Organized Summer Fun

I'm taking the opportunity to catch up some on our summer activities here, mostly for posterity's sake. That's one benefit of blogging about family life--you remember where you were when because it is published on the www for review!

The first couple of weeks this summer were spent in swim lessons. Last summer he took from Fort Worth Family Swim, but this year we chose to use TCU's Swim Camp. Children have to be age 4, I believe, to take part in this one. It's run by the TCU Head Swim Coach, and he uses TCU swimmers, grad assistants, and a few others that have come through his summer camp program to teach the lessons.


Lessons are taught at the TCU Rec Center indoor pool with 4-5 children assigned to an instructor in each lane. While there are quite a few more people in the pool during lesson time, I think that increased Jack's enjoyment of the water. By the end of the two weeks, Coach Sybesma knew which kid matched with what parent, and intermittently spoke with parents about their child's progress and the parent's expectations. I was impressed with the program and highly recommend it.

For the past 7 weeks, our little ladybug has been immersed in all things dance. One of my Pure Barre friends is the preschool coordinator at a local dance studio, and she reminded me that AB was old enough for classes this summer. She has had a blast. From the moment she tried on her tap shoes at the local dance shoppe, she was smitten.


Please pardon the grainy photo. I cropped it close for the privacy of the other girls. Most of what I have taken are really sweet videos of her twirling about the room with ballerina arms. Her excitement once we get to the studio is uncontainable, and she usually sprints to the door when the teacher opens the classroom, then again when she comes out to change from ballet to tap. Parents are allowed to watch from the lobby where there are windows into the classroom. It's one of the most precious things to see!

I'm glad we did swim lessons early in the summer and equally glad we've had something do each week taking AB to dance as the summer has begun to slow down. Who can believe August is almost here again?!

The Very First Soccer Game of EVER

Hi! Long time no see. I have a long list of things I've been meaning to blog about, and somehow very little time to actually sit down and do it. As I currently have two napping-age children, this is a stay at home mother phenomenon that no one warned me about. I guess it's the "house is never clean" phenomenon, since we live and work there so much. This week I may start tracking my time to see what I'm actually doing during nap time. Then again, nah.

Anyway, this post is about the very first soccer game of ever for our little family that occurred this past Saturday. For months, my boy has been telling everyone he knows that he's "playing soccer in the fall." That was a great opportunity to explain to him what "the fall" was since he was just repeating what we'd told him.

So, last Saturday, the mighty Lions took the field with backordered uniforms for their first game and hopefully the ONLY one in high 90 degree weather with no shade in sight. But there were LOTS of grandparents around, I assure you.


It was awesome. We were so proud of how he hung in there, kept a great attitude considering the melting heat from the sun, and hustled. Game one and he completely exceeded my expectations. As usual.

We let him pick his after party spot, which was none other than Chick-fil-a.

Stay tuned for more soccer chronicles. Up next, soccer snactivism!

Easy Valentine Tissue Tassel Garland

Earlier this week I got a little bored during naptime, which is code for "I was procrastinating the laundry." I realized that I didn't have any Valentine decorations up on my mantle so I began feverishly googling an easy idea using stuff I had on hand. Thus I found myself trying my hand at tissue tassels.


Now previously this has been kind of a final frontier craft for me. I figured that there was no way I could get tassels looking exactly how I wanted them and would probably tear the tissue paper up in the process. I was only half wrong. The tassels weren't quite how I wanted them, but they were passable, and I did not tear up the paper. At least not the majority of it.

I used this tutorial from HGTV, written by The TomKat Studio, which is a really fun party blog, if you've never checked them out before.


I posted on Instagram (follow me here!) that this is one of those crafts I would heretofore rather pay someone else to make. Mostly because I couldn't feel my fingertips after from rolling all those little paper tassels up. It felt like I rubbed my fingerprints off.

That probably won't stop me though. Those red and white tassels are just begging for some dark blue friends to join them in cheering on our guys and girls in the Olympics starting tomorrow!

