boys painting and a cute tball pic

Here are a few shots of JT, Zach, and their buddy Sam painting. Check out JT and Sam's matching smiles.


Take in the nasty linoleum everyone because Zach and I heading out tomorrow in search of the perfect tile.

This is JT's friend Matthew. They've played 4 seasons of tball together and this year they are the oldest and most experienced boys on the team. I think they are having fun especially since they can both hit the ball to the outfield. We are looking forward to watching many more baseball games with both of them.

bedhead

Somehow I forgot to post about our special Labor Day visitor. JT was the first kindergartner in Mrs. Laurence's class to bring home Bedhead, the class guinea pig. Bedhead was an unobtrusive guest for the weekend although I do not think we will be adding a guinea pig to our menagerie anytime soon.

happy birthday betsy

Betsy celebrated a milestone birthday this month and what better way to help her enjoy the event than wine and pedicures. Suzette found a spa that does house calls and we added some wine, food, and lots of laughs. It was a great evening!
The Lucas family owe a huge thanks to George who took both boys while Rick finally became a true Austinite by attending ACL Fest. Rick had a fabulous time and is already making plans for going next year. Gavin and Reah and Barb and Allen - be forewarned, Rick has you on his short list for coming to ACL Fest next year.

Me and Bets
Suzette, Angie, and Bets
All the toes after the pedicures.

Happy Birthday Betsy!

no news

i just got reprimanded for not posting anything new. i am sad to say that i actually have nothing to report. i am buried beneath bills, halloween craft from judes, pants that need to be hemmed, halloween costumes that need to be made, kids who only talk about star wars (the movie and the lego wii game), a house that never seems to be cleaned, tball, a mound of halloween decorations (yes, i am putting it out - i conferred with three friends and they all got out their decor this past weekend), kindergarten homework (do you know how hard it is to find 5 pictures that start with the letter N), more tball, and trying to catch up on all things politics so i can defend myself when a friendly but debate hungry coworker wants to discuss my political/moral viewpoint.
needless to say, i am tired.

my tub

this is what i woke up to the other morning. not sure exactly what was happening in the tub the night before.

and if you want to know, that weird rust color looking stuff (that has some very technical plumbing name) is the stuff rick was cutting when he decided to slice his hand open.

ike

I have to admit that I spent a good deal of time at work on Friday tracking Ike. While I didn't want any terrible weather, I was hoping we could get some rain and maybe a thunder storm or two. Of course, Austin was completely missed as Ike moved too far east to affect us.

The bad news is that Rachel's parents got hit pretty hard in Winnie. I haven't gotten a report on the cows but you can link to Carol's blog (she gets Internet access every now and then) from Rachel's and Rachel is also posting updates.

The other bad news is that the beach we went to a few years ago (Crystal Beach) has been completely destroyed. This makes me very sad as I loved it there and as Rick can attest I constantly beg him to go back. And as most of you know Galveston was hit hard too. We've been several times to Galveston and each time it has grown on me just a little more. I highly recommend reading Isaac's Storm, which is a great history of the hurricane from 1900 and the town of Galveston.

Here are two random photos of our trip to Crystal Beach. Our house was the yellow one behind Bella and JT. I haven't confirmed but I am sure it isn't there anymore. It was such a fabulous spot.
Here are the kids the first morning. Holy cow, I can't believe how much they've grown in two years. Zach was just 1 year old in this photo and Bella and JT had yet to even think about going to school!

zach is 40

Zach had his 3 year check up today. We realize it is 2 months post birthday but it was the earliest we could get and see our pediatrician (whom Rick and I love). Anywho, I arrived a few minutes late b/c I was at my own doctor appointment. When I got there Zach was being extra shy and Rick had just suggested that Zach tell Dr. Unite about Star Wars. Zach hesitated but then Dr. Unite was able to locate a Star Wars sticker in the sticker basket (everyone gets one post exam). Well once Zach saw this he was on a roll for the next 5 minutes. Everything Zach could think to say about the Clone Wars movie to all the stuff he has learned to do on Lego Star Wars (for the Wii). At one point, he got extremely serious and told Dr. Unite: "I don't got any Star War movies, no cartoons, no toys just the Wii game." Dr. Unite made a note in Zach's file and said he would have to file a report with CPS since we clearly are not providing for our child.

The exam went well. Zach is going great. His height and weight both came in at 40. He is in the way top percentile for both (go figure). We are going to get a referral for an occupational therapist to review Zachy's snake technique for eating (he prefers to swallow most food whole especially lunch meats and hot dogs), which at times results in him puking or gagging, They will watch him and decide if we need to take some additional steps.

thanks mom!

Judes knew I needed a fun crafty activity to balance out all the tball, college football, and star wars that goes on at our house so she sent me this fun halloween craft kit. i need to get sewing or halloween is going to have to extend in to november. hopefully i'll have a nice final product to post in a few weeks. wish me luck!

it is fall ball time (again)

It is time for fall ball in Texas. We are the Astros this season. We had our first game on Saturday and had a fabulous time. We were able to keep most of our same players from our previous 4 seasons, which makes for even more fun. JT isn't too pleased in these photos because he had been up, dressed, and ready to play since 8 but our game wasn't until noon.

when plumbing goes bad

Just to set the record straight, I blame Liem for this injury because Liem is a former plumber's assistant and had he not moved to Minnesota, he could have prevented this injury.


Yes, Rick is okay. He basically cut himself with a utility knife while fixing the tub. He is going to make it; no need to send flowers.

Zach's First Day of School

Zach started school today. He is in the Honey Bears class with Ms. Lindsey (JT's much loved teacher from the Frog class last year).

Me and Zach at school.

Zach having a baby fit prior to leaving the house. His exact words were "School is too long."

Zach decides that school is going to be fun.

Zach deciding that his backpack (with only a lunch and diapers) is way too heavy.

i hate

this labor day weekend has been filled with friends and lots of food. it started with a dinner party friday night, swimming and dinner with our tball buddies on saturday, and dinner with betty and bennett on sunday. needless to say we are tired and probably weigh an extra 25 lbs.

during the long weekend, zach has developed a new habit; he has decided to list out all the things he hates. this is really fun when you are walking through target and he decides to point to everything and say "i don't like sheets. i hate shoes. i hate diapers. i don't like school stuff." and on the list goes. i thought about documenting the list but i realized it is far too long and probably much easier for me to list the things that he says he likes as thus far this has not changed:

• milk
• water
• whappers (or what you may call light-sabers from star wars)
• his blankie

yes, as you may have noticed, his family is not included on the list. he doesn't really seem bothered by this when we point it out.

the photo above is zach's take on yoda.

in other news, some of you may have read in a previous post that our friends lee and rebecca moved back to new orleans. they are both safe in pensacola, florida right now. from what they know, there is little damage to their house.