Father's Day

If I were to be given the opportunity to "build the perfect dad," I would build my husband. He has the biggest heart and will get down on the ground and play and pretend and wrestle with Liam like a kid himself. Somedays I just sit back and listen to the sound of their laughter and it fills my heart with joy. Our daddy will even do arts and crafts, which if you know our daddy... that may not have been his calling. Liam thinks he is the greatest artist. Liam wants to do everything that his daddy does and follows him wherever he goes. He is his hero. They make coffee together and watch sports on the sofa. How this started at age 2 I will never know... I guess he is his father's son! Bill has the greatest patience with him. Almost never raising his voice. I am in awe of that. I think one of my favorite daddy qualities is that Bill wants to spend all his time with Liam. If there is a golf game or event on TV... he will gladly put it all on hold just to throw a ball with our son. And we are totally a partnership. Bill drops off and I pick up from school. We share sick days and making meals. He is instilling values into our son that I am so appreciative of. The bond between these two is incredible and as the mommy... my cup runneth over. God blessed us with the best of the best and this is only just the beginning for these best friends...

My Mother's Day

This year Bill planned the perfect Mother's Day. Liam was ill with a nasty 7 day fever virus that turned into pneumonia that caused a hive break-out. Gotta love daycare! The day that we sent him back to school with a clean bill of health, we got a letter home stating that there had been a confirmed case of chicken pox. Little did I know, that just because you were vaccinated, doesn't mean that your child will not get the chicken pox. It is more of an 80/20 kind of thing and it just means that if they do get it, then it will be less severe. That would have been good to know. All that being said, we were going stir crazy! I was so excited about our Galveston trip.

My only request for Mother's Day was that we take family photographs with one of my favorite photographer's Shalonda of Chubby Cheek Photography. Being a photographer, you are pretty much behind the camera 90% of the time and while I love being behind the camera, I also love photographs of my amazing family. When it comes to capturing the joy and the love and the moments of our family... I put all my trust in Shalonda because she manages to bottle our memories every time. She continues to amaze me with her artistry. We happened to be one of the lucky few to snag one of her saltwater sessions for 2012 and it fell on Mother's Day weekend which was even more perfect.

Like I said... Bill planned the perfect weekend. He researched the area and decided on a stay at Moody Gardens. There was a sparkling pool, swim-up bar, and a bounce house right at our back door. We popped Liam in the stroller and literally walked across the street to the aquarium and rain forest exhibit. We are huge fans of the movie "Happy Feet" and so the penguins were a hit! They really did an awesome job on the details in that movie. The penguins were second only to the sea lion exhibit. There was a new baby that took quite the interest in Liam. Liam would run from one end of the glass wall to the other and the baby seal would follow and mimic him. It was so much fun to watch and gathered a pretty big crowd. We ended the evening on the beach and a fun dinner at Fish Tales.

Texas Blue

This season we spent a lot of time in the bluebonnets... I used my little man as a stand-in for all three location shoots. The first two he was down right NOT having it! And on the second to last shoot not only did he pick a bluebonnet and laugh about it... he totally would not stop for even a second to take a family photo since Mea and Pop were there. We managed to get one... and if that is all we got, I am grateful! He was saving up for round three...because I finally got to capture my handsome man amongst the Texas Blue and on that day... he took my breath away. Enjoy!

OLE!

Last night as I was clearing memory cards, I ran across these... I am pretty sure it makes me a pretty bad daughter-in-law to forget such an important post... and I have been blessed with a pretty amazing father-in-law so my deepest apologies Pop!

Rainbow Eggs

I mentioned in my last post how my mom always had fun projects for us at each holiday. One of fondest memories was the time that she helped our entire class make paper-mache pumpkins that then mildewed over the weekend because there was no air circulation. I remember how incredibly fun it was, but I am sure all my mom can remember is that dreadful smell permeating the classroom when we returned on Monday! Disaster or not, it will be a memory that stays with me a lifetime.

Liam is getting to the age that we are able to do more activities and it thrills me! For Christmas we painted pottery mugs, we had several crafts like glitter train wheels for his birthday in January, there was crayon shaped hearts for Valentine's Day and then painting the egg-shaped chalkboards for Easter. But how can you have Easter without those colorful plastic cups and wire octagons? The ones so flimsy that you splash the dark green, vinegar water all over yourself because the egg is too heavy for the wire to hold. I bought a tie-dye Easter kit, but as you can tell from the photos... that was very unsuccessful.

