Goodbye Dance...Hello Teeth

Madison had her last dance class last night. She did so well this spring in the class. The recital was great and the pictures turned out so cute. I cannot wait to see the video. Hopefully that will come soon.
We were at Walmart today and I noticed that Katelyn already has 1 of her 12 month molars. WOW! I totally forgot to even look for them. Maddy got hers early too but I just never thought to check.
Tootles,
Melisa

Pics from the weekend

Seee ya later Gator

The girls and I are headed to Dallas for the weekend while Eric goes to Key West. We are staying with my friend Debbie and her family. She has two girls and Madison is so excited to have another sleep over. She asked me "do you think that Emily has dress up costumes?" "do you think that she has barbies?" "does she have a big bed or a little bed?" "does she have a playroom?" "does she have a sand box?" "does she like to swim?" on and on and on......

That last time that we visited Debbie and Brad was while Eric was deployed 3 years ago. Madison was almost one. She had just started to walk. Debbie was pregnant with Allison (born in March of 2006). In just 3 years, we went from friends with 2 girls....to 4 girls! Madison doesn't know it--but Emily is one of her longest friendships. We met Brad and Debbie in Shreveport through the local A&M club and quickly became good friends. She was heaven sent during my pregnancy as she had just gone through it. I am so thankful that the miles between Debbie and me don't get in the way of maintaining our friendship. I can always count on her and we catch up weekly. I enjoy her stories and her parenting advice. She is truely a great girl friend and I am so excited to spend some time hanging out with our kiddos (and without them once they hit the sack)!

Here are some photos from last. We will compare once I return with new ones.

I am so proud

to tell you that Katelyn said "Mama" today for the first time. She always says "Dadda" but today she did it.
Other milestones:
she walks
she tries to run
she squats when she poops
she loves to swim and take baths
she has the curliest hair and the biggest cheeks
she loves to watch Baby Einstein movies and princess movies
she loves to play with Madison
she eats crackers, goldfish, cheerios and bananas from the peel (and all veggies, fruits and meats)
she drinks from a sippee cup
she is facing forwards in the car seat
she is the sweetest baby and I cannot believe that in less than 1 month--she will be 1 year old!
WOW time flies! I am getting ready to have her 1st birthday photos taken in the same dress that Madison wore for her 1st birthday photos. I can't wait to see how they turn out!

The dust comes off....

I am posting! Sorry for the delay but I just got bored with it, didn't feel like anyone was reading or really cared, and got concerned about the whole "Internet". Do I really want ANYONE to know where I live, what I do, and the names of my kids. It is a huge blog debate! And I am not sure where I stand....but I will keep posting until I make up my mind.
SO let's take a stroll down memory lane.

1) Madison had her 1st dance recital on June 12. It was so cute to see her dancing on the big stage. I was super proud and very teary eyed watching her perform. She was so excited to finally go on the stage. We ordered pictures and a video. I can't wait to see how they turned out. Thank you to everyone who attended the performance. It is so special to know that we have such a great family.

2) The girls first movie date. We saw Alvin and the Chipmunks last week at the theatre. Maddy had so much fun watching the movie on the big screen and Katelyn slept through most of the movie. We also saw Kung Fu Panda on Sunday for Father's Day and ordered popcorn and soda this time. The movies will definitely be a great summer activity.

3) We celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary. We had a date night to the Tower of America restaurant called the Chart House. It was fabulous. The restaurant rotates so the view is always changing. Our reservations were for sunset (Eric's great idea) and it was so romantic. Plus the food was delicious. Very fancy and highly recommended.

4) Madison spent her first weekend away from home in Anahuac. I met my mom and grandmother half way on Friday June 6 and Maddy went on her way. They played outside and attending a wedding. We picked her up on Sunday afternoon and she said that she can't wait to go back again.

5) Eric's mom had a birthday so we met at Macaroni Grill for dinner. As we sat finishing our yummy dinner, we noticed the lights were on a Ratama Park (horse races). So we headed over to the park after dinner and saw 4 races. SO FUN! I LOVE RATAMA!

