Proud of Devin

I have been so proud of my boy this weekend. Devin had a recital this weekend and he was wonderful! He has always had a love for music and I am glad that he continues even when it is tough. When a toddler and watching cartoons, he would focus more on the background music than the cartoon. We bought him a drum and he kept in time with the music while watching. We knew then that he would love the piano. And he does! Thank you Pam - a great teacher!!

Pokemon and potatoes

On Sunday we broke up the duties for sunday dinner, Braedens was to set the table and make it look nice. He thought that Pokemon would be the best for Roast dinner. Anytime we would move one of the pokemon, he would say, " That is supposed to be gaurding moms cup, etc.. What is funny, is in the past, I would have just said, Braeden please take these off the table, we are having a nice dinner. The older I get I think, hey... he set the table-Yeah! On the way to school this morning Braeden holds my hand walking into the school and lets me give him a kiss on the cheek. I see him going down the hall rubbing his hand back and forth to remove any remnant of kiss left. I turn to the lady at the desk, she says- Look at it this way- He is just rubbing it in real good so it wont come off. From now on, rubbing a kiss will take on a whole new meaning.

Carmel Apples

One of the kids favorite fall things is to make caramel apples and share with the neighborhood. No teeth lost this year, though we were hoping Braedens loose tooth would come out. No luck! This time of year is when I pull out all of my comfort food recepies- no wonder we gain weight in the winter!

Halloween 2009

What a great Halloween. I couldn't have asked for better weather. Warm but a little bite at night to make you feel like it is fall. Devin always picks the costume that will make everyone laugh. We went from whoopie cushion to a Sumo wrestler. Braeden chooses the more aggressive characters. Good thing Braeden did not use his nails to pop the sumo costume! On Friday we went to the church for trunk or treat. I love it when they do it on a different night other than Halloween, it is fun to be able to spend time with the neighbors and friends at church. I love this time of year, friends and family. What could be better?

Braedens 6th birthday

Braeden's 6th Birthday Party at Fun Tiki. They had so much fun playing mini golf. We had to make sure they did not take over other peoples games- they made record speed through the course. Afterward they played games. Notice the cake. When the lady wrote down the instructions, I said "Happy Birthday, Braeden" She put Happy Birth... then she said, I hope that whover makes this cake surely will know to finish the word. Well not only did they not finish the word, they SPELLED it wrong! Oh well, he didn't even notice. Thank you everyone for making it a great day for him!

First day of Kindergarten

Braeden was so excited to get up this morning. He kept saying-"I'm gonna miss you mommy- but i'll be back, it's ok." We had pancakes with whip cream and the kids watched the clock-"let's go early!" We have to wait for the doors to open first honey.

Time to go and mom takes out the camera., My boys are not the take a picture of me type, so I have to get it in fast. On our bikes and scooter and off we go. I could barely keep up with Braeden. I jokingly said" Well, I guess he doesn't have seperation anxiety."

We are met at the front by the principal and she says, ok Allison, no crying. I won't ( at least that is what I keep telling myself)

Braeden does his goofy face while I am taking his picture with his teacher. He then has a goal to find a red crayon for his picture they are coloring. He's ok- time to go. I am doing alright at this point and kiss him goodbye. I leave the classroom and hide where he cannot see me. He has put down his crayon and looks down at his drawintg. I see him rub his eyes and I know what that means. He is trying to keep the tears in.

I try to get the attention of the teacher to say- Hey- look, my little boy needs a hug. But she is busy. It is all I can do to hold myself back from running in there and scooping him up.

I run away and take deep breaths down the hall so I do not let the flood gates open. Still taking deep breathes a block away, 2 ,3. I turn the corner to my house and the pools in my eyes are overflowing. A new journey for both of us. I come inside to a quiet house. I cannot decide if I like the silence- Only 8 more hours and my sweet little baby will be home again.

4th grade for Devin

Devins off to 4th grade and he is ready. I had to peek in at him to take some photos. Apparantly, there are not many 4th grade moms doing this. Sorry Devin. Next year I will hide a camera in your backpack and you can take a quick photo for me. :-)

Daisy the water wrangler

Daisy is a water dog, she loves to swim and be in the water. Since the sprinklers are all she can get wet in, she is constantly in them. She likes this, but it makes it a hassle for me. I have to blow dry her and comb her hair every time. uggghh. But she is so cute when she tries to bite and catch the sprinkler. She would do this for hours if she could. With the watering restrictions the only time the sprinklers can be on is in the middle of the day. Does that really make sense? I mean they allow you to use your sprinklers at the worst possible time. Sorry my little vent. Oh well, enjoy!

On the Lake

On Friday we spent some time on Holly Lake. It was perfect for the heat! Every time we come home from riding the wave runners, I have to talk Brett out of buying a motorcycle. I wish we had a lake by our house. Brian came down for the weekend as well to Bretts Parents. We had a wonderful fun filled weekend.

Flying high on the 4th of July

Over the weekend we had so much fun. I told the kids we were going on a airplane ride. They were sooo excited! It was incredible! Ok, when I first saw this airplane I thought- I am sending my kids up there, in that!? Devin was first to go- not nervous in the least. His mom on the other hand kept her fear inside until he was safely on the ground. Notice that there is not much to hold on to while you are up there. In the picture above there is a grey lever in front of Braeden. It controls the plane going up and down. I kept saying over and over to Devin, if you get scared- whatever you do, don't pull on the stick! He kept teasing me that he thought it would be fun. UGGHH.. Ok, no way was I sending Braeden up alone. Once we were up in the air, it was so smooth. This plane is made out of a fabric, not metal so it was very light. Thank you to Brett's parents friends for giving us a ride of a lifetime.

