Austin Eloi

IZZI

2012-01-17T20:00:00.000-08:00

IZZI is our new favorite game to play before we go to bed. We can all three play it--and it is just as challenging for Austin as it is for us. I highly recommend it!

He's Hooked

2012-01-17T19:54:00.000-08:00

Harrah's has an arcade that is better than any Chuck E. Cheese I have ever been to.

I don't know who was happier that I agreed to this: Damon or Austin. Damon could not believe that I would agree to go...and then once it was over, Austin asked if we could go back!

Leisure Cruise

2012-01-17T19:50:00.000-08:00

First Ski Lesson

2012-01-17T19:49:00.000-08:00

Austin was great! I was nervous. I am always so surprised by how easily he can pick up new things. After his private lesson, Damon and Austin skied for another 3 solid hours. We stopped for lunch, and then they skied for another hour before we headed home for the day. Austin wanted to go back for a second day--I could hardly move my legs the next day!!!

Bowling

2012-01-17T19:46:00.000-08:00

This was Austin's first time to bowl. He really enjoyed it. After the first game he definitely wanted more, but the entire second game was a little too much.

I enjoyed learning the art of bowling with bumpers...it takes skill to know where to bounce the ball off the bumper at the right angle to knock down a few pins!

Hiking Lake Tahoe

2012-01-17T19:42:00.000-08:00

Snowman

2012-01-17T19:41:00.000-08:00

This is the snowman we made...he really isn't that smushed. Austin was soooo happy playing in the snow!

Sledding

2012-01-17T19:39:00.000-08:00

This is our first day out in the snow...see how happy we are! We used that sled allllll day for 2 solid days! We had soooo much fun sliding down the hill, climbing back up, and then sliding down again.

We are now the proud owners of a yellow tie-dye sled.

Pow Pow Power Wheels

2012-01-17T19:36:00.000-08:00

This is Austin's gift from Ya Ya and Pa Pa...and no other presents have been needed! He really didn't want to open any other presents until 4 or 5 that afternoon. On top of that, he didn't really know that it moves...he has only driven it one time. It is just way too much fun to sit in, put your seat belt on, and pretend to drive.

African Forest

2012-01-17T19:32:00.000-08:00

Austin and Ella ran from hut to hut playing hide and seek. They had a great time burning off endless amounts of energy.

Hangin' on

2012-01-17T19:30:00.000-08:00

Austin, Ella, and Mia had one last outing before the Bolden's baby brother was born. It was a great day for the zoo because it had rained early in the morning--keeping a lot of people home for the day.

Balloon Fun

2012-01-17T19:27:00.000-08:00

Winterfest at Cypress Academy

They filled up the trampoline room with balloons--the coolest thing ever!

SNOW!

2012-01-17T19:26:00.000-08:00

Winterfest at Cypress Academy

Breakfast with Santa at the Aquarium

2011-12-04T19:03:00.001-08:00

Lobster

2011-12-04T18:58:00.001-08:00

Since PaPa's birthday was on Thanksgiving this year, he elected to have lobsters the night before as his "birthday dinner." Austin was enthralled with the lobster. Unfortunately, he did not want to crack the shell and eat the lobster--just play with it!

ICE!

2011-12-04T18:56:00.001-08:00

It was cold: 3 degrees. This picture was taken after 20 minutes. I was freezing and miserable too. The background is allllll ice. It was AMAZING and cold.

Gingy

2011-12-04T18:55:00.001-08:00

Christmas Steer

2011-12-04T18:54:00.001-08:00

Puss in Boots

2011-12-04T18:51:00.001-08:00

We attended the Shrek Feast with Shrek, Fiona, and Puss in Boots. Austin was soooooo excited. He loved Puss.

Gingerbread House

2011-12-04T18:48:00.001-08:00

This was a Gingerbread Mansion on display at the Gaylord Hotel. Austin was quite impressed. It was spectacular.

Lights

2011-12-04T18:47:00.001-08:00

Stairs

2011-12-04T18:26:00.001-08:00

I love these stairs.

88th Birthday Party

2011-12-04T18:22:00.001-08:00

We went to Arlington for Blueberry Grandpa's 88th Birthday. As soon as we arrived at this steakhouse they brought Austin a plate of celery, carrots, tomatoes, crackers, and a ramekin with ranch. He was impressed!

