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!
Camden has been a clothes-horse lately and is driving me nuts with all of his outfits changes! This has carried over into his Halloween costume as well. He can't decide what he wants to be. So, after his party at school he came home and dressed up as Captain Feathersword for the rest of the day. What will he be on Halloween??
Camden had his Halloween parade and party yesterday at school. He made a bat hat and dressed as Diego. Everyone looked so adorable in their costumes.
This is our front porch decorated. The kids loved hanging the spider web and stuffing the scarecrow.
If you look closely, my "Happy Fall Y'all" pumpkin is indecent to say the least. Her sign has fallen off the dowels located in the middle of her chest and she is in need of quick repair (or a brazier).
Trunk or Treat at our church. Brian won first prize with his entry "Be a straight shooter with God". I don't have a picture but you shot the water gun at the head of a scarecrow, which was a carved pumpkin and you had to shoot out the candles in the eyes and nose of the pumpkin. Way to go Brian!!!
Carving the pumpkin.
Happy Birthday to Brian!!! Brian had to work all day Saturday on his birthday so we went out to celebrate Sunday after Noah's soccer game. The above picture is what happens when you have had to much sugar and the dessert menu on the table looks like a toy (or hat).
Camden has been taking gymnastics for about a month now. He has learned how to do a forward and back roll. He loves jumping on the different trampolines and swinging from the trapeze into the block pit. The bars are a bit of a challenge but he is working hard at getting his feet to hang on to the bar with his hands. In this picture he is doing his "Ta-dah", getting ready to go into a forward roll.
I should have posted this picture first. Noah had two soccer games this past weekend and he put on quite a show. He scored his first ever goal for the season and then went on to score 2 more. Saturday's game was a treat to watch. Both teams were aggressive and there was a lot of really good soccer being played. Noah's team ended up winning the game 5-3. Sunday's game was quite different. Only 6 players showed up for Noah's team. Seven players are allowed on the field at one time. You do the math... Noah and his 5 other buds played the entire game and were one man short. Noah scored the only goal for his team and his goalie did a great job of protecting his goal. The did not win, but they gave it a great effort and never gave up!
Camden also had a game this weekend and scored at least 5 goals, 3 for his own team. Since the 3rd game of the season, he has not been "a wild man" on the field. He has been more interested in everyone clothes or the fire ant mounds or the garbage truck that comes by during his game, or what not. This weekend he was more focused and was fun to watch. His coach has asked Camden to play winter indoor soccer and we will oblige and see what happens.
That's about it folks... the weekend again is filled with soccer games and trophy presentations, a funeral to attend and our first ever Parent-Teacher conference tomorrow at Noah's school.
Hope you have a good one.
Sorry!
Here is what we have been up to the last 6 days...
power-washing the fence
staining the inside of the fence
saving $$$$ to buy more stain for the outside of the fence
mowing the lawn
cleaning dog poop off the kids shoes daily!
picking up dog poop because I am tired of cleaning shoes!
baking Halloween cookies
exercising
working
cleaning
soccer games
visiting with relatives from out of town
being the ultimate taxi-cab driver for my kids
enjoying the state fair with two nap-less kids!!!! We are still surviving from this one.
Will post pictures of the fair just as soon as I can figure out how to do a slide-show.
Noah has a group of friends that he likes to hang out with at school. They play together at recess and socialize at lunch. Noah's favorite thing to do at recess is to chase the girls or be chased by the girls. It's as simple as that he loves to run. Well, chasing girls has taken on a new meaning. One little girl, Muri (that is how Noah spells it, it is pronounced Moor-a, don't know the true spelling) appears to have a little crush on Noah. I know it is only kindergarten, but when I think back I was madly in love with Stuart Usher in the 1st grade. Oops, I digressed. Yesterday after school Noah sat down and was doing "crafts". He came to me (with papers behind his back) and asked for an envelope. I asked him what for and he said he wanted to give Muri something. Ok, lets see.... he had three pieces of paper with his phonic spelling asking her what she was going to be for Halloween and one that said Trick or Treat. The third is posted below.
When I asked him what the Yes and No with a line drawn across meant, he said so she can circle one and answer if she likes me, mom. Of course she likes you, you are friends... oops, wrong kind of like.
Who was your first crush and at what age?
If you were driving in the North Richardson area this afternoon and saw a grown woman chasing after a 5 year boy, tackling him, throwing him over her shoulder and marching off to the building behind her... that was me!
You see, Noah found out in the car ride to the Ped's office that he was going to get a flu shot. He had to be told that way because he was going to be one unhappy camper! Sure enough, after I stopped and turned off the car he bolted from the car into the field next to the Dr.'s office. (So much for turning the child safety locks off so he could get out of the car on his own at school) I quickly bolted in the Ped's office, dropped off Camden and said to the receptionist "This is going to be fun". Oh, the look on her face was priceless.
Off I went chasing Noah around the field and finally nabbing him. Back into the office we went with him WAILING AND SCREAMING at the top of his lungs. I hog-tied him in my lap while the nurse took her sweet time getting the shot ready. Meantime, Camden just has to mention to Noah that he didn't even cry during his flu shot. (More WAILING AND SCREAMING) The deed was done and I looked over at the Recp't. and again her face was priceless with a little bit of a stifled laughed mixed in. He received a lolly pop and sticker and while I was talking to the nurse he bolted again out the door. (still WAILING AND SCREAMING) Maybe he thought he wasn't going to stick around to see if there was more to come. I don't know.
