Kite Festival

Every year since we moved to Austin, we've gone to the Zilker Kite Festival in March. They have lots of kite flying competitions, free kite-making and food. Garrett still has his little kites from past years, so we had to go again this year. The only difference this year was that Garrett is now calling it the "Kite Fiestival". Yup, just like it's a big party. I guess it is. We grabbed a little P. Terry's after church, like always, and headed to the park this year with Jonna, Hudson, Jake and Cole Nobles. G and I made another kite while Ryan helped Jonna get her boys set up with their kites. We all did our best to fly them, though we were lacking a little wind some of the time. We saw some great kites out there, and very unique, as usual. Two of our favorites were the Wright brothers' plane and a pirate ship. Jonna's boys were very sweet with Scout, especially for not having a little sister. She ate up all the attention. We walked back to our cars together, with Ryan having to push the stroller with Scout, Cole and G in it. So cute. We came home with two very dirty, very sleepy, and very happy little ones that afternoon.

Lunch

Flirting with Cole

Putting the kites together

First flight

G makes his kite

It flies!

No, that's not Brooke Shields, but a very dirty Scout

Popcorn pals

Every once in a while, we let Garrett pick a DVD and have movie night. We are required to all get in our pj's and watch a movie together while eating popcorn. Garrett helps me make it with the popcorn maker Santa brought him. We used to put Scout down a little early and let G stay up late, but that really cuts into Mommy and Daddy time, so we've started doing it a little earlier and including Scout. I mean, who am I kidding? She's the second kid, and it's just too much work to keep her from the t.v. until she's two. So, I guess G will be brilliant, and she'll be our sports scholarship kid. Well, not only does she get to watch movies earlier than Garrett did, but she also gets to chomp down on a choking hazard - popcorn. And if you're going to choke, let's admit it, it's a yummy way to go. Anyway, she's totally into it, and I just had to share some pictures I snapped while they were entranced.

Valentine's fun

I know this is really late, but I've got to catch up on my blogging, and I really don't want to skip some of the fun things that have happened the last few months. So, here's my Valentine's post.

Ryan and I usually don't do a whole lot for Valentine's Day, but it's a lot more fun with kids. Garrett had a party at school and gave his friends Lightning McQueen and Sally valentines. He loved all of the ones he got, even the princess ones from the girls, though he had no idea who they were. He brought them home in a cute bag with a Hershey's kiss on the outside. Of course, he had no idea what it was. Yes, he's very deprived. The kids also got a package from their cousins, Parker and Emerson, and loved everything inside.

Sweet Valentines

"Reading" her new book

Going bananas with a new punch balloon

Ryan reading G's valentine for us that he made at school

Stretch visit

We made another visit to the TDS Ranch with some friends in early March. This time we took Raegan, Caroline and Owen to feed Stretch the giraffe and Rowdy the rhino and to see the other animals. Ryan met us and gave us the tour. Owen and G liked feeding Stretch more than Caroline and Scout, so maybe being licked by a giraffe is a boy thing. We had a really fun time, as we always do. Here are some photos from the day.

Raegan, Caroline and Stretch

Giving in and feeding him



Raegan, Owen and Stretch


Scout hiding her face from Stretch

Owen giving Stretch a little pat

Owen, Caroline and G

Rowdy and Caroline

Scout, Owen and Rowdy

Dinner prayer

This evening, Garrett said the prayer before dinner. This is how it went:

Dear Lord,
Thank you for our day. Please help everyone to be good and healthy. Please help Jesus to die on the cross, so David can become the next king.
In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

I didn't even know where to begin.

Ryan and I just smiled and said, "Good prayer, baby."

The way G loves me

As I was putting G to bed tonight, he asked me to climb into bed with him and tell him about Jesus. We talked for awhile, and then I told him I needed to go. He grabbed me tightly around the neck and said, "I love you just like Jesus loves you. God can never stop loving you and I can never stop loving you. My love is like Jesus loves you." Then he planted a big kiss on my cheek. Those are the moments.

Peas porridge

Yes, I know that's not the way it's spelled, but that's basically what G had for breakfast this morning. He requested oatmeal, so as it was getting thick, I asked what he'd like in it, suggesting bananas or cinnamon. "Peas" he responded. I glanced at Ryan, who shrugged his shoulders and said, "Let him try it." This is the same kid who has been known to request leftover, cold tuna casserole for breakfast. So, I held back my gag reflex and stirred in some frozen peas and a little Splenda. To my disgust, but not so much my surprise, he liked it. I don't know how he got this way. I promise the rest of us eat very normal breakfast foods.

Mmm.

First bite.

Loves it!