Lazy Weekend

Last weekend we accomplished nothing; it was the most amazing weekend in such a long time. I have a tendancy to plan out every minute of our day, so it was kind of nice to have nothing to accomplish. Plus, it rained almost the whole weekend, so it was the perfect time to just stay in and enjoy each other. Andy went out of town to visit a college friend who finally graduated after 14 years. I was a little nervous going into the weekend. It was my first time with both kids for more than just a couple of hours. Madeline has figured out that she can get away with infantely more when I'm feeding Owen or trying to get him to sleep, and she has started taking advantage of that. It puts me in a very precarious position, do I raise my voice and risk waking Owen up, who fights sleep so hard, or just ignore whatever she is getting in to. I was nervous, but I was also a little excited. I really wanted us to have a fun weekend, and really wanted to prove to myself that I could survive outnumbered.

We were stuck inside almost all day Saturday, but Madeline was amazing. She watched her dance recital video about 5 times, and danced along with every class. Owen and I watched her, and occasionally joined in, but couldn't perform up to Madeline's standards most of the time. I discovered that Owen loves watching the rain. I set his swing up facing the window outside and he loved it. He is going to enjoy summer afternoons on Grandma and Pappy's porch watching the storms roll in with Pappy and Rusty. In the afternoon we worked on a mosaic pixie picture that she had gotten for her birthday. It finally stopped raining in time for us to make a trip quick to the park. Madeline does not stand for her clothes to get wet, so she wore her rain boots, and hiked her dress up as she stomped through the puddles. Owen watched very intently as Madeline tried to explain how to pump your legs so you can swing like a big girl. This is a skill she aquired very recently, but she talks like she is an old pro. My good friend Ashley came over for a dinner of mac and cheese and hot dogs, and then we went to our favourite cupcake place for dessert. It was such a slow peaceful day.

Sunday we had a picnic in the backyard and played silly games that Madeline made up. Madeline decided she was old enough to hold Owen in her lap without any help. She did a great job, and he cooperated nicely. I think that might have been her happiest moment all weekend. She is such an amazing big sister and has so much love for Owen. And he adores her.

I was so nervous going into the weekend that it was going to be hectic and crazy, but it was just the opposite. It was so nice to just enjoy each other and just play. I wish Andy had been there to enjoy it also, but the good thing about weekends is they're only 5 days apart.

Happy Birthday Cupcake

Madeline's 4th birthday was last week and she totally rocked it. She had about 5 parties, and I made more cupcakes in one week than I did all of 2009. I taught myself a little about cake decorating, and was really glad I made a practice cake in April. Her birthday cake was about 500 times prettier than my first attempt. Madeline really wanted her party this year at an inflatable place, and it was perfect. She had lots of friends from school and life excited to celebrate with her. One of my friends has a daughter that is abut 2 1/2 years old. Madeline's big sister instincts kicked in to gear and held Isabella's hand taking her to all of the different inflatables. She really adored having all of the attention. It was a really fun weekend, and a great early mother's day treat for me.


For her actual birthday, she had a little celebration at school. For birthdays at her school, we had to make a poster with pictures of her previous birthdays. They talk about different milestones met at each age, I'm guessing to really understand what getting older is about. The birthday child also gets to hold a globe and walk around a candle as everyone sings a song, "The Earth Goes Round the Sun". So bonus, she learns a little science. Andy went to her school for that. he said she smiled the whole time, so happy to have 40 little eyes fixed on her. For her birthday dinner, we told her we would go anywhere she wanted or I would make anything she wanted. I will admit that I worked very hard to sway her, and we did not go to McDonalds. We went to Hasta La Pasta and she got to wear her Fancy Nancy shoes and got a birthday cake at the restaurant. She had a really great birthday, and is already planning for next year!



My 4 year old!

First Recital!

On May 1st, Madeline had her first dance recital. She did a phenomenal job. She actually danced the entire song, and knew most of the moves. Julia and Zac, and my parents came in town for the weekend. Aunt Anne, Uncle Wen, Hannah, Pappa George, and Granna all came to watch. It was a really special day for Madeline. The dance company hired an outside videographer, so there was no photography during the performance, but we got plenty beforehand. Afterwards, we went for post-recital ice cream at Julia's favourite place, Baskin Robbins (or BR 31 for Julia). I was so proud of Madeline and so happy she has so many wonderful people to support her.

2 busy months

So it's been 2 months since I last blogged. It's been a busy 2 months. First, I went back to work. That was actually really hard this time. With Madeline I was ready to go back to work. I was ready to be around adults again, and I was ready to be around people I could relate to. A lot has changed though. Now I have friends that have children, I have grown into motherhood, and I have learned how to have friends that don't have children. I was not ready to go back, not at all. But, I did. I went back because that is the path we chose a few years ago, and it is the what it is. And good things have happened. I cherish the evenings with both children more. I get to really enjoy our weekends together. And Owen has gotten to meet a lot of new people, and a lot of new people have fallen in love with him. And I have gotten a chance to see my friends more, which is always nice. Here are some of my favourite pictures of the kdis that I have on my screensaver that make me smile at work.

Swimmer

The first 2 weeks of March, Madeline took swim lessons every day. We are going to take 2 weeks off, and then do 1-2 days / week beginning in April. I was very impressed with how much she learned and how much progress she made in her 2 week class. The parents were not allowed in the pool area until the last day, so I just have pictures from their last lesson. Madeline did such a great job. I cannot wait until the neighborhood pools open so we can go swimming together.

Springtime in Texas

I think March and April are easily my favourite months. Its warm and sunny outside, but not quite hot yet. I like to spend as much time as possible outside. Madeline can play in the barkyard or with sidewalk chalk, and I bring Owen's swing outside so even he can enjoy the fresh air. We eat dinner outside during these months, and go to the park as often as possible. Here are a few pictures of Madeline playing outside the past few weeks.

Family Pictures

This past weekend, we went to Austin and got to visit with one of my favourite people. Shauna and I have been friends since we were in diapers. She is probably the nicest person I have ever met. I'm not sure if I've ever heard her say anything mean. In addition to being the sweetest person in the world, she is also an amazing photographer. She took some family pictures this past weekend. I had planned on doing another round of family pictures in the fall, but after seeing all the pictures she took, I'm thinking maybe this spring, and then again in the fall. :)

I'll post all of the pictures in an album on our shutterfly, and you can also see them at her website: Autry Photography