Houston Weekend

Last weekend, Patrick, the girls and myself loaded up in the car and headed down the familiar I-45 route to Houston. My mom bought tickets for the whole family to go to the circus! We had a fun filled weekend.

Friday night we arrived and Coco and Papa baby sat so we could go to our new favorite Mexican food restaurant, Lupe Tortilla, with Mike and Michelle. We had a fabulous dinner and entertaining time!

Patrick, Myself, Mike and Michelle at Lupe Tortilla

On Saturday morning we got up and headed down to the Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus at Reliant Stadium. All the kids and grandkids were in tow and it was a really great time! When we got there early for the pre-show we got to see the elephants and other animals close up, watch jugglers, meet clowns and play dress up! Then the show started

Family picture with a clown. (Can you tell that Eloise wasn't a big fan?)
Aaron, Lara, (lil' bun) , Cate and Connally looking at the elephants up close
Michelle and little Trav.
Daddy carrying Lucie in Baby Bjorn. (she really loved all of the lights!)

Aunt Kelly and Catie bug.
Dress up!
Connally got up with the jugglers! The batons were wizzing by her little head!

Connally with her cotton candy and souvenir hat!Coco, Eloise and Connally
Lucie and T-bone holding hands on the way home. So SWEET!

E and T playing together! Best buddies already!

When we got home from the circus the kiddos took a nap. We headed to the local beauty supply store to buy some bargain bows for Eloise. My sister, Michelle, and I decided to try on some wigs!! :) How do you think I look with long, brown, curly locks?

hehehe...
Michelle in her "Angelina" wig.

Before we left on Sunday my parents babysat one more time so that Patrick and I could go to the movies. We couldn't wait to see Harry Potter. It was great!

We really enjoyed our weekend getaway! Thank you Coco and Papa for a fun filled family weekend!

Keith Beasley

One of Patrick's college fraternity brothers, Keith Beasley, was in an accident and has been in a coma in critical condition for several months. His wife has delivered their newborn son since he has been in a coma. His family has a blog updating everyone on his condition. They are asking for continued prayers for him to heal. I am posting the link "Praying for Keith Beasley" to my blog list on the left. Please pray for Keith and his family.

Time out!

Today I walked into Eloise's room after nap time. She had gotten into the diaper wipes and was having a great time pulling them all out of the container. I told her that it was "bad" to be wasteful and that she wasn't supposed to be doing that. She drooped her head shamefully, walked over to a spot along the wall, and plopped down. I asked her what she was doing. She said "Eloise, bad! Time out!"

It was hard for me not to laugh at this. About 2 minutes later she got up, walked over to me and said "sorry, Mommy." I guess she's learned the routine by now.................

"Dora Live!"

This weekend was so fun!! Coco came to town and took us to see "Dora Live: Searching For the City of Lost Toys". It was a LOT of fun. Eloise LOVED it, and surprisingly, Lucie was really into it as well. Eloise was on her way into Nokia Theater running up the ramp saying "I'm Coming Dora!!" I enjoyed watching her participate in all the interactive parts of the show. It was such a special time, that we all enjoyed. Thank you Coco!

Family photo op. I can't get the "red eye correction" to fix Lucie's eyes!

Eloise got a new Boots doll. She loves it and insists to sleep with him and carry him everywhere.

Lucie Rose was enjoying the people watching in the lobby before the show.

Coco and the girls
Daddy and Lucie before the show. Mommy, girls, and boots (of course!)
The beginning of the show. Dora is in the "O." Eloise's reaction was priceless when she came out!
You can see Swiper, the fox, to the right of the screen. He was a big hit with the crowd. Everyone was yelling "Swiper, NO SWIPING!!" So fun!



It couldn't have been a better day. Eloise hasn't stopped talking about Dora and boots since we left!

Mall Fun

I'm having to get creative with the indoor activities! Today we went to Stonebriar Mall to play at their indoor play ground. Lucie liked to watch all the big kids and Eloise had a great time crawling through the tunnels and going down the slides! After she finished playing I treated her to a cookie. She loved it!

Lucie in the fun house mirror.Tunnel time!

During the cookie.

After the cookie!! What a mess!

This is now Eloise's "signature smile"... squinty eyes, and crinkled nose. :) I guess it's better than refusing to take pictures!

Sweltering Sun and Swimming

It has been over 100 degrees in the Dallas area for the last week. It is getting so hard to go anywhere and do anything outdoors. Needless to say, the family has been getting cabin fever. I decided to blow up the old baby pool and hop in it with the kiddos! We had fun and here are the pictures to prove it!

Eloise getting ready for a dip in the pool.

Miss Lucie in her pool floaty. She tried to turn this into a water walker and was literally trying to crawl out of it! It was scaring me, so I took the floaty out and held her the rest of the time.

My cute water babies!

We (the kiddos) were changing outside and I couldn't resist a little tush shot! Could this be bribery later?

