To My Little Girl on Homecoming

Gotta hold on easy as I let you go.
Gonna tell you how much I love you, though you think you already know.
I remember I thought you looked like an angel wrapped in pink so soft and warm.
You've had me wrapped around your finger since the day you were born.

You're beautiful baby from the outside in.
Chase your dreams but always know the road that'll lead you home again.
Go on, take on this whole world.
But to me you know you'll always be, my little girl.

 

Rodriguez 25

Layla Bug is on the soccer field representing the final Rodriguez to start a sports career.

I seriously love this girl so much!  And although 4 year old's don’t really know much about soccer, I still love watching her play.

 

Sweet Baby Annette

With 2 boys already and 9 days past the due date, Annette Marie made her way into the world and into our hearts.  Born at 1:33pm on September 11th, she weighed 8lbs 7oz.  I literally yelled out loud at work when I got the message that SHE was here.  I am so ecstatic that they got a girl.  And I got a new niece to love!

This morning, we hit the road for a little day trip to Cape Girardeau so we could snuggle the newest addition.  The weather was perfect and the company could not have been better.  Although Grace was a little disappointed that she didn't get shot gun since Aunt Laura rode with us, we ended up having a really great time.

All this baby cuteness and a trip to El Torrero's.....no better way to spend a Saturday!

Carnival Time

After the horrible experience we had last year at the Holy Trinity Carnival and the fact that I really don't like a good majority of the people that attend the carnival, I held true to my commitment of not going this year.  It really wasn't a hard decision.  I had absolutely no desire to be surrounded by the ultra liberal-call themselves catholics-but don't live it- zealots.  Plus the carnival fell on the weekend that the kids were with their dad.

So, instead, I decided we would spend one night and half the money at the Holy Spirit Carnival.  We play all of our sports through Holy Spirit and quite honestly, I like those people so much better!

I bought a pack of tickets and dispersed them to the kids for rides.  They saved enough for all of us to ride the ferris wheel together---expect Grace.  She wasn't really interested in hanging out with us since she brought a friend along and easily located the Pattonville teenagers that she intended to spend the evening with.

Then we got a funnel cake to share and a beer for me.

And prior to leaving for the night, I caught this impromptu display of affection.

Hands-down, this was our best carnival experience!

An Evening at the Farm

When I got the email announcing an employee appreciation event at Grant’s Farm, I surprised myself by wanting to go!  I typically steer clear of all work sponsored activities.  See, I don’t really like people that much.  Sure, I’m really good at my job and one of the things that makes me really good at my job is the way I communicate with people.  But in a social setting, I prefer to be with just one or two close friends.  I don’t care to mingle or make small talk.  Which is why I usually avoid these types of events.

But two things sucked me in.

First, Grant’s Farm.  I love Grant’s Farm!  Plus the kids and I hadn’t been all year.  And we have never been there in the evening.  This seemed like the perfect time to go.

Secondly, and probably most importantly, FREE BEER and FOOD!  Yes, that’s right.  Beer.  All you care to drink beer.  And anytime I don’t have to buy and cook a meal for the family is a win.

So, I made the reservations and we went. 

We actually saw nothing of Grant’s Farm besides the beer garden.  I was too late (probably because I was drinking free beer) to get Layla on the carousal, but she got over it pretty quickly.  Instead, we hung out in the beer garden, ate dinner and several servings of Dippin Dots and danced a little to the band.

It was a really fun time!  I ran into a few people that I knew, but mainly just tried to avoid eye contact with everyone.

I was really happy that we decided to do this.  It was a new experience and a beautiful evening at the farm.

Snap Chat style pics below.