A Weekend With Flopsy the Fox

It all began on Thursday, October 22.  Mia's class had been studying the letter "F" at school and Miss Berta, her wonderful teacher, introduced the kids to Flopsy the Fox.  Flopsy is the class "pet" (read Beanie Baby) and goes home with each child once during the school year.  Flopsy has his own bag as well as three different sleeping bags and a sweater.  Flopsy also brings a journal for the children (read mom or dad) to write in about their adventures. 

Well, as luck would have it, Mia was the first to get to bring Flopsy home.  The joy on her face when she was telling me about Flopsy and everything we HAD to do was priceless.  And so, here begins the  telling of our weekend with Flopsy.  Enjoy.

Here is Mia bubbling over with excitement about Flopsy.

We went to HEB to pick up some fixin's for dinner and Flopsy wanted some green beans.

Flopsy helping Mia spend her Buddy Buck at HEB

Mia showing Flopsy the garden (what's left of it)

Flopsy getting pushed in the baby swing

Mia and Flopsy crashed after a very busy Thursday.

Flopsy getting adjusted by Dr. Josh

Getting ready for a shopping trip to Costco

Flopsy, Mia and Daddy outside Seaworld

Flopsy and Mia watching the Halloween Shamu show

Crashed after a busy, fun night at Sea World

At Lake McQueeny waiting for the ski show to begin

Watching the ski show from the best seat in the house

Playing at the playground.  Flopsy really liked the see-saw

As you can tell, we had a busy weekend.  Flopsy opted to stay home from Trunk of Treats and Mommy didn't really get any pictures on Saturday.  I will say it was a busy weekend with lots of fun and some relaxing, too. 

We are so glad that Flopsy was able to spend the weekend with us.  Mia had fun sharing about their adventures today when they went back to school.

Her Heart Belongs to Daddy?

This morning we were eating breakfast and discussing upcoming events.  She knows that Christmas is month after next ALREADY!!  Hershel gently let her know Christmas comes at the end of December and not at the beginning.  We went through all of the birthdays, special events, etc between now and Christmas so she can keep track.  It seems to help her.

Anyway...

While we were on the subject of birthdays she said that at her next party she is going to have all girls and only ONE boy.  I pretty much accepted it and went on with the discussion.  Hershel however, was curious as to which boy was SO special to be included in her party.  I'm still thinking he was wondering which little boy is already moving in on "his turf."  So he did what all protective daddies do...he asked.

Ready for this...

She smiled her impish grin and pointed at him.  The look of relief on his face was priceless and I couldn't stop laughing.

Well, Daddy...right now her heart still belongs to you.  Let's pray it stays that way for a long time.

On another note...

Recently we have had a few nights out (thanks Kayli and Ashleigh).  Most parents know you never know what your precious child is going to do when not in our care.  Such is the case.  Examples:

At home, its ok to strip naked in the kitchen when getting ready for a bath.  NOT ok at other people's house.  Comment made:  Glad your child is comfortable enough to do that.  Hmmmm.  Gotta work on that modesty issue.

While opening up the Bible to read, Mia asked Ashleigh to turn to 2 Mark.  Comment made:  We need to teach her more Bible.  Hmmmmm.  Just now learning the books of the Bible.

Seriously, these comments were made by people we love and we know love Mia.  We have all laughed a great deal over these comments, too.  We are thankful to have such wonderful friends who will love on our daughter and give us some date time.  Who knows what she will say next time....

Insights from Mia

Ok.  So, in the last 2 days, I've had four different people tell me that I need to update the blog, so here we go.  I have to admit, I've been saving this post, trying to gather more of Mia's quirky sayings, but since we are driving down the road and the camera cable is at home, this will have to do for now.  Here goes...

While sitting at the breakfast table one day, Mia informs me:

"Mom."
"Yes, Mia."
"Mom, I like all things girly, especially pink."
Good to know.  Glad you like it, but sometimes wonder if you'll ever grow out of loving pink.  Either way, I still love you, kid.

Out of the blue one day:

"Mom, did you know Grandaddy's toilet paper is softer than ours?"

Hmmm. Again, good to know. Maybe I should find out what kind he uses.

While eating some homemade blueberry peach cobbler:
"Mom."
"Yes, Mia?"
"Mom, I didn't know you had the sense to make cobbler!" 
Nice.  Last cobbler for you, kid.  Seriously, I really think she meant that she didn't know I knew how to make it and that she really liked it.  Good interpretation, right?

While eating her Columbus ship made out of a twinkie:
"Mama!"
"Yes, Mia?"
"Mama, I gotta tell you...this twinkie is GOOD!"
Hmmmm.  4 years old and her first twinkie.  Does that make me a good mom or a bad mom?  Honestly, I just don't buy that kind of stuff.  Guess it will be a treat every now and then....

The Compton's Come to Visit

The weekend of August 15, my sister and her family came to visit.  We had a blast while they were here.  We went to Sea *orld, attended a children's coin auction that my dad puts together every year during the Alamo Coin Show and in general just had a good time visiting.  It was so good to spend some time together and catch up.  I wish we lived closer and could see each other more often.

