Alex

Alex has been wearing a tie to church since he was two. For Christmas this year, he asked for a suit. Not just a jacket like he already has, but an entire suit. He loves to wear ties and he has so many, he informed me last night he needs a tie rack. Have you ever seen anything so cute???

What a girl wants

Shea does not like to shop. She is not into clothes. She is very picky and very plain. I try and try but lately I have succumbed to the fact that she is just a jeans and t-shirt type of gal. And I am fine with that. BUT, when she expresses a desire for something cute and semi-stylish, off we go. We were at the store (Target, of course) Monday night and she saw these brown boots with fur and tassells and she just had to have them but we were in a hurry and they were a size too big. They were the very last ones. She begged and begged. That night I could tell they were still on her mind so I told her that if she wanted them that bad she had to pay for them with her own money. So last night I told her to grab her purse and off to Target we went. The brown boots were gone, but yeah!!!, there were pink ones. And they were a size bigger than the brown ones. I tried to convince her to wait and I would check another store but we all know that when you fall in love with a pair of shoes, size doesn't matter. $23.99. The tag said $23.99!!! I thought that would change her mind but she reminded me that she had five gift cards in her purse and a bunch of cash. Where does a 7 year get that much money? Lots of lost teeth, I guess. To make long story short, here are the boots. Jeans tucked in and everything. We'll see how recess went with fur and tassels flying in the wind as she tried to run.

Some Santa's are better than others

A bank in the neighborhood advertised that Santa would be available for a visit and pictures so we loaded up the car and dashed on over so the kids could spill their deepest desires for Christmas goodies and splendor. We did this a few years ago and waited for hours for our turn with Santa and Shea and Alex were both screaming in the picture so it has taken a few years for us to go back. And like I said, some Santa's are better than others. Sometimes Santa just needs to fire some of his helpers but this Santa was fabulous. Alex brought a note and a list of what he wants. It isn't long, but very straightforward and to the point. Santa sat and listened and asked the appropriate questions like, "Have you been good this year?" Of course Alex nodded his head while looking in my direction, like he was just begging me not to contradict him and Santa said that maybe he could make it happen. He even laughed when Zach pulled at his curly beard. The best part? NO LINE!!! This is probably the most successful Santa/kids picture we have ever had and they don't even match or have their hair done. Oh well, lots of Christmases to go.

Doorbell Ditchers

"Thank you" feels very inadequate for what I feel right now, but thank you to whoever rang our doorbell tonight. Thank you for thinking of us. Thank you for your friendship. Thank you.

The Christmas Elf

His name is Casper but we just call him The Elf. He lives with us during the day, watching our every move, making notes for Santa. After we are all asleep his flies with his magic to the North Pole to report our naughtiness or our niceness. If he touched, his magic goes away. As proof that he leaves every night, he moves around the house, choosing a new place to perch himself for the day. Well, with this cooler weather, The Elf hasn't been able to fly to the North Pole at night (or is someone just forgetting a nightly duty???) and boy are the kids getting mad at The Elf. So, today he took his journey during the warmer daytime hours. I hope the kids appreciate his sacrifice.

7, not 6

Cody is a very clumsy child. He falls...alot. He is very coordinated, but he also seems to hit walls, floors, doors more than any other child. The other night, I asked him to run (my mistake) and get some toilet paper for Shea. He took off and two seconds later I heard the crash. I always check for blood first and this time, it was gushing. Once we were downstairs I checked the wound, it was long and wide. I have learned from past ER visits that these two things together usually mean glue, stitches or staples. So, off the ER we go. Cody was being so big in the backseat all by himself holding the towel on his head. The ER was full so we waited and waited. Cody ran around a little bit. He colored. He begged for candy. This whole time I am double thinking my decision and debating whether or not to leave. Finally, they call us in and the nurse checks him out. He tells Cody he will need staples and begins the numbing and cleaning. After seeing how bad it really was, I was grateful that I didn't leave the ER. It was not fun and since he cried, Cody keeps trying to tell me that he wasn't brave, but I think that to endure what he did without moving was extremely brave. In the end, the nurse told us there were six staples (beating Shea's 3). The next morning we counted and there were actually seven. The nurse was wrong. Here is the kicker. That night I was walking Cody to bed and I noticed a dent in the corner of the wall and the paint and drywall were cracked. I think we were lucky that only seven stitches were needed. Maybe a new wall.

