David gets Indian food for his birthday

Zoe's first birthday

We had a great time at Zoe's party at the Boys' Ranch. Boy were we glad Allison decided to do it inside--it was cold and rainy!

Also during spring break, we went to see the dinosaurs in Glen Rose. Carmen had been studying dinosaurs in school for a couple of weeks at that time.









Of course the kids had just as much as fun playing with Benjamin & Sofia, climbing a tree and swinging as they did with the dinosaurs!





On our way home, we ate at Outback Steakhouse. It was an impromptu birthday dinner for David, but our batteries were dead and flash cards were full, so we don't have any pictures!

During spring break, we rode the TRE downtown and had lunch. The kids loved the train. Afterwards, we went to the park and flew kites. Gabe did great, but after a long time, accidentally let his go. It was very windy and it got away from him; the next thing we knew, a tree was flying his kite for him from above the apartments near the park. He was distraught over losing the kite but soon decided that the kite was enjoying it! Unfortunately we didn't have a camera since we were shuffling both of our cars in and out of shops to get things inspected and fixed that day!

Diviertimento con Libros Españoles

Aunt Beverly was excited about the kids learning Spanish next year--she sent us two books from Argentina! It's good to see something different--our basket of Spanish books is a small part of our large library. When we were expecting Carmen, we registered for Spanish board books at the Target in Irving (more diverse than ours). Barnes & Noble in Irving has a great children's Spanish section, by the way.
But before we were expecting Carmen, we bought a couple of books in Spain, including one of the kids' favorites, No Confundas.

I can't seem to get the kids, books & camera in the same room these days... I avoid reading to them in Spanish, at least when David is around! I don't like to feel like a fool. Got an email recently quoting Teddy Roosevelt about the US needing only one language, having room for only one language, and it set me off! Not at him, of course--in 1906, that might have been true, but not in the global society we live in today. These anti-immigrations rallies really show off how ugly Americans can be! I will have to vent later, however, since it is past my bedtime and I have miles to go before I sleep.

Thanks, Bev, we appreciate any new books in Spanish!!!

Oh, and if you have any pull with any Delta pilots, please ask them not to strike before we take our vacation in July (and go to Maria and Mark's wedding in L.A.!). We already booked our flights on Delta!

Also, while you're on my mind, I LOVED The Namesake. Thank you so much for recommending it! I ordered her other book after I finished The Namesake... Interpreter of Maladies, I think it is called. I'm in the middle of 'Tis now since I got Teacher Man for Christmas. I just love Frank McCourt. I'm dreading finishing those two, so please send recommendations soon for summer reading!

Benjamin turns 6!




I can't tell you much about it because I was working DURING SPRING BREAK on YEARBOOK. Grrrr! I can tell you that the kids had a BLAST!

Paloma's 6 month appointment

So far, I've been fortunate to be able to go to Paloma's doctor for her check-ups and immunizations. Last time I met Jackie there.

Stats and shots:

27" (90%)
17 lbs. 2 oz. (95%)

Paloma is 6 months old today--how is that possible?

Here she is...

and here are the kids reading together. Carmen was a little startled when Paloma was rooting as they first settled in for a book (her very own Seuss, a fabric Circus McGirkus).

Gabe said, "She has a hole on her arm!" He was referring to the dimple on her elbow.

And Paloma got a handful of David's for a change (mine is falling out anyway, but she helps it along).

Carmen made her stage debut! E-I-E-I Oops! was awesome.

We arrived at 5:30 to set up and save seats since the curtain call was at 6:15. Paloma really wanted a bite of an Arby's sandwich like the rest of us!

Before the show, Gabe & Mason were cracking up at just the title, in fits of laughter each time they got to "oops"!

DVDs available soon--some of my yearbook kids helped us shoot it! (Thanks so much, Keith, Jenna & Dana!)


If you'd like to see more pictures from E-I-E-I Oops!,
go here:

http://eieioops.blogspot.com/