Happy 11th birthday Austin!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Busy boys
We had the privelege of having Drake and Braden with us this weekend while Tim and Kasie slaved away on building their new house. Since Saturday was a full day of baseball pictures and games, we ended up at the diamond from 10:00-4:30. It's amazing how you can take 4 boys and plop them outside in the fresh air with green space to play, a playground, baseball games, and a concession stand for that many hours and have no complaints!
The games for both Austin and Carter were great yesterday. There were lots of hits, good fielding, and Carter got his first pitching start! This was the first game for Carter's league to have the kids pitch as the coaches had done it in previous games. He had a great day at the mound striking out the first three batters he faced! Mom and Dad were quite proud! Needless to say, by the time we left the diamond all 4 boys were all pretty wiped out and stinky dirty by the time we got home.
I promised Aaron that we would just pop in and out at the reception. True to my word, we were there socializing for a couple of hours! YIKES! If you know me well, you're not surprised! We got to catch up with some friends that we hadn't seen in so long, plan a summer outing, and share some laughs. There was no need to worry about the boys getting antsy as there was a dunk tank at this reception and the kids kept throwing ball after ball trying to dunk the poor souls. They were the ones who didn't want to leave!
I really wish you could see the filth and grime covering these boys as they were brushing their teeth getting ready to hunker down for a night under the stars in the backyard! I didn't make them sleep on the ground people, I put them in the camper! It sure didn't take them long to fall into a dreamy state after their busy day.
Drake and Braden have already told me they are NOT going home today! I just laughed and told them they are more than welcome anytime! Happy Anniversary to Tim and Kasie today :)
Friday, May 21, 2010
Hobby Fair
It's been a busy week for Carter with baseball, a field trip and his Hobby Fair at school today. All of the second graders at his school have to pick a hobby they have and create a little display with artifacts, hand-drawn pictures and writing about their hobby. Carter has been looking forward to this all year since he clearly remembers when Austin did this in second grade.
Can you tell what Carter's hobby is?
Can you tell what Carter's hobby is?
It's collecting UNI memorabilia of course! He was so excited packing up a ton of his UNI stuff from his room last night. Needless to say he completely filled a laundry basket to be hauled back and forth to school! I can guarantee you he was the ONLY second grader here in Cycloneland to have this as his hobby :)
Carter's always been our UNI fan! He told people that he got started collecting UNI memorabilia when Aaron first gave him a UNI coin bank. He also talked about his Aunt Kelly and Uncle Nate who help him with his collection (thanks a million - even though you are Cylcones through and through). They are the ones who grace him with great UNI gifts for Christmas and birthdays that have made his room what it is today! He's so proud.
He even had a few UNI wall stickers to hand out that Uncle Nate had given to him. He thought that was a pretty cool deal to be able to do that! On top of it all, Papa and Grandma Di were able to come down and check out the Hobby Fair which he greatly appreciated.
Great job today Carter! I am so proud of you!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Pond Field Trip
Today was the pond field trip for Carter to McFarland Park. Carter asked Aaron to go along as a driver and helper. What a great experience this was for Aaron to share in Carter's day and to get a little glimpse of what teaching and corraling kids is all about!
This first thing I heard when I got home home was, "It was AWESOME!"
Aaron informed me that he was "the best driver".
I rolled my eyes at that one and Carter chuckled and said, "We got to watch a movie!" Obviously it had nothing to do with Aaron's driving skills :)
Apparently this was an excellent field trip for Aaron to go on. The kids got a big net and got to scoop water and "critters" out of the pond and examine them. (I'm not a big fan of critters!) According to Carter, the different groups found an assortment of goodies including dragon fly larva, water beetles, snails, fish, and goose poop! Gotta love that last one. Each group got an aquarium to create their own pond habitat in after that. Carter was spewing out all sorts of information that the English teacher mom didn't totally grasp.
They got to take a hike around some of the trails and stop and examine different plants. Aaron said he only had one "roamer" in his group, and he didn't end up losing anyone! That's a pretty huge accomplishment when taking kids on a field trip :) I'll have to tell my story sometime about my very first field trip as a teacher in San Antonio when 3 of our kids ditched us downtown on the Riverwalk...yeah...not a great memory and still to this day makes me nauseous thinking about taking a group of middle schoolers out in public! Can't wait for our 8th grade Adventureland field trip in a couple of weeks...
Anyway, there should be tons of pictures from this field trip. However, I put the camera battery in the charger overnight so it would be ready to go. Aaron did grab the camera this morning to take along not knowing I was charging the battery. In case you were wondering...it doesn't work without the battery :(
So, here's a picture of the happy field trip boys when they got home!
This first thing I heard when I got home home was, "It was AWESOME!"
Aaron informed me that he was "the best driver".
I rolled my eyes at that one and Carter chuckled and said, "We got to watch a movie!" Obviously it had nothing to do with Aaron's driving skills :)
Apparently this was an excellent field trip for Aaron to go on. The kids got a big net and got to scoop water and "critters" out of the pond and examine them. (I'm not a big fan of critters!) According to Carter, the different groups found an assortment of goodies including dragon fly larva, water beetles, snails, fish, and goose poop! Gotta love that last one. Each group got an aquarium to create their own pond habitat in after that. Carter was spewing out all sorts of information that the English teacher mom didn't totally grasp.