The Exodus Begins

(Yes, I am stealing Marni's word).

Alex's teeth are very, very close together. It is a chore to get floss between those chompers. He has been waiting and waiting to lose his teeth and FINALLY, it has begun. This picture is of the tooth getting "stuck". Because his teeth are so close, there is no wiggle room. He had to twist his tooth. It just so happened it got stuck in the twisted position. Ten minutes later, it was out. The next morning I was told that we had a very cheap tooth fairy. Apparently $1 is not the going rate for baby teeth. It is closer to double digits. I then felt I had to inform him that you can not change tooth fairies. You are stuck with the one you have.

Post-script

My mom told me that I needed to clarify that Shea does not spend all of her free time watching Hanah Montana. It is just her chosen escape from the craziness that sometimes happens around here.

Build a bridge and get over it

Never in my life did I think I would quote Hannah Montana...or is it Miley Cyrus?? Who knows. Anyway, this has become our family motto. The boys were fighting the other day and Shea burst out with this little gem. Not only are there these wonderful words or wisdom, but there are hand actions too. She proceeded to tell me exactly what was happening when Hannah/Miley said it, but that went in one ear and out the other. This has stuck with us and know Shea has taken it upon herself to throw it out at every little squabble that goes on around her. That is of course, unless she is part of the squabble. When that happens, it has become my responsibility to quote the teen diva myself. I guess there is something to be said for the what seems like hours upon hours Shea spends watching the Disney Channel. Yeah Disney Channel!

It was all my fault

Zachary has adopted the method of screaming to get attention. Sometimes it is fun because he mimicks the kids yells and laughs along with them. Other times, not so cute. Post-dinner is one of those not cute times. He sits in his seat and screams and screams and eventually everyone but good ol' mom has left the kitchen and his screams in search of quieter surroundings. So, the other night I gave Cody the task of keeping him happy. I was absorbed in the dishes and didn't even think that it was strange that Cody was pushing the high chair -with Zachary in it- past me. I was just so happy with the peace and quiet that I was over looking whatever plot was forming in Cody's very "evil" mind. If I could see in his mind I am sure I would have seen the wheels spinning out of control. After a minute or two, I began to hear the giggling in the corner and noticed that Zachary was nowhere to be found. Not just Zachary, but the chair too. Then I noticed that the pantry door was in a not closed not open position. I opened the door and there was Zachary, just as happy as could be, in his little cave. Serves me right for putting Cody in charge.

In the blink of an eye

From this.....

to this.

Yesterday at Alex's baseball game Zachary fell asleep in my arms - something he hasn't done well, since birth. He is not a snuggler and would rather be doing anything else than snugglin' with his mom (much to her dismay). So when he crashed on my shoulder I knew something was off. This is my baby today. Sad eyes and a constant whine. The good news? He slept until 7:00 am! Yeah!!!!

Just simply, Shea

Shea is Falcon of the Week this week at school. She made a poster of her favorite things and Steffen and I got to go to her class while she did her presentation and it got me thinking. I feel like all I ever do is complain about her so to balance that out, I figured I would have an entry dedicated just to her. Shea and I don't always get along, in all honesty, we argue about everything. BUT, I think in my heart of hearts it is because we are alike in so many ways. I love her so much but sometimes I wonder if she really knows how much. I thought I would list just some of the reasons why I love her, just so she knows:

She is an amazing friend.

She loves her brothers and will stand up for them at any time (her "boyfriend" Garrett was being mean to Alex so she broke up with him - granted they are 7, but how cute is that?)

She loves High School Musical (we are going on Friday to the opening...are we crazy?)

She loves Troy.

She really wants to be good.

When she is genuinely happy, she glows.

She has great hair.

She loves to sing in the car with the music low so that she can hear herself sing.

She has so many talents that if given the chance, she will find them and there will be no holding her back.

She is very patient with Zachary when he screeches (that is a whole other entry - maybe tomorrow)

She gives tight hugs.

