When I Grow Up...........

What do you hear when your child answers the question "What to you want to be when you grow up?"

Like most parents, we hear the answers change over time as our kids get older.  Two years ago, at open house in Kindergarten, there were drawings of what the kids wanted to be when they grew up.  I saw lots and lots of drawings of teachers, firemen, doctors.....

Then I saw something I didn't quite understand.  Madison had drawn "the place where you take your dogs when you go on vacation".  She wanted to work at the pet lodge (at least the assignment was all her with no influence by her peers).  She was 5.  Her aspirations have changed a little - now she wants to be a farmer and live in the country.  She said she would grow corn and sell it to get money.

As for Charlotte, who knows.  She is only 3 and she changes her mind quite often.  But, as of last week, this was her "when I grow up" occupation.

Yes, you heard it correctly - a "baker" at Panda Express. (sorry for the narrow video - still learning).

College Station

This past weekend we all got to experience college football.   Dewayne was excited about it because it WAS football.  The girls were excited about it because it was a road trip, overnight in a hotel and lots of concession stand food.

The weekend started off with a soccer game for Charlotte.  OK - let me re-phrase that.  The weekend started off with Charlotte refusing to play at her first soccer game while hanging back about 20 yards away from the field (all by herself).  

After watching the other kids play soccer we left for College Station.  The car ride was pretty uneventful, except for one conversation.  Madison asked Dewayne if the Aggies were in the NFL.  Dewayne explained that the Aggies were a college football team and only the good college football players went to the NFL after they were done with college.  She said "So only the Longhorns go to the NFL?"  Dewayne just continued driving - this innocent question is one he won't forget anytime soon.

We arrived in time to have lunch and check into our hotel.  There were two small issues with our hotel. 

1- They didn't have the room type we reserved (but we managed).

2 - It didn't live up to Madison's "high maintenance" expectations.  Dewayne is right. I admit it. Shea is high maintenance when it comes to lodging.  It is my fault.  

After a little rest, we headed to campus.  We stopped for face tattoos and the girls each got a Reveille.  On our way to the stadium, we saw Parsons Mounted Calvary.  While looking at the horses, Bug asked why they had tattoos on their butt.  My city girl doesn't understand branding!  

Happy with their prize!



My Loves!



Shea loves it!

The girls were good.  Madison absolutely loves going to the games.  Charlotte crashed for almost the entire 4th quarter, but was pretty happy when she woke up.  A fun weekend for us all!

Breakfast for Dinner

It gets pretty hectic after work with daycare pickup, homework and "starving" children - so we had breakfast for dinner.  Its easy, requires no thawing or defrosting,  and the girls love it! 

Last night Charlotte was looking at a kids cookbook and zoned in on pancakes with a cream cheese and strawberry filling.  So, that's what we did this evening. 



Charlotte and the cookbook

We had a fun time cooking together.  Charlotte cut the strawberries with her plastic knife (basically squished and mutilated half the container and decided to leave the rest whole).  Madison was in charge of mixing the batter.  She mixed and the worked on the table set up.   

Madison balancing on the counter

Dinner was good (not healthy - but it tasted great)!  The girls were so proud that they contributed and it made me happy that they enjoyed it.

Look how proud she is!

Yummy!

The Country and Barbie Dancing

This post doesn't have any particular topic, just "a day in the life with the Barrows" kind of stuff.  So, here goes......

We went to my parents this weekend for a baby shower and fun on the farm (not really a farm, but it is in the country and the girls are absolutely in heaven when there).  We had a baby shower Saturday morning for my sister, Amanda, and soon to arrive Baby Eli.  (side note - it's amazing on how much baby gear has evolved since we purchased things for Madison in 2003.  The strollers now have ipod docks!)

We spent Saturday afternoon doing "country" things.  The girls and I got to see a Clydesdale horse.  It was so big compared to the "normal" horse standing by it (there is NO way I would have let Shea on it).  The horse viewing didn't end the animal acquaintances.  They also saw cows, ducks, got to pet a baby rabbit, feed the chickens and loved on Rosie (mom and dad's 4th child dog).  We also swam and the girls got to play with their cousins.

Back in the City  - On Tuesday, Charlotte started dance (tap and ballet) lessons at school .  Mrs. Debbie said she did great and Bug said she had fun.  Hopefully she doesn't sing the Barbie and the Diamond Castle song while she dances at school ("If I could wish for one thing, it would be the smile that you bring........)  Me knowing the words is a pretty good indicator that the song is overused in our house. 

Perhaps the dvd should get "lost"...but then the special request would be The Barbie Diaries, Barbie Fairytopia, Barbie in the Twelve Dancing Princesses, Barbie and the Nutcracker, Barbie in The Princess and the Pauper...........you get Bug's obsession with Barbie movies.

Madison is chugging along at school.   We haven't had too much of an issue with homework and she seems to like her teacher. She reminds me to put 5 quarters and a dollar bill in her lunch on her "ice cream" day (quarters are just in case the machine is picky and decides not accept a crunched dollar bill).  Second grade is good for us so far.  Hopefully it will stay that way!

Football and Tea Time

Our Labor Day weekend was packed with activities.  It was the first weekend for Aggie football and Madison begged to go with Dewayne (I'm still not sure if it was due to the football or snacks - but either way she was super excited).  While Madison was dressed for supporting the Aggies....

(with her bag of "activities" for the 3+ hour car ride)

 Charlotte was dressed for tea time...........

(the dress, necklace, shoes and bracelet probably weighed 10 pounds!)

