Us lately...

Just to bring you up to speed...

I've been traveling for work for the last three weeks (see post on Philadelphia).  So, things have been hectic and I've been a terrible blogger.  But, what else is new?!

This is me. 

 

We no longer own this home.  We are having mixed emotions about it.  It was a great home with great neighbors, but we were ready for something that was more suited to our needs.  We bought a lot a year ago with big plans to sell this home, and rent while we built a new home.  We are just at a different place than we were a year ago, but we still executed the plan...at least as to the selling and renting part.  How could we not?  It's such a seller's market right now. 

Stay tuned for details on the rest. 

 

Justus tested for his next belt level.

 

 ..and got it!  A new Tiger Yellow Belt.

 This one had a 4th of July Parade at her school.  Last year she cried, so this was an improvement.  But, there were no smiles...

 

4th of July!!  Happy Birthday, America!  The kids were, at various points in the day, all decked out in red, white, and blue, but of course I didn't get pictures of that.  I did get, what they would tell you was the best part of the day.  Pool pics!!

 Lunch time!

 

I didn't get any good ones of J in the pool.  He had on his snorkle gear and his face was always in the water.  I couldn't help post this sweet happy face though.  They wore themselves out!!

We are adjusting to the rent house and look forward to what the rest of the summer holds for us.  We are sure it will be quite an adventure, especially if June was any indication...  We hope everyone is having a great summer too!

Quick Kindergarten wrap up

 

 

I know this is a bit late, but what else is new with me these days...

 

First Day of Kindergarten

 Last Day of Kindergarten

(disregard the pink writing...my printer is out of color ink...)

 



This kid learned SO much this year in Kindergarten.  I am amazed at how he has grown in the 9 months.  He's always loved books, but now he can read on his own (when he focuses).  He learned math and science, music and art.  He is so much more independent--walking from the crosswalk all by himself, managing the lunch line with no problem, etc.  He participated in programs, went on field trips, and made a bunch of new friends.  I know this all seems like common sense, since we have all been through it.  But, it was an enormous growing time for us as he transformed to more a little boy than my baby.  We were so blessed with a wonderful teacher and fantastic school.  Yesterday, he asked me why he can't go back to school until August.  I think it's more than just missing his friends.  He really liked it!!


He was even patient enough on that last day to let me get a few pictures of him...and, then he stopped paying attention to me because he was excited about going to a swim party and I was keeping him from that.

Watch out, First Grade! 

Here comes Justus!

Double fail

Last night, Delaney *properly* used this little gem for the VERY. FIRST. TIME!!!

While I was somewhere on the road between San Antonio and home.

Awesome.

....and the working mommy guilt sets in again.

Might as well be something both kids get to experience, right?

Truth be told, as a working parent, it's to be expected that when you pick your kids up from daycare, you may hear about the first time something happened and know you weren't there.  That is not all that uncommon, and I'm pretty sure Delaney's teachers have just been kind enough to let me think I've witnessed most of her firsts.  This one stung because it happened in the evening at home, when I would normally be there.

Funny thing though--Kidd wasn't there either.  Only Shanon got to celebrate the moment.  Is Kidd all heartbroken about it?   Of course not. 

Happy Father's Day!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!



To all the dads out there, but especially to my DAD. 

 I am so lucky to have been given the opportunity to be raised by an amazing man, who has accomplished some pretty amazing feats in his life, not a small one of which was raising my brother and me.  At times, between losing his first wife and finding his second, he had to pull double duty of mother and father.  I can't even begin to imagine the challenges he faced during that time and so many others.  He is a phenomenal person on so many levels, and I am blessed to have shared my life with him.  I love you, Daddy, for the example you set, the confidence and work ethic you inspired, the independence you encouraged, the love you unconditionally provided, and so much more.  I am, no doubt, who I am because of you and I thank you for it (although not directly as often as I should).  The saying is true that good dads make great grandfathers.  The Royal kiddos adore their G-Daddy and wish you a wonderful Father's Day too!

And to my husband, who is my other favorite DAD---you are every bit the father I knew you would be before we began the adventure of having kids.  You amaze me daily in how fantastic you are with our kids, and I know they will learn so much from you as they grow.  I adore watching the way you interact with them, and the way they respond to the love you give.  Our kids are so fortunate to have you as a fine example of a father and husband.  Thank you for being my partner in this parenting business.  I am a lucky girl, indeed!  We love you!

