Spring Break

So I know it's been like forever since I've posted.  And my track record for the year so far isn't much better.  I guess I've kinda had writers' block maybe?  Just not too much that's post worthy on the brain these days.  I guess because besides the normal wife/teacher/mama stuff that keeps me busy enough already my life could be summed up in two not so simple words:  potty training.

We tried the boot camp method.  Notsomuch.  But I must say that slow and steady is winning this race.  Though sometimes it seems a tad bit more slow than steady.  Kendall pretty much wears her big girl panties at home with little problems.  We've started the incentive chart while continuing the Skittles for away from home. Slow. Steady. Mommy Kendall can do this.

So anyway.  We've been "Sping Bake"ing it around here this past week as Kendall would tell you.  And I planned a few little activities for us both to break up the 24/7 potty-on-the-mind schedule around here.

Monday Kendall painted at her easel.

Kendall:  Mommy, take my picture by easel.
Mommy (poised and ready):  Ok, say cheese!
Kendall:  Ta-da! (arms spread out)

Showing off her pig tails...

Tuesday we made blueberry oatmeal pancakes (compliments of foodallergymama.com) that are eggless and delicious!  One of her favorite books among many now is If You Give a Pig a Pancake, so this was really cool.

And Kendall was chillin' out in her "bathtub" while reading a magazine.  Every month (or so) I have a "sensory tub" full of stuff to play with.  I got the idea from a preschool curriculum website.  For January it was packing peanuts.  We've made countless snow cakes, snow muffins and snow soups.  But lately she thought up alternate ideas for it.

But seeing that it's now SPRING break, I thought it was time to get rid of the snow.  So we moved on to colored rice.  (Kindergarten teacher tip #247:  Uncooked pasta and rice can be colored by soaking overnight in rubbing alcohol and food coloring, then laid out to dry on a towel to sun dry. Don't use water as it'll make them soggy.) Kendall enjoyed scooping and pouring this as well.

(Please disregard the nosy poodle.  And the Elmo potty in the background and the bottom-less toddler.  Gotta have quick reaction times these days.)

Wednesday was a blast though I have no pictures to show for it. We had a play date with some sweet friends.

Thursday Papa and Gigi took Kendall out to lunch and to the park.  Kendall loved strolling Cousin Lleyton up the hill, though she was much appreciative of a little uumph from Papa.

Kendall loved throwing the rocks off the bridge and into the water almost as much as she enjoyed the Mexican lunch! 

And now it's Friday, though today has been pretty normal and non-spring-breakish.  Poor Kendall was officially diagnosed with seasonal, environmental allergies.  Well, duh.  Genetically she had no hope since just about every member in all our families is a fellow sufferer.  This morning was spend in the doctor's office. So we're switching meds to see if it'll bring her relief from this nasty pollen season.

So there's a wrap up on our week.  Lovin' it.

You Say Tomato!

This weekend we went to visit my family for Father's Day. Nana has been hard at work growing tomatoes, which happen to be Kendall's FaVoRitE food. So Nana took Kendall out in the backyard so she could pick some tomatoes to bring home. I'm glad Kendall, a 21st century child, can learn that tomatoes can come from other places than Kroger.

Kendall liked showing off her pickings. (Notice Nana's herb garden in the background. Mommy came home loaded with fresh mint and basil. mmmm! And that's also Annie in the background, by the way.)

Hello? Is Bob the Tomato there?

I just had to include Nana's attempts to keep the birds away, which also happened to shoo off and freak out more than just the birds. Daddy had a "close encounter" with one of these freakish, slithery things. We all had a good laugh from it, including Daddy himself. HA! Good thing it wasn't me; I woulda scaled the seven foot fence in one clear jump and been halfway down the block before you coulda caught me. Daddy just settled for a high octave squeal.

First Family Wedding

Kendall went to her first wedding this past weekend. Gabe's cousin got married on the coast, so we made a weekend trip out of it with Papa and Gigi. It was a great weekend filled with much needed REST! (and of course also a few funny family moments which are to be expected, right?)

For some reason (since I wasn't paying high $$ to a professional photographer) Kendall was in the posing mood. After the wedding I snapped dozens of pictures of her sitting on the church steps. So precious...












Kendall LOVED the pool at the condo. And we loved watching her splash and have a grand time. She got brave (too brave for Mommy) the second day and walked out until her head barely reached above water and one of us swooped her up. And then she got mad at us for doing such a thing. Swimming lessons, here we come.
Here's her first unofficial lesson from Gigi.

