Visiting Alice and Joe

Over Labor Day Weekend we flew to Gulfport, Mississippi to visit Alice, Joe, Grayden, and Audrey. We landed near a town called Ocean Springs, MS, which we visited for lunch. It was having a really great festival that day, so we walked around and looked at all the artsy things for sale, the kids got their faces painted, and enjoyed snow cones and clowns. It was a really cute place and a great introduction to Alice and Joe's new surroundings. After, we headed to the Children's Museum so Sofia and Grayden could burn off a little steam. They both had the best time, especially at the train table. Sofia ended up spending nearly her entire time playing with trains.

We left when the museum closed and headed to Alice and Joe's home, which is so comfortable and cozy. Grayden opened his belated-birthday present from Sofia - a parking garage (Sofia got the same one for her birthday and loves it). Then the kids "helped" Joe make his outstanding pizza. They had a fun time punching down the dough and adding their own toppings. Of course, the pizza was amazing! It was a great first day!

On Saturday we headed to New Orleans and visited the zoo (like everyone else - it was packed). The New Orleans Zoo is one of the most beautiful and largest I've ever visited. It was fun exploring the zoo and we watched the elephant exhibit, rode the merry-go-around, had lunch, road the train and enjoyed all the animals we saw. On the drive through New Orleans and on to Alice and Joe's house, I think we nearly all fell asleep! The kids were out immediately!

The adorable town of Ocean Springs, MS


Grayden and his dinosaur


Sofia gets painted


Ribbit!


Sofia gets a balloon animal (it was either a dog or a lion, I'm not sure)


Enjoying a snow cone. We added condensed milk to our orange flavor, which was surprisingly good!


The only picture I have from the Children's Museum - Sofia playing with trains, of course!


Making pizzas! YUM!


Just out of the oven!


Two very happy kids! YUM!


The entrance of the New Orleans Zoo


On the dinosaur with Grayden


Merry-Go-Around with Papa - Sofia is on a frog, of course.


Looking at the leopard together.


Three tired and hot zoo goers.

Visiting Alice and Joe

On our final day, we woke up for a relaxing breakfast outside (we enjoyed several meals outside and had great weather during our visit). Sofia and Grayden played with Grayden's train set, as usual. Grayden would normally play with his new car garage while Sofia played with his train set - so they were both happy. After breakfast, we headed to a nearby park that included a kiddy water area. Sofia and Grayden had a great time and Sofia ran around and enjoyed every minute! After playing on the park playground for awhile, we headed out for lunch. We found this great little hole off the road that had fantastic fried fish, shrimp, clams, etc (we are in the South after all). It was outstanding and a real find! With very full bellies, we took a few group pictures before heading to the Baron and taking off for Dallas. Sofia and I slept most of the way home, so it was a very quick trip!

It was such a great weekend and we had a very fun time seeing our friends. We can't wait to see them all again!

Breakfast outside - the start of a great day!


My homemade cinnamon raisin bread, which we used to make french toast.


Sofia and Grayden playing together. Sofia spent every minute at his house playing with that train set. We ended up buying her one when we got home.


Reading together.


Sofia and Audrey. Sofia loved holding Audrey, or "petting" her as she'd say when she would stroke Audrey's hair. She has really loved babies since we saw Jillian.


Playing at the water park


Happy Girl!


The group in front of the bayou.


The happy family.

Sofia's first day of school!!

Sofia's first day of school was yesterday and I'm still torn at the idea of sending off our little baby to 'school' even if it's twice a week from 9am to 2pm! However, I am getting used to the idea of having a few hours to myself.....

Yesterday, Sofia woke up at her regular 7:30am time, despite the very late arrival home the night before from Atlanta. She was in a great mood and she kept agreeing that she was ready for school when I'd ask, but I'm not convinced she had any idea what that really meant. We ate breakfast, got dressed and actually made it out the door on time (even after taking pictures). The school is about a 10 minute drive away and ironically we were the first ones to arrive to her class! We're never on time anywhere and certainly never ever early! Her teachers each gave her a hug and helped her feel very welcome, which was very reassuring. Once she found a seat at the table, she started playing with linking blocks that were set out. I watched from the side window with another mom as the class of eight got settled in and played with the blocks. Sofia was having fun and seemed happy. I stayed for about a half an hour and left as they were lining up to wash hands and have a snack. It was very hard to leave her there, but great to watch her interact with other kids and the teachers.

