I promise he didn't get in a fight

Zebra Zone Spring Show (video included in this post!)

This is a record for a timely post.  This afternoon Austin's school had their annual spring show and auction.  The show was themed "Movies that Make you Groove" and Austin's Flamingo class' performance was to the Lion King songs "Hakuna Matata" and "I Just Can't Wait to be King".  His teacher, Miss Ashley, requested that the kids wear a tan shirt and black bottoms, both of which I did not already have but, of course, I was willing to buy whatever Austin needed to be dressed the part.  I finally found a tan (khaki) shirt on amazon and some $5 black shorts at Target (note: I ran to Target during my lunch break to buy $5 shorts and accidentally spent $77 by buying 3 casual cotton sundresses for myself.  I rationalized this purchase by saying that I live in Houston now an will be needed spaghetti strapped loose cotton dresses as a staple outfit in order to stay cool when the real heat arrives.  I digress).  The doors to the school opened at 4pm and the show started at 5pm.  The raffle items and silent auction to raise money for the PTA were set up in the hall outside the classrooms.  We were firmly told NOT to let your child see you before the performance or you would risk them crying and ruining the show.  Of course, the 2 raffle items that I wanted to put tickets in and try to win were right outside his classroom (they have 1/2 doors and low walls).  So, I managed to crouch down to pass the room and place my raffle tickets in the ticket container for the Astros tickets (David's request) and the date night ($80 to Specs Liquor and some random restaurant gift cards).  MiMi so kindly saved seats in the cafeteria for me, David, and herself.  (DiDi was sad to miss the show - she went to Savannah, GA for a family wedding).  The performances were in order of youngest to oldest so Austin's class was the 4th class to perform.  It was hilarious that they had teachers hold the little little babies and shake bells as they "sang" "Be our Guest" from Beauty and the Beast.  It is nice that they reserve the first 2 rows for the parents of the kids who are currently performing.  So we moved to the front row when it was time for the Flamingo class to sing.  Austin marched out on stage next to his buddy, Ben.  Each child had a yellow shaker and was instructed to shake it during Hakuna Matata and I Just Can't Wait to Be King.  We were told that many kids cry and some run off the stage when they spot their mom or dad so my expectations were very low.  Austin surpassed my expectations.  He was the most dramatic "shaker" on stage.  He shook his bottle, while holding it parallel to the floor and smiled really really big when he saw me, David and MiMi.  It was so cute.  After the performance we met them back in his classroom where he did NOT want to go home.  He insisted on staying and playing with the blocks.  I am glad that he likes his school so much!  Did I mention he got his first black eye yesterday at school?

Close up of the two blondies - Austin and his best buddy, Ben

Flamingo class - singing and shaking

Austin is smiling, Ben is a deer in the headlights

Cutie pie - does he need his first haircut?

Fun firsts

Austin has experienced a few fun firsts recently.  On March 23, cousin Annabelle turned 2 and had a fabulous Thomas the Tank themed party at Gymboree.  I am probably the world's worst mother because of depriving my son of Gymboree until he was 20 months old.  He had no clue what to do with the mats, tunnels, balance beams, parachutes, and silly songs.  He warmed up to it and had a fun time, of course.  

Tip-toeing on the ramp

Spotting Grandad from across the gym

Just chillin

Funny facial expressions from both of us - nice

Easter weekend was warm enough to pull out the water table that Aunt Ricki and Uncle Stephen gave Austin for Christmas.  He loves this!  He doesn't care if it is a little breezy and chilly.  Now we have to hide it on a regular basis so he doesn't ask for ma wa-wa (more water) every time he sees it.  We played with it again yesterday.  I can see this being a daily summer activity (that is, if we can put up with the mosquitoes).  

Playing fetch with Savannah will hopefully be something Austin loves for a long time.  The poor dog does not get enough attention these days (she has been very needy since Austin arrived on the scene).  He thinks it is hilarious when Daddy throws Savannah's ball all the way to the back of the yard and she runs to get it.  Then he wants to do it.  Keep practicing, Austin.  

Ready, throw!

Loves playing fetch!

Now let me try, please!

Daddy throws the ball so far!

