How to Create an Angry Face. . .

Step 1: Place your index fingers on the outside edges of your eyebrows.

Step 2: Applying pressure to your eyebrows, move your index fingers towards the bridge of your nose.  Your eyebrows should now be scrunched together.

Step 3: Use your index fingers to check your eyebrows and make sure they are appropriately "scrunched"

And here is the final result:

LT uses this method to distract mommy and daddy when he gets in trouble.  It's hard not to laugh when he makes his angry face - it's just darn cute!

But I have to say, his happy face is my favorite:

Baby Birds

Back in March, with the help of Ted's parents, we added some potted plants to our porch.  Shortly thereafter, I began a battle with the birds, who were determined to build a nest in one of the new hanging pots.  I successfully removed the first nest before the birds were able to lay eggs.  But it took some effort.  As soon as I realized what was happening, I began removing the nest.  In the process, the birds discovered what was going on and attempted to stop me.  They swooped overhead while I wildly waved my arms and told Little Ted to duck.  He, of course, thoroughly enjoyed all the excitement while visions of Hitchcock's The Birds ran through my head.  No injuries were sustained in the process, and the birds left us alone . . . for  awhile.

I discovered the second nest only after there were eggs in it.  Knowing that the eggs would not survive if I moved the nest, I left them alone and watched as my plant was torn to shreds.  Birds have no respect for hanging gardens.

Yesterday, while LT and I were watering the plants, I discovered that the eggs had hatched and there were now three (maybe 4) little birds sitting in the nest.  We showed them to LT, who now calls them "my baby birds."  This morning, we had to check on them, just to make sure that they were still there and to try to wake them from their slumber.  I exepct that this will become a daily routine.

The Personal Trainer

Do you need a personal trainer who is energetic, a good motivator, and lots of fun?  I have just the person for you . . .

Congratulations to the budding scholar!

Perfect attendance, straight A's, top reader . . . I wonder what he'll achieve next year!

Congratulations, Matthew!

Happy Birthday, Grandma!

Today, my grandmother turns 80 years old.  We weren't able to visit her to join in the big celebration the family had this weekend, so we are celebrating her here.

LT's first (and only!) visit to Great-Grandma's house.

Happy Birthday, Grandma!

Return of Spiderman

Halloween is a long way off, but Spiderman has already made a return appearance.  We found some Spiderman pjs at the Disney Store yesterday, and, of course, we bought them.   LT thinks they're wonderful, and I doubt we'll be able to peel him out of his new get-up any time soon

Happy Mother's Day

From our little mad scientist.

Vote!

Ted's cousin is participating in a competition as a part of Austin's Fashion Week.  She's a member of a team that includes designers, a hair stylist, a photographer, and a model.  Her team has put together a "look" and is competing against other teams for the People's Choice award.  

Please vote for her team by visiting the following website:  http://fashionweekaustin.com/mash-up-teams/.  Click on the image for "Revival of Denim" and cast your vote!

BTW, Ted's cousin designed the jewelry you see in the image.  To see more of her creations, visit her Etsy store:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/FelizGarcia?ref=seller_info

Thanks!

Easter

Ted's parents came out for a visit over the Easter holiday.  We spent the better part of Friday roaming the city, with stops at the Alamo, the Wax Museum, and the Mercado.

The presidents - current and future.

Matthew and Grandma had their hands cast in wax at the Wax Museum.  Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of the final product.

 Before our guests had to leave on Sunday, we had an Easter egg hunt complete with several dozen cascarones.  This was Little Ted's first experience with the confetti eggs, and he really enjoyed cracking them on his own head.

Convincing him to crack them on someone else's head was a little more difficult, but Grandpa finally convinced LT to try it out.  He was very polite about the whole process.

For the Husker and Football fans who read this blog . . .

. . . this is our favorite recent feel-good, newsworthy moment.

Bowl Head

This is our son.  In these photos, he is wearing a bowl on his head, as you

 can plainly see.  His father swears up and down that this is something he gets from the "California" in him. 

Sadly, I must admit that he is right - at least partially.  I did indeed teach him to wear his bowl on his head.  Not on purpose, of course.  It happened entirely by accident.  We were being silly one day, and I placed the bowl on my head.  This began the bowl wearing phenomenon.

So yes, wearing a bowl on his head is something our son did get from his mother.  But let me assure all Texans who might read this blog - it has NOTHING to do with the "California" in him.

:-)