A Picture That Didn't Belong Elsewhere

In Texas, the way we eat raspberries is like this...

Father/Daughter Dance

Rob is such a good sport. He got all dressed up, bought a corsage, and took his dear darling daughter to an AHG dance. I hear from a reliable source that he was the most handsome AND best dancing daddy there. I hear from an equally reliable source that Irene was the most beautiful AND most charming daughter there. Irene and I practiced proper introductions before they went, but Rob told me she only introduced him to the one couple he already knew. I asked her why, and she said, "Well, he didn't even know any of the other girls". I guess I focused too much on the "how" of introduction and not enough on the "why".

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We all know to whom her heart belongs.

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And there's a nasty rumor going around that she's not photogenic.
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Socializing
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From what I can tell, when Irene was in the dance off she put all her eggs in the twirling around basket.

Mary Branches Out

Anyone that knows Mare-mare intimately knows how well (and often) she sings "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and "The ABC's". I'm glad to say she is fleshing out her repertoire.

While Irene taught her the "Wish I May" poem, I think the tune is her own.

And, for old time's sake, here's "Twinkle, Twinkle".

Valentine's Parties

Irene loves parties of any sort, and since one of her homeschooling friends hosted a Christmas party for the kids, I decided to have her a little Valentine's party. Despite the freezing weather, the guests all arrived in good humor. They are really a fun bunch of kids; a day that celebrates love and friendship was the perfect excuse to get together.





What makes a party a Valentine's party? Decorations, heart shaped grilled cheeses, and pink clothes, of course!
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Mary joined right in and dined liked a little lady with the best of them.

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They didn't waste much time raiding the dress-up clothes.

They made some large, lovely, glue-laden cards.

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Now, I couldn't very well throw Irene a party without doing the same for Mary. So, on Valentine's the quintuplets from our church came over, and we partied two-year-old style. Mary was not the gracious, enthusiastic host that her sister always is. Fortunately, Irene stepped up to the plate and treated the fivesome as the honored guests that they were. Mary enjoyed herself, and she does love her "friends at my church", but she just didn't bring her A-game to the party.

Wonder of wonders... Here the quints are all painting on the same easel (and in some cases the same paper) WITHOUT QUARRELLING. I just can't get over it.

Here Mary sulks alone while the amazing display of camaraderie took place at the easel.

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Also, there was no bickering over who wore what dress-up clothes.

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The group picture, including the most wise and patient grandmother/mother duo in the greater Houston area. Truly, they almost make it look easy. Almost.

Remember the Alamo

Irene earned her orange sash, which means she takes the junior advance evening classes, trains on the bow staff, and spars every other Wednesday. As her first sparring class approached, she worked up a fine case of nerves thinking about it. I, too, was a wee bit apprehensive. However, both our fears were laid to rest after the first round. She became aggressive, used some of the self-defense tactics she's learned, and never left an opponent without a friendly word of congratulations. After class, Rob even heard one teacher speaking to another say, "Irene is fearless!". Indeed she is.


Her graduation ceremony took place one evening after class; I'm so proud of her!
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She's the small one.

It's not much of video, but one only has one's very first time sparring once.