NIOSA 2012

Like every year we had a great time at NIOSA. As some of you know we have a booth down at NIOSA called the Bolsa booth. We sell painted paper bags. My step-mother has been in charge of the booth for nearly 30 years now and I look forward to eventually carrying on the tradition. It's a great booth to have because it is very laid back. Back when NIOSA (which stands for Night In Old San Antonio) started it had more local artwork that was on display for purchase. Over the years it has become more about the food and the drinking, but we continue to sell painted bags for the benefit of the Conservation Society. We may not bring in as much money as the beer and food booths, but it is a fun booth to work in. James of course had a great time as well.

The Bolsa booth

James & I

James and daddy playing games in Clown Alley

James with his buddies William and Leena enjoying their spoils from the games

My goofy boy

James and Aunt Margaret getting down

NPDS 2012 Fiesta Parade

This morning James had his Fiesta parade at school. They made adorable little crowns and smocks to wear for the parade. They paraded around the school parking lot for all to see, then had some fun whacking the pinata, and then concluded with a fiesta party snack (nachos). As always it was a great success with all of the kids. I'm going to be sad when he has to leave this school and isn't able to partake in events like this anymore. I guess at least I have one more that I can do it with soon enough :-).

King James in his Fiesta crown

Beginning of the parade

King James leading the parade

James with is class

Pinata time!

Fiesta snack!

El Rey Feo visit to NPDS

This past week we were lucky enough to have El Rey Feo visit James' preschool. This is quite a privilege since he doesn't usually visit preschools during his busy Fiesta week schedule. El Rey Feo is crowned each year before Fiesta and given the honor by raising the most money for a local scholarship fundraiser. Rey Feo is invited along with the other Fiesta Royalty to ride in all of the four major Fiesta parades as part of the spectacular annual, 10-day Fiesta festival held every year in April, in honor of the memory of the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of the San Jacinto. El Rey Feo's program has raised over $4 million for scholarships given to over 3,000 students with 100 students presently receiving $1,500 for books & tuition.

Although the kiddos didn't really understand what we were celebrating, they had a blast. Especially dancing to the mariachi music. James in particular loved collecting medals from everyone in El Rey Feo's court. Every year local businesses, politicians and non-profits create medals for Fiesta and it has become a big deal for people to collect them each and every year. I guess I better make James a sash for him to collect medals each year. Here are some photos from the event:



James & Leena



Waiting for El Rey Feo

The kiddos dancing to the mariachi music

James getting down with William

El Rey Feo and his entourage arriving

Rey Feo and his court

James' class with the king and court

James getting one of his medals

James and William with all their medals

Cascarone time!

2012 San Antonio Cavaliers River Parade

Last night we went to the Cavaliers River Parade, which is a family tradition for us. Ever since I was a little girl we have attended this parade and I am thrilled that James will be able to continue on the tradition. We started with a fajita dinner down at the Plaza Club and then headed down to our seats on the river. As always James had a blast!

James and Daddy @ dinner

We were serenaded by Mariachis during dinner

some cascarone fun before the parade started

Baw Paw got James with a cascarone

James enjoying the parade



James & Daddy

Party Time in '09!

It's finally here...Fiesta time in San Antonio! To kick off Fiesta we headed down to Alamo Heights night with some good friends and their kids. After living in '09 my whole life, I finally made it there for the first time. It started off as a small carnival that was held at the neighborhood pool and has expanded to a large event held on the campus of Incarnate Word University. I'm not sure why I have never gone, but it was a great time. We started off the night with margaritas and snacks at our wonderful friends, the Holstroms and then rode the bus down to the event. We had a wonderful time (so much so, we didn't make it home until 11! Needless to say, James was very tired.) and look forward to making this a yearly tradition.

The goofy boys posing before heading out (Mikey, William & James)

heading down on the bus

James getting strapped into the bungee

his face here says it all...he absolutely loved this

Wish this wasn't blurry, but that is a face of pure bliss

playing around on the football field

can't go to a carnival without having cotton candy :-)

Minivanned

So I have officially become a "soccer mom" (although James doesn't play soccer, at least not yet...I'm signing him up next season). We broke-down and bought a minivan. With one child and one on the way, we figured it was time to upgrade. After much research (by my wonderful husband of course...he always has to do extensive research before a big purchase) and some test driving of a couple different minivans we settled on the Chrysler Town and Country. The price was right and you can't beat the stow and go seating. This thing has so many bells and whistles, I'd be surprised if it didn't have a masseuse that pops out of the floor to do on demand massages. It's really a great van and more importantly James LOVES it. Obviously his favorite part is the integrated DVD player with TVs, but he also loves the one-touch buttons he can use to open the doors. With all the wonderful utility and improved gas-mileage I don't know why you would choose a giant SUV over a minivan, but for some reason the majority of people do so down here in Texas. I guess people are still too bothered by the stigma that goes along with minivans...which I'm not even really sure what that stigma is. If it's that I'm a mom that enjoys the usefulness and space of a minivan, then I guess I fit that stigma. Anyway, here it is in all it's glory:

And here is James enjoying his favorite thing about the new van, the DVD player with wireless headphones (one of my favorite things :-))

All I'm going to say, is don't knock the minivan until you try it...you may be surprised how much you like it :-)

Easter Sunday 2012

This Easter started like every Easter (well atleast last year's Easter, but it will be how we spend every Easter to come). James woke up to his Easter trail that the Easter bunny left for him.

James first discovering his trail

"Wow! Look at all this candy!"

working his way to the end

I love his face here

The end loot

After the bunny trail (and a few pieces of candy) we got ready for Easter morning mass. My little guy looked so handsome in his Easter clothes.

James and I ready for church

The fam dressed in our Sunday's best

After mass we headed down to the Plaza Club for their Easter brunch. I had just had Mike's birthday party the night before and my parent's didn't feel up for preparing the big Easter dinner so we decided to take the easy way out this year. It was definitely worth it...all you can eat smoked salmon, shrimp, crab claws, leg of lamb, prime rib, cheeses blintzes, waffles, a made to order omlete station, and much more. It was delicious and a great way to spend Easter.

Aunt Melissa, James, Louisa and I with the Easter Bunny

James checking out the Easter Bunny

Louisa loved the Easter Bunny

my goofy son

James loving on his baby cousin

I love Lou's face here...I think she's trying to bite his nose

My serious boy, lol

I realized that I didn't take any pictures of the whole family which bummed me out, but we had a great time with everyone. Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!