Ice Ice Baby

The most predictable thing about Texas weather is that it's unpredictable. Texas decided it wanted to be upstate New York for a few days. Monday started looking bad, and ice and really low temps were predicted, so FWISD gave us the option to take our kids out early. About 1/3 of parents decided it was an ice day from the get go, therefore the teachers didn't really teach since their classes were empty-ish. Once I got the call that parents could get their kids early, I headed out.

Of course Tuesday school was cancelled. We had a jammy day with hot chocolate and movies. Can you guess which child stepped outside to check out the ice?

Yep. This one. He actually decided the ice was cold on his feet and put on his slides the next time he went out.

 I was a little sad when I saw the little neighbor boy playing in the ice. 

Babies don't keep; the bigs poked their heads out just long enough to snap a picture.

Wednesday school was cancelled, as well. That was expected because we had a fantastic thunder ice storm Tuesday and it all froze during the night. Abe tried to go to work but he even decided it was too slippery out there. 

Daisy and I started watching The Bachelor. She has wanted to for years; I finally decided she was old enough and we were getting pretty bored of being trapped inside.

Thursday morning rolled around and school was cancelled again. Finally my kids decided to go out and play in the ice.

Daddy used the recycle box as a sled.

It did't work so well.

Abe, Chuey and I got some pretty pics on our walks.

We were all going a little stir crazy by the end of the week. 

Friday by 11:00 the roads were almost entirely melted. But school was still cancelled because at 7:30am there was still some ice. So we basically had a spring break in January. It was a nice little re-set.

[January 29-February 2]

Twelve: The Final Tween

Lijee's first gift of his 12th birthday was located in the fridge. It had been in there for a few days, so he was curious to see what it was.

This boy is all about the ca$h.

He had to share his birthday with high school events. Truth be told, Eli wasn't too happy about it, but that's what happened. Daisy had an early morning soccer game that I attended,

while Zeke had an afternoon winter guard competition that I watched.

Daisy was able to join Eli and his friends Alex and Sam for laser tag and bowling at Main Event.

Both siblings made it home in time for video games

 and birthday cake.

Daddy, the Birthday Boy, Zeke, Daisy, Sam and Alex

Eli pooled his birthday money together for a VR game that he had been wanting.

"12"

It's official: I am the shortest in the family. 👍

Clay and Vivia joined us for a family birthday dinner at Eli's choice of Golden Corral the following day.

This boy marches to the beat of his own drum and I love that about him. He adores his family, being at home, and playing video games. And we all love him.

[January 21] 

Let It Out

 My acting career is back, and I'm 'letting it out!' I applied to be an extra for a music video called Let It Out by L.A. Edwards. The song was in a recent episode of Yellowstone and they want to make a music video now that it is a hit. The secret location for the shoot was not far from our house. Bonus for me!

The video was shot in a tiny bar connected with a small rodeo venue. The extras holding bay was located in bleachers above the rodeo rink. There were actually horses below us in their stables that we could hear and smell.💩😝

As extras we don't get a lot of information. Just things like, "Sit at the table and enjoy yourselves," or "Walk past the bar," and stuff like that. The gist of the video were two couples, one young and one old, and the young couple took advice from the older couple. Or something along those lines. The rest of us were spirits of people who have passed, and we were enjoying a night once a year that we get to come back to the bar and let loose. Or something along those lines.

Some people were dressed in modern day clothes, and some of us wore period clothes, from the olden days. I was a period girl. I was in about 5 different shots, but since I am in the background, who knows if I will even be in any frames. I might be like, "There's my elbow!"  or "I was sitting right beside that girl right there." We'll see when it gets released.

I'm gonna be rich and famou$!

[Jan 15]

Hold Your Horses - FWSSR Parade

Zekers marched to the beat of his own drum, along with the other drums and band members, in the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo parade.

We made it a family event by heading downtown to watch.

Pre-parade we got a head nod of acknowledgment.

We watched over 2,000 horses, several wagons, lots of riding clubs, and a few bands march as they kicked off three weeks of Fort Worth's annual Stock Show and Rodeo. 

It is basically a horse parade, with a few bands sprinkled throughout. Fort Worth likes to claim it as the 'One and Only, Equine-Powered, All-Western Parade.' With the first stock show taking place in 1896, it is the city's oldest event.  It is also Cowtown's largest public event, hosting over 1.2 million guests a year.

This little guy on this little horse put on a show with the pony raising his front feet off the ground and then kicking his back legs up.

Here comes our band!

There is our favorite drummer! He even gave us a smile as he marched by.

The horses who pranced by with their special steps to the beat of their own drum were quite impressive! Yee haw!

 [January 14]

Gingerbread Disasters

Zekers had mentioned we should do gingerbread houses at Christmas. When I found a kit for 75% off, I thought we could get it done before Christmas break was over. Better late than never, right?

Daisy's friend Haley was over so she made one with us.

Zeke tried to get fancy and cut out the window. It just broke.

Daisy got the award for the prettiest house.

I gave Eli the award for being the first eaten.

Zeke got most creative for the window design, although it accelerated the house demise.

Haley got the award for making words. She spelled 'Do not' with sprinkles. Her building was looking more like a haunted house than a gingerbread house. Her plans were to say 'do not enter' but she ran out of room and quit with do not. 

Daisy was inspired by Haley to write welcome. With that, welcome to another year, everyone!

[January 2]