My Sisters Keeper

I just finished an amazing book. If you know me than you know I don't read that much anymore. Not because I don't like to read but because I don't have much time for it. I will pick up a book and it will take me a couple of months to read it.
When I saw this book on the shelves at Walmart I would notice it but had no desire to read it. One night I saw the previews for the movie coming out based on this book. It sparked my interest so next time I picked it up.
My first thought was it's going to take me 1/2 a year to read this. Small print and 500 pages!!!
When I finally decided to open it and start reading I was hooked from page one. This never happens!! I couldn't put it down. I finished it in 4-5 days. I would sneak off some where just to read it.
It is an amazing book. It tugs at every emotion you have. There is happiness, sadness, sickness, love etc... You can not get through this book with out crying especially if you are a mother.
The sister bond and connection in this book is like no other. The parents what they go through and are willing to do, as a parent you know you would do the same.
There are twist and turns. Just when you thought you had something figured out you really didn't .

Hana in Tiny Dancers

Hana doing the ribbon routine.

Hana waving.

Loves the ribbon.



Hana on her own with the Ribbon.



Hana twirling.

Having her own fun of running back and forth.



We signed Hana up for Tiny Dancers. It's a dance program for 2 year olds. I thought it would be something fun for Hana to do.
I wasn't sure what to expect, was it going to be ballet, tap any structure at all. No they just play with music and props and have a lot of fun.
There are times Hana is totally on her own routine but she is having a blast.
I am still working on having her wear a tutu or dance skirt but she hasn't warmed up to the idea yet. I guess she just likes the freedom of just a lea tart. We had to purchase her first ballet shoes. She was very excited about that.
Today was just the beginning so i'm looking forward to seeing what these 9 weeks have in store.

Last T-Ball Game

Ricky getting his trophy from Coach Michael.

Lil Ricky is playing an important position - pitcher and yes, you are seeing it right dad took a phone call on the field!!! (Dad only helped Ricky out in the outfield on a couple of games to give him direction).

Waiting for the ball to come his way.


Ricky on 3rd base.

Still on 3rd and waiting to run HOME!!

Making the hit to run to 1st.


Lil Ricky had his last T-ball game on June 6, 2009 for the season. I have to say out of all the sports we have put him in this one has definitely been the best. The entire team has come such a long way from day one. Ricky and all the Mario team mates have learned the object of the game, how to run bases and be a team player. They had excellent and extremely patient coaches that really showed the Marios the way.
The last day was a double header. They had a 10:30 game and 11:30 game. It was extremely hard for them but they got through it. I was very worried about the last game due to the heat because of Ricky's eczema. I made sure to ice him down when I could. It seemed to help.
Ricky did great. He's good at hitting the ball and running the bases. Sometimes he has a lil trouble between first and second but he eventually gets there. He scored a run for his team. It was very exciting. We're so proud of his hard work and accomplishment. We are looking forward to many more seasons.
After wards they all enjoyed a celebration at Double Daves Pizza - yummy!!

The Houston Childrens Museum

Hana brushing the Dalmation

Ricky checking out.

Hana loading up on strawberries.

Still getting strawberries.

Ricky is going to have a feast.

Ricky putting the pipes together so the water could flow.

Ricky making waves.

Playing with the water.

Hana trying to figure it out.

Ricky putting on a puppet show.

Hana watching Ricky's puppet show.

Hana is suppose to be pulling her self up, but I think she had Leah's help.

Ricky playing with shapes.



On Friday Leah and I decided to take out kiddos to the Children's' Museum. Leah has 2 adorable girls. My kids and hers are the same ages.
Leah picked us up at 10 am and off we went. When we got there it was already a little crowded. Once we got in the kids loved it. There were so many things for them to do. They put on a puppet show, played with water, grocery shopped, pretended they were vets, painted their faces and so much more. This place is amazing. Kids learn through play.
They both loved the grocery shopping. Ricky put everything that would fit in his basket than checked out Hana on the other hand just kept putting strawberries in hers. She was so excited about it and it definitely kept her occupied ( I think i'm going to have to invest in strawberries and a basket). At the vet area Hana had a stuffed Dalmation that she was taking care off and Ricky had a stuffed cat. I think Hana overdosed the poor puppy on medicine, but he survived.
The outside water area was a huge hit. Ricky loved putting these pipes together and seeing which way the water will go (hmmm do I have a future engineer?) Hana just loved getting wet and throwing stuff.
This is definetly an amazing place for kids. It's a place they LOVE to learn.

Family, Beach and Sun

Ricky on the last day

Trying to get Hana to nap. No success. Dad eating the kids snacks!!

Ricky being sexy

Lil Ricky and me

Lil Ricky and me enjoying the beach

Clams lil Ricky picked

Dad utilizing the shade.

Ricky enjoying the beach and sun

The kids posing - what a perfect picture.

Kids playing

Babi (grandma) and Ricky splashing around

Ricky trying to turn away from me

still trying to get away from me

Babi and Ricky jumping the waves

Babi and Ricky getting ready for the wave

still getting ready

Hana and daddy enjoying the beach and sun

had to dodge a little wave

Hana playing in the sand

Ricky splashing around

Playing

Playing in the sand.


We decided to take a little vacation to Corpus Christi to visit my parents. They live on North Padre Island just 2 minutes from the beach.
We couldn't of planned a better time to go. The beach and weather were amazing. If you know anything about the N. Padre Island Beach than you know it has it's ups and downs. One day it will be amazing and calm the next the tides and surf are way up.
We planned to go right after Ricky got out of school on Thursday and surprisingly it worked out with out a hitch. There was a lot of packing the night before to make this happen. It's almost a 4 hour drive so not that bad. Unless you have a screaming toddler!! Luckly we timed it just perfect for her to nap (there was one time when she cried/screamed 3 hours straight - it was a nightmare).
We get to the grandparents house and unload than we go take a walk on the beach during my favorite time. Sunset.
I couldn't wait to go to the beach the next day. We went around 2pm and the beach was amazing. Barley and waves and the water was clear. I actually saw my feet. You could see all kinds of fish swimming around you. One time lil Ricky lost my glasses and I actually found them. We came home fed the kids and got them ready for bed while Ricky and I went for a date night and went to our favorite sushi restaurant, Origami. They have some of the best sushi and it is extremely affordable.
Saturday Hana, my mom had the day off from work so in the morning we went walking on the jetties. There were quiet a few fisherman but none were really catching anything. We did see a lot of sea turtles. After the walk the kids went swimming in the beach. We than went home ate lunch and packed a cooler and a shade umbrella. We knew we were going to stay the entire afternoon at the beach and the kids needed the shade. I have to say that big Ricky is the one that utilized it the most. Sitting under the umbrella and drinking beer. The kids jumped waves and played in the sand. We were out there for about 4 hours. Later that night Ricky had another date night! We went to Port Aransas and ate at Trout Street right on the water.
Our last day Sunday we went swimming early in the morning. The water was a little chilly but perfect. After lunch we came back and the surf has picked up. But the kids still played great in the waves and on shore they caught a lot of little fish. I think they were minos or at least looked like it.
That evening we headed home and the kids slept the whole drive. It was an amazing vacation. I'll definetly be going back to the beach this summer.