We're off to TX to Surprise Grandpa Bill!

As you all know, we had planned a big surprise party for Grandpa Bill's 70th birthday! Still can't believe you're 70 Dad!! So, we're off!

Ah, to be home again, look at that beautiful sunset!

Now for the party. We got him! He had no clue, didn't even know that we were in town! He was completed shocked and ever so grateful that so many people would come to a party just for him! I don't know why, everyone I know loves him and were happy to be there to celebrate with him. Here are a few pictures from the party. For those of you that came, THANK YOU! you made him feel so special ! and for those of you that couldn't come, we missed you but take a look at how it all turned out!

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The 'ol string tied to the door trick...

So...Miss Izabella's front tooth was so loose that she decided instead of pulling it out, she wanted to try the string tied to the door trick like she's seen on America's Funniest Videos so many times. It was loose enough so Steve did his magic! You'll want to turn off my music at the bottom of this page first and then turn up your speakers to hear Steve's naration. Also, the boy in the background is Sandra's son Robert who just could NOT believe what Steve was doing. Apparently he's been threatened with this but never thought anyone ever really did it. He went home and told his parents and it started something like "you're never gonna believe what Mr. Steve just did..." Enjoy!

Right after the tooth popped out.....My poor little baby!

And 2 seconds later...My big front toothless young lady!

Most likely, this will be the one and only time we use the string to pull a tooth, we'll see, she's got 3 more almost ready to go. She's going to be wi-th-ing for her 2 front teeth for Christmas!

Check back soon, I have lots to post!!

We love and miss everyone!

Artists in the house.....

Izabella and I got creative this weekend. Izabella at school and me by command of Izabella. First is Izabella's 1st self portrait, that can only be seen within the confines of The Mingolla Kingdom. Not bad, eh? She wants to enter an Art contest at school with the theme of "WOW!'. She's still thinking about what she wants to do, I'll keep you all posted... Then, on Saturday while playing with Polly Pockets all morning, some how the clay came out and Izabella wanted to make cakes that Polly Pockets could come pay money for. So, we put our heads together and look what we came up with. I think we give the show "Ace of cakes" a run for their money, what do you think? Then as usual it was time to gather with friends outside. The weather has been awesome here lately, in the 80's and it's perfect at night with a little breeze. I snapped a few pictures of the kids, they were having so much fun!

Talk to the..........Toe?

So, Saturday morning after Daddy left for work, Izabella wanted me to take a video of her (she wants to be on America's Funniest Videos SO bad!). So when I asked her what she wanted to do on the video, she tells me she wants me to draw people on her toes. So, being the good Momma, I did as I was asked. I think I did pretty good, what do you think? Then she tells me that there was an episode on I-Carly and she wanted to copy it so I could send it to I-Carly online. So, now that you have the story behind it all, ENJOY!

The End!

Go Figure....

Now, who feels bad? The Dr.'s office just called and said that Izabella's culture came back positive for Strep throat! Man, do I feel like a heel! I was giving her such a hard time yesterday for her Oscar performance of "feeling bad!". Daddy is on his way to get her and get a shot and it's home for the next 2 days! Poor baby! Bad momma!

First day in the First Grade!

Well, it's official, Izabella is in the first grade, and here she is on her first day of school! She's been in school for 2 weeks now, going on her 3rd week and she's really loving it. There's quite a leap from kindergarten to 1st grade, I must say. However, it's do-able. She has to keep a daily agenda and then she has a 3 part homework assignment everyday. She's been breezing through it so far. She is in the AIM program at school for the gifted children. She's taken out of her class on Friday's for 2 1/2 hours. There's 2 others in her class that are also in the AIM program and she had her first class last Friday. So far she seems to like it. There's no extra work or homework with this class, they just take this time to challenge them a little further than they do in her regular classroom so that they get the extra stimulation that the other children might not be ready for. I'm a little worried about her getting bored in class because she's reading at about a 4th grade level so the reading assignments they've been sending home or for very beginner readers. I think they are getting ready to start a "reading counts" program so that she's able to read higher level books to earn points. We'll see how it all works out.

She tried to "play" sick this morning. Said her throat wasn't feeling so well. I did something my mother used to do to me, "if you're too sick for school then we have to go to the Dr. and if you are sick you are getting a shot!" At first she felt better and then she decided it was worth going to the Dr. for. Steve took her in and nothing was wrong with her, no fever, no swelling in the throat, nothing. So, it was off to school she went. Steve had a little chat with her about not playing sick anymore, that her job was going to school and that was what she was going to do. I'm sure we'll have to deal with this again. She's too smart for her own good!

In no particular order.....

So, as promised, and after looking at everything I have to post, these will be in no particular order. So....here we go!

The slide show is from Izabella's birthday party. We had a camp out in the backyard courtesy of our fine neighbors the Brown's for the tent, and the Puckett's for the water feature, thanks! It was awesome as I'm sure the pictures tell. Sorry the slide show is so long, but apparently I took lots of pictures and couldn't edit any out. I want you to feel like you were there ;) Enjoy!




The next few pictures are just another night of neighbors all hanging out and letting the kids play. We do this every weekend and guess what, it's free and the kids love it. Before school started it was pretty typical for the kids to end up asleep before the parents were ready to go in, so if Izabella ended up sleeping at the Brown's then the next night I would offer to have their kids over, always a fun time!

The next few photos are from last weekend. The city had a Founder's Day celebration across the street at the school. They had food, music and an inflatable and then fireworks once it got dark. We went over to the school for a while and then I invited everyone back to our house to watch the fireworks. We layed out a blanket for the kids and the adults assumed their normal positions only this time in our driveway instead of the Brown's! (notice the Texas chainsaw masacre mask, niiiice! this has become a part of every weekend, after dark muwaa-a-a-a!) We ended up out there until almost 2 in the morning just talking it up! My how time flies...

These next few are just random swimming shots.......

And then the best surprise of the Summer was that Dad came to visit. Izabella was soooo happy to see Grandpa Bill! He got to come to school with her and eat lunch one day, that was fun! He made up a scavenger hunt for Izabella to play after school. He was really good at it, che had to find the first clue which led her to the next and so on until she found the prize, which was $20 and she had to read to him that night. She just can decide what to do with that $20 dollars but I'm sure it won't last much longer. We miss you already Dad!

OK, so this should catch everyone up to date. I will try to post more frequently so this doesn't happen again. Enjoy! Love and miss everyone!