A Baby Shower

Allie was so excited that we were having a baby shower at our house. Sarah is one of Allie's good friends and her mommy Michelle, is having a baby next month. Allie could hardly sleep the night before and she would run to the door every few minutes and ask if the guests were here yet. She was a wonderful host to all the little girls and boy that came. She took lots of pictures and even made lots of videos asking Sarah is she is going to like baby Matthew. Since the video mostly shows peoples feet and up the dress of one guest, I won't post it here. Thanks to Rebecca and Justin the coffee punch was a hit. That had been a request but since I don't drink coffee at all, Rebecca found a good recipe and Justin made the coffee for me. It really was good and a dessert all by itself.

Allie had fun going through some of her toys to 'decorate'

She was most proud of the flowers she picked out

Michelle and Sarah opening gifts (photography by Allie)

Cute baby socks (great picture Allie)

"A Perfect Day"

This is what Allie said at the end of Friday. After I picked her up from school we came home and had lunch. I was getting ready to host a baby shower the next day so Allie played in her playroom for awhile. In between vacuuming, dusting, and other house work I would play with her. Allie made a train in the hallway and at snack time we ate our snacks on the train while riding to Disney World. During another cleaning break we practiced writing all the letters on her easel. I'd clean for a little bit then we would play for a little while. No errands, no meetings, no running around to get somewhere, just hanging out at home. And of course, pizza for dinner since it was Friday! After storytime when Allie was in bed she looked at me and said, "Today was a perfect day!" Hmm, maybe we should do this more often??

Allie's train to Disney World

Snack time on the train

Proud moment! She wrote all her letters!

A closer view (As a teacher, the letter B would bother me, but as a parent, I love it and wouldn't change it)

An Answered Prayer

When we moved here in April 2006 for Justin to attend Baylor Law School, we had no idea what our next step would be. As time flew by and graduation approached, we still had no idea. After graduation in November 2008, we didn't feel God calling us to leave but at the same time, there weren't that many firms that were hiring or even interviewing here. After a few interviews, Justin was hired by Haley and Olsen in December as a part time clerk. When another job opportunity came up at another law firm, Haley and Olsen offered him full time clerk status. At this point we were just thankful for a job! As of February 12th, Justin has been hired on as a full time attorney! He loves his job and the other attorneys have been extremely welcoming! Yes, this means that we will be in Waco until God moves us elsewhere. We like it here (other than constant allergy issues). We love our church First Baptist Woodway. Allie is overly excited about preschool (at our church) and her teacher. Waco may not have been the place we thought we would settle down for a bit but it was God's and we're not about to argue with that! We would love for people to come and visit, especially before Allie begins Kindergarten :( We have a zoo , children's museum, and most important to Allie, a swimming pool in our neighborhood! Justin has his first big interview coming up- from Allie. Next week the theme is occupations and for homework this week she has to interview a parent. I asked her who she wanted to interview and she said, "Well, since Daddy just got a new job, I'll let it be him."

Coming home from work (somehow Allie always manages to get in the picture!)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Our Valentine's celebration started yesterday at Allie's school party. She has a great group of kids in her room and they had a fun time eating and making crafts.

Allie all dressed up and ready for her Valentine's party

Allie's class listening to a story

Sugar anyone?

Putting on lipstick to make her bookmark

Allie and Lilly showing off their candy necklaces

Allie loved reading all her Valentine cards

Our church provided childcare last night so Justin and I took that opportunity to go out on a date. We ate at Diamond Backs for a nice romantic meal while sitting close to two couple friends who had the same idea. I would like to say that we had a romantic conversation but we ended up talking finances, budgeting, and the need to do a will. At least I can say it was an uninterrupted conversation! This morning Allie enjoyed a few valentine treats while Justin and I made breakfast- pink pancakes (a request from Allie). It wouldn't be a Saturday without a birthday party! We headed to the gymnastics building for Cooper's birthday (boy in Allie's class). We had a great day enjoying each other!

Justin had a little too much fun rolling her as fast as he could

Allie with the birthday boy- Cooper

Video of Allie Ice Skating

I couldn't figure out how to turn the videos. Hope you can view them ok.

More Pics from Houston

Breakfast on Sunday morning

Aunt Laura, Aunt Rebecca, and Allie in front of the candy store

"Ice Princess"


Allie and Daddy having fun

Getting some instruction from Daddy

Headed to Houston

We had a very fast paced but fun weekend. Friday night was Allie's school fundraiser and Saturday morning was Kenzie's birthday party at Jumping Party. We couldn't miss this party because not only is Kenzie a good friend but she is also Mrs. Jantz' (Allie's teacher) daughter. Here is a picture at the party:

Right after the birthday party, we headed to Houston for some time with family. Also, Allie believed that Cynthia Clawson was there to sing to her (Aunt Sally coordinated a women's retreat this weekend but because of the school fundraiser and birthday party we were going to miss it. Cynthia was the leader at the retreat). We drove straight there and were able to get in a little shopping before a family dinner. I'm so disappointed that I didn't get a picture of Allie with Ro (Allie's great, great Aunt and one of the quads) or that I didn't get pictures of other family members. I did remember to carry my camera this time but I forgot to take pictures until later in the evening when Cynthia and Allie were playing the piano together. That was too precious to miss a photo op. Allie loves music and singing so this was a special time for her. We're so grateful that Aunt Sally arranged a special time for us all to get together! That night back at the hotel, Allie was invited to have a "sleepover" with Grammie! Yea!!!!! Justin and I enjoyed a nice, peaceful night. The next morning, we decided to skip out on church, have breakfast with family, and head back to Waco for for Homegroup that evening. Allie's new obssesion is ice skating. I'm not sure why since she has never done it but Olivia (new cartoon on Nick Jr. based on the book) had an episode where she was an ice princess. Allie no longer wants to be a missionary but instead an ice princess. She has decided she wants to work for Disney on Ice when she grows up! Anyway, the Galleria in Houston has an ice skating rink and we thought since this may be her only chance, why not. Well, the ice skating rink didn't open until 1:00 p.m. and it was 11:00 a.m. We didn't want to wait around, but the complete look of disappointment on her face along with the fact that she didn't pitch a fit, only shed a few tears, melted our hearts and made us stay and shop! Allie and Justin passed the time riding the glass elevators up and down. I made my way through the stores but was suprised that I didn't find a single thing that we needed. Finally, the time had come....Allie could not settle herself down she was so excited! She was given a pair of red ice skates that were probably as old as me and away she went. She loved it!!! Justin held onto to her pretty good at first but then she gained enough confidence to venture out on her own. Justin would stand several feet from the wall holding her arms and when he let go, she would skate to the wall. She did a great job for the first time. She even made several spins. She eve asked Justin to let her do a "jump-spin"! She attempted to go off on her on when it happened. She fell. Knees first. The rink was pretty crowded and the ice was scraped up so she had some pretty bad looking cuts on her knees. She was ready to leave. We couldn't let her leave on a sour note so Justin took her back to the middle, held on tight, and let her skate a little more. It didn't take long for her to enjoy it again. Today I heard her mention to some friends that she wanted to be a fairy princess mermaid when she grew up. Sorry Allie, can't help you there!

Allie was enjoying the decor of the hotel lobby

Aunt Laura, Aunt Rebecca, Allie and Grammie


Cynthia Clawson and Allie

Allie learning to play piano!

More pictures to come...

A Taste of Honey

Allie's school had their big fundraiser last Friday night. They called it 'A Taste of Honey.' Allie once again got to sing on stage at church. The four year olds sang "King of the Jungle." She did a great job singing and had a wonderful time! It was a full evening of singing, refreshments, silent auction, and playing in the gym.

Allie is in the second row in the middle.

The Pink Thing

So here's how the conversation went a couple of days ago...

Allie: "Mommy, what's that pink thing in the garage?"

Sherrie: "I don't know." (Honestly)

Allie: "Daddy, what's that pink thing in the garage?"

Me: "I don't know." (Honestly)

Allie: "Let me show you"

She leads me into the garage. I'm thinking she's seeing the red light on the control panel of a TV we have in the garage (that's a different topic).

Allie (pointing to a pink box on the top of a very high shelf): "That pink thing."

Uh-oh. That was a Sleeping Beauty storybook (it's in a pink box) that was supposed to be a treat on Valentine's Day. I'd bought it the day before and thought I'd hid it well enough.

Me: "I don't remember what that is."

Allie: "Can you get it down?"

Me (standing flat-footed making a half-hearted effort to stretch): "It's too high. I can't reach it."

Allie: "Can you put me on your shoulders?"

At this point I got desparate to change the subject. So I suggested we go get some cookies or something to get us out of the garage and in the house. We went into the house and Allie went back to Sherrie. At the same time, I'm informing Sherrie of what it is (you know, using that secret, silent grown-up language of hand signals and lip synching). It was too late. Allie was beginning to put it together and the inquisition had begun.

Allie: "Is that a Valentine's Day treat for me? Does that pink thing have princesses? Was that the Sleeping Beauty storybook? Can I see it? Can I play with it?"

It didn't take long and we caved. I think we may have held out to the extent that we said "It may a Sleeping Beauty storybook, and it might be a Valentine's Day present for you." But that was only to preserve our pride rather than acknowledge that we'd been had by a four-year old. But in Allie's mind that was sufficient confirmation. (After all, this was the child who thinks "we'll see" and "yes" mean the same thing).

A couple of lessons learned...we'll have to start hiding surprises a little better & Allie clearly has inherited her mother's "snooping gene"!

As for the box, it remains unopened on the shelf. Allie asked a few more times after that and volunteered to get the ladder for me, but we finally convinced her to at least wait until February 14th.

The Sound of Music

The weather was nice here yesterday and after Allie got home from school she headed outside. I was doing some things around the house and I heard her coming in and out. I went outside to see what she was up to and this is what I saw...

Allie playing the harmonica

Trying out the recorder

Playing the kazoo (which is upside down and backwards) while playing another instrument (not sure what it's called?)

She had found her summer clothes from last year, taken her box full of musical instruments outside and was playing away! She didn't even notice me for several minutes! Some of the crazy stuff she does now cracks me up!! I think she sat outside in the grass for about an hour playing her instruments. Sometimes she played just one and other times she played several at one time. I guess Jojo doesn't have a musical ear since he began to scratch at the door wanting to go inside the house!