A Day at the Fair!

On a VERY warm day (try 96 degrees) in September, four friends brought their seven children to the Comal County Fair.  While we almost MELTED in the heat, we enjoyed the time with all of our friends!

Here is the first group to arrive, just after the fair opened.  Mallory, Brooklyn, Callie, Trevor and Vivienne.

All the kids enjoyed seeing the livestock at the petting zoo.  This goat was more than eager to visit with Mallory!  He jumped right up on the fence as she passed by!

We met up with our friends, Jillian and Ian Cranston (on the far right)  and continued with our fun, HOT day!

Grandpa told Mallory to be sure and pet a baby cow- she didn't disappoint!

Mallory was fascinated by all the different types of chickens in the coop.

Hugs from friends!

The kids waited in line to go in and hold baby chicks- most were just over 48 hours old!  Mallory thought they were so cute, but everytime I got one in her hand, it would twitch, and she would scream and let it go.

After 3-4 tries, she thought it best to just look at them.  When I asked her if the chicks were soft, she said "No- they are kind of prickly".  I am pretty sure she meant their feet were prickly when they jumped out of her hands.

Mallory met another baby cow up close and personal!

....and another baby cow....

The kids rode a few rides, but it was SO HOT!  Here is Mallory on the carousel.  Happy as can be- at least we were in the shade and got a breeze on the ride!

Creepy Crawlies!

Just in time for Halloween, our neighbors dug up some of the kookiest creatures I have seen in a long while!

We looked them up on the Internet, and these things are called "elephant hawk moths/caterpillars".  They are in their caterpillar form here, obviously, but when they become moths, their wingspan is about 6 -10 inches across, and they are pink and orange!  They originate from the UK, and most US sightings have been in New England, so I feel pretty fortunate to have seen these so close up!

They had not done any harm to her flowers or trees in the bed where she found them, so she put them right back.  You can see what look like large eyes on their "heads", but you will discover that is all just clever camouflage.

You can see the hand in this picture to get an idea of how plump these guys were!  They were about the size of your ring finger.

They were so ACTIVE and trying to get off the plate!

In this picture, you can see their "real" heads emerging there on the right- they are just little heads, like the size of a regular caterpillar.

This picture shows why they got the name "elephant" hawk caterpillar.  It looks just like an elephant trunk when they move and stretch.  Those camouflage "eyes" make them look like a snake when they are nestled in a flower bed, to scare off any predators.

Check him out there!  Too bad the camera was out of focus!

It may seem weird for someone like me to dedicate a blog to a bug, but Mallory and I had SUCH fun watching these critters for a good 10-15 minutes.  They were really fascinating... and harmless, which makes it easy to be so close to them!

After our adventure with the neighbors, Mallory decided to do some chores around the house.  She loves to sweep with this cute broom and dustpan Grandma got for her.  She needs a little help.....

...but I think her Daddy will agree it will help her with her putting skills one day!

Keeping Mallory Busy....

Mallory sure keeps us all on our toes!  While it can be exhausting, it is really alot of fun, too!  Everything we do is an "adventure" in Mallory's eyes, and I guess that's as it should be!

Grandma, Grandpa and Mommy all LOVE going out to eat.... so does Mallory!  Jason's Deli is one of our favorite places- Mallory's favorite part is the free ice cream at the end!  (That's Grandpa's favorite part, too!)

After lunch, Grandpa had some yardwork to do, but Mallory had other plans.  She marched out to the yard to tell Grandpa all about what sdhe needed to do... it was quite a conversation!

I think right here she is telling him to be quiet because her baby is sleeping.....

On Tuesdays, Grandma and Mommy take Mallory to our local library for craft night.  On this day, she made a "game" of sorts with a paper cone, pinecone and some string.  You have to try and "throw" the pinecone into the cone it is attached to.

Mallory tried and tried, and actually made it ina few times all by herself.... better than her Mommy could do!

After a busy day, a princess really needs her sleep (and so do WE!)  I took this picture during one of Mallory's abnormally long afternoon naps- unfortunately, she opened her eyes when the flash went off- she was asleep IN THIS POSITION!  Didn't look to comfortable, but after I took the picture, she just closed her eyes and went right back to sleep for thirty more minutes!  Must have been a growth spurt!

