Baby, It's Cold Outside...

They may not have white Christmases in Houston, but we sure could have in February. We had some very unseasonably cold weather here recently. Lows in the teens & 20's, highs in the 30's. The temperature was close to freezing for 2 or 3 days in a row down here. They even canceled school for a day because of a threat of snow. Unfortunately, there were thousands of disappointed kids here when they woke up the next day and there was no snow on the ground. :-(

Across the highway from where we live is a shopping center with a huge fountain. The freezing weather froze the water and made an eerie yet beautiful site. I made a special trip over there just to take pictures. Let me tell you it was super cold that day. I had to take my gloves off to work my camera, and in about five minutes I couldn't feel my fingers. Brrrr!

Dance Competition

Kathryn recently competed in her first dance competiton on January 29. She had a lot of fun and loved the fact that Mommy was letting her wear make-up. Such the diva. ;-)

Here is the video of their performance. You can see it was in a big gym and we were sitting about half way up the bleachers. Kathryn is the one on the far right on the front row. (Second from the right when they are in one row.) I think it is time for a new camera. ;-)



The girls posed together in the dressing room after their successful performance. Too cute! Later that afternoon we found out that they received a Judges Award for Elementary Novelty Dance. We were so proud of them.

After they were done, the girls were allowed to leave. We chose to stay and watch because we wanted Kathryn to see what a competiton was all about. We also wanted to support our amazing Senior Team at Extreme.

Here is Kathryn in her Extreme team warm up sitting with her daddy.

Kathryn - 1st Grade Dance Team

Kathryn has been enjoying another year of dance. This year she is on the First Grade Competition Team.

They have two competitions coming up this year. They have been working on perfecting their dance since camp last summer. They recently had a dress rehearsal with full costume. Here is a video of their dance.

Another Sassy Day...

The before shot.
Back in the summer I took Kathryn & Maya to Sweet & Sassy to celebrate Kathryn's birthday. Since the Woods' were here for the Christmas holidays, before they headed back to Africa, Lisa, Nana Paula, & I took Maya & Kathryn there again for Maya's birthday. The girls loved it!
The pedicure.

The manicure.

Hair an "make-up".

The after shot. Two girly divas.

Kathryn's toes.


Unlike when we were there for Kathryn's birthday, there was no one there at Sweet & Sassy's that day. We had the place to ourselves, so we let the girls walk on the "runway" that they use for birthday parties. They had so much fun walking through the beaded curtain, struttin' their stuff and striking poses. It was too funny. Although, I am thinking I may be in trouble in a few years. Kathryn was way to good at the model strut. Yikes!

The girls had so much fun that day. I think this may become a birthday tradition.

Taekwando Graduation...almost there!

Friday, December 17, Rebecca had a taekwando graduation. She earned her red/black belt. She is just two months away from getting her black belt. We are so proud of all she has accomplished in taekwando.


Miss Molly Harras, 2nd degree black belt, ties on Rebecca's new belt.


Meghann, Miss Harras, & Rebecca


Rebecca & Senior Master

Buckalew Choir at Market Street

On December 7, Rebecca and her school choir got to perform at Market Street. They sang some of the songs they had been learning for the fall concert, as well as lead the crowd in some Christmas carols. Afterwards there was hot cocoa and cookies.



You can see how much Rebecca loves to sing in the choir. We are so proud of her.

I also got a chance to take a picture of the girls in front of the Market Street Christmas tree. It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

On November 28 we surprised the girls and took them to see "How the Grinch Stole Chrismas: The Musical" in Sarofim Hall at the Hobby Center in downtown Houston. The Grinch was played by Stefan Karl, the same guy who played Robbie Rotten on Nick Jr.'s "Lazy Town." He was very good, once I got past pictureing him as "Robbie Rotten" doing the Grinch. ;-) He had quite a vocal range, too.

It was a fun afternoon and a great way to start the Christmas Season.