H.O.T. fair and rodeo

It wouldn't be fall in Waco without the H.O.T. (Heart of Texas) fair and rodeo.  As the kids get older, it's so fun to take them out to see the sights and walk around the fair. 



First stop: photo op!  Cooperate for Mommy, kids!



And, randomly, a few circus animals?  Tigers?  ok. 

Free facepaint painted on by your Heart of Texas sweethearts, of course!



And then: the petting zoo.  Clark was in hEaVeN.  heaven.  He could have stayed in there for hours.  Both of my kids are animal lovers and have never been scared of creatures bigger than them getting right in their faces.  Which--I am so thankful for because their mama is jittery around large animals!



"Wook, Mommy!  A kamaroo!"  :)

And then: a turtle?  ok?

As we were heading into the rodeo, we ran into Aunt Caroline's sister and one of our favorite sitters, Liz!

Do I need to comment again on little boys in Wranglers and boots??? 

Not the greatest family pic in the world, but had to document where we were sitting.  Sean's company got a box, and we thought, "hey!  Let's get on the front row!"  Um...dirt clods in our hair and very too near feeling bucking broncos later we thought next time we'd scoot back a little with our young children.  Otherwise though---that's the best place to sit!  So much fun!

Midland moments

A couple weekends ago AnnMarie had a three day weekend so we took advantage of it and headed to Midland.  We had a great time relaxing with Gamma and Pepaw, Grandmommy and Granddaddy, and Kenneth/Jana/and Madison.  Grandmommy fixed a delicious meal as always, we ate as much yummy west Texas Mexican food as we could, and just enjoyed our time together.

Clark was enamored with Pepaw's motorcycle.  Now he points them out all the time!

Very blessed with such a sweet grandpa!!

And then the kiddos tested out G&P's whirlpool tub.  Big hit as you can see! 

Sean and I discussed how our (5 hour) trips lately have not been so bad since the Clarkster is growing up a little.  It's been nice!  At least we can enjoy it for 4 1/2 more months! ;)

Clarky's first dove hunt

One of the best things in my life has been having a boy.  Had no idea how he would tug on my heartstrings, but oh my goodness he does.  :)

This was one of those moments.  He got all dressed up for his first dove hunt with daddy.  Now, part of the "tugging" is that he has to break away from me and identify with Daddy.  I get it, I know it, but (sniff sniff) he's still my baby. 

I mean, is there anything cuter than a tiny boy in boots and Wranglers???????? no!!!

At this point Mommy was crazily snapping away because of the aforementioned cuteness.  Couldn't. stop.

Showing the muscles!
(waaaaahhhhhh, my baby is gone, time to embrace the "big boy"!)



Gotta go, Dad...



Ready to load up

Again, the Wranglers.  :)

My little buddy

Thankful for a thoughtful husband who knows Mommy will want to see pictures of what's going on!!

Red, sweaty cheeks, dirty, dead birds:  and he loved EVERY minute of it. 

THINK PINK!

There's gonna be more PINK on Burgundy Lane!!!!  :)

We're SO excited and thankful for this precious angel that God has given us.  God truly does give you the desires of your heart, and the fact that AnnMarie is going to have a sister is a hUgE blessing.  --Something I have always prayed for her.--  Also, Clark gets to remain the king of the castle which fits him very nicely.  haha

Yesterday Sean and I went together to the ultrasound.  We (well mainly me) were crying tears of joy as we watched this peanut roll around and grab her toes! :)  How cute is that wittle nose????????

After school we rushed home for AnnMarie to open the box of cupcakes that I had promised her that would tell what the baby is.  As you can imagine, she was thrilled to see pInK in that box!!  Anyone that knows this child can tell you that she will make the best big sister.  (I know, I'm going on and on about my kids, but hey, a Momma's gotta brag!) :)  She is smart, sweet, loving, and caring.  I am so glad she's our firstborn!

This picture is symbolic of him "warming up" to the idea of having another sister! :)  I think he's going to be the sweetest big brother.  He's a very affectionate child, but will of course love to rough anyone up that stands in her way!

I think I'm still in shock.  I've had a feeling deep down since before I even got pregnant that the Lord wanted us to have another girl.  I can't wait to watch the sister relationship grow and change.  Something that is foreign to me!

1 Chronicles 29:13 "Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name."

Welcome, Fall!

