And Speaking of Movies....

Last night, Chris and I drove the kids and an honored guest to a small park downtown where they were showing Back to the Future on the big screen.  We arrived just as things were getting started but managed to grab decent seats for seven plus one along with a few gyros from Niko Nikos, the official park restaurant.
It was a gorgeous evening, just the right temperature and Chris and I enjoyed introducing an 80s classic to our girls.  My favorite part of the movie has always been the beginning where MJF rides his skateboard to school by tagging along on whatever car or truck happened to be headed in the right direction (no helmet, very dangerous--I'm saying that in my mom voice--but I still think it looks like fun).  Madeleine left raving about how great that "old" movie was and crushing on Michael J Fox--which reminded me that I used to feel the same way.  Ahhh...the 80s, the good old days.  I liked MJF, Kirk Cameron and Rick Springfield and had a really great poster of George Michael when he was still a part of Wham! (what ever happened to that poster?)

But I digress--so, the girls fell asleep on the way home and all of them were cranky and needed naps today.  Then there was the priceless movie quote that came out of Grace's mouth at bath time--"Get your damn hands off of her" (I think that was directed at Chris as he wrangled a crying Ella out of the tub).  Chris tells me that Grace also went Biff on Ella in the driveway this afternoon telling her to pick something up then bopping her and rubbing her head saying, "Hello, hello, anybody home? McFly?"  (Note to selves--be more careful in selection of movies for Doyle Dame #3.)

Oh well--casualties aside--it was a fun family night enjoying life in the great city of Houston.  

Check out the pictures for a glimpse of our honored guest!

  Ella is one puppy lovin' chica!

Our honored guest was our buddy Chaucer who is staying with us for the weekend.

His behavior the whole evening was A+.  A random stranger even stooped down to pet him at one point prompting Ella to say, "Dada, that guy petted Chaucer."

 

 me & C
(photo by Madeleine)

 Ella and Sophie watched some of the movie from the dog statue

 Here you can see the crowd watching the movie.  Perfect size really.  

Fun atmosphere but not too many people.

 City street lights

and skyscrapers

Have you sent in your entry to the FS Big Game yet?  The countdown is on!

Happy Sunday Everyone!!

Announcing the First Ever Frodo Seven CONTEST!

Dear Readers,

The post you've all been waiting for (this and the one about whatever happened to Sophie--I'll get to that soon)--the CONTEST.  In following our adventures, I'm sure you've caught onto the fact that I love games so let's think of this as a fun game.  I hope that you all decide to play, particularly as the pool of contestants will be fairly small and you stand a good chance of walking away with the prize.  Speaking of which, here it is:   

Date Night Bucket

The prize includes a mystery DVD, several bags of popcorn, assorted candy and maybe a candle or two

To enter, please email me at chaucershome@msn.com with your answer to the following question:

Which fairy tale or well known story best tells the story of your life so far?  Why?


The prize will go to the person who makes the best connection with the story he or she chooses.  Please submit your entry by the end of the day, Sunday, May 8 and include your mailing address in case you win the prize bucket!

Also--I plan to use excerpts from your answers in an upcoming post announcing the winner.  Please let me know if you would prefer not to be quoted.

Feel free to email me with questions.  Otherwise--Good luck!

& see you back here soon

Welcome Back with a Top Ten

Dear Readers,

Welcome back!  And thank you for making the extra effort to view Frodo Seven as a private blog.  In my last post, I mentioned a contest that we will be running in honor of our new and improved status.  I'll give you all of the details about that within the next week.  We hope you all take a chance and enter.

As we transitioned to our new private status, I took an unplanned hiatus from blogging--meaning that I am way behind on writing about the events of our lives.  I'm grateful to have so many things I'd like to write about.  To me that says, "life is good".

Following are my Top Ten photos of the past month:

#1

 Self portrait

I am in a shockingly low number of photos lately.  I took this one on a lightening-fast overnight get-away with my sweet husband.

(I love my short and sassy new do)

#2

 Chris got a new grill.

He is taking very good care of it.  I think he would let it share our bed room if I okayed it.

#3a

 Chris turned 38

Yes, there are 38 + 1 candles on that cake.

#3b

 He needed help but they got the job done

#4

Easter Sunday in Austin:  my five babes.

love, love, love them.

#5

 Best dad ever and the reason our girls are all so cute.  Really.

