New Talents

So Alexia is on a quest to find a "new talent that I can show everyone in Texas". She told me that my new Texas talent is going to be driving. Apparently Alexia and Brian were discussing my wonderful ability to drive in the snow yesterday and Alexia has decided that when we get to TX- and I quote- "daddy should hire someone to teach you to drive more better mommy!" (and according to Alexia she told Brian that I can't drive when its not snowing either) I want to go on the record as saying that my driving is not that bad.

Alexia decided that Brians new TX talent is going to be football games. Since Dallas has a pro football team he can go to the game instead of watching it on TV and that way she can watch TV while he is gone and wont have to listen to the game. Dont ask me how this is a talent!

Well, now she is trying to figure out a talent for herself and has told me taht I neeed to think of one. Any ideas?

Showing the House

Here is the link to OUR HOUSE

So we had our first "official" showing today. Our realtor said it went well. The couple was impressed with how well we have kept up on the cleanliness and overall maintenance. They are thinking of making an offer that would be contingent on their house selling. Overall it sounded optimistic.

Alexia is turning into her "clean freak mommy". She had the neighbor kids come over and play for a while and I could hear her in her room lecturing them that if mommy saw any toys on the floor she would be upset because "messes don't sell houses" (yes I used this line on her the other day- I can't believe myself sometimes) she did not let her friends get any toys out. I felt bad and told them that they could play with one bin of toys and then it would make clean up easier. She couldn't even enjoy playing because she was too worried about the mess. What have I done?! (Sadly I still enjoy how clean the house is right now and having Brian and Alexia helping keep it that way- I will admit I am probably totally screwing up as a mother)

Dallas

OK for those we have not heard, Brian accepted a job in Dallas, TX so we are moving. Alexia is very excited to meet a real cowboy. I am excited to move to a large city with something to do that does not involve farms. Brian is just excited to leave Iowa and all its cornfields (in other words- he can cook for events that don't have corn as part of the menu).

So what have we been up to lately- Cleaning, packing, more cleaning, even more packing, and a little fun in the summer sun. Or I should say the 12 days of sun we had in the month of June. So far summer has been spent in rainy weather, so we are all a bit stir crazy. We are excited for the holiday weekend and Alexia can't wait to see fireworks. We always go watch a cute brass band that is made up of all retired military personal and they have so much fun playing patriotic sings. Then we stay for the fireworks in Coralville.

Anyway, Brian heads to Dallas in a few weeks, so we are going to try to pack as much fun onto that time as we can. We will keep everyone posted on the trouble we get into!

Decorations

So Alexia started asking last Tuesday if we could put up the Christmas decorations. I told her that we don't put them up until after Thanksgiving. She woke up at 4 something this morning and asked if it was time to put them up. Seeing that it was still 4:13AM I quickly (and not so nicely) told her after daddy left for work we would put them up. I thought that would buy me some time in the morning while she was watching cartoons. Oh No! As soon as Brian was out the door Alexia ran downstairs and started bringing the decorations up.

I assembled the tree while she started putting out other decorations. Then she decorated the tree by herself. Apparently she is almost 8 and that means you are old enough to decorate the tree without mommy. So I was assigned the job of taking pictures.

By the end this was more her attitude. Break time!

Brace Face

Alexia got her braces on this week. Here is how our day went:

Getting ready. At this point still very excited.











The before picture. Still excited!











The Car. A little nervous but still kinda excited.











The end result. Not as exciting now because they hurt. And she can't chew gum anymore.

More Halloween

I forgot the Monster Mash dance (she has been learning this in school)



Also, please note that I had added a link to the Blog for Alexia's class. The student teacher, Ms. West, is posting what the class is up to each week so it is fun to check out!

Halloween

Just a quick Halloween recap (in color!)

Carving pumpkins. Alexia did most of it by jerself this year and was very proud of her cat when she was done.

Our Fairytail Princess trick or treating:

And Finally, the Loot.. Can we say sugar high?

Open House at School

We wen to to the Open House at school this week and wanted to share some of the highlights. Mrs. O'Leary said that Alexia is a joy on class. She also shares that when Alexia gets done with her work (which is usually before the most of the other kids) she tends to talk to other kids instead of working on something quietly. Brian did not go the Open House with us, so when we came home and shared that with him he asked Alexia why she talks in class. Her response: "That's my thing Dad!" (picture her saying that with A LOT OF SASS)

Alexia in the Toy closet at BASP

The Picture outside her classroomHer Mobile hanging above her deskAlexia sitting at her desk- she told me this is what she looks like in school everyday!Her clean desk! (She makes her mommy proud)The note welcoming us to Open HouseThe picture she drew of herself

We had such a good time at open house and she is doing great in school.

Jasmine's Visit- Week in Photos

Jasmine has been here for 6 days and here is what we have done: (not in a particular order)

Nauvoo:

Bike Tricks.

Swimming. Alexia conquered the diving boards only after Aunt Jasmine demonstrated that it was safe!

Daddy's Game. Lets just say they lost but Alexia had fum cheering for Big B! (AKA Daddy)

The Children's Museum.

Random Videos from the week: