I'll do my best...

Roonie,

I just want you to know now, during your 3rd year of life, that I am not in agreement of the car of choice your father wants to give you for your 16th birthday.  (By the way, you will need to EARN your car - not just a gift... but we will discuss that later.)  Anyways,... once you earn it, I am fighting for you to NOT get this car.

That's right.  A Volvo Station wagon.  Your dad has had this picked out for you since you were probably in utero.  And apparently it will be enhanced with a turbo engine and some other absurdities.  His main argument is the safety of this vehicle and trouble you may avoid from having a beater like this... Yet,.. he wants to add Turbo?  Safe, WHAT?!  And, hello, party vehicle - holds a ton of people.  (Plus you will be 16 first in your grade since your bday is in October... which means you will be the go-to driver.)

So, we differ on the logic of this choice but we shall see.  I am fighting for a Toyota 4Runner or something that doesn't totally rebuff coolness... or put you in the same category as Meth mega dealer - "Gus."

He did just find another "Bad Mamma Jamma" for you - this one has a turbo LX engine or something like that: 

I don't know... At least it is not a station wagon. 

Maybe you will like these vehicles.  From the conversations that took place today when you and Daddy were looking at my truck, you might be content with a turbo charged Volvo.

Then, if so, awesome!  It all works out.  But, in case you don't like it - I can understand where you are coming from.  I have 13 years to work on it...

And the choice for Lines: 

A Mazda Miata.

The picture above is one your Daddy found and envisions for you... I guess yours will be turbo charged too and you will learn to spin out?  Anyways,... Now, I actually approve of this choice.  Dad's reasoning is that there is NOT a lot of room for people (a.k.a. naughty boys). 

I guess we will see if Roons ends up with a Turbo brick and Lines - the sassy little sports car.

 

TBD...

Mommy and Daddy Weekend!

This past weekend Ben and I enjoyed watching the Aggies at the last home game of the season... Also, probably the last game Johnny Heisman will play as an Aggie before going pro at home. And, the last game that will be played in the original Kyle field! It was such a blast! 

Gigi and Pops took care of the precious ones so we could have a fun weekend of adultness.  :)

Ring Around the Rosy...

Baby, It's Cold Outside.

It's cold in South Texas - 40 degrees!  BURR...

Lately with the Lines

Lines,

You are so much fun to be with...  I have loved having  mommy/daughter time these days. 
Your precious vivacious smile lights up the room and melts hearts.  Your attention to detail and focus on each activity is so purposeful.  You love dressing up and wearing jewels, hats, headbands (karate kid style), shoes, boots - you have your own fashion sense and wear it with confidence. 

We went to your very first friend birthday party at the Kiddie Park last week.  You have been to plenty of birthday parties, but this was your first one to attend for your friend - not Luke's or Mommy's or Daddy's.  You were so cute in your Fiesta dress from Aunt Sarah and your Guatemalan headband - which was your addition.  You finished the outfit with your pink leopard Minnetonka moccasins from DAHT.  What style! 

 

 

 Such a fun party.  You had a blast!  Today you played for an extra long time at the gym playground because mommy is on a big workout kick.  When I picked you up from the kids area, you repeatedly asked for "ice."  "Ice" sounded yummy to me too so we went to our favorite ice cream spot - TCBY.  It was COLD outside but we still enjoyed delish frozen yogurt!

 Then we came home and made playdough.  (Mommy's first time to make it - pretty easy actually...)

Great times with my precious hija!

Luke turns 3 with a Robot INVASION!

This post is belated but so exciting for me to post... my precious Roons turned 3 on October 7th, and we celebrated in BIG ROBOT fashion!  (Thanks Cousin Elizabeth for taking great pics.)

Roonie -

Your Dad and I spent days creating, gluing, painting and accessorizing robots.  I saved boxes, toilet paper rolls, metal cans and collected goods from Goodwill for a couple of months in anticipation for this party. 

As the nights got later (and the paint fumes got thicker), we enjoyed naming our robots.  The three above in the pic on the right:  Stanley, Doyle and Patrick. 

The party was on a Sunday afternoon at 3pm - and it rained all weekend.  At 1pm, we decided we better prepare for a party mainly indoors so Ben scurried to clean up the garage and the rest of us situated the house for 50-60 people indoors (20 of those little people under the age of 3)!  Thankfully it turned out fabulous!

The food table complete with megabytes (Cheetos balls), nuts and bolts (pretzels, cheerios and m&ms), motherboards (watermelons slices) and sensors (yogurt raisins).  We also had pizza but that came later. 

 Slim Jim (8 foot tall and Dad's favorite creation) greeted people at the door.

 Cora (short for Corazon) helped bring loving vibes to the room!

 Penelope - a bit grumpy but well-meaning.

 Doyle

 Patrick and Rosa

 I forgot his name...

This was our main robot crew!  We had lots of activities for the kids.  First we had tables of crafting décor including pipe cleaners, eyes, puff balls, sticker shapes, etc... for decorating paper bags cut out for DIY robot costumes.

 Luke and Mei making their robots.

 Caroline checking out the scene in her robot skirt.

 Busy on his task...

 DAHT lending a helping hand.

 Caroline designing her own robot too.

 Rain, rain go away!  But so happy our friends still made it! 

 Pops holding little Lena.

 More robot costume designs.

Time for some playing in the rain (with kitty).

 DAHT and Caroline enjoying the rain.

 Meanwhile, Molly and her sister and busy making their robots!

 Playing in the rain.

 Time for some Robot Says.

 Popsbot2000 (Pops) makes his debut for some Robot Says (Simon Says). 

 Our littlest friends were not sure what to think at first...  Popsbot could be dangerous. 

 Soon - with some cool dance moves, high 5's and the birthday boy's approval, all was okay.

 Sissy and DAHT checking out Popsbot.

 High 5 Maya!

 Ben and Josie - High 5!

 Robot bean bag toss... Became more like a tunnel and hiding place.

 Cecilia prefers coloring her robot mug.

 Gigi and Luke coloring their robot mug.

 Charlotte and Caroline making their robots.

 PIZZA!

 After all the roboting, everyone is famished!

 Time for some more playing in the rain.

Our robot piñata is waiting in the garage...

 But, first, the CAKE!  (Mint chocolate chip ice cream and chocolate cake - Luke's favorite... and mommy's.  :)  When it comes to taste, Roonie and mommy have similar palates. (Our quick family pic!  Notice the robots on everyone... Mommy even has a robot scarf and earrings.)

 Happy Birthday!

 Super excited for his Happy Birthday song!

 Pinata time!

 Sissy's turn...

 After everyone had a try, Daddy just took care of business.

 CANDY!!

 Let's put on our robot costumes!

 Very creative with lots of eyes Roons!

Lots of goodies from friends!

We had such a great time throwing this party for our most precious 3 year old son.  It was a special memory and I cannot believe it has been 3 years! 

Here's to a great year being 3!