First Parent Teacher Conference

We had our first face to face parent teacher conference for Sofia today and Mike and I both went.  It was pretty sweet, the teachers had nothing but good things to say about Sofia.  I think I had mentioned this before but what really stuck with me that they said was her enthusiasm for life.  I just love that, and it makes me proud.  I can't take too much credit because I think that enthusiasm definitely comes from Daddy :)  They said she's got a great vocabulary, and that they enjoy talking with her and that she plays with ALL the kids in her class.  All things that made my heart swell with pride because as sweet as  you may (or may not) think your child is, you never know how they act when you're not around.  So many things lately are making me realize that time is flying by and I'm getting really sentimental and trying to be much more intentional with my time with the kids. They truly are the lights of my life.

Church

One of the many things I love about our church is the children's ministry.  I love that Sofia and Gabe enjoy going to church because they get to learn about God on their own level in classes with kids their age. They always learn a bible story and sometimes do a craft and yesterday when we went to pick Sofia up, we walked up in the middle of their lesson.  She was so engrossed, she didn't even notice we were there, so we walked away so she could finish.  It struck me b/c it just made her seem so grown up! So, I had to sneak a pic.  It's the most focused I've ever seen her in any kind of classroom setting b/c it's usually all about playtime. And she even was writing with a number 2 pencil!  Kind of amazing. To me, any way, haha.  Growing up way.too.fast.

Gabe Swim Class

Since the Fall, Gabe has been in a parent/child swim class and mostly Mike has been taking him.  He started off a little tentatively but has really taken to it and has a lot of fun with it now.  I have been a few times just to watch and once or twice I've done it with him.  It's so great that Mike gets that time with him on Saturdays and I get some Sofia time as well :)  We learned that Gabe only has one more month of this level and then he will graduate to the next. So proud!  This past Saturday, we all went to his class so we could watch him and start to get Sofia warmed up to the idea of going back to swim class.  She began to experience total anxiety every time we had to go to swim class so we gave her a break.  The swim school she's in is very serious and they do push the kids (in a positive way, I strongly believe) and I think Sofia got really scared so I didn't want to push it so that she'll hopefully get back into it.  It made me super sad b/c she LOVED it at first, but the more advanced she got, the harder it was for her.  She seemed to be warming up as we watched Gabe and all the other kids so I sure hope she gets back to loving it and improving her skills!  It's so important to us that she has the strong swimming skills living in Houston where we swim at least six months of the year, taking beach trips to Galveston, and lake vacations at Summerset.  But, back to Gabe . . . here are some pics I got - not great b/c I was behind the observation glass but you can get a good idea.

Garbage truck

Gabe loves trucks. All kinds.  Aunt Erin got him a truck book of 100 trucks and he knows almost all of them now. Today, We were lucky today to catch the garbage truck on our street. Gabe was so excited and completely fascinated. Totally entranced.  He always hears it and talks about it when he does but this was for sure the closest encounter we have ever had with one! The garbage man was so nice , he honked his horn at us like three times and waved! Gabes day was instantly made by this! Gotta love the simple things sometimes.

Birthday weekend

What a weekend this turned out to be! I had NO IDEA what was in store but my husband sure did spoil me.  He, my best friend in Milwaukee, Jenny, and my brother all worked together to surprise me on Friday night and I really did not see it coming! I thought I maybe something was fishy when I saw that our dinner reservation was for three people but after we finished dinner and it was just the two of us I forgot all about that! Then, my brother shows up! And an hour later, Jenny calls so tell me she's at the airport! Such an amazing surprise, I don't think I've ever been surprised like that before.  So mike pretty much gave me the weekend off and said enjoy your birthday with two of your favorite people. And i did...I was seriously on cloud 9. He really is the best husband in the entire world!

Before I knew what was happening :) the kids and I were thrilled about the first nice day in weeks. So we picnicked at the park. My little Valentines.

My impromptu bday celebration at a local family friendly bar. Yes, oxymoron I know but it really is! Don't judge. I wanted everyone to come so we had to be flexible!

On Sunday my fam came over for my birthday dinner. Here are some pics of the kids enjoying frosting from the cake they made me 

I am one happy girl. And blessed. My cup runneth over. 

Mikes birthday

We spent Mikes birthday in Galveston at the conda as Sofia calls it.  It was yet another dreary February day but we made the best of it.  Gabe was coming down with something and possibly teething as well so any kind of sleeping for him has been a real nightmare lately.  On Saturday night I maybe slept three hours and that's being generous.  So Sunday morning was lazy as can be.  Mike had to work for a bit but was back when we all came back to life after naps.  Again, living out the 'it takes a village' mantra. I couldn't have survived the weekend without mikes parents and their help and patience with the kids. 

A nice walk ... It was eerily gorgeous at the beach. We were the only souls as far as the eye could see

The kids enjoyed the endless space for running 

Sofia did not want to leave! Lots of seashell crunching. So in her own little world here

Meanwhile some daddy son time. This picture is just so beautiful to me. Captured a true moment and just the whole ambiance of that afternoon on the beach. A quiet peaceful stillness and such love between these two.

 

Cake time.  I can't get over that loving gaze. 

Happy birthday to Mike.  He is a better husband, father and man than I could have even dreamed up for myself.  What a blessing he is to all of us.  A truly good man.  

Grandma and Grandpa

Mikes parents are here and have truly been a Godsend to us. Not only did they help unpack our entire house and get settled, but they also have watched the kids so much to let us organize the house, run errands, etc. they even took the kids with them to Galveston for two days ! Amazing... I had two whole days to myself.... I haven't had that since before Sofia was born so it was pretty priceless.  I got to sleep in, be totally productive, run errands, go on dates with Mike, and REST!  I did miss the kids a lot but is it terrible to say that I maybe could have done a couple more days ? ;) not sure Grandma and Grandpa could have! Our kids are non stop. Mostly Gabe is but it's nice to have someone understand why I'm a shell of a person by 8pm each night. Seriously, I needed that break more than words can express. It was the perfect recharge for me as a mommy.  

Oh I guess I forgot to mention we moved. Ugh! Wanted to renew the lease at our old place but they wanted to put it on the market so we had a little over a month to find a new place before it went on the market and we didn't want to deal with it.  While moving is a huge pain, it was so meant to be. We love our new house and hope to be ready to buy our own home soon. But, definitely happy here for now :)

We did not plan our move around mikes parents being here...but we might from now on! Haha ...it just worked out that way for the second year in a row! Hey, it really does take a village. 

While they had the kids, they took them to a bounce house place.  I couldn't download Sofia's video for some reason but here is Gabe. Hilarious ! The best part is they are still exhausted. We head back to the Galveston condo tomorrow for more fun.  I don't want them to leave!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XURclkPoKY4