Cousins

Grandma

Nonna

The Oasis

I can not tell you how long it has been since we have been to The Oasis.  With it being a beautiful weekend we decided to brave the crowds and try to get in for dinner.  Since we were there last a good amount of this restaurant has burnt down and had to be rebuilt.  They definitely took advantage of this and built it a heck of a lot bigger and a heck of a lot better. 

Since we were going early we were able to sit immediately.  They are famous for their sunsets and we were there no where near this which also allowed us for a table right next to the fence overlooking the water.  As you can see by the picture below the view was breath taking. 

This was Kaylie and Eli's first time to experience Austin's beauty and I think they loved the view.  Pretty sure they could have done without the heat as seen by the redness in their cheeks but it was nothing some ice cream wasn't able to fix.  By the time we left we were incredibly fat, full, and very happy.

 

Our new careers

A few weeks ago we took a trip to Austin to see family.  Papa has a new home and we wanted to see it and spend some time with him.  He loves his great grand daughter and we wanted him to have some time watching her play. 

When we got there he treated Kaylie with a chocolate bunny and some chocolate chip cookies which are two things our little girl loves.  I know he was happy seeing her take a gigantic bite out of the cookie. 

After looking around his room we decided it needed a little bit of sprucing up so after we left him for the day we went shopping to decorate his room.  We brought over some of Kaylie's artwork as well as some pictures and frames to decorate.  We even sat with Papa as she painted him two stain glass window decorations.  After hanging stuff on the walls and putting out things to remind Papa of his family we were done and pretty pleased with our new decorating skills.  

We finished our visit with lunch and a tour of his beautiful home.  We love you Papa!!!

The ARK

As a single income family I am always up for things that are FREE!!!  Way Way told me of this play place that is in a church.  The building has a roof just like an ARK and is open to the public for free play.  The play area is huge.  It is reminiscent of the Wiggly Play center just cheaper.  We loved it.  Kaylie was slightly intimidated but once it started to clear out she started to enjoy herself.  We will definitely go back.  Definitely an awesome way to minister to the public. 

We went out to lunch afterwards.  The way Kaylie is sitting makes her look huge next to the other two.  She is actually smaller than Claire. I love these three little people!

A splishing and a splashing

It is not unusual for certain things to take Kaylie awhile to get comfortable adjusting too.  Last year I had thought we had finally broken the fear of splash parks being that she is able to take showers and get water in her face.  I knew being her first time at a splash park since last summer I really didn't know what to expect.  I had hoped it would be great but I never know with her.  At first it was not something she wanted anything to do with.  I remembered her pail which helped a little.  Since Ms. Molly was there with KT and Nolan that helped some as well but she pretty much attached herself to Molly and wouldn't leave her alone.  Once we figured out to make them race the fear was broken.  The raced all over.  That was the end of her fearfulness.  Once a few more of our friends showed up we couldn't stop her.  I was most impressed when she actually stood under the big buckets of water and waited for them to fall.  We have come a long way. 

My favorite things about these pictures is the look on her face.  She gave us many classic looks.  The other funny...for some reason she thought her pail would protect her from the water.  Not so sure about that.

End of another chapter

On Tuesday I picked Kaylie up from school and her teacher told me Kaylie kept saying her stomach hurt.  She had been complaining during ballet but I figured she was just tired.  After a few minutes and a feel of her forehead I knew she was sick.  We went home and sure enough she had a 102.  This is unusual for her being that she has only had temps after she has gotten her shots so I was slightly alarmed.  After complaining her throat hurt she earned herself an immediate trip to the doc in case it was strep.  All said and done it was just a virus and we had to just "wait it out."  Normally this would be fine but it was her last week of school and I didn't want her to miss out.  Each day I watched and waited to see what her temp would do.  I thought she would make it back on Thursday until right before she went to bed.  She ended up missing her class party but ended up making it the last day to say her good byes to her teachers and her friends.  Since she no longer qualifies for the special needs school this was the end of another chapter in her life.  This chapter has been a positive one for our family.  We have been so grateful for her teachers and all of those around her that have taken part in her growth both social/emotionally as well as academically.  I know if it wasn't for these individuals we wouldn't be anywhere near where we are.