Catch-up post... oh yeah and Happy Michael's birthday month!

So, there have been some high as kite highs and super down low-lows.  But, we're all still here since last I posted.  Rather than try to fill you in on everything.  I think I'll just focus on the highs and let some pictures speak for themselves.

My guys

Turning 27

Kimball Art Gallery: Mayan Art exhibit because nothing says Christmas like ritual blood letting tools. :)

All about Michael

Okay, I decided this news was more deserving than being placed as the footnote of a long and late post.  No, this is an announcement worthy of a post all it's own!

ATTN. PARENTS EVERYWHERE:  MY KID IS MORE AWESOMER THAN YOUR KID!!!

Just kidding...sort of...lol  :-P
  
Michael earned A honor roll and the Panther's Choice award during the 2nd 6 wks. period, his first at the new school. The Panther's Choice award is the top student in the class award and each awardee is invited to an ice cream party. Yay Michael!

 Now, we just need to practice holding our awards for the camera....

Happy Feast of Saint Nicholas!

And speaking of jolly-fat men, belated-birthday shout-out to Daddy, too!  In honor of your birthday, I went old school for you.  I'm chubbier in this pic!

So much to cover, so little time left that I can legitimately stay in my sweats today...

So, right after the annual candy-gorging festivus, both kids took turns with a nasty winter cold.  But, not before we finally met our new niece/cousin, Abigail Joy, born Oct. 18th.  Baby Joy is so precious and I am sure she will bring her parents and big sisters much joy!

I'm so grateful that the kids and Paul didn't manage to pass any germs before they became symptomatic.  And yes, you read that right.  Paul fell claim to it as well for a short time, leaving me the last woman standing - per usual.  After his and the kids bout with swine flu last October, I'm beginning to fear a new family tradition has taken shape.  Fortunately, we were all better in time to visit Arkansas for Thanksgiving.


There was lots of yummy food to be had by all.  And as usual, I felt more comfortable chatting with the aunts, uncles, and grandparents, while Paul and the kids ran around playing with their respective cousins/second cousins.  I didn't really have a chance to take many pictures because my cell phone camera has officially returned to the hellfires from whence it came.  But, I did manage to snap this lovely gem with Paul's phone during breakfast in front of Grandma & Grandpa Pote's place. Ovaltine and Nutterbutters - breakfast of champions.

And here she is doing her dancing woodland faery impression.  Unfortunately, whilst watching this display I missed seeing my cousins on TV during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade!  Uncle Chris' family was invited to be guests of Step Up for Soldiers at the Macy's Parade.  They stayed in a hotel in Midtown Manhatten and were interviewed while watching the parade from a VIP (indoor!) viewing area.

Uncle Chris, Aunt Christinne, Katie, Moosie, and Austin (clockwise)

     

Upon our return, I headed over to Grandma Mary's so that I could get some old pictures that I needed to complete a Christmas gift that I am making.  First thing to grab my eye was this pic of my mom from when she was about 13.  I guess Katie and Moosie know where their red hair came from now. 

Then, I found these pictures of my grandma and my great grandma when they were young.

Great-Grandma Flora

Grandma Mary

 Finally, people, I have been accused of using the classic tongue-sticking out pose as a picture taking crutch.  Because, as we all know, there are few things I dislike more than having a camera shoved in my face.  I prefer being the photographer - not the subject.  But, I can now, definitively say, "Blame it on Grandma!"

Way belated, but...

Better late than never! :)

So, I thought I was ahead of the game.  Coralie wanted to be a fairy princess and Michael insisted until the very last possible moment that he wanted to be a robot...again.  It was a cool costume, I have to say.


Then - Michael changed his mind.  So, Halloween 2010 - Michael was...

 And so, what would Mario be without a Princess to save?

Thank you, Salvation Army and Joann Fabric!  And Grandma Rodriquez & Daddy, too!

First Week.

Well, it was Michael's first week back to school.  All in all, things seem pretty okay.  Paul, I, or both of us drop him off at school just before 8am.  And Grandma picks him up afterschool.  He eats cookies and decompresses at Grandma's.  Then, he comes home to do his homework and play a computer game.  We eat dinner.  Bedtime routine.  And by 8:15, he is out like a light.  He seems to be doing okay.  The school work is ridiculously easy.  But, he's making friends.  And his teachers seem to like him.  So, I guess it's a win.

Tuesday, Grandma was feeling bad for him.  So, she bought him a Spiderman board game.  We were  He was super excited to play it.  It was nice - much better than the Settlers fiasco.  Funny how he loved it at first, but by the end of it he wanted anyone to win so he could go to sleep.  We play some marathon Settlers of Catan in this house.  I think this might be why its so hard to get people to come over and play.  Anyway, Spiderman was just the right duration a game for a school night.  So, score!  Thanks, Grandma!

