a hat of my own

For those of you who requested a picture of dead Richard Hatch (the fish, not the survivor) I'm sorry but his body has been disposed of. I hope this will stand as a suitable replacement picture.

This is my cat "Rosie". He's actually Madeline's cat but for some reason he snuggles in the crook of Conrad's or my knees every night to sleep. Something's wrong if he's not there. This is the cat that Conrad inadvertently stepped on (with all his weight) and I nursed back to health. Sadie wanted to start an ant farm. Apparently they are growing peanuts and cheetos.
This is Kelsey with Anna. Kelsey is very brave. She tried out for cheerleader for high school next year. She didn't make it but we're proud of her anyway.
This is Sadie trying to coax ants into living in her ant farm. She was not successful. Thank goodness.

bath time for baby

Sadie wanted to give Anna a bath tonight but I was too tired so I told her if she could get her Daddy to help her it was fine with me. They did a good job.

phantom...

Today, Sadie went to see her first live theatrical production. "Phantom of the Opera". This T-shirt was her souvenier and boy doesn't it fit her? I think she really enjoyed it. She didn't run screaming from the theater anyway. It was a great production and "The phantom" and "Christine" are married in real life. And they both have BEAUTIFUL voices, as did Raoul. I highly recommend it if you can go see it.

survivor no more

For those of you who have been with this blog from the inception. When it was just an e-mail with a picture attached (from what I hear - so big you had to scroll to see what it was)...Richard Hatch is no longer with us. The lone fish who had outlasted, outwitted, outplayed many other fish in the big pond we call our aquarium has finally died. He was a good fish. Well, at least I think he was a he.

six flags

Tonight I did a very brave thing. I took the children - by myself - to Six Flags. We were given tickets by a choir member and although she is a soprano she does have her redeeming qualities. Generosity (and humor) among them. It was a birthday party for former mayor Tom Vandergriff. And didn't I feel important driving up to the gate and the marquee saying "closed to the public - private party" - and going in anyway!

This is Anna - waiting yet again for her sisters to ride another ride.
This is her sisters riding another ride. Don't they look like they're having fun?
This is Anna riding her very first ride at Six Flags. I was thinking it was her first ride anywhere but I believe she's riden the carousel at the mall. See how concerned I was with safety? I didn't even buckle her in. Awww, she was OK, she didn't fall out.
I don't know if you can tell but they are going REALLY fast. That's them in the orange bucket. They were actually working together to make it go really fast. That's why I included this picture because it may be the only time we see cooperation from these two.
Here is our benefactor for the evening. She's in the dark coat looking back (it's easier to see when it's bigger - sorry). I guess I have heard that Ellen was a former Miss Arlington but it sure did slip my mind. Persis Ann (for those of you who know her) was also a Miss Arlington (I'm sure everyone but me knew that, too) - she's the one clapping in the red coat - and they along with one other former Miss Arlington (whom I don't know and never heard of) lead the singing of "Happy Birthday" to Tom. In the very left of the picture amost at the bottom, the white thing with the blue ribbon going down it is the birthday cake (real one).

The girls totally enjoyed themselves. Thank you, Ellen. It was fun to be there for the festivities.

no theme

There's no particular theme to these pictures today. They were all taken this afternoon while the girls had Anna on the top bunk. Breathe, breathe.... she lived through it and so did I. Looks like they had a blast.
I think Madeline looks alot like her big brother Aaron in the picture below. The way she's holding her mouth and something about her eyes reminds me of him. It's not the first time I've looked at her and thought of him. (I know that totally excites you, Aaron, but I must tell the truth.)


Here's a funny Madeline story. Last Sunday we were driving to church and a police car was about to enter traffic from a shopping center. Madeline said "there's a policeman...everybody act normal"! I asked her father where she heard that from since I cower when I see men in uniform (they all scare me - authority figures and all - you know) and he says sheepishly " I might have said it once or twice".

back at it

School is back in session, school is back in session, nanny-nanny-boo-boo!
Oh, I'm sorry, did I type that out loud? And tomorrow, Madeline is back in school! Whoooopppppeeeee!!

I'll be going back out to the VA to see if they've done Uncle Ernie's endoscopy for his bleeding ulcer yet. They were supposed to do it Friday but they never did. Then today I went up there and they said they would do it today. We'll see. I'll keep you posted.

All you teachers out there, I'm sorry I'm so excited that school is back in session. But just think, everyday is one day closer to summer vacation. Woohoo for you!

First hair do

Sadie did Anna's hair for the first time today. Too cute. We'll woo her into being a girlie girl early. It took Sadie 7 years to decide to want her hair done. And Madeline?...forget it. She doesn't even like her hair brushed.