After yelling my good-byes as I was running out the door to my 2nd foot race of the afternoon, I overheard the receptionist say "We haven't had this much excitement in a long time". I responded with, "I can bring them everyday if you would like."
Always a moment!
Student: "Mr. Hxxxxx, how did you pick your wife?"
Brian: "I won her on Ebay".
Thanks honey for telling me, now I will know why they all look at me strange when I come to visit you at school.
So much for my blog on Friday regarding our good health. Today Camden woke up with the "croupy" cough. After a trip to the Dr. it was determined it wasn't croup but a sinus infection and we were good to go. Or were we? You see, tonight he spiked a fever and I don't know if he is having a reaction to the flu shot or something else is going on. He started an antibiotic, so we will wait and see.
Camden was a little off with his dressing today as well. He decided to wear Camo overalls with Halloween pumpkin socks and then topped it off with his black church dress shoes. Could it get worse, yes...
Just before he came down with the fever, he was wearing his unusual ensemble except he has baseball shoes on now while playing soccer with a basketball. His dad would be so proud! Speaking of his dad, here is a picture after the 50 pound weight loss...
Looking good honey, except for the women's sandals you are wearing. Now I see where Camden gets his dressing influences from.
The only one of us who was right on today was Noah on the bball court. He has taken up shooting baskets in the evening and talks about playing with Daddy and "the guys" when he gets older. I have no doubt that will happen sooner rather than later.
Have a great evening!
We are doing quite good health wise for being in the full swing of allergy season. Both boys have had the occasional stuffy nose, but so far we have managed to avoid any croup or Respiratory illnesses that are going around. Praise God!!!
Since Brian was diagnosed in April with diabetes, he has lost a total of 50 pounds! He looks amazing and feels even better. We have changed the way we eat and we both have more energy. His levels have been good, which is a good thing since he took himself off the medication (we won't go there, long story) and probably won't go on them again unless it is an emergency.
Since starting my exercise class 3 weeks ago, I have lost 3.5 pounds and feel stronger than I have in years. I am still looking forward to going 3-times a week and will ride this high as long as I can. I did pull my hamstring muscle on Monday but is is starting to feel pretty good today. I am on my way to my first goal of losing 10 pounds and am excited!
Camden had a follow-up appt. about the lump on his knee. It has not changed in 3 months which we were happy to hear. We will continue to watch for any changes and follow-up in 6 months.
On a different note....
Last night at Noah's school they had a Book Fair Blizzard that we attended. The kids wore their P.J.'s and took their favorite stuffed animal and then sat and listened to the teachers read them bed-time stories. While they listened, Mom & Dad went shopping at the Book fair. We pretty much bought what was on Noah's wish list, with a surprise waiting for his birthday or Christmas. Afterwards, there were book characters dressed up in costume and snow cones to enjoy outside. We had a nice time and both boys are already looking forward to it next year.
Have a great weekend!
b here
Water Park on Saturday, the "spray ground" ya know.
great time and lots of fun.. stories.
Everyone is having such a good time and I think to myself, my kids are both going to have to use the bathroom. (Looking around) Uh oh..
Thinking, ... I wont say anything and hope for the best.
About a minute later I hear "I need to use the bathroom", followed by"...Me too".
Lets go I say. Being resourceful I think, "I can handle this, and maybe even be discreet".
We go to the nearby school, AH-HA! Drains from the roof. Sure enough a small drain funnels into a big drain at the ground. It has to do. Job done.. I think;
Lots of fun later, minutes anyway I get, "daddy, I need to make stinkies". I'm like, home we go, sorry, not doing that into the drain pipe. I am wrapping up and I find out we have a portable "potty in a bag". Yes!, problem averted. This was a great idea, I'm excited. Off we go to the school. To the school... there was a little patio that was protected. I set up the potty, of course Camden says Look, a "baby potty". I tell them, No it is just portable so you can go wherever you are. It has a cool bag to stay clean. It is sweet! They did not buy it, Noah sat down for one second and miraculously did not have to go. Back to the fun. What, 15 minutes later, they both run over, "I really have to go tinkle, really bad!" Did I mention the sweet game of treasure hunt the kids were playing, prior to the near catastrophe. All these kids in a giant group looking around the place. We will get back to that. We run back to the school.
I tell Noah to just run over and we will catch up to him. Just as I shouted to Noah that he did not need to take his pants all the way off (?), he is standing there naked peeing on a pole |-() (in case you cant otherwise picture this site) Here comes the treasure hunters! the treasure is apparently closer to the school than what I was planning. (by this time I am just about dying)
I tell Camden to just go and tinkle.
He does, all before he gets his shorts down.
I throw up my hands to give in.
I tell Camden to go play in the splash park and "rinse off"... no one will ever know!
Oh yeah, we did finally have to drive to a tire shop to use the restroom.
These kids could not have asked for a better time.
We got home and the first thing Noah said about the day was (... suspense...)
Mommy there was a house for sale right by the park. (he was then asked) "would it be cool to live that close to a water park?" (he answers) "no, because we would not be close enough to Courtney.
Oh my how I can complicate such a simple life.
I love them like crazy!