Sharing Feast

2011-12-04T18:19:00.001-08:00

Austin's school had a "Sharing Feast" where each child was asked to bring his or her favorite food. Austin chose to bring (read: have his mom make) spaghetti! The feast was a hit!

Carving the Pumpkin

2011-11-08T18:32:00.000-08:00

1st Trophy

2011-11-08T18:29:00.000-08:00

Coach Walt and Coach Terry presented Austin with his trophy and medal.

Austin is pretty happy to have his 1st trophy. It has a squishy, spinning soccer ball that is super fun to play with.

His medal has become a great pretend stethoscope when Austin plays 'doctor.'

Donut

2011-11-08T18:22:00.000-08:00

Austin had his soccer party after his 8 AM soccer game. Donuts were served; trophies and medals were presented. The party was over by 9:30 AM, and Mom and Dad were ready for naps by 10 AM!

Ainsley Court Trick or Treating

2011-11-08T17:59:00.000-08:00

This was taken a couple of days before Halloween at Ainsley Court Retirement Center. A group of 25 kids trick-or-treated around the living room where the residents sat with buckets of candy in their lap. The kids love the candy and the residents LOVE seeing little people--its a win-win for everyone.

Pumpkin Man

2011-10-26T19:02:00.000-07:00

Cowboy Austin

2011-10-26T19:00:00.000-07:00

Ella's 3rd Birthday Party: Horse Riding

Running of the Bales

2011-10-26T18:57:00.000-07:00

Class Field Trip to TGR Exotics

Taming the Tiger

2011-10-17T12:51:00.000-07:00

HEB Feet

2011-10-17T12:47:00.000-07:00

Austin decided he did not want to wear his yellow Crocs (mickey feet)...and he took off his shoes to stroll around the zoo.

We called him HEB feet because in college you would always see people walking around HEB without shoes--GROSS!

Joanie and Mickey Mouse at the Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-17T12:45:00.000-07:00

Spider Web

2011-10-10T15:26:00.000-07:00

Tire Horse

2011-10-10T15:25:00.000-07:00

Corn Corral

2011-10-10T15:22:00.000-07:00

Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-10T15:19:00.000-07:00

Owl Cookie

2011-10-10T15:17:00.001-07:00

French Quarter Door

2011-10-10T15:09:00.000-07:00

Ella is rocking this picture!

Dads and Elephants

2011-10-10T15:07:00.000-07:00

There is a picture of the four of these guys at Moody Gardens Palm Beach...when Austin and Ella were babies. It is fun to see how all four of them have aged!

Garden District

2011-10-10T15:06:00.000-07:00

Favorite Zoo Animal

2011-09-28T12:10:00.000-07:00

Game 2: Much Better

2011-09-24T09:14:00.000-07:00

The Toronto Transformers discovered there is dirt on the field.

**Please notice the other team is playing!!!

Bug

2011-09-24T09:13:00.000-07:00

2011-09-24T09:05:00.000-07:00

The Truth About Soccer

2011-09-24T09:03:00.000-07:00

Tutti Frutti

2011-09-24T09:02:00.000-07:00

2011-09-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

I think he might be working on his "Blue Steel."

I Wouldn't Have Guessed This...

2011-09-13T12:01:00.000-07:00

...but if you say so....

Fishing on the Dock

2011-09-11T17:32:00.000-07:00

Shower Show and Tell

2011-09-09T19:18:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday I asked Austin what he wanted to bring for show and tell on Friday. He told me that he wanted to bring the shower. I asked which shower he was talking about, and he plainly told me that he wanted to bring mine. So I proceeded to ask how we were going to get the shower out of the wall (dad would cut it out) and how we were going to get it to school (in the car--duh!).

Later on I asked him what he would like to bring if it we just couldn't bring a shower. His answer: the tub.

So as I was telling this story to Damon I remembered that we actually have a shower head from the original beach house. It has been sitting in my parents' garage for the past three years. I drove over to their house and brought it home for Austin's Show and Tell. He was the HAPPIEST kid! He carried the shower head into the school this morning...and it is pretty heavy. This is his picture before we left for school.

Painting

2011-08-29T19:16:00.000-07:00

Party People

2011-08-29T19:13:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken on Saturday, August 27th at Emery's 2nd Birthday Party (she is second from the left). We tried to get them all to sit for a picture. This was a good one!

