Grame's Easter Treats For Laura

Thank you Mom for making Laura's classroom and dance class treats for Easter!! They were a hit with her dance class and she's taking the others to her classmates tomorrow. Luckily my mother has a creative side, because I sure don't!

Busy, Busy, Busy... Now Relax.... AHHHH

The last few weeks have been so busy and I've not had a chance to blog. Oh, how I've missed it!

Let's start with 4 weeks ago... we started the Saturday (10/17) out at a fall festival with Lisa and Wyatt. Wyatt and Laura had a great time playing in the pumpkin patch and picking out their pumpkins. Laura and I had to leave a little early this year so that she could go to her friend, Crystal's Birthday Party. The party started at 4:00, but lasted into the night. They all had such a good time together and had a hard time when it was time for the parents to disburse.

That next week Laura and I stayed pretty busy preparing for her Birthday Party, which was 10/24. Her theme this year was Hello Kitty, so we had to get all of the supplies; cake, balloons, napkins, plates, goodie bags, etc. ready for Saturday. She wasn't too thrilled with the planning part of it, all she wanted was the actual party itself. I was very surprised at the kind of party Laura asked for this year. Tim and I take her to this place near our house and it has bowling, laser tag and gaming machines. Well, that's what she wanted to do this year. As girly as she is, I was surprised she wanted to have it there. But, I have to say all the kids seemed to enjoy it. Because Laura's Birthday was actually during the week, we decided to go ahead and give her the big gift before the big day.Now Tim and I both thought we would get a much bigger reaction than we did. Tim showed up with Laura's new puppy, Lilly, that she had been asking for all year and her response to Lilly was just "Hello". Are you kidding me? We thought there would be jumping and screaming and all we got was "hello"? Oh well, I guess you never can tell how they're going to react, can you? Laura and Lilly were able to spend a little bit of time together and then it was off to her party.They all seemed to have a really good time, and the boys really enjoyed the laser tag . I think that was the highlight for all of them.

My Parents always come in for Laura's Birthday, so the week they are here I try and find fun things for them to do. One of the Keener traditions is going to Dewberry Farms so Laura can pick out another pumpkin from the pumpkin patch. So, we headed there for our Sunday afternoon. This year, now that Tim's Dad and Stepmother live in Katy, we ended up having a larger crowd - me, Tim, Laura, Grame, Pops, MawMaw and PawPaw. Now that Laura is older we decided to do the Corn Maze this year. That was a lot of fun and will be a new tradition at Dewberry from now own!

The next week seemed to be a little hectic. Laura's dance instructor gave them all permission to wear their costumes to the Tuesday class but before Laura could wear hers, Grame had to do some alterations. Luckily Grame came through and had her outfit all ready for her when we got there Tuesday afternoon. The rest of the week we were all getting ready for Halloween and Tim and I actually got a few date nights in. What fun! It's nice to be able to get out and have adult nights from time to time. One of our date nights was a movie night. We saw the Michael Jackson movie, "This Is It". It was really good!! We both enjoyed it. The movie seemed to be a little long, but all in all it was nicely done. It's hard to imagine putting together a movie about MJ's final dance/dress rehearsal, but they did and did it well!

Saturday rolled around, which happened to be Halloween (10/31). I had gotten tickets for me, Laura and Grame to see the musical, Mary Poppins.Laura thoroughly enjoyed it. It was fun to watch her expressions during the show. At times you'd see her little hands go up in the air when Mary was singing in a higher octave and when the orchestra played, it was like she was the conductor. Too funny!

After the musical, we had to hurry home to get dressed up for Trick-Or-Treating. Laura ended up being a Hollywood Starlet. This was the first time we've ever let Laura wear "dress-up" make-up. I have to say, she looked so pretty. Looking at her all glammed up, made me think about 10 years from now, when she's getting ready for her prom. Oh, time is just flying by so quickly. Lilly also got dolled up for the festivities. She went as a Princess Pup. Too cute!! By the time we got both Laura and Lilly home, they were pooped from the day.





Sunday, Mom and Dad had to head back to North Carolina. That day always seems to be a hard day for everyone. We all get a little sad that we wont be seeing each other for a few months. So, I had planned earlier in the week for Laura and Wyatt to get together and go to the park for the afternoon. I think that seemed to help a little bit, but even when we left the park the tears came because Grame and Pops would not be there when she got home. Now that she's older, it seems to affect her more.

