Renaissance

For my birthday, Ben took me and the kids to the renaissance fair. It was great, I really love to watch all the people and see the different costumes, and who could forget the food. This is the first time that we have been to a well established fair with the kids and I never put much thought into the rides before, until now. Of course they wanted to go on the rides and try almost everything. We did have to put a limit on that one, but they had lots of fun. Plus we got to watch part of the joust; they were having a “qualifying match,” and then were going to meet back up at 6pm. I will say that the fair in Utah was new, but their joust was way better, they actually did it for real, unlike here at this fair, where it really looked more like WWF. Oh well, the kids loved it and got to yell for their knight.

The very exciting part of our day was the bird show. For years, Isabelle has loved birds. I know what is years to a four year old. Anyway, we passed by just as they were starting and decided to sit down and watch. Cooper and I sat at the back while Ben took Bear and Isa up close so that they could see better. Well Bear, being Bear tried to rush the stage when the falcon was flying around, which was noticed by the lead guy who was doing all the talking. So when the Bald Eagle came out, he called Bear up on stage with the bird. Needless to stay Bear was stoked. He even got an eagle necklace out of the whole deal. The guy asked Bear what kind of bird it was and he told him, and I think he was impressed that Bear knew, considering he’s just two. I was funny, since I was sitting in the back away from them, I decided that I would nurse Cooper and then the guy starts walking over and talking to Bear so I figured I should jump up and take some pictures quick.




The other interesting part of our day was the rain. That’s right it could not be a Texas weekend without rain. At least for the last month and half, it seems to have rained almost every weekend. But in true Texas fashion all you have to do is wait ten minutes and the rain will pass. So that is what we and many others did. Bear thought that the rain was great. He jumped in puddles, playing in the mud and got all dirty. So did Isabelle. Although she was even dirtier because she actually fell down in the mud, while carrying the umbrella, and not watching where she was going. I watched it all happen from under a tree. Cooper was the only one who was dry, but he did not seem to notice either way.

Overall I think everyone had lots of fun, despite the weather and mud. I can hardly wait until the next one. One day I hope to dress up again. I know I was one of those, but that was all pre-children. I just need to convince Ben to dress up as well. The kids are a done deal; Isabelle will dress up for anything.

Pool Slide

Who needs a water park, we you can create your own water slide while filling up the swimming pool. After T-ball we went to help Penny get her pool ready for summer. Ben really wants to go swimming. So he helped power wash the bottom and clean out all the gunk, and then started to fill it up. Well Isabelle can hardly say no to water, so she quickly figured out that she could slide down into the deep end and that it was pretty fun. Bear joined in and so did Ben. The best part I think was when Ben would send Isabelle sliding around and up the curve of the pool; it looked like so much fun I decided to join them. I borrowed a swim suit and slid down the pool. The only draw back was that clothing does not slide as well or as quickly as skin.

Three and Four year olds playing T-ball has to be one of the funniest things kids can do as a group. My two kids were no exception. Isabelle wanted to play “catcher and pitcher” and Bear just wanted to be close to Dad, so he “played” first base. Once Isabelle calmed down enough from all the excitement of t-ball for her first at bat she hit the ball right down the third base line. Waited to see if any one was going to pick it up and then ran to first base, I’m sure had she been playing as a older kid she would have at least made it to second before the ball was caught. Not many four year olds can send the ball in the opposite direction when playing, it was pretty cool. Bear did great hitting the ball too, but since he bats right handed he sent it right to the middle of the field and then pretty much took off running towards first base, Dad was the first base coach. He just did not like his helmet so at his second at bat, he had to try to take the helmet off before making his way down the line. It was pretty funny. All of the batting helmets were so big on the poor kids, but most seemed pretty of with it except Bear.

Right when they were getting started and meeting the other team, Bear decides this is a good time to start heading out to the “out field.” It took Ben about a minute to realize that he was making his way, out of the game and he had to run and catch him, yea that’s Bear. Isabelle quickly found out that if you play in the pitcher spot, you can pretty much touch the ball every time. She would “catch” the ball after it was hit towards her, show everyone and then send it off to first base. Usually the ball would actually make it to first base but only after everyone saw that she had the ball. It was kind of cute, then she would do a little dance move once she released the ball. It was so cute!

Ogi Bagobi

Here is our newest family member, Ogi Bagobi. He hopped, hopped, hopped right down into Penny’s pool and she thought Barrett would love to have a pet toad. So here we are with a wild toad living in our house, day one. So far so good, we’ll see how he does the rest of the week.