My new favorite song....

Being a parent definitely makes you look at life differently and earn a whole new respect for the parents that raised you. I have heard this song numerous times on the radio, and it touches me EVERY time. I am always BAWLING by the end of it.

I think it teaches a life lesson that is so important. When your frustrated because nap time isn't going as planned or your little sweetie is going through separation anxiety, S-L-O-W down... and breath in the moment. It won't be this way for long.

Turn on your volume to hear the music.

It Won't be This Way For Long

by:Darius Rucker

He didn't have to wake up

He'd been up all night

Layin’ there in bed listenin’

To his new born baby cry

He makes a pot of coffee

He splashes water on his face

His wife gives him a kiss and says

It gonna be OK

It won’t be like this for long

One day soon we'll look back laughin’

At the week we brought her home

This phase is gonna fly by

So baby just hold on

‘Cause it won't be like this for long

Four years later ‘bout 4:30

She's crawling in their bed

And when he drops her off at preschool

She's clinging to his leg

The teacher peels her off of him

He says what can I do

She says now don't you worry

This’ll only last a week or two

It won’t be like this for long

One day soon you'll drop her off

And she won’t even know you're gone

This phase is gonna fly by

If you can just hold on

It won’t be like this for long

Some day soon she'll be a teenager

And at times he'll think she hates him

Then he'll walk her down the aisle

And he'll raise her veil

But right now she's up and cryin’

And the truth is that he don't mind

As he kisses her good night

And she says her prayers

He lays down there beside her

‘Til her eyes are finally closed

And just watchin’ her it breaks his heart

Cause he already knows

It won’t be like this for long

One day soon that little girl is gonna be

All grown up and gone

Yeah, this phase is gonna fly by

So, he's tryin’ to hold on

‘Cause it won’t be like this for long

It won’t be like this for long

Lindsey's 3rd Birthday Bash

Last weekend Eloise went to her friend, Lindsey's, 3rd birthday party. She had fun playing in the backyard, swimming, having pizza, and watching Linds open her gifts. She talked about Lindsey's "happy day" the rest of the weekend and now screams "pool!!" every time we pass one in the car!

El and and b-day girl, Linds, in the poolEloise loved this little built in slide.
This was the "big mamma" pool and slide. I couldn't get El to try it... She screamed and cried every time I tried. I thought it looked like fun! Lindsey sure liked it! Can you tell?

Lucie Rose liked the swing... it was her first time swinging!

Eloise was the only kid who watched all of the gift opening. She stood there and said "Happy Day, Lindsey, Happy Day!!!" and cheered for her!

El loved the playhouse...

Sorry for the poor pict. quality. I took an uncharged camera to the party so I ended up using Patrick's camera phone... therefore, the pictures aren't great.

Bathtime X's 2!

Now that Lucie's sitting up, I can do double duty at bath time. This is great because the girls love it, and it's a time saver!! Bye, bye infant tub and sink.... Hello big girl tub!!!

Look who's sitting up!

Lucie is now sitting up on her own! Here are some pictures of her sitting up and playing in her nursery...

Happy 4th!

We had a relaxed 4th of July this year. No traveling (We've done enough of that the past two weekends), no party, no fuss. We played in the yard, barbecued, and watched McKinney's "Red, White, and Boom" fireworks from the neighborhood.

I tried out a yummy recipe I got in Southern Living magazine for cornmeal shortcakes. I called the "Red, White, and Blueberry Shortcakes." Eloise enjoyed helping mommy in the kitchen. It's something she just started doing. When I start to make something she says "I help! I help!" Adorable!

My favorite part of the day was when I asked Eloise who her best friend was. I expected to hear something like Lindsey or Noah from the Y, but she said "SISSY!!" SSSIIIIGGGHHH!!! It melted my heart.

We hope you had a good one!

Love, The Surratts

A late Memorial Day Tribute.

My Grandpa, George, was an inspiration. He was part of the “Greatest Generation.” A generation where serving your country was an honor that thousands of men held. This generation is the definition for words like courage, service, sacrifice and honor. Grandpa served in World War II and the Korean War and retired as a Major in the United Sates Army. He gave so much and asked for little in return.

In Dec 2001 my wonderful Grandpa George left this Earth to be with Jesus and his ancestors that went before him. I was blessed to have so much time with him, but sad that he never met my girls. While in San Antonio this weekend we went to Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery where Grandpa is buried. I took Eloise and talked to her about her Coco’s Daddy. We placed flowers on his grave. I explained to her the kind of man he was and how he shaped my life. I know Grandpa is no longer here, but when I am in that National Cemetery, I feel closer to him. I felt his presence and I know he would be so proud of the mother I am and Grandmother that my mom has become.

Please take a moment to remember the soldiers (like my Grandpa George) from the past and present. And this 4th of July, celebrate who they were/are, and what impact they have on our country! The impact that they had on YOU!