Two Sous Chefs

When Emma was about two, I started baking with her. I would measure the ingredients, and she would dump them into the bowl.

Lately I have added a second sous chef. It's getting a little crowded around the mixer, but we sure have fun!

Fall Flashback: Nature and Science Museum

The day after Thanksgiving, the whole group piled into two cars and set out of the Museum of Nature and Science. We started with the dinosaur exhibit:


But with four kids four and under, we quickly made our way downstairs to the children's museum, where we crawled in animal tunnels:

Practiced our balance:

Fought fires:

Enjoyed life on the farm:


Finally, we played in the stream. A great way to work off our Thanksgiving dinner!

Fall Flashback: Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving we were able to host Aunt Amy with cousins Kate and Rachel, along with Grandpoppy, Grandmacita, and Uncle Matt. It was so fun to have a full house! The girls were often found upstairs in the play room:



Getting ready to eat:


Of course, there were some after dinner performances:




All that fun is enough to tire anyone out!

Fall Flashback: Zoo with Cousins

I can't believe I never posted this! I must have been feeling really bad in December. Anyway, we were lucky to have both Dave's parents and his sister and her two daughters visit us for Thanksgiving. A couple of days before the big dinner (November 23rd), we took advantage of the 70 degree weather and went to the zoo. (These cousins live in Wisconsin, so they seemed to really enjoy the mild temperatures!)
Emma and Kate were like two peas in a pod:


Everyone loved climbing on the statues:


And of course we had to feed the giraffes!

Fall Flashback: Emma Plays Soccer

Last September, we signed Emma up for soccer. The program was perfect for preschoolers: 6 sessions, 45 minutes each, mostly practice with 2 games at the end. (I am not a fan of giving up entire Saturdays for team sports). Emma enjoyed it and learned some good skills, but I am not entirely sure she is going to be big on team sports. During the game, she came running over to the side where we were and asked when it was her turn to kick the ball. We told her she could go kick it any time, but our sweet girl is not very agressive. I think she will do better at individual sports like gymnastics. Nonetheless, here are some pictures of Emma in action:

I need a makeover!

The lovely and talented Nicole from Making it Lovely is offering to do a Social Space Makeover. If any room in our house needs help, it is our family room!
From the kitchen:

A slightly different angle:

The bones of the room aren't bad--it gets great light and is a good size. But it is extremely boring, and all of my plans for the space have been put on hold because of our STILL unsold condo (grrr....). Help me, Nicole!

May 24th: Last Day of Preschool

September 7, 2010: First day of preschool:

Last day:

We absolutely adored Emma's teachers, Miss Kay and Miss Kim:

It was a great year!

Trip to the Zoo

Though I am currently rather pregnantly large and uncomfortable, I had to document this as I do, occasionally, do fun things with my children. (Especially this summer, which will be VERY low-key.) Last month we took advantage of our zoo membership and went one more time before it expired. It was a gorgeous day (highs only in the 70s!). We called some friends and had a fabulous time.

One of my favorite parts of the zoo is in the new "Giants of the Savannah" exhibit. You buy some overpriced lettuce, then you get to feed the giraffes! We were the first ones to feed them for the day, so they were excited to see us.

Emma, looking a little nervous after the lettuce is snatched out of her hand. (And yeah, that's not me. My friend held the kids while I took the pictures).



The cheetahs were out enjoying the "cooler" weather too:

We always have to sit on the elephant statues:


We took a ride on the Jungle Monorail:


And for the finale of the day, an especially rare treat: A tiger sighting! (We have been going to the Dallas Zoo for 3 years now and I have NEVER before spotted an actual tiger in the exhibit.)

Garden Update: Signs of Growth

So it's been a while since I showed you the garden. These pictures were taken about a month ago, at the beginning of May, when it was just showing signs of an upcoming harvest:

Little green tomatoes:

Sugar snap peas:

Peppers:

The pear tree:

Since then we've harvested a TON of lettuce, most of the sugar snap peas, and a few cherry tomatoes. I am looking forward to the next month, when the garden really kicks it into high gear!