Doob-In

It's officially summer here; school's out, kids are wild, traffic has doubled, and the pools are open every day. There are three pools in our neighborhood, so on any given evening, we get to decide which one sounds like the most fun. Today we chose the "Bucket Pool," so named by us because it has a large bucket which dumps water all over everyone every 4 minutes or so. It also has water slides, pressurized water guns, a tire swing, and just about anything else you can imagine.

The kids love the tire swing. They beg Neal to swing them as high as he can, until the lifeguard blows the whistle and says, "too high!"

Parker flashing signs at me before we got in the water.

Just some helpful info: Warning: LONG

This is a very long post, beware.

As the summer approaches, we and our peeps down here in the Gulf Coast are getting ready for another exciting hurricane season. It officially begins June 1 and ends sometime in November, so we have lots of time for something to happen. And though I am usually a very optimistic person, hurricanes are another story. I am afraid of them. I hated leaving our house last summer, leaving our life, not knowing if we would return to anything. I keep trying to reassure myself, noting that we're not THAT close to the coast, when, in fact, we really are quite close.

Last summer, Neal and many others here helped in the recovery process and Neal keeps telling me that many towns located further inland than ours were quite decimated by the storms. I'll never forget when we returned home last September from our gracious hosts' home in Dallas to completely empty grocery stores and gas stations. We had enough, thankfully (after we threw out the entire contents of our fridge and freezer; the power had been out for about 15 hours), but I went to the stores just to see what they were like. It was incredible; the only things left were things like frosting, and, well, that's not really gonna get you anywhere when your kids are hungry. There was not a beverage to be found, no canned goods whatsoever, and no snacks of any sort. There was no gas for at least 4 days, and it took about that long for the stores to be restocked.

So, alas, we're gearing up for it. Here are a few of our preparations and some things we learned last year that we thought we'd share with you! Though you may not live in a hurricane zone, there are plenty of other things we ought to be prepared for, and this is serious stuff.

• You should have a plan at all times, just in case. Notify relatives or friends that they are on your list of evacuation spots or people to contact. It's a good idea to let all of your family members know who your contact will be, so they can call them for updates.
• Know what you will bring with you. Make a list of all the things you think you can't live without and put them in one closet, if possible. That way, if you have to pack up, you know where everything is.* You'll be surprised how little you actually leave with. Our car wasn't anywhere near full. Don't think about it too much, or you'll just end up with a bunch of stuff that doesn't really matter.**
  
• Have another list of things you need to do before you leave: take down precious artwork, cover furniture, move items away from windows, etc.
• Have a list of important phone numbers, not just family members, but utility companies, insurance companies, doctors, neighbors, etc. Bring this list with you.
  

(Making these lists would comprise a very satisfying FHE, btw.)

Since we evacuated by car, there were several things we were very glad we had with us (in the car):

1. A portable potty seat, mostly for the kiddos, but, unfortunately, it was used by me, too. Yep, in the car. You don't want to be using po-dunk gas station bathrooms in the middle of the night. Plus, the lines just for those restrooms were hours long.
2. A pretty good knowledge of the area a few hours in circumference of your hometown, or at least a very good and detailed map. Those little backroads we used were our best friends.
3. A stash of food and drinks you can bring in the car. You should just have a box of it ready to go in your pantry.
4. Gas in your tank. I filled up the day before we left, not even knowing if we were leaving or not.
5. Cash and credit cards. Some gas stations only took one or the other.
6. Cell phones and our entire personal phone book. We called upon people near and far to help us. People far away can access the internet to make hotel or plane reservations.
7. All of your important documents (deed to house, proof of insurance, both homeowners, life, medical and auto, birth certificates, licenses, just about everything; we just keep ours in a portable file box with a handle). Make them easy to grab and keep them ALL in one place.
   

Things you should do before you leave your house, if you must evacuate:

1. Fill bathtubs with water, then cover them with blankets, cardboard or plywood. Often when you return, you may not have running water. You'll want something you can dip into to flush toilets, wash dishes, etc.
2. Fill any other available receptacle with water. Fill all your pitchers, vases, empty milk cartons, etc.
3. Turn off the gas supply to your house.
4. Put all loose outdoor furniture or playthings in your garage. You don't want your stuff ruining yours or someone else's house, in case of high winds.
5. Place precious items you don't bring with you in a closet with no windows and no outside walls.
6. If you're worried about flooding, place as many household items and furniture as possible on tables or on your second floor.
7. Set your house's alarm, most will run on batteries after power has gone out, and people love to loot!
8. Leave a key to your house with a neighbor you trust who may be staying home. If anything happens to your house (fire, break-in), they can access your property.
   

