A Day At Kemah

Hana getting a ride after a long day.

Hana and Daddy - She is 100% a daddy's girl.

Ricky playing in the fountains.

Hana drying off.

Hana eventhough she waited for the water, was surprised when it came up and got her face. She wasn't very happy.

Ricky and I riding the ride. If you look closely you could see how terrified he was.

Hana and Ricky flying the plane.


We decided to spend the day at Kemah yesterday. It was a beautiful sunny day so we made the one hour drive. It was perfect because it was in the middle of the week so there was hardly any body there. We were able to ride the rides with out any lines, walk the boardwalk with out pushing and shoving, eat with out being over crowded and Hana and Ricky got to play in the fountains with out us worrying about losing them in the crowd. It was a great day. We did encounter a little whining which isn't anything new.
The kids loved riding all the rides. There was one ride Ricky was allowed to ride but Hana wasn't, so I went on with him. It takes you up and drops you. Gives you the falling sensation. Ricky eventhough very excited really didn't know what he was getting into. The whole ride he screamed in terror. I put my hand on his knee to comfort him but it didn't. Lets just say he didn't ride that one again. They have this great carousel that is 2 levels and was a big hit with Hana and Ricky.
On the way out lil Ricky won a Scooby Doo plush toy. Okay, actually it was given to him because there weren't enough players. We just paid for two players and got it. We weren't going to get anything and stand our ground due to the whining but the desperation in his voice when he says "but it's Scooby Doo" got us both. Yes we caved. No, we didn't leave Hana out. She was able to pick something at one of the little stores. She picked a nice white and pink bead necklace.
It was a great family day.

Sleeping Arrangement

I probably broke the number one rule of kids sleeping together. I do admit my kids sleep together. It all started because Hana was crawling out of her crib before she was 2. The only logical place to put her was with lil Ricky. His bed is big enough it's a queen size. Now they have to sleep together, it's just part of their routine and what they are used to.
Hana just got a new bedroom set but I know she won't sleep in there and Ricky won't sleep with out her.
It's rough at times because she's not tired and really picks on him. There are times he falls asleep and she destroys his room. To the point where she is ripping his border off the wall - yup she destroyed it. She'll pull all his drawers out and throw everything out. If she could get to it she'll demolish it.
One day they are going to fight and pretend they hate each other but right now they are pretty inseparable and it's amazing watching them together.

A Great Mothers Day Weekend

Hana eating strawberries - they were huge

Playing outside in the sprinklers

Another movie night - Hotel for Dogs

Hana waiting for the movie to start - notice her shoes

Ricky getting ready for the water balloon fight.

jumping through the sprinklers

swinging

mothers day gift plate made at pre-K

A card made at Pre-K with mom questions:
1. What is your mom's name?
Nikola
2. How old is your mom?
40 ( I actually think he said 14 because when we asked him at home each time he would say 14!!!!)
3. What does your mom look like?
She has red hair and it's straight down ( I have no idea who his mom is, mine is dark brown/black and curly....hmmmmm..........)
4. What do you like to do with your mom?
Play in the backyard and swing.
5. What do you like for your mom to cook for you?
Pasta
6. What does your mom do all day?
Plays in my room (um.. again I'm not sure who he's talking about)
7. What does your mom want to be when she grows up?
a police man but she already growed up. I think she wants to be a mom.
8. Why do you love your mom?
Because she loves me!


I think the hardest and most rewarding job is being a mother. You never punch a time clock and stop working, you never get a break, you never get vacation, you don't get paid. Your lucky if you can go to the bathroom and be alone, take a shower, read a book or just have 5 minutes of some quiet time.
It is you who molds them into who they are and who they become. The hardest part is knowing that one day they will leave home and have a life of their own and you don't know how much you will be included in it. They are my greatest gift from God and my biggest everyday joy. There is no greater love than the love of a mother for her children. When they are happy I am happy when they are sad i'm sad, when they hurt I hurt. There is nothing I wouldn't do for my children.
The greatest sound is hearing them laugh and saying "I love you". The greatest feel is having them hug me.
This mothers day was awesome, actually this whole weekend was great. On Saturday we just hung out at the house and the kids played outside in the sprinkler, we had a water balloon fight and grilled T-bone steaks - yummy. On mothers day we went to church and came home and played in the sprinklers again. It was great.
I did get a few great gifts. Lil Ricky made me a plate at school. It looks great and I could tell he put a lot of hard work into it. He was so funny. We were riding in the car and he says "I'm making something for you at school but it's top secret, I can't tell you what it is. I can't give you the PLATE today because it's at school." How innocent is that? The kids also got me a Willow figurine which I LOVE! Big Ricky knew what I needed and got me a hot stone massage. I can't wait to book my appointment. He's amazing and Thank You!
On this mothers day I reflect on everything and know that I am blessed with such an amazing husband and 2 outstanding kids. What more could I ever ask for?

Ricky's First T- Ball Game

Ricky getting ready to hit the ball. His first time at bat.

Ricky in center field being coached by dad.

Ricky getting ready to catch a ball in center field.

Ricky getting to bat his second time.

Ricky hitting the ball - he did GREAT!

Making it to first and being coached by dad.

Still at first and still being coached.

Made it to second!!

