Every 9 years or so.....

This is the first professional picture that Scott and I have had made together, just the two of us, since our wedding.....

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Since the State of Texas ruled that public school children can have only two parties a year (that's gonna make sure they get a better education and cure childhood obesity, ya know!)...we here at the Milder house have just partied all day!

Of course, there was the need for Valentine clothes...

Note that Thomas is missing from this photo...7 year old boys do NOT dress up for Valentine's Day. I did manage to convince him to wear a red sweatshirt.

This morning Mandy and I went to Grace's Valentine party where they played bingo, and ate ice cream.

This afternoon we all went to Thomas's party. Scott came home and helped out since I'm first grade room mom in his class. I am placing a picture of me teaching the first graders a game here on this blog since this will be the one and only time that will ever happen. God Bless elementary teachers.

Mandy had a great time at both parties. I can't even begin to imagine how much candy she's had today!

We made chocolate strawberry ice cream sundaes after dinner tonight. Spraying the whipped cream was the most fun of all!

Happy Valentine's Day,

Leslie

San Antonio

We are home once again. San Antonio was...well San Antonio. We did the Alamo, whose gift shop is always a favorite with the kids!

We also took them to the Bighorn Saloon. This was a big hit with Thomas since they had just about every known animal stuffed and mounted on the walls. They even had a map of Texas made entirely out of rattlesnake rattles. I thought it was kinda gross, but then again I'm not a 7 year old boy! BTW, the above bear was shot by State Representative Tommy Merritt.

Perhaps the most fun was the use of their new ipods, which we try to save for trips. They love them! We put tv shows and music on there and they watched/listened to them the whole weekend. Elvis on Thomas's and Hannah Montana for Grace.

Mandy has discovered Disney movies. Shw watched "Finding Nemo" all the way there and in the hotel watched "Peter Pan" for the first time. As you can tell, she loved it!


On the way home we stopped at the Texas Ranger Museum in Waco. The Rangers are a particular favorite of mine and the kids seemed to enjoy the museum as well. Thomas liked all the old guns and the newer forensics stuff. Me, I love their history. I mean, they're older than Texas for goodness sake! They were created by Stephan F. Austin! What true Texan can't love that??

Blessings,

Leslie

Catching up...

Well, given that I haven't had time to blog in an eternity...I'll spend this post trying to catch up! Grace and her kindergarten classmates celebrated the 100th day of school last Friday. They each dressed up like they were 100 years old. She looked ADORABLE!! She was so excited about her "old lady" clothes and accessories!

We have also recently had our own version of "Trading Spaces" in the Milder house. Thomas and Mandy switched bedrooms. This way she and Grace can share the Jack and Jill bathroom and Thomas has his own. Thomas and Grace both got new bedroom furniture and new bedding. Thomas now has a complete Rock and Roll bedroom. Not surprising given his affection for Elvis! The bed he chose is a loft bed with a futon couch on the bottom. His own couch and bathroom...I think if he had a refrigerator in there he'd never come out!

Grace has new girly furniture and horse bedding. Gretta came and spent the night the first night!

And...it's official....we have taken down the baby bed!! Woo HOOOOOO!! It was such a memorable moment I felt the need to take a picture!

That's right...all three Milder munchkins are in big beds! I was concerned about how Mandy would transition given that she has always been such a great sleeper in her crib. Why mess with a good thing...ya know. But she has done GREAT. She goes to bed in her "Big girl bed" just like she did in the crib. She doesn't even get out in the morning when she wakes up. She still hollers for Thomas to come get her!

In addition to a new room and a big girl bed, Mandy had her first haircut! I took her to Nana's house because I wasn't sure she'd sit still for someone she didn't know.

It had gotten so long in front that she was having trouble seeing. We didn't realize until after we had it cut that we couldn't see her face!She was so proud of it after it was all done. I ended up having to hold her for the actual cutting part.

The kids and I drove to Austin and met Scott this afternoon. We visited with mom at their apartment for awhile and then drove on down to San Antonio for the weekend. Scott has some sort of meeting here in the a.m.

Well, that catches us up for now! I'll try to post some pics of us in San Antonio tomorrow.

Blessings,

Leslie

Swearing In!!!

Representative Thomas Latham, District 101

Well, it's official! We took the kids out of school and went down to Austin to watch dad be sworn in. Mom and I got to sit on the floor with him for the oath and for the proceeding Speaker's fight to the death! Finally about 2:00 I had to leave the floor. I had wanted to sit there till it was all over, but I was so disgusted and frustrated I had to leave before I took floor and let them know exactly what "the public" really thought! The more I am there and the more I get to know the players, the less Republican I become. I know that's hard for you to believe! What I have discovered is that I don't really care whether they are Democrat or Republican, but what I admire is content and strength of character. Who cares what party you are as long as you have the courage to vote your district.

