Fiesta Arts Fair

Our first Fiesta event was the Arts and Crafts festival at the Southwest School of the Arts downtown by the Riverwalk. In addition to the fact that I've always loved craft fairs, this particular one had some fabulous artists because it's a juried show This year though, I found I was more interested in technique than I have been in the past...maybe it has something to do with the fact that I'm now teaching art. Anyway, one of the most interesting areas I found was the children's art area where artists were teaching children to do all kinds of art. I took pictures of several things they were doing that I hope I can replicate and do with my kids at school.

Busy Week...

One of the reasons this has been such a busy week is because of all that's going on at Encino Park. Last night was the "Hollywood Hoedown" which was for the third through fifth graders. They've been learning line dancing and this was an opportunity to dress up as their favorite Hollywood star and show off all they had learned. The funny thing was that the teachers only had one practice and we all tried to keep up with the kids...impossible! Kids and parents alike loved it so it may become a new tradition. (I don't have pictures, but if you're wondering what I wore, I was Julie Andrews from "The Sound of Music"...and yes, believe it or not, I did dance!)

Today was the official kick-off of Fiesta, the big annual celebration in San Antonio. We started with a parade of floats made by the first graders and then partied all afternoon. The reason I don't have pictures of the parade, is because I was leading the parade in the EP Eagle costume...what I wouldn't do for these kids!

After I recovered from heat stroke, I visited classrooms and tried to get my strength back by sampling the delicious food parents had brought...it was a fun day and a great start to Fiesta!

Easter Weekend...

I can't believe a whole week has passed since Easter, but I kept meaning to post pictures and this is the first chance I've gotten. Last Saturday was a beautiful spring day so we took the bike up to Fredericksburg. The ride up there was fun and we were surprised by all the wildflowers which were in bloom.

Although we went to the Easter service on Friday evening to make room for guests at the other five services, we both went on Sunday morning to serve. I of course was teaching Sunday School, and Larry was driving the cart in the parking lot. The crowds were incredible and Max preached an awesome message from The Story that just happened to be on the risen Lord...good timing, huh? This next picture is a presentation done by our fifth graders that was done in all six services and then I was able to take a picture when they performed it for our children at the last service on Sunday. It was a "musical video" about the death and ressurection of Jesus and had been written by a teen in our church who also led the fifth graders.

After church on Easter, we had made reservations for brunch at a hotel downtown, but that was a huge disappointment...bad service, unappealing food and surroundings...we won't be going there again! That evening, Larry and I took off again on the bike and rode up to Canyon Lake. It was beautiful and kind of restored the day for us. We ended the day at The Gristmill, one of our favorite restaurants in Gruene.

Diving Into New Roles...

I'm really enjoying my job and now that I've been teaching art for awhile, I'm beginning to wonder if there's anything I wouldn't love teaching. Last year, I was teaching everything from health to handwriting, and although I was happy, this year is so much more fun! I've also seen progess in my students this year which is exciting for me because that means I can take them further next year because I can build on what they've done already. The funny thing is that this last quarter, I'm supposed to be teaching about painting self-portraits, and that scared me because I knew the kids would find out I have no artistic ability, but when I began doing what I was teaching, I surprised myself and I'm really learning to sketch!

This last picture is something I did today that was a little strange...

My school had just gotten a mascot costume because we're the "Encino Eagles" and just as we were preparing for an assembly, the principal asked if I would be the Eagle. I had to run out and put this strange costume on with tights and everything and fly into the room (rather difficult with giant bird feet) and surprise the kids. Actually, I really enjoyed it, other than the fact that it was so hot I was dripping wet when I finally took it off...

Race for the Cure

I did something today that I have never done before and I really had a good time. My school formed a team to represent Encino Park in the "Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure" and I joined not really knowing what was involved. We had two groups...the walkers and the runners, and I started with the runners, but finished the race walking. It was downtown and what I was NOT prepared for was the crowds! It was held at the Alamadome and by the time I arrived at 7 am, there was already no parking anywhere! I ended up parking a mile away and running to make it to where we were having pictures taken before the race.


It was a beautiful day and not too hot, and the streets were all blocked off for the runners. I stopped several times to take pictures, but other than that I kept up a pretty good pace. I certainly didn't come in first, but it was fun being involved anyway.

A New Experience...