Here are Mac and Mia watching Shamu.  Even though Mia has been several times, she is still fascinated every time we go.  Check out how sweaty they are and we had just gotten there shortly after they opened.

I think we picked the hottest day we've had in SA to go to SW.  If I remember correctly, it got up to 105 that day.  After the Shamu show, we ate lunch and headed to the water park to cool off.  No pictures taken there.  This next one is at the Sea Lion show after we had been to the water park.  Notice how much happier we look.

This was also taken at the Sea Lion show.  All of the kids were completely engrossed-even Annie.  Mia was waving to the actors/trainers.  She wants to be a dolphin trainer when she grows up, so she very carefully watches everything they do.

Jen and Annie at the dolphin show.  Annie was a real trooper and didn't nap until the stroller ride out to the car.  Love that girl!

A rare picture of the three of us together.  We had just polished off some ice cream and a slushie to help us cool off.

This is what Mac and Mia did in the mornings until everyone woke up.  Hershel and I were usually up first along with Mia.  Mac was up shortly afterwards and he would come in our bedroom and they would "curl up" and watch TV until Jen and Dave woke up.  They had so much fun watching the PBS cartoons.

Here are the kids before the coin show on Saturday.  This was the best of many pictures we took.  Love Annie's cheesy grin.  That girl loves to smile for the camera.  And check out how cool Mac looks in his new glasses.  Love them, too.  Mac and Mia got their picture in the local paper while Mia was bidding on a coin. 

Saturday after the coin show, Opie and Omie came over for burgers.  We had a good time catching up.  Here's a picture of Opie and his girls (me and Jen).

Opie and Omie with the grandkids. 

We had such a good visit and can't wait until the next time we can all get together.

Birthday Party

This year Mia's party was a princess theme.  We had a blast.  Here are some pictures from the day


Her princess castle cake.  It developed a bit of a lean and the top layer ended up coming completely off.  All we can figure is an air bubble was in the corner.  Oh well.  We changed its name from a castle to a ranch style castle.  No matter.  Mia loved it and that's what was important.

Mia outside with the balloons hanging in the trees marking the birthday party location.  She was so excited!

Addie is picking out her polish.  We polished fingers and toes as part of the "princess makeover."

Hannah getting her toes polished.

Ashley and Julia working on Julia's princess hat.  Lots of glittery stickers, ribbon and tulle.

Getting ready to play "Princess, Princess, Where's Your Slipper?"

Bethany hiding her eyes while someone "stole" her slipper.  The girls had a blast playing this game.

Blowing out the candles.

All the girls in their princess attire--dresses, hats and polished fingers and toes.  Pretty girls!  This is their silly picture.

Mia had a great time at her party and speaks of it often.  We are so glad you were able to come and share her day with us.

Birthday-Part 2

Previously I posted about Mia's 4th birthday. Here are the rest of the pictures from her big day.

As I posted, we took her to the library to get her a library card. I think it was her favorite gift. Here she is filling out the application. She had to sign her name and was concentrating to write it very neatly. Here she is turning in her application and waiting for the librarian to process it. She was so excited.

Signing her name on the back of her library card.

The library card and one very happy little girl.Picking out a video to check out with her new library card. Dad had the honor of holding the library bag which she proceeded to fill.

After swimming lessons (no pictures of those), we picked up Grandad and headed to Cold Sto*e for birthday ice cream. Mia had chocolate ice cream with gummy bears mixed in.

Mia and Daddy

Mia and Grandad

Mia and Mommy

I still can't believe my baby is 4. I am so thankful God gave her to us!

Megan's Wedding

I can't believe Megan got married. I know it happens, but still. She has been such an important part of our lives since Mia was born and we are grateful God allowed our paths to cross. Megan has the distinction of being Mia's first babysitter. We will miss her greatly, but wish her and Seth the best in their future together.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the wedding...before and after.

Mia with her hair ready to be curled for the wedding. It's full of gel and hairspray so the curls will stay. Love that silly face.
I love this picture of Megan and LaDonna. Their faces both show the true joy they had on this day. LaDonna did not shed a tear because she was so happy for her daughter. Ahhhh, love.

This is another one of my favorites. As a bride, there is the anticipation of "who is out there." Here Megan and her maid of honor, Rachel, are taking a peek.

Sweet flower girls-Megan's youngest sister, Cassidy and Mia.

My sweet girl. She was so excited to wear such a pretty dress.

Megan and Mia

"Look at my shoes, Megan!"

"See my shoes, Mia." I love Megan's spirit. Only she would have thought to have blue shoes. Love it!

A captured moment between the bride and groom. I love the look on her face. It's kinda like, "Oh, so you think so, do you!"

The wedding party

Love this one, too.

Mommy and Mia

Having some fun with Daddy

Watermelon! My favorite!

Leaving for the honeymoon! I loved her going away dress. This picture does not do it justice!

We will miss you, but know we will see you when you visit your folks. Thanks for being such a great example to my precious daughter. She thinks the world of you!