Funky, Fresh and FORTY!!

I'm forty.  Not so bad.  For my special day, Scott took time off from work, and drove the kids and I into the city to visit the museum of fine art.  This was truly the best gift.  I feel so refreshed after a day with all that canvas, paint, sculpture, and new thought!  My favorite time of all was surprisingly after lunch.  Scott and I grabbed a fresh cup of coffee, and sat outside.  The kids were so sweet, playing tag among the stones and pillars.  I got the most pleasure listening to their uncontrollable giggles and squeals!  On Friday night Scott and I again joined Elisabeth and Jeff for a grown-ups night out.  We left the kids to their own devices and headed to Bob's Steakhouse.  Unbelievable food! I had delicious crab-cakes, and Scott got a mouth watering T-Bone steak.  Jeff informed the server of my birthday which allotted me a divine piece of cake to round out the night.  When we arrived home the kids were happy, but tired!
As I write this the kids are diligently working in their math books.  YES.  School has officially started, and we are slowly getting used to earlier mornings, and our dual roles as Mom/child and Student/teacher.

Our latest puzzle...

Very cool sculpture that you enter!

My greatest achievement.

Do you see that little head peaking around the corner?

Can't you just hear them squealing?

Me so happy.

Roses from Cathy.

Flowers from Scott and kids.

My new ruby house slippers.

Fiona and Ethan's first time riding outside of the arena!

This "Opah" was at H.E.B. Yum?

Beautiful painting from Heather...

We started our first day of school with an art lesson.

Guns and trampolines....

On Friday the kids and I went to CJ's house (she is the mother of 5) after their riding lesson.  What a lot of fun they had.  Nathan has a few BB guns that he was excited to share, and Fiona and Ethan were excited to try!  They also have a huge trampoline!  As usual it was a hot Texas day, and the kids set the sprinkler up underneath the trampoline! Genius!  Then to add more fun to the mix, they emptied a large container of dish soap onto the trampolines surface.  This made it impossible to jump upright more than a few times in a row without slipping.  When the kids were not outside they were in the house drawing or playing with the pet bird.  Such a sweet...and yes, loving little critter!  He just sat on our shoulders and allowed itself to be passed around.  Reminded us of our wonderful weeks with "Bird".  On Saturday the kids and I rode our bikes while Scott ran.  We go a bit lost trying to find new playgrounds...but in the end we did discover an amazing park.  Later in the day we played a two hour round of wiffle ball at a Cattail Park with the Duty's, and ended the evening with a reservation for 13 at "El Chapparro".  We finally found our ideal Mexican food restaurant!  This week the kids start their Spanish lessons at "The Language and Arts Academy".  Soon they will be ordering their meals en espanol!

Our latest 500 piece puzzle completed!

O.K., so as I was seated at the barn watching kids riding, the chicken hopped up on my boot.  Could you get more Texas?!

Sweet girl, meet sweet bird.

CJ's oldest daughter is a barista at Starbucks.  She made me the best latte I have ever had.

Fiona and Tess even got their own!

"O.K. Ethan, do you want the hand gun or the rifle?"

"Rifle."

Soapy, wet trampoline fun.

My lemon harvest.  A bit early because the weight of the lemon broke the limb...

Happy African violet.  They remind me of my grandmother...

View of the swamp-lake at beautiful new park.

This guy was crawling out of a stump.

Crazy table of kids...

Kids a' Boss Night!

O.K., a true testament to how very much I trust my kids, and their friends, Scott and I went out on a double date with Elisabeth and Jeff...leaving all NINE kids home at the Duty's house.  I am not sure who had more fun.  We headed to "The Cozy Supper Club" and enjoyed cocktails and craft beers from their new cigar and whiskey bar, and a great meal (with the exception of Scott's):(
The kids enjoyed an exciting night of hide and seek, movies, video games and ice cream (and that is just what they have shared with us).  All I can say is that they were both clammy when we picked them up, and all nine kids were asking when the adults can leave them alone again!
This past Wednesday Scott had tickets from work for the Astros vs. Cardinals game.  His boss suggested he take Ethan, and let Scott know that he is friends with the Cardinals announcer, and that he could get them into the announcers booth!  Even though the Astros lost, it was still a memorable game for the boys!  Fiona and I had ourselves a "Girls Day".  We headed to Hughes Landing for a frozen yogurt lunch (mmmmmm) while we sat by the water.  Then it was off to get our pedicures with Elisabeth and Zoe.  It was Fiona's FIRST pedicure!  Very luxurious.

Yogurt for lunch!

Date night.

"The Mad Hungarian" with his hand on Ethan's shoulder.

First pedicure!

O.K., so this is the only picture I got from the kids of their night.  Ethan is the one being carried....

Home is Where your Stuff is...

It was interesting to feel a bit homesick for Texas...but we did!  We have had a little over a week to settle back into our routine (if you call any part of summer routine).  The kids had two riding lessons last week (one was a make up), we spent a few solid hours at the library, swam in the pool, took some walks, and met up with friends.  Zevon was sooooo very happy to be back home.  He missed us all, but especially me.  He was even trying to follow me into the bathroom the first few days home.  That dog was not going to let me out of his sight!  One of our first missions when we returned to the Woodlands was to see if the duck eggs had hatched.  They did!  Those little babies are learning quickly that humans are a great food source.  They already eat from our hands!  Last Saturday night we had our friends the Dutys over for BBQ.  Scott was excited to cook for 13 people! He said it reminded him of his Coast Guard days...  It is amazing how much meat 9 kids can put down!  The kids had a blast in the pool, and playing games into the night.   Scott and I enjoyed catching up with Elisabeth and Jeff.

The left over egg shells...

Super cute!!!!!

Fiona and I are doing some fun beading art.

She made an outfit out of yard trimmings.

Scott had to kill Mister Eggplant for our dinner...

Seth as "Daniel Boob"

Drumsticks and a movie, yum.

Ethan lording over "Land, Sea, Air".

Walmart on a rainy day.

Out with mommy for "Tex-Mex".

The start of some amazing creations.