First Day of Kindergarten

RISE AND SHINE WILSON!! It's your first day of kindergarten. This is one of the most important days of your life--up until now.
Our lives change forever after this momentous day and it starts with waking up when it is still dark outside.
One thing that Wilson has been greatly anticipating is taking his lunch to school in his new Spider Man lunch bag.
Nothing like the excitement of opening your lunch box and finding a LITTLE DEBBIE snack in there waiting for you. I wanted Wilson's first day to be special and so hopefully he will enjoy his treat. Because I don't usually buy stuff like this!
Here he is--ready to go. Sniffle...Sniffle. I think the fireplace will be the designated *first day of school* photo location. I guess next year we can see how much he's grown. He already looks SO grown up. Sniffle....Sniffle.
Here is Wilson and his Daddy in front of Melissa Ridge Elementary School. Dropping Wilson off the first day was very hectic and a little traumatic. Our plan was to park and take him inside to make sure he was settled. Well, somehow we got into the carpool lane by accident. Suddenly we were dropping him off, giving hugs, and saying good-bye!! I was lucky to have snapped this photo quickly before he was rushed inside.

I frantically cried out in my heart, "Wait! WAIT! I'm not ready!" Maisy and I cried the whole way home. She kept saying, "We CAN'T leave Wilson!" and I replied, "But we HAVE to!" Luckily by the time we got home and listened to the message on the phone that was waiting for us--our worries subsided somewhat. Daddy had found a parking space (after much swearing and dirty looks from other parents) and went to make sure Wilson was safe and doing okay. Of course he was okay because he's WILSON.

I love you, Wilson! We are so proud of you.

Things to do at the lake

When we go to THE LAKE there are always fun things to do...
Look for seashells with Aunt Di and Ray, *the expert*

Go swimming with cousin Megan

Play in the sand with Ashley

Go snorkeling with Uncle Troy

Ray (this is the name that Wilson gave to Charlene--Brett's mom when he was just learning to talk; we don't know where it came from) is great at all these activities and many more. She is SO MUCH FUN!

Water acrobats with Cooper and Uncle Todd

Go fishing with Papa. It is PAPA'S LAKE after all. Actually, Wayne is the head fishery biologist for the entire area of Lake Powell. He has been called the "Michael Jordan of fishing." We did not fish this trip, but usually fishing is on the agenda.

Swimming to *THE ROCK* with everyone (there's always a rock to swim to.)

Wakeboarding with Wilson

As many of you know, Wilson is a very cautious little boy. An example: He wouldn't walk until he was 16 months old because he was too nervous about falling down. We were so proud of him on our trip because he did something very daring and venturesome!
I was surprised at first when he said he wanted to ride with Uncle Mark on the wakeboard. Then after watching his cousin Megan go, he became very apprehensive. I told him he could just get in the water with Uncle Mark and then decide if he really wanted to give it a go.
As he prepared to go, his face was very serious and focused--the same intense look we have seen so many times when Wilson has faced milestones.
Much to our astonishment, he went for it!

Wilson said: "I was really scared at first and so I just kept my eyes closed. Then I finally opened my eyes and it wasn't too bad!"
After the thrill of his adventure, I think Wilson's confidence had boosted quite a bit. By the time we were returning home from the lake, when asked what he thought of his ride with Uncle Mark he said:

"It was SUPER FUN!"
Wilson would like to thank Uncle Mark for the ride of his life. Good luck to you, Mark, in all your wakeboarding endeavors because you are totally awesome on the water!

(side note: Check out that scenery! It's gorgeous at Lake Powell.)

Lake Powell

Our vacation pictures finally found their way back to us (thank you Ray and Papa.) I am so excited because I can't wait to post all these fun pictures. Lake Powell is a phenomenal place to visit. Brett grew up in Page, Arizona which is the small town located about 2 miles south of the Lake. He has perfectly nostalgic memories of his times at Lake Powell and I'm excited for my family to have the same experience. Thank you Ray and Papa for letting us come visit you. We miss you!

Now, there are a few things that one needs to bring to the shores of Lake Powell to ensure a comfortable and pleasurable time at the lake:

Sand toys of all kinds
Sunglasses
Sun Hats
Something cold to drink and something yummy to eat
Painted toes in the sand
THE AUNTIES!
Someone to bury in the sand

Oh! But, bathing suits are optional.

Happy Birthday to ME!