Just a part of the Father's Day fun Mr. Royal got today from the Royal Munchkins.

Wednesday's Winning Words--purposely delayed

I know I was supposed to post winning words yesterday, but I also knew that some early morning activities today would inspire awesome rhetoric from our little man, so I intentionally delayed.  I was not wrong.

At about 6:40 this morning, a College Station landmark, currently known as the Plaza Hotel {formerly known as The Ramada and University Tower} was imploded.  It was (even at 6:40 a.m.) the social event of the summer.  Thousands of people gathered on the polo fields of Texas A&M and the surrounding area to watch the 17-story building at the busiest intersection in town come down.  Meanwhile, down the street, safely inside my office building on the 6th floor, a handful of co-workers and our families gathered to watch the same with Whataburger and coffee in hand.  No need to breathe in all that smoke, right?  I failed in that I just wanted to enjoy the moment, and didn't take pictures or video, but it was a great moment to experience and I knew others would have captured it.  Again, not wrong.  For great coverage of the event (especially if you like watching buildings fall down and go BOOM!), go to http://www.kbtx.com/news/local/headlines/The_Plaza_is_Gone_153567845.html

Our first discussion on the matter started when I went to wake him up at 5:00 a.m.  Given the early start time, I had to dangle a carrot to get him moving.  So, I immediately started in with "We have to get up and going so we don't miss the explosion."  You have to say "explosion" to a 5-year old.  It is infinitely more exciting to think about than "implosion."  Don't know why, but it is fact.  As he stretched and started moving around he said very matter-of-factly:  "Mommy, we are not going to be late.  The men are just now at the store getting all the dynamite they are going to need.  We will be there right on time."  Aahh, if only it were that simple, right?

So we get to my office about 15-20 minutes before it is set to blow.  We had the live feed up on my computer in my office as it was happening.  I should have known this was a bad idea.  While waiting, Justus kept looking at the computer because he said he didn't want to miss it.  I said, "Justus, this is actually happening right outside the window.  Look there, not at the computer if you want to see it happen!"  I suppose that from a distance to a 5-year-old, until the moment it happened, nothing looked that different and the build-up is lost on him.  Watching it on tv, with all the commentary, made more sense.

They had been talking about it a lot at school lately, and he knew that it would be there in the morning, and then gone by the afternoon.  So, right after it happened and things started to settle, he said "Mommy, it blowed up and then it won't be there in the afternoon."  I said, "The afternoon?  Justus, it's not there now.  You don't even have to wait until this afternoon!"  He looks outside and just said "Oh yeah."

Of course, then he asked me to make it happen again.  I wish I could, son.

Although we didn't video it, a bunch of people did and posted on Facebook.  While waiting to get into school, he kept watching a friend's posted video over and over and over.  I mean, at least 10 times while we sat in the parking lot.  "That is SOOO AWESOME!" is all I kept hearing.  Then we got to school and several of his friends had watched it live too.  They were all so excited talking about what they had seen.

There is very little that is as entertaining as a boy's excitment over destruction.

I'm so glad he got to see it, and I hope he remembers it fondly as a neat childhood experience...

now where's my coffee??

**The whole family was there, but not surprisingly, Delaney was not very interested. 

 She liked the Whataburger though.**

Pomp and Circumstance

Pre-K graduation was yesterday.  Yes, Justus has met the requisite basic skills to move on to Kindergarten (whew!).  So, we gathered with the other Friendship Club families and watched our kiddos participate in what is hopefully the first of several graduations.  May they all be so quick (I know, wishful thinking).

Delaney and her friend Jordyn already setting the stage for their graduation in about 4 years.

The processional. 

The whole class.  Aren't they precious?

I'm not sure which song they were singing here, but I promise they are singing, not yawning.

Justus getting his diploma from Ms. Carolina.  We've loved having her as his teacher this year and we know he will miss her and the other teachers very much.

They after-party.  May they always just be having cake and fruit with friends. 

A mom can dream, right?

Delaney outside, waving at everyone inside...and done, ready to go eat!

Justus with his friend Jenna (the afore-mentioned Jordyn's big sister).  Maybe when Delaney and Jordyn graduate, we can retake this picture to see how they've grown.  He will miss Jenna and many of his classmates next year.

So excited Aunt Amber came to watch...

..and Ms. Shanon...

...and Grandma and Grandpa Royal.

Super proud Daddy, Delaney, and Mommy!

READY for KINDERGARTEN!!