Roses, French cuisine, Downtown Houston, and an Aquatic park

Our feet were feeling restless and we did some fun traveling this weekend. Friday evening Bronius bought me some beautiful roses and then treated me to a French meal in Calvert for our anniversary!

We tried to do our own photo session. It ended up in laughter, and then tears because we were laughing so hard.

Here are some of the courses of the meal. Not much excites me more than an artful and gourmet meal which I would have no ability to prepare.  And this was definitely it. #1 is a Fresh Portabella Mushroom soup. I don't even like mushrooms, but this soup made me a fan.  Butter and cream helps, too.  #2 is a pastry with scalloped potatoes, onions and a delicious creamy cheese inside. Don't ask me about the crust. It made me cry it was so flaky and delicious. #2 is a tropical fruit salad on bitters, with a warm blackberry and ginger dressing. It was a palate cleanser and it stimulated our appetites for more.  #4 is the main entree, a pork cordon bleu with a brown sauce, fresh creamy potatoes, fresh spinach, asaparagus and julienne carrots with a orange zest hollandaise sauce. By this point in the meal, Bronius and I were worried that we'd have to start stuffing food in our pockets to make it look like we were finishing each course. We were stuffed! #5 is not featured, but I'll dig a picture up. It was an almond pie. I'm not sure what the french term for this was, even though the Chef was well versed in French, he wouldn't always tell us what we were getting. In fact, we didn't get to pick anything we ate. And it was better that way! (I never would have ordered mushroom soup).  Mom would be able to identify all this for me. Anyway, back to the almond pie.  It had an apricot layer in the middle, and it basically tasted like warm marzipan. I died and went to heaven. I seriously couldn't take anymore! And then we got one of their world famous truffles!!!! If you have a chance to visit Cocoamoda, I promise you will not be disappointed by the experience!!!! :) 

We got a picture with Chef Ken on the way out.

Saturday we made a trip to downtown Houston and took the kids to the Museum of Natural History. We walked along the reflection pond, visited the Oriental Gardens, played in the splash ground and watched staff set up for a play at Hermann Park.  Most of the things we did were 100% free! :) 

We stayed at Mom and Dad's and went to Prince of Peace in the morning. Here is Steve teaching the kids a bit about the pictures in the stain glass. 

Later on Sunday, we traveled up to the Woodlands were my younger sister Lesley will be living & working. Our first stop was the Rob Fleming Aquatic Park, which has amazing features for younger kids who aren't ready for the hugeness of big water parks (or for people like me who suddenly break out into an anxiety attack in a huge crowd of people when I'm trying to keep track of my kids. Only ONE of the weird things that have happened to me since I became a mother). 

There was a playground/splash pad for littler kids, a huge slide for big kids, and a lazy river for everyone else. Great concession stands and plenty of chairs for camping out all day. $10 for adults and I think $8 for kids. Can't beat that!!! 

Les and I on Market Street after a tasty dinner at Chipotle.

And the boys, who made a wish at this fountain that we'd go home already! They didn't even ask for ice cream they were so tuckered out ;) 

So thankful for this fun excursion to be together with family enjoying summer pleasures!

Memorable moments

What was sad this week.....

Moving day came for our neighbors all too suddenly.  We brought them donuts as a salve for wounded hearts. We will greatly miss the Saboor family, we are so glad they will be popping in and out of town several times a year so we can keep in touch! 

What was awesome this week.....

Arrrrrrr! We had Shipwrecked Camp at the house this week (hence the picture of the pirates from before).  We learned about the history of pirates, about ocean exploration, had a treasure hunt, studied rocks, made our own invisible ink and designed our own boats. Here the kids are coloring gem stones while Ms. Stephanie gives them trivia about rock formation. After our lessons, snack, video and activity each morning, the kids had free play. We brought out board games, puzzles and art supplies, but many opted to play outside (rain or shine!) 

What was delicious this week.......

We had new friends over for dinner, and it was a great excuse to grill some summer foods! Everyone was inducted into the clean plate club afterwards, and even had room for brownies with icing. :)  I've been having fun again with instagram photography, as you can see :)

What was romantic this week.....

A pretty important stone fell out of my engagement ring about 2 months ago, and hubby took it in to our friend who is a gifted jeweler and had it repaired, right in time for our ten year anniversary. When it was all finished (unbeknownst to me) he took me out to a casual dinner and got down on one knee to re-propose! He really surprised me, which is nearly impossible to do. :) It was very sweet, and I treasure this moment in my heart and my memory, always. I am blessed, and honored, to spend my life with this man, who teaches me about love through his actions, his honesty, his integrity, his generosity, his patience, his kindness and graciousness. I love you, Bronius. Happy Anniversary to us!

What was the cherry on top.....

Swimming at the pool of Bronius' childhood memories.  It is a little slice of paradise. I tried to read my book, but eventually I had to get in too. They were having too much fun without me!

Five Faves: Pirates Three, Handy stories, Going in circles, Victory for life, Christ of the Abyss and a Family Retreat

Linking up with Hallie Lord with Five Favorites this week. Thank you for hosting, Hallie!

