T is for tea, t-ball and gymnastics???

Today I attended a tea party for mothers at Camden's school. He proudly gave me a corsage to wear that he had made. It was the cutest thing ever! He made it out of painted coffee filters with an egg carton shaped flower petal inside and then a tootsie pop in the middle. I was proud to wear it.



Here is a picture with my guy. He is always so silly!!!



Camden's class also made the food for us to eat. We dined on fruit, "pumpkin somethings" (pumpkin muffins) and "bugs in a blanket" (pigs in a blanket), lemonade and tea. It was a wonderful afternoon!


This is Camden's first time to play t-ball. He is excited. We are excited for him. It should be fun to watch.

Camden's gymnastics class had their parent show this week, and what a treat it was to watch him show off his stuff.



Doing a backward roll.



On the uneven bars. After this move, he stood on the bottom bar and jumped to the top bar!!!


Doing a flip on the rings.

Muay Thai?

what ever you wish to call it...

Dinner is over and well whatever the competition was,
it ended when the front two teeth got kicked smooth out




After much hysteria...
The blood stopped, I had him all calmed down.
I said "do you wanna go see?"

"yeah"


One look in the mirror as he started to look pretty concerned
(it does look a little messy at first)
I paused...
"CooooL, You look like a Hockey Player!"

He smiled, I do (excited) I need to learn how to ice skate
so I wont fall and hurt myself.

I think we averted concern about the missing teeth and, Oh yeah, the couple that are now loose on the bottom as a result of this as well.

He loves to tell the story, you will have to ask him.

We are happy he is OK. We hope we have learned something.


apologies for the slow updates as we just needed some time
in thought.

b

April showers

April has been a tough month for our family over the past several years. Along with wonderful events like birthdays and anniversaries, we have experienced stitches, diabetes, and the flu all last year. This year was no different, along with another E.R. trip for Camden we unexpectedly lost my grandfather. I know that he is singing those wonderful hymns in heaven with Jesus right now but it is still hard to say good-bye.

Here is our month in pictures.


We wrapped up the soccer season for both boys. Camden's team went undefeated with only giving up maybe 2 goals all season. Noah's team only lost one game all season and it was a close one. We are so proud of each of them.



I accompanied Noah's class on a field trip to the zoo. We had a lots of fun riding the monorail, seeing the animals and of course, the all-time favorite, riding on the school bus!


Noah is not real sure he wants the bird to land on him.



4 friends at the zoo.


Daddy and Camden joined us at the zoo, and had a great time as well.


As we were getting ready for a road trip, Camden decided to bite off the end of Brian's IPod and swallow the piece of hard plastic. After much debate as to actually he really did it, it was confirmed by Noah that he was "absolutely positive he swallowed it". So, with less than 3 hours till departure we made our way to the E.R. for x-rays. Two hours later we were released with instructions to find the nearest emergency room if he should exhibit X,Y or Z symptoms.

We made the 19 hour rode trip to Pennsylvania for my grandfather's memorial service last week. The drive couldn't have been more beautiful. All the trees were blooming and the wildlife (deer, birds, coyote, etc.) were fun to watch for. The boys were occupied on the drive with video games and movies and they couldn't have been happier. This was the first time in a long time that so many of mom's family were together. Here is a picture of most of the grandchildren (minus 2) and both great-grandchildren.





The service was beautiful!!! My cousin played "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes and another cousin sang so beautifully. The message was awesome and I pray that it touched those who haven't heard it before. It has been amazing to see God at work over the last 4 weeks in this difficult situation and to him I give all the glory!

We enjoyed the week at my grandmother's house playing soccer with the boys outside in the beautiful sunshine. We did many home-improvement projects and even visited the Carnegie Museum , where they have an extensive collection of dinosaur fossils. Our trip was topped off with a frozen custard from Young's and a candy run to Baldinger's.



After a whirlwind trip we came home to 15+ loads of laundry, no food a very dirty house, no sleep and a birthday party to pull off. Camden celebrated his 4th birthday in 7 different states and we sang to him just after crossing each state line. On Sunday he had a swimming party at the Allen Natatorium with his friends from church.

After two attempts, the beach ball cake was a hit with Camden.



Happy birthday big guy! There is never a dull moment with you. I love your silliness and your sense of humor one minute and that you can bashful and shy the next. I am in awe of your strength and stamina to keep going when most would collapse. I love that you march to the tune in your own head and nobody else's. You are kind and loving and still want to cuddle with Mommy. You have your own language. You love to play dress-up one minute and shoot em up the next. Pink was your favorite color part of the year and no one dared argue with you! You are a gift from God and I treasure watching you to see how he is working in your life. I love you!!!

Going to the chapel...

I was asked to make a wedding cake for a friends pre-school, because the letters Q & U are getting married today. What a cute idea, I had never heard of such a thing! This is my first "wedding" cake. Enjoy!

Out of the mouth of babes

Last night: Asking Camden what he wants for dessert.



"Camden, what are you going to have?"

Camden: "Beer."

