Matilda

There is a good reason we call Beatrix "Matilda" at times. You've seen the movie, right? The little girl that has a special talent. She is very independent. Basically, she takes of herself. That's Beatrix. Not that we don't take care of her, but she doesn't wait for us if something needs to be done. Case in point, the other night, I was dealing with Charlotte in another room. I had the ingredients laying out, and Beatrix decided it was time to make the pizza. She did it her way too. As soon as I walked in the room, she told me she made a "girl pizza". Now, what makes a "girl pizza" you may ask? According to Beatrix, it is the pepperoni hair. *slaps hand on head*

Teddy Bear Field Trip to Whole Foods

Beatrix's class went to Whole Foods on this rainy day for a field trip. I wasn't sure what to expect from it, but it was a great experience. This store is just the right size for such a thing. 

The kids started in the produce section, getting to eat a fresh blueberry. 

The butcher was trying to be funny with the chicken.

Here the guide is showing the kids how you can make fresh peanut butter (note to self: must go back and do that myself).

The Teddy Bear class takes a break in the cafe.

Beatrix with two of her friends.

A Walk to the Zoo

This day could not have been a better day to go to the zoo. It was a Saturday. It was absolutely beautiful. And, hardly anyone was at the zoo!

It is a little over a mile walk to the zoo. Takes me about 20 minutes pushing the stroller with Bea riding on the board. We spent a few hours walking around. I'm loving the new African Safari section. Reminds me more of things I've seen at other zoos. It's a really nice addition to our zoo, and makes me proud and honored to contribute money towards it.

The girls act silly on the walk home.

Beatrix pauses to strike a pose for me on the bridge.

And, she's quickly distracted by rocks.

Boots & Gloves

Charlotte loves boots and gloves. It doesn't matter if they fit, if they match, or any of the above. What a character we have on our hands. She is already into dress up, insisting on our help to put on Snow White's gown or Cinderella's gown (when she can pry it away from Bea).

One of Bea's Many Paintings

Albeit, it is probably a bit scary looking. Some have said it looks like the guy from Scary Movie, or a scary Ronald McDonald, but no, that is me. Really makes me wonder how she sees me, you know? Did she use red for any particular reason? Do my hands really look like that to her? Whatever her reasons, I just love children's art, no matter how I am depicted in it. There is something so innocent about what a child sees and how a child interprets the environment around them.

Cotton Pickin' Girls

What a treat (even though Texas A&M lost) to watch our Aggies in the Cotton Bowl against LSU. Our cotton pickin' girls got their fill of cotton candy. The Pessoa Household was split with an LSU grad and a TAMU grad, but there were by far more of us than them ;-). Of course, some would say what matters in the end is that your team won (which ours didn't), but I would argue that it is more important to enjoy these moments with family. Whether our team wins or loses really doesn't matter in the end.

New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve. Steven and I have never been ones to celebrate NYE. I'm usually asleep well before the ball drops on NBC, and we are an hour back, so there aren't many chances you'll find me up at that time. I thought it would be fun this year to have my nieces over along with some family friends. The kids enjoyed playing, and we enjoyed catching up with our friends, inside our house, where the only chaos you would find is that caused by our own kids.

All the girls stayed over here for a sleepover. They all (excluding Charlotte) stayed up past midnight. They watched the ball drop on the NYE show on TV, and then went back to building forts. I actually had to tell them it was time to go to sleep.

A great way to ring in the new year. Honestly, I just might make it a tradition here. So much fun just staying home and being with family and friends.

The Beginning of a New Year

Here's to wishing these beautiful girls a happy new year. May they be as blessed as they were in 2010. What a treat to ring in the new year with them. Bea's got her glass of oj raised for a "cheers".

 And yet, this is how Charlotte started her new year. Crayons in a bottle of water. Yum!