1st Day of Preschool

2011-08-29T19:12:00.000-07:00

Checking out Preschool

2011-08-25T15:32:00.000-07:00

Today Austin was able to check out his classroom for an hour. All the toys were available for play...he had a blast! When we left he asked if we could go back next-later (his word of the month). I assured him we would. This afternoon I broke the news to him that I would not be staying with him on Monday when he went to school--he was okay with the news. We shall see how things go!

What is it?

2011-08-25T15:30:00.000-07:00

I LOVE his face!

Turtle Power

2011-08-25T15:21:00.000-07:00

Austin has really been wanting to catch a turtle from the bayou...so I stole Jordan away from his computer game and had him come back in the bayou with me. We about died from the heat. The bayou in this picture is usually 5-6 feet deep. Currently, it is 2-3 inches deep. We did not find any turtles to be caught, but we did catch a slew of minnows and one big frog. Austin's pink cup is full of ice--Jordan's is full of fish!

GG's Birthday

2011-08-11T18:59:00.000-07:00

We celebrated GG's 87th birthday lunch at the Downtown Aquarium.

It was about 102 degrees outside--we tried to look 'not hot.'

Lunchdate

2011-08-11T18:57:00.000-07:00

Penguin Encounters

2011-07-30T20:00:00.000-07:00

Posing for Penguins

2011-07-30T19:59:00.000-07:00

Penguin Snack

2011-07-30T19:12:00.000-07:00

This was the snack that Austin made in his "Tiny Tuxedos" camp today. It was made out of Oreos and Reese's pieces.

Two things that are amazing to me about this snack:

1. This was created/served at 10 in the morning

2. Reese's pieces--In today's world I feel like you are not allowed to have a peanut butter sandwich in public for the fear that the child with peanut allergies might have a reaction. Yet here we are using Reese's pieces openly and not one parent complained!

Lemme Help You

2011-07-29T18:42:00.000-07:00

"Ya Ya, let me help you open these presents."

Red Velvet

2011-07-29T18:37:00.000-07:00

It needs to be noted that although Austin begged me for these cupcakes, he will not eat a bite of them (not even the icing). I am happy to report that the Italian Creme Cupcakes and the Lemon Cupcakes were happily eaten by the rest of the family for Ya Ya's birthday.

Sand Castle

2011-07-20T19:08:00.000-07:00

Austin was so proud of our sand castle. He made the little balls on the tops of our "sand men."

All Smiles

2011-07-20T19:06:00.000-07:00

Annual Pic

2011-07-20T19:03:00.000-07:00

Joan and Austin have taken this picture every year since he was 8 weeks old. Its a silly tradition, but it is amazing to see how they grow and change each year!

He Was Last Seen at Pirates Landing

2011-07-20T19:02:00.000-07:00

Sitting with Pirates

2011-07-19T19:10:00.000-07:00

A Couple of Gorillas

2011-07-19T19:08:00.000-07:00

Parrot Eyes

2011-07-19T19:07:00.000-07:00

Merman

2011-07-19T19:05:00.000-07:00

He liked touching the shells...

The Underwater Explorer and Octopus

2011-07-19T19:04:00.000-07:00

It may be a squid, but Austin calls it an octopus.

Beach Bath Tub

2011-07-19T19:01:00.000-07:00

This bath tub (also known as a bucket) is not scary like the ocean water, and it gets very warm after sitting in the sand and under the sun for a couple of hours. Austin loves his tub.

Bucket o' Fans

2011-07-19T18:57:00.000-07:00

We went to a beautiful wedding on the beach last week, and they had this bucket full of fans at the 'entrance.' Austin was amazed how they folded together and then spread out.

Rockin' with GG

2011-07-19T18:56:00.000-07:00

GG's new place has about a dozen rocking chairs on the front porch. Austin and GG love to rock in them.

Silly Seal

2011-07-19T14:35:00.000-07:00

Austin is enrolled in the Moody Gardens Preschool Adventure Program. This particular week they learned all about seals. The craft was a seal visor. I LOVE it...he HATES it. But Austin did wear it for me to get a picture!

They Have a Phone Here!

2011-06-20T12:28:00.000-07:00

This is not a great picture, but Austin was so excited because they had a phone with a cord at the restaurant. It's the little things that count.

Hotter than the A-list

2011-06-20T12:26:00.000-07:00

Cruising around Shell Island...looking for sand dollars...

