How much fun can you pack into an afternoon?

We went to a state park yesterday on Lake Travis and had just an unexpected amount of fun...
First there was the totally extreme rock climbing...

then some fishing/duck feeding...

then feeding and petting some uncharacteristically nice geese. Especially surprising since a park ranger showed us a nest with 5 big eggs in it under a nearby tree.


Then AJ got to "drive home."


Awesome day!

Gittin' them youngins sum learnin'...

Saturday we went to the LBJ Presidential Library. It turned out to be totally fun. The grounds were beautiful (even with major remodeling going on) the weather was gorgeous and the museum was interesting. We had a great time until Jack fell into a huge mud puddle by the fountain. I can't believe I didn't take a picture–it was the best part!

Public Service Anouncement–Eat carrots...don't breathe them

Funny!

Lion Hunt

AJ's performance at her school's talent show.
Unless you are a huge fan of 5 year old skits, I won't be upset if you skip this one, it's more for the grandparents : )

Not much going on...

I haven't been blogging much. Truth be told, there's not much going on. Just the normal routine. But AJ took this picture this morning and I thought it was pretty cool. One of the kids favorite things to do is take pictures with Mac's "photo booth," it has a bunch of crazy effects. Anyway, I think I will save this one to enlarge and put in one of our frames for Halloween next year.

Reflections on Martin Luther King Day...

Hula Hoop

The "double-walking-hula hoop" is AJ's new claim to fame. This is her practicing with her friend Gwyneth. She wanted Hula Hoops for Christmas and let me tell you what is really hard to find at Christmastime–hula hoops. Santa had a tough time with that one!

Mad or sad–you decide...

Jack cracks me up everday with stuff like this.

Rehersal

AJ's Girl Scout Troop is auditioning for the school's talent show this week. They may be the only Kindergarten act–so proud! But we had rehearsal on Friday and I thought this was a really cute picture of all the girls practicing their song.

Girl Scouts has been an incredible experience for AJ. I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to help their girls to branch out. I am an assistant leader and it has been a lot of work, but it has been SO SO SO worth it. I have been there to see her interacting with the other girls. She has really gained so much confidence these last few months. Those of you who knew her as a timid, shy little girl would hardly recognize her anymore. It's awesome. (I've done shy–and it sucks!!!)

State Champs–Lake Travis Cavaliers

Our High School won state! For those of you who are not aware, football is VERY serious business in Texas. So you can not imagine the hysteria caused by this win. Everyone is so excited.

It is fun for the kids because the elementary schools are totally involved. They have "Cav Pride Days" where they all wear red and black (we even "had" to buy some red shoes so AJ would match) and every Friday during the football season they had the cheerleaders, band, or football players come to their assembly.

So Saturday there was a celebratory parade held in the football team's honor which everyone went to. It was a gorgeous day and pretty much everyone we have ever met was there, so we stayed for quite awhile so AJ could play with her friends. Jack brought along his football and started a pick-up game of touch football with a bunch of 10 year olds (see below). It was a lot of fun.

Are You Ready For Some Football

Here is some video of Jack's impromptu football game after the parade.

Here are some pics from First Night. The kids made kites and flew them in the street. It was surreal to have all these kids flying kites between big high rises. They also drew on the 1st Street bridge with chalk and we ate gingerbread and took in some jugglers and performers. We heard the parade and fireworks were worth waiting for, but once it got dark the kids had had it. Maybe next year we can wait for the "Family Celebration" the firework show at 8:00. It was fun, and the weather was great for New Year's Eve!

Back-up Santa

Look out Santa, there is a new St. Nic in town. This year AJ had fun deciding which Santas were real and fake. She decided Santa was too busy in December so he had some helpers who ask kids what they want, then call Santa on his cell phone. So here is the break down:

Mall Santa–Fake
Church Party Santa–Real (but wearing a fake beard)
Gas Station Santa–Real
"A Christmas Story" Santa–Fake
"Polar Express" Santa–Real
"Elf" Santa–Real
News "Santa Tracker" Santa–Real
"AFV" Santa who falls off the golf cart–Fake
Santa that visited her school–Fake

So there is the official list. You can plan your subsequent Christmases accordingly.

You did WHAT!?!

I donated blood this morning and when I came home AJ asked about the bandage on my arm. So I launched into an explanation of donating blood and how they got it and where it was going. I was feeling pretty good about teaching my daughter a lesson in civic duty until she looked at me with an expression of utter disgust and said, "You let them???"

Slash Jr.

Christmas was awesome. I'm sure I'll post more pics and video, but the absolute highlight was Jack on guitar.

He got this mini electric guitar from my mom and it was all over. He didn't want any more presents. This is his debut performance–the first time he played it. Check out his moves. Apparently rockin' out is in his blood.