Here Come the Flower Girls

Our Little Princesses were recently flower girls for the first time. I must admit, we were all a little bit apprehensive about this experience.

The weekend that we returned from our vacation, they traveled to the Dallas area where they, along with their cousin Aubrey, were flower girls in their Aunt Catherine's wedding. I thought it was very brave of Catherine to have her three nieces, ages 2, 3, and 4 as flower girls.

Over the years, I have personally witnessed a variety of flower girl mishaps. I recall one who lifted her dress over her head during the ceremony, one who stage whispered to her mom during the ceremony "I need to pee," and one who would drop a flower petal then turn around, pick it up and put it back in the basket. At the end of the aisle, she turned to her mom and said loudly, "See, Mommy, I do too pick up my things." At Katy's wedding, one of the flower girls sat in the church and pulled all the petals from her daisies.

We were not concerned about Ezra's ability or willingness to be a flower girl. At 4 years old, she is the "girliest" of girls. She prefers to wear dresses and likes them very pink and very frilly. The more ruffles, lace, and glitter, the better for her. When her mom took her along with her to David's Bridal to pick up their shoes, Ezra was completely captivated. Katy said that she opened her arms wide and, with her eyes sparkling with delight, said something like "Mommy, this is the most beautiful place. Just look at all these beautiful dresses." Here she is gazing through the door at her beautiful Aunt Catherine. Can't you just feel her enchantment. This girl was just born to be a flower girl.

On the other hand, at two years old, June is what I would describe as rough and tumble. If you give her a choice of pants or a dress, most of the time she will choose the pants. And, let's be honest, you just never know what any two year old will do. Put them in front of an audience of strangers and a meltdown is a real possibility. Add the variables of a long car trip, staying in a new place, and being off of her usual schedule, and it goes from a possibility to a likelihood. But according to all reports, she did beautifully and I think they all had a wonderful time.

Aubrey, Ezra, and June as flower girls.

I was relieved to hear that all went well. Katy said that she and her sister-in-law tag-teamed during the service with one of them at the back sending the girls down the aisle and one at the front to catch them at the end of the aisle. I'm so happy that Our Little Princesses got to have this experience and I'm so glad it turned out okay.

Wordless Wednesday

Just like my Pop-pop!

Wordless Wednesday is a great day to post an awesome picture that “speaks” for itself, no words needed!!

The Princess is One

On Saturday, February 20, Our Little Princess will be one year old. I can't believe a year has gone by already. Here is the story of her first amazing year as she might tell it.

My name is Ezra Allison White. I arrived in the world in San Antonio, Texas around 5 in the afternoon on February 20, 2009. The doctor was very surprised that I weighed a healthy 9 pounds 3 ounces. As you can see, I looked gorgeous as soon as they cleaned me up and let me cuddle up with Mama.


Mama and Daddy were very happy to see me. Okay, I don't know why Mama seemed so tired, I think she must have had a hard day. They were delighted that I was a beautiful, healthy baby girl.


All my grandparents were happy to meet me. Grams and Grandad were over the moon with happiness because I am their first grandchild.


Auntie Marie and Uncle Nick came to see me as fast as they could get from Houston to San Antonio. I had lots of visitors at the hospital. Some of my new cousins brought me this handmade hat that Uncle Nick is modeling. I have to say that my Uncle Nick is hilarious. He always makes me laugh.


A couple of days later, when I went home for the first time, Daddy took my first portrait and I met Minnie. Minnie watches over me and as soon as I learn to throw the ball, I think she'll really like me. Minnie makes me laugh at least as much as Uncle Nick.


Compared to my former living quarters, my new home seems so big and bright. By the time I was one month old, I was bright-eyed and interested in everything that was going on around me. Mom and Dad made sure my room is beautiful. It's painted a pretty blue color and there are birds that hang right over my bed. I love to sit in my great-grandmother's rocking chair that Daddy painted just for my room.


Mama and Daddy take me lots of places, almost everywhere. There is so much to do and see and they're really good at showing me new things. I know I can depend on them to show me how things work.

In the summer my big sister Mady came to stay. She was very handy to have around and helped Mama and Daddy take care of me. She's a great big sister and I can't wait to see her again. Mady and Daddy let me play video games with them. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to beat them by next summer.


I found my toes but wasn't quite sure what they were for. So I tried out a few different things. For a while I used them to hold my bottle. They also were a pretty good pacifier and kind of tasty. Now that I'm walking I know exactly what they're for. Last Sunday, I got to squish them in the sandbox for the first time. I really liked that!


Grams introduced me to two of her favorite things ... Starbucks and shopping. She loves to take me shopping and make dresses for me, but for some reason she won't let me have any coffee. It sure smells good though.


