Barrett turns 5

I know some of us can hardly beleive that he made it but he did. I think he gets better and better every year. I know ask me again once he becomes a teenager but that is a few years off so for now I will enjoy my sweet and loveable little boy. I felt bad for Bear this year since he really wanted to go to Sea World, but since I am huge and very uncomfortable we decided to stay home and visit a local water park instead.


He still had a blast with this cousin's and family. Plus the water park is just the right size for younger families, the lines are not too long and most of the kids are just tall enough to ride the rides. Now there is one we do not let them ride just yet, maybe next year. The bottom drops right out from under your feet and down you go, not sure they are ready for that one.


Anyway, Bear said his favorite ride today was the one that acts like a toliet because you go round and round and round before you get down to the end. Pretty fun, but that line can get long, so you have to jump on that ride pretty early. I think another favorite is the wave pool. Especially when the waves are going, the kids love to jump and try to swim.


We also went bowling on his actual birthday, with his cousins, which was pretty good. Most everyone did really well, and paid attention and did as they were told. Cooper is finally learning how to sit and wait his turn, very hard for a two year old. Then of course more swimming, because what Texas, July birthday would be complete without some amount of swimming.


I'm pretty excited that Bear has made this jump to five and I think that he will continue to improve with age, just like a good wine.

Happy 4th of July

We celebrated the 4th on the 3rd this year with the kids. We had a really fun day with family and friends. The kids' T-ball team went out to the Independant baseball league game and had the chance to go out on the field when the team went, run around the bases and watch a fireworks show. They all had a blast! I think the kids thought that going out on the field was pretty cool. They even had a chance to get balls signed by the player who they were standing by. Isabelle helped one on of the little 3 year olds out to the field then took up her position as Pitcher. Bear made his way out to center field, and once the National Anthem was played they all came back into the stands. The "event oganizers" made sure to tell the kids not to run on the white lines which none of the kids did so I figure that helped to make the event successful all by itself. Cooper did not go out on the field for the start of the game but he did run the bases, just like a big kid. It was pretty cool to see all the kids go around the field. I think they really enjoyed that one as well. As for the fireworks show, it was pretty good. This year the horse track and baseball field teamed up to make one great big show. We went a couple of years ago when they each did thier own, very silly. Overall it was a good day and a wonderful way to celebrate our nations independance.

Big helper

Barrett is such a big helper around the house, it's too bad he was not a little bit bigger and had more knowledge then I would not have to ask Ben to do things. Granted I would probably do more stuff, but right now my belly gets in the way. Plus I want to make sure Ben feels justified in his existence as a male species and that he is needed around the house. I figure in two more years Bear will be able to mow the law and then what will Ben have to do.

Anyway, the big boys are now sharing a room, and sleeping on the bottom bunk, on a full sized mattress. So we took a part the twin and put it away for the time being. Who knows if we will ever need it again, maybe. Right now we just needed the space. I had planned for this and it will take some time adjusting to, but that is what the summer is for. I do not want to fight the sleep battles when school starts.


So Bear being Bear asked Dad if he could help, and he took apart the entire bed frame all by himself. I think our other challenge would be sometimes finding the right tools in the garage, can you see, we need to organize. Then of course Cooper has to come along and "help" as well. It is pretty cute.


Bear even helped Ben to make the garbage disposal dispose once again. At least he is learning some good skills. How to be handy, that could come in well for him once he is older.

My Belly

My belly keeps on growing, and the baby keeps on moving around. So I thought I would take a couple of belly shots, which with my camera is a challenge all in it's self, especially by myself. So this is what I came up with. Only about a month to go, I wonder how big this baby will be?

Adam is funny looking

On our way home we stopped in Des Monies, IA and had dinner with my brother, Adam, who has recently returned from the Desert. Then he will be off later in August to visit the orient. Such an exciting life for him. We had to take some pictures because he is totally silly and wearing this pron stash that he should really shave soon. I told him I was going to up load the picture to facebook, I should really do that. Anyway, it was nice to quickly catch up with him, even thought it would have been nice to have a longer visit, but time did not allow for that. We'll have to see him on some return trip from all of his travels.

Wisconsin

I am suck a slacker. I keep sitting at my computer and saying to myself, wow I really need to update my blog. And then I roll past and do something else. Well instead of retracing my steps and putting up items I wanted to put up, I'll just start from where I am at.


Last weekend we made a quick trip up to Wisconsin for Jodi's, Ben's oldest sister's, summer party. We were not able to make it last year do to a conflict with Ben's work and almost did not go this year do to BELLY size. But we made it after all, I mean really, I had to pick up two of my own kids. And I think everyone had a great time. The kids all had a blast, and they all got a chance to see their cousins, so it was a good trip.


