I allowed Reid to buy a travel size tube of hair gel, innocent enough right...its just gel. We come home and see the rain start to roll in....realizing this means no more swimming at the daycare, I run up and get Macy and Dale. We arrive home and it rains.... rain glorious rain....wow we really needed it too.... I ask Macy to go change since she was in her swimsuit, and she does, then she and Reid disappear. It is quiet and all is calm and then I realize this is BAD.....the kids decided to entertain themselves. Macy dressed herself in tights, bloomers and a night shirt....but it all did match, and she and Reid styled their hair.....

So I took those pictures so I obviously found the camera so here are the Rockport photos...

Kasey, Jeff, Ang, Brandi, Ken, Paul, Rich, Leigh, Duke and IPaul Damico Esquire....available for hire. I think this should be his next business card photo.

The weekend in a glance....this was it beverages and pool

Kasey and Ken in a Wii-Guitar Hero Rock OFF.....Ken won this round

And finally my phone is back in commission....seems that the return calls have stopped and now my machine is back on and the dialer line has picked another revolving number to use...yea....I am still confused as how that happened but whatever it is done now.

Rockport Weekend

Well since Dukes Mom is returning from India and Bangkok, and Troy and Carolyn are in China and all over the world, Duke and I had our own small adventure as well. We met up with 4 other couples from college in Rockport, Texas where we rented a cute little house on the canal with a pool, and did a whole lot of floating, drinking, laughing and catching up. It was fantastic. 2 of the 4 other girls were my sorority sisters, and 3 of the 4 other guys were Dukes fraternity brothers, the annual trip has become....well annual and tons of fun in the past we went to Bandera, and now Rockport and next year we are hoping for a cruise. Pretty neat to have those friendships we had in college, continue and grow. We played some Wii and fyi...I stink at Guitar Hero, Brandi and Leigh were the clear ALL STARS, the boys tried to fish and Rich caught a red fish....a baby one, Duke caught a catfish's relative that looked like a baby tiny shark, Paul finally caught a fish....after 3 days of trying..... the same fish Duke caught the prior night and they got a crab, so no home caught seafood spread but .... we did our part to make sure the beer companies, and Liquor Stores cleared a profit for June. We also were blinded by a WHOLE other side of one individual...we will keep his name unknown as he does have a career to protect....but funny he was in camo....so he should have been hidden....but I still sorta see the blinding light when I close my eyes. Well heres to next year and good times....thanks for the memories guys.

Happy Birthday to ME

I am a palindrome today.....33....same forwards and backwards....not sure if it really applies to numbers but whatever....Dale told it to the guy who put up our christmas lights 2 years ago when he said it was his birthday and he was 33, Dale in Kinder then said they thats a palindrome and we all went HUH? He said same forwards and backwards so 33 as a palindrome will be forever in my brain.

We went shopping for my gifts and the kids got me....sunglasses from Reid, a UT shirt from Macy, and a Polar workout watch from Dale, and Duke got me FitFlops, I let Dale sign the slip so I did not buy it, he did. I also ordered a photo album and Duke and I are going to visit a jewerly store to see if we can find a necklace for me, we both like. So A Great Birthday for me and it is not over yet...we are going to dinner at a Kabuki Steak House....MY FAVORITE and then some cake we made....hey sometimes if you want a cake for your bday you have to do it yourself.....but in this case Reid, Dale and Macy really did it all I just supervised. Heres to a great year!

Happy Fathers Day DADDY

Ok I have to brag on my esposa a little bit. He is first my best friend, and confidant, and recently there is less to love. Duke has dropped quite a bit of weight simply b/c it was healthier and to make himself happy. I am so proud of his dedication to this life change, all he has done he has been very careful to make sure they are changes he can live with long term and maintain.

SO today we celebrate Duke here in our house as the Daddy who is the best at lifting weights, and offroading, the guy who can fix anything, the one who is the most fun to ride a bike or 4 wheeler with, and the guy who is the very best at playstation games.

Duke we love you so very much for your dedication to us as a family, you work so very hard to make our family work and are the ying to my yang, such an awesome daddy to our kids, a great rolemodel for them to see, and they admire you for all you do with them and for them. I feel so blessed to have found my solemate in you and look forward to many many Fathers Days to come.