We are so proud of Ricky II playing his first T-ball game. I do admit we were a little worried because hid attention span isn't more than 2 seconds and if he doesn't feel like playing than it's rough for everyone. Sometimes he just wants to be Ricky the "magician". I do have to say he did great. The coach has it where it's fair and everyone bats the same number of times and places each position at least once. Ricky first time at bat hit the ball, but wasn't really sure what to do from there so unfortunately he was out. While he was in the field dad stayed out there with him for a little bit coaching him and he did amazing. He was running after the balls and throwing them. His second time at bat he also did great. The ball flew and he ran to first - dad was at first coaching him in. While at first dad was coaching him to second. He made it to second. He did get a little confused on going to third. It's something we have to work on. Overall he did GREAT and we're very proud of him.
We did lose, but to our defense the other team seemed older and bigger. We think they were about 6 months older which at this age makes a BIG difference. There coaches had a win style ours had a lets play and have fun style. Which at this age I think is perfectly fine.
At this age they are so adorable and innocent. I can't wait till our next game!

Miller Outdoor Theater

Ricky on the train.

Us three on the train ride

Hana showing of her dancing skills

Ricky at the theater

A glimpse at what we saw

Hana showing off more of her dancing skills.


Today I took the kids to the Miller out door theater in the museum district of Houston. I have only one word - AWESOME. They put on theater productions for kids and adults and it's free. It was great for the kids. You could sit in the seats by the stage or you can sit on the grassy hill. That is where we sat so Hana and Ricky could run free. It was a little warm though. The show we saw was Swing, Jive and Pop. Anyway it's awesome and i'm looking forward to going back.
Afterward we rode the train that goes around the park.

Easter 2009

This year Easter was great. For the kids it started one week early with our MOPS egg hunt. It was Hana's first year to really get a hang of it and hunt down her own eggs. Once she found out the eggs had treats in them the game was on. They both did great and walked away with their fair share of eggs.
Their great egg hunt was at Windwood. Every year they put together a great Easter celebration for the children. Which includes an egg hunt, petting zoo, face painting, carnival rides, food and much more. They loved it. It was packed with activities. Later that day we went over to Aunt Vladys house, where the kids painted eggs. I think Aunt Vlady had a different vision in her mind than what actually happened. The kids had a blast painting the eggs but they didn't look anything as in the picture and at times it was chaotic. I think Vlady expected a more calmer controlled egg dying experience. I had to laugh because nothing goes as planned with a 2 and 4 year old. Easter day we decided as a family to just celebrate Easter with just the four of us. We went to church at our church, Trinity Lutheran and heard an amazing service. We came home and had Easter lunch/dinner which consisted of a spiral cut ham, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole. Ricky cooked the green bean casserole and it was amazing. The rest of the day we spent outside. Ricky and I did yard work while the kids played. The weather was perfect.
The Easter bunny did stop by the house and deliver a piano for Ricky and guitar for Hana which they were excited about. Also our wonderful next door neighbors Micehlle and Stephanie brought over some treats for the kids. Thank you!! We ended the day with movie night. We made a pallet on the floor, popped pop corn and watched Bed Time Stories. Hana was out in 5 minutes. I'm pretty sure my kids think that Easter is like Christmas.
We are very excited for this day not only to spend quality time with our family but also for what it stands for. We can't forget that this is the day Jesus rose from the dead and because of what he did for us we will have eternity with our families. For this we will forever be thankful.




Movie night watching Bedtime Stories

Excited about movie night

Hana and Ricky with their Easter toys

Painting eggs at Aunt Vladys

Painting more eggs

Hana painting her hand instead of the eggs

still painting her hand

painting eggs


I just really liked this one. She dressed her self.

The swing at Windwood Easter Celebration

Carousel at Windwood

Hana at the petting zoo with the baby goat

Hana zeroed in on the ducks "puff ball" on their heads. It was game on. She spent the day chasing them trying to get a hold of the puff ball. Extremely funny.

Ricky at the egg hunt.

Waiting for the go ahead to get the eggs.

Hana more interested in what's in the egg than getting the eggs.

Filling up her basket.

Train ride at Windwood

I had to put this one in here because they are so peaceful!!

MOPS Easter egg hunt.

MOPS Easter egg hunt. Hana finding eggs.

Ricky getting eggs at the MOPS easter egg hunt.

Laundry Revelation!!

Many of you know that laundry and full on grocery shopping are my two worse chores. I cringe at the thought of them. They both have so many steps.

Lets take grocery shopping:
step 1: clip coupons or go through the grocery ads for price comparison
step 2: make a meal plan for the week
step 3: get to the grocery store
step 4: load up your cart
step 5: unload your cart so you can pay
step 6: load your cart back up
step 7: unload the cart AGAIN - put groceries in the car
step 8: drive home
step 9: unload the car - this requires many trips to the car
step 10: put all the items where they belong
step 11: cook or eat them
Way to many steps for one chore

Now lets look at laundry
Step 1: get all the dirty clothes to the laundry room
Step 2: sort all the clothes out by color
step 3: put one load in the washer
step 4: move it to the drier
step 5: get it out to a place where it can be folded
step 6: fold
step 7: put it all up
step 8: repeat till it's all done

Way to many steps for one chore.
I have to admit my last load has been known to stay in the drier till it's laundry time again.

Today I discovered I don't mind laundry that much after all!!
I don't watch T.V. during the day, but do miss my afternoon talk shows.
Folding laundry is my time to watch T.V. I get all the laundry folded, even the socks (socks are another story. The matching game just doesn't work for me).
So you see it's a win win situation. My family gets clean clothes that they don't have to dig out of the dryer or find them all wrinkled in hampers and I get to watch some T.V.