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!

Happy Birthday to Meeeee!

Janibop started my birthday out right by taking me to IHOP for my birthday breakfast, complete with a surprise ice cream sundae. YUM!




THEN, later that day, my wonderful Voisin family celebrated with me too!

YUMMY Sarah Cake!

Our T-Baller

This was Michael's season end with the Rangers 2009. He consistently hit the ball into the outfield this season and we're pretty sure he understands the mitt goes on his LEFT hand, as he is a right-handed thrower. We really had a blast watching him improve over the season.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears . . and the Fairy

Grandma has been teaching art classes in her home this summer. She taught a special private session for Huntie, Michael and Elle during our visit this week. The topic: puppets. Grandma taught them to carefully sculpt each puppet's head with clay, paint the head, then choose an appropriate color for the body. They had to sew the felt bodies by hand and glue them to their puppet's head.

The kids presented the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Elle was not impressed with the traditional characters from the story and chose to create her own - a fairy. She was quite an impressive fairy with large blue eyes and purple wings fastened directly to the back of her head. lol. Huntie made a very beautiful Goldilocks, complete with home curled golden yarn for hair, and the beloved Baby Bear. Michael made an awesome Papa Bear with bold green eyes. I made Momma Bear - it just seemed right. Dear grandma was their narrator.


Just before the performance, Little Sister decided to try her paw at puppeteering. We caught her sleeping behind the puppet stage with Goldilocks on her paw. How did that get there? Silly dog.


Elle displaying her fairy masterpiece.


And now, on with the show!

BRAVO!!

Emilyopoulos

I'm on the board of SoLa (Southern Louisiana Center for the Arts) and participated in their first ever Bottles and Brushes event. We brought a bottle of our favorite beverage to share and received an art lessons in the style of Michalopoulos.


Our inspiration, by Michalopoulos:


My two awesome friends, Geneva Shults and Mary Massey, joined me and we had a BALL! Check out our masterpeices!