I told Charlotte earlier this week that were going to have tea and she would be able to use real glass teacups (a big no-no in our house).  She exclaimed "oh Mommy, I will be careful."  The anticipation grew and she was very excited when the time came (so excited that she set her clothes and accessories out ahead of time for the ultimate decision making!)

We had reservations at a tea house in the downtown area for noon.  The guests included Charlotte, myself, Rebecca (Bug's friend), Marissa (Rebecca's mom), and Jenifer.  The theme was princess.  The girls had princess place settings, a glass slipper (plastic), princess tea books, a wand and their own tea pot.  The young girls had "pink" tea which was basically pink lemonade.  They enjoyed pouring their own cup and sipping so gently out of the dainty, glass teacup. 

Bug is so happy!

Charlotte and Rebecca sipping...and sipping....and sipping

Marissa and Rebecca

After tea, the girls were treated to dessert, which was ice cream with sprinkles.

Originally I planned the tea party as something to keep Charlotte happy while Madison was with dad (so there would be no tears and comments that Madison is the only one who gets to do fun things).  It turned out to be a completely rewarding experience with Charlotte. It was nice spending the "special time" with bug and I was reminded again just how wonderful she is.

My sweet Cheeto Bug!

Back to School

As the end of August rolled around, we kissed goodbye to summer break and the girls "graduated" to the next grade level.  Honestly I was ready for school to start.  Don't get me wrong, I love summer vacation, but I was ready for routine (except homework) and the hope of slightly cooler weather. 

This year Charlotte moved from to Middle-Pre to to Upper-Pre (she will start Kindergarten in August 2012) and Madison moved to 2nd Grade. 

Upper Pre - Still at the same school, Bug moved up one classroom.  She moved up with a large chunk of her friends, so it was pretty painless.  Most of the kids in her class have been there since infancy so there was no look of terror on Bugs face (or mine) at drop off on the first day.  (Note..... kindergarten will be different.  There is nothing like being thrown into a new school, with unfamiliar teachers and not knowing 95% of your classmates)

  

In Upper Pre, there is a bit more structure as the teachers prepare the kids for what lies ahead in the next few years.  The kids are given more responsibility and are expected to take responsibility for their actions.  The first two weeks in Upper Pre have been uneventful, which is nice.  One of Bug's teachers told me that Charlotte keeps asking them if she is making good choices.  Hopefully the newness won't wear off anytime soon and Upper Pre will continue to go well. 

2nd Grade - Shea has grown so much.  I remember crying two years ago when we dropped her off in her Kindergarten class, the both of us not really knowing what to expect.  I remember sending her to school with that little laminated neck tag with her name, homeroom teacher and student ID number - just in case she was found wandering around the halls of the elementary school.  I remember the difficult adjustment from knowing all the daycare teachers to dropping your child off with strangers. 

This year I was prepared.  I knew what to expect.  Madison knew where the 2nd grade hall was and didn't even want to hold my hand on the way in (at least Charlotte still likes to hold my hand).  She said hi to her old teachers, unpacked her backpack, found her desk and gave Dewayne and I a quick hug.  That was it.  No crying from Madison.  No crying from me.  Wow.  My little girl is growing up (now - I'm crying typing this).  She is growing into such a wonderful person.  Her energy, excitement and spirit are wonderful and I wonder how 2nd grade will make her even more unique! 

Below:  2 years ago (Madison starting Kinder and Bug in Toddler 1)

 Below:  Last year (Madison starting 1st Grade and Bug in Lower Pre)

Below:  August 2010 (Madison starting 2nd Grade and Charlotte in Upper Pre)

Haven't they grown!!!

Life Lesson

Where do I begin? The girls have been begging for another pet (Madison has requested a hamster, rabbit, hermit crab, bird, cat, dog....and Charlotte requests whatever Madison does). We weren't up for a lot of added responsibility (two working parents with two kids and a dog is PLENTY), so we decided a nice group of fish would be a good start.

The Saturday before school started we purchased the aquarium and all the "gear". We were told that we couldn't purchase the fish that day because you had to get your tank water just right to prevent the untimely death of your new pets. So, we waited a few days.

Finally, the day came! The girls and I went to a locally owned pet store and a super nice guy directed us to all the fish that would live in "harmony" for a long time. (Thinking about it, next time when I hear a 17 year old say "harmony", it will send up a giant, red flag). Charlotte picked out two Dalmation Molly fish (black and white polka dotted) and Madison picked out a guppy and a random yellow fish. The employee said we also need two "bottom feeder" fish to clean up all the yuckiness that comes with (aka- out of) the fish. We left the store with six fish in two baggies.

Charlotte, being a fan of Disney villians, named her two fish Ursula and Cruella (should I be worried?). Madison picked the names of Shimmer and Sunshine. After talking to the girls, we decided that the bottom feeder fish (cleaner fish) were named Mom and Dad. I think this name is very fitting, but Dewayne wasn't a fan. The girls promptly renamed them to Oreo and Silver.

All was well for a bit. We fed the fish once a day and they seemed happy swimming around. I noticed that one of Charlotte's fish was a tad bit dominant (red flag #2), but didn't think much of it. This past Sunday (less than a week of having the new pets), Charlotte exclaimed "Shimmer is missing!" We looked and looked and looked. I even took out the filter to make sure Shimmer wasn't plastered to the suction part. No luck. Madison's next observation was that Cruella looked abnormally large. She did look pretty big.

Bug's fish ate Shea's fish. The Natural Selection science lesson has been explained with minimal crying from Madison.

We will not be purchasing any more guppies. Only fish as big as Cruella. Hopefully this will solve the problem, but only time will tell.