I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden. ~Ruth Stout

Clint had a great idea this weekend while doing some yard work. He thought that it would be nice for Kaci to have her own flower garden underneath their newly repaired swingswet. So-he worked on pulling up the grass while Kaci and I headed to Home Depot to buy some dirt and flowers! What we could have finished in one day --turned in to a 2- day project-- when Kaci got a yuckyy stomach bug. We had to stop our work last night to head in to rest. Thankfully, she started feeling much better this afternoon and we were able to finish our project! It is so beautiful!Just see the before and after pictures for yourself! We are so glad Spring is on the way!

All cleaned up and ready for flowers!
Looking good!
Mommy working!

Kaci loves her garden~

Bailey came to check it out!

Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Although the last week of rainy weather has now made it easier to find bluebonnet patches- that was not the case over Spring Break. We couldn't find them anywhere...except in Pa Pa and Grandma Dee's front yard. They have a nice bunch that grows around all of their trees in the front yard each year. Here are a few pics we took the morning after the kids spent the night! Too cute!

A thing of beauty is a joy forever- John Keats

Here is my handsome Bailey in his school pictures!

These are just the proofs...but I wanted to share them anyway!

He is growing so big, so fast!

(if you click on them they will get larger!)

Kaci made a Smilebox of her fieldtrip to Crowe's Nest Farm!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Dad and Me Under the Sea!

Here is the picture of Kaci and Clint from the Daddy and Me Girl Scout dance!

Aren't they adorable?

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!" - Robin Williams

Well, it was back to the ol' grind for Kaci and Clint today! Spring Break is over....and it was such a tease. Just makes us wish for summer even more! (but it won't be long now- just 51 days of school left to go) It was hard for Kaci see it come to an end, so I promised her that we would make s'more tacos when she got home.
I was feeling crummy on Sunday and watched LOTS of Food Network while Clint took the kiddos to the park. It was one of the easiest and yummy recipes I saw! All you need is; tortillas, marshmallow goo, sliced bananas, chocolate chips and graham crackers.....melt them all together ....and you have a little piece of heaven! Here are Kaci and Bailey showing you just how good they really are!

Bailey enjoying his Taco S'more!
Kaci LOVED it!!!

After we ate our Taco S'mores....I surprised the kids with a treat to see the Easter Bunny at the mall. Hard to believe it is already that time of year again! BUT- if you know the Borchgardt's ...you know we are CRAZY about the holidays and all the events that surround them. Here are a few pics of our trip to see the Easter Bunny-even PaPa joined us.

Looking good!

This chick is chillin'

Wearing the ears the bunny gave them.

Pa Pa wearing Bailey's ears...Bailey being a monkey!

Rodeo Austin!!

Clint had the day off on Friday and had promised the kids a trip to the Rodeo Fair Grounds for the carnival. They each got their very own wristband that allowed them to ride ANY and ALL of the rides they wanted. I think they hit them all~ they also learned how to lasso with a rope from some real cowboys. We ate lunch and went to the petting zoo. The best part of the day was when Bailey signed up to be in the Stick Horse Rodeo. He was in the Buckin' Bronco event. He came out of the shoot jumping and twisting and scored a 90! He came in 2nd place and even got his very own red ribbon! We can't wait until the Rodeo comes again next year!

Bailey and the new lasso!

Look at Kaci go!

Bailey and his girlfriend, is your Mama a Llama?

Kaci and her friend the deer.

Wacky Worm

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Despite the look on Kaci's face....the food was really good!

Winning a prize at the carnival games!

Bailey waiting to ride the Bronco!

The sea calls - come live in my heart and pay no rent... (Unknown)

Wednesday was a beautiful day to be at Sea World! The weather was perfect. With Clint out of town for work- Me, Amber and the kiddos decided to take a day trip to San Antonio to see how Shamu was doing. Kaci can remember every year that we have went to Sea World (with the help of photos) -But for Bailey it was a whole new experience. (Even though he has been twice before- he was too young to remember it)

Our first stop was the dolphins. I stood in line to try and get some fish so that we could feed them, but after waiting for 10 minutes, I was told they had ran out and were closing the fish store! Fortunately, the lady standing next to us was very nice and held her fish right out in front of us so that we could get a close look and a quick touch of the dolphins.