They got to take a hike around some of the trails and stop and examine different plants. Aaron said he only had one "roamer" in his group, and he didn't end up losing anyone! That's a pretty huge accomplishment when taking kids on a field trip :) I'll have to tell my story sometime about my very first field trip as a teacher in San Antonio when 3 of our kids ditched us downtown on the Riverwalk...yeah...not a great memory and still to this day makes me nauseous thinking about taking a group of middle schoolers out in public! Can't wait for our 8th grade Adventureland field trip in a couple of weeks...
Anyway, there should be tons of pictures from this field trip. However, I put the camera battery in the charger overnight so it would be ready to go. Aaron did grab the camera this morning to take along not knowing I was charging the battery. In case you were wondering...it doesn't work without the battery :(
So, here's a picture of the happy field trip boys when they got home!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Camping at home
The boys have been itching to get out and camp. Unfortunately, our schedules seem to be getting in the way of this happening before Memorial Day weekend. On Saturday, Aaron and the boys hosed down "HaRVey" the camper and popped it up in the backyard to get it ready for the season. The boys were thrilled when we told them they could sleep out there and this seemed to satisfy part of their "itch"! However, they told us it wouldn't really be liked camping unless the neighbors came over, and we got the firepit going.
I didn't realize how much entertainment could actually come from this simple request from the boys. Apparently there is "man" work to be done if you are properly using the firepit. If you are a guy, you must show your "manliness" by actually "chopping" the wood with a wedge and a sledgehammer! Check out the expression on neighbor Q's face! This is serious business.
Then, with any unique pieces of wood - say for example the tree trunk and part of the roots they had pulled out a couple of weeks ago - you turn yourselves into sculptures. You can't tell really well from this picture, but the huge spread out branch behind Austin is not actually a tree - it's a part of one stuck down the back of his shirt.
It turned out to be quite a funny evening with lots of laughs. Carter and Austin were full of the "funnies". However, they are quite cranky tonight because they were up WAY TOO LATE last night. I really feel sorry for their teachers tomorrow!
I didn't realize how much entertainment could actually come from this simple request from the boys. Apparently there is "man" work to be done if you are properly using the firepit. If you are a guy, you must show your "manliness" by actually "chopping" the wood with a wedge and a sledgehammer! Check out the expression on neighbor Q's face! This is serious business.
Then, with any unique pieces of wood - say for example the tree trunk and part of the roots they had pulled out a couple of weeks ago - you turn yourselves into sculptures. You can't tell really well from this picture, but the huge spread out branch behind Austin is not actually a tree - it's a part of one stuck down the back of his shirt.
It turned out to be quite a funny evening with lots of laughs. Carter and Austin were full of the "funnies". However, they are quite cranky tonight because they were up WAY TOO LATE last night. I really feel sorry for their teachers tomorrow!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Mother's Day
To my mother on Mother's Day~
God knew exactly what He was doing when He made you my mother. He knew I needed someone strong, yet full of compassion. Someone to vent to, to laugh with, to cry with, to hold my hand, to have daily conversations with, to shop with, and to get mani and pedis with :)
He knew I needed to be raised an as an independent Christian woman and that can only come from a woman who leads through example. You graciously allowed me to spread my wings and find my way, even though I can now understand as a mother myself how difficult that must have been. Even now, when the unfairness of life is upon me, you are there for me. You help me pick myself up and dust myself off. You readily give advice ~ even when Dad tells you to not to ;) You know exactly what I need. We have a bond that cannot be broken.
I thank God every night for giving me to you. I am blessed to call you my mom.
Happy Mother's Day! I love you!
To Aaron's mom on Mother's Day~
Without you, my life would not be what it is today. You lovingly raised Aaron to become the man he is today. Heaven knows, it wasn't an easy road. However, you persevered, even when life was unfair. You demonstrated to him that a woman can be strong and independent.
It's because of you that I have an amazing husband and two sweet little boys. All three are full of life, which definitely comes from you. You have a zest for life and always live life to the fullest. You should be proud of the role you play in shaping my children's lives.
I ask God daily to provide you happiness. I am blessed that you are my mother-in-law.
Happy Mother's Day! I love you!
God knew exactly what He was doing when He made you my mother. He knew I needed someone strong, yet full of compassion. Someone to vent to, to laugh with, to cry with, to hold my hand, to have daily conversations with, to shop with, and to get mani and pedis with :)
He knew I needed to be raised an as an independent Christian woman and that can only come from a woman who leads through example. You graciously allowed me to spread my wings and find my way, even though I can now understand as a mother myself how difficult that must have been. Even now, when the unfairness of life is upon me, you are there for me. You help me pick myself up and dust myself off. You readily give advice ~ even when Dad tells you to not to ;) You know exactly what I need. We have a bond that cannot be broken.
