Lazy Day at the River

Gabriel with one of his best buddies.


One of my best buddies with her husband, one of Brandon's best buddies.

Ethan shooting the breeze with Simon, who is such a good buddy, he is practically family.


Noodle races.

Complete strangers gawk at my son's courage and bravery.

This House is NOT Comfort Cool

About a month ago the AC went out. Its still super hot in south texas. The kids, the dog and I went out for most of the day. You would be surprised at how few air conditioned places let you bring your dog inside. We even went over to my friend, Elizabeth's, house to cool off. Her Great Dane and my Great Dane weren't the greatest of friends at that point (but there is an upcoming post with a happy ending). We didn't stay too long though. Neither Elizabeth, nor I, have the strength to hold back two riled up Great Danes.

Shout out to Elizabeth And Apollo, "HOLLA!!!"

After about 8 hours of driving around town and just plain sitting in the car, we went back home. It was in the low 90's in the house. So, its not like it was dangerously hot or anything. This where the cat was when I left her and she was still there when I returned...

... all cozy between the toaster and a bowl of ice water. Well, at the end of the day it was just water.

Ten minutes at home and this is where Duncan passed out.

Cartoons can make almost any unpleasant situation tolerable.

Gabriel and Duncan Play

This is how I found them.

Duncan gives Gabriel a kiss.

Duncan sneezed. Good thing Gabriel moved away from his mouth just then! Duncan sneezes when he is on his back a lot. I'm beginning to think its a reflex - like when sharks are on their backs they fall asleep. I love how he tried to cover his snout when he sneezes. So polite.

Gabriel counts Duncan's teeth.

Fin.

A Late Summer Bday Party

One of Gabriel's friends had a party at San Antonio's Kiddie Park. This is probably one of the most adorable places I have ever been to. Its a bit on the old and rustic side, but that really just adds to the charm!
G with a lady admirer. Birthday girl on left.

The Latest Musical Sensation

Gabriel's nightmare

This morning, I went to wake G up for school. He asked me to cuddle with him for a few minutes. So I cozied into his bed. He dozed back asleep. I shook him gently, "hey, kid, you gotta wake up for school. Carpe diem." He replied, "Wait mom, I had a really bad dream. Let me have a good dream then I will go to school." My heart sank. I totally know how he feels. But no, the first bell waits for no one.

This evening, when I tucked him back into bed, he offered to tell me about hid dream last night.

He turned into a snake. If that wasn't bad enough. I was there (in person form) with someone I know (also in person form). She had a son (a snake too). Daddy was at home sleeping. That son didn't like Gabriel and so Gabriel didn't like him either. We were in place with lots of doors and chairs. He and the son were at the first chair. The son slithered away, so he followed him even though he knew he shouldn't. But I was just there watching.

Isn't that crazy?

I said a prayer for Gabriel and Ethan.

Then Ethan said, "I want to go into that boy snake's head and kick him in the brain."

How's that for brotherly love?

And now I leave you with a picture (because I'm compulsive about that sort of thing). This is my houseplant. I've had it since May and not yet killed it. A new record!


ONE MORE THING: In the car this evening, Ethan was on one of "why?" "why?" "why?" things - finally I just said, "Oh Ethan, you exasperate me." Ethan said, "What does exsaterate mean?" And Gabriel! My brilliant just turned 6 years old child said, "that means you are frustrating mommy." I about died right there.

Kids will be kids

Some of Brandon's family came into town. We took the second cousins all to The Children's Museum.


These are pretty self-explanatory, but let's begin at the end.
all together at the end of the day.










After all the fun and exhaustion, we went across the street to The Buckhorn Saloon.

Gabriel's Super Birthday Party

As usual we went WAY over board for Gabriel's 6th birthday party. The theme was Super Heroes. And it was SUPER! Check it out...
Super special thanks to my awesome cousin Debbie (remember the owl cupcakes?) who helped me fashion this cape for Duncan.
Super Man and Super Dog on the lookout for trouble (and guests).



As the guests arrived, some were in home made super costumes... Others were in store bought super costumes.



Our cat, holding her ground under a mountain of gifts.

Balloon animals!
Bouncy Castle!

A good time was had by all.

From here on I have handed my camera off to a trusted friend (who is also a photographer). I had Super Mom duties to attend to. Actually, I was a Super Villain ... The Punisher. More on that later.

Right now, its time for the pinata!


Some of the only pictures I have of my youngest child in his home made Hulk costume. I am a bad mom sometimes. Then there were prizes for best costumes.




And then there was cake. I don't look like I'm doing anything interesting here, except hold a lighter. But I like this picture. I love it. I love it because I look like my mom here. Hi, mom!

After most of the guests left, my friend Jaime busted out the colored hair spray!


-------------------------------

The Punisher...

I'll give you something to cry about.

(That's what it says on the back of my wooden spoon.)

The plans. Mwaa haaa haaa haaaaa!!!!!!

My kids are really lucky to have a good mom like me around.
I almost contacted Keely (you bloggers know who I'm talking about) for some creative inspiration. Instead I called my mom (who loves to be involved in her grandkids bday parties - anyway she can - from a thousand miles away). She and I brainstormed this beauty of a villain up. She may make another appearance at Halloween.