Playing House. Instant Parents. Aunt and Uncle Time!

We have the cutest, best, little nieces and nephew ever!  This past weekend we got the joy of spending 3 days with them.  Just them.  We weren't sure if we were up to the task with no experience, but we were more than happy to give it a whirl.  I'm typing this blog so we survived.  I must warn you...these kids are pretty dang fun to hang with and great at taking pictures.

Friday - The Beginning.
Preston and I left work and went straight to the hotel where my sister was staying for a conference and we were greeted in the lobby with hugs and kisses.  Within 30 mins we were ready to go to dinner.  It was unanimous that everyone wanted pizza.  Preston did a quick Google search and found a place within 2 miles.  We all got our shoes on and headed to the car.  We needed to take my sisters car as we needed a vehicle with 3 car seats.  It didn't take long before I was sweating.  Getting everyone strapped in is HARD.  We weren't sure how it worked, but the 6 year old was very helpful!  I brought my camera as I planned on taking pictures. HA! That's cute.  I was doing good to even eat half a slice of pizza.  We got back to the hotel right before a storm came in and it was perfect for the kids to get on their PJs and watch a movie. I did manage to get this cute photo of Gage buried in the bed watching a movie on the iPad.

Saturday - Tour of Dallas

Up bright and early, we were at the hotel by 8:30am to pic the kiddos up.  We were going to the Perot Nature and Science Museum! I didn't realize my camera was on the wrong setting until we were inside the museum, so the first pics are kind of funky looking.

walking to the museum

They were excited about going into the Box!

Drew really wanted to come see me.  I love how you can see Reese in the background.

awwwww, love this one too!

playing music before we enter

We have a membership to the museum so it was awesome to just walk right up.  No waiting in line.  Plus we are allowed to go in an hour and half prior to it opening to the public.  Which with kids...is AWESOME! They had free range of so many exhibits.

Dinosaurs!

Gage is going to race T-Rex

Uncle Preston getting him pumped at the starting line. Seven seconds till start time!!

Reese is getting on her mark to kick the soccer ball.  It takes a video of her kicking to watch her form.  She has a really good kick! Wish we could have bought the video.

Reese and Gage prepare to race each other AND T-Rex.

The Recycle Reef

They placed their recycled artwork into the reef

Little Drew wanted to lift up the bowling balls too....awwww

yeah....I rocked the Baby Bjorn.

Whoaaaaaa!

This next exhibit was so cool.  You stand in front of the screen and you can fly like a bird.  Which ever direction you move, the bird moves.  You wear 3D glasses and you are flying!!

Reese listing to bird calls

We then found another hands on exhibit that was basically dry ice in water and then blown into a soap bubble.  The kids then put on a glove and could hold them in their hands.  I really wanted to hold one, but you know...it was for the kids. ::sigh::

This nice worker was explaining to Reese and Gage the different kinds of furs and skulls of animals.

The heat sensor! White is hot.  Everyone's faces were white.  You can see me in the back far right hold Drew. 

They loooooved running back and forth with this thing.  It followed their movement.

Gage thought this was awesome!  It blew air up the tube so you could put a cube of paper in it and it flew to the top.

So many interactive things to do! 

It was almost 11:30 by the time we were finished and the kids were hungry.  Today they wanted Mexican! So off to Mi Cocina we went.  We went to the Lakewood location vs the Uptown as it is way more family friendly.

Tortilla face time.  One corn and one flour.  

After lunch we went to our house to relax and watch a Netflix movie.  Netflix has a great selection of kids movies.  Drew was more interested in our cat Ashe.  She only has dogs, so a cat was very different.  Ashe tolerated her curiosity very well.

"umm..what is this?"

"can I touch it? oh! it's furry."

We then changed into bathing suits and headed back to the hotel for some swimming.  Although we only went about 2 miles before everyone looked like this.  We drove around extra turns and exits allowing them a solid 30 min nap.  

I don't have any photos of us swimming and I'm ok with that.  My sister joined us a little before 6pm and Preston and I headed back to Dallas.  But not for long.....the next day was full of surprises!

Sunday - Surprise!!