Second stop was the Shamu show! Good thing we rented the stroller or we never would have made it there in time. It was an awesome show and when it was over Bailey said his eyes almost cried they were so filled with joy!

Riding the Shamu Express was the next best part of the day!Kaci and Bailey are old enough (and tall enough - AND BRAVE ENOUGH) to go on it all by themselves. It was about an hour wait in line- so we killed the time by playing a few carnival games and each of them won a stuffed green frog.

Our next ride was the Rio Loco. After waiting about an hour in line- Bailey and I decided it was time for ice cream. So, we hopped out of line and went and got ourselves a treat. (Bailey snuck in a nap as well) And- not a bad idea, since Kaci and Amber had to wait in line another hour and fifteen minutes. We watched as they sailed by and got soaked at the end of the ride when their raft went straight under the waterfall!

It was a great day full of great memories! Can't wait to do it again really soon!

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Carnival Prizes

Dolphins up close

Shamu Express

Catching some Z's

Amber and Kaci on the Rio Loco

Splash Down

At the Shark and Coral Reef

Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can. ~Danny Kaye

Get your walking shoes on!

It is time again for Kaci's Fit 'N' Fun Wellness Walk at her school.

The Wellness Walks is a wonderful opportunity for students to share the joy of aerobic movement with friends, relatives, teachers, administrators, and other members of the community! Students and their guests will participate in a 30 minute walk, run or jog around the track area. Each student will receive 1 point for every lap completed, guests will receive 2 points and teachers will receive 3 points. The points for the class will be totaled and divided by the number of student participants. This gives a class average. The class with the highest average for their grade level will be awarded the traveling trophy.

We had so much fun at the first Wellness Walk,. even though Kaci's class did not win! Bailey was a real trooper and he and I even ran several of the laps! So here we are- rallying up the troops once again- to see if we can WIN it! We would love to have you walk, run or jog with us! You have just a few weeks to prepare....so get your walking shoes on!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

"A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in. " Robert Orben

Well, today was officially the first day of Spring Break!

Sunday night Amber called and asked if Kaci and Bailey wanted to spend the night! Of course, they said yes! She treated them to dinner at Rudinos and then they rented Beverly Hills Chihuahua! Bailey said they stayed up real late and watched the whole movie and then slept in this morning -- like grown up people do!

After they had breakfast and got dressed for the day- they came and picked me up and we decided to treat ourselves to lunch at GattiLand! Monday is mom's eat free.....BUT when we got there the line was wrapped around the building. We decided it would be best for us to choose another place to eat and try GattiLand another day. So- we headed off to Chilli's! When it was time to pay the bill- Amber found a $2 bill in her purse. Bailey and Kaci have never seen a $2 bill, so she let them keep it! Totally cool!

In the meantime, Pa Pa headed over to our house to finish up work on the kid's swing set. Now that the rain is gone and the weather has warmed up a bit - he was able to finish the woodwork. Now it just needs a coat of paint and it will be back to new. We are so happy now that it is fixed and just in time for the warm weather! Kaci didn't waste anytime before she hopped on. While she was swinging the homemade ice cream was churning and we polished off the day with a delicious ice cream cone!

Look at what Amber found!

Cool!!
Finishing touches!

Swinging!

Pretty girl!

A son is a son till he takes him a wife, a daughter is a daughter all of her life. ~Irish Saying

Now it is Kaci's turn.....

1. What is something mom always says to you? In the morning she tells me its time to go to school.

2. What makes mom happy? When I tell her that I love her.

3. What makes mom sad? When me and Bailey fight.

4. How does your mom make you laugh? She tickles me.

5. What did your mom like to do when she was a child? IDK

6. How old is your mom? 33

7. How tall is your mom? 40 inches

8. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV? Judge Judy

9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Watches TV

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? Being a good teacher

11. What is your mom really good at? Loving me

12. What is your mom not very good at? Nothing

13. What does your mom do for her job? She teaches.

14. What is your mom's favorite food? Pizza

15. What makes you proud of your mom? because she is a really great teacher

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? Velma from Scooby Doo

17. What do you and your mom do together? We draw pictures together.

18. How are you and your mom the same? We look alike.

19. How are you and your mom different? Her eyes are green and mine are blue.

20. How do you know your mom loves you? She always tells me that she loves me and kisses me goodnight and gives me lots of hugs.

