Christmas is on

Essie's Birthday

When did she get so big?!  She is a lovely thing, sweet, kind and fun! And did I mention, oh so smart?  We adore our "Queen" Esther.

We had a little family dinner, fajitas-her favorite,  and cup cakes  on the night of her Birthday.   The weekend before, we had a Pool Party for her and her friends at a friends house.

Alligators this weekend

For a third year in a row, we are getting a spectacular spring - low 70s and very dry air for two whole months.  It has been such joy to be outside for Samuel's baseball games, some kayaking, and some biking in the parks around.  It also helps greatly that our Esther has become so good at biking and always willing to take it out on any terraine. 

Two weekends ago, we went kayaking on a lake near Missouri City, biked in Herman Park and had lunch outside a French Cafe downtown Houston.  This weekend we went biking for a couple of hours in Brazos Bend State Park to get our fill of alligator sightings.  We ran out of time for our picnic since we had to take Samuel to San Jacinto College for his piano Ensemble practice.  However, later in the evening our Elementary school had an outdoor movie showing at the Pearland Town Center which gave us one more excuse to be outside. 

Can you count four turtles?

Guess who loves to take pictures?  I am not sure, but it is really easy to tell who does not.

This turtle was burying her eggs in the ground.  

This is Samuel at his Ensemble practice.  It looks like there will be 16 grand pianos playing the same piece at the same time at the actual recital.  It will be amazing to listen to and watch our hard working boy perform.  

Bluebonnets and lots of Indian Paintbrushes

This past weekend we headed out of town to see the bluebonnets.  We were a little late in the season though and did not see as many bluebonnets as we would have liked. However, we saw many Indian Paintbrushes, the red flowers in the pictures, which were also very beautiful.  This was Maggie's first time to see the Bluebonnets.  She said: "Had much fun with the purple flowers!"

Spring Break

For Spring Break we went camping for three days to Goliad State Park.  We had a great time being with family, friends, and everything beautiful that nature has to offer.  Our major activities were kayaking on the San Antonio River, biking, playing games, taking pictures of red cardinals, and just being outdoors.  It was a true escape from the daily grind...

This is our car ready and full to the brim with anticipated fun:

The little travelers:

Setting up camp.  (This was Maggie's very first camping trip, excluding the time camping while I was pregnant with her. )

Breakfast:

Accompanied by buzzards:

The camping ground was next to a historic site - an old Spanish Mission.

Making Cobra Bracelets:

Playing with a Frisbee:

Bows and Arrows:

Biking:

Many kayak trips along the calm waters of the San Antonio river.

The Red Cardinals:

Esther's Artwork

Esther's "Chicken" was chosen to be at an exhibit.  Her artwork and 24 others made it to this exhibit selected from 700 other students' artwork.  We are so proud of her!  I love her chicken-happy and colorful, just in the right places. After this exhibit her artwork has been hanging at the front of her school until the Houston Rodeo ends.  

She is so shy, still.  Esther would not stand in front of her painting by herself, so daddy needed to stand with her for courage.

How can you not love this woman?!  She has done what I have only dared to dream about...

Funny, but you should watch to the end...

Maggie and Rody