My little "Emerging Star"

So we just started getting James ready for soccer next season by putting him in a soccer clinic called Emerging Stars. It's a weekly practice with other children to teach him the basics of soccer. We are planning on putting him on a team in the Fall with some of his friends and wanted to get him ready for game time. I was a little concerned about how his would do since this was his first real experience with an organized sport, but I was pleasantly surprised at how well he did. He did a great job dribbling the ball and keeping pretty good control of it (I wish I had thought to take a video). He had such a blast that he was quite upset when it was over. Here's some photos of my little soccer player...maybe he'll be the next David Beckham ;-)

Ready for soccer (yes, I know the shinguards are
supposed to go under the socks...at least I do now ;-))

My little soccer player



Look at the passion :-)
 

Dribbling the ball

Pizza making

We recently made our own homemade pizza, dough and all. James was thrilled to be able to take part in the process and the pizza turned out great. I even used a Cooking Light recipe and it turned out really tasty. This is something we will definitely be doing more often.

James kneading the dough (this was done in the morning so that the dough could rest all day)

James and daddy working the dough

James rolling out the dough

James with the finished product (love his face here)

Zoomagination

Every year the school invites the San Antonio Zoo to come to the school for a visit. The program is called Zoomagination and the kids always love it. This year I was lucky enough to make it to school to capture the visit.

James petting the blue-tongued skink

A baby wallaby

James petting a snake

A two-toed sloth

James class with the sloth

Nanny & Kate's visit

This past weekend Mike's mom and sister came to town to visit and with the Rodeo in town I thought it would be the perfect place to spend our Saturday afternoon. It was a beautiful sunny day and despite spending WAY too much for a mediocre hamburger and fries we had a great time. Here's some photos from the day:

my little family prior to leaving for the Rodeo

James with is Nanny & Auntie Kate

James & I on the Carousel

James excited to ride the carousel

James on the swings

Mommy & James on the ferris wheel

brother & sister

After a long and fun day at the Rodeo we headed home to relax. The weather was perfect for a fire in the fire pit so we decided to light one and have s'mores for dessert.

James helping Daddy build the fire

James by the fire

roasting marshmallows!

As always we had a great time with Nanny & Auntie Kate and look forward to when they can come visit again!

Visiting Madeline

This past Valentines Day was the 6 month anniversary of losing Madeline. It is supposed to be a happy day filled with love, flowers and gifts and unfortunately for us it was only half happy. I am absolutely blessed to have a loving and caring husband and a beautiful little boy, but there will always be a part of me that is missing. It's hard to believe it has been 6 months since we said hello and goodbye to our little angel all in the same day, but unfortunately life must go on. The pain and sadness will never go away, but it does seem to get a little easier to deal with with every day that goes by. We are hopeful that we can add to our little family very soon. I just hope Maddie knows that we will never try and replace her and that she will always always have a place in our hearts forever.

Happy Valentines Day Maddie...we love you!

Maddie with her big brother

Valentines Day 2013

Another year, another Valentines Day. Unfortunately I was without my hubby for V-day yet again this year, but had a lovely time spending it with the other man (or boy) in my life. We made fun Valentines for all of his friends, which were heart shaped multi-color crayons we made from broken crayon pieces. They turned out really cute:

All of the pretty colorful crayon hearts

We then put them in a bag with a Valentines card and
a cute little note that said "You Color My World"

I also got creative with my bestie and we made homemade scratch off cards for our men. We included things like, "back-rub", "Night to be right", etc. They turned out really well and I love that we can make our own scratch-offs. You just simply cover the written prize with white crayon and then paint over it with silver paint mixed with dish soap (2 parts to 1 part). I was a little skeptical, but surprisingly it worked very well.

scratch-off cards prior to painting

fully ready scratch-off card

 

One of the cards scratched off

This year I also decided to make a cute little Valentines Card to send to friends and family:

I hope everyone had a fantastic Valentines Day!

San Antonio Rodeo

I used to go to the San Antonio Rodeo yearly, but haven't been to see the Rodeo in years since we were living in Virginia and the past couple years we weren't able to go. This year I was excited to restore the yearly tradition and head to the Rodeo to see Gary Allan with some friends. Unfortunately, Mike got called away last minute for a business trip so he was unable to go with us, but I brought my good friend Courtney as my date. Courtney is from California originally and had never been to a Rodeo so it was fun to expose her to her first Rodeo experience. Poor Mike Wille was stuck with three gabbing girls, but we had a great time. We are looking forward to heading back for the Stock Show this weekend with James so he can enjoy the petting zoo and carnival.

My favorite competition, Mutton Bustin' (I've got to get James into this next year!)

Saddle-Bronco Riding

Bull-riding

Our favorite Rodeo clown, Leon
 

Gary Allan!

 

 

Rodeo Day at school

This past Friday was Rodeo day at school. We hold it every year when the Rodeo comes to San Antonio. This year we splurged and bought James his first real pair of cowboy boots (he's had the cheapy kind from Walmart, but not ones these nice), a cowboy hat and a belt with a real buckle. He just melts my heart dressed up like a little cowboy.

My little Cowboy

My handsome Cowboys :-)

 

Baby Wolfgang and Baby Cecilia

I just can't get enough of my little neice and nephew. They truly are absolutely perfect.

James holding baby Cece

Mike holding baby Cece

Me holding baby Wolf