One more thing

Sunday was a very busy day for us. Ben wanted to take the kids to Little League day at the ball park, Isabelle had her last soccer game finally and I had to go take pictures. Plus we still had family in town from the dance recital so it was crazy fun filled day. First the ball park! Any Little League team in the metroplex could come and walk around the field for the day and be down at the player’s level. It was pretty cool. I think Ben almost enjoyed it more than the kids; they are still a little too young to know the importance behind it yet. But we got lots of pictures of them going around. Barrett was told several times not to go near the dugouts, although I think they were being over cautious, because I did not think he was trying to check it out or go in. And he was told not to stand on the grass. That one was valid but at least he did not jet away, he was only two steps in on the grass if that far, I think he toes might have still been on the dirt. All in all it was pretty cool. Ben took a picture of Cooper and I that was not very good so I’m not going to include it here. You would think the one picture I ask him to take of me he would have tried a little harder to make it turn out well.

After we made our way around the field, Isabelle and I left to go to her last soccer game. She did great! I could hardly believe it. I kept asking myself where was this kid in the previous four games? Why is she just now showing off her true colors? Although I must stay that there were only five kids total on our field, several kids did not show up so there were not as many kids around to chase after the ball, but still she finally found her game again and was very excited about it. At the end all the kids received a participation trophy with a moving ball. Boy was that the hit, all the kids loved to play with the ball and spin it around. Then they took a big group picture, which was not as good as last time but hey, you work with what you can. I think she finally had a lot of fun.


Once Ben came home from the game I was off to take pictures for my class. That was pretty fun, I had a couple of hours away from all the kids and house work, now to determine if any of the pictures were any good. We’ll have to wait and see what the rest of the class thinks when we meet again. Hopefully this time my disk will work, I had trouble the last time and had to turn them in later.

Dance

Isabelle had her first dance recital on Saturday. All her grandparents came in to see it and as well as a few extra family members and even one of her friends. She did a very good job and looked wonderful in her full hooker makeup. By the third time around of putting makeup on this kid I think I finally have it down, considering I hardly wear any makeup at all. Anyway their little show was pretty good and watching all the other acts was interesting. Some of the kids were cute and funny, while others were serous and focused on what they were doing. She had two dance parts, a tap portion and a ballet portion. She did great on both and I think she was pretty excited about everyone being there to watch her perform. No stage fright for this kid.

Wiskey and Trees

This post is going to be pretty random. I wanted to blog about the service two weekends ago but last week just went by so fast. Did you see it; I don’t even remember it, it went by too fast. Anyway, we’ll start there. We had a military service for Grandpa which was nice, and I thought he had a 21 gun salute but no it was just 18. Apparently only high up mucky, mucks get a 21 gun salute. Either way it was still loud but very moving. Grandma was presented with the largest flag ever for a person, and they play Taps with a real bugle, and not a record. I guess they don’t always have a bugler to play which is kind of sad because it sounds so much better. After the service we all went back to Grandma’s house to finish off a bottle of Whiskey. Every one except for the kids got a shot, and then there was just enough for most people to have two shots. A few of use did not take the second shot for various reasons. It was pretty cool though, after we were all done we turned out glasses upside down on the train that held the drinks and his urn, we place a flag in the bottle and there was a tribute; quite a nice way to remember such a wonderful person.

Before I get on to more exciting things I just wanted to share this one picture. It’s not very good but here’s the story. My flash card and camera record the number of pictures I take in a continuous order. So here is my 10,000th picture. Now in the big scheme of things this might not seem like a lot, but I would figure for the everyday person, that is a lot. Now for a professional photographer this would be just a drop in the bucket. I tend to try to take better pictures once instead of hundreds of pictures to get a few good ones. We’ll see how long that lasts for me. Here’s to the next 10,000. (of course it started over at one)

Haslin Robert Libby

Haslin R. Libby, 93, of San Antonio, Texas, formerly of Hesperia, CA died Thursday, April 23, 2009 at his home in San Antonio.

Mr. Libby lived in California for 40 years after moving there in l965 from Kankakee, IL with his family. He retired after 21 years from North American Van Lines as a driver, first of household goods, then for their Electronics division. Mr. Libby also proudly served in World War II with Company B, 302nd Infantry Regiment, 94th Infantry Division. During his time of service he received numerous recognitions and was the recipient of the Purple Heart Medal for action seen in the European theater.

He was born August 19, 1915 in Alvin, Texas, the son of Harry and Bertha Smith Libby, formerly of Kankakee, IL.

He is survived by his wife, the former Angelina Brown Libby, whom he married June 5, 1948 in Douglas, AZ; three sons and a daughter, Donald R. Libby and Jessica Libby, Kenneth Libby and Janice Libby, Michael Libby, and Colleen Libby; nine grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren.

Deceased are four brothers, William, George, Lawrence and Finley; and two sisters, Marie and Julia.

He was a member, while in Illinois, of the Illinois National Guard and the Civil Air Patrol. In his youth he was also a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in memory of Haslin to the 94th Infantry Division Association, c/o Harry N. Helms, Jr. 609 Dogwood Dr., Downingtown, PA 19335.

All Smiles

Look who is looking at me. Cooper has the best smile; he looks so much like Isabelle did when she was a baby. Maybe one day I’ll get a kid that looks like me, other than the nose. Isabelle of course could not pass up a chance to be in a picture as well.