Christmas Store

2011-06-20T12:24:00.001-07:00

I never even considered that a Christmas store would appeal to little kids, but it is wonderful! It's decorated like Christmas, and it has Santas everywhere! Pure bliss.

Starfish

2011-06-20T12:22:00.000-07:00

We found this starfish in the gulf...about waist deep. I had big plans for him (including some bleach), but he crumbled after he dried out. :(
Austin named him Twinkle.

Wheelchairs

2011-06-20T12:19:00.000-07:00

Austin loved pushing GG in the wheelchair, and then I caught him rolling around in his baby stroller. I asked him what he was doing, and he told me that was his wheelchair!

Mayfest

2011-05-19T11:07:00.000-07:00

Opening Butterflies

2011-05-19T11:01:00.000-07:00

Austin received a Butterfly Garden as a birthday gift, and it comes with 10 caterpillars. He was very interested in these critters...

**update: 1 caterpillar has made a cocoon and 1 caterpillar is getting very large

Birthday Party II

2011-05-19T10:57:00.000-07:00

Austin is eating a zebra pop: double stuff Oreo dipped in white chocolate, and drizzled with milk chocolate.

If you ask him what his favorite present from his birthday is...he will tell you it is the brown one. It is pictured here. This is not the favorite thing he received (the brown present is from Damon and me--its a hippity hop ball and he is not a fan of it!). Apparently he is a big fan of my wrapping paper.

Birthday Party

2011-05-19T10:54:00.000-07:00

Austin reluctantly touched the alligator's tail. After a few minutes the kids were petting, stroking, and even kissing the alligator!

Mandy's Wedding

2011-05-02T06:54:00.000-07:00

Toy Joy

2011-05-02T06:50:00.000-07:00

He was in heaven! Oddly, he really did not ask for anything big. He wanted two plastic stars...11 cents each.

Turtle Pond

2011-05-02T06:48:00.000-07:00

The Tower

2011-05-02T06:46:00.000-07:00

Damon and I told Austin this is where we went to school. He said that he would go here too if they had glue and scissors.

Pom Poms

2011-05-02T06:44:00.000-07:00

Austin REALLY liked these...they are just like Longhorn Barbie's pom poms.

The Co-op

2011-05-02T06:39:00.000-07:00

GG

2011-04-28T14:14:00.000-07:00

Austin and GG are eating breakfast together Monday after Easter. GG broke her hip and had surgery.

Egg Hunting

2011-04-28T14:09:00.001-07:00

Joanie, Damon, and I hid empty, plastic eggs around the beach house for Austin to find. We did this 7-10 times on Saturday. He LOVED finding the eggs, and he would get kind of upset with us if we did not put them in the same spots each time. One time he wanted to hide the eggs for us to find...and he hid ALL 42 plastic eggs together on the floor in a corner. I was crying because I was laughing so hard.

On Easter morning he was excited to play again, but this time the Easter Bunny left plain M&Ms in all the eggs. Austin was elated that the Bunny knew he loved plain M&Ms and at the fact that there was something in the eggs!

Easter Morning

2011-04-28T14:04:00.000-07:00

The thought of being able to eat candy all day was exciting enough for Austin. He was so happy that he really did not care what basket he received!

Easter Eggs

2011-04-28T14:02:00.000-07:00

We dyed six dozen eggs in a matter of minutes. Austin was all over decorating Easter eggs!

Zoobilee

2011-04-28T13:59:00.000-07:00

Peacock

2011-04-28T13:52:00.001-07:00

Austin LOVES peacocks. I would dress him up as a peacock for Halloween (yes, I am already thinking about it)...but there are two things stopping me. 1: Damon might object to that. 2: Austin has started this new thing where he likes to pick out his own shirt, and I get to pick out the shorts that go with it. I don't like this at all, but he is the one that wears the clothing. I would prefer to pick out his clothing for the rest of his childhood!

Surgery

2011-04-28T13:47:00.000-07:00

Soooo...I am a little late this month posting anything on Austin's blog. Honestly, I am just trying to stay afloat. At this very moment, GG is in the hospital after a fall with her new hip and broken arm. Damon has been in and out of the hospital with kidney stones, blocked ureters, and bum arms. And YaYa has been in the ER with what turned out to be shingles.

On the positive side, Austin has a whole new vocabulary: a medical vocabulary!!! He knows words and terms that I didn't know until a few weeks ago!