This Reminds Me

Archive for the ‘Fiesta Texas’ Category

Spring Break weather has been warm and breezy – until today.  The day we picked to go to Fiesta Texas.  And we froze our ta-ta’s off.

The new Wiggles section of the park is sooo cute!  There was virtually no one there today, so the girls rode the Wiggles stuff multiple times, and we all did Scooby Do and the bumper cars several times.  In between the shivers and dodging sprinkles (which haven’t hit our yard yet.)

Note to parents: Let your kids go first.  They dry the seat for you. 

Julia’s has always wanted to make a gingerbread house.  So we are.  Right now.

Costco had these kits out in September, so you know it’s freeessssh!

Hannah’s peppermint-flavored icing is really pretty good.  She’s learned cookie and cake-making/decorating from the best – her daddy.

Highlights last night at Fiesta Texas’ “Holiday in the Park,” which is always a lot of fun.

We’re skipping church this morning.  Everyone is either going out of town (Keith and Hannah), or too tired (the rest of us.)  What better way to acknowledge my sin than by blogging about our boo-tiful day yesterday?

I’ve always admired folks who decorate beautifully.  People like my sister can take knotted string, an apple core, broken spaghetti and crusty spray paint and create a stunning centerpiece in 10 minutes.  I am not one of those people.  I keep Rubbermaid boxes jammed under the stairs and spread the contents around the fireplace.  The orange-topped boxes contain memories of Halloweens past – kids’ crafts, Beanie Babies, stuffed animals and a few books.  This is Julia’s third Halloween home, and she was thrilled to discovered I’d kept some of her kindergarten and first grade crafts to display.

We headed to Fiesta Texas for Fright Fest, and opened the gates at noon.  Didn’t leave until 9 p.m., which is why everyone is overtired today.  Of all the characters roaming, I liked these ghastly twins the most.  They never smiled.  I took their stony countenance as a challenge, – kind of like the visitors who taunt the guards at Buckingham Palace, hoping to crack a smile.  Nope.  Shortly before we left, a ghoulish “convict” screamed and chased Rachel at least 100 yards through the Old West area.  Her Superman cape was flying – her mouth was hanging open screaming back – her feet were flying, all while clutching the pumpkin she’d painted hours earlier.  I have not laughed so hard in months.  I hurt, I laughed so hard.  People applauded, and I heard, “Man, that belongs on You Tube!”

I don’t play the Frugal Maternal Unit at Fright Fest.  The girls feign great shock when I allow each to have her own soft drink, and I spring for extras like pumpkin and cookie painting.  Rachel chose a “rasta” theme for her pumpkin.  Lois – Lestat the Vampire.   Hannah – a Hannah Montana theme. Julia – a vampire with a sword in its head.  (Child psychologist, anyone?)  They’re now gracing the fireplace mantle. No, no, I won’t save them for next year.

Rachel’s cookie tasted a bit like paint.  She’s not sure why.  Yes, she’s a senior this year.  And can vote next year.  Comforted by that, are you?

School starts Monday.

I’m in total denial.

Yeah, Pooh.  We know.

No more sleeping until 6 a.m.  No more “just make two lunches and out the door.”   No more wondering where all the traffic is.  No more shutting our door at bedtime because I really don’t care who’s still up and who’s not.  And no more quick dinners at the pool.

I took Julia to her school open house tonight.  We did lots of hugging.  Lots of labeling.  And I brought home the first batch of dreaded school forms.  My return address labels are ready.

Julia’s brick in the school entryway was laid over the summer.   Moses’ fellow Hebrews were forced to make bricks. Joshua’s army marched and brought down Jericho’s wall of bricks. Paul described Jesus as a cornerstone. So we decided years ago our school bricks would offer a biblical reference.  Like Jesus’ promise in John 14:18  – “I will not leave you as orphans.  I will come to you.”

Rachel selected a very prophetic verse for her brick in 2001 – “A gentle anaswer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”  She must have realized she was going to turn into a teenager one day and that I’d need to be reminded of this verse over and over.  And over.  Again.


Lois is always one for the basics so in 2001 she chose – “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whomsoever shall believe in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”  Hannah selected the 10 Commandments.  I remember when the girls had to memorize them for Pastor’s Pals.  The first four – relationship with God.  #5 – relationship to parents.  #6 – #10 are all those darned sins, which Hannah was having trouble memorizing in order.  So she, Lois, Rachel and I formed a conga line and danced into church that Sunday night chanting, “Murder!  Adultery!  Steal!  Lie!  Covet!”   They all got ‘em right.

Tomorrow it’s off to Fiesta Texas for one more day of water park fun.

“Get thee behind me, school supplies!”  1st Rebecca 8:21