A Trip to Austin!

We visited Austin, again, to see Marti and family.  Marti is also gluten-free so we had a day of cooking gluten-free in bulk.  Joey had fun playing with her little ones.  We also had a "detox" session in their sauna.



Joey and Suzy!




Marti's precious dog, Tux.  Large and loving.




You gotta love Marti - always a new creative
project.  To make her planters not so heavy, she
is spraying foam in the bottom while keeping a
hole for drainage with PVC pipe.  (By the way, Marti can
build anything with PVC pipe.  She even published a
book about it.)




Enjoying the tent outside.




Sweet Andy "baking" cupcakes for us.



Swimming and Swinging!



Joey has been wanting to swing at least 30 minutes
a day.  I've been trying to "mix it up," most likely to
keep me more interested than him.  I had Joey stand
on the swing, then swing on his belly.  Joey's response,
"Mom, stop making me do dangerous things."





This is Joey performing yoga.  When he makes this face,
he calls it yoga.  Funny.




Our backyard.




The first swim of the year.




Joey and Daddy




Goggles.  I didn't get in - still too cold for me.



G.I. Joe, Maria, and a Snake!



Joey became G.I. Joe and was so excited.  Sad
to disappoint him, but doing what a mother has to
do, I couldn't encourage the marker all over him.
His face and hands say it all.

  

Our dear Maria, the neighbor, came over to play.




Joey ran inside to tell me that there was a dead worm under his swing.
When I went out to look closer, it was a snake.  Joey examined it
and determined the dogs had killed it by the teeth marks on it.
(. . . my little detective. ..)



A Fun Day at the Park!

Frances (AKA Vonn and Reuben's mom) invited us to "A Day at the Park."  I'm always so impressed Frances finds out about all of the community events and really takes advantage of them.  I love it!  We had a nice time - the activities were geared toward children development - including encouraging reading, staying active, and eating healthy. 



The Cat in the Hat!





The boys making silly faces with the wings they colored.




Superhero! 




Parachute fun!




Joey's photo of me and Frances.




Joey exploring the bridge.




Joey wearing the Fiesta had he decorated.



Spurs Game and Prom!

One more visit with Robert and Esmeralda while they were in town.  We went to the Spurs game together.  Esmeralda who has always lived in the Cayman Islands had never been to an NBA game before.  She was so excited - taking pictures of everything, jumping out of her seat, yelling with the crowd.  It was quite fun!

Our Maria (neighbor and family friend) went to
prom.  She asked us to be there to see her off.
We wouldn't miss it.



Joey was disappointed he didn't get to go
with her - I had to explain how prom really works.



Morgan's Wonderland with Friends!

My spontaneous friend, Marti, called and said she would be in San Antonio for the day.  They were headed to Morgan's Wonderland - a theme park that is fully accessible to people with disabilities.  I told her that I already had plans to volunteer at Joey's Fiesta party and we had an appointment at three o'clock.  Well, Marti never sees obstacles, she only sees challenges.  She responded by telling me I could come to Morgan's Wonderland between 11 and 3 so that's what we did!



Me and Marti!

 

Joey and Suzy, ready to ride the train!


 

Andy and a friend who came along.




Joey exploring - he's doing great with his motor skills.



Joey needing a break - he found a good spot.

 

Joey and Andy "racing."




Joey on the carousel.



Fiesta! (Part 2)



Joey making a friendship bracelet.



Kamila and me.



Joey and Mr. Ponce.




Joey and his special friend, Austyn.




Joey wearing one of his prizes.




Joey socializing with Austyn




Mr. Ponce, Mrs. Henry, and Penelope

Last year at this time, I was figuring out where Joey would be going for Pre-K.  It seemed like such a big decision at the time.  I knew he would benefit so much from these teachers and their positive environment.  It has been such a blessing.  He has so many creative activities and so much love throughout the day.

Fiesta! (Part 1)



Joey getting his face painted.



The cupcake walk!

 Joey's class had a Fiesta Party!  It was quite an event.  Various stations were set up for the students to try out.  I was able to volunteer for the party.  Good times!

Digging for gold in the sand table.




Toss the tortilla!  (only in San Antonio)



Joey and Decklan




I was there to volunteer.

 

Joey's teacher and some classmates.


 

Some of Joey's classmates!



Friends in Town


Jose's friend, Robert, came to town.  He and Jose have been friends over 15 years.  He currently lives in the Cayman islands.  His girlfriend, Esmeralda, also came to visit.  We got to visit with them a couple of times during their visit.

Joey enjoys the bottle caps that are used as
gravel at La Tuna.  You can see all the bottle
caps behind him.

 

Joey's photo of me.


 

Joey's collection


 

Esmeralda, Robert, and Jose.  La Tuna is named after the fruit
on the cactus - which is "la tuna" in Spanish.