The Day My Heart Went to "School"

So 2013 is a year of big change at our house, obviously, with our family growing in headcount. It's also a year of big change because our childcare situation has changed too. We've been very, very blessed that God sent Jack a wonderful caregiver that we loved and trusted for the past almost 2 years, but she has some fun and exciting changes in her life as well this year, so Jack needed a new place to be. Change all over the place.

Looking like such a big kid. {Sigh.}
In his faithfulness, the Lord delivered a new situation that is perfect, such that part of the time our sweet boy can attend MDO/pre-school/whateveryoucallit Tuesday and Thursday. It's an environment we're comfortable with and run by people we know and trust.

First day of school pic.
Napmat and lunchbox by the fabulous SheSheMade.
Because he had been sick the first part of last week, Thursday was his first day. We put on his backpack (jackpack), packed his little lunch, and grabbed his nap mat. It was wear grey day, so he wore grey stripes. He really had no idea what was going on, even though we have talked and talked about it.

When I dropped him off, he didn't even look back and went straight to play. I have eyes on the ground there, so I got a few pics sent my way throughout the day of what he was up to. My biggest concern was that he wouldn't stay on his nap during naptime, but in true firstborn fashion, he followed instructions, stayed on his mat, and even took a good nap.

When I got home, he was all smiles all evening, which tells me he had a good day. Our sweet boy is growing up!

Weekending at the Fort Worth Zoo

I have had a wonderful weekend, for the most part. I say for the most part only because my husband worked quite a bit of it--late on Friday evening and most of the day Sunday with a break for church and lunch. But considering that those were times that I spent hanging out with my male mini-me, fluffing our home or napping or reading Pride and Prejudice (yes, again,) he really didn't miss much on the homefront. My husband is also an engineer, and he and I both know that these busy seasons ebb and flow. It's just part of the job.


So when I wasn't polishing our home and he wasn't working, we took our Jack-boy on his first trip to the Fort Worth Zoo. And for that matter, it was my first trip to the FWZ as well! My parents graciously gifted us with a family membership for Jack's birthday. While children under 2 get into the zoo for free, their parents do not. So for now, I am a photo-ID card carrying member of the zoo. I can see us using it so much. The walk ways and exhibits are very shaded, so hopefully even in the blazing Texas heat it won't be too bad. Either way--we need to get tough since we live in Texas.




In fabulous first-time-mom fashion of capturing the beautiful moment of my son's first visit to his hometown, top 5 in the nation zoo, I absolutely left my camera at home. And also, my cell phone. So I forced confiscated wrangled borrowed Mr. G's cell phone to grab some snaps to remember the day.

Happy claps for the unintentional social media disconnect!

Vacation at Kiawah Island, SC

We just returned from a wonderful, relaxing vacation to the beautiful golf resort of Kiawah Island, about an hour outside of historic Charleston, South Carolina. I am not a golfer, but I do excel at resort dwelling. Plus, there was a spa. I was in.

Some friends of ours in Houston actually organized the trip, so all I had to do was pretty much pack my bag (and the little man's!) As I am the resident travel agent in my family, it was especially nice to just show up.

There were so many firsts for my little guy. The full weight of it hit me as we drove into Charleston one night. First airplane ride, first time to dip his toes in the ocean--heck, the first time I probably even mentioned the word "ocean" to him--first family vacation, and I'm sure many more that I can't even remember because I'm too tired right now.

Looking like such a big boy and a travel pro.
"Mom, you look like a tourist."

We stayed in a condo right on the beach with a breathtaking view of the island and the Atlantic. Not too shabby of a breakfast table each morning. Our friends' little boy is only 2 weeks younger than our Jack, so they were perfect playmates The gentlemen played golf in the mornings while we played with our little boys, ate breakfast, and shopped, and one afternoon the ladies escaped to The Sanctuary Spa.

He LOVED the water.
This was a great vacation with the babies. A condo afforded us the ability to have meals on hand that they would eat, plus bedrooms to put them down for the night while the adults could stay up and visit or watch TV. Not only that, but the island was beautiful, especially if you are a golf fan, which I am by marriage. We would definitely go back. Even as a non-golfer, it was truly lovely.

Next week, I'll be reviewing and adding comments to my traveling with babies post at Happiness Is. I've got some lessons learned for you!