This day we didn't tell the kids what we had planned.  Preston and I met them at the hotel around 10am.  My sister checked out of the hotel and we loaded up the car.  I drove my sister's car while Preston followed us in his.  We made our way to the Galleria Mall.  I haven't been to the Galleria in years so naturally I missed the exit off of 635 and took everyone on a short tour of the tollway. Opps!  Back on track we headed into the parking garage.  We told Gage that he was going to send the day with Uncle Preston, just boys. Gage was super exicited and off they went into the mall.  Reese, still not sure what we were doing grabbed her America Girl doll and we lead her to the mecca of 6 year old land....The American Girl Store.  Once she realized where she was you could tell she wasn't sure what she was suppose to do.  We got there a little before 11am.  Our reservations were at 11:15am.  It didn't open until 11am so we waited, along with the rest of the world. 

 The excitement was building and Reese was realizing where she was, so of course she had to call her Daddy and Gramps to let them know that she was about to have lunch at The American Girl store.

All dressed up and ready for lunch

Very important phone calls going on.

I can't really explain the pink explosion of this store.  It is a little girls dream come true.  Lunch was actually good food! I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

I really love this one, they both have milkshakes.

After lunch we headed to the Salon.  We had an appointment at 1:30!

Before Picture

Dressed in her towel wrap ready for her body scrub. 

Gotta make sure her nails are clean.....

Having so much fun! Please not the facial that is going on in the background.

Time for hair

Two perfect braids!

Customer has to sign off on the services.

She signed her name really really well.  I was impressed.

Thanks Veronica for the great salon job and great spirit.  She was really playing up the roll....or was she?

Preston and Gage met up with us.  They had a great time playing in the Galleria play zone, looking at sports memorabilia stores, eating pizza (again), and having ice cream as a treat.  I had the camera with me the whole time so no Boys Only photos.

The only picture we got all weekend of all 5 of us.  Gage was THRILLED to be in this store.

All in all we had a wonderful weekend.  I have never thought being a parent was easy, but I have a new respect now for my friends with kids.  I also now know the secret to you all staying skinny!  You have NO time to eat.  Ever.  I miss the kids already, but no worries....we will see them again in less than 2 weeks back in Oklahoma.

Whew, I'm Tired.

Boy have I been going, going, going.  Once again I have neglected my writing.  There is no way I could catch up so I'm just doing a lame post of photos.  Here is what I've been doing the past month or so.

My friend Vanessa became an American Citizen!

Congratulations my fellow American.

We saw Tim McGraw!

He was really really tan. Leatherly. 

But we still have a great time!!!

Helllllllo Margaritaville.  This was the only pic we got of the weekend at the Margaritaville Resort & Casino.

Sorority Reunion Time! Austin, TX

Party Barge aka Lola Barge

Of course you have to end the weekend with a good brunch! Sunday Funday

I was obessed with this fish at Hula Hut.  I don't know why, but I have about 15 pictures of this thing.

So there you have it!  Here is to August and new adventures.

Greek Salad

I learned to make this simple greek salad from my mom as a child.  It is so fast and easy to put together!  It can be paired with just about any meal as well as a snack on its own.  Here is my own version of directions.

You will need the following:

1 cucumber

1 package of grape tomatoes 

1 package of feta crumbles

EVOO

Lemon Juice

Cavenders Greek Seasoning

Obvious items: bowl, knife, cuttingboard, and measuring cup (1/2 cup)

Step 1:

Cut the cucumber into cubes. I like to slice it first in half, then in three strips, and then into the cubes.  This isn't food network so don't worry about your cuts being the same size, etc.  Just dice your cucumber. Place into bowl.

Step 2:

For the tomatoes there is no exact amount.  I just put them in until I think that is enough.  I like to cut them right in half as shown above.  Pretty simple. Place into bowl.

Here is what the Cavenders looks like.  I realized it wasn't in my picture above.  You can find this in the spice aisle at any major grocery store.  We put this stuff on EVERYTHING.

Step 3:

You will want to mix 1/2 cup of lemon juice and 1/2 cup EVOO.  I like to put it in one big measuring cup so  it is easier to stir.  Plus it's fun to see it separate.  Oh' there you go again science.  Being all science and stuff.   

