wildflowers

On being a responsible Texan parent

I dragged my kids out to do the annual bluebonnet photo shoot. It was a bit harder this year because of the drought - not so many bluebonnets to find that weren't on the side of the highway. But there are millions of prairie primrose (I still need to take pictures in those) and lots of blackeyed susans. Anyway, my kids complained a lot but did it anyway. I think I've been taking these pictures for 10 years. Maybe I'll get them out in the pink flowers this weekend. I'll have to post the rest later. blogger is acting up.

she started it

So a few things about my youngest:

We started this blog when Hazel was born - nearly 3 years ago! I can't believe it has been this long. Consequently, a good portion of this blog is about Hazel. One of the best things about having a blog is that it has served as a journal of our family's life. Kind of scrapbooking meets journaling meets keeping up with/getting to know everyone.

• Hazel is definitely a youngest child. She holds her own in defending herself amoungst the rest of the family.
• Hazel makes great faces. When you tell her to smile she does this:








• It is kind of scarey looking. But when she looks at the picture she says, "That's not smiling."
• Hazel gets very very grumpy when she's tired and/or hungry. Not unusual for anybody, but with Hazel, there is a limit to how much she can stand. When it's too late, she won't eat and just falls apart. She resists eating anything and so we have to just shove it in until her blood sugar gets up. Then everything is alright with the world again.
• Hazel loves to organize. (see this previous dedicated post to that subject.)
• She can't say "f" or "v" sounds.

• When it's time for bed Hazel wants you to sit or lay down by her "for just one minute".
• She has nightmares about snakes and monsters.
• She likes to "drive home" from the mailbox (3 houses down).
• She loves to use my camera.
• She has an awesome cackle when she laughs.
• She is good at scissors and coloring.
• Loves candy.
• Hates to have her hair in any kind of clip or ponytail. So her hair is in her face all the time.



• Can paint her nails all by herself.
• Loves to sing and dance. (We were at the mall last week and they were playing some kind of hip hop or something on the speakers and she was just dancing away and trying on jewelry!)





• Loves to help me cook and bake and lick the beaters (even when it's just shortening - eww).
• Loves Backyardigans, Max and Ruby, and Super Why (she is Princes Pea, at your service).
• Loves to go shopping - her favorite is the grocery store.







• She still finds binkies around the house that I haven't thrown out yet. She wants to put them in her mouth so badly. But gives to me for safe keeping.
• Hazel reminds us every evening that we need to say prayers, read scriptures, and sing a song (so she can lead).
• Hazel is my baby and goes with me everywhere. I love her to pieces. It is awesome to be loved so completely in return.