"Beer?" (what, where did that come from????)

"Yes, beer Mom! Ya know the stuff you drink."

(Again, what!?!?!?!, I don't drink beer)

"Yeah, you know, that brown stuff you like to drink" (He's getting a little ticked with me that I am not included in this knowledge of information)

"hummmmm,,,,, o.k." (I'm really starting to worry that something isn't quite right here)

at last:

Noah: " he's talking about root beer"

Hallelujah, someone knows whats going on!!!

Feeling better

It took quite a while to get back this state above, but we are soooo glad Noah is feeling better. Noah missed all but one day of school last week and ended up with an ear infection on top of his virus. It was tough seeing him so weak and lethargic, but he is making up for his lost weight this week with some healthy eating. I'm not sure that he will ever want to eat his Easter candy again and Camden is o.k with that (wink!)

We had a fun weekend watching both boys play soccer. We also enjoyed visiting with Great-grandparents and Aunt Wendy.

A different note: Brian and I watched "No Country for Old Men" last night and I have to say that it is a great movie that I hated every minute of!!!! I can see how it was awarded so many awards but it is a very disturbing, horrific movie. I could not wait for it to be over but at the same time I was riveted to my seat to see what happened next. Have you seen it? What did you think.

Thanks for the Easter bucket... it came in handy!

Noah is down with the stomach virus, YUCK!!!! He hasn't quite felt well since Thursday and on Sunday night the puking began. We send out a very heartfelt "Thank you" to Aunt Tiffany, Uncle Mark and Aunt Tish for the Easter buckets, they have come in handy the past two days!!! This is a nasty little virus that has produced some odd symptoms. His eyes are half red from the pupils to the bottom of his eye, his tongue is white, his checks are so red, the Dr. asked if he was sunburned! Fever, headache and of course the projectile stomach emptying. I pray it ends soon and doesn't get passed around.

I am off to do a mound of laundry and disinfect the house. I will leave you with the only picture taken of the boys in their Easter clothes. Enjoy!

Info on the Road

Mom was working this week and Dad was the driver around town with the kids. I never knew the conversations were so off the cuff in the car. They all seemed to come from out of nowhere.
#1 Dad, you are a great driver.
(Dad) why do you say that Camden?
(Camden) Thats cause you dont make the car hit any of the sides of the road.
(dad wondering) mommys driving?
(noah) Yeah.. sometimes when mommy turns she cant see the curb, so I tell her if she is going to hit it.
(dad) do you hit curbs ?
noah& Camden) yeah!
(mommy says this story was embellished by the kids... a little)

#2
Camden: I want to be a policeman, a firemen, a spaceman, and a race car Driver!
Dad: Those are all dangerous, Why do you want to be a race car driver
C: Thats cause Noah want to be a race car driver and I want to run him off the road!
D: discusses the dangers of real race car driving...Why do you want to be a policeman?
C: Thats cause.. they take people to jail and I dont want to ever go to jail. (this is a real concern for him)
D: policemen can go to jail cant they?
C: no.
Daddy: why do you want to be a fireman?
C: Because I am good at that.

Daddy: Noah? why do you want to be a space man?
Noah: I want to be the first person to see ALL of the planets.
D: I think if you got too close to Mercury, you would melt.
...silence...
Noah: (hesitantly) Lets.. just X that one off the list, I dont want to do that any more.
D: and.. if you ever get to Pluto, you would probably be an ice cube
N: That is because it is so far away from the sun...OK no space man for me:


#3
Camden: I saw the first time someone honked their horn at Mommy
Daddy: What???
C: someone honked at mommy, thats cause
(this is where the story became a little confusing)
thats cause mommy was blocking the ally and someone honked at her.
D: do people honk at you often?
C: no just once
Daddy... thinks he is missing some exciting times in the car.

We had a great week off this week
Starbucks
Science and Nature Bldg
JG's
Bowling
lots of soccer
KrispyKreme
Swimming
Easter egg party and hunt
Movie (horton)
chicfilA
hanging with Grandparents
hanging with GreatGrandParents
Hanging with Aunts tish,Tiffany &UncleMark

Cakes this week

Tag... you're it.

I need to list 7 random things that many of you out in blogland may not know about me. This is for you "Blue Eyes". It has taken me forever to come up with 7 things, because let's face it... I am boring!!!

1. I am not fond of LARGE groups of people. I was painfully shy as a child and still take a really long time to warm up to people. So, if you put me in a large group, I just want to dig a hole and crawl in.

2. I am public enemy number one of the vacuum cleaner. There hasn't been a vacuum cleaner that has survived my use. I don't stop for anything, I just vacuum right over it...that may have something to do with the quick demise, huh?

3. I am gullible. I believe most everything you tell me. Case in point... the wall-stretcher incident. If you haven't read about it, you must click here and revisit my pain.

4. I am not fond of SMALL groups of people either. I do not like to be singled out and put on the spot. It is one thing for me to step out of my box, but when I am thrust out I am not a happy girl!!!