I thank God every night for giving me to you. I am blessed to call you my mom.
Happy Mother's Day! I love you!
To Aaron's mom on Mother's Day~
Without you, my life would not be what it is today. You lovingly raised Aaron to become the man he is today. Heaven knows, it wasn't an easy road. However, you persevered, even when life was unfair. You demonstrated to him that a woman can be strong and independent.
It's because of you that I have an amazing husband and two sweet little boys. All three are full of life, which definitely comes from you. You have a zest for life and always live life to the fullest. You should be proud of the role you play in shaping my children's lives.
I ask God daily to provide you happiness. I am blessed that you are my mother-in-law.
Happy Mother's Day! I love you!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Big boy games
Ladies...you know how it is sometimes with these men of ours. We can ask them time and time again to do a little something for us and it never seems to get done. TWO years ago I asked my dearest husband to please remove a lilac bush that was overtaking the front corner of our house. For those of you who know my dear husband and his lightning speed (or lack thereof in regards to projects), you know how quickly this removal occurred! LAST year I again kindly reminded him that the lilac bush needed to go before our home was swallowed whole. Again, lightning speed response it was not! Finally, knowing how tight my hubby is with money, I suggested that if the darn lilac wasn't out by the end of the weekend, I was calling a tree service :) Yes girls...with a spend-thrift for a husband, this is all you need to do - tell him you'll hire it done. Needless to say, the lilac was out within a couple of hours in quite a red-neck fashion with the help of some very willing neighbors! At least I got what I wanted. Of course I have been the recipient of some good-natured ribbing about needing a tree service that has gone on for quite awhile. This man of mine and our delightful neighbors are quite proud of their "accomplishment".
The weather this past weekend lent itself beautifully for more "tree servicing" to be done around the neighborhood. Needless to say, I tried to stay out of sight during this little red-neck event! I would hate for anyone to know what really goes on at my house :) Here's the "tree servicing" crew with a couple neighbor ladies checking out the action. They look real serious about this don't they? Please notice the poor little tree trunk that is left after lots of fun with a chainsaw - because apparently we needed wood for the firepit!
Look at that bad boy (you can decide if I mean the stump or Q)
Conveniently Austin came home with a baby tree from school courtesy of Arbor Day! He decided to name it Chip! So, now we have Chip planted in our backyard after the "tree servicing" crew had been here!
If you ever have a need for a "tree service" I know just the crew for you ;)
The weather this past weekend lent itself beautifully for more "tree servicing" to be done around the neighborhood. Needless to say, I tried to stay out of sight during this little red-neck event! I would hate for anyone to know what really goes on at my house :) Here's the "tree servicing" crew with a couple neighbor ladies checking out the action. They look real serious about this don't they? Please notice the poor little tree trunk that is left after lots of fun with a chainsaw - because apparently we needed wood for the firepit!
The process... (according to Austin you just need a few neighbors, a strong chain, and the neighbor's Land Cruiser) apparently a camera is also a necessity
The end result...
Look at that bad boy (you can decide if I mean the stump or Q)
Conveniently Austin came home with a baby tree from school courtesy of Arbor Day! He decided to name it Chip! So, now we have Chip planted in our backyard after the "tree servicing" crew had been here!
If you ever have a need for a "tree service" I know just the crew for you ;)
Saturday, May 1, 2010
May Day
Why is it that a mother, who has been so distracted with yucky work stress, can so easily forget that May 1st is that crazy day of running around delivering May baskets in hopes of not getting caught by the recipients but children NEVER forget? Hmmm...I wonder. As soon as Carter woke up this morning he wondered where the May baskets were.
"Excuse me? What May baskets?"
"You know, the one you were supposed to make and have ready for me right now!"
"Oh yeah, those May baskets." So, off to the store I went. $25 later with supplies in hand, baskets (term used loosely here) are made.
Both boys are completely excited running around the neighborhood, ringing doorbells and enjoying every moment of the chase that follows! Carter just came in and said, "This is the best May Day ever!" Needless to say, I see this being an all day event. I'm sure we'll be hoping in the van soon to deliver to friends who aren't in the neighborhood.
These sweet little boys of mine had no idea the wonderful distraction that have created for me today! Their excitement of living in the moment and enjoying life (smiling, giggling, anticipation - the good kind) are exactly what I needed this morning!
Happy May Day!
"Excuse me? What May baskets?"
"You know, the one you were supposed to make and have ready for me right now!"
"Oh yeah, those May baskets." So, off to the store I went. $25 later with supplies in hand, baskets (term used loosely here) are made.
Both boys are completely excited running around the neighborhood, ringing doorbells and enjoying every moment of the chase that follows! Carter just came in and said, "This is the best May Day ever!" Needless to say, I see this being an all day event. I'm sure we'll be hoping in the van soon to deliver to friends who aren't in the neighborhood.
These sweet little boys of mine had no idea the wonderful distraction that have created for me today! Their excitement of living in the moment and enjoying life (smiling, giggling, anticipation - the good kind) are exactly what I needed this morning!
Happy May Day!
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