Garden Flowers

June 10th

June 17th

Do I dare to show you a picture of what they look like today??

Yummy Garden Food

This is a zucchini plant gone crazy.

This is a freshly picked zucchini eating boy gone crazy!

A Boy and His Bike

A boy and his bike are never parted!!

Nicholas had taken to riding Katie's 2 wheeler, which was way to big for him, so Daddy picked up this little bike on the way home one night.

We were out at Katie's gymnastics class, and when we pulled into the driveway and put the garage door up, there it was waiting.

He couldn't have been more excited. And astonishingly he knew it was for him.

He readily put the helmet on and took off happy as could be.

There has been no turning back so far.

2007 Recital

Katie's recital was a huge success. She loved every minute of it, and I don't think anyone could be prouder of how well she did. She remembered all the steps, and did absolutely great. Even her teacher was spotted crying behind the curtains as the girls finished.

Waiting in the band room backstage for her turn.

And celebrating afterwards with a heaping bowl of Culver's frozen custard with M&M's and sprinkles. And of course a side of ketchup for eating Grandpa's fries.

She was even more thrilled that she got a medal that said 2007 and the name of the dance studio. Plus she got a bear from Grandma and Grandpa B., flowers from Mom and Dad, and flowers came Tuesday from Grandma and Grandpa D.

She is ready for the next recital already, but I told her the next chance to perform isn't until winter when she can be a Little Angel in the Nutcracker. Stay tuned....

Butterflies!!

We took a quick trip on Sunday to the Krohn Conservatory to see the 2007 Butterfly Show entitled Out Of Africa.

Here are a few pictures:

This was the first guy to greet us, or rather to greet Nicholas' shoe. I believe it was a blue Morpho. Nick was less than appreciative, and luckily this guy managed to escape with his life, thanks to one fearless mother who plucked him gently from the shoe. Katie was enthralled by the eyespots, especially after learning all about them from the Magic School Bus. She didn't like how her brother got "attacked" though and spent the rest of the time fairly apprehensive.

This is how the Morpho looks on the flip side. They were huge, but beautiful. More like holding a grasshopper on your finger than a butterfly!!

I believe this is a Julia butterfly. Very small and orange to match the marigolds it liked to fly among. One even managed to land on Grandpa's hat.

And the family of 4 once more.

Recital Rehearsal

(Pre-rehearsal at home)

Katie's very 1st recital rehearsal was held this evening. She was very nervous and has been telling me for months that she didn't want to be in a recital. But for her it is all about the anticipation and not knowing what to expect.

She missed her first recital, which would have been last year this time at the Galveston Opera House because we moved 2 weeks before the date. So since that time she has been worried about what a recital would be like.

With a few tears and a little hesitation, and a kind and loving teacher, she got her game face on after about 30 seconds and smiled big for everyone. I am sure that tomorrow (the actual recital) will be even better!

So here are a few pictures of the ballerina. We aren't allowed to take pictures tomorrow, but we did today and got video too. They are really cute!!

She is dancing to "True Colors" by Cindi Lauper. So sweet!

A Sad Beginning

A sigh of relief and a big smile

Did somebody say something about being nervous??

Garden On the Run

While I am still having a small battle with the rabbits/ deer (not sure which anymore, although I still think it is predominantly rabbits), they are being better controlled with bloodmeal. I tried planting lavender, I tried deer scram which you put surrounding your garden about 18 inches away from the plants, I tried garlic powder and cayenne pepper, and finally I tried the bloodmeal. It seems to be working, and after doing some light research on it, I decided it was safe enough.

So here are the pictures:

Zucchini with basil to the leftCorn

Partially eaten corn

Cucumber

Green Beans

Lavender

Peas

Tomatoes

Watermelon

Strawberries

Snapdragons are back in bloom

And so are the Verbena

Trip to Chicago

We spent our Memorial Day weekend in the Chicago area visiting my parents and celebrating my brother's birthday. I'll be kind enough not to publish his age;)

While the weather was off and on rainy, we still managed to have a very good time and the kids were sad to go. They especially loved this park nearby that has some non-traditional play equipment.

Katie loves to swing and can make herself go higher than anyone I have ever seen, yet she still begs to be pushed every so often, and Grandpa was always willing to lend a helping hand.

Nick can compete in the swinging contest as well, but he still needs the assistance of good ole DAD!

This picture was too cute to resist!!

And a rare picture of all 4 of us.

A Day at the Beauty Parlor

Every girl needs a day at the beauty parlor...

Even an American Girl!