Sweet Holiday Wishes...

Sweet Holiday Wishes...

What's better than Snow Cones and Whistle Pops?

Candy Canes and Lollipops!

Hope your holidays are as sweet as ours.

Fall 2009

School started and we hit the ground running!

GOOOOAAALLLLLL!

Lucy absolutely loves her First Grade class. We were proud to learn that she takes after the Pitcher side of the family with her math skills and the Bush side with her art, as those are both of her favorite subjects. I guess she'll be well-rounded. Her teacher even looked at her grade book one additional time to make sure she wasn't wrong. Yep, Lucy Jean has a 100 average in math! Keep up the great work. When Lucy brought home an art project, my first instinct was to question whether or not it was really her work...it was beautiful. I don't think I could have drawn it that well! We've even signed her up for art lessons during the Spring.

We played another season of soccer. While we weren't the best team in the club, we were definitely the cutest and most social team. Coach Garrick took on the task one more time and did a wonderful job. Yes, it was a long, stressful season on him, but the girls loved him (and the parents loved watching him at the games!) Lucy's first goal of the season was on my birthday....after she scored, she turned around and told me that was just for me. Still brings tears to my eyes.

Connally at the soccer games...
Connally and Dave'o

Connally started her first year of Pre-School. She has the best teacher (her mother!) Yep, I changed careers and found out that I'm good with a group of 20 three year olds! She has learned the months of the year and that everyone shakes hands with their Right hands. So far, she's learned the letters M, T, P, H, N, A and C. It's been fun to be a fly on the wall and watch her on the playground. Similar to her sister, she is a leader. However, all of her friends are girls. They play house, doctor, and to my dismay, they have learned to bring in as much sand as possible from the playground.

We took the girls to a Longhorn football game. Lucy is a veteran at it, but it was Connally's first game. They both loved wearing chaps just like the Pom Squad, as well as watching Bevo and the Longhorn band... However, their favorite part of the day was spending time at the Alumni Center eating Snow Cones and climbing on the statues. When watching them on TV, the girls now look for the burnt orange color and ask the score. Hook 'em!

Lucy decided that we should host a Halloween party, so we did. Lucy was a rollerskating carhop/50's girl and Connally was a little devil. We set up photo cutouts and a backdrop that Claude had made years ago. The kids really enjoyed taking their pictures with them. The other favorite was apple dunking, and of course Trick or Treating. The adults enjoyed chili and a candy apple bar. What fun!

As for the holidays, we spent Thanksgiving at home and made the usual with all the trimmings. Connally was excited to see the turkey uncooked. She asked Dave'o if he wanted to see it. She took him to the refrigerator, opened the door and quickly told him not to touch it, as it might bite him! Lucy was happy to help make cookies in the shapes of turkeys by using cutouts of her hands and then decorating with icing. Connally just ate the cookie dough and licked the icing. We spent the end of the Thanksgiving holiday in Clifton for Walter's 100th birthday. The girls were great servers for the party. Lucy handed out the drinks and Connally served the cake. Happy Birthday Walter!

The girls are anxious to start decorating for Christmas. Until then, Happy Holidays! We're glad to have each and every one of you as part of our lives. We are thankful for each other, our friends and family and our good health. Ho Ho Ho!

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...