Memorial Day Weekend

We spent the last four days packing in as much family fun as our little family could handle.

Friday: We took our first road trip as a family of five and headed down to Glen Rose to visit Fossil Rim Wildlife Center and Dinosaur Valley State Park. The kids were such troopers in the car, especially after we stopped at Wal-Mart for snacks, including Oreo Sticks, Fudge Stripe cookies and lots of other things we don't normally let them have. Not surprisingly, however, they ate more fruit salad and apple slices than anything else. It pays to raise healthy eaters! Ella and Sutton slept after their snacks, which made for a really peaceful drive.

Our drive through Fossil Rim was wonderful, and we were so glad we chose the "self" guided tour in the comfort of our own air conditioned car, rather than the more expensive guided tour on a rickety bus without AC. It was hot! Grace was so excited to sit in the front seat with her daddy, and she was a great animal feeder. Her favorite animals were the giraffes (who literally ate out of car) and the cheetahs. Ella's favorites were the giraffes, also, and I have to admit that it was super cool that they were so calm and friendly. Even Sutton got a good laugh when they peered in our windows. The only thing we didn't like was the ostrich. As we drove up the road, he came a little too close to the car and I was afraid he was going to peck my babies' eyes out.

Saturday: We slept in, let the kids eat Nutella toast for breakfast, harvested some cherry tomatoes and then drank our coffee leisurely as we watched them chase each other around the house. It was a perfect morning. We spent the afternoon with our friends the Kims at their house and enjoyed delicious Korean BBQ. Between the four of us, we had kids ages 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1, so although we don't get together often enough, we have a blast when we do. The kids were worn out and fell asleep on the drive home.

Sunday: We slept in until 7:30 (wow!), went to the late service at church, put the babies down for naps, then let them get up after 30 minutes when it became apparent that today was going to be a "no nap day." The girls and I conquered Whole Foods, where we bought everything we needed for some gluten-free treats (a yummy quinoa salad and coconut chocolate chip cake). That evening, we joined the extended Cramer clan for swimming and dinner at Aunt Becca and Uncle Bill's house (and the gluten-free treats were a hit). Another wonderful day spent with people we love.

Monday: Another lazy morning, followed by a visit from Grambi. She was nice enough to watch Sutton while Travis and I took Grace and Ella on a movie date. We had lunch at the NorthPark food court and then headed across to the theatre to see Shrek 4. This was Ella's first trip to the movies, and upon entering the theatre, she exclaimed, "Wow! It's so fretty!" She and Gracie were so happy with their treats and finished them before the movie started. It was a 3-D feature, and while Grace didn't mind the glasses, Ella would not have anything to do with them. I guess it didn't bother her that the picture was fuzzy because once the movie started, she watched quietly (minus two trips to the bathroom). During the previews, she kept saying, "I no want this one. Push play! Push play!"

Green Thumb

I haven't always had a green thumb, but I think my luck must be changing. Along with an assortment of beautiful flowers, we've got a very nice vegetable and herb garden growing in our backyard.

I started with this container garden and expanded from there.

Grace and I planted this okra only three days before I took this picture. She was beyond thrilled to see the new growth so quickly!

Chives- delicious on scrambled eggs

Oregano- mixed with lemon juice, olive oil and brown sugar, makes a wonderful marinade for chicken

Rosemary- smells divine and also pairs well with chicken and veggie kabobs

Sutton- my tasty little helper who prefers the taste of dirt

Basil- amazing with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, balsamic vinegar and olive oil

Hothouse tomatoes- not ripe enough yet, but will be delicious as described above

Cherry tomatoes- yummy right off the vine with a little sea salt

Spearmint- also very tasty right off the vine

Mint- yummy with couscous, tomatoes and cucumbers

Sutton again- I could eat him just like this, covered in dirt and smelling like a boy

The Dragon

That's what Grace and Ella call our trusty Radio Flyer wagon. They love riding in the dragon, and now, Sutton does, too.

Grace's Dance Recital

Gracie completed her second year of ballet and tap with a wonderful recital yesterday. She had one last year, but it was held at the dance studio and this one was on a real stage in front of a huge audience. Unfortunately, she started complaining of a stomach ache on Friday evening and it carried over onto yesterday. We thought maybe she was just nervous, so we gave her the option of sitting out. But, she stuck with it. I knew she wasn't faking it when she showed no excitement while getting ready. She normally loves dressing up, but didn't get very excited about the eye shadow and red lipstick she'd been talking about for months (literally, she couldn't wait to wear red because I told her it's only for recitals). Even though she felt icky, she posed for a few pictures before we left home.

You can tell she was faking this smile...

Poor thing felt so bad but wanted to try to dance. Parents aren't allowed backstage, so I told her dance teacher how awful she felt with directions to come get us if she got sick. I fully expected them to pull us from the audience, but they never did. We waited about 45 minutes for her routine, and during that time, both Ella and Sutton did great. They loved watching the other dancers, dancing to the music and eating lots of snacks :)

When Grace's class came on stage, she totally blew us all away. The song for her dance was "Witch Doctor," and it really got everyone excited. Grace knew her dance after lots of at-home practicing. She did so great that Genny and I cried!

Grace is on the back right.

When the girls were finished, they each signed off by waving to the audience and marching off stage. Travis watched Grace's rehearsal the day before and gave her a few pointers: (1) don't stick your tongue out, and (2) smile when you walk off stage. She has a habit of sticking her tongue out when she's nervous, but kept it in her mouth the entire dance. Then when the dance was finished and as the girls' were signing off one by one, Grace was the only one who turned to the audience and flashed a huge smile when she waved. The crowd loved it and started yelling for her. I was so proud that I thought my heart would burst! Of course I didn't get a picture of "the" moment because I was too excited!

All the dancers from "Baby, It's Magic."

When her dance teacher was dismissing her, she told me, "Mom, she barely made it, but she did so good!" Grace was so relieved to see me, and I knew she must really have felt terrible.

I tried to get a family picture, but of course Ella who was not happy that I was holding Gracie and not her. And in case you're wondering who the head on our shoulders is, it is Davey O'Brien, the 1938 Heisman Trophy winner from Woodrow Wilson High School. And no, of course I didn't know that, Travis filled me in.

Poor Gracie just wanted to go home.

As it turns out, she was sicker than any of us thought and started vomiting as soon as we got walked in the door. It lasted all afternoon and was the first time she's ever had tummy issues, which is unbelievable, don't you think? We still can't believe that she made it through the recital after waiting backstage for 45 minutes and then dancing and getting home. What a strong and brave girl!