If you're staying home, make sure to have lots and lots of:

• drinking water (way more than you think is necessary) It is recommended to have 18.5 gallons per person (2 week supply) You can purchase 5 gallon bottles of water at any grocery store, I've seen empty ones at Target and Home Depot
  
• toilet paper (the stores won't have any)
  
• laundry detergent (ditto)
  
• BATTERIES (ditto)
  
• FOOD that you'll actually eat, not just canned dried onions and wheat to grind
• other drinks besides water (sports drinks, crystal light powder, juice boxes, etc.)
• things to keep your kids busy, since there may not be any electricity
• extra medications, first aid supplies
• diapers, feminine hygiene products
  

My policy is to never let myself come close to running out of these things. None of these things could be found in the whole southern part of our state for several days.

* We brought our computer, our kids' baby books, important photo albums, journals, small family heirlooms, clothes for about a week, a few favorite toys, and that's about it.

** I spoke to people who brought all their Christmas ornaments, all their favorite shoes, old prom dresses (teenagers), etc. Come on, when all you really need is your family, your shoes don't matter, trust me.

***Neal says, if you're staying home, you'll need to protect your stuff from people who didn't prepare. Keep a weapon, or at least a baseball bat, and be ready to use it.

****There are lots of websites out there with other useful information:
Here's one.
Here's another.

Fellow Texans (or anyone else), any other thoughts?

My Little Baghead

The other day at the library, we got this book called Baghead about a little boy who cut his hair by himself and so decided to wear a paper bag on his head for a few days.

It's a very silly book, and my kids loved it. So much in fact, that Parker insisted on becoming Baghead today, too.

The Rules

So for FHE last night, we decided it was high time we laid down some concrete rules in our house. I mean, we have rules, of course, but writing them down and putting them on the fridge makes them a lot more scary. Audrey and Parker helped come up with these, which will be obvious by the time you get to the bottom of the list.

1. Don't talk back.
2. No hitting or pushing.
3. Always say you're sorry.
4. Don't talk when grown-ups are talking.
5. No climbing on counters or furniture.
6. Don't answer the door.
7. Don't go out front alone.
8. If you make a mess, you clean it up.
9. Don't chew with your mouth open.
10. Don't throw anything except balls and guys.
11. Don't eat your boogers.
12. Eat your food.
13. Don't hang on doorknobs.
14. No digging in the flowerbeds.

A few of those were Parker's, with a little help, but our favorite of his, which, for now, we didn't feel was necessary to post, was "No smoking." Smart boy.

Daddy Jeff

Today is Neal's dad's birthday and I just wanted to pay a little tribute to him. He is an incredible man, a perfect example of sacrifice for his family, devotion to our church, and good, old-fashioned hard work. He was raised in East Texas and has become a successful cattle rancher, and still just can't quite bring himself to retire and take it easy. We love you Daddy Jeff! Thank you for all you have done for us over the years. You've made our life so much easier by helping us through, and we're so grateful for your love for us. And there's nothing like having a real cowboy for a grandpa.

Obviously, Parker thinks the cowboy lifestyle is extremely cool. During our last visit to Oklahoma, Parker found every pair of Daddy Jeff's boots and wore them around the house.

Audrey was busy with her girl cousins on this trip, so Parker and his Daddy Jeff were real pals. Here they are out behind the house.

Daddy Jeff even saddled up his pony, Dandy, for the kids to ride. What a dream! Click here to see a movie of our trip to Oklahoma last fall.

Audrey Mae

Have you ever heard this poem?

"There was a little girl,
Who had a little curl,
Right in the middle of her forehead.
When she was good,
She was very good indeed,
But when she was bad she was horrid."

--Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

According to Longfellow's second son Ernest, "It was while walking up and down with his second daughter, then a baby in his arms, that my father composed and sang to her the well-known lines . . . " We've been convinced, however, since about 5 years ago, that Longfellow was thinking of our dear little Audrey when those words popped into his brain.

