School Days at a New School

We've got one nervous 4th grader, a very excited kindergartener, and a 2nd grader whose about to dart back home. Hope everyone survives their first day.

Meet our newest family addition

With a new house, new job, new schools, new everything, it seems fitting to get a new dog, too! Right? I've been researching dogs and scouring the Houston shelters for months. On my third visit to a shelter, this time BARC, I found HELEN. Helen was happy and friendly, and looked like her name should be Berkeley, so I took her home! The shelter thought she was 11 weeks old, and a German Shephard mix. Here she is on the ride home. I loved her brindle coloring and thought she would be great for the kids. Noe spent the first 3 days SHRIEKING in fear whenever Berkeley was near her. You can't imagine how bad I felt making Noe uncomfortable in her own home. I don't know what suddenly switched, but luckily, they are best buds now. Like seriously, best buds. I hope Berkeley is happy with her new family! Party of seven...

Silhouette Project

Several years ago I had custom silhouettes made of Ronnie, Ben and Lila. When Noe came along, I wanted to make hers different, because otherwise, she would look the same age Lila did in her silhouette, when they are actually 3 years apart! So, I finally made silhouettes of the two newest members of the family. It was much easier than I feared! I simply snapped a side view of Noe and Berkeley with my phone. Then I printed them on thick paper, and cut out around their profile. I spray painted Berkeley black, and Noe white. I picked out paper from the scrapbooking section of Michael's, taped the painted silhouette on, and popped them in a frame! Here they are along with the other guys.

Noe and Ben

This is Noe. She's two. This is Ben. Don't you love his heterochromia? Noe loves Ben. And Ben loves Noe.

Houston, we are HOME

Three years in Baltimore, four years in Berkeley. Now, we are HOME. Back to Houston! After 6 months of trying to secure our perfect house (apparently, banks want you to have jobs... in the city you are moving to), we finally closed. Thanks to the seller who stuck it out with us for 6 months! The movers have come and gone, and boxes are mostly unpacked. The kids started new camps and our swimming pool has gotten TONS of use! So stay tuned for LOTS of before and afters, lots of DIY projects, lots of spending time with family in our new HOUSE, and Happy 4th!

Loveliness

Miss Ronnie, ready for summer.

Just Sayin...

Ronnie and Ben each got their own desk when they got to first grade and started getting LOTSSSS of homework (thanks, Granny!). Here is Ben's desk. And here is Ronnie's desk. Yikes! I'm open to suggestions on how to help Ronnie.

Packing has begun...

We've got a lot of excitement coming up for our little family, and the packing has begun. We've just started and already got our obligatory baby-in-a-box photo! I'm being pretty ruthless about getting rid of junk, trash, clothes, art projects, knick-knacks. Grandma hit the nail on the head when she found this (re:Ronnie). I've had to be pretty sneaky! Sorry, Ronnie, you'll NEVER miss it. Promise.

the explOratorium

The explOratorium must be one of the world's best hands on science museums, and as of a couple months ago, it found a new, even closer home, on Pier 15. From magnetic hands to color and light to gyroscopes and many upside down Noes. From there we took a walk up to China Town for lunch and North Beach for dessert. Someone is happy! My treats... How does anyone decide where to eat here? I wouldn't say taking 4 curious kids (and 1 curious husband) to the explOratorium is the most relaxing way to spend Mother's Day, but fun was had by all.

Science in Seattle

This year's ARVO meeting was in Seattle. ARVO is one of the highlights of my year. On my own for five days. Five days full of vision science and visiting with friends, collaborators and colleagues. And the hotel and convention center were right in the middle of Seattle's sights, shopping, restaurants and bars. Just enough time between sessions for a stop by the first Starbucks. And a stop by H&M for this great leopard chiffon sleeveless top. Doesn't it look professional? Why yes, my badge does have a "committee member" ribbon. Such a great week, and now it's back to reality!

Family branch

The return of one of my favorites! I am so happy to have this customizable family branch necklace back in the shop. This necklace features a sterling silver branch with up to 5 letters stamped on the leaves. It hangs with this cute sparrow charm and a gemstone. I'm wearing mine with the 4 kids birthstones. Edwin even got a leaf on my branch :) Customize your family branch in my etsy shop today!

Bonus excursion

On the way home from Disney last weekend we met some of our cousins for lunch in LA, followed by a quick walk down the Santa Monica Pier. You may notice all my pictures from the weekend are Instagram. Can you believe on such a special weekend I forgot my camera? Well, I only had 5 people to pack for an hour before we left. Lucky I didn't forget a kid! Thank goodness for iphone cameras....

#surprisetriptodisney

We pulled it off. A surprise trip to Disneyland along with Ronnie's BFF and family. We almost made it 4 years in California without having to go. I was totally intimidated about the cost, the planning involved, the crowds, the lines. But it wasn't so bad! We spent two days in Disneyland park and did most of the attractions (some twice!), with no advance planning at all. Mickey Mouse beignets! Not only was it Ronnie, Ben, Lila and Noe's first trip to Disneyland, but it was also a first for me. MY favorites - the Peter Pan ride, Haunted Mansion and the fireworks. The kids' favorites - every last minute! Everyone had a ball and it just about went off without a hitch!