I must admit, I've had a few issues with my hair, but I think they're finally under control. Aunt B says I need some product. I'm sure she'll help me with it as soon as I get a little bit more hair.


My Mom dresses me quite fashionably. Some days I feel like a Barbie doll. Here are a few samples of my wardrobe. No matter what I wear, Grams thinks I look fabulous! By the way, I chose the tutu myself. I would wear it every day if Mom would let me.


Late in the summer, Mom and Dad took Mady to see Phantom of the Opera in Houston. Noni came too and we stayed with Uncle Nick. Uncle Nick babysat for the first time and it was so much fun. I made a dirty diaper just for him to change. You might notice in the picture that Uncle Nick wore rubber gloves when he changed my diaper. I told you he was hilarious!


My Aunt Catherine and Uncle Chad had a beautiful wedding last fall and I got to go. Grams and Grandad took care of me while Mama, Dad and Mady participated in the wedding. Grams made me this fabulous dress to wear. I think Mom and I looked beautiful.


There was so much to do and so many people to meet. I've already been to Gruene Hall with Uncle Mack, Aunt B and my cousin Eric and his son Jonathan. Uncle Charlie and Aunt Sandy were there too. I met some of my cousins and my great-great aunts and uncles at the Valenta Family Reunion in Corn Hill. My Great-Grandma Ruthie was there too. It was so much fun. But it wasn't all sunshine and roses this year; shortly after the reunion I got sick and had to be hospitalized; but I'm all better now.


On Christmas Eve we went to Great-Grandma Ruthie's house. All of Mom's aunts and uncles and cousins were there. We opened presents with Grams and Grandad on Christmas morning and then we went back to San Antonio and had Christmas Day with Dad's family. Christmas was so much fun. I hope we do it again next year.


Mama and Daddy love music and so do I. When Dad plays his guitar, I accompany him on the hand drum. And I really like singing Itsy-Bitsy Spider with Mama.


As you can see, my first year has been very busy. Mom and Dad had a little birthday party for me last weekend. My Noni came all the way from Louisiana and Grams and Grandad came from Corpus Christi. Of course, Uncle Nicky and Auntie Marie came from Houston. They gave me my first pair of cowboy boots. I ate my first piece of chocolate cake, which I shared with Uncle Nick and Grandad. I got so many new toys and clothes. I especially liked the shredded green paper that was in one of the bags.


So my first year has been fun. I don't know if I'm a "baby genius" or not, but I'm learning a lot and everyone is expecting great things from me. I know whatever happens in my life ... I'm going to be great ... because so many people love and support me, especially Mom and Dad.

Weekend Update

The weekend was great. Grams spent lots of quality time with our little princess, Ezra, and her parents. Along with that we spent Saturday afternoon with my brother, Charlie, his wife, Sandy, my sister, Bylinda, and her husband, Mack. Even my nephew Eric found a little time to drop by Gruene Hall for a short visit.

Our little princess, Ezra, has changed so much in the few weeks since we saw her last. She's sitting up on her own now with no assistance. And we were there on Friday evening when she figured out the whole crawling thing. That's right, no more rolling around on the floor to get what she wants. Now she just crawls right over. Minnie, the family's Jack Russell Terrier is in for a whole new world now that the little princess can chase her around the room. I even saw Ezra eyeballing the doggy door a couple of times right after Minnie went through it. I know it's only a matter of time until she follows Minnie right out into the back yard. It's just going to be too tempting.

We spent Saturday afternoon in Gruene where it was Gruene Market Days. We enjoyed a stroll through tents full of hand-crafted items and sampled some very tasty wine. And no trip to Gruene would be complete without a stop at Gruene Hall. We stopped there where the men enjoyed a cold beer while most of the ladies just stuck with ice water. It was much hotter than we had hoped it would be and by the time Hal Ketchum's band tuned up, we were exhausted and ready to leave. We headed back to San Antonio and stopped for dinner at Chuy's -- delicious.

Headed for the Hill Country (Edited)

Weekend plans call for a trip to San Antonio and New Braunfels. Grams is very excited about the opportunity to spend some time with my brother and sister-in-law for the first time since last November. Also included in the plans is a trip to Old Gruene Market Days which features hand-crafted items and artisanal foods. It should be a great day in the outdoors with fall-ish weather predicted for the Texas Hill Country.

Of course, the highlight of the weekend plans for Grams is an opportunity to spend time with our little princess and her mom and dad. And no visit from Grams would be complete without a nifty gifty for said princess. In anticipation of the trip, Grams stitched up a little something. Here's a sneak peak at today's creation. Grams made it today!

This post has been edited to include a photo of our little princess, Ezra, modeling Grams' latest creation.