Coralie and I have thoroughly enjoyed our time together.  She did still cry this morning when we dropped Michael off at school.  But, I think it was more for my benefit than hers.  We spent some time at White Rock Lake this week.  I took some pictures on Thursday.  She looked like a little cheerleader for the team that makes Mama and Daddy cry - and sometimes other teams' fans - (Suck it, Texans!)

Weee!

Me thinks this was higher than I first thought...

Are you done with that camera yet?

Fine.  Take your picture.

I hope you brought bail money.

Smile?

Money shot!

I have to say I felt very conflicted.  On the one hand, my daughter is adorable...on the other hand, cheerleader - ugh.  The shirt was from Grandma, though.  And I know Grandma Rodriquez really wanted her little Jessica to be a girly-girl.  Too bad for her, Jessie liked to play with GI Joes.  So, I guess we should indulge her for now.

So, Real life conversation from this afternoon:

Me: (running late as usual)  Coralie we have to hurry and get to the car.
Coralie: No, Mama. No car. (firmly.  There may have been a foot stamp.)
Me: But, Coralie, we have to pick up Daddy from work.  Don't you want to see Daddy?
Coralie: (sweetly) Ummm...nope. (firmer, still.)No. I. pick up. Daddy.
Me: (desperate now) But, Coralie, don't you want cookies?
Coralie: Cookies? (I'm sure you know the voice/inflection.)
Me: (knowing I will win no parenting awards) Yeah, we have to pick up Daddy if we want to go to the store to get cookies.
Coralie: Okay, I ah get Daddy.  Come on, Mama.  (grabbing my hand & dragging me now)Let's go a uh Car.
A short while later while buckling her seatbelt....
Coralie: Mama?
Me: Yes, Coralie.
Coralie:Where a Michael?
Me: (NOOOOO!  michael is spending the night at Grandma's and Coralie will want to spend the night, too.)
Coralie: I want Michael. Oh nooooo( familiar?), where a michael gooooo? (voice escalating to near fit)
Me:  You want Michael?
Coralie: Yessss.(woefully, tearfully, and with an emphatic nod)
Me: Would you rather have Michael or cookies? (I'm going to hell.) 
Coralie: (no hesitation) Cookies. (no more tears)  Let's go a uh store.
Me: Daddy first, right?
Coralie: Oh-Kay.  A-Daddy firs.


That's my baby girl.  She knows what she wants.  She knows what she values. And she can act quickly, decisively, and resolutely to navigate between the two.  Already, the woman I want to be.  And bonus points for making an awesome fairy princess!

Tinkerbell, eat your heart out!

deliciously tired

 

So, we've had a really busy but fantastic couple of days!  Yesterday, we attended the Fort Worth Zoo homeschooler's day!  Seriously Awesome Day!  This is a picture just outside of the country's most elite herpetarium, the  Museum of Living Art.  The Meet the Animals exhibit was really cool for the kids.  And it was neat to see so many other homeschoolers.  Some of those parents take it SUPER seriously.  And I thought I was pretty bad.  I saw a lot T-shirts with the "name" of their homeschool and mission statements.  I didn't really have a mission statement.  I just want to help my children grow into well-rounded, well-educated, confident, KIND, good people.  Did you catch the past tense?  Today is officially our last day of "first grade at home."  Michael starts the Adaptive Behavior and Communication first grade class at Parkcrest Elementary on Monday.  He should be in a normal classroom with an aide about 60% of the day.  And he will be on the full first grade curriculum.  Honestly, though, he's doing higher grade level work at home.  So, we'll try to supplement after-school and on the weekends.  I just need to make sure he doesn't burn out.  Wish us luck.

Michael and the Macaw

Coralie and an Elephant

Sadly, none of my pictures turned out nicely from Wednesday.  We went to the State Fair of Texas!  Coralie rode her first Ferris wheel and loved every second of it!  I'll have to see if Mama's pics came out any better than mine did.  (Here's hoping I get a new camera for my birthday.  So sick of the camera on my phone.)Did you know that the Texas Star Ferris Wheel at the State Fair is the tallest Ferris wheel in North America at 212 feet tall (about 21 stories high)? 

Our plans for today?  So happy you asked!  Veg. Veg. Veg.

Only you can make Appendicitis look this good ;)

Sat up with my baby bro all night in the ER.  I'm feeling really bad about calling him a big baby about the stomach cramps he was whining about in the morning - see there I go again.  Note to my nearly a nurse bro, Michael:  The appendix is on your left not his! <3  Lub!  Anyway, I'm glib now because the surgery went fine this morning.  I'm sure Justin will love me posting this picture.  I love you! I love you! I love you! I have to sleep now though.  I will see you at Mom's tomorrow.