TWENTY-EIGHT

 

Tortoise in a ramekin. 

2026 week twenty-eight

We borrowed a dog for the week. Kip loves to play with this horse who's 4x her size. 

Theo's been outfitting a Lego army base in his room all week. He lives in the commemorative US Army Texas Rangers hat he got at the game last week. 

This has been the summer of Magic for the kids. Theo was happy when he could finally teach his cousin this game. 

Theo was even happier when he "obliterated" Travis -a self-professed Magic expert. 

A cool flag display from the game last week. 

Theo and Veronica made a water ride in our backyard called "Poseidon's Throne." 

Quotes:

Theo- "You know how lacerations make your warmer?"
Me and V- "No."

Theo -"Adults are so boring. When was the last time you just ran? Not go on a run. Just run. Run to run."

Theo- "Do you aura farm when you're at ballet?" Translation: "Are you actually good at ballet?"

TWENTY-SEVEN

 

Demetrius is very happy in his new outdoor enclosure. He gets all the fresh grass he could ever desire. 

2026 week twenty-seven

The enclosure. The bricks are to keep any curious raccoons out. 

This week Veronica spent each day at the Dallas Zoo for zoo camp. 

It was kind of like having an all access pass to the zoo and 6 hours a day to explore and learn. She had a great time. 

On Friday she went to a birthday party at a pottery studio. She said it was a fun and creative party. She also said she learned that she is "not talented in pottery."

Matt and the kids have been spending a lot of their spare time playing Magic: The Gathering. They seem to like it, but they also seem to storm off in a huff at regular intervals. 

On 4th of July we went to a Rangers game with Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Jacob, Aunt Kaleigh, and a fist full of cousins. 

The Rangers lost, but their defeat is easily handled with a bucket of brisket nachos and a Dr. Pepper. We also watched Captain America and went to see the fireworks in Flower Mound. 

Quotes:

Theo -"I discovered something about my middle finger."
Everyone *laughs*
Matt -"That it upsets people? That Grandma Hates it?"
Theo- "NO! Not like that!... Anyway, so when I bend it up slowly..."
Matt -"Uhm... Yes?"
Everyone *laughs*
Theo -NOOOOOOO!

TWENTY-SIX

V is really leaning into her cute teenage era and we seem to be at the skating rink constantly. 

2026 week twenty-six

Happy Halfway through 2026! 

Theo left on Monday for scout camp at Lake Texoma. 

He went canoeing. 

He shot projectiles. 

He got seconds at every meal. 

He held reptiles. 

He came home smelly and happy. 

While he was gone, V went to day camp at St. Ann's all week. I scoured through the 100+ photos from the week and found two of her. 

In the background during the color war. She had a great time even though she knew no one really. She's so good at enjoying herself in new situations. 

There's a story behind this photo of Theo feeling embarrassed in a lobby. When he was really little, the town of Flower Mound was building a new Town Hall. We would pass the construction site almost every day and from his car seat, Theo would tell us what the crew was doing working on the "New Town Hall." It must always be called the "New Town Hall." He would wistfully tell me about how fun it will be to visit once the "New Town Hall" was finished. For months (maybe even over a year) he would ask how long before we could visit the "New Town Hall." Covid hit and our visit was delayed indefinitely. We realized about a year ago that we never did take him to visit the New Town Hall. So after a doctor's appointment (he came home from Scout camp with an ear infection) I drove him straight to the New Town Hall. He was groaning about how this was the cheesiest thing we've ever done and he couldn't possibly go in. I cheerfully forced him to go in anyway. The lady at the welcome desk wanted to know if we needed any help and so much to Theo's despair, I told her the story. She, naturally, thought it was delightful and told us all about the building and to make sure we checked out the duck pond in the back. We had a great time even though Theo was thoroughly embarrassed. He'll never forget the time we finally got to visit the New Town Hall. 

On Saturday, a big group of us went to Repticon in Grapevine to look at all the unique reptile pets. 

Grandpa, Veronica, and Ollie each got themselves a tortoise. 

Grandpa and Veronica's Marginated Tortoises. Meet Machiavelli and Demetrius. 

The temporary tortoise terrarium. 

Matt helped his dad and brother-in-law build tortoise covers to take home. 

We tried a new Venezuelan restaurant close to our house. Everything was delicious. I would recommend Super Sandy's if you want to try some tasty and interesting Venezuelan food. 

 

TWENTY-FIVE

 

At The Sounds of Lewisville Concert series. V's friend was in the opening act, so a bunch of her classmates showed up to support her. It was so fun for all of them to be running around together. 

2026 week twenty-five 

Midsummer snowball fight after a potluck with friends. This neighborhood was magical. As soon as the snowcone machine came out about twenty kids were suddenly on the lawn. It was a delightful summer evening. 

We may be having our worst-ever tomato summer, but the eggplants keep rolling in. Our first okra also appeared as well as a couple luffa. The cucumbers are slow but steady and taste pretty good as long as we pick them very small. We are keeping our fingers crossed that the cucamelon, tomatoes, and tomatillos start fruiting with a vengeance.  We will always be flush with chard and kale, but my family doesn't really thank me for that. The surprise hit this year was the corn. I learned that each stalk produces 1 ear of corn. And while they were beautiful little jewels of red, black, and purple corn, they were also only about as big as the palm of a toddler's hand. And they were so starchy. I've never experienced corn that felt like chewing a tiny crumb of sticky bread. Rather fascinating. 

The blackberries have been a surprise as well. We aren't getting buckets full, but the ones we're getting are huge and quite sweet. Also, this little volunteer pumpkin is just taking over and for some reason the squash vine borers are leaving it be... 

We took Matt's parents out for Father's Day and Matt's mom's birthday to Quickie Crab for an epic seafood boil. Everything was better than the last. 

Then we went downtown to get ice cream. 

Quotes

Me- "How's your ear feeling?'
Theo- "It feels like a raccoon crapped inside of my brain."
Me- "I imagine that's a terrible feeling..."

TWENTY-FOUR

V and Kip enjoying the summer sunshine. 

2026 week twenty-four

V finished an amazing puzzle that she received for her birthday this week. It was quite an undertaking. 

The June rain always makes the garden look really spectacular. 

Sounds of Lewisville concert El Chanclazo with Veronica and ice cream. 

Theo had a fun time playing with some friends all day on Wednesday. They were delightfully wild. 

Theo got a new arsenal of lego weapons. He apparently did a little Lego Santa photo shoot... Enjoy. 

These remind me of The Santa Clause. "Santa in a Panzer!" 

He also caught the first cicadas of the season and I just *had* to take a photo every time. 

I had lunch at a patisserie with my good friend Ashley. The treats were fine, but the company was much better. 

We discovered an incredible artist who does Byzantine-style Lord of the Rings Art. We received the Gandalf print this week and we were so impressed. 

 

Quotes:

T- "I like candy that makes effects on your mouth."
V- "Like cavities?"

Theo- "Ok, this is my life plan so far. I am going to play Founder's baseball. I am going to get my Eagle Scout. I will then join the military so they can pay for my college. I will get a degree in Accounting and Agriculture. Then I will work as a military accountant for a while. Then I'll move out into the country so I can be an accountant from home but also grow acres of cantaloupes. When I get married I want three kids: two boys and one girl."