Monster Trucks and Toot-toot

Another Friday night. It was a little more exciting this time. We watched Monster trucks with daddy and toot-toot. The picture is of them watching even more monster trucks with toot-toot. This carried over to the morning. There are a lot of videos of Grave Digger and Big Foot on the internet.

Another one bites the dust....tsst..tsst

The musical stylings of Michael Lewis.

All week long he has been singing "Another one bites the dust...tsst...tsst..." over and over again. So I thought I would get it on video to share with PaPa Joe. Of course he did not understand how important a perfect performance would be for my video.

So sister decided to show off her talents too. This is Katelynn's version of LaBamba.

Na-Na Boo-Boo Daddy

It was just me and sister and daddy. Michael was at mom's house for a slumber party. Mike was working outside blowing the pine needles out of the yard. I was folding clothes in the bedroom and I heard sister in the living room yelling...."Na-na boo-boo daddy.....na-na boo-boo daddy". Hope you enjoy the video below.

Oh my beautiful children

I AM SO LUCKY.

THAT'S ALL I WANTED TO SAY.

The Great Pumpkin

Happy Halloween! The Lewis family took of the huge task of carving a pumpkin this year. I say “Huge task” because it is a yucky undertaking. I thought this year it would be fine, since Michael was old enough to clean out the gooey-ness from inside the pumpkin…but as you can see. He did not exactly enjoy the job. So, I ended up finishing up the job. Sister tried to help…”Mommy, my do?” But she was not getting all of the slimy, stringy goop stuff.

The next night Mike and the kids drew and colored the pattern on the pumpkin and cut it out. Michael posed for me several times. Most of the pictures have half of Katelynn’s head in them. (She was really busy sweeping the small porch we were on, so we were in her way a lot.)

Michael enjoyed this process MUCH better.

Katelynn was upset because daddy would not give her the big knife to cut the pumpkin. NO FAIR. This is the result of her daddy telling her no. (This is a new trick – isn’t it fun?)

Once she calmed down, I was able to get her to pose briefly by the jack-0-lantern….”CHEESE” with stuff in our mouth.

On Sunday, we took the kids to a fall festival at a church close to the house. Of course it was the hottest day in October so we were all sweaty and were not able to really enjoy all of the games. Michael was Batman including a mask and sister went as “Spider-girl”. Sister and daddy tried to stay in the shade. We were there for an hour. Michael played several games and got candy. We also bought some cotton candy and watched the fluff grow in the bowl and wrap around the stick. Another wonderful weekend...

Fishing Adventure at Our Pond

The Pond: If you have not seen it, it is past time for you to visit the Lewis house. Mike dug a pond on the back corner of our property and it is great. On Sunday, during half-time of the Cowboy game, Little Man wanted to go "fishing". I put this in quotes because Mike and I did not think it would be a successful adventure. First we had to find worms. Mike dug in the usual spots and finally found a few worms to take to the pond.

So, all four of us headed down to the pond. Michael took his spiderman fishing pole. Sister and Michael rode the gator down. We had not been there ten minutes when Michael had the first bite......he tugged (with dad's assistance) and hooked his first FISH. When Mike dug the pond, he dropped some bait perch in it last spring. And that's what Michael caught.

He tried it again. This time there was a lot of movement on the cork, but the little fish (what Michael's calls "Bait stealers") took the worm.

(This video is of Michael describing the "bait stealers")

Mike put another worm on the hook and cast the line for Michael. And he caught another.....all together Michael caught about 4-5 pretty good size that were about 3 or 4 inches long. He also managed to catch one that was 2 inches.

It was a fun time. The event has made Mike want to expand the pond. He bought a fountain for it and has it on when we are not fishing. It is loud enough that you can hear it from the back porch and the basketball court. It is so very peaceful. Just one more wonderful addition Mike has made to our home.

A Day in the Life...