Notice the name on the side- experimental. Ok, another reason to give a mom some nerves. But I trusted in the captain 100%.

So proud of my boys! They have their mommas thrill seeking gene.lol!

Leaving 3rd grade behind

My boy is growing up and getting smarter day by day. Awards day was great for him. He continues to amaze me. Today he sat down and tried to teach Braeden how to add 30+40. He wants him to get an edge on school.

Splash day video

Splash Park

It was one of those days when I really needed to get out of the house. It was hot and the kiddo had high energy so my friend and I trekked out to the splash park. We sat on the bench and watched the kids play for HOURS! When the sprays came up Braeden pretended that it was his enemy. He went from one spray to the other. I wish I had that much energy!

Gotta love the dentist

My boys cannot wait until it is time to go to the dentist. So do I. I walk in and they ask me what I want to drink, "don't sign in here, have a seat- (see above) and we will bring it to you. In the meantime, my kids are off to play video games or watch a movie in the theater. They really like to have the parents stay in the front so they make it mooocho comfortable so you forget your kids are back there. They are having a good time as well. Off to another movie and to pick out prize after prize. Braed. is happy to get a full size pokemon out of it. Balloon in hand, mom rested and smiles all around, gotta love the dentist.

Baseball is over

Braeden had so much fun playing t ball this season. He spends a lot of time outside practicing with the kids. Just wish it was a year round sport. He would be in heaven!

I'm a cowboy

Braeden had cowboy day at school. His favorite part was riding around the school on his "fire horse". He colored his horse all red, it must have taken him forever. He came home singing the cutest songs. I just couldn't resist showing you one. See the post below.

Cowboy day at school

Art

I have been waiting all year to get something home from art at Devins school and finally I got it. Dev came home today and told me that they did a very special project. He had to draw something special for his parents that reminded us of him. They sent home a sheet to order this design to be put on mugs, tshirts, etc... Looking at it I said, "this is neat, what is it?" " A piece of Bacon mom." Devin says. "Um, why bacon honey?" Trying not to sound confused and supressing the giggle. " You know I like bacon mom." SO, when you come to my house and see mugs and plates with bacon on it. Or me wearing a tshirt with bacon, you will know-
I love my bacon loving kid! I am taking orders :-)

blue and gold banquet

Tonight was our Blue and Gold Banquet for Cub Scouts. The boys were to make a cake with their dads that represented a state. Devin did Indiana- The Indy 500 cake. He won 1st prize in his Bear den. WAHOO! Even better, we didn't bring any home. It was sugar upon sugar. Fun night and the kids enjoyed having bites of everyones cake.

Valentines Party

Devins Valentines party was so fun I just had to post. It is a good thing that we are out in the portables or I think we might have been in trouble. The whole building was shaking. We put on some music and we did the chicken dance and a congo line. We did not even get to any games because the kids were having so much fun. I think I caught some of the parents doing the chicken dance, you know- it's contagious! Well, sugar, music, food and fun make for a great party. Way to go 3rd Grade!

Valentines

We had a wonderful Valentines, we decided to spend it with the family and just chill this year. What girl would not want to spend it with 3 handsome boys?

Death By Chocolate

We had so much fun tonight. My friend Angie hosted a murder mystery, Death by Chocolate. Dressing up and laughing at each others characters was a blast. A real who done it!

I will help you mommy

Today I am home with the stomach flu. Braeden had it last night so he knows how yucky it feels. My little sweetheart says "mommy, I will be your helper all day and get you whatever you want." I really didn't need anything but his cute smile and willingness to help made me order. "I will just have a drink buddy." He came back and handed me a drink. I took a large gulp and ...... "what exactly is in this drink?" " I put milk, candy, not the soft kind 'cause that would be too yucky, orange juice, seeds, not from oranges (ok, don't even want to know where he got those), and ice." He is rubbing my head saying, does it make it all better mom? Yes sweetie it does, thank you. :-)

snow day!!!

Every year our community brings in loads of snow for all of those in Texas that never get to play in it. This is Devin sledding down the hill. What you don't see in this picture is the line to get to that point. It goes all of the way down the back side. Most of the parents waited in line while their kids ran and made snowballs and then came to pelt them. The kids had so much fun. Who knew that so many people had sleds on hand. I did see a lot of boogie boards and water sport "sleds" though. There were a TON of people there. I remember last year they actually postponed the snow day due to cold weather. I wish I had a picture of the sign. I laughed forever about that. It was pretty chilly this year which made it seem like winter for a day. Braeden could not get enough of the snowball fights. I actually had to carry him kicking and screaming to the car. He could have stayed there all day.

I had to take a picture of this for all of those up north. This is a sign at our park. We have an alligator down the street from us that we visit regularly by the school. I will make it my mission to take a photo of him this week.

The death of our table

Crack, the last chair from our table set just lost it's seat. It was a dangerous thing to sit on that one. You see, our chairs have been dying off one by one this year and duck tape and glue could not put those puppies back together. Ok, I was anxiously waiting for the last one to fall so I could say, We NEED a new kitchen table. So, yesterday, my hubby bought me this. It is as sturdy as sturdy gets. It is made of Mango wood and is SOLID. Thanks Brett!

Annie

It has been so fun having Annie home. She leaves today to go back to school and we definitly feel her absence. Today she and I shopped for hours on end and I never once heard, ANOTHER STORE MOM! Which having all boys home is what I hear often. Most of all I treasured the talks late in the night and the hugs. Dad spent some good time with her. I think her favorite time was on the shooting range with her. It is an annual tradition. I did however say no to the firearm she wanted for Christmas. That could be scary, huh.

The boys could not wait to wake her up in the morning. Braeden would ask me over and over, can I get her up yet? She is cute with them even when they are bouncing all over her and smothering her with affection.