So SO happy to see you!

Kindergarten comes to Burgundy Lane

About five years ago I used to make jokes with my friends like, "I don't know what I'll do when she goes to Kindergarten" and "well, she won't be wearing diapers to Kindergarten" and "How weird will it be when I have a child in Kindergarten?".

Well...

Now I have a child in Kindergarten.  Poof!  Just.like.that.

And the time came to meet her teacher...


We love Mrs. Barrett!  She is so caring and sweet.  A very strong young teacher.  I am already so impressed with her excellent parent communication!



We started on a Wednesday, and in the days before I kept thinking, "What can we do?  What fun places can we go?".

But then it dawned on me, we don't need to go anywhere, we just need to be at home and play together. 
So we did.


My kids love to have {redneck} "pool parties" in the backyard.  So we headed out there in our finest and "pooled" till we dropped. 
Love using the timer on my camera...




And made "jigglers"!  (Thanks for reminding us of those, Emily!) :)

And that night after we layed out her first day outfit, and packed her first day lunch, and got her backpack ready, we crawled into bed to read The Kissing Hand.  The perfect book for the first day of school.  Dusted it off from my old teaching days!  The mommy raccoon gives the baby raccoon a kiss on the palm of his hand so that he can hold it near his cheek and remember Mommy is always with him.  (sniff! sniff!) 





Our morning was calm thanks to getting everything done the night before (*TIP for all you Kinder mommies coming up!) :). 
The only thing I hadn't planned for was how slowly my kids eat breakfast!  Poor Miss AnnMarie had to gobble down her grits and bacon (her request!) in a jiffy! 
Had to allow time for photos!

Had to get one with Clarky.  :)  Poor little guy, he had no idea how much he'd miss her!



So proud of our Kindergartener!!!





We drove as a family to the school, parked, and got out.  I hadn't cracked all morning until I saw this.  They roll out the red carpet for the Kindergarteners.  :)  Lost it.  Luckily I had my sunglasses on so I don't think she noticed.  It was so cute!  They were all welcomed by the teachers so cheerfully!

Meeting Mr. Pena.  SUCH  a nice, caring new principal for our school.  Can't wait to see what he brings!

We found her room

And gave Mrs. Barrett some new sharpies for her first day gift.

Little Missy was so confident and happy. She knew just what to do.

And then she quietly approached her table and started coloring.

And as I was encouraging her and (thinking I was) making her feel assured and not scared, she said to me, "Mommy, this is fun".  :)  Like, don't worry about me.  I'm good!  (Made me feel so much better!)  And, so, with that, I quickly left because I knew it was a matter of time before the tears began flowing!

One last glance before we left...just chatting with girls at the table.  :)

Goodbye, school!  Until 3:10!  It felt like forever waiting to pick her up that day!

And after I dried my tears, I looked in the backseat to find this little guy.  I was SO thankful I had him there to make me laugh and bring a little joy to my uneasy morning.  (and year)  :)

I am really looking forward to our one on one time with the Clarkster!

And now that we're 4 days in, I can say each day gets better, easier, and a more comfortable part of our routine.  Sister is LoViNg it, and I'm loving knowing that her little brain is being stimulated the way it needs to be, Clark is getting time with just Mommy, and Mommy is getting a nice little break after five years of devoting every minute to this precious little peanut.  I must say, it is a nice reward for all the blood, sweat, and tears you put in! 

Here's to Kindergarten 2011-2012!





Baby #3 is coming!



It's true.  The Svobodas, as one of my friends put it, are entering into the realm of the 3 ring circus.  :)  And I can't wait!  I am nearly 13 weeks, due on leap year day, no less---February 29th, 2012.  We are so thankful and excited!  I have been on the couch (with strong nausea and fatigue) for 7 weeks now so that's why the blog has been so terribly neglected!  Well, and my house, and the dishes, and the laundry, and the projects, and..........

I finally got back on the blogging horse when I realized how much was building up.  Hopefully I'll feel back to normal soon, and my house will return to a semi-normal state! 

I am, on one hand, glad to have a little break during this pregnancy with one going to Kindergarten, but, on the other hand, a little nervous about how I am going to wrangle the Clarkster as he and I both get bigger.  :) 

Thank you so much for your prayers!
Sean, Katy, AnnMarie, Clark, and mystery baby #3