Recovering from Vacation

Pardon me while I recover from the baby's fabulous first vacation.

Baby's First Halloween

My tiny man on our front porch hamming it up, sans mustache.
What are the odds that I will remember to take a picture of him in
the same place next year?

I found his costume on a Mexican import website. Who knew they made toddler panchos and sombreros? B grabbed a mustache on his way home from work last Friday before our church's Fall Festival (and the Rangers final meltdown of the year.) It only seemed natural to stick it on his favorite paci, and shockingly, he had no problem with either it or the sombrero on his head.

We had such a fun Halloween! This was the first time we've actually stayed in our home of 4 years and passed out candy to the neighborhood kids. I know, I know, but in our defense, it's because we usually were either out of town or with friends.

We had my BFF/college roommate (hi Alisia!) and her friend Brian over for supper, which ended up being Frito pie and chili dogs. Halloween seems like a Frito pie holiday, does it not? My mom informs me that I feel this way because she always fed us that before we went out trick or treating when we were little. Funny how things like that influence in adulthood.

Anyway! I had so much fun handing out candy. Jack fell asleep super early in Alisia's arms and not even the doorbell could wake him up. Some of the cutest kids and very few of questionable age to be trick or treating. How old is too old to do that anyway? And how young is old enough? Even if the boy is old enough to eat candy next year, obviously he doesn't need a whole bag of candy otherwise it will be clear that he's shilling for mommy's chocolate fix.

Happy Halloween From the Frito Bandito.

A Few of Baby's Firsts

We were having such a wonderful weekend until the little guy came down with something and started running his very first fever Sunday morning. Poor little pumpkin! It kept him and me home from church yesterday and is keeping me home today. I have never seen my happy boy so sad. Breaks a mama's heart.

Speaking of pumpkins, Saturday we carried him to his very first pumpkin patch. As a matter of fact, I believe it was my very first pumpkin patch as well. We went to the Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch, which had inexpensive admission, all activities for children included, AND...Fletcher's Corny Dogs and Funnel Cakes as well as Texas Roadhouse. So we got our fair food in without actually having to deal with the fair. Success.

The turn out was so huge that in subsequent years I will probably do this on a week day. Jack wanted to look anywhere but the camera, but who could blame him. The patch was ripe for people watching, with children and parents everywhere.

Here are a few pics where he was looking in the general direction of the camera:

My sweet, sweet little guy.

Who's big idea was this?

Mom and the J-Bird

I guess this is going in reverse order, but Friday night B and I were able to get away for a short date night. We ended up down in Sundance Square for supper while the boy stayed for the first time with my in-laws. It's funny. Before we had a child, we always said we would make time for date nights once we did have one, but in reality once we've worked all week, we're tired and missing our boy so it's much easier to stay home. It's good for us to steal away some though, and Friday night was refreshing for both of us.

How do you and your spouse set aside time for one another? Scheduled dates? Once a year getaway?

I hope you and yours are well, and that you enjoyed the beautiful fall weekend!

My Mother's Day

before church Sunday morning
{whoa mama's big hair}

This Sunday was not just my first mother's day.
It was also Jack's baby dedication!
{hair a little smaller by this point, whew}

What a great responsibility to raise our son in such a way that some day he will choose to follow Christ. He will see our every move--and take note of it! Brad and I both pray so much for wisdom in raising the J-Bird. Our pastor gives each baby a letter for them to open on the day of their baptism after they make their decision to follow Christ. How I pray for that day!

Both of our immediate families were in town for the occasion, which was nice, but a bit hectic! We headed to Joe T. Garcia's for lunch (because I picked!) and then back to the house for pound cake and a little more playing with Jack for the grandmothers.

I teared up when I put Jack to bed that night. He is an incredible answer to so many of my prayers.

I will always remember this first mother's day.

Confession

Being a mother is 1 billion times better than I thought it would be.

{And I had pretty high expectations.}

Happy Mother's Day.

Jack's First Easter

Our very first {acceptable for public viewing} photo as a family of three.

Jack's {suh-weet!} Easter sailor suit.