The other observation I made is that the Legislature could accomplish twice as much if they would all sit down and be quiet. They are all up wandering around, talking on the phone....as a teacher that drives me NUTS!! Also, if they'd ive me five minutes with those pages, I could teach them to pass out papers MUCH more efficiantly!

It was a great day. Lots of friends from Sunnyvale and Mesquite made the long trip to Austin to be with dad on opening day. Nick was a huge hit in is dress uniform with all his ribbons and medals. Later that night we celebrated at Sullivan's Steakhouse.

Blessings,

Leslie

Branson!!

We left homp Friday morning for Branson! It took about 8 hours to get here. The kids were unbelievably good. We only stopped twice...once for lunch and once for a potty break! The drive wasn't bad at all, except for the last few miles which are on some very hilly, very curvy roads.

The Big Cedar Lodge is awesome. Our balcony overlooks Table Rock Lake and is beautiful! tWe've decorated our condo with our little 4 ft. tree and put lights and Christmas balls on the deer heads that are mounted on the walls! Thomas loves it here!

Today Scott, Dad, Thomas and Grace and I went to Silver Dollar City while Mom, Jane and Judy watched Mandy and went shopping. We had a great time at Silver Dollar City. It wasn't crowded at all, we walked right on to most of the rides. The last one we rode was the "Powder Keg" and it scared Grace to death. She was white as a sheet when we stopped.

Thomas and Grace's Top 5 for the trip so far!!

1. Silver Dollar City--It was really nice. Very clean and family oriented.

2. The fish bench!--Our condo has a kitchen table with 3 chairs on one side and a bench on the other and the back of the bench is a huge bass! They think it's the coolest thing ever!

3. Going swimming--They have a really nice indoor pool here at the lodge. Scott took them all swimming tonight after we got back.

4. The "Powder Keg" rollercoaster--Thomas said this one. This was the one that scared Grace so bad. It was super fast and had some terrifing drops.

5. "Driving through all the states"--I guess they got used to this on our trip this summer, but they really like knowing what all states we are passing through.

As many of you know, my Grandmother, my dad's mom, has been very ill for quite sometime. On Friday as we were driving up here, she passed away. Mom, Dad and I will be driving home Tuesday for the visitation Tuesday evening. The funeral will be Tuesday morning and after that we will return to Branson. Scott, Jane, Judy and the kids will be staying here in Branson. She was 86 and had been in failing health for the last couple of years, although we are sad at her passing, we know she is in a better, more peaceful place.

Blessings,

Leslie

Tom Turkey!

Thomas, Scott and Dad went on the 3rd Annual Deer Lease Trip this weekend. The smallest of the mighty hunters was the one who actually shot a turkey. His first one ever. He shot it with the .22 rifle we all got him for his birthday. Dad said he got it dead center from about 35-40 yards away. He's so excited and proud he can hardly stand it! He thinks we should save the turkey to eat on Christmas.

Searching for the bullet hole!

Six Flags Holiday in the Park!

Last night Nick and I went to Holiday in the Park at Six Flags. We had a blast. I hadn't been

to holiday in the park since I was in junior high! I got to ride all the really big roller coasters that we can't ride when we have the kids with us. The only one I don't recommend is the Superman ride...massive hydralics system that shoots you up about 17 stories in 6 seconds and drops you just as fast! I will never ride that again. I really didn't want to ride it this time, but Nick a.k.a. Superman couldn't leave without riding it. Anyway, we had a complete blast and have decided to make it a Christmas tradition!

Capitol Christmas Party!

This past weekend we went to Austin to attend the House of Representatives Christmas Tree lighting for legislative families. We had a BLAST!! The kids looked adorable in their fancy clothes and acted like they were grown! Thomas wore his first suit and looked so handsome. He loves visiting the capitol (wonder where he gets that??). He looks like a little Junior State Representative!!

Dad had been a freshman orientation the week prior. He had drawn for his place in the freshman class and they had chosen desks and offices. Here is dad in his new desk on the floor of the House chamber!
The program was about an hour long and featured different choirs and speakers. Grace was very good, but all that sitting still made her a little sleepy!
Mandy slept through most of the program and only woke up toward the end. When she got restless I let her watch "Dora" on my iPod! After the Christmas party, Sue and Allan came and picked up the kids and we went across the street to the Governor's Mansion!!!

All in all...a VERY cool day!

Blessings,

Leslie