The One Where I Out Myself As a Would-Be Author

"So, I think I'm going to write a book."

Yeah, I know what you're thinking. Oooh...fiction? That great American novel you've been working on since college? The wonderful, strong protagonist, pitted against that wily antagonist. Great plot and character development. Climax. Denouement. Inky gold, right?

Wrong. Who do I look like, Louisa May Alcott?

I'm writing the other kind. The kind that will probably never get published (assuming I even finish it) and will rot on some publisher's desk until she stops using it as a coaster.

Ok, so I'm not really that negative. Otherwise, why bother?

I'm writing a book about me. And my crazy kids. And my crazy life with my kids. They say write what you know, and that's what I know best.

I've been told I'm the "Erma Bombeck of my generation." I translate that as "Your family is completely ridiculous, and you don't mind telling everyone about it." Let's just hope I don't totally embarrass myself...

Too Fat to Hula Hoop

Addison told me this weekend that I'm "too fat to hula hoop." No matter your actual dress size, a comment like this will make you stop and think for a moment. Before you burst out laughing. Hopefully. Because the other option is curling into a ball and rocking back and forth while eating a York Peppermint Patty (or 10). At least that's what I hear. Because I totally did the laughing thing.

She also told me that she believes I'm older than Batman. "You mean, like, Adam West? Or the character Batman?" Blank stare from the 3yo. "Wait. Either way this is not good." FYI, Batman was created in 1939. Making him 72 (and, for the record, Adam West will be 82 this year). Of course, I looked it up. Wouldn't you?

In completely unrelated news, I ran 8.5 miles on the treadmill already this week and made an appointment to get my hair colored.

Update

Ok, so I've been REALLY bad about updating lately. I saw the last pic of the girls and thought..."They don't even look like that anymore." So, here is an updated picture (or two...or more). And I promise to be better about keeping this updated.

Merry Christmas, Y'all!

I have been so bad about updating lately. But I had to share this one. A beautiful picture of my sweet girls taken today in front of the tree. I hope you all have a fabulous and relaxing holiday season!

Kinder!

Miss Ainsley started kindergarten today. She was so excited. We got to school a little early so we could snap some pictures and have plenty of time for her to look around. Little Sister Addison was not quite sure what was going on, but she was pretty happy to just go along with it. Ainsley's new teacher, Mrs. Ojeda has to be one of the sweetest people I've ever met. Hopefully we're going to have a great year!

Ainsley and Addison in front of Ainsley's new school.

The big kindergarten student ready for her first day!

And...once she realized Mommy and Daddy were going to leave and she was staying. I managed to compose myself until she was gone. Barely.

Kiddie Friendly Food

While at HEB today I ran across my new favorite kid-friendly food item. Now, most kids are happy to eat pasta, but when you have really fussy eaters (like my Ainsley) it's always nice to have a little help. The great thing about this pasta is it's a combination of several healthy pastas - spinach, tomato, carrot, eggplant, wheat - but they don't know they're getting good-for-you stuff. Plus, Ainsley loves the bow shape and the pretty colors. She calls it her rainbow pasta. Love it!

Haircuts!

So, I'm a terrible mom and had let the girls' hair get to ridiculous lengths...literally. Tried to get them in last weekend but there was no availability. So, made the appointment and we went today. Not much to say on this one...they just look so darn cute! We went to Alamo Cafe afterward for their favorite food - tortillas! :)


Crazy little Addison with her super-cute short cut for summer. MUCH better than trying to force a brush through all those tight curls.


Ainsley, always ready for a photo, pauses while rolling her tortilla.

Maya Angelou

One of my clients called me a few weeks ago and offered me the absolutely incredible opportunity to see Dr. Maya Angelou speak today. I jumped heartily at the chance, because even though I stink at writing poetry, I absolutely love reading it - and especially hers. If seeing Dr. Angelou isn't already on your bucket list, it should be. She was absolutely spectacular. Inspiring. Beautiful. Graceful. Amazing.


The large screen was right next to my table, so I took this shot since it was better than what I could get on my own.


Here's what I could capture with my camera phone. Not a great shot, but you gotta admit...I was pretty close!

The Happy Couple

My good friend Jame Venhaus had his first full-length play put on right here in our city, so I actually got to see his work. He asked me to help promote the show and get lots of people in to see it so the theater would look at staging more of his work. So, I invited the San Antonio Social Media Club to do a preview of it before opening night and just asked them to blog, Tweet and Facebook about the show.

What an amazing experience! The Happy Couple is the story of newlyweds who return to the home they rented while in law school. The come back to the house to find squatters living there. After an evening in the house, their lives are changed forever. I am so proud of my friend James for his amazing playwrighting ability, and I loved getting to see this show without even having to travel the distances I thought I would.

The San Antonio SMC had a great time, too. They told all their friends about it, and the show did amazingly well. Congrats, James!


A couple of the SM folks hanging out before the show.


The cute little bar they have set up in the Overtime Theater Lobby. All drinks are free with donations taken. When you factor in the incredibly reasonable ticket prices, this is a GREAT option for a night out!


The set for The Happy Couple.


Director Matthew Cassi speaking before the show starts.


The absolutely amazing cast of The Happy Couple.

An Apple A Day...