5. I am still wearing the toenail polish from my last pedicure in August. Yeah, I neglect my feet.

6. On the topic of feet, I don't wash my legs or feet. I just assume they are clean when all the soapy water flows down them from the top of my body. Yep, you wanted to know these things, so stop thinking "that is gross".

7. I have never had a cavity and the only dental work of any consequence that I have had done is having my wisdom teeth removed and an implant to replace a baby tooth that I had for almost 30 years.

And one for good measure:

8. Once when eating french fries, I was caught off guard and started laughing so hard that I inhaled my fry up the back of my throat and into my nasal cavity! It burned like the dickens, but I kept on laughing.

So there you have it. You be the judge, not to exciting huh?

a challenge

I have to brag on her.
The latest cake to come from the cake maker.
the request:
a Mavericks cake

we had all kinds of cool ideas.
We decided to throw out caution and make a full scale basketball.
with a way too intricate logo on one side and name/age on the other ( in the appropriate font of course).
The best thing is: I could not do the parts she does and she is OK with me
carving and drawing. It is almost peaceful. Waiting until the finished product is out of the house is a little scary with 2 ..no 3 boys that live in the fridge.
Its all really cool (I think)

Weekend Round-up

We participated in Noah's schools family fitness night on Thurs. The kids had a great time hula-hooping, jump roping, climbing the rock wall, and playing golf and ping-pong.



Saturday, brought the start of the soccer season for each of the boys. Noah's team played great and held the opposing team scoreless. There is much debate at our house regarding a goal that Noah scored (or didn't score), we shall never know. We are proud of him for giving it his all.

Camden had a rip-roaring time at his game and scored pretty quickly at the beginning of the game as well. His team won handily, giving up only one goal. His games, like last year, will be a treat to watch. You never know what he is going to do on the field.


After soccer, Brian did a little back-yard tree trimming and the boys helped remove the limbs.


After the boys would move the limbs to a neat pile, Gracie would then move them back all over the yard. It was a never ending battle!!! Oh well, everyone had a good time!



Finally, I just thought you might like to see a cake I created for a special boy for his birthday party on Sunday. Happy birthday H!!!

Please pray

My friend of 22 years, Jennifer, is having surgery on her lung this morning to remove the poison that has filled and surrounded her lung since her appendix ruptured over two weeks ago. Please lift her up in prayer, this is a very painful surgery and recovery. She will be in ICU for several days and if all goes well in the hospital for at least 7 to 10 days.

District Science Fair

Noah represented his schools Kindergarten on Saturday at the District Science Fair. He took home an honorable mention for his project "The Energizer". His Principal was on hand to award and congratulate him.

He also accepted a trophy for his school, along with the Principal and fellow students, for having the most participants in the Science fair. He was so excited that his school got the "really big trophy".


Here is Noah in front of his project at the District competition. Way to go Noah, we are so proud of all of your hard work!

My Valentine's

Happy Valentine's Day

The boys were treated with heart-shaped Krispy Kreme doughnuts and milk in their Valentine cups for breakfast. Three "Valentine" race cars were also waiting for them when they got up this morning. They are both looking forward to their school Valentine parties later today.

Valentine cake that I made for a co-worker.



Cute Valentine cookie pops that were lots of fun to make.

Never show a weakness

Never tired...So he says. Straight from full out "GO" to out like a light. Where do they get the drive to go when everything in their body must say "sleep"?

Prayer Request

Yesterday in Texas we experienced a front move through that brought rain, very strong winds and lightning. Lightning struck a house across the street from my husband's work and due to the strong winds, the house burned and is a complete loss. The owner of the home was the Vice-principal at my husband's school, she had been home sick yesterday and was able to get herself and her pets out of the house and to safety. Praise the Lord that everyone is alright physically but please pray for the emotional and spiritual toll this is going to have on this family as they try to recover from this loss.

I am waiting to hear how we can help and will post more as I know.

Balmy & 82 degrees in February

Only in Texas!!

What a wonderful warm day we had yesterday. The kids and I got out and rode bikes and scooters around the neighborhood. Brian and I received bikes for Christmas because it was getting difficult to keep up walking when the kids rode their bikes. It has been many, many years since I have been on a bicycle and I will admit to a few crashes in the last week. It has been fun riding and I know we will be doing it a lot more.

I started back to my exercise class yesterday after being away since early December. Four and half weeks of illness followed by a pulled lumbar muscle have prevented me from getting back any earlier. I can honestly say that I missed exercising, which is a surprise for me seeing how I am not usually the "sweatin" kind.

I have met my first goal of losing a little over ten pounds since September and am working on my next ten pound goal. I am taking the weight loss slow and will hopefully be successful with keeping it off for a long, long time! I think it has finally clicked that it is a lifestyle change and needs to be permanent. That doesn't take away the fact that I still crave food that I shouldn't but as I get used to eating healthier, those cravings are getting less and less.

We have a pretty uneventful week ahead and I am looking forward to it. Soon, spring will be here and we will be in high gear with little down time.

Have a great week!