WE LOVE YOU!! Itsal Ditsal Daddy...xoxoxox

NO I did NOT call you...seariously

Ok if you try to call me I very well may not answer as I am the victim of a number glitch. Here is the deal....I have over the last 2 days gotten 50....50 phone calls inquiring why did I call them, when I never called them. Most I think assume I am nuts or pranking them when I say I did not call but it is true I did not. I started asking questions to the folks on the phone....whose name is on your ID?...what is the number? Turns the number belongs to a Tina Younger and her number is 404-921-0625. Here is the glitch when anyone in San Antonio is called and they hit *69 or a similar feature on their phone it is not applying the 1 in front of the area code to make it go to Atlanta Georgia....it is only dialing the first 7 digits and calling me. This was what I figured out and the explanation I was given from Time Warner was it is not a glitch ....they are hitting redial not dialing the number, however I find this not totally applicable as I do this same feature and call Austin, and even other locations out of state with NO issue...and I find it naive to think that this is the first time this woman has called any individuals in San Antonio, as 404 numbers are really common and why in the last 2 days. The phone guy said it is a fake number...only solution is to change my number and as a courtesy they will waive the fee to change my number in this case.....THANKS FOR THE SERVICE SHMOE....ok my kids know our number, my friends, banks, dr's....what a freakin hassle it is going to be to change ALL of that ( and apparently I have a SMART phone in the words of the time warner cable operator that my phone can recall the numbers to dial from redial )....
This phone number is a auto warranty scam and they want to extend your warranty but have no information and want your money....and only leave a message or hang up. Also they apparently call at all hours of the night b/c I got 4 around 1 am last night, so all my phones are off, and my answering machine is off as I do not want to hear a call every 5 mins or so. Also I am FLOORED that so many people return the call to see who is calling...as this is something I never do ...if I do not know you by the caller ID, I do not answer....to say this whole situation ticks me off is to put it so mildly...and the calls keep coming. So if you see on the news that a woman went nuts on a phone operator b/c thus far I have been hung up on 4 times by my own company it is ME! Do I change the number....continue to fight and fix, would LOVE feedback.

Another recap

So our little ballarenia had her first dance recital. It was at 5:30 in the evening and she did not have a nap that day, so she was not too eager on leaving our laps and SCREAMED like you have never heard. I carried her backstage and she screamed and I told the instructor I thought it best to leave her and run....so I did and by the time the curtian opened she was dry eyed and ready to dance. She tried to follow along and I was VERY proud of her, she did great. I totally believe that the whole dance thing at 3 is a farce but so darn cute that the parents pay the fees. I do not quite believe that I have a future swan lake star in our presence but she had fun and it was fun to watch. Even the boys liked watching her. here is a video

School is also now out for the summer. Dale is excited to start 2nd grade in the fall and Reid in Kinder. We had our end of the year party and gave his teacher a directors chair for her to use in the class. I think it turned out soo cute, and she LOVED it.

Also we went to Nebraska to visit family and enjoy the 125 centinneal of Filley, Nebraska, my moms home town. It was good to see everyone and we had a ball. My grandmother and Great Grand Father are in amazing shape. He is 91, and she is 85, both live at home unassisted and actually assist others, she has a garden that is close to a nursery and so beautiful and time consuming, and he mows the huge lawn and they are just so cute and happy and independant. he is actually the oldest man in the town....which is maybe not who you want to be but he is so healthy you would never know ....I guess you are only as old as you feel. We also saw how they farmed back in the day....wow we have come a long way. The boys were in the little tuggers tractor pull...small pedal tractors and a legit "sled" with moving weight and all... Reid took off and did great and placed 2nd, a hos of a boy beat him. And Dale got first in his age classfor the boys he was beat pretty bad by a little girl...but anyway was given an invitation to participate in the state fair pull...we passed as we will be here. He won a tractor and Reid was disappointed so Dale gave the tractor to Reid....Dale is so accomodating to both Reid and Macy....most of the time. Dale did have an injury, while playing water guns he fell on his and cut his cheek and inside of his mouth....we debated a stitch and opted for some steri strips and assistance from Jess and Jane and it looks great now.

This is just a video of the water slide....

OWIE

So Thursday began like normal, went to work and did not do my normal job of computers...the director needed some stuff done to the playground....so I did that and got REALLY dirty as it involved being on my hands and knees in the rubber mulch cutting up the weed stop that was pulling up and is a tripping hazard for the kiddos. Ok 3.5 hours of using a raw razor blade with no case...SOOOO unsafe right...but no incident was had and the job was done....I cleaned up the mess, came home and cleaned up me and returned to assist in prepping the food for the teacher appreciation lunch. I open the olives for the salad and then drain them and then pull off the lid....and slice open my thumb. After an hour of bleeding through everythingI wrapped around my hand, I decided ok maybe I need to see a Dr. , went to the Urgent Care Clinic around the corner and ended up needing 7 stitches, and a tetanus shot. They would not buy my story that the can of olives was sanitized.....so now it feels like someone frogged me in my arm from the shot and I keep hitting my thumb on stuff and that smarts pretty good....but the most painful part was the pain killer shot into the gash....the Dr is lucky I did not frog her in the face b/c YIKES that was awful and I also cut a superficial artery which is why I bled like a crazy. But at least I can now get it wet so I can cook and bathe.

Reid had his last soccer game today and he made me so proud he was trying so hard to set up his teammates who had not scored this season to score....we had a conversation after his party when he asked how many points everyone had scored ....when he realized that alot of kids had not scored any we decided it might be nice to help them score and feel how great that feels. So he did just that, he would get the ball to the goal and block it as long as possible until a teammate came up and give them the shot to score....he did do his share of goals with like 5 or 6 but helped all the others but 1 score and with teammate he tried and tried but that kiddo is our youngest and slowest and so sweet but a soccer prodigy ... probally not. He was an AWESOME team player today. He showed such restraint in letting his teammates have the ball and play and only defend in the last moment and knock the ball back to the other side of the field and again let his teammates play. Way to go SHARKS!

