Class Celebration

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRAVIS!

I was able to take a special snack for Travis' class today in celebration of his birthday. At first we were going to do cupcakes, but yesterday he decided that a cookie cake would be much more awesome! So I, striving to be awesome whenever possible, got a cookie cake!

His sweet little first grade class...

When I told Travis that Cole would be with me when I came to school, he asked, "Have you considered getting a sitter?" Not necessary! Cole was sooooo good. He just sat quietly at the back of the class and enjoyed his cookie slice.

Happy Birthday, sweet boy!

Feeling Nostalgic...

As we prepare for Travis' 7th birthday party this weekend, I'm feeling more than a little nostalgic. Seven! How can that be? The proof is here in the pictures...

The orginal birth day...five weeks early and followed by 13 days in the NICU. This picture doesn't convey how tiny he actually was...he could fit in the crook of our arms.

ONE!

We celebrated with family and a "cowboy" theme party.

TWO!

Obsessed with Bob the Builder, we had a construction themed party at home and celebrated with family.

THREE!

We were all into Thomas the Train and celebrated with friends at the park with a trackless train ride and three 3D train cakes--Thomas, Percy & James.

FOUR!

And Rescue Heroes were the choice of theme. Of course, we were a little behind the times and Mommy had to search Ebay for Rescue Heroes partyware...but I got it in time!

FIVE!

We had a Mad Science party at our house! A real scientist came and did all kinds of kooky experiments in our living room.

SIX!

Transformers mania!

A bouncy house in the backyard and playtime at the playscape and the new fort provided enough outside fun that the house was spared!

And now...SEVEN!

Coming soon...a Pokemon party!

Backyard Campout

The boys have been wanting to camp out for a while now. Finally our schedules and the weather lined up and tonight was the perfect night! They set up camp between the playscape and the woods and we had and built what Cole called a "huge fire."

You can't have a campout without marshmallows and Cole ate his share for sure!
I taught them how to make S'mores and when Cole saw the cooked marshmallow squish on the chocolate he said, "That's beautiful!" A kid after my own heart! As you can tell by his face, he enjoyed his tremendously!
My three "Happy Campers!"
The sleeping arrangements were under debate--on Shayne's Christmas list is a family sized tent. Oh boy!
You may wonder how I'm blogging about this so soon...I snuck inside to sleep in the comfort of my own bed about 8:30 p.m. Yes, it's good to be the Mommy!

Friday Night Lights

Shayne wanted to see Hutto play Lake Travis on Friday night because LT's quaterback will be playing for the University of Texas next year. It turns out the Hanens were going to the game too, so we had someone to sit with and the boys had friends to play with. Shayne took the older boys into the bleachers, but it was so crowded, the rest of us sat in lawn chairs by the end zone with the little ones. Three trips to the concession stand and four trips to the bathroom later, we think we made the wise choice! Here are some cute pics I got of Cole and his friend Madeline at the game...

First Grade Field Trip

Travis' class had their first field trip on Friday. We drove down to the Science and Nature Center and learned all about bats and arthopods! I'm so impressed by lots of things at the new school, but mostly by parental involvement. The trip was completely planned and executed by the home room moms. And of the 21 kids in the two first grade classes, we had 9 parents chaperone in addition to the two teachers. That's pretty amazing. When I asked Travis if he was glad I was there he said, "Yes. And now you don't have to ask me a million questions about what we did all day!" Not quite the answer I'd hope for, but I'll take it!

The two first grade classes. Travis is standing fourth from the left. Shortly after the group photo was taken, he pointed out to me that all the other boys had their shirts untucked and I always worry too much about stuff like that--so out it came!

A few cool photos from the room where we waited for our classes to begin...

Travis and his partner viewing a live, sleeping bat in the cage.

And amateur entamologists on a hunt for real life arthopods.

My little rule follower telling me I was breaking the silence by asking him to "Say cheese!"

A new look--again!

Well, I had the whole day at home today and decided I was sick of the polkadots and it was time to do something about it. The struggle here is finding something that's a good balance between masculine (the three men) and pretty (the mommy). So I like this blue and khaki one for now...what do you think?

First Grade Recitation

Occasionally at Travis' school, the classes will have a recitation to perform during the weekly outdoor chapel service. Most often, it's a Bible passage, but can also be other literature. This morning the first grade recited the poem, The Swing, by Robert Louis Stevenson. As Travis explained it to me, "You ever heard of Treasure Island? Same guy."

All lined up and ready to go!

I took a video of the recitation and intended to post it, but I guess it's too large to upload. You'll have to trust me that he was amazing!

