My Sweet Boy!

Joey woke up this morning and asked, "Is Christmas after Halloween?"  I said, "Yes!  You got it!"  Then, he said, "Mommy, for Christmas, I want to make a present that says 'For Santa.'"  I asked what he would give Santa, he said a small plush of Santa.  You know, last July, Joey was talking about Christmas - interesting what he always has on his mind.

Today, Joey asked me to wear a bracelet he had given to me.  In preschool, they earned "hops" for helping out a friend, making good choices, etc.  You had to earn 5 hops to get in the treasure chest.  He would usually earn the treasure box once every week or two.  One time, he chose to get me a present rather than a toy for himself - such a kind boy who thinks of others.

A Day with Papa, Nana, and . . . Ronald McDonald!

Mom and Dad helped out with Joey when I worked on Saturday.  Dad frequents McDonalds for breakfast and now has a relationship with the employees so much that he gets entire sets of the toys when they first come out.  They had a special magic show with Ronald McDonald.  Joey was able to be one of his assistants.  Joey was so excited, jumping and squealing.  So fun!



Joey and Ronald McDonald!



Joey so excited to be the assistant in the magic show.

  

Joey as the assistant!


 

Last night at Mom and Dad's.  Joey jumping
from "his rock."



A Playdate with Austyn!

Joey always enjoyed Austyn in his Pre-K class.  We got together for a playdate, and we all had a great time.  I always enjoy watching him play with her - it is so cooperative.  He is always motivated to impress her - this day was the first day he was able to get things off the bottom of the pool without a push.  She is such a creative and independent little girl.  I'm so glad he has had this friendship.  After the pool, they played a pretend game of them working in the same office together.  Then, Joey wasn't at the office anymore so they sent letters (wrote notes) to eachother to communicate what had happened.  So fun!

At the pool.  On the count of three, they would jump in together.

 

Having a snack after the pool.



Austyn is so much fun.  She was acting like a vampire

with her cheese stick.  The first time she did it, she giggled.

I tried to catch her giggle on video, but got this instead - take 2!

Fourth of July, Part 2!

We went to Mom and Dad's house for dinner, s'mores, fireworks, and poppers.  The Frey family joined us later in the evening.



Oreo, Joey, and Nana



Dinner!



Sweet Reuben enjoying the antique toys from my childhood.
Mom enjoying Reuben.



I helped Dad build a fire for the s'mores.



The marshmallows were popular.



Karl and Frances



Jose and me!


 

More marshmallows!



The boys enjoying the fireworks!



The boys enjoyed the "poppers,"  especially
the way Papa would respond when they threw
them at his feet.



The boys each had their own pile.  Vonn threw handfuls.  Ruben
threw each on individually, and Joey had a variety of techniques.



Fourth of July, Part 1!

We were supposed to visit Guadalupe State Park for the river, the trails and a barbeque, but . . . there was a "no burn ban" so we ended up spending the afternoon at our house.  It was still fun, and we enjoyed the pool.



Joey in his Fourth of July attire with Vonn.

  

The Frey family came to our Fourth of July celebration.




We collected sticks along the way home for roasting marshmallows.
Joey and Vonn worked together to carry this one home.



We celebrated Abel's birthday!



The Familia!



To See the New Baby!

Our friends, Gabe and Heather, just had a new baby girl.  We went to Austin to visit.  They have a son Aiden that is Joey's age, and they typically seem to have the same interests (ex. now they are both into the Mario Brothers). 



Aiden and Joey

  

Jose, excited to hold Alexa



Me and the new, light-weight baby!



The proud parents!



The boys playing Mario Brothers on the Wii.
(I love their positions of anticipation.)



Beautiful Alexa, sleeping through it all.


 

We briefly stopped by Marti's (which is always
fun and exciting).  We met Hopper.



Joey carefully held Hopper.



Cousins in Town for the Day!

My cousin, Lesa came to San Antonio to visit for the day.  Her husband is currently working a few hours away and she is staying with him for the summer.  Lesa is my dad's neice.  I have only seen her two other times in my life.  Luckily, for Facebook, we have become closer.



At Casa Rio on the Riverwalk.



Joey and his cousins Tucker and Mickayla


 

Joey wanted his photo with Losoya.




Then, Joey decided to be his own statue.
Mickayla decided to join him.

 

In front of the Alamo




Joey pronounced, "I am King of the Cannons!"



Macaroni and Penguins!



This is the moon one night.  Joey looked in the sky and exclaimed,
"The moon looks like a piece of macaroni!"  Such a different
perspective than mine.

Joey enjoys Club Penguin.  I always enjoy his choices of
decorating his igloo.



Usually, I am more shocked with his clothing
and accessories.  Joeygoey7 is presentable
(on this day).



Froyo with Zack!

Joey went to three-year-old preschool with Zack.  We don't get the opportunity to see them often, but it's always fun when we do.  We met for frozen yogurt one afternoon.  They made it into a full playdate with puppets, chasing, and catching crickets.



Our handsome boys!

 

Cecilia and me!  So glad Joey has chosen Zack as a friend.

 

Joey's photo of Zack with one of the puppets.  Joey has become
quite the photographer.



Victoria's Birthday Party!

My dear friend Nicole's daughter had another birthday!  She tells me that Victoria was still talking about Joey and she hadn't seen him since Joey's birthday party in October.  Victoria is such a sweet, delightful girl, but still curious and determined.  She is so enjoyable. 

She did enjoy following Joey around and, at first, I think he didn't know how to respond.  Eventually, he was chasing her and her friends.  A good time was had by all!



Nicole has the tradition of always making her
daughter's birthday cake.  I think it's a special
tradition and they always turn out so cute.

 

All the children admiring the cake!

 

Joey and Nicole (with the party favors)!

 

Joey and Daddy!

 

It was fun to see some of the other friends I
used to work with.  Great people!



A Day at the Farm!

Joey's camp went to Fiesta Fun Farm on a field trip.  It was a fun day!



We started the day feeding the goats.



Then, to the petting zoo.  Joey was so loving.



Joey with a little goat.



Joey was comfortable getting in the cages to feed the rabbits.



On the playground with friends.



Joey on the seesaw.



On the tire swing!



Another playground.

  

Pony rides!



Joey enjoyed the ride.



Joey petting the horses.



We ended with a hay ride.