Isabelle was excited since she has not really had a chance to do much this summer because she has been busy with other things. The day we left we went to a place called Eat My Fish, we had been there before for Barrett's 3rd birthday, but this time we actually caught some fish. The kids had a blast. We caught our own fish and then they cooked them for us, and for me the egg plant that I brought along. Let me tell you grilled egg plant is great. And no I'm not one of those vegetarians who freak out when meat touches the food I'm going to eat. Heck half the time I buy a salad with meat on it and give it to Cooper instead of buying him a meal. Anyway, it was lots of fun and all the kids caught a fish.

My Summer Reading Plan

Ok so I have a Goodreads account where I like to keep track of the books I have read and plan to read. I have a good list that I want to read and some of those books have been on that list for years. Years you say, yes can you believe it! I know I can't. So I decided that this summer, between watching kids and having a new baby, I would start at the top of my list and work my way down. I will probably add in other books not on the list or at the bottom, but at least one will come from the first page. This weeks books are the following: Agatha Christie Murder on the Orient Express, and Lian Hearn Brilliance of the Moon.

I chose the Christie novel because I have never read on one hers before, and thought why not. Maybe it will give me something to talk about to old people with, haa, haa.


The Hearn novel I chose because it is the third book in the series and I just figured it was time to finish it up. The series has been pretty good so far, set in feudal Japan, with secret societies and warriors with special skills.


We'll see how I do, since most of the books off my list I will probably be getting from the library, I do tend to pick up random books not one my list and then read them. I don't often like to be without a book to read, so that adds to my need to plan well. Anyway, hopefully my plan will work.

Community Service

In our area we have a community program called "Feed the Children for the Summer." Every Wednesday night for ten (10) weeks people gather to make bags of food for children to eat during the summer. These are some of the kids who are on free or reduced lunches at school and would otherwise be without food during the day for summer.

Isabelle's Girl Scout troop went last night, for the first week to help fill bags, move them to the right food bank location and just perform overall community service. This was a great experience for the girls and I think they had a bunch of fun. Cooper even got in on the helping out, by filling bags, he did a great job. I really hope to be able to take all three of the kids at one point or another over the summer to participate because I think it is good for them to see and help out those in need.

I would have taken some pictures but I knew I was going to have to follow Cooper around so I did not want to be distracted with the camera. Maybe next time when we go with Barrett. We'll have to wait and see. I do think we will try to make an effort to go a couple times per month to help, since it does go for such a good cause.

This weeks bags were filled with the following items:

2 packages of single serve Mac and Cheese
1 Chef Boyardee meal
1 Can of Tuna
1 Cup of Noodles
2 Quaker granola bars
2 Quaker single serve Oatmeal packages
1 apple sauce
1 fruit cup
1 peanut butter sandwich crackers pack
1 Trail Mix bar
1 box of mini-cereal (like you use when camping)
1 container of pudding

I began to wonder if all these kids knew how to use a microwave and can opener. And if their parents helped to ration out the food so that it did last a whole week. I'm pretty sure my kids would eat at least half the bag the first day, if someone did not ration the food. After all we sometimes do two snacks a day, one in the am before lunch and one after rest time. And who knows if these kids have a parent at home during the day or someone to watch them. At least they have some food to make it through the week.

Either way it was a lot of fun and I plan on going back to help some more. The kids did a great job! Oh a few more tidbits of information, we filled over 700 bags and the weeks worth of food cost was around $3,400. They even think that they will get more requests due to increased publicity. So if you would like to donate money please let me know and I will get it taken care of.

Just some thoughts . . .

Does it seem a little odd that I felt or feel that Bear was more ready to be a big brother than Cooper is; especially since there is about the same amount of time between the two. Some days I actually feel that Barrett was more mature at 2 1/2 than Cooper is or will be at the same age. I'm not quite sure why I feel that way. I don't know if I feel that way because he was the baby for so long in my head that I almost figured he would always be the baby or is it something else. After all Bear has his days when I just want to send him away because he is being so frustrating. I have seen him grow up a lot recently too as well, which is nice. That gives me hope for Cooper. Not to say that Cooper is a bad kid he is just two. They don't say it's terrible for no reason. But I do question whether or not he is ready to be a big brother, I just hope he understands. He still wants to be carried a lot, and I won't always be able to do that for him with a new baby. Plus he gets so frustrated when you do not understand him and figure out what he wants. I guess it will all work out in the end but I'm just not sure at this point. Maybe if I start to get things more ready for the baby, Cooper will beginning to understand better. Only time will tell, until then I can just hope that Cooper will be understanding and work through any issues he has or will have with the new baby.

Baby Belly

I had my photographer friend Carleen, take some pictures of my growing belly for me this past week. It was a lot of fun and a very nice way to help show the changes and growth. Plus it was so much easier to have someone else take pictures instead of myself or Ben. Ben does a good job but not quite the same as someone who does this on a regular basis.


