Last night before bed, Noah read Camden and I the story "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". It was a total role reversal from the days I would read to him. It has been amazing watching him learn to read. He has picked up reading very quickly and has very little trouble with even big difficult words. We are so proud of him!
Brian and I do not remember learning to read. Do you?
For Noah's 6th birthday party we went to the Heard Museum to see the life-size animatronic dinosaurs. We walked along a 1/2 mile trail and saw about 12 dinosaurs. The weather was awesome with the temperature in the 80's that afternoon.
A group picture beneath T-Rex.
The look on Camden's face is price-less in this picture as he waits to see what the dinosaur is going to do. Noah, Colin, Tate and Aayush all know that it is going to spit water on them and they can't wait!
Noah blowing out his candle on the cake Mommy made for him.
Noah opening presents and Camden waiting patiently for the right time to "borrow" one of the "prizes" for a while.
Noah on his new scooter.
Dear Noah,
I can't believe how big you have gotten in such a short time. You amaze me with how fast you can run and how strong you have become. I am so proud of how well you are doing in school and am often left speechless when I watch you read and re-tell what you have learned that day. You are a very compassionate, helpful and loving young man. You are such a wonderful big brother to Camden and I love how you make sure he is always included in what you are doing. My heart fills with joy when I hear you talking to God and asking questions so that you can get closer to knowing him. I love you so much!!!
Happy birthday big guy!!!
Love,
Mommy
Noah celebrated his birthday at school last Thursday with juice boxes and dinosaur cookies that Mommy had made for his friends. He was soooo excited when he got to stand on a chair ( a total no-no any other time) and have his friends sing Happy Birthday to him.
Today, I had the pleasure along with my dad, of joining Camden at his schools Thanksgiving dinner. The teachers provide the turkey and the parents bring the sides. This year I took a pumpkin cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory and it was delicous! Camden made his placemat and Indian headband along with a noodle necklace. It was a wonderful time to sit down as a family and with other families at his school.
My wild Indian...
Yesterday, both kids were home sick with sinus infections. They have been brewing and building in intensity for several weeks and I finally decided to take them to the doctor. Noah had kept us up Sunday night coughing and I was starting to worry that this was the beginning of "asthma season" for him. To my surprise, Noah sounded clear and open and Camden was the one doing the wheezing. So, the Nebulizer a.k.a. the cloud machine, is running at our house several times a day for a few days. They are both starting to feel better with antibiotics running through their systems.
While at the doctor's office, I asked if there was a shelf life for Nebulizers because ours smelled like it was going to burst into flames at any moment when running. So, now we are the proud owner (with a large price tag) of a new, much quieter cloud machine. YEAH!!!
It was nice to just be lazy yesterday and watch movies and cuddle with my boys. One of those days that I will cherish.
Please keep one of Brian's students in your prayers. Her name is Meera and she is a 6th grader who has been at Children's the past five weeks on a ventilator due to a condition she has struggled with all her life. This past weekend plans were being formulated to fly her by Air Force or other military aircraft to New York sometime during the middle of this week so she can be put on a list for a heart-double lung transplant. Please pray that she will be strong enough to make the flight and then be a candidate for this surgery. Please pray God's will will be done in this situation.
Fall soccer is officially over. Friday, Camden had his end of season party at McDonald's. His team was the first ever undefeated team for his coach in 12 years! The kids played great and most importantly had fun.
Saturday, Noah had his end of season party at his coaches house. The kids had a great time playing in the back yard, eating pizza and cookie cake. We are proud of how much he has grown in his skills as a player. Way to go Noah!!!
Yeah!!!! We have finally completed the fence project we started 3 months ago. After I finished power-washing, Brian stained the old fence and it looks as good as new. My new project is stripping the wall-paper off the hall bathroom walls and then texturing and painting. Who knows how long this project will take. It is difficult to get much done with constant interruptions.
What a beautiful day that we had in Texas for Halloween! The weather was in the 80's and high 60's for trick or treating. We started the day off with pumpkin shaped pancakes and finished with pumpkin pizzas for dinner.
Camden finally decided that he was going to Captain Feathersword for Halloween. Whew, glad that decision is over. We met up with my brother and sister-in-law at their friends house and went trick-or-treating in their neighborhood. The kids sat down and decorated their own candy apples with lots of good treats like, Reece Pieces, chocolate chips, almond slivers, butterscotch candy and peanut butter/chocolate chips. 
After decorating apples and picture taking we headed out with a total of 5 families and started running for candy. The boys ran as fast they could to every house. It was tough keeping up with them. Camden, who had to wear his eye patch, couldn't see where he was going. He would trip over small trees, miss the steps on the porch or just trip over the grass trying to run as fast as he could. Each time, the bucket of candy would be spilled everywhere. He would get up and we would start this process at the next house. Today, he is covered in scrapes and bruises. He is not complaining, he had a great time!!!
Here is daddy, I mean Handy Manny helping Camden with his candy bucket.
Noah is studying his apple, trying to get his pattern of chips just right.
When it was all over, the kids put on their spider Halloween jammies and counted their loot. 82 pieces in all for each of them. With in minutes of their heads hitting their pillows, they were sound asleep. Happy Halloween everyone!
