soaking it all in

 

Yesterday I took my baby boy to register for kindergarten.  He colored happily while I filled out paperwork.  It was really quick and relatively painless process.  I must admit, I did get a little teary eyed walking out with my future kindergartner.  He is growing up so fast and I know our lives as we know it are about to change.  Goodbye sleeping in, wearing pajamas all day and going out of town whenever we want!  Hello 7:40 drop offs, making lunches every morning and homework!  Even though it makes me all teary to think about my baby growing up, I'm so excited to watch him experience new things.

 

This little guy had his four year old checkup yesterday.  The doctor's office was running behind, so we ended up waiting quite a while for the doctor.  I didn't mind at all because Austin and I got to spend time talking and telling stories. I just love his funny personality!  He was so brave as he got his four vaccines and didn't cry one tear.  I was so proud of him and once again got a little teary eyed walking out with my big, brave four year old. 

That night Eric and I took the boys to watch a Texas Stars hockey playoff game.  They loved it and we had the best time!  The stadium wouldn't let me bring my big camera in, so I took these pictures with my camera phone.  I was so sad I couldn't bring my Nikon because I would have loved to take pictures of it all.  The game was very entertaining and we actually watched the game. (Shocking, I know!)  It was so fun to watch the boys cheer on the Stars, dance and jump to the music.  We got on the big screen during the song "Jump!" and the boys were so excited.  I soaked in every minute of it and felt so blessed!

It's fun times like these that make all the hard moments worth it! I love my boys!

inspiration

I found these cute little red and aqua mushrooms at Wimberley and HAD to have them. They just look so happy.

The boys' big, red strawberries are blooming!

Beautiful, bright colors are the inspiration for my next mini quilt. I have a thing for pink, red and aqua right now!

the "contraption"

When a handy guy and a crafty girl work on a project together, crazy contraptions are made.

Eric had the idea to make our own pack-n-play for Lauren's bunk bed spot in the camper. Eric installed the wooden dowels and I sewed up the fabric and mesh contraption.  We put heavy duty velcro on the sides so she can't push it over to squeeze out.  It's so nice to have her safe and secure without squeezing a pack-n-play in the camper. After spending hours sewing this bad boy up, I was so nervous she would be able to crawl over it or weasel out in a way we hadn't thought of.  Thank goodness our first camping trip was successful and she slept like a champ in it!

May Market Days

1. Eric popping kettle corn.  That stuff is addicting!

2. Ethan really wants this $165 treehouse plant stand.  Anyone want to buy it for him since his momma won't?

3. A backyard chicken coop that made me think of Erica.

4. Enjoying a gorgeous day with my sweet kids.

sometimes you just have to pull over

An impressive longhorn

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a gorgeous day

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a field of bluebonnets

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a quick stop on the side of the road to snap a picture

Only in Texas!

farm fun

Sunday we headed over to Sharon and David's to check out their new horse. The boys LOVED holding their baby chickens, feeding the horse, checking out the goat, climbing in the treehouse and running around with their friends.  It was like heaven for little boys!

 Lauren wasn't too sure what to think of the little chick.

We had a great time and the kids are already asking to go back to visit!

soccer games with Gege and Grandaddy

Saturday Gege and Grandaddy got to go to the boys' soccer games to cheer them on.  Ethan and Austin were so excited to have them there!

Ethan's celebratory dance

I'm so glad they are loving soccer!

Austin's 4th birthday camping party

Sunday we celebrated Austin's fourth birthday with a camping party!  He was so excited to have his friends and family over to play.  When we sang Happy Birthday, he had the cutest look on his face.  He was so happy!

I had fun decorating the cupcakes like bugs, campfires, fish in water, worms in dirt and tents. 

The kids had fun picking out their favorite cupcakes.

 

We set up the tent for the kids to play in.

Eric's parents brought their boat and the kids loved playing in it.

 

We gave each of the kids a brown paper bag to go on a scavenger hunt for plastic bugs we had hidden in the yard. 

We had a campfire and roasted marshmallows.  If you have never tried Nutella on your smores, you are missing out.  It's divine!

The kids had a blast playing in the dark and went to bed the latest they have ever gone to bed before.  They were just having too much fun and so were we! 

Happy Birthday Austin!  We love you!

this little piggie

Austin's big day

Austin spent his birthday eating pizza, going for a nature walk and eating ice cream with Grandma and Grandpa.

Our picnic at the park.

The boys took turns pretending to be a troll under the bridge. Any time Ethan tried to pick what game they were playing throughout the day, Austin would say "It's my birthday, so I get to pick!".

He picked out his favorite shirt to wear too.  I love this sweet, spirited little guy!

We had a family dinner outside and celebrated Austin's birthday with cake.  In honor of Earth week, we ate yummy recycled birthday cake.  Austin had a wonderful birthday and we are looking forward to celebrating again this weekend with family and friends!

picnic anyone?

It's done!  Remember when I dropped it off on Sunday?  Most longarm quilters take months to finish a quilt, but 48 hours after I dropped it off, it was ready and in my eager hands.  I will now always use Bluebonnet Star Quilting for my quilts!

The front of the binding was machine sewn on for me, but the back still needed to be hand sewn.  I was so excited to see the quilt done, I finished it in less than a day.

Once the binding was done, I threw it in the washing machine.  Since I didn't prewash the fabric, I was anxious to see what magic happened when I washed and dried it.  When I took it out of the dryer, it was beautiful and all puckered up.  It now has a vintage look that I just love.

 

I absolutely love it and I can't wait to get started on another one!

Happy 4th Birthday Austin!

Happy Birthday Austin! You are a kind, adventurous little boy and we love you very much!