~1 ~ The pirates three.  This crew is not always as united as they appear. We've had quite a few scuffles aboard the ship this summer, and Mommy herself has offered to walk the plank. But dressing up helps. And turning on fun music. And resigning to ignore housework and choosing to flop down on the couch to read stories together. I'm learning that building unity really builds peace in our family.  And housework just has to wait sometimes. 

~2~ Scholastic videos on youtube.  My resourceful friend Stephanie mentioned to me that Scholastic videos were on youtube. I never thought to look for our favorite stories there before! We watch other educational segments on you tube, but these are handy to bring up on the laptop when I'm cleaning up lunch and setting the boys up with their quiet time activity. I'll let the littlest watch one until we can sit down and read a story together and it really sets the stage for nap time nicely.  His favorite o' the month is a classic you may remember well!
                                                 
~3~ Praying with Your Feet. A gentle reminder to be patient with ourselves when we feel others are moving forward when we're still going in circles.  

~4~ Planned Parenthood closings in Texas.  This is huge. I honestly can't believe it. I am sad to admit that I did not think this sort of victory for life could be possible in our culture today. I am thankful to be proven wrong!!! I feel that the focus now must be better support and care for women who find themselves in crisis pregnancies. I pray churches will come together and work together passionately and peacefully to this end. I am thankful for my beautiful friend Lauren, and so many others, who work tirelessly to protect and defend life at its most vulnerable stage.  Please be with us Lord, as communities navigate this new territory together!

~5~ Christ of the Abyss, beautiful statue somewhere deep in the Mediterranean sea.  The beauty of the idea of Jesus raising His arms in celebration of creation in the ocean just moved me.

And last of all...we attended our first family retreat this month with the Focolare movement, and it was the best possible gift we could have given to each other in our marriage and to our children. I wrote about it here if you would like to read. The Mariapolis.  Thanks for coming by, and I would love to hear from you! 

                                                 

                                                                 

Happy Birthday, Dominic :)

Our sweet boy turned 8 this week! Here he is on his real birthday, getting nutella toast with sprinkles and opening our gifts to him as a family.

After going to Subway for dinner and swim lessons, we met Senele at Spoons for frozen yogurt treats!

Then we had a small party with buddies, ninja style.  I made these ninja cupcakes all by myself! (with the aid of a gourmet baking mix) :)  Still, I was proud. Baking is not my forte, I'm a much better cook!

We had a karate instructor come out to teach a lesson.  The kids had a chance to break a board with their hands and with their feet. I love this shot my sister got of Dominic.

And we finished a great week of celebrating with swimming at Grandma and Papa's with Aunt Les and Uncle Steve and Senele, too.

We are so proud of our bright, sensitive, creative, loving boy, and thankful for the gifts and blessings he brings to our family. Thank you to all who made this such a special week for this guy! Happy Birthday, Dominic!

Paula's visit, and a farewell to the Gerngross family

When our friend Paula and her family came to town, our married couple group gathered together to plan a week of activities to keep them busy! Jessica, in the midst of packing her home up for a big move to the Netherlands, hosted the ladies in the group for dessert one evening. It was a special time to catch up! Paula, we love you and it was so great to see your family and meet baby Nevan! And Jess.....sighhhh. It really hurts to think about another friend moving. But we send you with all our love and prayers, and wish you all the best in your big adventure. We can't wait to hear all about it once you settle in!

Swim lessons

Thanks B for taking over freezing cold water duty for me this week! :) I am a fish, but this water chilled me to the bone! They boys were brave and tough and didn't complain though! :)

             Jonas swimming for his pirate duck. :) 

                       Dominic back floating.

Milo doggy paddling. Any wonder that it is his favorite mode of transportation in the pool?

Just swimming along. This dude was diving for rings! I am so proud of these guys, especially since we actually haven't been swimming much this summer. Way to get right in there and get after it! :)  

Summer days

We had a "cool front" last week, and so we took a picnic to the park. Milo asked to eat cherries on a blanket and I was happy to oblige. :)

Playtime with a great pair of kiddos we know and love!

Mainly Music class, summer session! Love this time with the kids each week. 

Just one of many strange things I see here every day. :) 

I liked how Milo sat on the couch, perched like a bird, to eat his apple in the sunshine. 

We met friends at the movies to see E.T., a family favorite forever!

Uncle Steve was in town with his Aggie MBA group visiting disaster city, and stopped by for dinner and bedtime stories. :) 

A sweet moment with Grandma and Jonas. Thanks Marcy for the scooter!

We enjoyed having the Mikeal family for dinner and music!

Barnes and Noble, Mama's favorite place to be in the world. So glad my fellow companions do not mind the frequent trips there. :) 

Starting over with a clean slate? These guys are a new adventure every day. Lord let this be an inspiration to me, to remember each day is a new promise from You to give us graces to be better. Make me gentle and strong, patient and wise, fun and ever-loving to our three wonderful boys this summer!