It's my birthday today! My birthday happens to be one of my most favorite holidays. It's right up there with Baby Jesus's birthday and America's birthday.I woke up to breakfast in bed this morning. A cute little red-haired boy brought it to me with a special birthday hug. My breakfast consisted of exactly what is shown on the plate. It was what I consider a perfect breakfast. I LOVE DONUTS!
Our favorite donut shop is in McKinney--called Creamy Donut. Brett drove all 10 minutes to get there this morning. Brett said the donut guy put fresh sprinkles on our donuts right in front of his eyes. With fresh jimmies...you know it's gonna be a special day.

Well, the rest of our vacation pictures were left in Page, Arizona. So while I wait for them to arrive here in Texas, I figured I would dutifully reply to being tagged.

7 random facts about ME:

1. My maiden name is Ming. I am one-eighth Chinese. Really...it's TRUE. Come to my house and I will show you pictures of my great grandfather, Luke Woo York Ming.

2. I eat a BANANA almost everyday. Do I love bananas? Not especially. But they are really good for you.

3. I don't hate food. I actually love to eat most foods; however, oysters are a huge exception. I pretty much hate OYSTERS. I have vowed to try anything and so I tried one. I couldn't even get the slimy, dead-cold, critter down my throat. I spit it out back into it's shell. Bad experience.

4. I have a collection of Lip Smackers. I have close to 100. Some of my favorites are Kiwi, Root Beer Float, Orange Sherbet... How do you choose favorites? Different ones for different occasions.

5. I watch the Food Network A LOT. I feel like Paula Deen, Giada de Laurentiis, and Robin Miller are my best friends. Now, if I could just get an invite to the Barefoot Contessa's beautiful, quaint New England home. Better yet, how about a date with Bobby Flay...

6. Last April I went on a trip to COSTA RICA with my Latin Lover. Okay, so Brett isn't exactly Latin, but he does speak Spanish.

7. I can't think of anything else. I think I've already revealed too much about myself. Oh wait! How about this. I love the color PURPLE. Actually I'm a little obsessed with purple.

Thank you, Laura, for the challenge. Your *tag* has been met.

Restaurant Review: Cafe Rio

To all you CAFE RIO fans out there: EAT YOUR HEART OUT!
We recently arrived home from our trip out west and boy howdy did we have a good time. One of our most important and most pressing agenda items was a trip to Cafe Rio. Of all the inanimate objects in Las Vegas, Cafe Rio would have to be the one we miss the most.

Does this wacky, colorful art deco atmosphere seem familiar to anyone? Gotta love it!
Our dear friends, the Whipples, so willingly volunteered to take us to Cafe Rio. We love you Emma and Jake! Just like old times, guys. You are the BEST!
Now let's get to the food. I would have to say that Cafe Rio's specialty is their sweet pork. If you go there, you must order the sweet pork. It is out of this world!
They have children size quesadillas and if you order a plain cheese kids' quesadilla it is FREE! Kids love them as you can see. Wilson's hand is just waiting to pounce.
My all-time favorite is the salad. It has everything one could dream of right here in this beautiful salad. It starts with their incredible homemade tortillas of massive size. Then it's layered with rice, your choice of beans(I always get black), a meat(sweet pork all the way, baby), romaine lettuce, cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo, tortilla chip strips, fresh cilantro, and finally a slice of lime on the side. My dressing of choice: the House dressing. It's a creamy, spicy, tex-mex version of ranch dressing. Yuuummmmmy! Love it all!

Here we have what Kaid and Brett call the *pimped out* Nachos Supreme. What more can I say except, they are really pimped out.
I think everyone enjoyed their food in a 3 Amigos sort of way. I felt a little desperation as I gobbled up my salad, knowing that it would be a long time before I ate at Cafe Rio again. Maybe I will make it my life goal to bring Cafe Rio to the good people of Texas! Wherever there is hunger--it's there, Whenever there are cravings, it's there...It is CAFE RIO!

So if you are ever in Nevada or Utah, you must visit Cafe Rio. But don't forget to order the sweet pork.

Special thanks to Kaid Whipple for providing some of his skillfully taken photographs.

Brett's New Job

I (this is Brett typing) am so excited as I start my new job! I am now an employee of the Melissa School District. I am teaching Spanish and administering the ESL program at Melissa High School. I'm proud to be a Cardinal, and can't wait to get immersed into the school culture there.

The Melissa ISD is very rural. There are only two schools in the district--the elementary school (Wil's place of learning for this next year) and the secondary school. There are 450 kids at the secondary school between grades 7-12. That's going to be a very different experience from teaching at large high schools, as I have done so far in my career.

Kasia will also be employed by the school district. She will be the substitute coordinator, making phone calls to line up substitutes for district teachers. We're excited that she will have this opportunity.

I'll keep you informed with great happenings from my classroom and the school as the year progresses. Go Cards!