Girl's Night at the Hotel

Right before Spring Break, Natalie and I had a Girl's Night with the Walker girls at Hotel Sorello (a boutique hotel near us).  Kate and Kendall are such sweet girls, and they adore Natalie.  The girls played American Girl dolls in the hotel, Natalie painted finger nails, and they enjoyed little happies from Little More (Kate and Kendall's grandmother, who is like our Houston grandmother).

We had dinner at Sweet Paris (a Nix family favorite) and macaroons to follow.  It was then back to the hotel for a movie (Ashley and I slept in the adjoining room, so it was a win-win.  The next day Kate and Kendall went to Kendall Scott to pick out necklaces for their birthday.  Again, they adore Natalie, and Natalie loved being the "older" girl.

Such a fun time!

Pen Pals

Last fall James wrote to Bradley Bozeman and Chris Owens thanking them for giving him their game gloves and wishing them luck on the season.  Well, this past week James received a response from Bradley Bozeman!! 

Bradley Bozeman has a #1 fan and a new pen pal

A friend sent me this picture the other day from recess, and I would imagine this is what James looks like 50% of the time while playing football.

Alabama v. A&M Basketball Game

Last weekend Brad took James and Caleb Walker to the Alabama/A&M basketball game in College Station.

The boys met Matt and Anna Thomason for burgers at the Dixie Chicken.

James's favorite player, Colin Sexton, had a great.

CiCi and Poppaw were also at the game!

The boys had a great time, but Alabama lost 68-66.

Later that same evening Brad and I celebrated 9 years of marriage with dinner at Brasserie 19, our favorite spot.  Nine years: it seems like a life time, but it sure went by in the blink of an eye.

Random pictures: Luke went with me to the Apple store to pick up my watch, and this kid was in heaven!  He LOVES an ipad but rarely gets one to himself. 

And this sweet one....

First Piano Lessons

Last week Natalie started taking piano (her teacher, Mrs. Mott, is the grandmother of one of my sweetest students).  All three of us took piano when we were younger, and I have long wished that I had not stopped playing.  Somewhere in heaven my Grandmother is smiling; I know she would have been so excited that Natalie wanted to learn the piano.

Natalie started showing an interest in music this year and was VERY excited to learn to play.  Let's hope this interest lasts!

This was Natalie's first lesson of any kind (Tippi Toes "ballet" with Zoe).  Gosh, how did time pass so quickly?

Random pictures lately: For my birthday this year, Brad surprised me with season tickets to Houston's broadway series, which includes Hamilton in May!  This past week we saw Memphis-a great production.  This is one of my favorite gifts to date.

And Luke at school.  I love seeing the kids at school (in their element).

President Taft

The 2nd grade President's program at SBS is something special!  Each student is assigned a president or first lady and have to memorize a speech about their life.  James was assigned President Taft, and we learned lots of interesting facts about him: he was Supreme Court Justice after being president, he loved baseball and started the ceremonial throwing out the first pitch and the 7th inning stretch.

We were fortunate to have Mom, Georgia and Gary in town for the program, and Natalie and Luke got to attend as well.  What a special day/weekend!  (Mom and I spent Friday shopping and having lunch---we never have a full day to shop without running up against a clock.  We loved it!)

Getting ready: notice the pocket watch and mustache!

Herbert Hoover (Caleb), Zachery Taylor (Danny), William Howard Taft (James!) and Bill Clinton (James Clarke)

Parade of Presidents and First Ladies 

 Anxiously waiting for President Taft

The class learned the Presidents song: each president in order, which is very impressive.  I have to add that Natalie and Luke can now sing the song due to all of the practicing.  The class also sang the anthems and presented the flags for each branch of service.  We didn't know this in advance, but James carried the flag for the Coast Guard!

James had the best cheering section!

James's teacher: Mrs. K

Following the program, there was a reception and a chance to view the Presidential portraits drawn by each student.

 James Polk (JT Garrett), Rutherford B. Hayes (Sam West), Trump (Luke Blackmon), Herbert Hoover (Caleb Walker), Dwight D. Eisenhower (Noah Franshaw), Jimmy Carter (Harrison Knappe), and our Taft!

We LOVED this program

Weekend fun

Update: the program and James's letter inviting the grandparents, which I found in the back of the car in March.  Oh well-still a sweet note!