Living in Munchkinland

We attended the kids' Montessori Halloween Party last night. It was really fun. I actually got Sam to take a nap yesterday for the first time in three months so he could stay up for the party. Sam dressed up as a dragon and was so freakin' cute. Davis was a ninja, and thought he was awesome though I think he's a bit fuzzy as to what a ninja actually is. Tonight we have big plans. We're going to Plum Creek in Kyle for some neighborhood trick or treating that we just can't get on the ranch. Then we're coming home, putting the kids down, leaving them with a sitter and heading out for a night out in San Marcos to celebrate my friend Stacey's birthday. Woohoo! We're going out on Halloween! I need to pull out the old box o' costumes and see what I can be. Hope you have a great halloween!

Martha came in to visit us this weekend and we had a great time. The weather was beautiful and we had some grand adventures. Michael and I went out to see the broadway tour of Spring Awakening. On Saturday we went to Sea World. We took my niece Lilliana too. We all had a blast and decided it was well worth it's hefty price tag. The kids were only disappointed we didn't stay later for the Halloween activities. Maybe next year. On Sunday we went to a birthday party with pony rides and later to our friend Annie's annual pumpkin carving party. It was a really nice day, though we were exhausted at the end. Despite all the social activity, I've been feeling strangely introverted lately. Private. Keeping my feelings inside and feeling disconnected sometimes. I feel like if I go out and talk to people I keep putting my foot in my mouth or that I just can't express myself accurately. Which is crazy because I'm so happy socially right now. I have some really...

We had a pretty awesome weekend. Michael went and fetched his Vespa from Austin and had a great ride down to the ranch. The kids got to play with their cousin Kade. Davis got a new booster seat and he is feeling oh-so-big and oh-so-proud. Michael and I had a date night with dinner at the Wine Bistro served by my cousin Lilly which is always awesome and then two-stepping to my dad's band, The Lucky Tomblin Band at Club 21. We also got to see some old friends at a Pump it Up kid's birthday party which both boys really enjoyed. On Sunday though, we hit the jackpot o' fun. We went to the Demolition Derby. From a sky box. With pizza and beer and juice boxes. Sam and I really enjoyed it. Michael and Davis had the time of their lives. The weather was perfect, the cars were slamming into each other and making loud roaring noises, we were with our friends, and we got to do something I'd never done before. It was pretty wonderful. I highly recommend it the next time...

Michael had a few days left of vacation this year that he needed to use or lose so we headed down to Port A Saturday through Tuesday. We love it there so much. We saw a ton of dolphins on the ferry coming and going. Sunday we headed to the Rockport Seafair. It's a great festival with gumbo tasting, live music, a carnival and lots of crafts. We met Tiff and Keith and Kade there as they were leaving the beach. (We didn't get to hang out with them on Saturday because the kid's hadn't totally recovered from their blisters yet.) Afterward we went to eat at Charlotte Plummer's and watch the shrimp boats. Monday we played at the local park and watched the ferry boats and let the kids ride their bikes. We ate lunch at our new favorite place, the Port A Brewing Company . The beer and the burgers were great and Ellie could come sit on the patio with us. Perfect! We had planned to stay at the beach through Wednesday, but with a near constant rain while we were there, w...

Remember waaaayyyyyy back in June when I wrote this ? Well, Sam has hand-foot-mouth again. We had a low fever on Sunday night. On Monday there was no fever, but he had a runny nose and Sam complained of a sore throat. He also had no appetite. I decided that since there was no fever, then maybe it was allergies. Yesterday, still no appetite and one blister on his foot, but I thought that was from his new shoes. And then today he was awful! Fussy and not listening and not eating and driving me crazy! At rest time I pulled off his socks and shoes and saw his feet were both covered in blisters top and bottom. I grabbed his hands and checked his palms. Yep, covered in little red blisters. Then I opened his mouth. More in there. I'd seen this all before. In JUNE. I called the doctor and she said to come right in. I did and she looked him over and declared it to be hand-foot-mouth disease . I asked her how that was possible since you can only get it once. She explained t...

Davis has two questions to ask when he first meets anyone, young or old, "How old are you?", and "How fast can you run?". Every pair of shoes or article of clothing he has is put into categories of their "speed". Orange shirt goes with green pants and red shoes because they are all "speed". Every new question relating to science or nature has to do with the speed of things. Speed is the thing around here. Davis is "speed" because he can run fast. He is also "speed" because he can ride his bike fast, strong, and long. They say every child is gifted in their own way and I truly believe that riding a bike is one of Davis' gifts. Davis loves riding his bike. It is his passion. For almost a year, he has been baffled as to why Sam would rather draw pictures, play in the mud, or pick flowers rather try to ride his own bike. He has screamed at Sam, tried to bodily lift him on the bike, and bribed him all to try and get h...