Smart Cookie

On Tuesday, I found some cool educational posters at the dollar store. The dollar store is my new favorite place to check out. I got Mason 5 posters for his room (All for the break the bank price of $3). That night, Mason was so excited about his new posters we played with them for a good 30 minutes before bed. One of the posters is a map of the USA. I asked Mason where we live and he pointed straight to Texas and said "Texas." I was so amazed because I don't remember teaching him that. I then pointed out other states, which he was able to say some. He says California really well! I taught him where grandma and grandpa are from and the next night I asked him where is grandpa from and he pointed to Louisiana and then I ask him where grandma was from and he pointed to Missouri! I was so proud he remembered! He also started pointing to Austin when I ask him where we live.

One of the other posters is numbers, and from Tuesday night he was counting away! I also bought an antonyms poster. I figured it would be hard but he already seems to understand some of the concepts. One of the pictures is few/many and its many books vs few books. Mason will point to the picture and I will ask him "is that many books or few books" and he knows the difference! Not to brag on my son but I am so proud of him :)

Deutschen Fest 2011

This past weekend was the 36th annual Deutschen Fest in Pflugerville. We ventured out to the park for some german food, beer and crafts. Well, that was the plan. We ender up in the carnival area for 95% of our time there. Poor Robert just bought a wristband so he and Mason could do the rides over and over. Mason did enjoy, but mom and dad are DONE with carnivals for this season. It seems like it would be fun to take the kids again when they are a little older. There is a ton of stuff out there.

It was really humid, so Autumn spent most of her time back at grandma's house. She was ok with that as there she could at least crawl and play.

Beach Adventures - Day 3 and Day 4

On Tuesday, we headed to the beach as soon as breakfast was over. The water was a little cold, so we didn't spend much time in the water. We just played at the waves and mostly played in the sand. Autumn thought the water was cold so she didn't like the waves and prefered the sand. Mason decided he wanted to walk the shoreline and that's what he and Robert did. You can see them in the first picture. After a couple of hours at the beach the kids needed a nap so we headed back to the room and rested up for our afternoon adventure.

That afternoon, we visited the local shops so I could get the kids a t-shirt. We stopped at the same store we did last year to take pics in fromt of the dolphins. I think we might do this every year, to see how much the kids have grown. We also stopped at the giant shark as well. I didn't get the kids shirts here as we decided to get shirts at the ball game. After this stop, we made our way to Corpus Christi to go to a Hooks baseball game. Before the game we made a special stop at my husband's and Mason's favorite place - Whataburger! This Whataburger is right by the bay (hence the name) and you can see all the boats from the windows. Mason enjoyed that. After that we went to the game. We tried regular seats, and by inning 3 we were in the back of the field in the grass section. Mason saw the game area and he and Robert spent the rest of the game playing. They had one of those bungee trampolines, and we know how Mason loves that thing. There was also a pitching tent, and Mason gave that a try. By his third pitch, he just walked up and put it in the hole! Haha! There were a few other play things Mason went back and forth at. While Mason played, Autumn and I hung out in the grassy area. Autumn made friend swith a little boy and played with his baseball some.

We finally headed back to the island and the kids slept well - both until 8! It was nice for mommy and daddy :)

On Wednesday, we just went home. We tried another restaurant in Goliad on the way home and, well, it was just ok. It was a much needed vacation!

That's Robert and Mason in the background.

Whataburger by the Bay!

 

Home of the Corpus Christi Hooks



The sign behind us says "watch for fly balls." Yeah, not really...



Beach Adventures - Day 2

On Monday, the kids woke up and we could tell they were still a little tired from the long day Sunday. We decided to do the pool in the morning before lunch so Robert could grill our hamburgers/hotdogs. We got down there and Robert got the grill going, with some help of course! Once I got the kids lathered up, we went swimming. Mason loved swimming. He had on his arm floaties and would doggie paddle back and forth. it's a good thing he did ok by himself. Autumn would not spend any time in the baby float, so I pretty much had to hold her.

After the swimming and eating, the kids needed a nap. After the long naps, we got ready for our dolphin watching adventure. Overall, the kids were so-so about the dolphins. What Mason was more interested in was the boat itself. One minute I am playing with Autumn, the next minute the deckhand is telling me we have a new captain! I run to the stairs and who is driving?? Mason! Mason drove for a good 15 minutes before he had to turn the boat back over. Mason spent most of the adventure up those stairs. Autumn and I spent our time watching the bay and learning that sea gulls love cheerios. (I did not feed them, the deckhand did. I did supply them, however). Autumn was still so tired she fell asleep before the ride was over.