She is still scared of thunderstorms and knows they are coming before the weatherman.

She loves to climb trees and get dirty.

She has a special connection to her Grandma.

There is a special reason she is in our family. I firmly believe that I was meant to be her mother and that the rest of our family would not be here if she was not my daughter. So, Shea, I love you, sweatheart.

The perfect fall day

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Cody has been in a playgroup since the day he was born. Of course it started out as a chance for the moms to get together, but now, we do it for the kids. This year we finally made it to Dewberry Farms. Cody drove a tractor, played in hay, fed a goat and among many other fall activties, found the perfect pumpkin.

The Mixer

I do not bake. I don't enjoy the mess or the clean-up. It doesn't make me feel any less like super mom to open a package of pre-made dough and call it a day. BUT, for some reason, yesterday, in a moment of weakness, I bought chocolate chips. We were going to make cookies, gosh darn it. When we hit a peak of good behaviour, I started compiling the ingredients. Cody was digging in the fridge looking for the package of cookies. I tried explaining to him that we were going to MAKE the cookies but his 4 year old brain could not comprehend something it has never seen. My son did not know that cookies could be made from scratch. Has he ever seen flour? At an even weaker moment than the purchase of chocolate chips, I pulled out the Kitchen-Aid. Now I know Cody has never seen this because it has been in the box hidden in the pantry for ten years. So, Cody and I made cookies. I now remember why I don't bake. I ate at least a dozen cookies while they were still in the dough stage. Cody enjoyed the fruits of his labors with some milk at the end of a hard day. I debated whether or not to keep the Kitchen-Aid close at hand but in the end it went back into the box in the corner of the pantry. I'll try again in ten years.

Our Devastation

Family Clean-up Day. Hooray!!!

These branches and a leaning fence is the extent of our damage...once again proving how lucky we are.

Ike came and went

We survived!!! We lost power Friday night at 9:30 and after 21 hours of family togetherness and heat, power was finally restored. The storm didn't seem to be that much worse than what we have had in the past so we are very blessed and lucky that our little part of Houston was sparred. The only damages in our area is mainly downed trees and fences. Everything that people thought they were hiding in their backyards is out in the open for all to see. Makes you think twice about keeping your back yard looking nice! So, all in all we are fine.

What do you do to prepare for a hurricane?

You go to the park!

Hurricane Ike is on it's way. But, not till tomorrow. Just as a precaution school was cancelled today. Stores are closed. Windows are boarded. People are evacuating. But, we still have blue sky - Steffen is playing tennis at this very minute. Right now we just wait. Wait for the sky to cloud over and 100 mph winds to rip through and pray nothing goes through our windows. We are all glued to the TV (especially Shea) watching Ike inch it's way towards us but it is hard to be worried when the sun is shining.

Not my kid, but oh so cute!

Zach's turn to shine

I keep being told that I don't have enough pictures of Zachary, so here are a few of his shining moments. He loves his bath. In fact, he will sit there long enough for me clean the bathroom. I got the tip to put him in the Bumbo thing from a friend of mine and it has saved my life.

He doesn't suck his thumb but for some reason he chews on it in the bath tub. Yeah, it's a little strange.

Just look at those baby blues!

First Day of School...belated

School started and everything went off without a hitch which is why it didn't seem too blog worthy. Everyone is happy and Shea keeps telling me how easy second grade is...if she only knew what was coming.

Apparently we had a brown shirt thing going that day. It was not intentional but it looks great for the picture!

Notice Shea's short hair!!!

Part II

Shea went about today like boarding a plane alone was just an everyday thing for her. She did great!!!

Shea - have fun with Grandma!

We miss you and love you!

A nail bitin' night - Shea's big day, Part I

Tomorrow Shea embarks on an adventure. She is flying to Utah ALL BY HERSELF. It started out as just an idea and I was perfectly fine with it thinking..."oh, she'll be fine. She can take care of herself." Duh! She is 7!!! Now that the it is pre-flight night, I am starting to get a little nervous. So is she. She told me she won't sleep at all tonight because she is nervous and excited. These are my fears: Will she really get on the plane? What if she has to go to the bathroom? What if the plane has mechanical problems and the plane has to land in Dallas for 4 hours and there is no one to take care of her (supposedly the airline is responsible for that, but what if they forget?)? What if she has to sit by some scary guy? Or, even worse, a nice old lady that just wants to make conversation but Shea is too shy to reply? What if she is just plain scared and there is no one to hold her hand? The only reprise from my worries? She is flying first class. It was the only seat available and all she cares about is that the seat is bigger. So, tomorrow, part II.