Now, fast forward to the next weekend (11/6). For Tim's Birthday (in September), I surprised him by flying his best friend from childhood, Chad along with his wife, Joanna down for a weekend in November. This would be that weekend. They got in around 6:30, just in time for dinner. We all went to Pappadeaux's and it was wonderful. This was one of the first restaurants I visited after moving to TX and have loved it ever since. After dinner we headed back to the house to get ready for an adult night out. Laura was having a sleepover with MawMaw and PawPaw. We ended up taking Chad and Joanna to see a local band that Tim and I really like, Lounge 4407. We had such a great time. The band was, as always, fabulous! Tim really enjoyed catching up with Chad and it was so nice to hang out with his wife. They were both so nice and great to hang out with.

Now after a month of being busy and on the go and what seemed to be nonstop, we finally had a calm, relaxing weekend. This past one was one of the first in quite some time that we didn't have anything planned. I got so much done around my house. Don't get me wrong, I still have a ton to do (my piles never seem to go away). But, we had a great time. Last night we ended up having movie night so Tim and Laura made homemade pizza's. Earlier in the day, Laura asked if she could open up a concession stand and sell popcorn and candy at the movie. So, she and I had gotten some things for her to "sell" at her concession stand. She had such a great time doing that. She charged me a little more than I would have liked to have paid for a candy bar, but to her it was so much fun.

Ah, I think I've rambled on long enough. Hope everyone is doing well. Just think, in a few more days it will be Turkey Day. YUM YUM!!

They grow so fast!

Laura's School asked that all the kids wear their favorite college t-shirt today (or the one they would like to attend) and she has already decided she wants to go to Texas A&M to pursue her degree in Veterinary Medicine. A few weeks ago when they told her about the college t-shirt day, she came home and asked us what the best Vet schools were. Luckily one of the top 5 showed up in Texas, Texas A&M as well as our home state of North Carolina, NC State University. I have to keep in mind that Laura is only 5 years and 11 months and things may change down the road, but I don't think I was really talking about what I wanted to do at that age. Heck, I'm still trying to figure it out!

Tim and I have been so proud of Laura this year. Even though Laura had gone through a Private Kindergarten class, she could not start 1st Grade in the public school system because of her age. We new she was ready, but she had to prove that to her new teachers. Well, after testing the first 3 weeks of the school year, Laura was promoted into 1st Grade. Her teacher as well as the testing teacher and Principal were so pleased with what all Laura knew. They said she was already cable of reading, writing and had math skills of that of a 2nd grader. I can not tell you how big our smiles got when they said that. We knew she seemed very smart for her age, but until you have someone else who verifies it, it doesn't sink in. Tim and I both hope and pray that she'll continue down this path and like school as much as she does now.


Laura is not only into school, but she also loves to dance. Around the time the school year started, we joined a new dance studio. The one Laura used to attend was through her daycare and they came to her once a week. She seems to really enjoy her new class and loves her teacher, Ms. Erika. In fact this past week, Laura was chosen to go in the front of the class with the teacher as a helper. She seemed to do a really good job and had fun doing it, as you'll see in the picture below.

Birthday Weekend

This past weekend, Tim and I celebrated our Birthdays in Dallas, TX with our little one, Laura. For Tim's Christmas present, I had bought tickets for the NHRA Race. Tim has been wanting to go since we got here, so I thought it would be something fun for all of us to do. Unfortunately, I think Laura was too little to enjoy being at the races. She did not get in to it at all. At the beginning, she was ok as you can see in the picture above, but the mood quickly changed once the Top Fuel cars started to race. Even though Laura wore protective head phones on her ears, it was too much for her. Every time the cars would start their burnout, Laura would just cry. I ended up getting her down from the stands and she and I walked around to all of the vendors and to some of the little "shops". We ended up getting her another stuffed animal, like she doesn't have enough, and that seemed to work for a while. Then it got so hot and once again the tears started because all she wanted to do was leave. Needless to say, we weren't there for the whole day but Tim did get to see some of his favorite cars.

We also got to see Ashley Force Hood, as well as her dad, 14-time NHRA Funny Car National Champion, John Force. That was the highlight of my trip. If you don't know them for drag racing, you may know them from their reality show "Driving Force". It's one we never missed an episode of.













After leaving the track, we ended up having a relaxing afternoon and headed home Sunday after having lunch with one of Tim's old bosses, Sam and his wife Fran. If you're ever in Dallas, you must go to Babe's Chicken. We go every time we're there and it's well worth it.

Overall, we had a good time and if nothing else... next time we know Laura will not be happy at the drag strip.

