We did not go to the parade or do any other Fiesta activities.
Austin enjoyed most of the day with Grandpa Al and Grandma Liz while the girls and I went to Bigz for lunch with friends and played in the backyard. A good day!
I include this scowling picture because it was monumental that the kids sat at their own table, ate, and left the moms alone to eat our own meals!
Back at home, the girls got into a little water mischief.
And went to town with the stickers and markers.
We are casually potty training, not quite ready to fully commit, but gave in and let her wear her big-girl Dora panties this morning.
After going through 4 pairs in a couple of hours, we went back to the diapers, but not before I could capture this cutie (who was pretending to play Wii)
Some go to Oyster Bake or NIOSA, we go the Concordia Fiesta parade.
Wouldn’t have it any other way!
And for fun, a flash back to the parade last year:
And 2010, with an itty bitty Reesie, and Ella was Reese’s age now, 2!
We christened Grandma Chris’ pool for 2012 in honor of Austin’s birthday. It was a little challenging managing the three kids in the pool since they all wanted to play with Jeff and my camera was not cooperating, but thanks to Aunt Leslie we were still able to capture the happy occasion.
Ella was still unhappy that it wasn’t her birthday Austin sweetly let his sisters help him blow out the candles.
It is wonderful to be able to celebrate with all of our family, and even though I did not capture their pictures, all grandparents were there, along with Aunt Leslie, Uncle Joel and sweet Abby and Lily. Ella and Reese both adore holding “their babies!”
Can’t believe we started like this on 4/18/05:
years later, to this (breakfast care of daddy), we now have this amazing guy!
I brought donuts to his class to celebrate.
Then he got to leave school a little early and go for a swim, the water was still a little cold!
Dinner at Big’z.
Ella so badly kept trying to convince us it was her birthday again too and got quite grumpy that it wasn’t. Reese was happy to be along for the ride.
Frozen yogurt for a birthday desert.
Home for presents!
Jeff and I both love watching all of the kids grow up, but it is amazing to literally see before our eyes Austin coming into his own and becoming more of an independent person. This guy is 7 now, 7!!! There is no more trying to slide things by or pacify him with general answers, he catches everything!
Now, that doesn’t mean he listens to everything we say, he is still a little boy after all. There are a lot of dirty socks or towels lying around, balls bouncing, things breaking, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Austin adores sports, correction, may be a little obsessed with sports! All of his writing, or original stories from class involve either a game he has been to, one he saw on TV, or one he has made up in his head. He is happiest when he is out shooting hoops or playing catch with Jeff. (Jeff and I are cursing ourselves for not having bought a house with a flat driveway so he could have a real set-up out front)
Austin is extremely patient with his two little sisters (don’t get me wrong, they do fight), but you will often walk into his room and Ella has set-up baby doll shop in there and he could care less. He is also beginning to eat like a big kid, will tear through a kid’s meal at a restaurant and still want more.
I know my days are numbered, but he will still hold my hand and always runs up with a big hug when I pick him up from school, which makes my day every time!
Austin- you are an amazing, funny, and sweet little guy… and we love you so much!!
Happy Birthday buddy!
Reese had promptly dropped and broker hers. Luckily she has a pretty generous big sister.
Since we have been back from Miami, we have been going non-stop. I picked up Austin from school on Friday ready for the weekend and the margarita that was waiting for me, but he had other plans.
And how could I say no to a school carnival with these dimples.
Poor guy waited an hour to ride this one ride and I had to “bribe” another kid to let him move to the front of the line. I felt a little guilty, but we had to leave and I gave her the rest of our tickets.
It was worth it to see this!
We (okay, just me) had hopes of going to church on Sat evening, but we were still on Miami time, so that didn’t happen. We did manage to get all of us to church on Easter Sunday. All 5 of us in the sermon because there was no Sunday school. I spent most of the service walking and chasing Reese outside of the sanctuary, but I was still pleased we made it there and got a little spiritual refill.
I also love this holiday because Ella arrived 4 years ago on Easter.
The obligatory picture, don’t they look so happy!
A minor improvement over last year’s picture
They got to dig into their baskets after church.
Take two for pictures.
Jeff’s sister and husband had us all over for Easter lunch. Abby and Lily were only 3 weeks old and not only did they make a fabulous meal, but had an Easter egg hunt for the kids….I am impressed!
We all felt this way by the end of the day, but a great day it was!