Mallory still loves school!

There are no words to describe what Crown of Life Preschool has meant to our family.  For Mallory, It is a fun place to visit with friends and discover new things.  For Grandma and Grandpa, it is a place that is helping instill values and teach important fundamentals for school.  And for Mommy, it is all of those things.... and a much needed BREAK from a very active 3-year old!

ALL of us look forward to school everyday.  Here is Mallory wearing an adorable dress from her Nanny and Papa Memphis..... 

She loves being responsible for her own red bucket everyday!

Mallory's clas does art EVERY day!  Here is Mallory's handprint made into an apple and worm... her thumbprint is the worm!

Posing for the camera after a busy day at school!

SO excited and happy to have a special lunch date with Grandma and Grandpa after school!

On Wednesdays, Pastor Barz leads all the kids in Chapel.  They give an offering, share the peace and hear a sermon.  They also sing songs that Mommy remembers from when she was little!  Here is Mallory on her way into chapel with her class... they sing on the way and clap as they stay in line.

One of Mallory's cute school outfits.... still can't believe it was warm enough to wear this in OCTOBER!

This is Mallory's "forced" smile.  This outfit seems much more appropriate for Fall, don't you think?

Complete with sweet candy corn bow in her perfect pony-tail!

For all you Nick Jr fans out there!

Okay, Moms and Dads out there... we all have had our little angels parked in front of Nick Jr. for a couple hours at a time, right?  Well, after seeing the SAME little "do-it-yourself-craft" idea at least a dozen times, Mallory decided to start speaking up and asking me to make the project with her.  I actually made a list of the items needed, made a special trip to the craft store, and Mallory woke up from her nap one day to a big surprise!

The craft was these no-sew pillows of Moose and Zee.  The templates printed right off the Nick Jr website, and the supplies cost less than $5.00.  Couldn't be easier, right?  Well.... it DID take me the ENTIRE 2-hour nap for me to cut out all the pieces.... but to see the look on her face made it all worth it!

First, we glued Moose together, then Mallory got to stuff him!

She was so happy that she actually posed for the camera!

Then, we glued and stuffed Zee.

Mallory was SOOOOOOOO proud!

She couldn't stop smiling- and neither could I!

Mallory ran outside to show her new friends to Grandpa!

Mallory struck another pose outside the front door!

Then, she ran inside to put Zee in her bed.......

......to my surprise, she said Moose could sleep with ME!  I was so touched!

The effort was definitely worth it!  Mallory takes Moose and Zee EVERYWHERE, and has SUCH pride!  Who knew that a little colored felt, stuffing and fabric-tac could make such a big memory?

Mallory's Ice Cream Social at School!

Mallory's School hosted an Ice Cream Social as the Open House for parents.   Mallory's teachers were in charge of the event, and sent home several reminders each week so we wouldn't forget.  The last one was this paper crown that had the time written on it for that very evening.  Mallory decided she should wear it to the event!

Mallory was excited!  She danced all around the living room before we left!

I have been putting that orange tutu on her every chance I get- luckily, she doesn't mind at all!

Dance, dance, dance!

Right before we got in the car, Mallory decided out new pumpkin should wear the crown!

Grandma and Grandpa went to the open house with us, too!

Mallory chose chocolate ice cream, which surprised me... she usually prefers vanilla!

After ice cream, the planning was perfect.... time to run off the sugar high!  Mallory had a great time playing with her friends on the playground!

This is Mallory's new friend at school, Parker.  They seem to be partners in crime!

After the playground, we headed inside to see the classroom.  The kids surprised their teachers by automatically getting into their circle time!  So they showed off by doing a couple dance activities for us.

Mallory was really into it, and loved the music.... no surprise to me!

Our sweet little student!

Mallory's teachers, Mrs. Amy and Mrs. Aguirre.  We love them both so much!

The Crown of Life Lutheran School has been such a blessing to Mallory and our family!  They continue to pray for Charles and for our situation of being separated for so long.  We are so grateful for the support they give and love they show.  Mallory looks forward to going to school everyday, and we couldn't be happier!  Daddy won't believe how much his little girl has grown since starting preschool!