Add some Cavenders to the mix.  Again, no exact measurement, just to taste.  I tend to put some in, whisk it around, taste, and add more until I'm satisfied. 

Step 4: 

Pour the liquid into the bowl with the cucumbers and tomatoes.  I would also like to say that I got this photo in one take.  I was a little nervous as it is hard to pour and take a picture, but I did it! Yea-Ya.

Step 5:

Add the package of feta cheese.  I pour in the whole tub, but if you don't like that much cheese, just put in however much you feel is a good mix.

Step 6:

Stir it around.  Make sure the liquid is all up in that salad.  All the ingredients are mixed evenly and such.  It's perfectly ok to take some bites.  You want to make sure it taste good!  This is the time that you can add more of lemon juice, EVOO, or cavenders.  Whatever you think it needs.

Step 7:

The final step is to put it in the fridge and let it think about itself.  The longer it thinks about what it's done, the better it will taste.  But if you just can't wait, it still taste good.

So that's it! That is how I make Greek Salad.  If you want to make more, just increase your ingredients.  Use 2 cucumbers, more tomatoes, etc.  The key to a lot of it is make sure you use equal parts for the liquid.  If you use 1 cup lemon juice, use 1 cup EVOO.  5 cups lemon juice then 5 cups EVOO.  Hope you enjoy this recipe!  

14 Weeks to 10k: My Story

It's hard to believe that just 14 weeks ago I could barely run 2 miles without stopping.  I specifically remember running the Hotcake Shuffle 5k back in January and my goal was to just make it to 2 miles before I stopped walking.  Now I can run 6 miles and not even stop!  It wasn't an easy journey, but I did it and here is my story.

14 weeks ago I downloaded an app on my iPhone called Couch to 10k FREE.  It's a great program that eases you into running.  I use to run a lot in my early 20's.  I loved it!  It gave me something to do in my free time and kept me in shape.  That slowly went away with time and I wanted back in.  My husband started running this past year and has since completed 3 half marathons!  I felt left out.  So to the app I went.  To give you an idea, this is the first week.

Week 1

Day 1: Brisk 5 minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for 20 mins. 

Day 2: repeat above

Day 3: repeat above

As you can see, it's not hard.  It then increases as the weeks go on.  Here is the third week.

Week 3

Day 1: Brisk 5 minute warmup walk, then do 2 repetitions of the following; Jog for 90 secs; Walk for 90 secs; Jog for 3 mins; Walk for 3 mins

Day 2 & 3: repeat above

At first I was kind of bored with the workouts, but kept with it.  In order to know if this program worked, I had to stick to the program.  Well friends....if I can do it...you can do it.  Many days I just didn't want too.  Sometimes I even walked when I was suppose to be running.  I would be lying if I said I never got teary eyed while out trying to do my weekly training.  Hanging out with friends were turned down, Happy Hours were missed, toenails fell off, and hangover runs were performed.  Those were the WORST.  I learned very quickly that, that extra glass of wine was not worth it knowing that I had to run for 45 mins the next day.  

All said and done, I would do it again.  I learned that I can do anything if I want to.  I can't do it because someone else wants me to or says I can.  It has to be my choice.  I learned which type of socks, shorts, and shirts I like.  And I learned that having a good solid Garmin watch that tracks your speed and distance is just the motivation you need.  Looking down and seeing you are only 1/4 mile away from 5 miles when your app says your time is up only makes you go longer because you are SO CLOSE.  

If you've been thinking about doing a 10k or even doing a 5k! I encourage you to do a search on your phone in the App Store for Couch to 10k or Couch to 5k.  Pick the FREE version and I promise you, you will succeed.  The app even tells you when to start running, start walking, and when you are half way there so you can turn around.  You literally just hit "start workout" and follow the instructions.  You can even listen to music at the same time. Let me know what race you sign up for and I'll join you if you want a running buddy.  Here are my pictures from my race.

The race was delayed for an hour due to rain and lighting.  What to do?!

Finished! Showing off our medals.

Wounded Warrior am I with my fractured wrist. opps!