176 Years

Today is Texas Independence Day.  But since we're new to Texas, I can't speak with any authority about the origin of the holiday, here's what I was able to glean from a quick Google search:

"On this day in 1836, Texas became a republic. On March 1 delegates from the seventeen Mexican municipalities of Texas and the settlement of Pecan Point met at Washington-on-the-Brazos to consider independence from Mexico. George C. Childress presented a resolution calling for independence, and the chairman of the convention appointed Childress to head a committee of five to draft a declaration of independence. In the early morning hours of March 2, the convention voted unanimously to accept the resolution. After fifty-eight members signed the document, Texas became the Republic of Texas."

(And for Paul Harvey fan's - yes, I'm old, here's the "rest of the story"): "The Republic of Texas was annexed to the U.S. by joint resolution of the U.S. Congress nine years after the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed.  The US Congress then admitted Texas as a constituent state of the Union on December 29, 1845. 


Texas Independence Day is an official holiday in Texas. Sam Houston Day is also observed on March 2, marking the birthday of the man who led the Texans to victory over Mexican troops at the battle of San Jacinto."

An Extra Day

Chuck E. Cheese and a Happy Birthday

Yesterday marked the 35th birthday of the kid favorite pizza/game parlor Chuck E. Cheese where my children attended at least half a dozen birthday parties when they were younger.  Depending on your viewpoint this venue is either loads of fun or Xanax-imperative.  As a friend once said to me, "there's a reason they serve alcohol at this place."   However, my photo albums reveal that we bravely held at least two of our very own family celebrations at Chuck E.  Cheese.  My daughter's 3rd birthday:  

She loved this mouse so much that when the restaurant manager said he may not
have an employee available to wear the costume during the party,
my husband agreed to do it.  Fortunately, that wasn't necessary,
but it even more completely endeared my husband to me.  

Taking a break from token madness to enjoy pizza and cake.

and my son's 5th birthday.

The invitation

The cute castle cake, complete with drawbridge and moat

I know, a Chuck E. Cheese party with a Knights and Castles theme? I'm creative like that.  Truth be told, I wanted an old fashion at home party but decided having the party at the locale of his choosing was more important than my desire to fulfill some idealized vision I had for the perfect party (along with that bit of enlightenment came the knowledge that we would return home to clean house when the celebration was over).
   

Tate on the left with friends, Jack, Hadley and Tom

The photo below must have been taken at a friend's birthday (I have no recollection), but I love this adorable shot of Tate driving a car, as friend Max looks on.

And a few other random photos from our periodic(?) visits courtesy of the CEC photo booth:

We've obviously loved Chuck E. Cheese at our house over the years so here's to many more mouse birthdays!

Happy Valentine's Day!

7 Days

"On the first day of Love Week,
 my True Love gave to me . . . "

Six small gifts (tokens really) and a neat bag to put them all in.

Red lunch bags, a cute font, a 1 inch hole punch and some pink ribbon.  What's not to love?

Boy Scout Day

Today is the 102nd birthday of the Boy Scouts.  Boy Scout Day celebrates the birthday of Scouting in America. It was on February 8th, 1910 that William Dickson Boyce filed incorporation papers in Washington, D.C.  and created the Boy Scouts of America. Since then more than 110 million Americans have been involved in Scouting, including these two guys:

My husband (l) and his brother on staff at Philmont Scout Ranch 

Also, three of our nephews are recent Eagle Scouts.  I have so much respect for their commitment and dedication to these principles:
On my honor, I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

Super Bowl Sunday

My head says the New England Patriots, but I think I'm cheering for the New York Giants today. You?