6) I am thinking of becoming an academic coordinator for CHI (Cultural Homestay International). It is a foreign exchange program that places students in host families and then maintains contact with the throughout the year to make sure they are doing well and adjusting. I think it will be a great way to make a little extra money while working from home. The hardest part is finding host families--so if you know of anyone that has ever thought about, please let me know. There are 100's of students that want to visit our great country and learn about the American way.


I think that catches you up to date with what has been going on .

Ta-ta ~Melisa

As you requested...

Peepaw&Mimi said...
GREAT PIC of Madison - But where's Katelyn??? Also, we were wondering "why no photos of our family weekend at Port A?" Haven't seen any of those posted on your site

:-{

xoxoxoxoxMimi & Peepaw Gutierrez

Thanks for reminding me....I totally forget that I even took photos until I downloaded all of the recent ones from my camera. The place we stayed was awesome. They had 3 pools 2 hot tubs and 2 swimup bars. We walked to the beach and ate lots of delicious food. It was a good Mother's Day weekend! Thanks for inviting us along Mimi and Peepaw!

So here are some photos as you requested:

Swim day

Camaryn and Landon came over today for a swim party. The kids all had fun playing in the sunshine. After everyone left, Eric and I hung out like WHITE TRASH in the pool while the girls took naps. We had beer and sonic drinks, music and greasy water (from my tanning oil). It was very relaxing!!! I would love a pool but we have one just 3 streets away. I can't wait for it to open next week.

We are going to the Aggie Picnic today so I'll post photos later! Peace out.

Fun with the Benoit's

My very good friend from WAY WAY back came to visit and brought her whole family. We were pregnant together and have 2 girls the same age. We had a great time at the lake, on the train, at the tower, playing ROCK BAND and Scattagories. We drank margaritas and wine and laughed until we cried (or at least I did watching them play Rock Band).

Madison and Alexis woke up at 6:45 AM on Saturday and immediately put on matching dress up tutu's.

Katelyn and Kendra sitting together in the chair.

Last photos of Lexi and Maddy

May OH May

So it's May....
time to get outside and soak up the rays-we walk to a nearby park everyday!

time to get new sand for the sandbox-Alex peed on it--YUCK

time to re-mulch the flower bed-we used black mulch this time and I really like the look of it

time to plant the garden -Eric planted tomatoes, okra, corn, strawberry, oregano and onions

time to clean the bathrooms-Yes I only do that once a year--hahaha--not really just happened to do that today!

time to hit the beach -Port Aransas for Mother's Day

time for the neighborhood pool to open-Memorial Day weekend

time to have friends over-Kim and Alex are coming for Memorial Day weekend

time to relax and enjoy being a mom and wife! Peace out

Money machine

Every morning I get up half asleep to go to work. The usual occurs...shower with eyes mostly closed...brush teeth with eyes 1/2 way open ...and shave with eyes about 3/4 open. All of this occurs with all three ladies in my house sawing logs...that is until i get ready to grab my keys, wallet and cell phone. Somehow Maddy has it timed to a tee...she usually walks into our room not quite awake with pinkie in hand (pinkie is her poodle-anket or blanket-oodle...whichever side comes first...half pink poodle-half blanket). Maddy is almost always in a good mood in the morning, which is nice for me because I am the total opposite. I always get a "Good morning daddy" which makes my day even before I leave. Two days ago Maddy said something that made me want to double over. Let me start by saying that Madison starts her day by determining what fun things she will do today. It's also the way that we get her to go to bed at night...ie."Remember if you want to go to _______, then you have to go to sleep". She keeps us to our word. The conversation between Maddy Moo and I went something like this:

Madison - Daddy, I have to tell you something.

Me (grabbing my keys before I head downstairs) - Yes munchie.

Madison - Daddy, what fun places are we going today?

Me - I don't know honey I have to go to work.

Madison - Daddy, I bet we can go to Chuck E. Cheese!

Me (trying not to commit Melisa to anything as she slept) - I'm not sure munchie...you'll have to ask your Mommy about that.

Madison (very serious) - Daddy come here...

(I move in closer expecting a sweet hug and kiss good-bye)

Madison (still very serious now staring into my eyes) - Daddy... I KNOW the money machine has money...ALL you have to do is go and get it... then we can go to Chuck E. Cheese...

I love my munch!