Choo-Choo....Turner's Turning Two!

This afternoon we went to our little friend Turner's 2nd birthday...it was all about trains! Train cakes, train moonwalk, train balloons and the most popular event was the train ride through the neighborhood. Sinclair rode the five minute train tour four times!

Turner the birthday boy greeting all his friends!

Sinclair loves butterflies almost as much as she does trains.....this week.

We got home and she went straight for her piano to try to work on a little birthday composition.

Happy Birthday Mikey!!!

Today we drove down to our friend Mikey's farm to celebrate his third birthday. What is so ironic about this is I was going to this same place when I was a mere three years old and Mikey's Grandfather "The Senator" would have these amazing "barn parties" with politicos, dignitaries and "Captains of Industry" he is probably looking down from above laughing how it is now over run by toddlers.

Sinclair has an OBSESSION with bunnies and this one was no different. Mikey's parents have a loose one that kind of hangs out at the barn. The last time Sinclair's face lit up like that we were at Disney. She HAD to touch this bunny....the bunny played chase with her and would let her get just so close then he would hop away. We decided to bait the trap with food and she was able to get a little closer. Maybe it was a "you had to be there moment" but this bunny was more playful than a puppy.

FINALLY, "Blanco the bunny" acquiesced and let Sinclair give him goodbye kisses.

Bunnies have moved up on my radar now!

Happy Birthday Harris!

This morning was our little friend Harris C's 2nd birthday....all of his friends came to the Houston Country Club for a Dinosaur Bash!

Harris' GORGEOUS mommy, (Stephanie) and hilarious Daddy, (Ernie) made sure everyone had a fantastic time. This little two year old loves dinosaurs, his big sister Ellie and his cowboy boots!! He is ALL boy!! We all missed his cousin "Hawk" who spent the weekend in La Jolla with his Mommy (Estela) and Daddy (David) at the famed San Diego zoo!


Sinclair totally has a thing for slides....but I was not thinking today and had her wear a little Christmas romper that showcased her really long legs. Which means bare baby flesh does not slide so well. The painful sacrifices we make for beauty! We winged it by riding the bouncy horse and the dinosaur.


another painful sacrifice for beauty.....baby molars!

Baby John (little cotton top cherub) was the first one on the horse, which caught Sinclair's eye. Baby John was beyond precious...every time Daddy, John Mark would make the horse wiggle he would shriek with giggles. That moment is when I realized THIS was the most fun age. I wish I could freeze them all at this age.

Sinclair has a fondness for sweet little Thomson....I know this because she was very patient in sharing rides on the (popular) horse. Trust me, If she did not know you, she would not hesitate in baby speak to tell you where to "catch Metro" for a ride....anyplace BUT her horse! I think she maybe a lawyer one day....since has the "possession is 9/10th's the law" rule down to an art.

Typical of the very charming boy-coy little Princess dance. Thomson dismounted the horse to let Sinclair take a turn and she followed him back to the slide. It was not about the horse as much as it was being where "Prince Charming" Thomson was. You think the little ones actually know they are flirting at this age?

WE SANG "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" WHILE THE THREE AMIGOS TOOK OVER SEATTLE

Saturday night was my niece, Danielle's 21st birthday! Maybe I am just being extra melancholy lately but it seems like only last week I was celebrating MY 21st!!! Life is happening way too fast! Honestly it seemed like not that long ago we were celebrating John and Sherri's 21st too! They were proud parents!

Our immediate family were all on hand to celebrate which was a treat to see Daniel and Veronica twice in one day-- we also had our extended family. Jack Rains and Kitty, Sam Douglass and (naturally) Melissa -- who was just thrilled she wasn't at home watching the OU game with Jake (They lost to Texas Tech) --- Chef Dean knocked it out of the park and did an amazing feast of butternut squash and apple soup, wild mushroom strudel, filet of beef in a pinor noir sauce complimented with a tasty Stags Leap Cab and of course no birthday is complete without TWO cakes -- a lemon vacheron and a chocolate mousse torte. Melissa both agreed the 21st birthday is about the last time you can indulge in two cakes and it not show in your waistline!

Sweet, gorgeous John jetted to Seattle for the NFL game today with our dear friend and fellow Aggie Jacob Green -- Jacob was a former aTm All- American and Seattle Seahawk. JG is prominently displayed in the Seahawk's "Ring of Honor" and the "Hall of Fame" - not to mention he is very loved as one of Texas A & M's most distinguished athletic alums.

This first photo was snapped on the sidelines as the Seattle Seahawks beat the Chicago Bears. I personally just think of Jacob as a big ol' teddy bear -- to me, it is hard to imagine him playing rough and mean Defensive End that set all those records and sacked those QB's. John proudly reported after Jacob took he and Jim Wilson to all his favorite haunts, the owners box and dinner with the NFL Commissioner....today as they watched from the sidelines I got a field report that "Jacob is nothing short of baby Jesus in Seattle." I received a follow up that a "mob of fans swarming for Jacob's autograph had to be buffered by security." JG is SUCH a rock star! Naturally, Jacob's "awwww shucks" humility is one of the things we love about him the most!

Happy Birthday Big Daddy!

Today was my incredibly handsome husband John's birthday! We celebrated really low-key with all the kids and a few of his closest friends. Daniel and his fiance Veronica grilled a beef tender and made (the most amazing) lobster risotto. Mary Caswell whipped up a melt in your mouth birthday cake. A fun night was had by all!

Antonio and Daniel....Amigos

Uncle Jack.....aka "UJ"

Happy Birthday Hailey!!!

Last Thursday was Hailey's 22nd birthday! We all gathered to celebrate her special day. Sinclair LOVED the sparkler on Hailey's cake! It was a great party that meant so much to everyone!

Sinclair chewed on Tia's beef skewer......All our girls are growing up too fast!