Care for a Spot of Tea?

Huntie has taken her love for the culinary arts to the playroom. Auntie Janice bought Elle a ceramic tea set when she babysat her the other day, so Huntie helped Ellie break it in with a tea party of apple juice and sliced peaches. YUM!

Huntie kept telling Elle, "this is tea Ellie!"

Ellie promptly replied, "NO Huntie! This is apple juice!"

After failing at the make believe at least 5 times, Huntie conceded, "OK Elle, this is apple juice."

LOL! What good sisters! I love to see them take care of each other.

Super Sally is Famous!

Well to me. Kevin's little sister was in the paper today and I couldn't be prouder.

What do you get when . . .

. . . you combine

1 sick mommy
1 unsupervised 2-year-old
1 entire bag of Jasmine rice
2 new canisters of Swiss Miss, WITH marshmallows
2 shakers of Valentine sprinkles
1 bottle of water
dash of cheesy pretzel crumbs
1 room-size green long shag rug

stew for 10 minutes, and voila:




I know, I'm the luckiest mom in the world. Seriously, look at the pride in her face.


LOL, well, at least she helped me clean it up and kept the water to only the rice concoction, not the cocoa mix. And thank goodness she couldn't get the new package of powdered milk or graham crackers open. Tender mercies, tender mercies.

First Day of School 2009

Huntie strode off to the bus in her khakis, as she is now an "upperclassman" and allowed to wear khakis instead of navy AND ride in the back of the bus. She looked so fantastic and ready to conquer a new year in 4th grade.



Michael was mega spiffy in his good ol' navies and new haircut. He's starting first grade today and is more than ready for the challenge.




Elle, as always, is as cheerful as can be in her very own world of discovery. Blossom anyone?

We Love Councle Rob

Cousin Rob, or as I'm informed by Kevin that in the South all relatives older than our children should be referred to as "uncle," came to visit Louisiana!! Rob compromised with the suggestion of "Councle." Actually he attended a conference in New Orleans, but had the foresight to plan a little visit to our home in Houma. We had so much fun! He was brave enough to try his first raw oyster, then chased it with a world famous Drago's grilled oyster. YUM!







We poked around the French Quarter and were sure to hit Cafe du Monde, the French Market and Jackson Square. You know it's hot outside when even the street performers refuse to perform and sit and wave instead as you pass them on the street.

Cafe du Monde. Notice Rob's "beignet breathe," a.k.a. powdered sugar. Also notice Michael's "beignet wear." I've never seen someone covered in so much powdered sugar after a beignet incident.





The French Market was pleasantly slow, thank you weekday crowd. But Rob still managed to find a super hat. Although, no thanks to the weekday crowd, the merchant was in no mood to bargain. It was, nonetheless, a super hat and had to go home with Rob.



Thanks to the incessant heat, Elle asked to be carried most of the day. She quickly fell in love with Rob who indulged her once I started to wain. I'd like to thank our photographer who happily followed our instructions to get "some" of the cathedral in the background of our photo in Jackson Square. lol.


Kevin took Rob on a swamp tour where he got to know some gators quite intimately.





But maybe not quite as intimately as Kevin.


Elle hugging Coucle Rob per his departure.

Welcome Baby Kylar!!

We welcomed our new cousin, Kylar Ascua, today at 10:55am weighing 8lbs 6ozs and measuring 20inches long. He is such a sweet and precious baby! Amy did great through her labor and daddy Marcelo and big brother Dyami couldn't be prouder. OOOooo!! He's SO cute!