Cowgirl Abigail

Abi's preschool had a western day this week. They have been studying Texas this month, and to end the unit, they had pony rides, and a cook out lunch. Abigail has been really excited about it for weeks. We went to see her at her "radio" as she called it. She has gotten to ride a pony a couple of times, so she was telling people that this was her second radio. She's basically a professional cowgirl.

She looks the part, that's for sure.

Her "pandanna"

That's a YeeHaw, if I've ever seen one.

She selected a special necklace for the day.

This one was given to me by my parents when I got accepted to BYU.

My dad said, you can go away to school, but you just remember where your heart is, and hurry back. My mom said, "Go find you a Texan boy to marry."

Well, I didn't find a texan boy to my liking, so I made one instead.

Oh yeah, this little girl was interested in looking at the ponies. Nothing more.

Not characteristic of this fearless little babe.

New accessories

This weekend charles was gone all day Saturday helping with the scouts. So we had a girls day. Abigail decided she wanted to surprise daddy- so she was very brave and we got her ears pierced. I half way expected to get there and her change her mind but I was wrong! She sat there still as a statue and didn't cry or anything. She did so well :) she loves her new flower earrings and is telling everyone about how brave she was.

Longing for Bluebonnets

I lived away from Texas for about 6 years.

There are lots of things I missed about it here.

I always missed my family, of course.

I missed the mexican food and the people here.

But every March-April... I LONGED for the bluebonnets.

Every year I seriously contemplated a spur of the moment trip when they were blooming.

Last Spring, after moving to Texas I anxiously awaited the bluebonnets to start showing up EVERYWHERE. But they didn't. The drought was so bad last spring that we really never got any bluebonnets or any wildflowers, really. One day I put the girls in the car and drove for almost 2 hours searching, but to no avail.

So far this year, we have been blessed with lots of big rain storms, and everywhere you go- the Bluebonnets are blooming. I am probably driving everyone insane with announcing every time I see some, but I just can't help myself. Abigail has joined me in the excitement as my "best bluebonnet hunter." She says she loves the 'Texas kind of flower' that she learned about at preschool.

Well, today Charles is at a Camporee with the scouts, so we have had a girls day having lots of girly fun, and I thought- what better way to wrap up the day than with a photo shoot in the bluebonnets.

Today has been one of those days, that Start to Finish- was just an EXCELLENT day. These girls bring me more happiness than I ever thought possible.

Out of respect for the flower, I can't pick favorites very well, so here is a link to the whole gallery. If you have a few minutes go check it out.

A day in Austin

Since we moved here, we haven't taken very many chances to actually go into Austin to do things. We have lots of good family things up here in Cedar Park, so we haven't ventured out much. We are changing that. There are lots of cool things to do, see, and EAT. A few weekends ago we went to Hop Doddy's for some good burgers, chili cheese fries (that totally make the drive worth it), and shakes. Healthy? No, but delicious, absolutely. I can't wait to go back to South congress and try more fun food. We met up with friends down there, and after lunch went to Zilker park and played. It was a gorgeous day. Say what you will about summers in Austin... but seriously, Fall, Winter and Spring are pretty awesome.

Tea Party on the grass

Flying Kites... or should I say... kite.

And Friends.

Next time I must take a picture of the food. Totally worth documenting :)

I see a future here...

Bonding...

Abigail has had a little bit of a hard time with Ellie lately. She tends to "ruin" everything Abi plays with. Its hard to get a 3 year old to understand that babies don't get the rules yet. As Ellie is getting bigger and understanding more, they are getting along better, and I am finally seeing a lot more moments of a budding friendship than the constant grumpies that have been around here lately. I love those moments, and hope they get more frequent.

Nobody can make Ellie laugh like Abi can.

When we take Abigail to preschool she always has to give Ellie a big hug and kiss, and when we pick her up, she runs to Ellie (not me, ahem) and gives her a big hug.

Abi loves introducing her 'baby sister' to anyone we meet.

Ellie loves giving Abigail big hugs and kisses.

They love dancing together.

Come to think of it... take toys out of the equation, and they are best buds.

Fancy girls

Abigail loves her friends.

She LOVES play dates... actually, she prays for them.

So we have been trying to do more of them.

I just love seeing little girls play.

Love these little Texans and their cowgirl boots :)

Fun with Daddy

Ellie is our thrill seeker. She loves to live on the edge.

She is constantly doing crazy things and getting hurt, or amazingly staying safe.

She climbed through every barricade we ever put at the bottom of the stairs.

She has NO fear.

She just giggles and begs for more when Charles throws her up in the air.

Abigail, on the other hand... is closer to my blood.

She is nervous about just about everything.

She took a long time to work up the nerve to go down slides.

Even now, when we go to the park, she has to work up to it.

She will sometimes ask for Charles to throw her up too.

Can you tell she really wants to like it, but is pretty terrified?

If not, take a look at the grip she has on his hoodie so she doesn't leave his arms.

Making a comeback.

I've been a pretty horrible blogger the last few months. Time to play catch up over the next few days. When we came back in January, Abigail started Preschool. She LOVES it. I love it. It is fun to have some time alone with Ellie, and on occasion, a little quiet time when Ellie is asleep while Abi is gone. Abi is a very social little lady, and loves getting to go play with friends twice a week. She fit right in and didn't look back.

I am naturally a really emotional person. No shocker to anyone who knows me well. I've been surprised how excited I have been for each of these new stages for Abigail, things that I think normally would be hard for me. She is growing up so fast. She is SO excited about each new thing she gets to do as she gets older, and I think I feed off of her excitement, it keeps me from getting weepy at the thought of Kindergarten in a year and a half...

Today we were driving to the store and had this conversation:

Abigail: "Hey Mom, when I get big, I won't have to go to the kids room at the gym anymore, huh?"

Me: "Oh yeah? Where will you go then?"

Abigail:"I will get to exercise with you! And I will get to buy the same clothes as you, and the same shoes, too, won't I?"

Me: Yes :)

I want to bottle her up and keep her just like this, and remember it when she gets older and teenage years present challenges. I couldn't help but think about my own Mom, and how much I hope I can be the kind of mom she has always been to me. Because at this point in life, there aren't too many people I would rather be around, and she is one of my best friends. I hope it is the same when my girls grow up.