First Day of School 2009!

walking to the bus stop

(please no comment about the two bows or socks with mary janes...not my choice!)

Lucy goes to first grade and Connally goes to preschool!

This year, we continued our "back to school" tradition. We made Lucy her favorite meal; marinated salmon, Rice-a-Roni, banana bread and grapes (okay, the banana bread and grapes were for Connally.) We then headed out for an ice cream treat with MeeMaw and DadDad. Lucy got her usual bubblegum ice cream and Connally had rainbow sherbert. Next, we went back to the house to settle in our first night at "getting back in the routine. "

We set the alarms for bright and early this morning, but neither of the girls seemed to hop out of bed as cheerfully as they did last year. Lucy wanted to practice her sight words in case the teacher asked her to read a book (bless her little heart.) Connally just wanted to snuggle.

I packed lunches, the girls put on their new clothes, and we all headed out the door for our photo shoot.

(Lucy and Abigail)

Lucy got on the school bus just fine, and I beat her to school. I was able to put away school supplies, as well as make sure she got there okay. This year, she was happy to see me waiting. She even held my hand as we walked down the hallway towards her class. Her sweet teacher, Mrs. Burson, was waiting and kindly made her feel welcomed.

(Lucy and Mrs. Burson)

We were a little unsure this year, as we don't know many kids in the class. However, she was happy to report that there were a few kids that she knew from last year, as well as that she got to see ALL her friends at recess (and that recess is a little too short this year.)

Connally also had a great day in preschool. She has the best teachers (Paula, who taught Lucy for years, and then I'll be joining the class next Monday.) Connally's class is a class of singers and dancers, so she will fit right in. This year, they will be working on the regular preschool skills, as well as manners and kindness. What more could a 3 year old ask for? Thank you m'aam!

Can't wait to report more of years happenings.

Connally turns 3!

As the summer started to wind down, Connally's third birthday was fast approaching. We surprised the girls with a weekend in Conroe, at the new La Torretta Del Lago. As always, they revel in the excitement of staying in a hotel.

I can't count the number of times we floated around the lazy river at the pool.

We also took the girls on their first boat ride. Garrick rented a pontoon boat, so packed another cooler and set off to sail on the "bumpy river," as Connally would call it.


The following day, we met Dave, Claude and Uncle Tommy at Gink and Uncle Jimmy's house for another stroll around the lake. What fun!


As for little bit's birthday party, we stressed over what to do...this would be her first "real" party with friends. She wanted a Maggie and the Ferocious Beast party in our backyard, but I didn't have the heart to invite people over for a mid-afternoon heat stroke. Nevertheless, McDonalds won our hearts.

She had 10 friends that joined us (okay, a few were Lucy's friends, but don't tell Connally...she thinks they are her friends, not Lucy's.) They all played on the playscape, as well as patiently waited for the facepainter to transform their little faces and arms into works of art. Happy meals, cake and ice cream were served.

Here's a slideshow of her party http://picasaweb.google.com/cjpitch/Summer200902?authkey=Gv1sRgCIeUqc_iz_qhSw#slideshow

Little Connally opened her presents and was so thankful for everything she received...she'd open it, ask if it was really for her, and then ask if she could take it home :) Her favorites were of course the babies and baby accessories, kitchen goods, playdough, strawberry shortcake and cleaning supplies.

Thanks to all for making it a success!

July 4th road trip with mom

I took my chances, packed our bags and took off to New Braunfels with girls (all by myself- Garrick, Dave and Claude would be joining us later in the week.) The girls loved it, as I told them we could stop at every Dairy Queen along the way, if need be. After a blizzard and a couple of dip-top cones, we arrived at the river house in one piece, and we settled in for a fun week.

We swam in the river, swang on the rope swing, giggled, danced, and well, to be honest, sweat! It was hot. It was hotter than I had ever remembered.

We also went into Gruene for dinner and snow cones (and a picture shoot- per Lucy.)

The next day, we packed a cooler/picnic and headed for Landa Park. We started off with a train ride, and we ended with a dip in the natural swimming hole. The girls loved the water slide. Connally especially enjoyed the splash pad. Lucy REALLY wanted to try the "big kid" waterslide. She watched it and watched it and watched it, and just before we were ready to leave, she decided to try it out. She LOVED it, and she rode it again, and again, and again, and again! She was so proud of it that we had to take Garrick for a look-see, as soon as he got to town.

Garrick, Dave, Claude and Scout arrived on Friday, just before the weekend. We watched the "river parade" tube by us, as well as the "crampers" file into the campsites.

Dave brought his newest toy (4 wheeler, but Connally calls it the tractor,) so we had many "hay rides" with the trailer (or as Connally calls it, the wagon) attached to the back of it.

Did I mention that it was hot? The county was on a burn ban, so there were no fireworks (the first time in my 34 years that I haven't seen them.) It was so hot that all the campers checked out, and the river was almost vacant on Saturday, the 4th of July. It was so hot that we all took cold showers and went to bed with our hair wet, just to cool off!

All in all, it was a great week. Many memories were created...

Port Royal, here we come!

This year, Mee Maw and Dad Dad took us to Port Royal (Port Aransas) for our family trip. We went in luxury, as Dad Dad toted us around in the RV. We had it fully loaded with coolers, noodles, floats, goggles, oh yeah and some luggage.

The girls absolutely LOVED the beach this year. We took many strolls along the beach, searched for seashells (amongst other sea creatures,) as well as body surfed and built several sand castles.

We also spent an abundance of time in the pool (sun up to sun down.)
Here is Lucy doing her first Bungy Jump! I can't believe that she wanted to do it, much less loving it!

Thanks Mee Maw and Dad Dad!

Pancakes, Bacon and French Toast Sticks...Lucy Pitcher turned 6!

We started summer off with a bang; Lucy turned 6. She wanted to eat Mexican food for dinner, so she could be serenaded by the mariachi band. No need to twist our arms to eat Mexican, so off we went. Mee Maw, Dad Dad, Garrick, Connally, Lucy's friend Brooke, and I were all in attendance.

We changed things up this year for the birthday party. We picked up all of her friends in Dad Dad's RV and brought them back to our house for breakfast. Our lastest trend of the summer was Hannah Montana, so we decked out the RV with birthday banners, Hannah Montana pillows and fabric, blow horns, a CD player, and we even decorated the windows with shoe polish. The RV is now known as the Hannah Montana Mobile .

Cheers to the bus driver, the bus driver, the bus driver....

The breakfast bar consisted of pancakes, waffles, bacon, whip cream, pecans, cherries, chocolate chips, syrup, corn syrup, and fruit (and cheers to the chefs---Mee Maw and Claude.)

We played musical chairs (of course to Hannah Montana.) We had a pancake toss, and we gave prizes for the sassiest slippers, best bed head, and cutest jammies.

All in all, it was a huge success.



click on the following link for a movie/slideshow of the events (Life is just a party, so come as you are!)




http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/g4IKXZTmPpCxWrsuohOX_w?authkey=Gv1sRgCPzl9I6bucuKsAE&feat=directlink