Deep in the Heart of Texas

Hoping everyone enjoyed their Labor Day. As for my crazy bunch, we tried to squeeze in every tiny bit of drop left in the summer. We made waffles for breakfast, went to the beach (which was really crowded), ate some local BBQ,  watched the movie Inside Out, and played a game of basketball outside with the girls.

Of course we send the girls off to bed before 8 o'clock, but they are pretty much laying in their beds wide eyed, staring at their ceiling. Tomorrow Cali will be in 2nd grade and DJ will be in 6th. I remember being in both of their shoes at those 2 very different moments in my life. Right before the first day of school I remembered being nervous. My family moved to the states when I was 6, I was in the first grade, spoke a totally different language, thrown into a school that luckily had ESL. Yes people, I had to go to ESL because English was my second dialect! So my first year in America was the most culture shocking, pulled me out of all my comfort zone, confusing, and uncomfortable. Of course once i start to get the hang of things thats when summer vacation took place. So going into 2nd grade I remember wondering if I'd have classmates who needed to go to ESL, or if I'd have any classmate who was of my culture, or if my teacher would be patient enough to understand I need her to speak slowly in order for me to understand the words coming out of her mouth.

Then there was 6th grade. In Texas, that was the big jump from Elementary to Middle school. Luckily I had an older brother who I could ask for help or have look after me, but at that age he didn't want people to see us together lol. So there went that hopeful plan. So the night before the first day I remember not sleeping until 3 am because I was so excited to finally have different classes, a locker, and I would be able to sit with anyone during lunch instead of only sitting with my class. Thank goodness for those early classes of ESL, by the time I was in the 3rd grade I no longer needed ESL! I was almost a professional English speaking Pacific Islander! Lol

Well now my babies are resting, and I do what? Have a beer and pack their lunch! So since they miss Texas so much I thought I would pack them something that will remind them of Texas...

So I made a turkey, cheese, with lettuce sandwich, blueberries, tomatoes from our garden, and baby carrots. Of course I managed to mark Houston for them as that's where my parents are whom my girls are extremely close to. This preparation literally took 10 minutes -- if that.  I bought a Texas shape cookie cutter from Buckees. All my Texas folks know that's a popular gas station known for their little market and clean bathrooms for travelers.

It's so funny how we tend to take such little things for granted until we move away and no longer have the same access to things like we once did. Like the dang cookie cutter. I made the girls lunches in Texas as well, but never thought of purchasing a Texas shape cutter because it was always accessible to me. Well I hope you all have a great rest of the evening. Keep smiling :)

-Jen