When I picked her up she was happy to see me and gave me a huge hug! As we walked toward our car I kept asking her how her day was and what she did and about all I got was that she was told to sit indian style instead of having her legs stick straight out.... I then tried to coax out her day by telling her about my day. I told her about the errands I ran and then asked what she did. She said "Well, I went to CVS and picked up a few things, then Papa's jacket was broken so I took that in. Yep, that's about it." So, still no word on what exactly she did but when we ask if she had fun she always says "yes"!

On the previous Friday we visited the school's open house so Sofia could meet her teachers and see her classroom.


The usual morning chocolate milk


Our little girl is growing up.....


Her airplane backpack


Heading down the walkway


I love this picture, although it's bittersweet....


Little Spanish Schoolhouse gal


Walking down the hall to her class "Argentina"


Saying "Beunos Dias" to her teacher


Finding her name tag so she can hang her backpack and lunch bag


As I left her - playing.

Meeting her cousin Jillian

Sofia newest cousin who was born on August 11th and we flew to Atlanta on Friday the 13th to meet little Jillian and congratulate Sofia's Aunt Cynthia and Uncle Jay. Grandpa and Grandma were there as well, so it was a fun time to share the little lady's first weekend together.

Love at first sight! Sofia immediately wanted to hug and kiss the baby.


Proud Uncle


Sofia holds baby Jillian. She was so careful and loving to her, which was very adorable.


Happy grandparents


Sofia and her Grandma


Holding Jillian before we head back to Texas.

The Ft Worth Children's Museum

On Thursday August 12th, Sofia and I went to the Ft. Worth Children's Museum with my friend Jen and her son 21/2 year old Jonah, and 1-year old, Eden. It was a first visit for all of us and I can't believe we haven't made it there before - it was fantastic! Each area had something fun for kids and the layout was perfect for having a museum full of kids and parents, yet not feeling crowded. It was another blistering hot day, so it felt great to be inside in the air conditioning while the kids ran around and played. feel of not being very crowded. We first visited the Innovation Studios, where Sofia built a flying object out of a paper plate and tested it out in the wind tunnel. Then we went into the Dinolab and learned about dinosaurs, and finally we made it into the Children's Museum where a small children's play nursery was set up as well as a fabulous train section. Sofia made a beeline for the trains, and never looked back!

Watching her paper plate craft fly


With Jonah at the entrance


The alligator entrance of the Children's Museum


Trains! Sofia was in heaven! She loved crawling under the table and getting into the openings to continue playing


Showing Eden Green Beup Beup. Eden was in love with Green and she reminded me of when Sofia first fell in love with her buddy. Sofia was surprisingly acceptable of Eden's attention to Green Beup Beup.


Cooling off! I couldn't resist Sofia's pleas to run into the fountain and she had a very fun time - I just wish I could have joined her. It was SO hot outside. After we reached the car, she fell fast asleep and slept for over an hour.

Sofia's 3 Year Old Pictures

On Monday August 9th, Sofia and I headed to Sear's for her annual pictures. The photographer was the same woman from last year and remembered Sofia. She was shocked at how much she'd grown up and how much hair she had compared to a year ago. Sofia did a great job hamming it up, although when the photographer told her to say "Ice cream" (to smile), Sofia corrected her and said, "No, I say 'Cheese.'" She worked well for awhile, but then Sofia started to become a bit uncooperative, and would do basically exactly the opposite of what we asked of her. The photographer even said "I remember last year and how good she was for a two year old. I guess now she's three...." and that was all that really had to be said. She did get a few really adorable pictures of Sofia, though and we're looking forward to picking up the pictures!

Sofia and her buddy, Green Beup-Beup