An Ocean of Velveeta

Yes, with the help of me, Janice, Michael and Huntie, Michael's bedroom was transformed from a boring neutral taupe, to a fun and energetic Mac and Cheese color.

Michael asked for an orange room, his favorite color, and I said no way. While in the store picking out paint, I thought Why the heck not?

He loves his cheerful headache and I've grown to love it too - especially after five coats of blood sweat and tears. But it was all worth it when I showed Michael the finished product and a slight grin escaped his lips and I was presented with a thumbs up. Very satisfying.

Welcome baby Bronson!

Hooray! Baby Bronson Gregory Voisin is finally here! He was born today, September 29, 2008 at 12:18PM weighing in at 9lbs 0.1oz and measuring 20.5 inches long. And Jenn looks fantastic! WHoowee!

Huntie and I felt so privileged to visit Aunt Jenn and her new baby boy in the hospital on his birthday! He's such a cutie and looks JUST like his dad. Congratulations Greg and Jenn and big brother Scottie!

Happy Pink 2nd Birthday Elle

It was super pink Doratastic day.




It's the map, it's the map, it's the map, it's the map, it's the Maaaaaap. Huntie had the brilliant idea to structure the party around a Dora episode, which starts with a quest that Dora and her monkey friend Boots use a map to navigate. The map is VERY important. There are always three steps to accomplishing the quest. Huntie's map started with the Dora pinata. Next, birthday cake. Finally, presents.

Huntie loves Ms. Ordway's Class

Huntie attended Ms. Christine Ordway's 3rd grade class at Clayton during our Hurricane evacuation.


I was so impressed with the patience and respect the faculty and staff offered the students. I was also impressed that the children were encouraged to bring bottles of water to class to keep at their desks to promote good hydration, and in turn, good learning. Huntie was thrilled to have me at lunch with her one day, as I was thrilled to even have the option. It was truly refreshing to be in a noisy lunchroom with kids being kids. It was remarkable to me how well they listened and were attentive during learning time since they were allowed to be kids during other times.


Huntie made friends so quickly. Some of her classmates prepared her a goodbye lunch in the counselor's office for her last day of school there - poster, party hats and all.



Huntie and Michael both rotated through art, PE and music classes each day. Loved it. And, like Michael, Huntie had a rough time leaving. When I picked her up from school her last day, before she even had the car door shut the tears began to flow. What a rich experience.

Michael Loves Ms. Kane's Class

Michael truly loved his short time in Ms. Heather Kane's kindergarten class at Clayton Elementary in Austin. He enjoyed a week and a half there during our evacuation from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

He pretty much loved every minute of it and thought he was in Disneyland every day. The first day he come home from school there he said to Kevin, "I got to run on the cement!! I even got to run in the STREET!" Running on the cement and having playground equipment were such amazingly novel ideas to the poor boy.


His last day at Clayton I wanted to take a picture of him with Ms. Kane and his class. He wouldn't let me! He wouldn't even get near her - he was too hurt and sad to be leaving. :( He later recovered just enough to take a couple shots with his teacher and his new buddies. It was the best evacuation EVER!


I got to come to lunch with Michael! That was the coolest. I could tell that he felt like a king having his mommy there with him.

Michael and I got to make a presentation about Louisiana to his classmates too! His grandma drew his a coloring page to share and he told his class about Mardi Gras, alligators, cypress trees and crawfish. We made beignets to share with them and passed out Mardi Gras beads (which, thankfully, must have snuck into Kevin's trunk for our evacuation.

Michael's artwork even got posted in the school hall. Check out those amazing pasta-filled vases!

Clayton Cardinals Rock!

Huntie and Michael both attended Nan Clayton Elementary in Austin while we were evacuated for Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Both fell deeply in love with Clayton and their experiences there.

Michael was in Ms. Heather Kane's kindergarten class. He was especially pleased he could wear any clothes he wanted to school and that he was allowed to run on the cement (not to mention there was playground equipment). Both are not allowed at their school Mulberry. He also loved music class. Each child had their own instruemnt to play, but since Michael was a late and temporary addition, there was none for him. He was as happy as can be to learn that his VOICE was an instrument, and one he can take anywhere.





Huntie was in Ms. Kim Ordway's 4th grade class. She met lots of fast friends. She even got to have lunch with her new buddies in the counselor, Ms. Martin's, office for her last day. YUM pizza!

My Dream House

Huntie and Michael made me a house out of blocks tonight - one that flies, complete with bowling alley, swimming pool and TWO "custodians." It's totally my dream house. Check out the grand tour, conducted by the master architects themselves:


Michael quickly discovered grandpa was quite a pro at stacking blocks. Quite a pro indeed.

I think this night, with grandpa reading to Huntie (just like I remember him reading to me and my brothers and sisters) ignited Huntie's hunger for reading. Huntie is like Kevin and can devour a book in just hours. But before this trip to Austin she didn't have much interest in reading to herself. This visit, her grandpa took the time to read chapter books to her and whet her appetite and imagination. She reads like there's no tomorrow now. It's a gift she got from her father, and thanks to her grandpa she's learned to enjoy it. I love it!