The classic colored cups were perfect and Liam was fascinated by the way the tablets changed the water colors and oohed and ahhhed when we pulled the white eggs from the cup and they all of the colors of the rainbow! I think he would have dyed eggs all afternoon. I know one thing is for sure, his GiGi is going to be very proud of his color wheel in the future. Ever since he was a tiny little thing, he has been a master of colors. Even grey, pink, and gold... most recently we were informed that his shirt was turquoise... But if you really think about it, it isn't surprising. With an artist for a grandmother, that is totally normal I think. It will be interesting to see if he is also left handed!

Easter 2012

Easter this year was packed full of activity. Our neighborhood continued the traditional Easter egg hunt and the big hit was finding precious "gold" coins hidden inside the eggs. Liam was quick to remember how to hunt and went running to fill up his basket until of course he got a glimpse of the playground swing set... and that was the end of it. Unlike last year, Liam was not a fan of the man in the bunny suit. Sure, a thumbs up or a high five was fine.. but no way would he sit in his lap.

I still love our neighborhood. I love all the families and taking Liam down to the pond to feed the ducks. It has been a wonderful place to raise Liam. A small town feel in such a big city. We have recently started playing with the idea of moving... just talking about it. And I will say that it will be difficult to leave when the time comes. The way this market is working, it may be 2-3 years... haha... but still.

Glimpses 11.5

This week calls for a double dose of glimpses! On Wednesday afternoon, we took off work and headed to the rodeo with the boys.  We ate fried food and let cotton candy melt on our tongues. We met a few pigs and some cows. We rode ponies and tractors and a wagon... and maybe we didn't get to ride on the Ferris Wheel just yet, but they boys were flying high on one of the free rides at the rodeo... and couldn't have been happier!

All Aboard!

"Believe in what your heart is saying,
Hear the melody that's playing.

There's no time to waste,

There so much to celebrate. 

Believe in what you feel inside,
Give your dreams the wings to fly."
You have everything you need, if you just believe."

Liam's Polar Express themed 2nd birthday turned out better than I could have dreamed it for him. These birthdays have grown legs and have certainly turned into productions, but to see the pure joy on his face made it all worth it!

A Canned Trip

We were long overdue a trip to our hometown of Corsicana. And even though I was dreading the car ride especially the weekend after our trip to NOLA, we had a great time traveling through memory lane and visiting family! Mea scored some sparklers for us to celebrate the New Year. These were not your regular sparklers! They were SUPER sparklers that seemed to last forever and gave off the most divine glow!

A Robinson Christmas

It was a Christmas celebration that didn't end...

After a private Jesus party and a wonderful Christmas in San Antonio, we got home to Houston just in time for a very special Robinson family Christmas. 

Christmas Wonderland

When we pulled up to GiGi and Pappa's for Christmas, we entered into a Christmas wonderland complete with a towering Christmas tree decorated with rotating ornaments, stockings, 6 foot Santa... it was something out of a storybook and Liam's reaction was all worth it. He went straight for the incredible tree that GiGi had been perfecting since October and stared in awe shouting out the biggest "wow!!" It had that wow factor for sure.

Family Christmas Tradition

Christmas is truly the most wonderful time of the year. It is also the busiest! With all the family and friend and school and work activities, it is hard to find time for just the three of us. Bill and I have been doing our own, family Christmas since we were married in 2005 and it is one of my favorite traditions for the Robinson III. No matter how busy and chaotic it gets, we made a pact that we would always carve out a little space for our little family. A little time to cherish each other as a family unit and exchange presents.

Turkey Day

It has been suggested that Robinson Thanksgivings be changed to a different date; therefore, this Thanksgiving we are calling a simple Turkey Day. Because after all, we did enjoy turkey on this day. It has become a family tradition to turn Thanksgiving into a true event! Let's see, there have been hospital visits, bed rest, pericarditis, crashed ovens.... I mean, it really is quite comical. What do you do when Thanksgiving doesn't turn out the way that you originally planned? I take advantage of the incredible evening light and take pictures!!! Pictures without photoshop edits... and of course, lots and lots of wine consumption!

22 Months

Just because I am behind, it doesn't mean that 21 and 22 months don't deserve separate posts!

