Our Newest Cook

This is mostly a post for my mom.

Lex has learned how to move the chairs around in the kitchen to reach whatever he wants to reach.

This has increased his interest in our cooking.  He no longer screams at us while we are cooking.  Instead he pulls up a chair to help.  I decided it was time to let him help make waffles.

Since he doesn't have his own, out came Alayna's apron and chef hat that Grandma Onines made for her a couple years ago.  The hat did not stay on long after pictures were taken.

He was extremely cute and excited!  I couldn't decide on just one of the pictures to share, so here they all are. 

His job for his first time helping was to turn the mixer on and off.  I figured since he always plays with it when it was put away, he would do well.  And he did.

The Fashion Show

When Grandma Onines came to visit she brought many things. Gifts include: toys, dress ups, projects and clothes. Some of those clothes were projects for Grandma to finish while she was here. It turned out to be a good thing. She was able to measure and try the dresses on Alayna. While she has always been petite, we discovered she has been growing taller.

Following is the fashion show of Alayna in the dresses that Grandma Onines made for her.

This is an absolute princess dress. It's pink with butterflies AND sparkles.

This dress is Tutti Fruiti. The necklace was one of the projects brought to do with the kids. Alayna made hers before she saw the dress, but it matches as if made for it.

This is the dress made at Great Grandma Onines' house. She (Great Grandma) had decided to make dresses to send to the girls in Haiti through the Hearts Out to Haiti Mission. She asked the ladies in her Relief Society if they would make them with her. The other ward in her building wanted to help as well. Then the other wards in her stake joined in. In all, "189 handmade dresses and 150 T-shirts for girls and 30 pairs of vibrant-colored shorts for boys" were made and delivered. After helping with all of these dresses, my mom (Grandma Onines) made one more for Alayna out of some scrap fabric - that has sparkles. There were also shorts made for Cavell and Alayna.

The final dress is also from Great Grandma Onines' stash of fabric. Do note the pose. It was difficult to get any plain pics of Alayna in her new dresses. Something about putting on a fashion show means little girls must strike many poses.

The Big Visit Means a BIG Blog Post

Grandpa and Grandma Onines came to visit the Jensen home. Alayna had a list of things she really wanted to do with her grandparents. Visit the Alamo, make a craft, bake cookies, eat pizza, go bowling and go swimming. Read on to see how we did.

Arriving late Thursday night the children allowed their grandparents to sleep in Friday morning while we went to the gym. After, an enjoyable afternoon was spent getting to know each other. Grandma makes that fun by bringing projects.
Saturday, the grandparents watched the children while Paul and I went for a run together.
The main event was Lex's baby blessing on Sunday.

Little brag, notice my knitting.
The blanket was from Alayna's blessing, the vest from Cavell's blessing and the booties where knit for Lex.

Monday I encouraged my parents to take a true vacation day for themselves and sent them to Gruene. I think they had a good day. We went to the grocery store.

Tuesday the kids and I spent a fantastic afternoon with my parents visiting the Wildlife Ranch.

This was the best shot I could get of the children and the absolute JOY they had on the safari.

In the petting zoo Cavell briskly walked from goat to goat giving them a pat or a hug and telling them, "hello."

Alayna really wanted the goats to eat out of her hand.

Grandpa got up close and personal with the zebras.

Grandpa said he wanted to experience real Texas bbq while here and we delivered. Paul introduced them to Cooper's BBQ. They ordered pork ribs.

Wednesday, oblivious to the flooding in our town, we took a trip down to the Alamo. (Does anyone else always think of Pee-Wee Herman when the Alamo is mentioned? Just asking.) I managed to take NO pictures of this outing. It was a quick trip. Paul called me, worried about more flooding, and wanted to make sure his family was able to get home. I don't think any of us minded. It was HOT and I don't think we would have lasted long enough to meander along the Riverwalk.

Thursday my parents ventured out on their own again. I believe the BX was involved. Anyone that knows my dad will not be surprised. They also visited Natural Bridge Caverns.

Friday we went bowling at the base. Alayna was excited, but Cavell was in LOVE.

The ramp was GREAT! No waiting as a child's ball r_o__l___l____s down the lane.

GPAW shared his first roll with Cavell. They had a rough time as a team. For the next game Cavell got his own game, and Grandpa was able to bowl a better game.

Grandpa even holds babies when they cry.

Saturday began with some baking. This is something the children love to do, and it was a chance to show Grandma how much they enjoy their Christmas presents.

Oh, they made snicker-doodles, by the way.
They are delicious, like eating tasty air.

Grandma had heard about a cultural fair at the Institute of Culture and wanted to go. Driving around to find parking, we realized it was quite crowded. Walking from our parking spot, through a different fair and to the entrance, we realized it was VERY HOT and we were not prepared beyond sunblock. The poor children were very red and based on the number of people Alayna was bumping into I would say they were close to heat exhaustion. We decided an outdoor fair was not a good idea.

We went to Mi Tierra at Market Square instead. Lots of water later, and a good meal, we had an enjoyable time wandering around the market while Paul waited in line for the bakery for some dulces.

This little gal was singing in the square. She's only 12. She was amazing. I think Cavell was in love; he sat right down on the pavement to listen to her. We were getting rosey from the heat again. I don't know how she could handle it and sing.

After church, Sunday, Grandma and Grandpa were able to enjoy some gluten free pizza with the family before they had to pack for their early flight. There was also a fashion show, but I think that deserves its own post.

Thank you for the visit. We love you and hope you had as great a time with us as we had with you.

Missed Sharing

After posting Cavell's birthday, I was looking thru the blog and saw the GLARING absence of some events. We never mentioned that my mom came to visit us, in APRIL?!?

Yes, she did. It was a great visit, for me. This was the two week period that saw Cavell and then Alayna get sick, and Paul arriving home from a week out of town - sick. It was very nice to have Mom here to help with the dr's visits, entertainment and projects. She even babysat one morning, so Paul and I could run in the Texas Round-Up 10K.

A lot of her visit was spent reading with the kids.

She even tried her hand baking some gluten free cookies, learning a little about our different flours in the process ;-D

(Paul picked this pose.)

The biggest project was dolling up Alayna's German Dance dirndl. Sadly, Alayna hasn't had a chance to wear it for a performance. She was sick for the dance while her Grandma was here, and the next, and last, event was canceled due to Swine Flu. We do plan to sign her up for lessons again in the fall (if they are offered).
With the leftover flowers, Mom (or, Grandma in this case) made a bouquet for dress-up.

Before she left we had a chance to go to Paul's office and see the baby chicks and ducks. The pig had already been sent to a new home (a real home, not a euphemistic home).

Overall, even with all the sickies, I think it was a great visit. I loved being with my mom. And even though it is a few months late, I thought it would be fun to share.