You see, she has a curl that spontaneously forms in the middle of her forehead after the bath, if her locks remain uncombed. People often ask if she has a personality to match her hair. To put it bluntly, yes, she does. Since the day this girl was born, she has had her own little agenda, and we're not sure whether we fit into it as parents or loyal subjects, but her little self definitely needs some, how shall I say, "place-putting." (You know, getting put in your place?) It's not that she's ever really horrid, but just ask Parker, sometimes, in her bossiest moments, she definitely walks the "horrid" line.

Actually, our kids are great, we get compliments all the time on how well-behaved they are. So I don't mean to make Audrey look like a pill; she is a terrific big sister, a best friend to Parker, and a sweet, cuddly, skinny little thing. We love her to pieces, and that is why only we can say, this poem was written for her.

Oh me

I've lost my mailbox key. I am really pathetic and getting the mail every day is something I look forward to. I mean, catalogs, the occasional magazine or a letter for Audrey from Mabel or Ethan . . . sometimes there's even a small check . . . we need our key . . . sigh. I think I left it at the library yesterday, but alas, it is closed and they won't pick up the phone. Am I crazy or do you love to get the mail, too?

Beach Bums

On Wednesday, Neal had a surprise day off, so we decided to head for the beach. It was a beautiful day, mid-80s, and nobody there but a couple of dogs and several way-too-tan people. I still can't get used to the fact that the water here is about 80 degrees, and that you can just sit in it without shivering. The Pacific that I'm used to back in the OC is so frigid that it's hard to have fun in the water, unless you own a wetsuit. Audrey had a blast just splashing around and letting the waves knock her down. Parker got a cut on his toe climbing on rocks and so decided to just camp out on his beach chair the rest of the day. Poor kid, he just wasn't that into it. Oh, and the other weird thing about the beaches here, people just drive their cars right on the sand to where they're sitting; see that car behind the kids? Texans don't believe in driving rules, or parking lots, apparently.

Chillin' on beach chairs

Audrey in the "waves" (They're pretty weak, which is good for us.)

Climbing on the rocks with Daddy, looking for wildlife.

The blue crab which Neal was really tempted to take home and cook (bleh).

Parker, after his toe injury

All in all, it was a lovely day at the beach, and it's already too hot to go back, until next Spring.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game . . .

While my Mom was here this week, we were lucky enough to go to an Astros game. Even though the Astros lost miserably, we still had a great time. The peanuts, hot dogs and fellow fans were just right, and the weather was even better. It's unusual for the weather to be nice enough for the roof to be open on the stadium, but we got lucky and enjoyed every minute. The "Juice Box" (Minute Maid Park), as it has come to be known, has a very creative little interactive kid area called Squeeze Play, and during the game, Parker took 3 trips down there. They have a little batting cage where you can hit water drops that shoot up from the plate, and a pitching practice area, so you can get your fast ball just right. We had so much fun, here are a few shots from our night! Check out Parker's blog for a few more.

Mom and the kids outside the Park.

Audrey having fun

Watching the Giants' batting practice

The city skyline from our seats

Rally caps, sort of

I'm a Mom

Last night, Neal and I went to a party for a friend of his. I always get kind of nervous going to social functions because I'm worried I'll just blab on and on about my kids and people will think, "how sad, she has nothing else to say." But no one did, in fact they were all quite impressed that we have 2 1/2 kids and are still so young. There were lots of single people there, and we were talking on the way home about how strange it would be to live alone. Sometimes, I'm sure we all feel, that it would be amazing to be surrounded by quiet and to look at every mess and know that only you could have created it. But in the quiet moments when my little ones are sleeping on me so peacefully, I can't imagine them all grown up and not there anymore. I told Parker today that I don't really want him to grow up. He of course asked why and I told him that sometimes big kids don't hug their mommies enough. I made him promise that he would stay his huggy little self, even when he's big, and he agreed that he would.

It's such a blessing to be a mom, I'm so lucky I get to stay home and be with Audrey and Parker all day, and I'm sure one day, I'll look back and be glad I appreciated the early years of motherhood, even if I only do it on Mother's Day. Thanks for all your beautiful blog entries today, fellow bloggers. What wonderful lives we all lead, whether we have kids or not. We are all loved beyond our capability to understand, and that is the most comforting thing of all.

