Better (a week) late then never

Well I figure a week late is better then never right? Somehow, Easter kind of slipped by me this year... I did not buy my kids cute matching Easter clothes this year (well ok, the cute matching clothes I bought them last year still fit), I did not load up my kids baskets with tons of sugar, in fact, there was very little candy in them.. and none left after only a week in our house. I did not buy eggs, hard boil them, buy egg coloring..and then send the dude off to hang out with friends while R played cards (ahem.. meaning the Easter bunny could not come till the dude ad R got home either), I did not remember to get carrots so instead, the bunny feasted on some grapes and blueberries as he left our home. I also did not get any goodies for plastic eggs so hurriedly found some stickers and scavenged through the change jar to secure coins and a few dollars for the egg hunt the next day (hey.. it all goes back into the jar anyway right?).....

But I did manage to get 2 years out of some well priced clothes and that rarely happens. I did save myself a few sugar highs this week (and maybe a cavity or 2 later). I did salvage the hard boiled egg dilema as the diva and I spent some time that weekend with my sister, her fiancee, and my mom, and colored eggs over there (thanks to the fact that my mom boiled enough eggs for an army).... which was fun for the diva and I. And the dude had fun with his friends and R managed to come away a few dollars ahead after the card game was over (or so he tells me). I did discover that the Easter bunny can survive without carrots (but will make sure to have those on hand next year). And I did see that even without all the fancy doings, you can still enjoy yourself... after all, Easter is not about the cute clothes you wear on Sunday, the sugar highs, the dying of eggs, what the bunny eats or what is in the eggs, it is a day to celebrate that Jesus has risen... and that we DID!

hehe.. and I did take this picture of my sister's dog, Scout with the diva's favorite horse... the diva did not think this was funny at all!


My mom's doggie.. Barkleigh

the egg dying process...

taught very well by Aunt Ashley to the diva

the diva giving it a go...

some finished products...

sigh.. I also discovered I have a LOT to learn about indoor photography where there is no natural light (and me being the stubborn one refusing to use auto or the flash)... so please excuse my sub-par attempt with the above... :)

Soccer Dude

Normally our Saturdays are spent on the soccer field, then the baseball field. The dude is VERY busy this time of year.. which is how he likes it (and the fast food places around town LOVE it as it makes it almost impossible for me to actually cook anymore). But here are some pics from the other days game...

guess you can pretty much figure out what our team name is huh? (heh-heh.. arghhh!!)

does he score??? I will let you be the judge ;)

the dude and this kiddo went at it the whole game.. gesh!

ok I am off to make lunches and edit more pics!

Lollipops, trees and divas (oh MY!)

Here are a few more pics from the other day's session with the diva. Course diva was not complaing too much since she got to have her choice of lollipops :)

Then she decided she wanted to climb this tree. So me, being the wonderful, mother-of-the-year I am, hoisted her above my head right into this little "nook" and said "DON'T MOVE!"

But then she started feeling more at home (I have always thought she was part monkey.. even though in this pic.. she said she was riding a horse)

My sweet girl :)

More diva pics soon- she had the best day ever (for her) the other day and I am excited for you to see.. but first I am gonna post some of the dude playing one of the many sports (we had a busy last 2 weekends playing baseball and soccer) and our Easter weekend! I just need about a week to edit.. ughhh

Happy Easter!!

Happy Easter everyone! These were from this summer actually ( I know.. cheater..lol) but the diva got the chance to model this for Debbie of sugarbelle chic designs. And I couldn't resist sharing these with you :)

and this last one cause this is TRUE diva in action..

Signs of Spring!

So even with all this CRAZY weather, the bluebonnets have bloomed beautifully. I have been waiting patiently to get some pics and when this adorable set from Beverly arrived I knew it was time. So the diva and I headed out to snap some pics on this 80 degree day (another sign of spring)

We went to a new spot that was just PACKED with ladybugs. I just adore ladybugs and snatched up everyone I could find to let them stroll along my hands, arms.. etc. The diva.. she wanted NO part in this. She is not into bugs or dirt I might add and informed me that the "baby-bugs" could go away. But I could not help snap a few pics of them on the bluebonnets.

And one of the diva when she was younger... when she in fact DID like "baby-bugs"...



Then we shot some pics. Beverly actually sent us 2 sets, the other I will post some pics of later after I edit. The weather was gorgeous, the flowers were gorgeous, so here are a few of my favs :)

Sigh, then LOOK at this.. I found these today as I was editing the new ones... these were taken not last season but the season before.. diva was going on 1 (whereas now she is going on 3).. :(

diva then...

diva now...

oh and whatcha think of diva's new "do"... I am sure you had noticed in a few pics already but these were her first real "shots" since the big "cut". I myself miss the bows and now just have to look at the HUGE assortment scattered about the house (yes, I am a BIG BOW ADDICT.. or BBA) and wish .. wait for when I can use them again... if she lets me..

Yee-Haw!

So Friday we started our day off bright and early just like the "real" cowboys do. We loaded up the buckarros and headed over to the school for "rodeo day". The kids had been working ALL week studying about Texas, cowboys, and all things western. We (the parents) were asked to supply goldfish, pretzels, and some other edible items for "trail mix", old socks for horses (I had no idea horses needed socks.. but ok..), the dude (my new name for B) had to research all the facts about Texas, and he had to dress the part of a cowboy (which was fine with the diva since she loves all things cowboy and horse...someone forgot to tell the diva she was NOT invited to the rodeo though)

So here are the horses in their corrals... (the diva was a tad dissappointed there were no REAL horses in the corral)

I thought they were cute (in a Rudoloph the rednosed reindeer sort of way).

Now Rodeo Day consisted of a modge-podge of games.. the first requirement of the day was to cheer vigorously for your team... check ;)


The first game was one where the object was to dip your soup ladel into the bucket (which contained water).. and run DOWN a hill

trying NOT to spill water... (oops)

and deposit what is left of your water into another bucket...

I would love to show you a pic of the water that was IN the bucket at the end but it would not have shown up... good thing we have been in some need of rain here, the ground was ever so thankful ;)

Now.. every GOOD cowboy should be able to quicky dress in pants 3 sizes to big and run out to the corral.. to fend off those "Ky-otes" quicky

The dude watching his team....

OHHH we were SOOO close....

Another requirement of the cowboy is to be able to hula.. I mean lasso a steer
Mrs. B shows the kiddos how...

The dude takes his turn...

My favorite buckaroo ;)

The diva finding her own enjoyment since she could find no horsies....

This is the diva's main man.. Mr. K.. he is the coolest kid on the block (he is cooler then me) and of course the cutest!

Miss G, a friend of the dude's ....

When I saw this next picture, it immediately brought a song to my head by Toby Keith, I don't know all the words but the chorus goes... (me in my best shower voice)

"Your gonna miss this,

your gonna want this back."

"Your gonna wish these days,

hadn't gone by so fast...these are some good times...

so take a good luck around-

you may not know this now,

but your gonna miss this"

They spent a lot of time fighting.. the dude way to cool for the diva, the diva not wanting to be

bothered by the dude.. but.. when all the fighting is done, all the coolness is gone, they are the best of friends.

I look back some days and wonder where the day went.. what did I do, and sometimes.. I wish I could have that day back.. to spend more time playing.. more time with them..I feel like I blink and they change , go from the cute, cherub faced baby who keeps you up half the night- to an almost 3 year old with opinions on everything under the sun... to an always on the go boy who spends his days playing with friends or playing ball.

I think the most truthful statement I have heard is "children are a gift from God". I could not agree more as they are the best gift I have ever received :)