San Antonio Trip

We were fortunate to spend six days in San Antonio last week. Could have easily stayed twice as long, but it was a good trip nonetheless. We got into town Tuesday night and dropped Jacob off at a friend's house. We didn't see him again until Friday morning!

Wednesday was spent with friends at Terra Bella pool. Ethan was cursed with his mother's skin and we are both peeling a week after our wicked sunburns. Yes, we re-applied, but we were also there for six hours!

Thursday, I had breakfast and a pedicure with Jennifer, my jewelry-making friend. Sarah and I visited our old neighbors for a play date that afternoon.

We also stopped by KDO - the best preschool in the universe - and saw a couple old friends!

Friday morning, Jacab got returned to us and we headed off to see Eva and her family. Eva has watched our kids for years and loves them as her own.

Jacob ended up spending the night there while the rest of us trotted off to Bigz Burgers where I didn't take many pics.

Saturday, we had breakfast with more old neighbors, the Chappells. Then we headed to the southeast side of town for an early dinner at Big Lou's, famous for the giant pizza!

The highlight of the highlight reel is this pic of our friends' son Carter who is nine months old. The pizza slice is longer than Carter is!

Breakfast with more friends Sunday morning and we were back home that afternoon. It went by so fast, but was great for everyone's mental health! 

New Pictures

Several months ago, I bought a Groupon to a portrait studio in town because I've moved away from my photographer bestie and my children refuse to smile for me all at the same time. So I left it to the professionals but kept my expectations low.  But then we met Rachel, who was crazy enough to make them laugh - all at the same time - AND capture it on film. She is a rock star!

American Girl with Julie

Our old neighbors from San Antonio, who now live in Germany, came to visit this weekend. One of the exciting adventures was a girls' day at the American Girl store.

Julie and Sarah with the Girl of the Year, Saige. Bonus: Saige's movie happened to be on TV that night!

Julie's doll went to the spa for a new hairstyle.

Eating lunch at the Bistro.

Such a fun day! While the moms and girls were here, Mark took the boys to Main Event for bowling and games. No pics though!

Basketball Camp

Jacob and Ethan participated in a basketball camp with their friend Cameron. There were only about 15 kids in the camp all week so they got a lot of personalized attention and the coaches were terrific!

Ethan won Most Improved!

Boy Scout Camp: Hale

Jacob went to Boy Scout Camp Hale in Talihina, Oklahoma this year. A dozen dads and 44 boys! I've been scanning the posted pictures from camp, looking for ones of Jacob and found these two:

He earned merit badges for Graphic Art, Archery, Rifle Shooting and First Aid.

He came home with the brand new bar of soap still in the box. I sent him straight to the shower. Then I helped him clean his fingernails. While looking closely at his forearms, I noticed some brown flecks and wiped his arm with one of my facial cloths. It turned dark brown! Appears he didn't use enough soap at home either! After the second, more supervised, shower, he was huggable again.

Lucas Gets His Cast Off!

It was an exciting day for Lucas ... he got his cast off! His ulna has healed nicely and while he still has activity restrictions for another month, he should make a complete recovery. 

First step: cutting the cast (almost like scoring it with a circular blade that doesn't cut deep)

Second: Prying it wider...with a tool that does the opposite of pliers.

Third: Snipping the under layers of gauze with scissors.

Fourth: ITCH! SCRATCH! Then get told by the doctor NOT to scratch it.

He did not want to keep it. Phew!

Good as new!

Committed

While we haven't committed to a paint color, we have committed to paint. This one color will ideally span two floors and most of the common areas. So we better like it. A lot.

I've been to the big box stores, Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore. I've Googled and Pinterested the perfect gray, but the perfect gray for US is proving elusive. I was hoping for a cool gray, but they tend to veer too blue. Mark thinks gray is cold and impersonal. I think it's refreshing and crisp. Also, the moldings throughout the house are slightly off white which makes them look dingy next to a cool color. So maybe a "greige"? We painted the guest room Wheat Bread and it's more brown than gray, but it's not blue, so it may be the winner. Or not.

I'm rather indecisive if you couldn't tell.

Cub Scout Camp (Friday)

Friday's camp salute was to Teachers, and also the military, as the boys made up what they missed due to rain on Wednesday. They built flower boxes and filled them with dirt and seeds.

I don't even want to know what this is.

There was an Egg Drop Contest. The boys were supposed to put an egg inside a container they built or padded and hope their egg survived the drop from the tall ladder. We had a few boys with successful drops, but mine did not want to participate. Fine by me - at this point, I was glad it was the last day of camp!

They practiced pitching a tent and knot tying.

There was also an obstacle course and a free-for-all water fight.

Ethan and his Bear friends.

Overall it was a GREAT week. The boys had a blast. It was super hot and dusty and buggy, but we made it and I think we all learned something!