Burn, Baby, Burn

We NEVER want to spend our Saturday cuddling a dear little girl because of unplanned, painful events. But, alas, that is just what happened...

We were getting ready for Sat. lunch which usually consist of left-overs nuked in the microwave. Much of the time, the food is too hot and the boys leave it on the table for a few minutes so that it may cool off. Well, Aidan unconsciously left his plate a bit too close to Robyn (who was sitting in a tot-loc chair close by).

Yep--you guessed it...she grabbed for a big handful of HOT refried beans.

A blood-curdling scream filled the whole house...Took me a few moments to figure out why she was screaming in pain.

For the next two hours we doctored Robyn. Trying to relieve the pain and assess the damage. Called the doctor for reassurance (was it bad enough to take her in). We were able to tend to her at home. Her left hand has several areas with severe 2nd Degree Burns. Her ring finger is completely wrapped as the top two layers of skin was completely burned off (I will spare you the photos). It took me about an hour to cut away the dead skin and wrap it properly. Her middle finger has a blister so alarming...it looks like a balloon. The ones on her palm are not so scary looking.

Since Robyn occasionally tries to "eat" and "play" with the blisters (as well as try to take the bandaging off), we keep her hand covered with an old sock. A good friend suggested that I cut a hole in it for her thumb (remember, she's an avid thumb-sucker). The sock has worked. She does get it off from time to time though.

So, for this next little while Robyn will be sporting a sock on her left hand.
She has done amazingly well with this ordeal. But, now she has the award for the worst burn in this family (not that anyone's competing for it).

Out with the old...

Before....(check out this ancient appliance)
Not even sure I could give this away.

After...

We're looking forward to getting to know this new addition to the kitchen. It actually tells me the time and how hot my oven is. Wow--it's got knobs that don't fall off!! And, when you turn these knobs, something actually happens?! Can I finally put away the matches?! Now maybe cooking won't be so darn frustrating for me anymore.

Our Feathered Friends

What can I say, we LOVE to watch the birds that hang out in our backyard (course, when I saw we I usually mean me). And today, they came by the dozens. I could sit "in" (yes, in my backdoor way) and watch them eat from the birdfeeders, perch on the fence/metal posts or bath in our "natural" bird bath as our patio floods when it rains. When it's just a light shower, my 10x12 patio becomes a community bath for these feathered friends. Bad for the patio, great for me to watch!

Here's Mr. Robin. I accidentally caught him mid-flight...too bad it came out a bit blurry.

This male cardinal has a girlfriend hanging out too. They have a nest somewhere close as the two of them are ALWAYS hanging out back here. We call them Bonnie and Clyde.
We typically throw Gimpy's (he's our pet cockatiel) used birdseed onto the back patio. It always brings in the finches.

Our Blue Jay...he's a fiesty one...always scaring off EVERYONE!! We just call him Billy the Kid.

Didn't have my camera ready fast enough to capture the doves and the twitter-painted Mockingbirds. But, we watched them too...and a woodpecker out on our front tree!! 'Tis the afternoon for birdwatching!

One more thing we can check off the "cub scout" to do list as Aidan had to identify ten birds--half had to be real (the other five could be in pictures).

Identity Crisis?

Aidan came home from his art class all excited to show us his Self Portrait that he created. He was quick to tell us how he did it with white crayon and watercolors. Naturally we were all excited to see how he drew himself: I'm still trying to find the resemblance between the two.

Don't get me wrong, it's a WONDERFUL creation. It's a fabulous piece of art! But....Who's Tony? And, does he secretly want to wear glasses?

BTW: I can't take credit for this incredible picture of Aidan as my sister-in-law took it!

These Boots Are Made For Walkin'

There are 2 reasons why I do not own a pair of "real" boots:

1) I have small, fat feet. No one ANYWHERE makes a decent pair of boots for a woman who wears a size 3...in girls. Once you tell the salesperson what size I need, they kind of chuckle and politely say that they don't sell women's boots that small. Surprise, surprise.