Do I really need to explain? Michael was having a very important "meeting" and needed my assistance on a major "decision". I had my legs propped up because sister thinks she needs to be a part of the "action". (She even brought her juice and crackers...in case the meeting ran long.) She decided to climb on top and Grana had to capture the "event". And to be honest....these are the good times!

Our Weekend

What a wonderful, uneventful weekend! I usually just sit around and watch the kids play with dad. I decided that I should take some pictures of our every day life.

When Michael was a baby (like a few days old) I took a picture of Mike and Michael on the hammock. I took this picture to show how much he has grown. (And you will see below that he thinks he is almost as big as dad).



Sister was especially whiney this weekend. I figured out why on Monday - fever and vomitting. (We are better now.) It was very clear that she will be our water baby. We were all outside playing in the shop. Mike was watering the back yard and cooking some sausage he made. (it was great)

Sister ran outside and came back in wet. The kids decided they wanted to put on their swimsuits and play basketball. (? - I don't know - I can't follow the logic.)

Overall we had a good weekend. We built a "tent" in Michael's bed with my old Raggedy Ann sheet. We bought a new movie called The Reef (nemo knock-off) that Michael has worn out.

We had our very own "boxing" match on the back porch. Good Times! Watch to the end to see Sister's participation!

Just a thought

Hope is the ability to hear the music of the future, Faith is the courage to dance to it today.

I hope you have time today to dance a little jig!

I love him!

I know I am the luckiest woman in the world.

I know he loves me and the kids more than anything.

I know he thinks of us and puts us first always.

I know I love him more that I can express in words.

...There are just too many reasons to list. Mostly because we look so dang cool!

He is the love of my life.....I LOVE HIM!

SpiderKids

...Spider Girl, Spider Girl, Does whatever the Spider Boy does!

Michael has liked spiderman long enough for us to have to costumes of different sizes. They are SO ALIKE that they both have on spiderman UNDERWEAR. (Her underware are worn over her diaper...Like she needs more padding.) You all know how cheap I am....would it be too much to have this be our Halloween costumes? Do you think she will be mad in ten years to see that I have posted pictures of her dressed up in a spiderman costume - not to mention her hiney? Should I be a good mom and get them new costumes, her's a little more feminine? Don't they look so happy!!??!!

Lauren's Party

Michael has a best friend named Lauren. We have been friends with Lauren and Mallory since the kids were 3 months old. One of the funnest days we have each year is at Lauren's birthday party. This year the kids played in the pool and the ghetto-bounce house. They had way too much fun. In this picture they were taunting one of the grownups. We really do have fun and laugh a lot when we play with Lauren and her family. It has been fun to watch Lauren grown into a beautiful little girl. I hope they remain friends forever.

And Sharon - the other picture is for you......looks like Lauren's mom (Sharon) had fun TOO!

Helee's Hiney--ooooooo

Sister and I got to spend a day with just Amber and Helee. We had a great day doing nothing and playing outside. He-Man LOVES the water. Watch the video as he spins.....and then sways.....Fun Stuff!

Sister on a "horse"

So, the story goes, when I was about 2, I begged mom to let me ride the coin-operated horse in front of a very busy Houston grocery store at 5 on a Friday afternoon. Mom-as strict as she was-refused. I continued my plea with Dad. (Who was asleep in the couch). He agreed and took me and the video camera. After a few seconds of normal trotting on the majestic horse, a little kick sped it up.....and it went faster and faster. Mom, who was standing by for support, could barely contain herself as she uncontrollably laughed and her only daughter (at the time) getting whip-lash on a crappy coin-operated horse at some old dirty grocery store in the bad part of Houston. (See how the story changes as I try to stick up for my poor self 30 years later). WELL....as you see in the video, Mom was being very supportive of my future equestrian efforts. (I am afraid of horses to this day) I only hope sister can look back and laught at herself as I have....ENJOY!

