Kiepersol Harvest Festival

We took the kids to Kiepersol Estates and let them stomp grapes, make cork crafts, walk a wine trail and generally, just run around outside.

It is a beautiful place and the weather was perfect. Guess the kids won't have to put '"grape stomping" on their bucket list.

Kolaches - Texas Style

Every time I say how much Jack likes Kolaches to one of our friends/family "up North" I have to then launch into what a Kolache is here in Texas. They are NOT the same south of the Mason-Dixon line that is for sure. To be fair, I like both versions.

"Northern Kolaches" - these are a pastry type cookie with fruit/jam type filling sprinkled with powdered sugar. My Mom makes these and they are delicious!

"Southern Kolaches" - I'll never forget the first time someone asked me if I wanted a Kolache and then handed me a bun with a hot dog in it! Now, that is understating what they really are because, as my sons well tell you, they are god's gift to breakfast! The buns are actually very soft and light and inside is a goo of cheese and warm lil' doggie. About a year ago I searched and search for a recipe to make my own. FINALLY, after learning all about Czech influence here in TX, I found a recipe that is pretty much dead on: Homemade Sausage Kolaches

!

My Childrens Songs

I have had a song for each child that just seemed to "fit"
and I would sing it to them when they were babies.

Laila:
It was no accident me finding you Someone had a hand in it Long before we ever knew Now I just can't believe you're in my life Heaven's smilin' down on me As I look at you tonight I tip my hat to the keeper of the stars He sure knew what he was doin' When he joined these two hearts I hold everything When I hold you in my arms I've got all I'll ever need Thanks to the keeper of the stars



Jack
Never has there been and never again
Will there be another you
Fashioned by God's hand
And perfectly planned
To be just who you are
And what He's been creating
Since the first beat of your heart
Is a living breathing priceless work of art and..I can see the fingerprints of God When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God And I know it's true You're a masterpiece That all creation quietly applaudsAnd you're covered with the fingerprints of God

This week I realized that I hadn't found "that" song for Matthew yet. I happened to be flipping stations when I heard this song and thought it perfect.

Matthew:
Even when you´re gone Somehow you come along Just like a flower poking through the sidewalk crack and just like that You steal away the rain and just like that Don´t know how I lived without you Cuz everytime that I get around you I see the best of me inside your eyes You make me smile like the sun Fall out of bed sing like bird Dizzy in my head spin like a record Crazy on a Sunday night You make me dance like a fool Forget how to breathe Shine like gold buzz like a bee Just the thought of you can drive me wild Ohh you make me smile Don´t know how I lived without you Cuz everytime that I get around you I see the best of me inside your eyes You make me smile You make me dance like a fool Forget how to breathe Shine like gold buzz like a bee Just the thought of you can drive me wild

Our First Year...

It seems hard to believe that a year has gone by since I was praying, and honestly, worrying, about the start of a new school year which would find Laila in "public" school. All the fears of if we were doing the right thing by her, would she be ruined, would her faith survive, would she learn, would she be behind, would she pass the TAKS? You name it and I worried about it. I spent a lot of time praying throughout the day over these many issues...going over in my mind why we made this decision and why it was the right one.

So a year has past and my 3rd grader is now a 4th grader. She has blossomed, grown and excelled. Yes, we have had our times of testing and trials. Many having to do with how to handle hurtful words, un-kind friends, differing viewpoints.

Of course my little social butterfly loved every minute of her new year - and her awesome teacher Ms. Casey! She worked hard and to my surprise... and relief she got "Commended" on her TAKS. YAY Laila! Overall our "first year" has in many ways challenged me way more than Laila. I'm so proud of her. I just wanted to take a minute to put it to "paper" so I can remember this in a few years. :)

Gradutation Day

My little man Jack is now officially a 1st grader. I don't know why...but it just seemed right when Laila graduated from Kindergarten. But it seems all wrong for Jack. He's too young...he's not ready...I'm not ready!

I have to give a shout-out to his teacher Ms. Chaddick. Four years ago I helped out in her kindergarten room during testing week - at the time I thought "She would be perfect for Jack". So I prayed and held my breath and sure enough, she was Jack's teacher. Now, I don't know how she feels about it - but in my eyes she was perfect for him! He's not a lover of reading or crafts which is a huge part of Kindergarten - but she was able to keep his interest and by the end of the year he actually chose to read instead of playing the computer before bed.

So, ready or not, here he comes.....

Terrible Two's

Matthew Daniel has turned 2. I thought "Not a problem...he's so naughty already two can't be worse". Insert BIG bite of humble pie! We've entered the stage of screaming...for no reason...It's mine...I had it first....NO!".

But I would be amiss if I didn't record all the times when Matt does something so cute we all just look at him with adoring eyes. For example - Jack has been gone this week with Eric and Matt has missed him. Today when he talked to him on the phone he kept waving at the phone as if Jack could see him saying "I miss you Jackie...I miss you Jackie". Why he calls him Jackie I don't know - my suspicion is that he knows Jack hates being called that...but still...it's so cute! Or when I'm doing my exercise DVDs and he tries his hardest to do them with me. He cracks me up when he can't get his body into a yoga pose and he looks up at me saying "I can't, I can't". At times I have flashbacks to Laila's toddler years - he loves to color and has put his mark on many of my walls. Laila would do the same thing. And sometimes he reminds me of Jack, his love for cars and his obsession with Blues Clues. But mostly he is unique to himself. He loves music and requests the B-I-B-L-E anytime we start singing. He absolutely loves reading and brings books all day long wanting to be read to. He's a big Dr. Seuss fan. Right now we are stuck on "There's a Wocket in My Pocket"

I sometimes wonder if he dreams at night of his mama saying "Stop that Matthew". I've been trying to intentionally scoop him up more and love on him - using positive words! Good Job Matt! You're such a good boy!

He has enjoyed going up to Jack's school once a week for lunch time. His birthday fell on a day when we would be there so I made cupcakes and the kids sang to him. He was very pleased!

Now We Are Six...

When I was One,
I had just begun.
When I was Two,
I was nearly new.
When I was Three
I was hardly me.
When I was Four,
I was not much more.
When I was Five, I was just alive.
But now I am Six, I'm as clever as clever,So I think I'll be six now for ever and ever.

My strapping 10 lb. baby boy is now a whopping 40 lb. handsome young man! I must confess that I felt a bit guilty over the years at the lack-luster way we had celebrated his birthday. You see, his first birthday Eric wasn't home so when Eric came through town we shoved a candle in a piece of store bought cake and took a picture. I mean, every child HAS to have a first birthday picture.

The years are kinda muddy between 2-4...but I'm pretty sure it was basically a repeat. So age 5 I decided the child MUST have a party and a party he had - at the bowling ally. But of course, our little purse cannot afford parties every year so no party was planned for turning 6. In fact, I secretly hoped it would be like years past that he wouldn't even know it was his birthday so we could just celebrate it on whichever day Eric landed in town. Um, let me just say, once a child enters Kindergarten, those days are OVER! He has talked of nothing but his birthday for weeks now. I finally realized Eric had to be here so we arranged the schedule to make it so. I didn't need to worry about planning anything, Jack had it all planned for me. His birthday song must be sung with the "cha, cha, cha's" included. I must bring cupcakes to his school and eat lunch with him. And so it went. I got such a kick out of him enjoying being Prince for the day. He jumped on our bed the morning of his special day and said "Here I am, the birthday boy!" (if only he had entered the world so easily and cheerfully!).

At some point in the day he came up to me and told me he was in love with me

and that I was the most beautiful mommy! There are lovers and fighters -

Jack is a little lover ...and for the time being...he's mine~