Oh my goodness... there are only two more months that I get to hear Liam answer "How old are you?" with a very loud 1! I guess we should start practicing for 2. As I said before, this is one of my favorite ages. They are little sponges and you can see the light bulbs going off. I love that Liam is getting better at communicating which means I understand him more and more. Sometimes the communication... wait, let me back that up... most of the time the communication is "nooooo." It is not a mean no or a yell. It is a sweet, drawn out little no, but a no it is. "Yes" is just not in our vocabulary right now. Bill and I are trying to use yes whenever and wherever possible to help with this distinction; however climbing on the coffee table is no, standing up in the chair is no, pulling Tucker's tail is no, going outside when it is cold and rainy is no, throwing anything but balls is no, eating cookies before dinner is no... I mean, I can understand why he only gets no. We are finding ways to yes, I promise!

21 Months

These past few months have blended together. I have to say this is my favorite favorite stage thus far in the life of Liam. His little personality is shining through and I am totally head over heals for this little guy. In terms of development, I feel as though we have accomplished so much. I am amazed at the growth.. Sitting at a big boy table to eat lunch, no more bib, using a fork and spoon to eat, drinking from an open cup, throwing away the mess in the trash, helping to clean up toys, helping to stir and cook in mommy's kitchen, coloring with markers, trick or treating for candy, learning what "time out" means and saying "I am sorry," learning to walk in a line at school, saying cheese and smiling for the camera, and recognizing L-I-A-M spells Liam to name a few. He continues to amaze me each day and I feel like the luckiest mom in the entire world. I thought since October was the month for pumpkins, I would post a few patch photos.

Hadley is Two!

Stay with me here... I managed to clear every single photo from my camera cards this weekend and so these posts are going to go fast and furious! I am usually known for getting my photographs out to friends fairly quickly and I have completely fallin down on the job the last few months... I am back! And just in time for the holidays!

I cannot believe that Hadley turned two. Partly because it seems like only yesterday that we were meeting Liam's cousin for the first time in the hospital and partly because it means that Liam's second birthday is quickly approaching. I think that it is awesome that they are so close in age.

A visit to SA

Oh my goodness, could I really be a month behind on blog postings? I used to be so much better at this! With all the new activity around Kate Robinson Photography, new project kick-offs at the office and the normal hustle and bustle of everyday Robinson life; I guess I had to let one aspect get a little behind. Trying to give 110% in every activity is just plain hard. And with the holidays approaching this could get out of control! BUT... it will all get digitally documented. Even if it is a month late...

About a month ago, we made a trip to visit my parents in San Antonio. A fun, relaxing trip to get caught up and share some much needed hugs! We always enjoy GiGi and Pappa visits and this time was no different. Did I ever tell you that one of GiGi's favorite holidays is Halloween? I know, Halloween. right? Maybe that is why I like candy so much. And not the crazy, scary Halloween.. but all that comes with Halloween. Like cooler weather and sweets and pumpkin carving and just the start of the season. Okay, so maybe it is November now and we are still in shorts, but Halloween does officially mark boot season! GiGi bought some age appropriate carving tools and we (ah hem... I) helped Liam to assemble the "pumpkin head" masterpiece.

Appiee Birt Aye O' wee

I always wondered what it would be like to have a sister. Someone to share clothes with, go shopping with and stay up late whispering secrets about boys with. Sisters share a special bond. "For there is no friend like a sister, in calm or stormy weather, to cheer one on the tedious way, to fetch one if one goes astray, to lift one if one totters down, to strengthen whilst one stands." (Christina G. Rossetti) And while I may not have a biological sister, I have been blessed to gain a sister through marriage. On October 3rd, it was Aunt Nolie's birthday and we celebrated with dinner. Thank you for being an amazing sister to me and your brother and an incredible aunt to Liam who loves you so much! Happy Birthday!

Colorado Vacation

Way back in September, we took time to slow down and breathe in some cooler, fresher air in mountains of Colorado. From the moment we stepped off the plane and felt the crisp breeze through our hair, we all three felt alive. It was that burst of frisky energy that comes with the season's first cool front. That weather that perks you up and makes your cheeks pink. Beautiful. Perfect weather.

Goat Brushing with Nolie

Ever since we received a family membership to the zoo from the Blairs, we have tried to make as many trips as possible, because there is so much to do and see for toddlers. Besides the fact that he loves it! Best present ever Caroline!