I do have to say that before our boat ride as we were waiting, one of the deep sea fishing trips got back with their catches. There was a HUGE grouper among the fishes. Mason really liked seeing all the fish.

After the boat ride, I really wanted some real food so we stoped at the local Crazy Cajun. It was ok food, but the service was not so great and with two kids under 3 that can be a challenge. Well, we know better for next trip.

Another great day complete!

 



Captain Mason



Beach Adventures - Day 1

We recently took our annual trip to Port Aransas. We left Sunday, and decided to stop in Goliad for lunch. Mom was tired of Whataburger, so I decided to try a local mexican restaurant that actually looked busy (think small Texas town busy). Needless to say, we probably won't go back. The food was decent, it was other things.....

The restaurant was located in the main square where the very nice courthouse is. As I love history, we had to take some pics. I was also reading the plaques and it seems Goliad has deep history besides the famous Santa Anna massacre. When the kids are big enough we will have to spend some time in this town.

After our lunch break, we made the rest of the journey to Port A. We took the ferry over - its so fun! Once we got to the condo and checked in, we decided to head to the beach. I have to say I like this condo. Great prices for off season, right on the beach, two pools, and not crowded!

The kids loved the beach. Autumn had her first experience with the waves/water and loved it. I could not get her out of it. She also enjoyed the very large sandbox at her disposal. Mason went right for the waves and I think one might have scared him a bit. He was a little afraid of the water for the rest of the day, but he did enjoy being outside and playing in the sand. He even tried a few times to go nude. I had to remind him several times that it was not a nude beach :) We stayed out at the beach until the sun started to go down. Day 1 was a success!

Autumn in front of the Goliad courthouse

Goliad courthouse

 

The restaurant was on the left - just beyond the picture



Saturday Awesome Day

Mother's Day 2011

I had a wonderful Mother's Day this year. Robert grilled some yummy chicken and veggies for dinner. The kids were so good all day and Robert entertained them so I could relax. Mason even picked out flowers for me at the store, and when he and Robert got home he ran around to find me and gave them to me right away. He said "I got you flowers mommy."  Soooo cute! While the kids were playing outside, Mason got the hose and when you mix dirt and water you get a mud bath! Somehow only Autumn was the one that got super dirty. Hmmmm.

Meetings and Parties

This past week, I had a business meeting in Chicago. I was gone for 3 nights. My husband did such a fantastic job while I was away ~ I am so thankful that I have him as my partner and best friend in all of this. He was ready for me to get back, and he didn't "dump" everything on me either. He even has let me chill all day today while he is busy grilling. To quote a song I sang with some co-workers this week "What a man, what a man, what a mighty good man!"  What happens in Chicago....

Yesterday, we went to Lilly's 1st birthday party. All the kids had a great time. Miss Lilly was so cute in her birthday shirt and skirt. Mason waited very patiently for a cupcake, and as you can see he enjoyed it very much!
Lee was so funny. He decided that the water table was just another pool and proceeded to get in it several times throughout the day. After outfit change #4, I think Kat got the hint and just waited for the party to be over before she changed him. Haha! Lee will be our character throughout our adventures, thats for sure.

Autumn's One Year Pictures

A few pictures from Autumn's one year photo session. Autumn did so well and I am so pleased with the pictures.

Thanks again, CBP!

I'm a Carny Man

On Friday, Robert took the kids to the Liberty Hill BBQ cook-off. Our friend DJ was participating in the cook-off. There was also a carnival on the grounds.

This is Robert's report:

1. Autumn did really well, but all the BBQ smoke really got to her. (hence picture) One of Roberts friends had his trailer so she was able to take a nap and get out of the smoke some.

2. Mason loves DJ! (I already knew this) DJ took off with Mason for a bit and Robert went to check on them. DJ saw Robert and said "We're busted!" Mason was loaded down with cotton candy and candy apples. Thankfully Mason ran around for several more hours and all that sugar did burn off.

3. Mason rode the ferris wheel several times. There were other rides Mason really wanted to get on but the carny men would not let him. At one point Mason took off from Robert and was in the process of going through the exit gate to get back on the ferris wheel.

4. Mason was allowed to do the bungee trampoline - which he LOVES!

5. Several of his friends kept telling him how cool it was he was there by himself (I actually do believe this, seeing as I do know the Pflugerville crowd)

6. Robert really enjoyed seeing his guy buds. Well, this is my assessment, but Robert did say he had fun :)

Yes, I missed my kids as they were gone all day, but I am so glad Robert went.