Father- Sunbeam

Our stake had their priesthood commemorative camp-out a few weekends ago. More commonly referred to as the "Father and Sons".

As luck would have it, Michael doesn't have a son but decided to take Rylee along as well.  She has a few female friends from her class at church that also went.  These three girls with their Daddy's and a bunch of other men. Rylee was thrilled for her special trip.  "No Mommies, and No babies!" haha.

It was quickly coined the "Father-Sunbeam" camp-out. Sure, she'll reach an age where she shouldn't go, but for now - camp on :)

Mother's Day 2014

I had a lovely Mother's Day.

I woke up to Rylee announcing "We're making you a special breakfast!"

and quickly ran out of my room.

She quickly came back jumped on the bed and gave me a huge hug and a kiss and a "Happy Mother's Day!"

Kelsey attempted to do the same and ended up just head-butting me. She meant well.

I was thrilled that the youth were taking over primary classes including nursery so I was actually able to make it to an adult meeting! YAY!

 

The girls were so sweet and gave me lots of extra hugs and special gifts.

Rylee has been really into art, drawing, and letter writing lately so I received an abundance of those wonderful things!

 Michael was very sweet and took over for the day. I was very relaxed. Border-line bored. I attempted to help clear the table after dinner and Michael objected.  As he was busy loading the dishwasher he asked Rylee to come get me, have me sit on the couch or play a game.  Kelsey ran right up to me grabbed me by the hand and led me to the couch she turned me around and pushed my legs so I'd sit down.  lol. She was so proud! Maybe you just had to be there but we laughed and laughed. Due to the reaction, we then had to repeat the activity several times.

This was from Easter, I just forgot it in that post.  Our lovely set up: I busted out the china with my new glitter chargers (they're so pretty!! :)) I even chilled the salad plates. The nice thing about big holiday dinners is the leftovers. I almost didn't get a big enough ham (since it was just us this year, I just got a small deli one).

Back to today. . . I was quite spoiled Sunday I'm still working off a Mother's Day 'hangover' - back to waking up, cooking, laundry, setting time-outs and contemplating potty training. ::sigh:: In all seriousness, I'm very grateful for all the wonderful women in my life: My own Mother, Mother-in-law, Grandmothers, Sisters, in-laws, Friends I see amazing qualities in each of you that I admire and inspire me so thank you. You are incredible.

Missions Game

We attended our annual Missions Baseball game a few weekends ago.

They come up on groupon fairly regularly where we get good seats for the price of grass seats. It was a very slow game. They have a playground and a couple inflatable toys.  The girls both loved the big slide.  Not gonna lie, I was a little surprised. At first I just sent Rylee up on her own.  Kelsey was distraught, so the people in charge let me go up with her. She actually did very well climbing up on her own as well. (Pretty sure the last time I climbed up one of those things I was pregnant with Kelsey and helped Rylee up. . . .that was a bad idea. Good thing I only had to do it once. This time was much easier.)

Anyway, we'd get to the top and I'd have to quickly grab Kelsey so we could go down together. She didn't think that was such a great idea until the last time I actually couldn't catch her and she tumbled down and face planted it. Then, I landed on her, ok, not really on the last part but it was sad.

Though it made leaving the area easier than I expected.

 We got some Kettle Corn for the end of the game snack. ah, love that stuff. The truck outside our HEB that sells kettle corn is back. trouble ;)

 Since it was Saturday they had fireworks after the game. The girls were in awe.  Rylee wondered why they were so far away, but appreciated they weren't as loud as when we do them in the street.

Viva Fiesta!!

Ok, Maybe "Viva Fiesta!" is a bit of a stretch here. Fiesta is a two and a half week party celebrating the loss of the Alamo. Yeah, pretty much.

Lots of music, vendors, food, parades, carnival, drinking . . . . . most of which cost a surprising amount of money.

Many people talk it up. I know I'm not very cultured but I just kind of don't get it. I want to, but am pretty unwilling to spend $50 to see a parade.

Several years ago Michael and I headed downtown one evening during Fiesta- music, dancing,  drinking, and El Mercado tripled its size out to the street. Granted we weren't going to an 'official event' but that experience makes it hard to spend money to try something new.

Anyway, I heard there were some Fiesta dresses on display at one of the local museums. Since this year's theme was "The magic of make believe" I figured it was right up our alley.  Even better, the museum has a free entry every Tuesday afternoon. We rode the zoo train to the museum (just for fun) and then walked around a bit.

Some friends joined us for the excursion.

 There was a little 'textile room' that had fiesta dresses on display.  They were all based off a fairy tale or story.  The one inspired by the Princess and the Pea was my favorite.  The train is hanging up on the wall.  They all had lovely detail.  This particular dress was much simpler than the others, and that may be another thing that drew me into it. Rylee liked the Mermaid dress (which I didn't get a photo of) but the dress itself was pretty cool.

 They also had a pile of dress-ups for the kids to wear.  This little headdress took me back.  There was one in my own dress up box growing up. It was my favorite!

 We walked around the other parts of the museum.  We were sad the HEB Treehouse (kids section) is under construction.  Maybe we'll go back this fall (apparently its a mad house in the summer). Rylee's favorite was the train. Go Figure.

So, yeah.  Go ahead and "Viva Fiesta!"