Weekend Hopes

It seems the Gods are conspiring against us. This weekend we planned to float the Guadalupe...my own kind of paradise.

Earlier this week a few of our friends had to drop out, but we hung on to our hopes.

Today it's raining-40% chance of more this weekend.

I'm clutching my kite string and holding on. I have a certain obsession for TOOBING. Nothing is more relaxing than grabbing a beer and a floatie and drifting...well, I guess there might be something, but I'm not quite sure what that is.

Cross your fingers-my sanity for the school year rests on this.

Water Works

Friday we finally made it to a Water Park! I had it on my list all summer as an official "fun thing to do.". Todd even took a rare golden day off to join us.


I'm not sure what I was thinking that I could handle this kind of field trip solo though. I tend to do that-not think things through. Madison and Tanner immediately ran off to the waterslides, and I couldn't get Grady slathered down fast enough before he headed to the "kiddie area". Three kids is a lot.











I was glad for the reinforcements. Lifeguards too.
Normally, I'm spazzing trying to take a constant headcount of the Hoodlums, so when they scattered, it sent me into a bit of a fainting spell. I forget they can swim-and then there's those lifeguards I mentioned earlier. I'm actually getting to the point where the kids are self sufficient. IT'S SO WEIRD! We had a great time though-we went to Denton Water Works. It was the perfect size-baby area, some slides, and a lazy river...I think I'm still a few years out from places like Hurricane Harbor....gives me the shivers just thinking about how far they will scatter. But then-I bet we don't end the day like this....

One time....at Band Camp....

This weekend I went to dinner with my "Coppell Crew" as I affectionately call them. We were plunged into working together going on ten years ago...I remember being so terrified to begin that first year teaching, and relieved that I was opening a new school-that EVERYONE was a newbie-not just me. I thought maybe noone would notice how green and shy I really was. They did.

A few took me under their wing; I still have a "growth plan" in my scrapbook from "Bulldog Teague". They succeeded in pulling me out of my shell and then subsequently conning me into sponsoring cheerleading and a host of other things. It's ok-I know I have a wingman when I need one. :) Working together was a Gift; we are now scattered throughout Texas-no longer a few steps down the hall, but our bond might just be more than the Coppell Way.

Ten years is a long time in my world-I joked once that "we wouldn't even know eachother when I turned 30". That was before digital cameras.

I turn 33 next month, and these are all digital pictures.

This weekend was no different-other than taking 3 months to get a date on the calendar! We told some old stories, and learned a few new ones. Hugs and kisses were passed around the table. Throughout the night, I watched as each one of us commented on the nature of our group. We love a good bar; we each have our favorite College team; we each tolerate the other's favorite College team; we teach; we have a certain affection for the American Pie Era; we love telling stories; we crave laughter; we respect and learn from eachother.

We are kindred spirits. After 10 years, our smiles are just as big.

A Baby in a Bar

So last week after our playgroup adventured to the Dallas Museum of Science, I met my friends Sona and Kevin for lunch. I'm never that direction..."big city" and all, so I wanted to make the most of the trip. I advised her that it needed to be "kid friendly", and preferably quick since we would be gambling with naptime.

I met her at the Angry Dog, which, I admit, was loud and there were no cloth napkins. Bonus points there. However, I was met at the door with two Suits on their way back to the office, and when I scanned the restaurant, I realized everyone else was hurriedly eating that power lunch before heading on back to the high rise they affectionately call work. The Hoodlums and I shuffled our way to a table in the back and I ordered a round of Sprites. I didn't ask for a highchair. It was a lovely meal overall; I don't remember any significant chaos, other than a random pepper shaker flying. I'm pretty sure Kevin caught it.

After the lunch crowd thinned, I let the Hoodlums wander inches from the table while we chatted. It was then that I realized what an amazing mother I truly am. Grady sat on the floor under the table to get his toy, and I freaked:

"Get up from that floor! It's dirty! This place is just like The Chicken!"

For those that don't know, The Chicken is another bar I've frequented on many occasions; there is a page dedicated to it in each of the children's baby books. So there you go...babies in bars. Guess I should write a parenting book now.

Oh the Insanity

This is my dining room table at the moment. I'm trying to go through and organize pictures/school crap from last year before this year begins! I'm usually pretty good about keeping up with this stuff-but this year got the best of me. I just began to pile soccer pictures on top of cheerleading pictures on top of painted hands and other precious preschool paraphernalia. What do I do with everything? Scrapbooking used to be my answer, but there is no way to scrapbook all this stuff! Besides, (sigh) scrapbooking has given way to laundry and life these days...and yes-I HAVE thrown some things away-I don't save everything...but now looking back on the first time Madison wrote her name...I just can't get rid of that! I made a dent in the mountain of memories this afternoon, and hope to see wood on my table before week's end. In the meantime, every time I walk by I bang my head against the wall in search of a solution.

Happy National Underwear Day!

I had no idea. On a sidenote-I can't stand Kathie Lee...I know...I'm the only one, right??

The Moments in Between

Today I came home.



It was a whirlwind weekend to say the least, and I am so grateful for the time with my family. A shared hug or smile brought us together and gave us the push to inch forward.


One of those nudges was going ahead with the Irish Festival. We usually visit Ohio this weekend every year we can. We always attend the Dublin Irish Festival with all the extended family. I guess you could say it's our version of a family reunion.
There is a "wee folk area", beer, an Irish Stepdancer or two, Irish dogs, beer, vendors, beer, pubs, Irish Folk music, and stout beer. In other words, fun for all ages and those who like beer. Sometimes I like beer.

Once, when I was the DD (pregnant of course!), I had to give my dad lessons in ordering from Taco Bell-interesting when we got back to my Uncle's house with enough tacos for the entire family on the "west side" (Ohio speak for those who live 10 minutes from those on the "east side"). There are always tshirts purchased for the "wee ones"...shirts with clever, yet suitable sayings like "Patrick was a Saint...I ain't", and "I drink me milk by the pint."...I always browse the beaded jewel sections, and most people become Notre Dame fans for the day-those people that aren't arguing the subtle differences in defensive football strategies of Ohio State vs. The University of Texas. I usually duck out for a refill at that point. Aggies know when to reload!

This year was a little more subdued, but my Grandpa did manage a laugh here and there. He told a few stories, and commented on what a good turnout the festival had this year. He ate a
hot dog and although his beer of choice, Shlitz, was not served, he did have a few of those "other crappy beers" like Killian's. Go Figure.

We made plans for future trips to Ireland, and relished in some fun family history. We asked about the few that couldn't make it and hoped to see them soon. We cooed over all the babies at the festival, and agreed with Grandpa that "they grow up too fast." Mostly we allowed that push forward, and our past became part of our present.

Except this time we stopped for chicken mcnuggets instead of tacos.