Welcome Claws!

Meagan turns ten tomorrow.  I will do another post just focusing on that (really? TEN?!??!) later, but in the meantime, I must introduce Claws.  He is our brand new bearded dragon.  He is Meagan's birthday gift, but we are all in love with him. I never in a million years would have thought that I could care so much about a lizard, but he is adorable!  He likes to be held and falls asleep on your chest.  He will take a signifigant amount of care, but it is totally different than a hamster. With the hamster that we had in the past, he did not care at all if you got near him.  Actually, he would try to bite you.  Claws is very chill and not at all like the hamster.  Matthew has been super gentle with him, introducing himself and telling Claws that he loves him.  :)

And One More Thing!

Meagan told Matthew about this show.  It is called Lazytown and it is about exercising.  Oh, the irony.  One of the character's name is Sportacus.  Matthew told me that he has to eat lots of oranges (known as "sports candy" on the show) so that he can grow up just like Sportacus.  His other favorite character is Stephanie because she is fun and likes to dance.  Go Meagan!!

Finally! Some pictures!!

Gorgeous, gorgeous weather called for a last minute trip downtown to go paddleboating.  Well, we sort of did it Griswald style.  They told us there that we could get all 5 of us on one "Swan" paddleboat.  Um, yeah, not so much.  We did it, but it was hilarious.  Every time I paddled I had to lift Matthew up with my leg because that was exactly where he has sitting, or at least the half of him that was not perched on Meagan's lap, much to her chagrin.  We did have fun though and then walked around the 2nd St area for a bit as well.  Matthew posed with Willie Nelson at the statue down near city hall very proudly even though he had no clue who Willie was.  Andy and I saw him in concert back in 2005 at the (old) Backyard.  He was amazing.

Natalie got a special award from her teacher.  It is a Stallion Pride award, which means you are a good citizen.  I want my kids to do well in school, I really do.  However, when it comes down to it, there is nothing more important than always trying your hardest and just being a good person.  This is the second year in the row that Natalie has received this award, in addition to the Stallion Star awards that are given weekly.  Both girls show so much heart at school and I am very proud of them for it.

Sweet Memory

A few weeks ago Andy's parents had to put their dog Mookie down.  It was a long fought battle with cancer, and she just couldn't do it anymore.  It was sad for everyone.  Sandi sent me this picture and it brings tears to my eyes.  The dog on the right is Mookie, and the dog on the left is my Pokie.  I have loved all of my dogs, but Pokie was extra special to Andy and I.  She was our baby before we had any human babies and she was a huge part of our year in Colorado.  We took her everywhere, not that she was usually very eager to go on our adventures.  :)  She was happier just like this, all comfy on a couch.  She did love our favorite park in Boulder, so there was that. I miss her all the time.  Peanut, our last dog who was Pokie's sister, is not doing very well.  We have been giving her lots of extra hugs.  She doesn't have any diagnosis, but she is very lethargic and has lost weight.  We have her on antibiotics now and are hoping the vet has good news in February when we go for her well-dog appointment.

A whole lotta nada

I haven't posted simply because there hasn't been much going on lately.  I do have a few pics from the new Children's Museum, the Thinkery.  It is fabulous.  Other than that, we are just into the usual daily life around here. Meagan has started tutoring for math to get ready for the STAAR.  I have started my own tutoring groups at school to get my students ready.  Natalie got a Stallion Pride award today, which we are very excited about.  Matthew ran around the house screaming that he is Batman for a while this evening, which is also great.
Life as usual in the ATX.

Disney Wonder, Part 2

In the Oceaneer Club.  To be honest, they really didn't spend much time there, but it was pretty cool.

Meeting Ariel!

Goofy

Matthew mid-hug with Goofy.  The real reason we took this trip was so that the kids could experience some of the amazing qualities of Disney before we go for real in a year or two with all three kids.  Matthew (and the rest of us) loved the characters.

Disney Wonder, Part One