For Jack's first Easter, we attended our church's early service and Sunday school, then headed to my parents' house for lunch. My mother's brother and sister and their families were able to make it, which was so fun! It reminded me of old family Easter lunches with one exception--no egg hunt since Jack is a bit too small. Maybe next year?

My aunt made her dee-lish homemade potato salad for the first time in years. Sweet mercy. I had a second helping for supper last night before we drove home. I should've confiscated all the leftovers and brought them back with me--so good.

I just want to hang on to these memories. My tiny boy. A pale blue sailor suit and tiny white shoes. His dad reminding me to stop and take a photo even though we're running late. The blessing of his good health. The blessing of HIM. My silent prayers during the service for his salvation. Comparing my love for my son to God's love for His Son. Overwhelmed and changed.

More About the Boy.

We've finally gotten settled in at home, I think. From what I've been told, just about anytime you establish a schedule with a baby, the schedule changes, so I figure our schedule will change any day now.

My mom was with us from Monday when we came home from the hospital until Saturday, and she has taken care of all of us. I've had time to rest and regain my body "party of 1" legs, and she had time to love on my boy, all the while keeping my house in tip top shape for company. I won't be able to thank her enough. She even took the night shift with Jack!

Our church family has overwhelmed us with love. I think we are set with meals every night for two weeks. And, can I just say that the ladies in our church can cook! I never understood what a ministry taking a meal to someone who is just home from the hospital is until we were on the receiving end of it. What a great way to bless someone.

So on to my boy. He has been a wonderful baby so far. He's sweet and laid back, and sometimes he looks like me, while other times he looks like Brad. He may eat us out of house and home someday as he definitely inherited his dad's appetite! His most active time in the womb was from 10:30 PM to 2 AM, so it was no surprise that it was his most active time out of the womb for the first week. He's sleeping normal stretches of time during that period now (too bad I couldn't have taught him that while he was keeping me up prior to his birthday!)

He army crawled across our bed during his newborn pics on Thursday trying to get away from me. Clearly, he has inherited his dad's love of being photographed. On Friday and Saturday, we laid him down for tummy time, and he rolled over both times. He is a very determined boy. And I am having the time of my life getting to know his little personality! It's so humbling to think that God let me have any part in the miracle of Jack.

{insert post-partum joyfully teary eyes here.}

Everyday I feel a little more like myself. This morning Brad headed to church while I kept him by myself for the first time. I think we did pretty well. I was able to power on the video monitor, then get myself together (hair washed and all that), do a couple of loads of laundry, and make up two beds. Once Brad got home I took a nice long nap. So wonderful! I have a new pair of running shoes picked out, and I'm actually itching to get outside with the new stroller (probably cabin fever), so here's hoping this weather warms up soon!

Baby Jack is bored.

Jack yawning at 24 weeks before turning away from the camera.



I've watched this video somewhere in the neighborhood of 1 million times.

I love that boy.

With the Band

Saturday night, Brad and I ventured north to Denton to hear the band my brother is playing in, Kimbrell, in their first gig. We clearly were at the top end of the age group there listening, but we had a great time. I wish I had better recording equipment! Drew is on the far right in this very dark video footage I took. Please pardon the guy in front of me who obviously had spent more time on his hair than I had on mine. You can see the light reflecting off of the white bass guitar, and with the occasional camera flash, you can see he's wearing a blue shirt. Lead vocals are Ryan, lead guitar is Hunter, and Matt is on drums.

Good times in Denton.

I Enjoy Yellow (and how it came to live on my walls)

I will first and foremost admit that I read quite a few blogs on home improvements and take in several magazines on home decor. I might watch a bit too much HGTV. All of this led to the Mellow Yellow Paintapalooza of '08.

It all started with a simple e-mail on Thursday, the 3rd. Disregard the subject because it is random.

From: Emily Gentry
Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2008 9:52 AM
To: Gentry, Bradley W
Subject: RE: Bicycle

I am bitten by the home improvement bug today.

And from there, I managed to convince my husband that our home would never be perfect unless the guest bedroom were painted a lovely shade of butter yellow.