Here are a few shots that I really liked and thought I would share. I have tons of great ideas on Maternity shots in and out of studio, that I can hardly wait to try. But until then we can enjoy the shots of my growing baby belly.

Multi-cultural Day

Isabelle was selected along with three other Kindergartners to Welcome the crowd for Multi-cultural Day at her school. She did a great job of course and had so much fun, watching the show. She was the loudest of the four kids to say her line, "All the Children of the World say Welcome." She rocked it like I knew she would. She even stated that she was not even nervous, too cute. Throughout the program the performers would pull students from the audience to "help" out, and Isabelle was selected to see if she could balance a candle on her head. She did a pretty good job.





Over all I think the event for the school was a big sucess. I just wonder if they paid the one group to come and dance because they danced for a long time. I figured they could break it up with other groups but hey it all works out. The kids had a blast and did a great job listening and watching the show well.

Our Trip

We had a fun filled week with family in Virginia the first week in May. The kids had so much fun spending time with their cousins and learning about different things that I think everyone needs a vaction to recover. I know I do.


We drove out to Virginia to celebrate Ben's neice's First Communion and figured that we would just make a "vacation" out of it since the kids love to see thier cousins and they have never been to the capital before.

We did something new everyday, DC, Mt. Vernon, a colonial farm, and a baseball game to name a few. The kids did really well on the trip to and from and had so much fun. We were getting ready to leave and they ask us when can we go back. They are ready for their next fun filled week or more with cousins. I guess we'll have to see what the summer holds.


Now back to our trip. The first day we were there, we just hung out at Charity's house since her kids had a half day of school and everyone was excited to see everyone.


Then Tuesday it was off to DC to check out some museums. We did not do any monument tours since we figured the kids would not really understand what was going on. Instead we visited the Museum of Air and Space and the Natural History Museum, along with a brief walk through the Scuplture Garden. It was a fun filled day, with a lot of walking and checking out of new things. The kids all did great. We even had a chance to check out the indoor butterfly exhibit with live butterflies that the kids really enjoyed.





On Wednesday we headed out to Mt. Vernon which is about five minutes away from Charity's house. Very convient, and I think the kids enjoyed themselves. They do have a museum portion and you can walk through the house. Plus they still have animals and a somewhat working garden on the property. My highlight was that I had a chance to see a bald Eagle flying over the Potomac right behinh George Washington's house. Very Cool.



On Thursday we were off to a colonial farm, to see what life was really like back in 1771. We signed the kids up for Farm Skills where they could try their hand at what kids would actually do on a farm during the colonial times. I think they enjoyed themselves, by particpating in yard carding, yard spinning, candle making and corn pounding. Chores sure are different today than they were back then.



Friday found us on the downtown strees of Old Alexandria on a walking tour with some historic points of interest. The kids did well for the most part, Cooper was a little bored and plenty tired. We did get to see some original cobblestone streets, the tomb of the unknown soldier from the Revolionary war and Robert E Lee's boy hood home. Plus we found a great bar to eat at, named Bilbo Baggins, that was of course why I chose that location to eat at. Then after a good rest and school, we drove up to Maryland for an Oriles game at Cadem Yards. Ben really wanted to see a game there so we jetted off and had a pretty good time. The team played through the rain and we had great seats that were under cover so we were actually able to stay through most of the game. The kids all did great, Bear even feel asleep, crazy!


Saturday, was filled with soccer, first communion and the first day of travel home. What spring time saturday would not be complete without some amount of soccer. I'm sure my kids would not have known what to do with themselves if they did not do something with soccer on a Saturday in May. Then we came home for a little rest before First Communion. Gabby did great and for the most part the kids were well behaved as well. Bear feel asleep again, that I can understand, but hey I did not have to worry about him being crazy. We were able to spend a little time after frist communion with the family celebrating before we had to start on our way home.


The kids were sad to leave but I think that just means they will be even more excited to see them when we go up to Wisconsin this summer. Hopefully all will be well until then.

Happy Easter

We enjoyed our Easter day down in San Antonio with my parents and grand mothers. The kids had fun, doing an egg hunt, swimming and eating dinner. Bear was the most excited to have gotten two Scooby Do DVD's from the Easter bunny. Cooper really enjoyed the candy he found during the egg hunt and Isabelle loved it all.


They are just so funny! Cooper thought it would be a good idea to try to push the big kids into the pool. So funny to watch because they had to "jump" in while being pushed to make it look really. He really thought he was doing all the work. Hey whatever works for him. Then he would be really sweet and pull them out of the pool as if he was helping to save them. The things kids come up with these days. At least they were having fun.

