Anthony's Party

So thoughtful of that Kristi to send Lila home with a whistle, a bag filled with candy, and a sucker the size of her face.  It was a great car ride home, and it continues to be a great time at home.

Happy Second Birthday Lila!

I should have know from the beginning, you were trouble...

Instantly, you were a prodigy when it came to persuading others to do just exactly what you wanted.

"Hey Dude, I don't think you need that finger right now, and it sure would help me get to sleep... Sooooo, I'll take that."

1 day old

I got a little hope that you I may be able to talk you into doing things when you were willing to let your mother put that stupid bow on your bald head.

Now, I know you're a genius, and you just LET me believe I was talking you into it. You allowed it to take place because you knew I would feel terrible later for making you look like a fool. You have the ammunition and are just waiting for the right opportunity to use it... My guess is you are perfectly positioned for that new car when you turn 16.

1 Year

It seems that as your hair has grown so have your powers. You've honed your craft and should teach some kind of class.... just do me a favor and don't share you abilities with government officials. They've talked us into plenty.


Lila, you are gorgeous and hilarious! I am so thankful to be your Mommy. Happy birthday Baby!

Just another day grown' up and Being Billingsley...

Lookin' Good

That's right people... This is what Lila typically looks like. Not so much when we meet you for lunch, but that's because 20 minutes and a handful of gel have worked their way into the equation. So, we finally decided to take this child for her first haircut.

We loaded her in the chair and our sweet stylist locked her in. Notice Lila's "please don't touch me lady" positioning of the arms. (I know what you K-dubbers are thinking, and no Mindy H. did not cut my child's hair, but I miss her so much I insisted on calling this lady Mindy. I talked it over with her, and she was fine with it.)

Notice the enthusiasm at the salon experience.


The longing to be any where but in that pink salon chair...

And, finally the after...


She did so well, we decided to celebrate with some dinner and games. I had the Tomato Bisque and an Iced Tea, but Lila insisted on a tall double to take the edge off. It was a rough night for her!

She did find the energy to school a little boy on Dance, Dance Revolution! Notice, in his shame, he had to turn his back to her.

She capped the night with a sweet motorcycle ride. Note the new-found uniform and obedient set of curls that kid has!

Just another adorable day Being Billingsley...

Don't you just love weddings?

What a ridiculously wonderful day it was! Abbie was asked to be the flower girl!I put no less than 100 curls in her gorgeous hair... She wore an ivory silk dress that was handmade by her great grandmother... She calculated she was wearing more than 50 pearls between her earrings, necklace, excellent shoes and hair accessories.

The wedding was exquisite. Every detail carefully crafted. You know what would have been great... if the camera I had brought actually had functioning batteries.

So, Abbie was kind enough to stage a review of Lizzie's wedding with Barbie and the gang. (Rest assured Lizzie's veil was NOT actually a couple pieces Charmin 2-ply TP.)

Being a beautifully traditional wedding, the bride and the groom were separated before the ceremony. Here are the girls (well not all of them, but you get the idea) before the service lined up in the hall way.

The groom and one of his groomsmen waiting at the front of the church... (Please note the groom is the one in the fancy suit. Abbie didn't have another outfit suitable for a wedding for his best man, so she just thought underpants would be best here. She didn't want him to be embarrassed by being dressed too casually in the shorts and tee that she had.)

And the ceremony begins...
And the ceremony ends...

After the ceremony, more pictures. Some really beautiful photos of Lizzie! She was the most gorgeous bride.

From the church we all went to the Bob Bullock Museum to enjoy a really fun dessert reception. Among MANY desserts that included family recipes from each of their great grandparents, grandparents and parents, they had a gorgeous and HUGE white monogrammed wedding cake (Barbie's tall furry hat far right). Absolutely beautiful!

Thank you Lizzie for including us in your big day, it was an honor. An absolutely beautiful day for an absolutely special couple! We love you!

Just another day Being Billingsley...

Kindergarten Graduation

Well, I survived it. I was a nervous wreck getting to it. I just knew I was going to be "that lady" at the ceremony... Crying all over herself with no likely chance of gaining any perspective on the event. And, you'll all be happy to hear that is exactly what happened.

I arrived early to an adorable slide show of pictures put to touching music and cried the whole time. Who is the jerk that wrote this song by the way? Let Them Be Little

They marched the kids into the gym in a perfectly orderly single-file line, and I was beside myself. I couldn't believe what was a whole line of babies just a year ago had become a legit line of students. I was insanely proud of her whole class.

As each child was called to the stage, the principal read aloud a list of awards earned by him/her. Abbie's list was extraordinary, but no surprise there...

• Recognized for reading 125+ books in her Reading Club
• Citizenship Award Recipient
• Ran 33 miles in her Mileage Club
• Character Counts Recipient
• Star Student Recipient

Abbie, I am so proud of you. You are beautiful, funny, brilliant...and you won more awards than many others. Nice work. (Not to mention you can rock a tutu dress like nobody's business.)

Just another day Being Billingsley...

Splash Day!!

As the school year drew to a close, Abbie's school had a great big ol' water day!

The kids are adorable and Abbie absolutely had the best teacher in the state of Texas. I knew that for sure when she permitted the children to throw water balloons at each other...and jumped in herself to get a couple of kids. Nice work Ms. P. Nice work.

The powerhouse class of 2023!


Abbie chatting with her bff and the guys while blowing bubbles.

The water balloon station. Loved it!

Abbie's tribute to her hero Superman on the slide. Who, apparently, is pretty amazing if Batman isn't available.

Only 6 years olds would get cold playing outside on a 100 degree day! Abbie and her bff trying to warm up here. Meanwhile, I had sweat through my second shirt by now.

You've gotta love a school that ALWAYS has a refreshments station on their special event days.

The local fire department decided to join the fun and spray the kids in the yard with not just one engine but two! The only thing that confused us Moms is why didn't the firemen show up in their swimsuits??

Just another hot summer day Being Billingsley...

Texas, Texas, Yee Haw!

We had a great time at the annual Kinder Rodeo!

Only in Central Texas would it seem perfectly appropriate to have all the townsfolk bring their livestock to a kindergarten setting.

There were bandannas, chaps, spurs, and cowboy hats as far as the eye could see, and if you were really quiet you could almost hear the single syllable words breaking as they were stretched into multiple syllables.

Here she is all ready to go to school. I thought she did a great job with her ensemble. Country yet tasteful.

Here we are staged before the "Grand March" into the rodeo. Each class entered the arena with both a Texas and an American flag after singing the National Anthem. The allergies were so bad in there I started to tear up, but really it was just the allergies...

Partying with the girls just before the festivities began.

Among the many activities...Roping, Snake Throwin', Barrel Racin', and Pannin' for Gold...was this Tire Pull Race. The kids loved it! My challenge to you this week is try selling this as a team building exercise at your next team meeting.

My little cowgirl ridding a pony while always maintaining her beauty pageant sensibilities.

The hay ride... Also known as the greatest source of anxiety for her mother. This trailer filled with 20 precious kids and 1 precious kindergarten teacher was pulled by an ancient tractor I was convinced would turn over each time he maneuvered over a bump, but all was well. Gotta remember these folks are expert tractor drivers. No doubt this is his primary vehicle. Can't believe I ever doubted him.

Abbie riding Oreo the GIANT longhorn.

Abbie and her bff before getting their brand tattoos and seeing the pigs, goats, and baby cows.

Feeding the world's most obese goat...

My exhausted cowgirl and her future husband chatting after a long day at the rodeo.

Just another day havin' a great time ya'll and Being Billingsley...