#6

 Can anyone explain the appeal of these?  I don't get it.

 #7

 cousin time

Mama Mia was terrific with baby Josie

#8

 The egg hunt

#9

 Madeleine's plate after two days of feast prep.

I will definitely be blogging about the wonderful job she did shopping, chopping and nearly single-handedly pulling together a fairly elaborate meal.

Talk about a proud--and full--Mama!

#10

 We stayed to celebrate Ashley's 15th birthday the day after Easter.

Madeleine gave her the shirt she's wearing in this photo and a few other things at 

a birthday breakfast at IHOP.

I was disappointed that they don't sing there but Ashley definitely was not!

BONUS

 Sophie started Rookie Camp for swim team this week.

After telling me over and over that she would not swim, she enthusiastically donned her suit and goggles and did everything asked of her.  We are so proud (and relieved to have another safe swimmer).

post practice snack

Speaking of snacks, there may be some food included in our prize.  See you back here soon with details!

How it Works

So, when I originally planned to go private, I assumed (you've heard about that right?) that the blog would be password protected and to get in, readers would just have to provide the proper password.  Instead, it looks like I will have to invite readers to view the blog by sending an email.  Then, to read the blog, you will have to log in with a Google ID.  A bit more complicated than I thought but we're going to try it. 

If you have sent me an email requesting the password, I will send you an invite to view the blog sometime soon.  Please let me know if you have trouble logging on.  

If you have not sent an email, please do.  I will not be able to send you the initial invite without one but feel free to contact me later to get one:  chaucershome@msn.com

I hope you have a very Happy Easter!  See you back here soon!

ALSO--in celebration of the "new" Frodo Seven, we will be running a contest.  I will announce the details in one of the first posts when we come back.  The prize is a good one so don't miss it!!

Going Private

Big announcement--because of the very personal nature of our blog, Chris and I have long discussed making it private.  We are finally pulling the trigger on that effort and one week from now, Frodo Seven will be accessible by password only.  If you would like to continue following our family antics, please email me at chaucershome@msn.com.  If you are not a friend or family member, please tell us a little bit about who you are, how you found us etc.
See you back here in a week for....the rest of the story about Princess Sophie!

Part Two

 Two thumbs up from the Mophus
(Keep that smile in mind.  Change is coming...)

 We brought about three times the number of bubbles we needed but, as usual, several bottles got dumped--or deliberately poured out by Ella.

 The only proof I was there and looking so....au natural

 Mia post-confetti egg fight.

We hid the eggs in the woods and the kids found them and busted them over each other's heads.

This was definitely a highlight for them (not so much for me--Madeleine got me and it was very painful!)

 The nature walk

"I want you to carry me."

 "I'm going to walk as slowly as I can until you carry me."

 "Did I mention that I am not happy about this situation at all?"

 "See--this is NOT a happy face."

 "My stick is not happy either."

 "Are we half way yet?"

 "Where's that prince when you need him?"

Admiring the beautiful lake.

And what happened to Princess Sophie?

Did we leave her behind in the woods to wait for her prince?

More tomorrow....

Adventures in Camping

So, I guess I'll let the photos tell the story of our fun weekend.  Just a bit of background--about six months ago, our neighbors asked if we would be interested in going camping with them and one other family.  I said "sure" because, well, that's my usual response.  As the time grew closer and I started thinking about the specific details of the three days we would be sleeping away from our beds, I started to have second thoughts but the kids were excited and Chris was in Marine logistician mode making plans so, to use a military term, I "executed the plan".  It was great except that I found it almost impossible to sleep.  That, and the bathrooms were quite yucky.  So, no showers all weekend.  But, we survived and are talking about "next time"--which won't be anytime soon because summer has come to Texas (what a relief :)

 Fashionista readies herself to erect the tent

 a little pole vaulting to pass the time

 Daddy-daughter bonding

 Grace posing with our truly amazing propane stove circa 1975.

Just as good as cooking at home--really.

 Credeur village

 Serious about lighter fluid

 Got ice?

 Got marshmellows?

 Ella does

 The multi-talented Bobster

 I forgot Ella's pillow and Grace was kind enough to share hers with her lil sis

 Early Saturday morning.

Mia is bright eyed and bushy tailed and has already been to see the hair stylist.

 First cup of coffee

We cut her off once we got back home.

Ready for the journey.

More tomorrow.