While You Were Sleeping.....

So I'm not much of a sleeper as of late......just that season again, I suppose. In the hopes of completely tiring both mind and body, I have been trying to lay off the television and read myself to dreamland. Case in point, this is 3 weeks worth of nightly reading (plus 2 books I have since loaned out):

At least I am doing something productive, right? Well...that, and I am balancing out watching those recorded episodes of "Dance Your A** Off ".

Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch..........

Summer is in full swing here on the McBrayer Ranch. Lots of doings. Lots of going ons. Kaelan is enrolled in a few classes to keep her busy on these ridiculously hot, sweaty, record-setting days. Perhaps mom should have thought out the whole transporting in and out of hot cars when she came up with the bright idea of taking indoor classes and staying out of the heat. Can you say, "Hot leather?" Ouch!

Much to Dad's delight, Kaelan is a "Little Ninja". That's right, we are paying for our daughter to go to a class and learn how to kick, back fist strike, and round house other children. Sure, she spends much her time spinning around on the floor and bossing Darian around, but if you could see her spar......I just know Bruce Lee is smiling.

Cooking class. This sounded safe enough. She loves to help me cook, and in a few months, she will completely surpass me in cooking capabilities. Yep, it's that bad. Anyhow, the kids have created some REAL masterpieces in this class. In yonder days, Kaelan and I participated in cooking classes that included conquering recipes such as "Ants on a Log" (celery, peanut butter, raisins), and "Haystack Cookies" (coconut, melted chocolate and nuts). That was the kind of stuff I figured we would be making this round, but I was sadly mistaken. The teacher in this class has gone for it, and gone for it BIG! Week 1 was Paella. Week 2 Crepes and Strawberry Compote. Week 3 Greek Pita Bread and Homemade Hummus. Week 4 Ravioli

Seriously.....forget paying this gal for teaching the kids how to cook. I'm hiring her to work at my house!

Ahhh.....the pool. With all this crazy weather we are having in Austin....and by crazy, I mean friggin' hot, the pool is a necessity. Kaelan really wants to swim, she thinks she can swim.
In reality, she can doggy paddle like a poodle on steroids, but she goes nowhere and sinks quickly. So, after some very unsuccessful lessons last year.....you know, the kind where her face never touched the water.....we decided to give it go again this year. So far, she is doing well. She goes underwater, and floats in "blue-fish" for 5 seconds. I am very pleased with her progress.....she totally doesn't freak when I rinse her hair in the bathtub anymore,either. Money well spent.

Parks, indoor playscapes, playgroups, visitors.........summer has been good. Now if we could just do something about this weather............

P.S. Psssst....One more special little secret to share....my girl is reading. REALLY! We'll share more with you later. Just had to brag on that gal of mine!

Overdue Update

I got the coolest email the other day. Here's what is said:

Dear Sandra,
Happy (very belated) Birthday to you. I am writing from very far away to let you know your message of kindness has reached further than the arms of Texas. I am sending you word of my RAK as requested in order to fulfill the recent request. My wife and I have been considering getting a dog for quite a while now, and after much consideration we decided to forgo the pet store or puppy mill route, and instead adopt from a local rescue shelter. We found our match a few months ago, and though our new furry child came with a temporary name, "Pogo", we decided we wanted a name that came from OUR hearts. After reading of the adventures of Poncho, your beloved pooch, we found that name to be quite fitting for our little black lab mix as well. Afterall, they look so much a alike, and we wanted to honor such a noble, deserving mutt. That is not our RAK, however. In visiting the rescue shelter during our adoption process, we saw the need for volunteers. We now go twice a week to take the rescue dogs on short hikes around the shelter grounds. We love it. Poncho loves it even more. We are thinking of adding a "Lefty" to the mix sometime soon (no offense to Bandit). Good luck with your ongoing drive for kindness!
Drake, Sanki, and Poncho
Willamsport, PA
I have done a very poor job of keeping track, but I will tell you that in counting up emails, comments, cards and letters, the RAK CONTINUES to grow, but at last count was somewhere around 38!!!!
What's that you say??? I owe you something?? We'll see about that. I'll try to recall what I promised...........
Thank you for the kind words, Drake and Sanki~
Viva La Poncho!

Amazing Indeed!

She loves to sing. She loves to sing...LOUDLY!
Darian likes to pretend he is the teacher and he directs her as she sings. On this day, he chose to lead with a leaf....as you will see.
She is amazing. (sigh)

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

4th of July (posting before it becomes the 4th of August...eek!)

Each year the 4th of July approaches, I am reminded of one of my favorite "love to tell that" family stories......

A few years back, and I do mean a FEW years back, not a long, long time ago, a few of my siblings and I were sitting around discussing upcoming plans for the 4th of July. We were trying to bang our heads together and set some events in stone, and get them posted on an all official calender. As we continued our discussion, my somewhat exhausted and exasperated (come on, the gal has four kids) sister, Lilly, turned to rejoin the conversation after turning away to yell at one of her wild-haired boys.

"Okay, sorry....what were we saying? (opening her calendar) What day is the 4th on this year, anyhow? Isn't it like the 17th or something?", she said as she stared us with questioning eyes.

"Lilly.....it's the 4th.....of July. It is on the 4th," my brother replied.

"Oh, yeah. Right."

The sad part of that story is that for a split second, I know everyone at that table, present party included, stopped and thought about that question for a moment....."Hmm....what day is the.....WAIT A MINUTE!"

Starting the day with festive Fourth of July cinnamon buns....yummy!

A very sweaty post tennis Uncle Doug threatens the existence of the sweet rolls.

Man....we should be in a parade or something.....

Mommy and Kalean

Sweet Izi

The Freedom Twins

Izi, Kaelan, Bandit and Taylor

The girls at our Annual 4th in 'Hood Celebration

Fireworks!

Despite the sweltering, humid, melt your underwear kind of weather....we had a most lovely 4th of July! Looking forward to fireworks of the future.....now what day does it fall on next year???

Girls Night In.....

While the boys are away watching Transformers 2........

Pre-beauty school......

Post hair design time.

A little nail polish, popcorn and a movie.

No one is safe during beauty shop time.....not even Bandit.

WORDED WEDNESDAY.....let's change it up a bit.

There will be words in this week's addition of WW. Just wanted to warn you.

Had to share just a few of the highlights of the trip home a few weeks ago. We had a grand time, and got to see Seester and her family (from Vegas) for a short while. Kaelan desperately wants to move to Cloudcroft. She can't seem to get enough to the fresh air and spoiling from her grandma. Plus, the never ending supply of cousins never becomes a bore. We had some awesome hikes and exploration outings. We trekked deep into the woods to lay to rest our Dear Poncho in the same place we buried his mum, Beloved Brandi years ago. It is as it should be now.....

So, without further ado....here are some more photos. Some already appearing on Facebook....some not. We do loves us some mountains....and the folk residing in their peaks and valleys.

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. ~John Muir

Cloudcroft....the little town on the mountain.

Kaelan enjoys exploring the woods.

Mom and Kaelan looking out over White Sands.

Dad and Kaelan