2) My shoe collection consists of functional footwear (we won't talk about my collection of dress sandals). To me, a pair of boots is not functional for me! They are made to ride horses!! They are made for true, blue cowgirls....which I AM NOT. So, what would a pair of boots do for me?

Bless my dear husband--who for ten years now--has been encouraging me to have my own pair. Whenever we'd come across a store that sells boots he'd drag me in. Typically we never stayed very long simply because I could never get over the ridiculous idea of owning a pair of boots--a dysfunctional piece of footwear for me.

But, alas this time Jaren dragged me into a store (actually a vendor at the local Rodeo). We told the salesman my "sob" story of unsuccessful boot shopping. Who would have expected the guy to come out with the perfect pair of boots...they fit like a glove! OOOHHHH so that's what a pair of boots is supposed to feel like?! They really aren't that bad. And, apparently it's normal for people to own boots that don't use them for ranching or riding. Kind of like why people buy SUVs.

So, call me crazy...but I am now the proud owner of a pair of Twisted X Genuine All-Leather boots. The look on Jaren's face when he sees me in them is well...priceless. And, that's worth it for me.
Now all I need is a belt buckle and a hat. Anyone got any horses I can try them out on??

Maybe one day I may be that "Ol' Cowhand from the Rio Grande" that I used to sing about as a kid. (Gold family--do you remember that Anniversary Celebration of our Grandparents in the 80s?)

Mutton Bustin'

Now, say the above title with the biggest Texan accent you can muster...

What is that?...you ask. Mutton Bustin': the art of a 5 yr. old holding on to dear life as a sheep runs like the wind until the kid falls off. How's that for entertainment??!!

Jaren scored some fabulous tickets for us to attend the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo which kicked off yesterday! We've been in years past and it wasn't such a positive experience for me. But, this year Jaren sweet talked a guy at work (we'll call him Bob--which indeed is his name)...THANKS BOB...who gave us two tickets for The Suite in the stadium. Our SUITE accommodations

Okay, this is the only way to go if you're at the rodeo! All-you-can-eat buffet complete with bottomless drinks, peanuts and whatever else strikes your fancy. All we had to pay for was parking! Such an awesome experience!

Until yesterday I always thought of the rodeo full of a bunch of crazy cowboys. Indeed that may still be true. It's like the X-Games for cowboys. But, after last night and the positive experience that I had, I now have a new found appreciation and respect for them. I still think they're crazy but kudos to all those cowboys who WANT to ride on the back of a bucking bronco!!

Mutton Bustin' became an inside joke with me and "Gomer Pyle" (a gentlemen who shared the suite with us). I so LOVED the way he said it that I made him say it twice. I made the mistake of asking him what the sheep were for! And, from that time on Mutton Bustin' was the phrase of the evening! (BTW: Mutton refers to the meat of an older, domestic sheep). We learn something new everyday!

Our night ended with a killer concert from the band Rascal Flatts. I do enjoy their music because it's one of the few bands left out there that I actually approve of. Their music is wholesome and somewhat motivational. Typically if I find a song I like I don't much care who the artist is. But, every once in a while I'll notice when I have quite a few songs from the same artist. Rascal Flatts litters my playlist! I'm certainly not a diehard fan as I can't name most of their songs or sing the lyrics by heart. And, don't even ask me the names of the bandmembers because I have no idea! But, I do like their music for the most part.

So, we had a wonderful date night last night. I can't wait to do it again!

Fancy Fort

Yesterday we had lots of family time on our hands so we came up with this:This is not our first indoor Fort but daddy got fancy with it this time. Usually it's just a few Harry Potter series with one small table and a few of the boys' blankets. This time we broke out daddy's saw horses and clamps. Wow--how special to get to use his tools too! And, we used a queen- sized comforter and towels as well. Instead of the boys' small square table we used mommy's craft table. Once again, Harry Potter came to the rescue as great weights! For the first time mommy and daddy could get in it as well.

It was a great place to play. Robyn seemed to enjoy her first time in a true Fort Fort.