The Graduate

Audrey had Preschool Commencement today. It was quite an occasion. (Sunny, too, as you can tell by her face above.) She marched in with her class and very seriously took her place on the stand. When it was her turn to receive her certificate, her teacher, to whom Audrey is completely devoted, announced her name. She said, "Audrey wants to be a cowgirl when she grows up and her favorite part of school this year was reading books," followed by a big hug.

All the kids were announced in the same way, some wanted to be cowboys, some doctors, some mommies, some firemen.

We gave Audrey a bunch of tulips and had a yummy BBQ with friends when we came home. To top it all off, we got a cake for her, and late this afternoon, she said, "Mommy, this is my best day ever." Check out her blog in a couple of days, and we'll see if we can get a video posted. I've hit my limit for the week by uploading two other videos to her blog.

Congratulations Audrey! We love you!

Little Leaguer

We've been working on Parker's batting stance. Just in case they call him out of the stands to pinch-hit in the Astros game next week. What do you think? Lookin' good, right? Watch out Andrew and Ethan! He's giving you a run for your money!!

Comp'ny for the weekend

I hope you all had a great weekend, we had loads of fun! Neal's brother, Jeff, his wife, Patience, and Jeff's kids, Jackson and Caroline, flew down from Dallas for a quick visit with us and with Georgia, Neal's sister, who was also in town for the weekend. It was fun to have new visitors in the house, and the kids absolutely loved having big cousins to play with. We started the weekend with a Cinco de Mayo trip to our favorite Mexican eatery, Lupe Tortilla; it was only a 2-hour wait! Luckily, they have a playground and a killer Mariachi band, so the kids were very manageable. They were completely caked with sand by dinner time, but it was worth it to see Jackson get his feet and half of his legs buried in the sand (see below).

After dinner, Jackson broke out his dance moves, and soon the other kids joined in, completely wearing themselves, and us, out.

Parker found a sombrero on the wall. Our little gringo.

The next day, amidst heavy thunderstorms, the kids chilled in the house.
Jackson introduced Parker to the wonderful world of SportsCenter.

Caroline and Audrey read piles of books.

The boys (and Audrey) did some snake handling.

Parker found his way into Uncle Jeff's heart (and wallet) and came out of it with a Superman costume, found on ebay.

After the sun came out, we headed to the pool for its grand opening of the season, and ended it all with a yummy trip to Benihana. It was a fun weekend, we miss our houseguests already. Thanks for coming to see us! Who's next?

New Skirt

I felt quite accomplished yesterday, when, in a matter of about 45 minutes, I was able to make Audrey a skirt! My friend Natalie came down for the day and inspired me to get out the ol' sewing machine and put something together with all the gobs of fabric I have. One of my favorite things to do is head over to the fabric store and just get a couple yards of something pretty, even if I have nothing in mind to make. I usually picture it as a cute skirt, and in this case, I had just enough for a little size 5 number. Audrey loved it so much, she decided to wear it to school today.

For an eloquent recap of our exciting day of sewing and more, check out Natalie's blog here.

Parker had his three-year check-up today and came through with flying colors. He's able to do all the landmark things and more, thankfully, like standing on one foot and counting to three. What a kid; when he got his Hep A shot, he calmly watched the nurse stick it in his leg and quietly muttered "ow." That was it! My little perfectly-on-the-50th-percentile-mark Parker, in his bravest moment.

Horsey Visits

It's been a while since we went to see our horsey friends, Hunter and Maggie. Today we paid them a visit, bearing carrots, and they were quite happy to see us. I was pretty sure that Hunter remembered Audrey by her scent, it was cute to see her with him again. Audrey can't wait for next spring when she can take riding lessons again. She just lives for horses, that girl!

Parker and I treating Maggie to a carrot.

Audrey and Hunter, remembering the good times.

In other news, my belly has officially "popped out." It's now quite obvious to all that I am pregnant. I've even taken to parking in the "Expectant Mother Parking" spot at the grocery store. Now, why aren't there more of those? I will try to post a new profile shot later this week, if I can find something cute to wear.