These Boots Were Made for Wearing!

Cole got these boots for his birthday in July and hasn't had a chance to wear them because it's been too hot for jeans. But today, he decided he's waited long enough! He put them on with his shorts and said, "And now I will wear my black boots!" And this is the look he sported tonight as we took Travis to karate. And I think he looked great!

Lip Injury Update

After the initial trauma wore off, he was more than happy to pose for some pictures. I think he kind of likes the attention. Travis barely got the car open after school before he said, "Guess what Travis! I hurted my lip!" Was Travis concerned? He was definitely disappointed he missed all the excitement. But concerned? Not tremendously. Travis did search for blood on the furniture and carpet with all the enthusiasm of a crime scene investigator however. There was none to be found--Cole's shirt soaked it all up. Here's to a less eventful day tomorrow!!!

Cole's first ER trip

While playing "ghost" with a blanket over his head, Cole took a tumble into the coffee table and busted his bottom lip pretty badly. Three year old lips bleed A LOT! So we took off for the ER and Shayne met us there. Luckily, no stiches were needed inside or out. The outside cut was glued back together and hopefully will heal quickly. He wouldn't let me get in close enough for a good shot of the injury, but as you can tell it's very small--about a centimeter. And he got an orange popsicle from the nurse for his troubles! He can't wait to show off his hospital bracelet when Travis gets home from school.

First Soccer Game

Go Jedi!

Travis is #4

Speed Racer

I bought the boys a DVD of the original Speed Racer cartoons. Cole has become completely obsessed. He dug out these old goggles from a swim bag and now puts them on while he rides his scooter at a breakneck pace on the driveway. Thank goodness Shayne figured out that he was trying to be Speed Racer! I was worried because I just thought he was really weird. Watching a goggle-clad Cole scoot around screaming, "Go! Speed Racer. Go!" is just plain funny! This kid cracks us up!!!

Soccer Practice

Shayne took Travis to his first few soccer practices, but last night I finally got to attend one and get a few pictures. His first game is Saturday, so I'll get more action shots!

He kicked the ball so fast it flew out of the picture!


Ahhhhhhhh...Gatorade!

What's up with us...

Wow! Ten days since my last post! No excuses, but we've been really busy getting into the routine of school, homework, and after school activities. Travis started soccer and is continuing karate. He is enjoying school, but it's a completely different culture than Kindergarten, so it's taking some getting used to! Cole is loving preschool three days a week. But with two kids in two different schools I feel like I'm driving all the time! That new car is racking up the miles already.

Also, I've been really busy with the beginning of the semester for the Ministry of Motherhood (M.O.M.) of which I'm the co-leader for this year. We've got a blog of our own at http://www.theministryofmotherhood.blogspot.com/ If you have some time, check it out. It's a really great group of women and I'm so honored and thankful to be a part of it.

I'll do my best to be a more dedicated blogger. Here are a couple of random photos since I haven't posted any of the boys in a week or two...

We're all thankful for the cooler weather!

Travis was glad he got to sport his new "hoodie" to school--an approved outerwear item to his uniform.

Poor Shayne! Cole put on these boxing gloves last night and went looking for his Daddy to "wrestle for a little bit!" A nightly activity for all the boys in my house!

A New Car!

We picked up the new family car on Friday afternoon. We're now the proud owners of a Ford Edge! The boys and I drove it around all weekend and we all LOVE it! It's nice to have something smaller and I know we'll love the savings in gas mileage. We'd had the Expedition since Travis was 2! It served us well, but it is definitely time for it to go.

Our Preschooler

My School Boys!

Today was Cole's first day of 3K. Getting two boys up and ready for the day was more challenging than I expected. I'm a bit out of practice. But we all made it in time to pause and take a picture on the way to the car.
Our traditional pictures by the little statue in the courtyard...

And on the fountain steps...

There he goes...

Already hard at work playing...

Our First Grader

Here's Travis on the first day of First Grade at a brand new school. As he spouted very hurriedly in the video below, he was "both nervous and excited."

I think he looked so handsome in his uniform.

At his desk--front and center!

One more quick "I love you!" and I was out the door.

A new adventure has begun!

An Afternoon at the Ballpark

We had some free tickets for the last Express game of the year, so we headed out to the ballgame today. As usual, we saw very little baseball and quite a lot of the KidZone and refreshment counter. But we had a great time...

Waiting patiently to get harnessed in to the Bungee Jump.

An ICEE always hits the spot on a hot day!

BOING! BOING! Travis on the Bungee Jump.

Cole showing off his pitching arm!

Mmmmmmmm...Dippin' Dots!