Happy Anniversary Honey (09-09-09)

It's amazing to think we married 9 years ago today. Yes, it was Tim's brilliant plan to get married on the 9th month on the 9th day in the year 2000. That way he would always remember our Anniversary. Well, today is an even more significant year. It's the 9th month, the 9th day in the year 2009 and we've been married 9 years. I've had a great 9 years years and look forward to many more of them.

We've had our ups and downs and neither one of us has been perfect, but we've hung in there.... together. We've remained side by side and I'm so glad we did. I'm married to my best friend, to the one that's there to listen to my trials and tribulations, to make me smile when I need it most. Many of you don't know this, but Tim does everything for our family. I mean that when I say it. Everything! He doesn't hold the same belief that most husbands do, that a woman's job is to cook, clean and take care of the children. He's better than that, he does it all. Yes, he cooks, he cleans, he does the laundry, he does the grocery shopping and the best thing I know that he does, he looks after Laura and I. I'm so appreciative of everything he does. I don't say it enough but I'm so appreciative. Here's to another 9 years... I look forward to them all! Love you Babe!

Laura's First Day Of School

Yesterday was my little ones first day of school! The night before, she was so excited. She wanted to get her clothes ready for the whole week and get her backpack in order with things she thought she may need. She also wanted to get her hair curled, so I put her hair up in curlers to sleep in.

We met the teacher last week at "Meet The Teacher" night and Laura really liked her even from the first introduction. Each of the students were given "fairy dust" to sprinkle on their pillows the night before school, so they would get good rest and have wonderful dreams about their first day of school. So, before it was time to lay her little head down, she took the "fairy dust" and sprinkled it over her pillow. When I went to get her up yesterday morning, she was already wide awake. She said she got her rest, but was so anxious to get up and get ready that she woke up early. Don't you just remember those days?

Tim and I took her to school and she was grinning ear to ear. I don't think she had any fear about this new adventure. You see Laura had already finished Kindergarten, but it was at a much smaller private school. I knew she was used to being dropped off in the morning, but I was expecting her to get a little nervous about it all but she wasn't. When we got into the classroom, she said hello to her new teacher, placed her snack in the "snack bin" and took her seat. She was a little bashful when we went to give her a hug, but once we told her to have a great 1st day and that we couldn't wait to hear all about it that night, she turned to us and "bye, bye... I love you" and Tim and I left. Surprisingly, neither one of us shed a tear. We did really well! I think had she been upset, it would have been a little different, but she was a real trooper.


I did good all day long, until it was time for her to catch her bus to the daycare. This would be Laura's 1st time ever catching the bus. I mean, she would go on field trips through her other school, but this was different. She had to find her bus, and then know when to get off the bus. I was a little frazzled. I asked Tim to head to her daycare and see how she was when she got off the bus, but Daddy had another idea in mind. He decided to follow the bus from school until she made her stop. Anyone who knows Laura knows she's a Daddy's Girl.... I wonder why? Tim saw her get up from her seat and wave at the daycare director who was waiting there for her. She got off the bus all smiles. I felt so much better.

I couldn't wait to get home to hear all about her day. As soon as I walked in, the discussion began about how much fun she had. She really liked her teacher, and she even met a few new friends. She talked about going to lunch and how she didn't really like the food. She asked if she could take her lunch the next day, but said she would try from time to time what the cafeteria had. They got to go out yesterday afternoon for recess and Laura told me all about how much bigger the equipment was and that there were so many more swings than at her old school. She went on to tell us about her bus ride home and how the bus went right by her house, which she thought was really cool. The only thing Ms. Priss didn't like was that the school bus didn't have seat belts. She didn't think that was very safe. Luckily, Laura doesn't have that far of a ride from school to daycare and that eased her mind.

All in all, she had a wonderful day. I took her again this morning and she went right in, kissed me goodbye and turned to do her morning routine. It's amazing how quickly they grow up and how soon they gain their independence. I'm so proud of her and what she has learned at such a small age. I can't wait to see her progress this year. It seems we're off to a great start.

Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus

So, I took Laura to the Circus this weekend with my friend Stephanie and her sister, Tammy. Times must be hard even for Ringling Brothers because it was not as impressive this year as it was when I took Laura a few years ago. For most of the show we watched crazy antics from all of the clowns. The elephants and tigers were not out there very long, nor were the horses. I also don't remember ever seeing dogs at the circus. Maybe I'm just forgetting, but I really don't remember them. Well, they had a few dogs come out and do some tricks but other than that, it was somewhat uneventful. Laura enjoyed it though so I guess that's all that really mattered. I on the other hand found it to be quite disappointing. Maybe next year will be better.

