Sunday, July 28, 2013

Hawaii Vacation

This summer our family vacationed in Hawaii.  It was a perfect vacation, and we enjoyed the together time as a family! Although Eli did not love the water, he had a blast playing in the sand and loved the aquarium in Maui.  We enjoyed a luau and a helicopter tour of the island.  On the final day, we flew from Maui to Honolulu and did a tour of the USS Arizona.

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa. It was a wonderful, family-friendly resort.  Some of our favorite restaurants included Ohana Tacos, Aloha Mixed Plate, Merriman's, and Maui Brewing Company.

Friday, June 15, 2012


I am very excited about the number of television shows involving dance.  They are so different from one another yet I enjoy each of them:

  1. Dance Moms – I love the personalities on this show.  Abby Lee Miller is the owner of the studio and this show gives a glimpse into the lives of those wrapped up in competitive dancing.  This takes me back to my youth in competitive baton twirling.

  1. So You Think You Can Dance – I love watching the beautiful and varied styles of dance.  From ballet and lyrical to break-dancing, these competitors are fierce.

  1. Bunheads – This is the new show by Amy Sherwin-Palladino on ABC Family.  The pilot aired last week and ended with a cliffhanger.  I think I am going to enjoy this new show as it has Kelly Bishop (Emily Gilmore from GG) as the mother-in-law.

  1. Breaking Pointe – The CW reality series goes behind the scenes at Ballet West which is based in Salt Lake City, Utah. 


Some of these shows are in their first season, so let’s hope they get picked up again next season.  Summer is the perfect time for these kinds of shows as there is a lull in regular programming. 

Any other suggestions for the DVR this summer?

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Up All Night


Elijah has regressed in his sleeping patterns.  For the past week, it has been difficult getting him to bed (sometimes as late as 10pm) and then he will wake up around 3 or 4 am crying.  It is difficult to get him back to sleep.  I don’t know if it is the new environment or the new feeding schedule (with more grown-up foods) that has caused the sudden change. 

I have been reading my Toddler 411 book and “What to Expect” The Second Year to find suggestions for how many hours a toddler should be sleeping and a typical pattern.  According to 411, a 15-month old (note: Eli is almost 14 months) should sleep about 13 hours a day.  He is still taking 2 naps (like the schedule in 411 shows) but bedtime at 7:30pm has not been occurring this past week or so since we’ve moved.  I suppose we will see once we get into a routine at the new house whether things return to normal.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012


Eli is home sick.  This is Day #2 but I think he is getting better.  I can usually tell that he is improving when he wants to run around the house and get into everything!  We have played in the pictures, sorted his food in the pantry, played with the cat’s food.  Tomorrow, he will see the ENT since he has had 4 ear infections since November.

While he is resting, I have the opportunity to revisit some of my favorite websites and covet the cute lil’ things on my wish list:

First up, Lululemon…oh how I love these bags and workout clothes.  I have been working out more since I got a membership to my university gym.  I love the new BlissBag.  It is sleek and cute!

I also love the design of the Namaste tank.

Finally, the Groove Pants are also really cute.

Since we are closing on a house later this month, I will resist the urge to buy these items.  Perhaps for my birthday or the beginning of next semester, I will treat myself to some nice new workout gear!  Well, Eli is up, so that is all for now.  Namaste.  ~JHC

Friday, May 11, 2012


Please allow me to introduce myself.  I am a Midwesterner married to another Midwesterner and currently living in Houston, TX. We moved here in 2007 for my career as a professor.  Last year (April 2011), our son Elijah was born.  We live in Midtown and enjoy taking Eli to the zoo, going for walks in the nearby park, shopping trips, and sports.  I am excited to begin blogging about our new adventures and hope to connect with others as well.

Elijah on the way home from the hospital


~JHC Houston