Sea World

We went to San Antonio over spring break, and we got to see our dear friends the Stentzels.  Here are some quick pics and comments!

Here we are with cool Cousin Eliot at the Japanese Tea Gardens on St. Patrick's Day.  We were all wearing green, so no one got pinched . . .

Maisy chose to do a modeling photo shoot near the waterfall.  This was pose #37. Work it Girl.  Beautiful!

Happy Cousins Ace, Eliot, Wilson, Maisy, and Olive.

Sea World was fantastic!  It is a magical place.  We watched, then fed, the dolphins.

 

We fit in as many shows as possible.  Here we are waiting patiently for the *new show*  Azul to begin.  After Brett took this picture, Wilson said, "Did I look like Calvin (of Calvin and Hobbes fame)?" 

Finally, this is what happens to a toddler's hair a few minutes after being soaked by Shamu.  We were in the *Soak Zone,*  but none of us got it worse than Ace--and he did not like it!

Thank you again Stentzels for everything!

Ace turned 2

Happy Birthday Alton!

Hooray for Ace!  We love this little boy.  He brings us so much joy.  We call him *fire and ice.*  Two examples: At the library they call him Smiley Boy because he is so happy during story time.  In nursery at church, he cries the whole time (he's getting better.)  He's growing up so fast and I'd like to share some of his incredible talents and abilities that blow us away everyday.

1. He's becoming very good at taking his pajamas and diaper off in his crib.  So, if we don't pin his jammies closed, I usually find him totally nude in the morning.

2. He's finally started saying words.  He can say Cookie, No, Elmo, Movie, and Mom!! (what can I say? he's a typical male.)

3. He has discovered an new method of relaxing and watching movies (refer to picture below.)

4. He has amazing banana-eating skills.  Check out this video and see for yourself.

5. You can have a whole conversation with him and he will never even open his mouth!  He can mumble like nobody's business.

6. He runs like an Ewok.  Strangely, he is the most athletic of us all!

We Love YOU, Ace!

Why I don't like Ham

Last Saturday, we had a very special day.  We went to Houston to a writing conference where Wilson received an award for a state-wide writing competition (Texas is a big state--there were probably a thousand entries or so.)  He received 1st place in the Pre-K to 2nd grade category for his prose entitled "Why I Don't Like Ham."

We were soooo proud of him!  He was a little nervous to get up in front of that big room full of people, but of course he conquered with flying colors.  His teacher entered him into the contest and she was so supportive!  It was a very memorable moment for her and for Wilson.  Not to mention all the emotion and tears displayed by me--the mother.

To read Wilson's award-winning entry, just click on the title of this blog post, and you'll go right to it!

After the ceremony, they honored the winners with an ice cream reception.  Everyone enjoyed that!

 

On our journey home we stopped at Incredible Pizza and pigged out.  We'd had a long and exciting day and we were hungry.  It was pretty uneventful except the token catastrophe: Ace had a MASSIVE blowout and pooed all over his pants.  So I had to wash them out in the "Family Bathroom" and he had to go pants-less while we played mini-golf while under the black lights ambiance.  So white trash--but totally fun.

Okay, so one more quick story.  Wilson received a medal for his achievement and he really wanted to wear it to church the next day.  We told him he could show it to his class and then he should store it in Brett's bag so it didn't get lost.  Well our friend said he saw Maisy at church wearing a medal around her neck (she must have sneaked it out of Brett's bag.)  He asked her what she did to win that medal.  This was her reply: "Oh, I won a swimming contest!"  He was so impressed and then he asked her if she got first place (because the medal says 1st place.)  She replied, "Yes!  I swam on my belly and there were lots of other kids and I beat them all!"  I just laughed and laughed when he told me this.  Where does she come up with this stuff?

Uncle Troy's Visit

Why Uncle Troy is the MOST Eligible Bachelor:

1. He went bowling with us and didn't care that the bumpers were engaged.  And every time Ace ran into the lane to chase the ball--he chuckled and affectionately interceded.

2. He attended the Family Valentine's Dance with us.  He was Maisy's little side kick and held her most of the night--putting her on his shoulders so she could see the principal kiss a frog!  He even danced a little.

3. He introduced us to Honey Nut Chex cereal.  The children could not stop talking about that sweet rice goodness in a square!

4. He read stories with Maisy and sincerely encouraged her--helping to further her literacy.

5. He watched Wilson play Plants vs. Zombies on the computer, helped with dishes, helped with groceries, bought us lunch and much, much more!

So THANK YOU Uncle Troy for visiting us!  We had so much fun with you and can't wait for you to come back!  We LOVE YOU!!