Road Trip #2: Comal River, New Braunfuls, Texas

First matter of business: Drop Zachary off at Aunt Sarah's. Zachary spent the day with his cousin Rebecca. He was happy and smilin' when I picked him up - Thanks Sarah!! (Sarah took this picture. She is an amazing photographer - you can see some of her work at www.unhistoricacts.com)

A road trip. A beautiful day. A river. A tube. A few rapids. A big tree. What more could you ask for?
Today we went tubing down the Comal River. So, this is how it went. It is our turn to put our tubes in the river. Alex throws his in and jumps on top and says "See ya." Alex is tubin' down the river like a mad man. Okay, in reality, the water is barely moving but when you weigh nothing, you move faster than those of us with a little meat on our bones. Alex is long gone. After a while we send Shea after him. Two gone, one to go. Then comes the shoot. It has a little kick to it and when we get to the bottom, Alex is on the opposite side of the river and Shea's tube is spinning in the current. No Shea. After a brief heart attack, she comes running down the bank of the river. She had a little heart attack of her own, freaked out, evacuated her tube and swam against the current (thank you swim team) to the other side. Twenty minutes later we are all back together and Alex wants to go again. He and Steffen haul their tubes back up to the top of the shoot and go again. Shea, Cody and Mom watch from a safe distance. Who knew Alex was such a dare devil? At the end of the river this truck hauled us back to the car. It was great! A perfect day.

Tubing can work up quite an appetite so we went went to Gruene for lunch. There were 40 of in our party (Thanks to the Richards for organizing this trip!!) so the kids went crazy. Use your imagination...20 kids, one tree.

I guess there are times when we are just one, big happy family. I did miss my baby but sometimes the big kids need to get out and make some memories. I hope this is a good one.

When big boys gather....

The night in before a holiday, Steffen and his buddies get together to play Risk. I don't know how to play, nor do I have any desire to learn, but tonight Steffen hosted the shin dig. From eavesdropping I gather that the game has something to do with conquering countries. Anyway, I had to take a picture. They are gathered around the table with their game and their little snacks. I have listened to every conversation tonight and they chat...just like us girls (they also ate my celery and watermelon).

Road Trip #1: Blue Bell Icecream Factory - Brenham, Texas

So, we are getting a little stir crazy here in our house ALL together ALL the time so we decided to brave the open road. We have tried to visit the Blue Bell Factory twice before, forgetting both times they are closed on Saturdays so this time, we thought we'd be safe on a Tuesday. The tour starts out with a little movie about how the company came to be and then you get to see the actual icecream being made and "squirt" into the tubs. Now, for those of you who are not Texans, Blue Bell is considered THE BEST icecream around. For example, we went to a going away party last week for some friends and a few of us brought icecream. All Blue Bell. It is a Texas tradition. Here are a few snapshots of our trip, because, afterall, what you really want to see is the pictures.

Supposedly a real delivery truck. Maybe...

At the beginning of the tour Zachary loved his hat. At the end, not so much.

If you can read the fine print on the window, it says no sitting or standing on the vintage truck... Yeah, didn't see that one in time.

At the end of the tour, each tourist get a sample of the icecream. The tour used to be free with a sample at the end. Now, you have to pay for the tour so technically, it is not a free sample any longer. But my goodness, is it worth it.

Once again, not so happy a baby.

If Shea had her way, she would have a flower in every picture.

How cute is that?

Shea is sporting the Texas Longhorn sign but what she really means is "Go Aggies!." She just got it backwards. We are working on that.

On of the best things about Texas is the fruit stands on the side of the freeway. How could we leave Brenham without a watermelon? It was HUGE and had to be cut up on multiple parts to fit in the fridge.