Time to take Addison for her two-year well check. Ok...so, it's really way past time to take her, but this was the first chance we could get in with her doctor. No shots for her today...just making sure she's as perfect as think she is!


Addison with her now ever-present bunny, which she received from the Easter Bunny in her basket.


Climbing on the train car/exam tables in the office. Both of the girls love coming here!

Legos

We took the girls toy shopping today and told them they could pick out whatever they wanted. Interestingly, they both migrated toward the same thing...Legos. Of course, Addy picked out the larger Duplo version for her little hands, and Ainsley was very excited to find "girl" (read, pink) Legos. Way fun.

South By

Armed Forces Entertainment does a fair amount of recruiting of new, up-and-coming bands to entertain troops, and one of those methods is music festivals like Austin's incredibly famous SXSW Music/Film/Interactive Festival. Held each year in March, it's a 10+ day assault on the senses.

We saw a ton of great bands and comedians and made contact with some of them to hopefully go on tour with us.


My first view of our Capital City in some time...that's the Capitol Building at the end of the street. I've been meaning to bring the girls up here for a tour...I really need to do that.


A great Hawaiian group playing in the tradeshow at SXSW. They had a great sound and were really fun to listen to.


Yes, it's Eric Estrada. My CHiPs memories took over my camera and wouldn't let me walk past without snapping this picture.


Vern Troyer...no idea what he's doing here.


A really bizarre street performer on 6th Street. Enough said.

Legends of Aerospace

I had a really cool opportunity, through my client Armed Forces Entertainment, to head to Chicago to see off a tour we sent to Southwest Asia. The tour, called Legends of Aerospace, included some amazing men who have done some incredible things in the field of aerospace. Astronauts and pilots, these men truly are legends, and it was an honor to spend some time with them before they headed overseas to meet some of our brave men and women in uniform.


The view of the awesome Chicago skyline from my hotel room at the Fairmont.


The "Legends" at a luncheon in their honor before they left for Southwest Asia.


Pat Quinn, Governor of Illinois, who stopped by the luncheon to thank the Legends for their service to the country.


A press conference at Chicago O'Hare Airport. From left to right: David Hartman, former Good Morning America Host; Bob Gilliland, test pilot and the first man ever to fly the SR-71 Blackbird; Gene Cernan, the last man on the moon; Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon; Captain Jim Lovell, Commander of Apollo 13 (standing at podium); and General Steve Ritchie (Ret), the last Air Force Pilot Ace.

Giddyup, y'all!

We decided to take the girls to the San Antonio Rodeo today. We thought we'd visit the animals...maybe see the petting zoo. We obviously hadn't been to the rodeo in quite some time, because there was a ton of stuff to do - even for little Addison.


Addison wasn't quite sure what she thought about the huge longhorn steer in the first area we entered. She stood WAY back and refused to get too close.


Addison not *quite* understanding the idea here of putting your whole face in the hole...


Ainsley getting in on the act...and Addison still not quite getting it. In addition, she refuses to smile.


Ainsley had a ball playing this fishing game and even won a prize by snagging a fish!


Ainsley was so excited to ride this pony right before we left. Why do I have a feeling I have a very expensive hobby in my future?

Fun With New Bikes

The girls both got new bicycles from Santa for Christmas, but the weather has been so wonky that we haven't really had a chance to get them outside to ride in the two months since the holidays were over! Yesterday was beautiful, though, so we got them out for about 45 minutes to ride around the driveway before another cold front swept in and it started raining. They had a great time!


Addison is a little timid about her bike (and her feet don't *quite* reach the pedals), but she had fun putting her elephant in the basket on the front.


Ainsley was having fun, as always, being silly on her bike and loves posing for the camera.


This picture was taken after a particularly big gust of wind came through. I literally started humming the song from The Wizard of Oz when the witch flew by Dorothy's window on the bicycle. That wind was fierce! It blew Ainsley back a few feet!

Little Addison Turns Two

Little Miss Addison celebrated her second birthday this weekend with a party at home. Mom did a TERRIBLE job of notifying people ahead of time, so it was a much smaller crowd than usual, but it was actually really nice, because Addison tends to get a little overwhelmed with large crowds. So, she, Ainsley and cousin Lorynn played, ate cake and opened presents and had a great time.

Addison looking at some of the great clothes Gram got her. My favorite is the super cute one with the monkey on the front. I have a feeling she's going to get a lot of use out of it!

Addison, Ainsley and Pawpaw eating some lunch. They LOVE their Pawpaw.

Little Addison with her favorite stuffed animal, Cookie Monster.

The three cousins - Ainsley, Addison and Lorynn.

In honor of Addison's love of Cookie Monster, here are the cupcakes we had at her party. They were adorable!!

Just two years ago...my sweet little Addison joined the family. Cannot believe she's gotten so big so fast!

Rah! Rah! Rah!

Cheerleaders in training...

Chuck E Cheese

We took the girls to Chuck E. Cheese today. I truly hate this place. It's sensory overload in the word sense of the phrase. Sounds. Lights. Smells. Ugh. But, we promised Ainsley a trip if she was good, so here we are...


Ainsley and Addison playing Skee Ball. Who knew it would be so tough putting two lefties next to each other...


Addison was obsessed with this slide. She went down it at least 50 times.



Each time Addison came down the slide, she would do this. It was hysterical.