What's new....

We got flocked! The kids were thrilled to have the flock for a night and a day. The Woodridge carnival is not too far away!


Hunter was student of the week and had Bevo home with him all week long. Hook 'em Bevo! Hey, how about those Baylor Bears??


Family campout at SACC! Always a great fun night!


Zoo dates with friends....and birds!


Fire soccer is in full force now! Fun to watch these boys play.





Blake had a special guest at his Blue Gator soccer game. He's having a great season so far. A couple of goals the first and second games and one at the most recent. Not that he cares at all....he's having fun no matter what!


My boys at the soccer fields. Great way to start a weekend!



Celebrating Uncle Blake's birthday!


Fun at Grimaldi's!


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Dominos

The dreaded strep throat has descended upon this household and is taking us down like dominos! Saturday after soccer games, Emily seemed to be running a temperature. She briefly mentioned her mouth hurting and napped a little that afternoon. Chris stayed home with her that evening and I took the boys with me to some of our good friends' house for dinner. On Sunday, she went to church with Chris and I and laid on me the entire time- so not like Emily. So, Monday, I realized I had a sore throat and was feeling crummy myself so I took both of us in to see the doctor. Lo and behold- strep throat! This is my 4th time I think in the last 11 months. Not fun at all! I got a shot then and there and am on antibiotics and Emily got on some antibiotics. Tuesday we laid low here at the house. Her throat was really causing her discomfort, so I called the doctor and he prescribed some Tylenol with codeine. It has helped a little.
E and I lounging with strep throat:


Now, sweet Blake has had a fever since the early morning hours of Wednesday (today) and off and on all day. I took him in and he too has strep. Even without tonsils he has strep. The good thing was that his ears looked clear and I am thankful. We went to see a wonderfully regarded homeopath two weeks ago and started Blake on some new things for ear fluid, reducing sugar intake and milk and overall health. He's been an awesome sport so far with the changes we have made and the supplements we have added in.

Our countertop medicine store:


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A few of the firsts

First Days of School are so exciting! It's one part nervousness and three parts excitement for the new adventure ahead. I cannot believe Hunter is in 2nd grade. He's adjusted so well to the school year and is loving school so far. I am so proud of him!

Just a look back at a few firsts....The 1st Day of Mother's Day out in the Older Two's Class (2008)

 The 1st Day of Preschool (2009)

The 1st Day of School Kindergarten 2011

The 1st Day of 2nd grade 2013

Things worth remembering

Today was the first day of school for Hunter. It's always a little bittersweet saying goodbye to summer and hello to the structure of school days, early morning wake ups, packing lunches and checking backpacks. I relish these early years of little homework and still lots of after school playtime. I know it will not always be this simple. And yet it's already shaping up to be a busy fall. Hunter has been in full swing soccer mode for the last 3 weeks- twice a week practices. Blake is gearing up to start his season soon. Fall ball registrations are out. Emily starts her first gymnastics class this week....I think I'm ready for a vacation!



We baked the annual First Day of School cake- shaped like a 2 this year. We took the annual First Day picture in front of the fireplace like we have done since he was 2 1/2 and headed to preschool. We prayed over his day- praying God would be ever near and that he would be a friend to all.



His report on the walk home was that today was a 10 out of 10- I call that a win!

So now, as mom's do, I am lying awake in Blake's bed. The last 2 hours he's been dealing with the dreaded tummy bug. Ick. I thought the statute of limitations was good on this- Hunter had it nearly a week ago and was only sick one time with it. Poor little Blake hasn't been so lucky.

So here we are, one day down, stricken with a bug. As if the emotional exhaustion from the first day wasn't enough, now I get to add a half nights sleep loss to it. Oh well- it's nights like this my baby boy needs his mommy.

On a separate note, I have loved watching the friendship between Blake and Emily over this summer. I describe them as a little old married couple- one minute they are as compatible and agreeable as ever and the next they are on each others last nerve. They are funny to watch- they are out riding bikes, pushing strollers, having picnics, running and claiming, exploring, and just in full-fledged imagination with each other. I love it!

Blake taught himself to ride a bike without training wheels within the last week or so. It's incredible. He just told me one day he was going to try and the next thing I know, he's out back riding around like a pro!