Taking off in my ride

Last week, we met friends at City Centre on a Friday for happy hour and to let Austin and Savanna (my friend Sara's 2-year old) run around on the "green".  We have been here a few times but this was the first time Austin enjoyed walking around with the other kids and it was such nice weather.  Of course, Austin wanted to play in the fountains.  David was in charge of this and the security patrol kindly asked David to "get his kid out of the fountain".  Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

I could dive right in (he is ALL boy)

Easter 2013

We had a blessed Easter this year.  I had Good Friday off work and Austin had a school holiday.  DiDi was so kind to babysit in the morning so that I could go to the dreaded DPS to finally get my Texas drivers license.  Austin and I went to our neighborhood playground and just hung out together (David did have to work).  My mom also kept him while he was napping so I could go shopping (for myself!).  Thanks, mom!  On Saturday morning, we went to the Easter egg hunt and breakfast at Lakeside (country club).  We had been practicing hiding and finding plastic eggs around the house but Austin still was not very interested in the egg hunt at Lakeside.  They had a specific area for 1-3 year-old kids where the eggs were just scattered across the grass.  They counted to 3 and the 50 toddlers went charging towards the eggs, all except for Austin.  Maybe next year.  He DEFINITELY was not interested in the Easter bunny.  He was terrified of that giant bunny.  He didn't cry but gripped extremely tight onto whoever was holding him when the bunny came near.  There was also a petting zoo that had goats, sheep, chicks, a llama, and bunnies.  He didn't care much for that either with the exception of briefly petting the bunnies.  Allison and Annabelle (who just turned 2) also came to the egg hunt.  She was much more fascinated by finding eggs and the animals.  It was a fun morning with family.  

Scoping out the eggs with Daddy

Turtle watching with Daddy

Finding eggs (but not during the real hunt)

I found one!

Gripping onto Daddy. What is with this giant rabbit?

1-2-3, go Austin, find some eggs

He really just wanted Grandad to hold him and walk with him the whole morning

Unimpressed

Ok, if Grandad helps me, I will try it out

Had enough egg hunting

Bye, see ya later

DiDi, Annabelle and the goats

Checking out the bunnies

Soft bunny

We celebrated Christ's resurrection at church on Sunday.  We are really enjoying our new church here in Houston. We have met some great friends already and Austin does well in his Sunday school room (sometimes he gives us the pouty bottom lip when we drop off but he always warms up and has a good time).  Annie joined us at church too!!  After worship, we headed to lunch at Lakeside with Grandad, DiDi, Aunt LaLa and Will, Uncle Stephen and Aunt Ricki, and Allison (David was in NYC on a business trip and Annabelle was sick so she stayed home with David's parents).  It was a beautiful display of food and Austin even had a sugar cookie with a bunny on it.  The Easter bunny was traversing from table to table and once Austin spotted him, he did not take his eyes off of that bunny and made sure he did not come even close to our table.  Thanks DiDi and Grandad for treating to a yummy Easter brunch.  After nap time, we celebrated Easter with David's family at MiMi and Big Deal's house.  We hunted for eggs again in their yard before the thunder storm rolled in.  Austin's big cousins, Ben and Summer, helped him find eggs.  He really likes playing with them and watching them do big kid things.  It's so cute!  We opened Easter baskets and had a nice meal.  We even got out after the rain and blew bubbles.  He loves blowing bubbles right now.  It was a wonderful weekend with family and we are thankful that everyone is here so we can share these memories.  We are thankful for the reason we celebrate Easter and pray that Austin will grow up to know Jesus and how much He is loved by Him. 

Happy in Grandad's arms

Or Uncle Stephen's - I think he likes being held up high

Checking out his Easter basket at home - Elmo, watering can, big boy Camelback water bottle

Attempt at one good picture

Enjoying his Easter treat - a giant sugar cookie

Posing in the bushes - his own doing

Counting eggs with cousins

Loves his MiMi

For me?

Mine doesn't have any money (the Easter bunny at MiMi & Big Deal's house gives money)

Pretty spring colors

Money for me?

Chasing bubbles

Bubble wands are the best!

Summer makes great bubbles

So excited for the bubbles

Ah!