Back to School Teacher Gift

Lane started first grade on Monday and I wanted to give his teacher a special treat for the first day!  I found this cute, but simple idea on pinterest.  I just bought a six pack of old fashioned cokes and attached this adorable tag I found on http://www.thediaryofdaveswife.com.  Because I know a teacher never wants to cook after enduring the first day of school, I also included a gift card for dinner.

If you have multiple teachers, buy a six pack,divide it up, and attach the tag to an individual bottle.  This is what I am planning on doing for Jenna's Mother's Day Out teachers next week.  If your child has already had his/her first day, this would be so cute to do for teacher appreciation week too!  

I promise, your child's teacher will love it and will feel special that you thought of them!

Visits with Family and Friends- Part Two

In July, Kyle took us back to Houston.  The kids and I stayed at my parents for two weeks while he flew back to Midland to work.  This time we were able to visit even more people, eat at some of our favorite restaurants (that we really miss), and take advantage of all the activites that a big city has to offer.

Here are Lane and Jenna all ready to go to the circus!  My parents bought tickets for us to all go!

We got to the circus early to see the pre-show and take pictures with some of the circus crew.  Jenna was scared of the clown but not of the "pretty lady".

Showing off their souvenires with Nana and Papa!

 Luke with Janice (our friend who lives in Saudi Arabia)!

We also got to visit with some of our old neighbors from Pearland. It was so good to see

these sweet faces again! 

Cathy holding Luke (3 months) and Janice holding Grant (almost 10 months)

I was lucky enough to squeeze in a couple of girl's night out's with friends too!  Of course, I forgot my camera for these and several other places we went.  These trips back to Houston are always jam packed but they are precious memories.  Since we don't see our family and friends near as often as we used too, I have learned to really relish the time we do get with them! 

Visits with Family and Friends- Part One

We have lived in Midland a year now.  In many ways it seems like we have been here forever but many times I still feel like a newbie around here.  After going to Houston for Christmas, I wasn't able to travel due to my pregnancy.  So when Luke was two months old and June arrived, I was more than ready to travel home for a visit.  I was also anxious to meet my two new nieces and introduce Luke to many friends and family for the first time!

Visiting one of my sweet friends and her precious, twin girls!

We had a fun visit with cousins Elizabeth and Laurel!



Jenna giving her baby cousin some kisses!  She loves baby Madelynn!

Baby cousins!  Luke was two months and Madelynn was about two weeks here!

Family picture!  My Mom and Dad with me and my brother, sister in law, and our babies.  (Not sure where Kyle and Lane were)

We also had a "belated" family birthday party for Lane at The Rainforest Cafe' in Galveston. 

Summer Fun!

Although this West Texas heat is scorching; I have been trying to get the kids outside to play more.  I made that one of my goals this Summer!  A few weeks ago we made sidewalk chalk paint.  The kids had a blast making it.  They loved mixing colors to make new colors!

It's so easy to make!  All you need is some water, corn starch, and food coloring.

A muffin pan works perfect to hold lots of colors!

Here they are anxiously awaiting to start!

They painted a few pictures on the sidewalk but ended up having more fun painting their own hands, feet, and painting ants!  Gotta love kids.  You never know what they will do!  After about thirty minutes of painting they were covered with paint from head to toe!  Good news is....it's all washable!