He also just got over a staph infection in his left ear that spread to a rash all over his neck, tummy and legs. Bless his sweet little heart! He was a total pro getting his ear cleaned out at Dr. Moe's.




E had her 3 year check up- all is well and healthy. She's 50% in weight and 60% in height. She's a healthy girl!


Her newest obsession is The Little Mermaid- she sings like Ariel all the time and knows all of the words to the songs. Here she is in my tub acting like Ariel!


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Boys room makeover

Pine twin headboards BEFORE


Painted with Annie Sloan's French Linen paint


And waxed with dark wax


AFTER


And I also did this little table and distressed it. I love how it turned out.



This is a bad picture but I painted the boys' room. It was a Pottery Barn blue and I painted it SW Wool Skein. Turned out great!


Drapes aren't up yet


Moved their little table and chairs into their room


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Life lately

We had a fun outing to the NB children's museum one morning.


We left from there to take Blake to Austin to meet Mimi and Adam. He was going to ride back to Waco to spend a few fun days. First, we ate lunch at the ever-yummy Phil's Ice House. The kids love the shady playground there.



We grabbed our good friends the Tragers and the Spielhagens for a day at Sea World. Here they are watching the dolphins.






The water ski show was a hit!


E and I couldn't ride this one but the group had a great time and E and I had fun watching for them.





But the highlight (for Emily especially) was the Shamu show. She has asked to watch the Shampoo video on my phone everyday since.


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Watercolor 2013....part 3

Monday we swam at the Frog pool while the boys played golf. As soon as they got back we went to the pool and beach. My favorite scenery.


That night we had the Griffin family over for dinner. It was a fun night. A huge storm hit and it rained, thundered and had lightening like crazy.


E in her new dress


Our dining area


The family room


My and my twin for the evening


Mom and I


The kids had been enjoying the pool at the house so much at this point. It was a wonderful thing to have!

....to be continued


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Watercolor 2013...part 2

We are here! Sunday was beach and pool for most of the day. Then we went into Seaside for dinner at Great Southern- always a favorite! Hunter and I rode on the back of the "yellow jacket"- our nickname for the golf cart we rented.


Beautiful at night


Heavenly's for icecream the very first night. A tradition for sure!


E was a bike rider this year. She did great!


....to be continued again....


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Watercolor 2013

We headed out early morning on Friday, July 12. We stopped at the usual Chili's in Baton Rouge before making it to Biloxi later that afternoon. We changed into swimsuits and by the time we made it to the pool we found out it was closed due to lightening. So, back inside we went. We decided to let the kids play in the arcade- we stayed at Beau Rivage which is a nice casino hotel down on the beach so there was lots to do. Afterwards we went to eat in the sports bar. The dads gambled that night- both not bringing home a dime. Oh well.
Here are Em and I ready to hit the road for Watercolor the next morning after a morning at the pool.


Hunter thrilled to be in Destin for lunch!


Love the beach


Lunch time



.....to be continued

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Summer evenings

One of my favorite times of the day during the summertime is the early evening. It's finally a little cooler, or at least the sun isn't beating down on you quite as intensely. It's a fun time to be outside. As a kid, I have many memories of family walks, playing out in the yard, swinging on the swing set, riding bikes, and just being outside.

The other evening, Chris had something he had to go to, so I had the kids by myself. Both Emily and Blake had crashed in the late afternoon, waking up to eat dinner. This can be a disaster in our house with bedtime- they will end up not being tired when its time to go to sleep.

So, after dinner, we put tennis shoes on and the kids each chose a riding toy to take down the street to the playground. Hunter rode his electric scooter, and Blake and Emily rode together in the Escalade.

I wish I had had my phone that night as we scooted and drove down the street. The kids were so cute zipping along with me power walking alongside.

We got to the Woodridge playground and everyone wanted to drive around the track. We spent the next hour hopping from one playground to the other, pushing kids on the swings, playing with a little puppy that some kids had brought, and having the best time.

By the time we ventured home, the battery on the two-seater Eacalade was in its last leg and I was helping them along.

Hot, sweaty and tired kids were all too happy to crawl info bed after a good bath. It's these simple, everyday little tidbits that I know I will miss so much!


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