West Texas

Yep - on a horse all by himself. This is the third time I have tried to post pictures and write about our visit to West Texas to see Amber, Tanner and Helee. I am just going to post the pictures and video. (The first time I wrote a lot....)

Little Man

I thought I would share some video of little man. He is really starting to enjoy the water. We hope that next summer her will be ready for swimming in a big pool.

Busy Summer

We have had such a busy summer. Lots of fun in the sun with the kids. They are growing so fast. Sister thinks she is as big as brother some days....and whines all day long the next day. (See pic of her "going" like brother on the tee-tee rock.)

We have our last family trip for the summer to west Texas. We are looking forward to the trip and should get some great pictures to share.

After Labor Day, Brother starts preschool 3 days a week. He is almost a big kid. (He says he is a little big kid.) When school starts we will get back into a routine. I am looking forward to the fall. Cooler weather and new things to share with little man and sister-girl.

California Trip

We just got back from our grown-up trip. It was a vacation for me, but work for Mike. We had a nice time. We missed the kids very much. I did not realize how much until this morning when I got to see them. I was supposed to work today, but I am not getting much done. Sister will not let me out of her sight. It's okay. I am glad they still like me. It's the little things I miss...It's nice to just sit on the floor and color. That truly is a Good Day!

Patience is a virtue...

...At least that's what I have been told my whole life. I would have to say that even as a grown up my patience "wears thin" more quickly than I would like. His patience well is deep. (With the kids AND me). I have a lot to learn from him. Maybe is because he is older and wiser....He has all of them....Love, Joy (especially if you count laughter at the comedic styles of "Sister and Little Man"), Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control. I am good at watching him be such a wonderful daddy. I am blessed.

The Best sound in the world

Their laugh. Does not matter how big a toot they may have been in the last 5 minutes or how much they have whined......when he or she laughs.....it makes my heart smile. I am so blessed to have so much joy in my life. Their daddy makes them laugh the best and those are my favorite moments of the day. Laughter really is the best medicine!

Before you know it...

He will be four and she will be two in a few weeks. That is not even close to the number of stretch marks left during their stay at the mo(m)tel. Or the number of laugh lines that have magically appeared on my face over the last four years. BUT, oh my, the joy that I receive each day from these two is beyond measure. How can something really agitate you and make you so happy in the same moment? How can it be that he, the second love of my life, is almost four? The third love of my life is challenging and will bring about more grays than the other.

He is clever. She is funny. He corrects my speech when I say the wrong word. She bites me when she does not get her way. He introdues himself by shakeing hands and sharing his first and last name. She smiles and looks sweet, but growls when someone comments on how pretty she is. He is his father made over. Handsome and caring. She is her mother made over. Ghetto booty and selfish. (hopefully it is just a stage....the selfishness....I think she is stuck with the ghetto booty).

Before you know it, they have grown to two beautiful children and I just adore them. I am blessed.

Rainy Day Thoughts

Today is Tuesday. No kids today so I thought I would take time to start a blog. Isn't everyone blogging? Doesn't society need one more random person's input? Since I am socially behind, maybe this will be my huge step in becoming as cool as I am in my dreams. Do you have those thoughts? Like trying to compare yourself to the people you see on tv. Why is it that I am always like the chic on the Lifetime movie, not the main character on a new prime time Thursday night show? Doesn't anyone in Hollywood realize that they are setting us up for disappointment when they have so many fashion forward, socially advanced, thin, beautiful people on TV. OR is this why "reality" tv has become so popular? I have decided that I do not want to watch "reality" shows for two reasons......(1) the man that controls my remote (my husband) choses not to watch these, and (2) I know what real life is like.....would I want to watch others......an Epiphany.....no wonder Hollywood does not write show that have real people....See, blogging does help. I just realized what all of Hollywood MUST know. Real life is not attractive. Especially when you live in East Texas. I mean, we do have a mall and a TGI Friday's. How much more excitement do you need?