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.

Ricky's Last Day of Pre K 4

Ricky had his last day of school on Thursday, May 28 2009. He wasn't looking forward to it because he was going to miss everyone. I know I get emotional on the last day of school so big Ricky had to pick him up. I was told that all the boys were excited and jumping around and lil Ricky was just sitting their on the carpet all sad and sobbing. He ran to dad, but had to give the teachers a hug good bye. As I understand it he made Ms. Anderson tear up. When they got to the car lil Ricky was still sobbing.
What a sweet little boy. He is extremely sensitive and caring. I just fear with his big heart he will get taken advantage of.
We love him more than anything and are very proud of him and excited for his journey in life.

Since it's about to be fathers day the kids were asked a few questions about DAD:
My dad is good at.... He can carry me
My dad is strong he can..... pick up everything that is so heavy
My dad likes to .......... play with me and color.
My dad looks like.......he is tall and 60 and he likes his hair to be handsome (I don't really know who he thinks his dad is because his dad is short and 39!!)
I love my dad because.......he protects me from the dark.

Ricky's 4 Year Pre-K Graduation

Stacy and Ricky being silly

Stacy (Godmother) and Ricky

Ricky getting his pre-k diploma!

Ricky about to give his teachers flowers

Ricky walking up to the stage to perform with the Zany Zebras - class.

At Ricky's graduation - the after celebration

Hana relaxing on her bear.

Hana and Ricky being silly at home after graduation

Hana and Daddy at graduation. Hana is approving of the performance!

Hana waiting for the performance to start.

Hana and Ricky hugging - they really love each other.

Ricky with his teachers, Ms. Anderson and Ms. Trevenio

Ricky walking off the stage after an AMAZING performance.

Ricky performing


( note: the pictures are out of order - sorry)

Ricky had his 4 year pre-k graduation yesterday. I can't believe my little boy is growing up so fast. It just seems like we just brought him home from the hospital. Now i'm going to his 4 year pre-k graduation. Where does the time go? I wish I could stop it because I don't want my little boy to ever grow up.
When we were getting ready lil Ricky comes up to me and says "Ms. Anderson says we have to dress up and I'm sad because I can't find my police man costume." How adorable is that?! All I could do was give him a big hug and just take in how innocent he is.
First of all I thought I was going to be an emotional wreck, but surprisingly I was not. We got there early to get a good seat and waited patiently with camera in hand for Ricky and his class to walk down the aisle to take his spot on the stage. They were so adorable. They sang Treasure Chest, Praisin Our Amazin' God, Superman, Create in Me/Children of the King, Better Together and Hand in Hand. All were great Christian songs. They were great and so adorable. You could tell they put a lot of hard work into it. Lil Ricky spotted us from the stage ( I think it was mainly due to all the waving) he was excited to see us and waved back. Every time he looked our way he would put on his "shy" face. His God mother, Stacy was there so I know he was thrilled to see her. His little eyes just lit up.
After the performance we all went back to the "Zany Zebras" classroom where the children received their "bare books" (scrap book the teachers make regarding the entire year). They were all called up to the front one by one and Ms. Anderson spoke about each child. Lil Ricky was excited about "show and tell" each day and he told a lot of stories. When he tells stories he has so much expression. After there was cookies and lemonade which the kids loved.
Ricky was blessed with two incredible teachers this year Ms. Anderson and Ms. Trevenio. It will be hard to fill their shoes next year. Windwood is and has been an incredible school. They learn so much but not only the required regular subjects, but also what's very important in our lives and that is Jesus and God. He talks about God and Jesus all the time. The other day he and Hana were sitting on the couch and he was educating her about about Jesus and God. It can't get much better than this.
Even though I'm sad to move on from this stage I know it's a chapter in our lives that has ended and there is so much to look forward to. We're very proud of the little man Ricky is becoming. He surprises us each and everyday with his wit, charm and caring personality.