21. What does your mom like most about your dad? He's funny.

22. . Where is your mom's favorite place to go? to a Mexican Restaurant

"Love life and life will love you back. Love people and they will love you back." Arthur Rubinstein

I was recently tagged in a questionaire.

Here are a few questions I asked Bailey and in his very own words, this is what he had to say.....

1. What is something mom always says to you? I love you
2. What makes mom happy? a hug
3. What makes mom sad? If you miss me.

4. How does your mom make you laugh? tickles me

5. What did your mom like to do when she was a child? play with toys

6. How old is your mom? 33

7. How tall is your mom? I don't know

8. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV? Tom and Jerry

9. What does your mom do when you're not around? buys some groceries

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? modeling

11. What is your mom really good at? losing
12. What is your mom not very good at? winning
13. What does your mom do for her job? teaching
14. What is your mom's favorite food? turkey
15. What makes you proud of your mom? because you do a good job
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? Tom (from Tom and Jerry)

17. What do you and your mom do together? play board games

18. How are you and your mom the same? because we love each other

19. How are you and your mom different? your a teacher and I am a student

20. How do you know your mom loves you? because you say it and you hug me and you kiss me

21. What does your mom like most about your dad? because he married you

22. . Where is your mom's favorite place to go? the beach

A grandfather is someone with silver in his hair and gold in his heart. ~Author Unknown

A few months ago, we noticed that the wood on Kaci's and Bailey's swing set (the one they saved up their money to buy only 2 summers ago) was starting to warp and bend. Once I noticed it...they were no longer allowed to get on the swing- since I feared that one day it would eventually break in two! So, with the exception of the past few days, the warm weather we had last week was tempting them to play outdoors. Without a swing set....it was hard.

Once PaPa heard the news about the play scape- he was determined to fix it. After a few trips to Home Depot and a lot of measuring....he started working on it's repair a few days ago. It is still a work in progress. The bad rain and cold weather has slowed down his work a little. BUT- even though it was just 40 degrees today- he was determined to get a little work in today. He is hoping to be able to finish it up tomorrow and just in time for Spring Break! We love you, Pa Pa! Thank you for all of your hard work!

In Acceptance...there is peace.

A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart. ~Author Unknown

Kaci and her pretty shell necklace from the dance!

With the beautiful weather outside today we decided to brighten up the porch with some new flowers and plants! So, after a trip to Home Depot, where Kaci and I picked out some beautiful plants- Kaci, Bailey and I got to work. We are getting ready for Spring. The flowerbeds still need work, but we are off to a good start!

Tonight was also the Daddy/Daughter Dance for Girl Scouts. The theme this year was Under The Sea. They got to take on the Crabby Crab, Ride in Tritan's Chariot, and do the limbo! They also got to go bowling, go digging for sand turtles at Turtle Cove and eat cake and lemonade. The Chariot was a black carriage pulled by a black horse. There was also another carriage- but it was white and was pulled by a white horse! (but they didn't get to ride that one) Kaci and Clint had so much fun and stayed until the end~ They danced to a ton of music!! "Can you believe it?"-- Kaci says! Kaci will receive a "Daddy/ Daughter Dance patch" for her vest. We will also get a photo from the event and I will post it when it arrives. At the end of the night she got to take home a very pretty shell necklace. It was a great night for both of them. Kaci says it is the best memory she has with her daddy! Afterwards- they went to Dairy Queen for some chicken, fries and ice cream. When they got home - Clint played Love Story by Taylor Swift on the stereo so they could dance to it. Kaci had requested it, but they never heard it played. So dancing to it at home was a great ending ...to a great night !

Leaving for the dance

At the dance with the mermaid

Kaci and the mermaid bubble machine

Dancing to Taylor Swift in the living room at home