Vidor or Bust!

On Saturday, The Chopins, including Nanny Wanda and GiGi, loaded up in Pontias (Pilot) and headed over to the grand metropolis of Vidor, TX (just outside of Beaumont). We were all set for a family get-together with our Texan relatives. We went to Cherise's, Aunt Michele's sister, for a good BBQ and visit.

All in attendance were Uncle Charlie, Aunt Karyn, Uncle Bozo, Aunt Sandra, the Sonniers (Garland & Michele), Michele's parents and sisters, Michele's aunts, and of course, MiMi. It was a fun crowd.

Uncle Garland, with his trusty assistant, Uncle Bozo, did an excellent job on the burgers, boudin and hot dogs.There was plenty of snacks, and as with any of our get-togethers, way too many desserts. Who's complaining?!?

But the highlight of the day was just relaxing and visiting. It was great to joke around and just gab. It was often at the expense of Uncle Charlie, our "class clown". But no one makes us laugh more than him. We love you!

The kids did an excellent job of playing. We brought a few card games, Star Wars cards and Qwitch, and they stayed preoccupied. There was also a Cajun horseshoes game. Gus played very well against Dad and Uncle Garland in spite of the conditions (heavy winds).

Our visit wrapped up with hugs and kisses and great memories. We look forward to our next visit. We love you guys!

Happy Birthday James!

James celebrated his first birthday on Mardi Gras! He started his day by opening a few gifts. He got some of his favorite shows--Signing Time! He also got some of his favorite toys--Little People! We had GiGi, Nanny Wanda, Khaki, Uncle Eric, Emma & Maddie over for a little get together to honor our little man. We had a relaxing day. Dad cooked a shrimp and tasso fettuccine--yummy! We also had a cake for James--what else but a King cake! It was from Meche's so you can just about imagine how good it was. James really like his cake. As you can see he liked it so much, he took to licking his plate clean! Priceless!
The rest of the day was spent with us outside soaking in the good weather. The kids played. Dad, Uncle Eric and Gus played Cajun horseshoes. Khaki and Mom had a great visit. It was a lot of fun. And James, well, he just kept growing. James, we love you so much and we are so glad you are one year old now. We look forward to seeing you grow more in your second year!

Pigs on Parade

Saturday was spent soaking up the savors of Mardi Gras. For the second year in a row we joined the Petifils for the Boucherie at their Youngsville home. The Petifils live on the parade route in Youngsville so it becomes "party central" for their friends and family. This year was no exception! As is tradition, a pig was roasted (cochon de lait). The Cajun Power Contraption did the trick once again, cooking the cochon to perfection. It was certainly an attraction to those passing by; many stopped to take pictures of themselves in front of it.
Another tradition at the Petifils' Mardi Gras blast is the catching of the chicken (or rooster this year). This was great fun for the kids. They ran all over the back yard trying to fetch the fowl. Almost everyone was trying to catch them, except for the protesters. Here's a pic of Roy's brother-in-law, John, fighting for fowl fairness. The festivities came to it's apex with the sights and sounds of the parade. The Chopin kids revelled in the thrill of snatching beads, doubloons, candy and any other treats tossed in their direction. It's safe to say that they racked up. The kiddos burned off the rest of their energy playing around with the other kids.

Overall, it was another wonderful Petifils' Mardi Gras Blast. Many thanks to Roy, Mindi and Max for being gracious hosts once again! Thanks also to Coby and the Cajun Power Contraption-ed Cochon!

In His Eyes

Today during math, Beedle had to read a graph and answer a couple of questions. This is how it went:

Mom: How many people liked hot dogs?
Beedle: Well this graph is wrong because I like hot dogs and Mr. Mark said he loves hot dogs. (This is where my little artist shades in two more blocks)
Mom: Beedle, they want you to read the graph, not alter it. Can you tell me what food people liked most?
Beedle: Hamburgers!
Mom: Beedle, only four people liked hamburgers, but eight people liked pizza. :)
Beedle: But I like hamburgers most and I don't like you telling me that I am wrong! :(
Mom: Beedle, can you look at the graph and show me the type of food that most people liked?
Beedle: Hamburgers :)
Mom: You are right, Beedle, hamburgers are best!

