With a Name Like That...

There is a man with the name of Kinky Friedman running for Texas governor. He doesn't actually think he'd win with a name like that, does he?

Doxology

I wish I had a picture to go along with this, but I don’t. Living in Houston means being able to play outside in March; and some of February. And by playing outside, I mean doing so in shorts and a T-shirt. Ophelia is on Spring Break, as you may know, and this has been a good time for the 3 girls to play together. This past Monday, noticing how well they were getting along playing in our front yard, I decided to make them a picnic lunch so they could keep enjoying the fine weather. Having delivered their plates, I walked back into the house to get them drinks and paused to listen as they gathered around the picnic blanket. One of the girls made a comment about needing drinks, and Ophelia said she would get them, but that they should pray first. Usually, when we all eat together, the girls end up vying to be the person that “picks” our prayer (we have several prayers that we either say or sing together, and we also encourage individual prayers). I was surprised that an argument didn’t start. Instead, after a moment of conversation that I couldn’t make out, my 3 girls started singing the Doxology (“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”). They know the tune really well, and they stumbled their way through most of the words, hands folded, eyes tightly closed (except for Lavinia who was eyeing her food). I was impressed, and moved. It was a beautiful sight, and I am really proud of my three little girls acting so grown up. By the way, if you haven’t seen a 2 or 3 year old pray, it is the cutest thing in the world. There’s just something about the way that they scrunch up their faces when they close their eyes that is just precious.

Written by Jeremy (A.K.A "Daddy)

Little girl in a hat

A serene picture of Helena. March 4, 2006.

Helena's Birthday and a busy weekend

She is 3 years old! It's shocking isn't it? How did we get here? Three years? I feel like I just blinked!

Ok, sobbing rant over. We had a quiet evening with a few friends for Helena's birthday on Friday, the 3rd. I managed to not get a picture of the rowdy crowd (that was so not rowdy) but we had a great time with Rebecca and Jackson, Mrs. Yarbrough and her daughter Lilly, and the five of us. The kids played outside for a while and then we had pizza (Helena's choice), watched a movie, ate a very odd cake that Daddy made (well, some of us ate it, most of us just tasted it and switched to M&M's), and opened presents. Everyone got to stay up late and we had several princesses running around trying to find a prince (poor Daddy). It was a lot of fun and a good way for Helena to kick off her fourth year of life.

It was also the kick off to a very busy weekend. Rebecca gave us tickets to the Houston Rodeo so Saturday afternoon we headed out to this Houston experience. I have never seen so many cowboy hats and boots in my life. It was different experience that pointed out just the "city-folk" we are. We saw bull riding (whatever possessed someone to get on a bull and hold on for dear life?), steer wrestling (I can see why you may need this skill as a cowboy), and barrel racing. There were baby chicks, pigs, goats, ponies, cows, calves, chickens, and more to see, smell, hear, touch and (in some cases) taste. Everybody was super friendly and the air was full of the most intriguing mixture of smells- I'm sure you can imagine. We only stayed about an hour and a half since I had to get to the gallery to hang a show but we had a good time visiting the cowboy world.

Sunday found me sick in bed most of the day but by the afternoon I had rested enough and taken enough drugs to go on the date with Jeremy we had planned three weeks prior. Heather Sanders and Aaron Walther came and watched the girls (thanks guys- the girls had a blast and keep asking when you're going to come back!) so Jeremy and I could enjoy dinner and Swan Lake performed by the Houston Ballet. A little more up our alley than the rodeo, Jeremy and I had a wonderful time. The orchestra was amazing and the performers stunning. This production was a new one by the Australian artist Kristian Fredrikson and was a fabulous end to his career (he died last year). Rothbart's costume was especially amazing, the best I've ever seen but the entire production and some new choreography was beautiful. The opening scene was fantastic with a tableau reminiscent of John William Waterhouse's Lady of Shalott and all the costumes and sets having that same feel. Just beautiful. Better than the production was the time Jeremy and I had together. A beautiful evening, thank you for those that made it possible for us.

Monday was the start of Spring Break for Ophelia and the girls have already had a great time enjoying the weather and playing together. This weekend was filled with beauty and this week will be full of fun with the three girls playing all together. Check out the pictures below from Helena's birthday weekend.

All smiles

The big sister and the little sister, all smiles after the pizza-fest and getting ready to open presents. Happy Birthday Helena!

Sisters help opening presents

The only picture I have that has most of the family in it: Daddy, Lavinia (you can see her eyes on the other side of the gift bag), Ophelia (ok, just her torso, her arm, her hair and a little bit of her chin) and of course, Helena.

Spring time fun

This is out of order but it's cute so I had to include it!

The Cake

Daddy made a special cake just for Helena: a popcorn cake! Inspired by his memories of yummy popcorn cakes from his childhood Jeremy set out to recreate the experience for all of us with popcorn, M&M's, and marshmallows. Unfortunately most of us didn't like it, we may need Grandma Linda's recipe!

Make a wish

Ophelia, mommy, and Lilly look on as Helena blows out the candles on her unique cake.

Pigtails and a hat

Taken the day after her birthday, Helena is ready to go to the rodeo in a new outfit from Grandma Martin.

Hope you had fun!

Well, I hope you enjoyed the pictures! Helena has been such a wonderful addition to our family, it's hard to believe she's 3 years old already and on her way to becoming her own person. Thank you to all of you that shared your birthday wishes with her, with all of us.