We Have Some "New"-s

 

 

New Violinist

 

 

New Reader

 

(At her friend, Reagan's baptism)

 

New Testimony Bearer

 



If You Can't Beat Them, Join Them...

I gave y'all  just a little taste of the  Lake Travis culture in my post about Harrison's football season.  I was baptized in it basically the day I got here. You see, we moved here last August, right before school started.  There was a coveted vacancy for Room Mom for Logan's class and I jumped on it.  I figured it would kill many birds with one stone: make new friends, get acquainted with the new school and staff, keep tabs on my kids, and volunteer one last year before Logan goes to Middle School.  I love to plan a party, so this was perfect for me.  Right?  Well, one little thing I forgot to consider.  Let me just put it this way:

 

 

It was at my first Room Mom meeting that it became clear to me that I needed to Raise My Standards.  I was out of my league.  While in the thick of planning our Valentine's Day Extravaganza Party, I forgot where I was for a moment and threw out the suggestion that  "we just keep it simple." 

 

I might as well have dropped the f-bomb. 

 

The music stopped, blonde heads turned to me and gave me "the look".  Time stood still for a moment, and then they went right on planning. 

 

The first month of school happened to be my teacher's birthday month.  I was to cater a lunch for all of the 5th grade teachers, plus find an "original, classy gift."  This would be one of 3 catering gigs of the year, along with several more parties, teacher gifts and graduation.

 

Graduation.

 

As proud as I was of Logan for making it through 5th grade, I figured a pat on the back would suffice.  Until I saw another mom clickity clack into our graduation brunch followed by her personal chef heaving his latest ice sculptured masterpiece, a dolphin, onto the fruit table.

 

I think you get my point :)

 

Although these are all true stories, I've got to be fair and say that these people are really nice, down to earth friends.  They love their families and want what's best for them.  In the end,  I did accomplish many things on my list.  I made new friends, got acquainted with the school and most of all, I served my son.

 

And now back to sports.  It is tradition that on an "away" game, teams will decorate their cars and roll into town with our car windows shouting hurrahs.  When they announced this at my first team meeting, I must admit I came home complaining and ranting about These Crazy People. 

 

I hate being negative.  And so I've decided that there are times I will just have to join Them. 

 

(Cousins help decorate cars for weekend games)

 

It's actually become a meaningful tradition for us.  The kids feel pretty darn special cruising town announcing their awesomeness on the windows. It does make away games a fun thing to look forward to and gets us all pumped to play.

 

Now friends, if I blog about ice sculpture ideas for the Kindergarten Gala, you have my permission to come here and slap me silly.

 

Raise Your Glass!

Freddy Comes to Town

After the disappointing sickness that kept us from all the family fun in Dallas, Fred and his family decided to come to Austin the next weekend.  Turns out that Joana and Jake woke up sick the day they were to leave, so Fred made the trip with Van and Mia anyway.  I'm so glad they did! We missed our oldest niece, Jasmine, as well. 

 

 

We lucked out with one more hot day.  A perfect day to take the boat out and pull some kids around.  The highlight of this trip for me was watching Van's ear to ear grin while bouncing like a madman on the tube.  

 

Freddy.  I love this guy.  I have been blessed with 4 amazing, kind hearted, caring brothers.  I have so enjoyed watching them raise their families.  He is one of the best fathers I have ever seen.  He is so patient and selfless.  I always leave our visits with the desire to be more like him. 



Cousins are truly the best.  So thankful to be closer to many of them. 

 



Top 5 Favorites:

 

1. Boating.

2. Van's smile.

3. Mia laughing at Logan and Harrison's shenanigans.

4. Rare one on one time with my brother.

5. Adventure walks in the woods.

Vovo' and Vovo Visit

My parents came for a visit, and they timing couldn't have been better.  I had been feeling a terrible homesickness for my parents, and I was happy to have a date to look forward to.  The plan was for them to fly into Austin, and have all the Dallas family come down for a visit at my house.  We had plans to relax, play, eat and have a blast.  My house was going to be packed and we were going to live it up.

 

Then my kids got really sick.

