School's Out! Let's Go To The Zoo!

School was out on Wednesday and we just had a two day window to do something fun with everybody until summer school starts the next Monday.

Lindsay had to work Thursday and Friday, so Heather and I took the kids to the zoo!  Beautiful day for this outing.  I think they played on the playground as much as we walked around looking at animals.  Ava loved playing these drums......future drummer, perhaps?

New baby giraffe 

We always love riding the train.............

Mema and grandkid selfies................

Always a great time with this bunch!! Love them so much.......


Mema

School Year Comes to An End!

End of the year activities continue with Cael's preschool graduation and Gavin's band concert.
Cael and his class marched in, then sang a couple of cute songs, got their certificate and posed for pictures with the cap and gown and Willard Tiger.

Congratulations, Cael on your graduation into Kindergarten!  I sure will miss picking you up everyday and hearing of your adventures in preschool.

I sure did enjoy going to Gavin's band concert.  He is learning to play the trumpet and has been in band this year.  Willard's Band Director, Mr. Church, is retiring after this year but is leaving a wonderful legacy in the Willard band program. 

These pictures are so blurry, but Gavin is on the back row between the kid in the orange shirt and the kid in the blue shirt.  It was great to hear what they have been learning this year to prepare them for the Willard Cutting Edge!

Proud Mema

Ava Hope Wallace is 3 years old!!

Ava chose to have a "Frozen" birthday party because she just loves Elsa and Anna.  Ever since the movie came out she has been singing the songs....and not just singing the songs but she puts all the motions with them very dramatically.  It's the cutest thing!

So...her party was at her house with all the grandmas and grandpas, aunts and uncles, and cousins.  

We were treated to "Hans" sandwiches, Olaf's noses (carrots), and many other goodies.  
Then Ava got to blow out her THREE candles!

Time for presents, everybody!!!

Ava, I can't believe you are three years old already!  You are so cute, funny, and smart and I have so much fun with you! Happy Birthday and  I love you, sweet Ava!

Mema

Back to Houston

It's May and it's another birthday month....actually every month except January and September are birthday months for somebody in our family.

But this month it is Lucas, Micah and Ava.  Gary and I always travel to Houston in May to spend a little time with the boys for their birthdays (and everyone else).  And for the last couple of years we have gone on Mother's Day weekend.  It happens to be right between Lucas's birthday on the 3rd and Micah's on the 20th, so it's a good time to go.  Plus it lets Wendy and I spend Mother's Day together. 

We drove down on Friday, the 9th and after enduring an enormous amount of traffic when we got to Houston (6:00 drive time and holiday weekend) plus a huge downpour of rain, we arrived around 6:30.  Doug already had burgers and hot dogs grilled and we sat down with them for a delicious dinner.

Saturday morning we got up and went to Ruthie's two soccer games and Micah's one soccer game.  It was the last games of the season, so they handed out trophies and provided hot dogs, chips, and water bottles and had an ice cream truck there for all the players.

Ruthie taking a break between games

Micah getting his trophy.  By the way, he made the winning goal of the game!

Ruthie getting her trophy....and her hot dog!

When we got home, me and the kids went for a swim.   The water felt pretty good and it was nice to catch up on my water exercises.

Sunday we enjoyed worshiping with them at Houston's First Baptist Church.   Yummy lunch provided for us by Colonel Sanders.

Wendy, the girls and I went to see "Mom's Night Out" while Gary, Doug and the boys went to see Captain America.  We absolutely loved our movie!!  I would see it again in a minute.  It was so funny!

We got these pictures after church before everyone had a chance to change out of their "church clothes".

On Monday, Wendy taught her zumba class at noon, so I went with her and walked on the track.  Afterwards, we went to SmallCakes and got our annual Mother's Day cupcakes.

We're so happy, happy, happy!

Don't they look delicious!

How about these selfies??

Mema and Ruth

Mema and Bailey

Mema and Lucas

Mema and Micah

Lucas had another ball game Monday night.  It was sprinkling the whole time, but they played anyway.  He didn't see much action in the field....shortstop and center field, but he got a good line drive to center field and drove in 2 runs.  They won 14-6.

Tuesday was Wendy's and my day to shop.  First things first....our pedicures.  These were part of our Mother's Day gifts.

Then....on to the Mall.  First a stop at Toys 'R Us, then Target....then Willowbrook Mall.  Some looking...some buying.  All of it fun!  I just love spending time with my sweet, beautiful daughter, especially celebrating Mother's Day.

Well, it was a little harder to leave this time.  They won't be coming to see us this summer so it will be October probably when we see them next.  I miss them so much.

Love to all,

Mom/Mema