S*I*S*T*E*R*S

Best friends one minute...

and fighting the next!

No one can love and fight like sisters!

Camping

We finally went on that camping trip we have been talking about for years.  The weather was so great all through November that we took advantage of it and packed up our gear for an overnight excursion in the wild outdoors.  Well, Cedar Hill State Park!!

The kids had a blast.  It was J and E's first camping experience.  They did OK...except J and mom had to go sleep in the van because J woke up in the middle of the night screaming and wouldn't stop.  We were afraid he would wake up the whole campground (It was very crowded)...so mom and J tried to find comfort in the van.  The kids enjoyed making s'mores, fishing, hiking, playing on the playgournd, and eating all of Dad's campfire cooking.    We definitely made some good memories!  I see a lot more camping in our future!!!!!

Happy Veteran's Day

Happy Veteran's Day!  Today we are remebering all veterans...especially my Papa...Great Papa to my kids.  Thanks for all your service and sacrifices for our country!  This is our first Veteran's Day without our hero Papa.  He is definitely loved and missed by us all.  He always loved sharing his stories about his time in the army...good and bad.  Papa was very proud of serving his country, and we are proud of him for it, too!  Thank you to all men and women serving our country...today and in the past!  God bless you all!

What a long evening!  Chad is at a meeting. 
These pictures remind me of myself...
only there should be a few more crying,
whining, or fighting kids with the moms.
How long can I blame the time change?!?!?

Halloween Party at UD

The kids got to have a trial run with their costumes on Thursday evening when our good friends ( and E's godparents) the Brownsbergers called to invite us to a faculty and alumni Halloween party at the University of Dallas...Chad's alma mater! We were very excited to see our friends and to have some fun!

It was a race to get the kids' costumes together. B was a target and, A was a crazy little clown. What fun all that paint was! It was messy and "itchy"...but oh so cute! E was a princess again. We're still working on J!

The kids had a blast. The college students run the event with trick-or-treating in the dorms, pumpkin decorating, cookie decorating, and even a haunted house (again in one of the dorm hallways). And that was only half of it...we left early to get the young 'uns to bed. The students did such a good job with this event. It was funny trying to imagine Chad as one of those students many years ago in those very buildings. Even more fun...imagining B as one of them in the future! Little J loved getting all that candy and was seen a time or two with an open piece in each hand! He kept opening his bag and showing me...saying, "CANDY!"

Of course, the kids can't wait to do it all again on Saturday!!!! We're going to Little D to celebrate with Chad's family. We'll be getting together for the traditional party at Great Grandma's house...pizza and trick-or-treating. Then it sounds like we are moving right along to November with our parents' church turkey dinner on Sunday! Boo! Gobble, gobble!;)

Let the fun begin! Or continue!!!!!!

Our Little Lady Liberty

E's pre-k class performed a couple of songs today at the morning prayer service. The kids did such a good job...they have a wondeful teacher. They were so cute...especially our darling daughter, of course! Notice the microphone is right in front of E!!! Not sure she needed it ~ since she is a human megaphone!

E and another little girl led the class in a song about Lady Liberty. Yes, E got to be even closer to the microphone. I felt (just a tiny bit) sorry for the other girl...cuz E was VERY loud! She did a great job! She enjoys singing. We've noticed her singing more at church too...the responses and hymns. Sweet, but loud! Of course, the performance wouldn't have beem the same without the cool headgear!

I knew it was just a matter of time....

The Swine flu has struck at the Riley house! :( Well, my sweet baby J woke up this morning, and something wasn't right. He was fine when he went to bed last night and woke up this morning with a fever and feeling miserable! So we had a crazy, unplanned day going to a new doctor, trying 2 different pharmacies before finding Tamiflu, and dealing with the health insurance company over an error (their error)...all with a toddler who felt terrible and only wanted to be held by Mommy. Did I mention that I also got puked on before Chad got home!?!? Oh, the joys of Mommyhood! Of course, with J's history of wheezing (and news stories about H1N1), I'm more than a little concerned. He has also hit the stage where he doesn't want to take medicine....so he has already spit out part of a dose of Tamiflu and Motrin. Not sure how that is gonna help him get better...yep, that's got me stressed too! I'm hoping and praying that he gets over this quickly and easily...and that no one else gets it!

Holy Rosary Feast Day Parties

Celebrating our school's feast day means PARTY DAY!!! Mommy and Little J had to make the rounds to three different class parties...J didn't mind - he got treats at all three!

On Stage!

The first grade class has had a busy couple of weeks. Some of the kids got to read and lead the prayers at Monday morning prayer service. Big A did a great job on her part.

They also got to perform a song and dance on stage before the talent show last week. Wow...my little angel

was loving being on stage...not shy at all!

Out Back

Chad and the kids spent a couple of Saturdays (while I was tutoring) trying to get the backyard under control! It definitely needs a lot of TLC. They got off to a good start, but we still have a long way to go. Chad also put up the swingset and moved a bunch of paving stones. Underneath the stones was a ton of sand...which the kids loved, of course. B-Ri had fun burying himslef in the sand! We also got the basketball goal set up, and some of the overgrown bushes and vines ripped out! It's taking shape...slowly! I'm just glad we have trees...such a difference from our previous house.

Creative and Artsy

Our oldest daughter has always been very creative and imaginative. She has always loved drawing and making arts and crafts. This year, she is taking art lessons after school from a professional artist that teaches at our school. Of course, she loves it! She even comes up with creative little projects on her own at home. Her latest was a vase...she painted a beer bottle with colorful polka dots. She gave it to her art teacher for his birthday! She even made him a card, rolled it up and put it in the bottle. She is so thoughtful and gifted. I can't wait to see how she uses her talents!

Our Little Altar Server

B-Ri became an altar server for Masses at his school, Holy Rosary Catholic School. He served his 1st mass last week. He did such a good job. Very proud moment for Mom and Dad...but I think I was more nervous than he was!!! I'm sure I looked goofy out there watching him with a big grin on my face!:) Just one more step forward on his journey of faith!

Rain, rain, go away...or not. It doesn't matter...we're still gonna PLAY!

playing in the gutter

trying out some scooter moves in the rain

splashing in the water-filled pot hole in the street

It has been raining for 8 days now! I think it stopped for a few hours one day...but it returned. The rain doesn't bother the kids. They love to play outside in it and make a big splash in the many puddles! As long as there is no thunder or lightning...then they run for the door! Of course, they are making more dirty laundry for Mommy...with all the towels and wet clothes!!! One of these years, I'll get caught up on that! But they have so much FUN. . .it's hard to tell them no! It certainly has felt like fall lately!

Visit from Father Patrick

We got a nice surprise this week when we got a call from Chad's good friend and Jack's godfather, Father Patrick. He was passing through on his way back to Corpus Christi from Colorado. He blessed us and our home by doing a home Mass in our new house. The kids enjoyed this special Mass and participated by doing the readings and helping as altar servers. They also enjoyed having a homily just for them...very kid and family friendly. Of course, "Wild Thang" was running around playing trains and jumping on the couch...but he did get on his knees to kneel and pray for about 10 seconds! Father Patrick is always so good with the kids...joking with them and making them laugh. But, he is also very caring and wise! He has been a great friend to Chad over the years. Too bad it was such a short visit. We hope to see him again soon!

New to This

Just trying to figure this whole blog thing out!