We were invited to our first San Antonio wedding on Saturday evening and it was a wonderful experience! The bride's parents are good friends of ours from church and we felt very blessed to be included since it was a rather small wedding. It was held atop an old San Antonio building downtown and the reception was held there also. The view from the top was gorgeous and we looked down on an old estate that has been converted to a library. The weather was beautiful, except for the fact that it was rather breezy.

The men in the wedding party were all dressed in traditional Mexican shirts (there's a name for them, but I can't spell it). As soon as the ceremony was over, a mariachi band began to play as beverages were served and then we headed down to the former penthouse for the reception. The food and fellowship were wonderful and it was a perfect first wedding to go to in Texas!

The following morning was a special presentation of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem during the passover. It was held in our outdoor amphitheater for all the children and everyone was given palm leaves to wave as "Jesus" was lead through on a real donkey. It was pretty amazing!

The Final Hours...

We met this morning for breakfast at "The Stockholm Inn" to start my final day up north. The Swedish pancakes were wonderful, but the best part was spending time with my mom and the kids!

After breakfast we headed over to the mall so we could spend a little extra time together before I headed to the airport. While we were there, we watched a child jumping on a tramp with a harness so that they can go really high. I asked Lydia if she wanted to try it and got a very enthusiastic "yeah!" ...I couldn't believe what a thrill seeker she is...just like the rest of her family!

The last thing we did was visit Toys R Us where Lydia got in on celebrating Barbie's 50th birthday before picking out her "goodbye Grandma" gift.

"Seussical the Musical"

I wanted my last night to be a special one, so after meeting everyone for dinner at the Rockton Inn, we took Lydia to see "Seussical the Musical". I wasn't sure what to expect taking a three year old to the theater, but she did amazingly well. She was really excited to go although I knew she had no idea what to expect, however from the prelude to the grand finale, she was spellbound! She started out on my lap, but by the intermission, she was in her own seat laughing and clapping in all the right places. I think her exposure to Dr. Seuss books as well as the colorful set and costumes, proved this was the perfect first musical for a child!

A Day in the Life of a Preschooler...

This morning started out with an invitation from Shannon to join them for a breakfast of monkey bread and juice...MMMM! While Shannon was busy in the kitchen, Josh took Lydia to the basement to water the tomato plants they've started for their vegetable garden. I think he's training Lydia to be a farmer in the future!

After the yummy breakfast we headed out to the gym for Lydia's preschool tumbling class. She has a ball with her two little friends, even if they don't do everything the teacher asks them to do! At least it gives her a chance to burn off some energy while Shannon gets a chance to visit with other moms...important when you're cooped up in during the cold northern winters!

The last thing we did while we were out was stop by the preschool Lydia will be attending in the fall. She seems so little now, but at the rate time is passing, she'll be heading off to school in no time.

More Northern Adventures...

Time is zipping by and already my trip is halfway over.  Yesterday I visited Rockton Grade School where I used to teach, and visited classrooms dressed as the "Reading Fairy.  I was surprised how many of the little ones remembered me after two long years!

Later that afternoon, I also got to visit the preschool where Stacey teaches.  It is a beautiful building and people raved about what a treasure Stacey is...we've always known that her gift is little ones, but it's nice to know that others appreciate her too.

Then this morning my mom and I met our good friends, Bernie and Lee for breakfast at a darling Swedish restaurant before I headed back to Shannon and Josh's to visit the kids. It's been a great trip so far with the exception of the cold weather...I guess I've adjusted a little too well to San Antonio, because now I can hardly stand the freezing temperatures here.

My Mom's Place...

I was totally unprepared for the surprise I got when I went to visit my mom's new apartment.  I had been rather against the idea of her moving again, but after seeing it, I not only loved it for her, but I would be tempted to live there if I was old enough!  

I loved her apartment and all of her new furniture...it was such a different look for her.  


The picture to the left is the main entrance into the building and the following one is of my mom sitting at one of the tables in the "Bistro".

Cutest Kids in "My World"!

The first thing I wanted to do after I arrived in Illinois was visit Shannon and the kids.  Lydia is now old enough to remember me so it was fun being greeted by a very enthusiastic three year old!  Of course Grandmas always bring presents, so that was first on the agenda.  Even Shannon had fun going though my shopping finds for the kids.

Joshua on the other hand is still too young to remember me, but he still gave me a big smile when I arrived!  He's kind of getting to be a mama's boy and he absolutely lights up when he sees Shannon.

I even got reaquainted with "Buddy", Shannnons lizard as you'll see in the last picture, where he got a little friendlier than I was expecting!