 

Plans changed, and my parents headed to Dallas to spend the weekend with everyone there.  We stayed behind working hard to recover and not get too depressed.

 

As sad as that was, I was blessed to have some time with them, especially my mom who got to stay an extra day longer. 

 

When they were here, it became apparent why I had been feeling so homesick.  It turns out I needed to cry. A good, ugly cry.  I talked and talked with my parents about everything and just let all the stress and anxiety out from the past year of moving and life changes with my family.  Although they were probably certain I needed therapy and medication when it was all said and done, I on the other hand, felt as light as a feather.  I had no idea that I needed that, but wow, I did!  I feel like I've truly purged all of the stress of this past year and with their non-judgemental, understanding ears and nurturing hearts, I was filled with love and confidence to keep going.  I'm sure my husband appreciated this as much as I did :) 

 

They made the most of their time with our kids playing and being with them.  I appreciate how much they truly care. They'll sit and listen to anything the kids want to tell them and are genuinley excited for any little or large accomplishment. 

 

The Monday before mom left, her and I had the house to ourselves all day.  We worked hard to rearrange some of my rooms and give it the same cozy charm that I remember from my childhood home.  It was a short visit, but I was filled.

 

 

 



Football.... Texas Style!

 

For anyone moving to Texas, it is quite the adjustment to soak in the "Texas Pride."  I've lived in Texas before, but I'm not sure it was as intense as where we are now. 

 

And football?

 

That's a whole other level of pride. 

 

 

 

Harrison's season began in August with 3 practices a week.  Once school started, they've shaved it down to twice a week.  As you see, our team has our personal cheerleaders who travel to all of our games to cheer our boys on.  ( Yes, we travel- even to San Antonio).  Let's just say the cheerleaders proved to be quite the distraction for my little guy.  Hopefully he gets it all out of his system now, or I'm in trouble!  My favorite cheer, "It's hot, It's hot, It's hot in here, there must be a Cav in the atmosphere." (repeat 3 times.  Ready, OK!)

As much as I find myself rolling my eyes at the over-the-topness of my town, I do love the sense of community.  Our kids wear the same jersey and sport the same name as our beloved High School team, the Lake Travis Cavaliers.  When I say beloved, it is an understatement. 

Before every game we line up as the drum line, cheerleaders, and players parade into the stadium.  Last year Lake Travis won their 5th State Championship, which has definitely earned all this fanfare.  As a Jr. Cavalier, Harrison's team got to line up at the front of the parade and hi 5 all the players.

 



Here's my boy kissing up to the head coach.  That's my boy. 

 

Along with Texas Pride comes deep tradition.  As the football players come running out, we all hold our hands high in the air, making our hands look like L's and we hold it up during the entire school song.  Then we shake it at the team and they shake it back to us.  Oh, and when we lose (had our first loss after a 64 winning streak) they come out to the field after the game and there is a special "losing" song the band plays, and we do our shakey L signs at each other.   Harrison was super lucky to come running out of the big helmet just like the big guys.  Super fun!

Harrison has matured so much this past year.  Last year when he played, he was more interested in making his teammates laugh.  Dancing in the field while spanking his bum got them every time.  This year, he comes ready to work.  Just tonight his coach commented on his amazing focus during practice.  So, if you have a little spanker, don't despair.  There is always hope.

 



Everytime the Cavs huddle they clap in unison.  Harrison was a little taken back by his no nonsense coach, Coach Estrada.  One day after practice, Harrison marched straight to me and with his eyes wide open said, "Mom, don't ever, never give Coach Estrada our address."  When I asked him why he said, "Because today when he got mad at some kids he said, "If you don't knock it off, I'm going to ride, ride, RIDE you all the way home.  So I don't want him to ever know where we live." 

 

 

Here is Harrison all smiles.  You know why?  It was homecoming weekend, and of course our 6 year olds had to be a part of it.  So, the football players gave a flower to a cheerleader, and the cheerleaders gave these little gifts filled with candy in return.  Definitely an eye rolling moment for me, but he was sure happy. Only in Texas!