I think I am going to have to do a new graph with some things on it that Beedle is a little less passionate about!

We're Back

Thanks to all who have been continuing to check up on us even though it appeared that our family was in a coma for the last month and a half. I was surprised to open up our site this morning and see that so many still love us and were checking on us during this hibernation period. We are sorry that there was such a lull but we hope to fix that in the near future. Now we just ask that you put up with six weeks of back blogging.

Fourth Child

In an effort to get James to eat, we are willing to try ANYTHING! This is James eating a CORNDOG. Now when Gus was our new shiny child, we never let him have a corndog. I remember vividly Gus being three before he had a hot dog. We were at a friends house and I did not want to disapprove of what she was feeding her child so I let Gus have a hot dog as well. Now fast-foward four years and three kids later and my resolve has wavered a bit. Mom made corndogs for JJ a couple of weeks ago and James, who eats sparingly, reached down and grabbed one. Ashamedly enough, Mom has prepared him a corndog once a week to get him to eat. Three corndogs later, he is still alive! Aunt Pre swears if we can get him eating three meals a day we can switch what he eats later. I guess we will see. Somehow I picture James being unaware that food does not have to be processed.

May the Force Be With Us.......Please!

To celebrate Gus and Beedle's birthdays (it is very convenient for them to be so close in age and for their birthdays to be just days apart), we allowed them to have their first slumber party. Can anyone guess what they wanted their theme to be? Wow, how'd you guess? Of course our two Jedis wanted a Star Wars theme. They invited a few friends and cousins and our little Rebel base quickly filled up with Jedi masters, padawans, and even a youngling (baby James). And for as many light sabers that were tossed around (at one point, I think all nine in attendance were fighting at the same time), not a thing broke in our house! Amazing!
They watched "A New Hope" and "Clone Wars" while putting back some pepperoni pizza and Wookie cakes. As Mom and Dad grew wearier and wearier, the party goers' energy grew with intensity. In fact a few were still awake past midnight as they watched "Empire Strikes Back" until sheer exhaustion.
In the morning they were treated to cinnamon rolls and an edited viewing of "Return of the Jedi". After the last Jedi left, peace returned to the Chopin galaxy and we talked about the wonderful memories that were made. Happy Birthday, Gus and Beedle! May the force be with you! Mom and Dad, may the peace be with you!

What Beedle Does Best

Today during rest time Gus was with Gigi. This kind of throws Mom off because everyone else sleeps and usually the boys read quietly together. And as everyone knows, reading requires a reading buddy. Beedle was sad to read by himself today, so Mom had to think of something else for him to do during rest time. Beedle is most peaceful when he is creating art and peaceful works for Mom during rest time. Thank you JJ and Aunt Laci for a great art set Beedle had a lot of fun working with the oils on a real canvas. The finished project is hanging on his bedroom wall.

Beedle's Birthday

Today is Beedle's birthday! It's hard to believe he is now six years old! After having his favorite breakfast, Dad's pancakes, he was swept away by GiGi to have a silly day. They had fun together doing some of Beedle's favorite things--going to Books-A-Million, McDonald's to play video games (not eat) and Fresh Market. Later that afternoon we tried to make it to mass but were a little late. Instead we headed to grab a bite at one of Beedle's favorite restaurants--Chili's. If for nothing else, he got to eat a ton of chips and dip. The evening ended with Beedle blowing out a candle and us having some of his cake! Nothing too special for a plain and simple guy! Beedle, we love you so much and we wish you the happiest of birthdays! May you have many more to come!

Pittsburg Stealers vs Arizona Cardinals?

Did someone forget to tell Dado who was playing in the Super Bowl? No, the Chopin's know that the Green Bay Packers are always winners. The game was exciting but wait until next year. Everyone in house was pulling for the Cardinals......except Mom! She only pulls for winners! So do the rest of us...GO PACK, GO!