July 2012

I can't believe there is only a week left in July! This month has flown by faster than others. We had Drew and Michelle Jordan and their kiddos come visit, we all got sick, both cars broke down, Mario went to Houston for a few days for work, and of course the regular work, school, etc. It has been busy!
I'll start with Drew and Michelle's visit. They drove down Saturday and we went to check out Central Market. I've been told by multiple people to go, that its a must do. But when you look into it, its a grocery store. So I had my doubts. It was pretty cool though. It is a grocery store, like whole foods, with a panera-like cafe that opens onto an outdoor stage and patio. They have live music and it backs up to a park with a playscape and open area. We enjoyed the music and the kids loved the playscape. Aaron became the king of the playground with all these kids following him around. Little Mario tried to keep up, but he's just not ready for 3-5 year olds! He was almost waking at the time, so he just walked around and around the play equipment.
On Saturday we went to Barton Springs, Zilker park, and a Nature Park. The Nature park had all kinds of animals that were rescued or taken from people who got them as pets without realizing that wild animals don't make good pets. They also had a dino dig area where the kids could dig out dino bones from sand. Apparently when developing downtown Austin they found a couple of mammoths and prehistoric animals. The had a whole display with pictures on what they found and when. It was really neat. We hit up Chuy's, a really good mexican restaurant. Then we ventured to Barton Springs. This is a natural spring, creek that they turned into a swimming pool. The bottom is all natural, with moss and stones, etc. The water is 68 degrees year round. Of course the kids loved it, even Lil M. Mario and I, not being big swimmers, etc were ready after getting in. :) The kids were swimming and shaking with blue lips, but not ready to go. Everyone was pretty wiped after that so we headed back to our place for naps etc. Then we went to a local taco place. It was very good and unique.
We had a great time and look forward to them coming to visit again!

 Watching the kids dance at Central Market

 Mario and Aaron looking at turtles

 Walking through the Nature Center

 The Jordan's

 The Pereira's

 At Chuy's

 Digging for dino bones

Swimming at Barton Creek

July 4th

So this is a little late, but better late than never. We had a pretty low key fourth this year. Mario had to work and little Man was not in the best mood so we didn't venture out until after 7pm. We drove over to Round Rock to watch their city fireworks. The line to get into the park was over a mile long, so we decided to drive by the park instead and if it was packed we would just go home. When we made it to the park entrance there was 2 lanes to turn into the park, but the huge line was only funneling into one of them, so we buzzed into the second line and went right in. We had our pick of spots and only had to wait 45 minutes for the show. Little Mario loved the fireworks! He watched them quietly, lost interest every once in a while. But when you pointed them out, he watched again. It was a fun time and nice to get outside. Little Mario and I explored a little. He found a rock and was content to just sit on it and talk. He would stand up and walk around it, but always kept a hand on it and would sit right back down on it. He wasn't quite walking in open space a lot then, but he ventured out on his own by crawling on his hands and feet. I think it was a successful Fourth of July.

 Hanging out before the show

 Chilling with Dad

 "Crawling"

 Walking

"Dad, the fireworks are over there."

First Week in school

So we have finished our first week in school full time. I don't know why, but going full time was a harder transition than starting part time. I think it is because I knew he would be home the next day with one of us. But now, he is going all week. I really like the school he is in and they have good records for having kids prepared for kindergarden. I have learned that I am a mom that needs coddled. I need you come talk to me when I pick him  up, I need to hear how he did and what he did, not just a check mark on a form, and I don't feel that I get that here. I think it is because part of me still sees him as my sick little boy, but here none knows the sick baby. He has been healthy and has minimal limitations, so they don't see him the same way. He will probably be thirty, married with kids and I will still see him as needing special care. Look out future daughter in law! :) But aside from my needs, they meet his very well. Though things are different in Texas. They can have up to 16 kids to 2 adults. So he doesn't get the one on one he was getting in Kansas. We also moved up an age group here, so before he would have been in a 5 to 1 ratio. I feel that is a big difference, but they try to keep it closer to 10 to 2. He is sleeping though the whole nap time on a mat (!) and eating lunch like crazy, often multiple helpings.

Last week was kinda crazy. I started work and everyone got sick. Just yucky GI stuff, but first lil M, then Mario and then me. Of course my first week I couldn't stay home and wasn't really sick enough to worry about getting others sick, but I still felt bad and couldn't eat much. Luckily Lil M was ok enough by Monday to make it through school. I am hoping this week we can get into more of a routine, but with July 4 on Wednesday I don't think that is going to happen.

I will post more pictures after the 4th! Have a safe and happy holiday!

Studying with Dad

Lounging on the couch, Love that BELLY!