Fort Worth Zoo

Last weekend we took an impromptu trip to the Fort Worth Zoo. We really love that zoo, but haven't been in a while. We knew Marshall would love it. He loves animals and can make most of their sounds (party tricks!). Bella always enjoys it too. Lizzie joined us and it was great to hang out with her. Since she has moved to Fort Worth we never see her. BOO HOO!

Here's our little family feeding birds.



Marshall was so cute, when he would see the animals he would clap, point, wave and say "Hi" to them.


Bella was really excited to see the giraffes.


And both kids conked out on the way home.

My Little Dancer

Bella started dance again last weekend. We have moved to a new dance studio and I'm really looking forward to it. She loves dance (whether she wants to or not ;) ) and she was really excited to start it up again.

Recently, we have been having "dance parties" at our house and they are very ENTERTAINING! One of my first posts has an example of the kind of dancing Bella exhibits. She really puts it out there, to put it mildly! I haven't caught one on film yet, but I'll have to soon. Basically, she requests her favorite "pop hits" from the music section of ON DEMAND and Bella and Marshall break it down in the living room. It's hysterical! Actually, Marshall is a pretty good break-dancer for a 1 year old.

Summer's Gone?!?!

Summer came and went way too fast. I have not done a great job keeping up with my Blogging this summer (sorry), so I thought I would post some pictures of the things we did during the summer:

We played with friends (Bella and Izzy)


Ate oranges...

Ate markers...

Rolled around on the floor...


Acted silly...


Danced...(YIKES!)


Smiled...


And played under the Dining Room table... (I'm not sure why, but the kids LOVE to play here)
P.S. It's a video, press play.

St. Monica Pre-K

Bella had her first day of school on Tuesday. She started a new school and we are so excited about it. Her teachers are SO NICE! She just loves it! After the second day I asked her what the best thing about school was and she said "Everything! I love my new school and I love my new friends!" That made me so happy to know she felt that way. I was also very proud of her, that same day one of her teachers came to me and said that Bella was so friendly and would see the kids that were a little scared and would go to them and make them feel better. WOW!


One more little story:
Yesterday after school I asked Bella to get off of the computer because I needed to check my e-mails (imagine that, an adult using their own laptop). Well she was not too happy about it. She marched upstairs and shut her door. After a few minutes and much silence, I became worried (I do this often after the hair-cutting incident). I called for her and she came to the stairs very "put-out" and said "Mom, I'm just in my room saying my prayers!". Wow, I never imagined Catholic school would have paid off that quickly!

Marshall's Baptism

Last month Marshall was Baptized at St. Monica's (Bella's new school). We had a really nice day we went to church, had lunch, went to the Baptism and then had an ice cream treat at The Purple Cow. We had our family with us and it was a very special day. Marshall did pretty good, considering his age and activity level. I now understand why he should have been baptized much earlier in his life. He was a bit fidgety and vocal, so it was a bit of work to keep him still and quiet. Here are some pictures:

Here are Bella and Marshall. Not a great picture, but I had to capture a shot of his little outfit. I just loved it!


Daddy, Mommy and Marshall. Bella was sitting a few rows behind us with the other kids. To her, that was much cooler than sitting with us.


At one point in the ceremony, they had the babies put on these handmade baptismal "bibs" (lace and all). Marshall was not pleased with this. He wanted no part of that frilly thing and was "vocal" about it. The look on his face says it all!


The priest would come over to Marshall many times through the ceremony and every time Marshall would say "Help me." Too funny!


Here is Marshall "hamming" it up for the folks in the back!