This was what I wanted to do yesterday

Jon and his friends Tylar and Ashton came over last night and had dinner and played some darts. Anna was the center of attention when they first got there because they had never seen her sit up before. She ate it up.
This is our friend Julian. He came to see us this weekend which is good timing as he was there when Conrad and I first met. As a matter of fact, if it hadn't been for him, Conrad and I probably wouldn't even know each other as it was Julian who spoke to me first.

poor anna

With no sisters to amuse and entertain her, Anna does the only thing she knows how. She throws herself on the floor and laments her horrible fate. "Why oh why couldn't I have gone to Nonnie's house, too?" she wails.

No picture

No photo tonight. I had to take Uncle Ernie to the ER for gastro-intestinal distress. He's not doing so well. When I left him he looked really weak. I haven't heard from them so I'm guessing they're keeping him.

I do want to say Happy Birthday, Aunt Janis and Happy Anniversary to George and Barbara and Happy Anniversary to my lovely husband, Conrad. 9 wonderful years. I'd do it all over again.

Aunt Betty got a beautiful gardenia plant for her birthday. (You remember those pics, right?) Anyway, after only a week in the nursing home (and yes, I watered it) it started dying. I took it home to nurse it back to health. I kept it indoors and took it outdoors. Nothing seemed to help or hurt. So, I decided to plant the thing and see what would happen. So here it is, in all it's stickly glory. I cut off all the dead stems and cut down to live stuff and this is what's left. I promise to take a picture if/when it grows it's first new leaf.


Sadie got a recorder today. A real good one (wink, wink) it cost a dollar. But she's learning to play under my tuteledge (I'm sure that's not how to spell it but you get the picture). Luckily this blog does NOT have sound or you would beg me to stop teaching. Anna doesn't seem to mind, however. Check out her hair, it looks like Sadie is blowing so hard it's messing with it.

A glimpse into the future

If this doesn't scare you I don't know what will. Just imagine - 9 short years into the future - this will be a real car and I'll be the one screaming. Hopefully Sadie's eyes will be open then.

Saturday Madeline had been moving wood from one place to another then to another. She felt it was important work and who are we to say it isn't? Yesterday morning she said "I need to go work" I said "doing what"? "Moving my wood" she replied. I told her that Sunday is a day of rest, that God said it was. She instantly replied "well, I didn't hear him".

Riverdance and cleats

Very exciting stuff! My Mom, Uncle Ernie, my Mother-in-law and I all went to see Riverdance today at the Bass Hall. What a georgeous place and what a fantastic show.

After one particularly musical part, after the applause and all was quiet, my mother-in-law says "wasn't that drummer great?" in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear. Uncle Ernie responds "he's there to keep the rhythm". It was an amusing, to say the least, exchange. My Mom and I are still laughing at that one. I've heard more about that drummer. She wanted to meet him but for some reason we (my mom and I) didn't linger at the stage door. For the record, he was really good. I highly recommend this show if you haven't already seen it.

This picture is of Madeline's new cleats. Sadie has some and dang it, Madeline needed some, too. After all, she does go to her Daddy's soccer games and before the games and during half-time she and Sadie get to kick the ball around on the field. I want you to notice the socks. It's not everyone who can wear a pair of lacy, frilly socks with cleats. Madeline sure can.

Jump for heart

I have to tell you, usually when I upload my images, they are in the opposite sequence that I chose them. Of course, this time they're in the same order so you're cute picture of the day is first.

Madeline, never one to shy away from the camera says "take a picture of me with Anna" and how could I resist taking a picture of Anna with her first wrestling match with markers. She's 6 months old for heaven's sake, how could she manuever herself over there AND take the caps off. Oh well, it washes off, I think. Just kidding, it's off.



Next, Sadie's school did Jump Rope for heart today. This little girl was one of two second graders left jumping in the "last one jumping" portion of the event. She had such determination and focus on her face I couldn't resist the picture. She did not win, unfortunately. Sadie's class had to jump over the rope while it was still on the ground. For the record, she can actually do it the right way, but not all of the first graders can. So they warm up, then have a freestyle contest and then the last one jumping contest. She did well in the freestyle showing some very creative moves.

And she lasted longer than all but about 8 or 9 of her classmates in the last one jumping. Here you see her still smiling after all those jumps - she's still jumping in this picture. You can see lots of kids already sitting behind her. GO SADIE!!


I am very proud of Sadie. She did very well.

Brownies

Oh my goodness, who knew that would be so easy!!!! I just figured out how to put words above the picture, totally by accident! How cool.

OK, so this picture is of Sadie in her new Brownie vest complete with patches (except the one she earned because I'm not sure where to put it). She's so proud of it. Not that you can tell it from the picture.

too cute to pass up

Since I am going to a PTO meeting tonight and won't be around for any cuteness that might happen and heaven forbid anyone left here should actually think about capturing said cuteness...I offer for your viewing pleasure one of the cutest babies in the world. I am sure there are cuter, but I can assure you they do not reside at my house. Other ones have resided at my house, they are now grown and into other cute stages. This one however, is just now able to sit up on her own. She still lists and falls at times but darn, she's just so cute when she does it. If there was cuteness diabetes, we'd all have it.