After paying Will Smith our annual July 4th movie tax, we headed to the Big Orange to discover a paint sale, much to our delight. In no more than 5 minutes, we had picked out The Perfect Yellow for the guest room. It resembled a color straight out of Pottery Barn's summer catalog--just perfect to go with the blue duvet in the front room. And then we began to paint.

Y'all. It was Big Bird Yellow.

OUCH!

It took us a wall and a half of "oh this is cheery" and "oh I bet it will look even better with a second coat" until it finally gave way to "oh no we can't possibly have a room this bright," and "I think the highway department needs their paint back to stripe the roads."

Back to Home Depot we went. After studying the paint swatches quite a bit longer this time, we chose a shade lighter, then thought better of it and chose one TWO shades lighter. It turned out to be exactly what I wanted.

Now that we're on this side of the holiday, and I have to say I learned a whole lot that weekend. Here's what I gained:

1. I enjoy a good home project with my husband. It's fun, and we make a good Team.
2. Move all the furniture out of the room you're painting because it will make life a lot easier in the long run.
3. If you disregard #2, remember where the paint can is when you decide to move a piece of furniture in the room. That was a messy lesson.

Spring at Our House

Last weekend we (by that I mean Brad) completed a spring yard beautification project. I was mostly project manager/consultant because in general I don't enjoy nature or its dirt. I excel in bringing out refreshments, though.

We have some new plants, green grass, and a weedless flower bed. And we discovered we have some really pretty pink bushes, so that was great. I am trying to remember what I did with all the tags we took off of our plants last summer, so we can identify what we are growing. I think I figured out that the light pink flowering bushes are Indian Hawthornes. I think they are my favorites.


I went to lunch that Saturday with a friend and her little sidekick, and when I came back, my brother (who had spent the night) was weeding the flower bed. After remembering the Christmas light event, I am worried he'll think he's only welcome if he's working as the assistant handy man. But I think boys just like playing in the dirt no matter what age.

The Old Gray (or Silver) Mare

just ain't what she used to be.

I have had my car since I graduated from college. It is the first major purchase I ever made.

I moved out of my parents house for the last time in this car.
I drove it to my first day of work at my big girl job.
I roadtripped in it to several Aggie football games where I was glad to play the part of Former Student.
It has taken me to numerous dinners with the girls all over DFW.
I've shuttled all over Texas and the rest of the Southern US in it to watch my wonderful friends tie the knot.
I got stopped for speeding once in it.
I drove it to a party where I met my husband.
It made many trips to Fort Worth.
I drove it to the nail salon the day after he placed a shiny diamond on my finger.
And I drove it to the church on my wedding day, then home from the airport after the honeymoon.
We took it to the title company to sign the papers on our first home, much like we did to sign the lease on our first apartment.

By the immeasurable grace of God, I have safely driven it 170,000-ish miles since 2002 with only one minor incident that was self-inflicted at a gas station pump by yours truly (and only the car got hurt.)

And now, we are putting her out to pasture.

I got a little teary thinking about trading in my car this morning. Ridiculous, I know. But of course, it's not the car--it's the wonderful memories between where I was the day I bought it and where I am now. I am so blessed.

Off we go to pick up Our First Car.

Christmas Countdown

So Thanksgiving is officially over. In typing that I realize how sad it is that the day was little rushed, at least by the retailers. But seriously, did you see the deal at Best Buy for the 50' Samsung DLP? It was long discussed at our post-Thanksgiving table.

I was amazed at the readership's commentary on shopping in Dallas malls and the outcry over any display of Christmas paraphernalia pre-Thanksgiving. Never before have I had such a hot topic on this blog, so thanks for sharing your opinions. I continue to hear feedback from closet Christmas music listeners and from those who boldly went ahead and decorated their entire houses before Thanksgiving day. But I'm not going to call anyone out.

I think I found a happy medium in the decorating. I pulled out just a few things the afternoon we left for Thanksgiving, but have left the tree decorating until today. Today is a day of firsts at our house. First time to put lights on the house. First time to decorate a tree over 4 feet tall. And for the first time ever, I have the majority of Christmas gifts bought, and it's not even December yet. Nice!