Paris Jackson Look Alike

It's amazing how much these two look alike.

On the left, Paris Jackson. On the right, my daughter, Laura.

Weekends

Weekends seem to go by so fast, don't they? It's hard to come back to work when you have such a wonderful time with your family. Friday, Laura and I left for the beach and had such a wonderful time together. We didn't do anything special, just hung out by the pool, dinner at Rainforest Cafe and then spent Saturday by the pool and on the beach.It's nice to know that you don't really have to do anything in particular but hang out with someone and at the end of the day say you had a wonderful time. We had a blast, just the girls, playing in the pool and building sand castles. Only 5 more days until the weekend comes again - can't wait!

Mommy & Laura's trip to Galveston

Fabulous Weekend

I had one of the best weekends I've had in quite a long time. My SUV did not make it out of the garage and my body did not physically leave our yard. It was so nice! Saturday morning I got up and did the normal spring/summer, weed picking, out in the yard "stuff". Then Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday, Laura and I spent time outside soaking up the sun and hanging out on the back porch. Tim got all of things he needed to do done on Saturday so he was able to take some much needed time to rest yesterday. Tim is not one for just sitting outside all day, or sitting inside all day for that matter, but he would come and visit Laura and I from time to time. It was wonderful to spend time outside, without the TV, catching up with them both. During the week it's hard to find time to spend quality time with them. By the time we get home, go through the mail, cook dinner, take our evening walk/run, pick up from the night before and get baths, it's time for bed and/or time to veg out in front of the TV. So, it was nice to just RELAX this past weekend. Hopefully we can enjoy more of those in the near future.

Congratulations Laura!

My little one graduated from Kindergarten this past weekend. Way to go Laura, Mommy & Daddy are so proud of you!

I'll upload pictures once I have them developed.

Laura's Dance Recital

Laura had her dance recital this past weekend and she was so pretty. I was so proud to see how much she's learned. This is her 3rd year of dance, and I hope she'll want to continue on next year. But if not, that's OK too. We'll find some kind of extracurricular activity to do. Great Job Laura!

Laura riding her new bike.

My little one got a bike this past weekend. She's learning to ride it and hopefully we'll get to take the training wheels off soon.

The Polar Express

We took Laura on The Polar Express train ride in Palestine this weekend. The ride is as close to the movie as you can get. When you get to the station, and are standing in line the conductor yells out "ALL ABOARD". We get on the train, take our seats and enjoy our cookies and Hot Chocolate on the way to the North Pole. Once arriving at the North Pole, we saw where Santa lived with all the elves. The Conductor asked us all for our tickets and proceeded to stamp a "B" in each of them. Then we thought it was time to head back to the station, when guess who arrived? Santa!!! Santa came on board and handed out bells from the reindeer to each of the children. Laura's eyes were lit up the entire time. All of the children were dressed up in their PJ's, slippers and robes. It was one of the most magical moments I can remember. Anyone who has a chance to do it, please do. It's well worth it. During the ride, the cooks are all dancing and singing in the aisles. They also read the book before arriving at the North Pole. It was truly amazing.

Laura's trip to see Santa

We were able to see Santa this afternoon. Laura was really excited to give him her list this year. She's gotten a lot better than when she was a little thing, when she used to ball when she even saw Santa.

Halloween

This is the first year that Laura has really gotten in to Trick-Or-Treating. She had such a good time and surprisingly she did not get too scared when we came upon a freaky house.

How was your Halloween? What did you or your children go as this year?

Here's my little goblin.

Laura's High School Musical Birthday Party

Here's my little princess at her High School Musical Birthday Party this past weekend.

This weekend

This weekend is going to be extremely busy. My parents come in town tonight, just in time for Laura's High School Musical Birthday Bash tomorrow. Laura is very excited. We worked last night on her goddie boxes for all of her friends that will be there tomorrow. I know she will have a blast and I know my Mom and Dad will enjoy her too. This is the first week they have been down that Laura is actually in school so it will be very difficult next week getting Laura to understand that she has to get up and go to school all day. Actually, I don't know if it will be harder for Laura or for my parents. They love spending all the time they can with her.

Well, I hope everyone has a great weekend. By the way, what are your plans?

Pumpkin Patch

Laura and her friend Wyatt went to a Pumpkin Patch over the weekend. They seemed to have a really good time. Laura got her eyes done while we were there, as you can tell from the pictures her eyes are all sparkly pink.