In the top picture, she's taking a page from her mother, she's trying to get the cookies out of the box. She can't read, yet she knows there's something yummy in there. The second picture if of her in her little summer dress because the dress was hidden in the cookie picture. Look at her, just sittin' there, playin' with her toesies. I'm feeling a bit faint...I... must.... go......tttoooo ccccuuuuttteeee!!!!

bubbles

Lest you think this is just Madeline blowing a bubble...really it's the way she blows them that's interesting. She first chews the gum, takes it out of her mouth, flattens it out with her hands, then sticks it back in her mouth and blows the bubble. It's really amusing.

Now I'm going to try to put another picture on here below these words... OK, it doesn't work. I'm going to try and find someone who can help me with this little problem. I can only put photos at the beginning of the blog and sometimes I want to "pepper" my blog with photos. One must be able to pepper to feel complete.

In the meantime, look forward to the cute little picture I have in store for you tomorrow...

By the way, not a very exciting Oscars. Reese Witherspoon, could she be any cuter and she did very well on her acceptance speech. No really crappy dresses except I think it was Charlize Theron who had on that big bow on her shoulder? I think the "glam squads" all liked it but it did nothing for me personally, just looked big and bulky. Felicity Huffman...3 words, "wear a bra". My goodness! The girls were hangin'. I realize the dress didn't lend itself to wearing one but they make tape or something for those instances, don't they? She's still beautiful. Conrad was a little disappointed that J-Lo was all covered up. The host Jon Stewart did a good job. No worse than David Letterman but certainly he's no Billy Crystal. That's about it for my Oscar recap - oh, except that I truly believe that the Oscars has lost some of it's loftiness or dignity when they voted a song called "It's hard out there for a pimp" best song. Over Dolly Parton? Oh Pahleese!

pre-oscar prep

Just thought I'd share some of my favorites to snack on during intense tv watching. The Sugar Wafers have been a favorite since I was a little girl and I only get them on special occasions. Can't beat the chips and dip, the red and gold things are reese's peanut butter cups (little so you can eat a bunch) and of course, wheat thins because I care about what I put in my body. Yeah right, that's why the cosmo martini is there! OK, just so you don't worry, I won't drink any cosmos - did I say any? I meant many (after all I am feeding a little one) this martini glass actually has cranberry/grape juice in it. But any other year.....

It's Oscar night...the excitement is building!!!!

See ya!

Sneaky Snake

So, my children out-brave me by quite a bit. I couldn't have held this cute little snake unless my life depended on it and thank goodness, it didn't. We found this little thing while cleaning out grass from around the gardenia bush. We put him back to live with his family (as we do all living creatures we find) and he went merrily on his way, none the worse for wear.

This was Madeline yesterday morning after I got done doing her hair. She actually asked me to put it up. Major girly breakthrough. She's had the pose down for awhile but it's the primping for the photo shoot that's been lacking.

I have the cutest picture of Anna today at her Daddy's soccer game. I took it with my phone. I will have to get someone younger than me to show me how to get it from my phone to my computer. Be looking forward to it either tomorrow or Sunday.

If you've read my profile, you know I won't be thinking about much on Sunday except watching the Oscars. One of my favorite days of the year. Ranks right up there with Opening Day of Baseball for the Rangers (another national holiday in our house). I love the red carpet shows, I love the cheesy acceptance speeches and I think Jon Stewart will do a bang up job hosting. Anyway, I've already told Conrad if he wants dinner he'll be in charge. I'll let you know how that goes.

For those of you that asked, Rache's due date was July 19. She said that they hope he makes it to 27 weeks and she is 20 weeks right now. She seems upbeat and positive so I'm happy to hear that. Thank you all for your continued prayers.

no cute pics of children this time

You may be wondering what this is...(and this will tell you how inane I can be) this is a bead (no, it's THE bead) that goes on the strap of my cell phone holder. This bead has come off of this holder more times than I can count. I always just say "well, it's gone now - I have no idea where it came off". As you can see I find it every time. I found it again today. If this were a winning lottery ticket, I would find it a day after it expired. A diamond ring? I'd never find it. But a worthless bead? Find it every time.

Conrad says "you can't 'bead' it. Or "It's a venerable bead". I didn't get that last one but he said I could put it on here and someone would get it.

Please keep praying for Rachel and the baby. It's not looking good but I know miracles occur.

And from the ashes...

It's Anna's first Ash Wednesday.

For those of you who may be reading this but are not of Wangler decent (or married to a Wangler), please pray for Rachel Wangler. She's pregnant and had a sonogram today and the good news it's a boy. The not so good news is that the baby has some sort of mass or something on it's chest and it's pressing against his heart. I am asking you to pray for him and for Rachel. This really has to be hard on her but I know she's strong (she's a Wangler, after all).

Thank you all! Have a blessed Lent season.