My summer with my handsome little man

This really has been one of the best summers ever. Andrew has been an absolute ball.  His dancing, silly faces, and growling noises keep mommy entertained. :) The one thing I would REALLY love for next summer: a big backyard with soft grass: WITHOUT a swimming pool. I never thought I would say that.  We really have enjoyed our time with the pool. All the fantastic pool parties, fun with friends, the late night pool memories (now don't get any raunchy ideas) ;-) But in my opinion, it has become more of a nuisance than a luxury.

Example- I got Andrew and myself ready for a nice dip in the pool yesterday. Swim trunks/little swimmer on, floaty blown up, mommy in her bathing suit, both of us slathered in sunscreen, music going in the backyard (seriously a 40 minutes ordeal). When I got out there to clean it up a little bit, low and behold: algae had mysteriously appeared ALL over the walls (it literally happens over night).  After 30 minutes of attempting to scrub it all off the walls, I looked up to see nasty flakes of algae floating in the pool. YUCK! So, of course I didn't want to put my little baby boy in that nasty water. I would have probably attempted to swim (it really wasn't too terribly bad), but when it comes to my baby, I don't chance it. So we ended up playing in the front yard for a little while and then spent most of the day inside.

I had a week of training last week for Problem- based learning and then a professional day today. Oh, and next week I have 2 days of science training. Oh...and I had math training in June. Did my district forget that we are teachers who are SUPPOSED to have summer OFF??! Seems like it. With that said, my summer really is flying by. Oh well, at least I got paid for some of it. ;-) But I would have rather spent the day with my giggly, wheels-off wild, into-everything toddler Andrew Maddox. :) I will savor those precious moments I have left until school starts!

Anniversary weekend!

So, as always I make up my mind to sit and write a blog and it never happens. I will put most of the blame on my slow laptops...yes plural. I have both my personal and work laptop and they are BOTH not quite right lately. Secondly, I blame the fact that the only way I am able to post pics is from my phone (which I usally just go to the pics I've posted in facebook and save them on my computer and then post them on here: not the best quality).  We are in the process of picking out a new camera but I really just want the old one back. :( oh well!! There are far worse things that could happen!

We spent last weekend at the Gaylord for our 5 year anniversary. Originally, we were going to eat in North Richland Hills and then go out to the Glass Cactus for some Spazmatics (fun!) When Nanny Maria offered to stay the night at our house (which she has done before), we decided why not just stay at the Gaylord!! Glad we did! Not only did we get a night out without the baby, but we got to spend all day with little man by the Gaylord pool. He had an absolute BLAST! They had a toddler area with a little waterfall, little mushroom lookin thing that sprayed water, and a very shallow area for them to play in. He loves being outside, water, and people watching so this was perfect for him. :) He even got his first kiss from a girl!! Seriously though.....he has been giving me kisses for a few weeks now (talk about the sweetest thing EVER!), and he was sitting in the pool with this adorable 2-year-old girl when he went in for it....open mouth and all!! HAHA! I felt like I needed to apologize to the little girl's dad who was sitting right there. ;-) My little man is already quite the little casanova.  Here are some pics I was able to get on my phone.

The life jacket probably last about 5 minutes tops

My mop-headed cutie pie covered in watermelon: but he sure was happy!

That night, Todd took Andrew back to the house to meet up with Maria (who was able to go to the Rangers game that afternoon with her family thanks to Todd!) while I got ready for the evening at the hotel. It really was a great idea! A short little vacay away from the house to celebrate 5 years of married bliss! :) We ate so much  at The Old Hickory we thought  we would burst but decided we may as well order the dessert since it was free. Good thing it was :Peanut butter and jelly creme brulee: definitely a bad idea!! :\ Disgusting!

Most disgusting dessert ever: PB and J creme Brulee: at least it was free!

Dinner at Old Hickory at The Gaylord Texan

After dinner, we took a shuttle from the Gaylord to the Glass Cactus for a fun-filled evening of adult beverages, music, and good times. Strangely the same couple sitting right behind us at the restaurant  (in front of me I should say), recognized us at The Glass Cactus and even told us Happy Anniversary.  I definitely couldn't forget them : the couple sitting on the same side of the booth at the restaurant getting pretty hot and heavy while I sat directly in front of them.  Todd's response: "I remember when we used to sit on the same side of the booth"  I guess we are just an old married couple who would rather enjoy the comfort of our own side of the booth and save the PDA for a more appropriate setting. ;-)

Spazmatics at The Glass Cactus

What a fun night!

a few exciting things

My last post was a bit lame. I thought it was funny at the time, but then got to thinking that it may have given the impression that my life is completely boring. :) Well, I have actually done some pretty fun things this summer and just forget to share on here.  One thing was I to the taping of a new reality show called X factor with my mom and sister. In case you haven't heard of it, it's a singing competition similar to American Idol (I'm sure Simon Cowell would wring my neck if he knew I said that), only there is not an age limit and they allow singing groups to try out. I was a bit flattered because after you show up with a printed ticket,  they give you a hard ticket that tells you where you will be sitting. Well, we ended up getting tickets on the floor (I kept singing J-Lo's "On the floor song" while waiting to be seated) :)  When we asked some people around us if that was good (I imaged a mosh pit style area where we would be standing), but it was actually a good thing because we were right by the judges/stage. It's interesting how they strategically place the audience by seating the most attractive people directly behind the judges stand (no...we did not make THAT cut). ;-) Anyway, it was pretty cool getting to see Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger, and LA Reid up close and personal. Here are a few pics (oh and a bonus pic of us out in Fort Worth)

Jackie, my brother,me, Todd and then Ryan, my sister and Blake

Simon Cowell on the balcony outside the AAC

Pretty good seats I must say! :)

Waiting outside the AAC for X factor