The Weekend

Friday before I left town I caught a video and a few pics of the boys playing in Cavett's bed just after getting up in the morning. Pretty cute, they are. Nana came hat evening and entertained and juggled and tamed them. Literally, I am sure it felt as if she was in a circus.

Kendrick is a bit of a dare-devil these days. In fact today he has yet another bump and scratch on his forhead. We are thinking about moving the furniture around to keep him in the downstairs. It will be a bit of an inconveince, but if it will keep him safe I guess we'll try it. I'm just not going to buy expensive fencing for just a few months of use.

We had a great time in Vegas with Brenda and Sam. We stayed at the Mirage, ate a little sushi and steak, danced, shopped, swam and lost $12 in slots. It was fun, but short. Stephen will return in October to finish up the course he began teaching this go around while I head to Shreveport to celebrate my sweet neice's birthday.

Forks and Spoons

Our lives are slowly getting back to normal after being "Iked." Yesterday we said good-bye to our last house guest, even thought they still don't have power; they now have a generator. However, Dad is now gone and is teaching in Las Vegas for the week.

Last night I decided to let loose. It's about time to let Kendrick explore the wonderful world of utensils. I approach this with much fear and trepidation. I hate messes and cleaning them up, but I know it must be done. So, I gave Kendrick yogurt in a bowl with a spoon. I feed him half of the bowl and then I let him have at it for the other half. He didn't do too bad, and I did help him every now and then. We ended up with only one splat on the floor. He loved every slimy moment of it!

Today it was Mac and Cheese on a fork. Although it was easy to prick and get several on the fork, he gave up and used his fingers. It will come, I just need to be patient and accept the fun mess that he makes.

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

I Love NYC Giveaway!

You might have noticed that I have won a second giveaway from Natalie Plummer. What a sweetheart! She just recently made a trip to NYC and got me a whole bunch of really cool stuff, just because. I got my box in the mail yesterday. Everything was beautifully wrapped and after opening, it all was color coordinated. Very clever and thoughtful girl! I was so excited to receive...

a vintage sweater,

cool stationary,

Christian Dior Wallet,

Tiffany & co. heart charm,

beautiful necklace,

Chinese fan,

Metro card,

Bath and Body Works faom "Magic Soap" (as Cavett calls it),

various brochures and menus, and

she even threw in a little "dig the dino" for the boys!

What a fantastic surprise for my birthday! Thank you so much Natalie.

Our Hurrication

This week has been full. Full of good friends, good food, good drinks, good times, good laughter, good discussions and fun games. I don't even know where to begin.

Our kitchen has been at the center of the "Core". Isabela even helped me bake some Congo Bars. Here's what we've eaten:

Chicken and Mushroom Soup with Rice

Spaghetti

Guatamalan Black Beans, Plantains, and Chicken

Pork Tenderloin

Gumbo

Hamburgers

Homemade Chicken Enchiladas

Tamales

Everyday we tried to excersise to keep all those calories burned, but it didn't happen this weekend. We walked alot around the neighborhood having picnic lunches and did some P90X. Plyometrics is tomorrow morning. We have all (the girls and Stephen) vowed to get up at 6:30 and do it together. Friday we even braved the mall with 3 kids.

Thursday evening we played Apples to Apples--a "Core" appropriate game (apple core). We had some interesting words that have been repeated throughout the weekend--flying monkeys, profound zucchini, grass skirts. Play the game and you'll see.

Friday was poker, but I think we only lasted for 10 hands when we then ended up discussing politics. Basically, it was 5 against 1, trying to convince Brenda why she needed to vote for McCain. As you see in the picture, it got a little heated and you had to have the "can" to talk.

Saturday morning, after a Chick-Fil-A biscuit breakfast, the entire group showed up for Cavett's first soccer game. He did well, but I just don't think he was prepared for the pushing and shoving by the other team. I would say he cried about 75% of the time he was on the field, even while he was running after the ball. I will have to say the other team was quite aggressive and their coach was even more. Hopefully, next week will be better.

That evening, we had 2 other neighborhood couples over for burgers and ended up in the pool. It was great fun, but I ended up with a major ear issue. I have water in my left ear that I can't get out. It feels like I have a pillow over that ear and yes, I have tried pouring alcohol in it.

Today we are recovering, everybody checked in on their houses. Still no power and the Falcone's found a spot on their roof that is leaking. All the boys will go to work tomorrow and Cavett will return to school. Life is slowly but surely returning back to normal. But, we are still glad we have our housemates.

The Hill Shelter Expands

Today our shelter expanded to accommodate more hurricane victims. Anna, Mark and Baby Walker got back to Houston and still have no power. We are loving this time with the Core and will be sort of sad when the pwer comes back on. These are times we will cherish and look back on fondly.

On another note, here is one of the pictures we captured this evening after dinner. We caught Cavett and Isabela playing doctor with their shirts off!

The Grocery Store

Today Brenda so graciously offered to keep the kids while I went to the grocery store. It was great going by myself and it was the first time I had been since Ike came our way. As for the store, it was so strange to see empty shelves. But the weirdest thing of all were all the empty freezers. However, one item remained....

The Hill Shelter

We are now a refuge from the aftermath of Ike and couldn't be more excited about it! This afternoon Isabela was discharged from the hospital and after gathering some things at their house which has no power, they are here to stay at our house.

Cavett and I made a poster to welcome them. Cavett even drew of picture of himself and Isabela on it. Of course, his self portrait was in dark blue and Isabela was pink. We enjoyed a few toys, played outside with the neighbors, had dinner, a bath and storytime. It was a perfect evening. We couldn't be more at ease with these house guests. It's like they are family. Love you guys and we are so glad Isabela is better!