3 kids at a 3 ring circus

During Christmas break we has some buy one/get one tickets to the Barnum and Bailey Circus.  The three kids and I went and had a GREAT time.  Skylyn and I had never been (if I had, it was so long ago I don't remember) but this was Aaris and Titus' second time.  They were mesmerized the whole time.  Titus was taken aback by the showmanship of physical demonstrations.  Aaris was locked in on the artistry of the dancing, gymnastic, and high flying artistry of the acts.  Skylyn loved all of the animals.  And, kids being kids all found the elephants "going bathroom" over and over again during the show was just hilarious.  Oh, and it may seem unbelievable, but going to a circus and not having to buy a toy, souvenir, concession stand or cotton candy purchase is possible.  :)

Mother/Son Event of 2011

We jumped right into the new year of 2011 with activities.  Our church provided an opportunity for an event that mothers and their sons could enjoy by themselves.  It was held at a place called Main Event.  Titus and I went last year and he had been counting down the days, well, basically since last year for when we got to go again.  We started with a yummy dinner, but not much was eaten since he was anticipating the activities so much.  Then, it was off to play some arcade games with the game cards they provided us.  After a bit of that we played a round and 1/2 of bowling.  Our friends Amberly Allen and her son Coleston were our playing partners and boy did we have a blast!  Those boys were actually hard to keep up with as far as scoring.  They both wanted no ball slide and wanted to be strong and throw (literally) the ball by themselves.  After that we went straight to glow-in-the-dark putt-putt golf.  Titus did so well.  We held everyone up for just a bit at the beginning while he practiced the proper techniques, but then he was off and running.  He really did amazingly well.  We had time for only a few more arcade games, but we plan on going back soon on our own mother/son date and using up the rest of the game cards playing together.  

Random Pictures from 2010

Here are random pictures from my phone:

 Aaris climbing tree with friend Mackenzie Peterson

Skylyn hanging on playscape

 Aaris playing on playscape

 Aaris climbing tree at her school

 Our adopted family member, Sarah Brown, who was a second mom to our kids this summer

 My sweet boy

 Skylyn (with the help of Mommy) caught the third largest fish at our H-E-B fun carnival day

Don't you love her shoes of choice!

 Skylyn at Joe McDermott concert at our library

 Titus meeting Aaron's cousin, C.C.'s, new baby, Austin

 Skylyn wearing a Laker's Jersey (only because I REALLY love her daddy)

At Christmas my dad heard Aaris yelling from his bedroom for "Help".  He ran in there and found her like this.  She said, "Help me please, I'm trapped by my bear."  :)


Here are some random December photos:

Aaris with the first graders singing in the annual school wide Christmas sing-along

(She's the second one on the right (in the second row (in black short)).

Unfortunately the faucets to our pipes to our washer and drier broke and leaked water under our carpets.  After our dear friend, Dave Roberts fixed our faucets, Aaron and Titus fixed the floors.

Epperson Christmas 2010

This year we spent Christmas with my family (Eppersons).  We had so many great memories: puzzles, movies, games (Mad Gab), hot tub, homemade meals, homemade candy, the kids (Charlotte's first Christmas), introduction to a new Christmas tradition (finding the pickle ornament in the tree), Aaris writing Santa his letter with the treats, Birthday cupcake decorating for Jesus, traditional Christmas morning breakfast brunch made by the men only, matching pajamas by the women (got all the girls in my families matching pajamas at after Christmas sales last year), watching old home movies, after Christmas shopping with only the girls at Plato's closet (awesome consignment store) and Kohl's, and so much more.

We all received such thoughtful gifts from our family!!!!!!!!!!!  And Santa was a ton of fun again.  I hear he did some amazing bargain shopping and I know he added an assemble elf to his staff, but he was able to pull off requests from the kid's lists.

During one of our old home movies we watched my sister's dance recital from when she was 7.  My mom ran upstairs and pulled out of storage the actual outfit Hattie wore in her recital.  We put it on Aaris.  Oh boy, did she think that was the cat's meow!  It was a little baggy, but she loved trying it on and Hattie even showed her how to do some of the moves.



I'd have to say that this was a year of warm memories.  Tons of laughter and the blessing of health for everyone!

Family Christmas 2010

We like to set time aside to sit down as our own little family of 5 to exchange Christmas gifts.  I love this time.  I really see my kid's spirits of excitement for each other come out.  I am still amazed that the favorite gifts every year seem to be the Dollar Tree store gifts that they buy for each other and us with their own money.  I also like that the gifts I get them on Craigslist, garage sales, or consignment stores are huge hits.  It was REALLY hard to narrow down the pictures because they all have so much character and personality.  They really do tell a story of the joy.

Aaris started reading her new books as soon as she opened them

Skylyn needed no help this year opening gifts

I adore Aaron for expressing so much thankfulness for his gifts.

Titus wants me to smell the gift he bought me

I gave Aaris a China Tea Set I received for Christmas when I was 5 years old.  It was a joy to pass it on to her to treasure and enjoy as well!

Aaris painted a ceramic piggy bank for Skylyn for Christmas (she had done the same for Titus on his 3rd birthday)