Another funny thing was said the other night before Duke went to go run. Macy asked him why he goes running. Duke said to be healthy and I want to see you and your brothers grow up and see you get married and give you away. So he leaves and runs...a couple nights later he goes to run and Macy busts out in tears and is screaming I do not want daddy to run, stay here, stay PLEASE. I say he will be back soon. So I begin to put her to bed with tears and ask why she does not want him to run...and she says, because I do not want him to give me away, I want to stay here. So with a huge hug and tons of reassurance that we would NEVER give her away, and did my best to clear up the miscommunication up, told Duke when he got home and he felt so bad he went and stayed with her, and hugged her till she was well asleep to make sure she knew how much he loves her and would never give her away.

One BUSY day

So yesterday I was a picture of activity. We had work/school, then errands to run, picked up Dale, ran another errand for the school, took those items to the school, got Macy and Reid, went through Wendys at 4 pm....for dinner.....ran home ate dinner, went to soccer practice/ end of season party at 5-6:15, ran home changed clothes, and got back in the car and went to preschool graduation at 7....made it home by 8:30 and tossed all my dirty kids in bed by 9.... eekks I felt like all I said all afternoon was come on lets go, in the car, buckle up, quickly please....over and over but all it done so that is a huge relief. I even had a second in there to order Dales class teacher gift, get a pedicure, & have lunch with a friend. But again I was the picture of non- stop activity until 9.

The soccer party was great , Reid really had the best time this season and wants to play again next year... here is a few photos... and his trophy presentation,

he is so proud of his medal and trophy

Graduation was great as well, Reid did good on all of his speaking parts but forgot his popcorn word gimme an H, O, T, whats that spell..HOT...it was more gimme and H, O , H, T...whats that spell...H O T, he was a little bummed with himself but quickly got over it and it was very cute. Here is his "WALK" and diploma....and apparently he wants to be a policeman....or at least that is what he said on stage and then in the car said he was joking then and wanted to be a Monster Truck Driver. Max and Reid...his best little school friend

Approved

So Daddy approved.....and well the kids LOVE it! We had a water day all afternoon....Dale said I dedicate this day to WATER.. we did our slide, then across the street to the Bisenbach pool, then the slide, then the pool....all day and the kids loved it. And we all know in a home with kids success is happy kids so this was a big success...and Dale said it was the best day of his life!

You did WHAT

Ok wow it has been a bit....brief re-cap we have been busy with Reid's soccer games, that he absolutely loves. Mothers day came and went...and I am the luckiest Mom in the world. The kids and Duke gave me hugs and kisses as well as hand made flowers, pictures, and little crafts. Macy wanted to buy me a blue princess shirt and when that was hard to find picked me a beautiful Hannah Montanna t-shirt, that I wore all day, because as she put it " Oh, mommy it is just perfect!" Dale bought me some cut roses, and then when he realized they would eventually die was MAD and decided that was not his gift after all. And all of them bought me a Schwinn cruiser bike witch is AWESOME.... Reid claims it was his gift....and then he said a ride with him was my gift.....I love to bike ride and now that the boys can ride we can go as a family and tow Macy in a kiddie trailer. We have gone numerous times already and I truly LOVE it.....great gift.

Reid has his pre-school graduation on Tuesday night as well as his soccer team party....so Tuesday will be pretty busy here and I will post pics and video soon of all that. And in other news....I made a HUGE purchase today as a surprise for the kids....a giant water slide. Yea kinda an OH MY GOSH purchase but we went to get a pool.....and this is my justification....I cannot have a pool up all the time...Macy is just too small to trust, and they get yucky so quickly, which equals a huge water bill to refill and pain to drain, the pools are only really large enough to sit in ...which is NOT what they want to do, and we have a membership to the gym that has a pool, as well as friends with pools....so why not have a play thing that will allow activity, I can set up in 3 mins to play with, and put away later. Also we do not have a family summer trip planned for all of us so this can take the place of that I hope, and finally I have been saving my Christmas money for something and this is it so technically it is very little out of pocket. This is ALOT of justification huh....well this is my self therapy b/c Duke does not know about this yet....he took the boys to go watch a movie while all of this snowballed....eeek. Here is to hoping he is on-board with the idea. AND IF he is then pics will be soon...if not there will be a retraction blog and a big return to Target and 3 MAD kids....now what man in his right mind would want that.

Baby Eychner

So I am an Aunt...officially Sam Charles Eychner, 6 lbs. 10 ozs, 18" long, born at 3:32 pm, May 3, 2008 to Scott & Tanya (Sam is an original name but the Charles is from Grandpa Charles Young). Yea he is so handsome and has a ton of hair. My kids were so excited to go see their first cousin, we went to the store and bought him some boys clothes.....blew up to Round Rock to see the little guy. Scott is an awesome Dad, and Tanya is a great Mom too...what a blessed family, welcome to the family Sam...we're a little nutty but we love you tons.