Happy Birthday Bernie

This past weekend Bernie celebrated his 60th Birthday with two of his buddies, in Sulphur Springs. They decided to get together and celebrate with a big party of friends and family. There was a band, with dancing, dining and of course drinking. I think everyone had a lot of fun and really enjoyed the party. I hope the birthday boys had as much fun as everyone else.


Josh and Charity were able to come in as well and we celebrated Jillian's Baptism in Sulphur Springs this past weekend as well. That was a special treat for everyone.

Spring Concert

Isabelle just had her first spring concert for school the other day, and she did great. I think she had a "part" for almost every song. We decided that she is either teachers pet or she follows directions the best. Whatever the case may be she did a great job and took her tasks very seriously. I tried to remind her to smile and still sing. The show was cute and sweet. The boys did great once we got started, and Cooper wanted to go up on stage and be with his big sister, what a great brother right? I really enjoyed watching her have fun and be a big kid.

Troop to Troop

Every year since the start of the war, the Girl Scouts have sent or given troops cookies donatated by people who purchased them and then did not want to eat them. This year is Isabelle's first year to be a Girl Scout and so far she loves it. Plus she had the chance to sell Girl Scout Cookies. She was so excited. This past Sunday we went down to the airport to welcome home troops coming in from Iraq/Afganistan. There were quite a few people out there to welcome them home including at least four or five Girl Scout troops.


Previously the girls made signs to hold up for the soldiers and we all talked about what they are doing and where they are at, having family members in the service really helped. All the girls were very excited to have a chance to pass out the cookies they could and some of the soldiers were even nice enough to take picture with the girls. One of the guys even wanted one for himself.


There was a gentelman there who was filming the welcome home, and it looks like he goes pretty often, who featured the girls in his film. You can check it out here on you tube. They come up at about minute 3:47 and again at minute 5:38. Overall I think it was a great experice and I would love to go again and take the whole family. I think it means a lot to show support to our troops and welcome them home from an environment that might not be so plesant.

Paige

My girl friend, and former roomate, Paige is getting married the first weekend of May. I'm a little sad because I won't be able to be there for her special day, but I will be there in spirit and love. Recently I was able to share with her at a little bridal shower that was given to her by some friends. I took Isabelle along as my "date" which she just loved. She is very handy to have around since she likes to take pictures and then I can actually be in some pictures. Anyway, we had a good time and some of the best cupcakes ever for dessert. Isabelle was able to get seconds but neglected to bring me one. Oh well, at least I had a chance to see Paige and I think I will be able to "party" with her one more time before the big day.

Garden and snake

Bear asked to go play outside today and who am I to say no to a 4 1/2 year old boy. I walk to the back door with him, since it likes to stick and open it. I get the door open and happen to look down. I see the tail of what I think is an earth worm. So I casually close the door to take a closer look. Yea, not an earth worm but a little, I hope, garden snake. I make sure Cooper is not in the way and close the door all the way, get my garden gloves on and contemplate how I am going to get this snake out of my house.


My first thought is just to pick it up and toss it outside. But then I think do I really want it still in my backyard, what if it actually is not a garden snake but something rather untold. Well I chickened out about picking it up anyway and went to get a "tupperware." I touched the snake and it tried really hard to get away, but I just don't think tile and snake were meant to go together. I get the container in place and the snake acatually goes inside.

I close the lid and then gather the boys into the car to drop the snake off some place where hopefully it will not come back into our yard. I know I could have killed it but I figure we are a catch and release family. So down to the little creek we go and I drop the snake out. I hope it will be ok, since it did not have any air holes in the container. If not well, I did my best.

Now I figure the snake got in through this little hole we have where the weather striping has come away. Guess what Ben will be taking care of this weekend, hopefully. Plus no judgement about the horrible state of our "door frame." No porch covering and crazy wind, plus children who open the door when there is water coming from the sky, sprinkers when windy and just small children. Unfortunatlly it is not on the home repair/update list. The list is long and that can wait a little longer.

Opening Day

Ben wants to take the kids each year for as long as we live in Texas, and are close to the Ballpark for Opening Day. This year was even more exciting, for them since the Rangers won the ALCS and have a really great team this year. Since they played the Red Socks, the Rangers did a ticket lottery for those people who did not have season passes. Lucky for Ben, that Penny has season passes she is willing to share with him. If not for that I have no idea how they would have made it to the game.

He said the kids were great! Plus they had such a fun time, they really do love their baseball. I'm not sure if it is the baseball or spending time with Dad but eitehr way they love it. They even get into little arguments as to which player is better. Bear really likes Michael Young, and Isabelle really like Josh Hamilton. I want to say that I have pictures from opening day but I don't. I sent Ben with the camera and got pictures of the jumbo screen. One picture with Isa and Penny that Ben would give me a hard time about if I posted. Oh well, maybe next year.