Fourth of July

Kendall celebrated her fist 4th of July in style. Grandpa, Nana, Aunt JuJu and Grammy came for a visit for the holiday weekend. Of course, all the pictures taken were of Kendall so I can't document that they were actually here. It has been as hot as blazes here, but we managed to endure the heat long enough to take a few quick pictures before heading to Papa and Gigi's house to see all of Daddy's family also.


Nana (and Mommy and JuJu) couldn't resist buying this sweet dress so Kendall could be festive and patriotic.


For a slight relief from the heat we took Kendall swimming at my sister-in-law's parens' house. The water was slightly cooler than the air, and we enjoyed cooling off a little. This was Kendall's first time in a swimming pool other than her glorified floatie that she hangs out in.

Daddy took Kendall for a ride in her crab.


And Kendall received a few Gigi dunks.


Kendall and Mommy explored the pool out of the crab. She had a kick watching my sister-in-law's dog have fun atop the other raft. I wish I had a picture of Gracie;it was hilarious!


Kendall supervised (on behalf of all the ladies) Daddy and Grandpa grill burgers on the back porch. You can see through the window how hard they were working on those pre-marinated patties thanks to Mommy. Meanwhile, the women continued to prep all the sides in the kitchen.


Kendall found a buddy, Annie, in the process.


And together they monitored the grilling...

Despite the massive heat wave and the episode with sunscreen in Kendall's eyes (oh fun!) a great time was had by all this past weekend.

New Orleans Lady

We headed to the Big Easy at Easter for Kendall's first trip to see Nana, Grandpa, JuJu and D. We had a great weekend. Kendall was quite the trooper despite a little nasty sinus infection that kept her feeling a somewhat yucky at times. She definitely doesn't whine and complain when she's sick like her mommy does!

We had a slam packed weekend and Kendall was content to go with the flow through it all. One of the highlights (despite all the delicious seafood that Mommy and Daddy load up on) was seeing my parents' new church building that was finally completed a mere three years after Katrina destroyed the old building. This picture was taken in the foyer after church Sunday morning. It's awesome to hear all the testimonies of how God worked good out of the devastating storm and now they have an awesome new building that is unique and perfect for them. God is using this church to reach a region still trying to rebuild lives as well as homes and buildings.

This Easter holiday was a special time that I'm glad we were able to share with family. I know this trip was one of many we will make to see Kendall's grandparents and aunt. And I endearingly refer to them as such because even though I know they enjoyed seeing Gabe and me, we all really know who was the star attraction of the show. Yes, my friends, Gabe and I are aware of the displacement we have ensued in the family rank. And ya know what? We don't mind (too much).

Happy Easter my friends and fellow bloggers. May Jesus' finished work on the cross and resurrection live through you as we celebrate the eternal life that is ours through Him.

Love Minnie!

Gigi and Papa just returned from Disney World. They brought Kendall a Minnie Mouse that is swaddled in a blanket. How appropriate! Kendall loves her Minnie. She had fun "lovin' Minnie"with hugs and kisses - and biting her nose.

Papa and Gigi are already planning a trip back in 2013. I'll do the math for you real quick. That would make Kendall 5 years old, the age Mommy and Daddy deemed appropriate for a first pilgrimage to the Happiest Place on Earth. We figured she needs to be old enough to remember such an event. I must say, though, that I am looking forward to taking her one day. And Gabe is as well, though I don't think he'd admit to looking forward to Disney World yet. What better place for a little Princess to go???

And ANOTHER 4 Gen Pic

Kendall is so blessed to have lots of great-grandparents. This week Kendall was able to meet Grandma who was in town visiting from out of state. Here's a picture of Kendall, Mommy, D (my dad), and Grandma. My dad decided to be called D because when I was little I called him "D" before I could say Daddy.

The Whole Goza Gang

This weekend we took pictures with Gabe's family. These are some of the best ones. It was cold and the wind was blowing like crazy. A few shots in between gusts came out fairly well, but some are pretty funny with our hair standing straight up! Kendall was a trooper though it all as you can see.

Pictured are: Gabe, Carey, Kendall, Kenny and Vickie (Gabe's parents), Gabe's brother, Ben, and his wife, Kimberly

Another Four Generations

Kendall is blessed to have lots of great-grandparents. Here is Kendall, Carey, Kay (aka Nana) and Myrt (aka Grammy, but everyone - including her children - call her Myrt). We have the same picture of me as a baby with Kay, Myrt and her mother, Rowena (aka MaMaw). I think I'm going to frame the two together. That would make five generations!