February a Month in Review

Well all of my days are starting to run together and I'm very behind on my blogging. I know I should try harder but there is just not enought time in the day. So I'm going to do a little month in review.

Let's see what did we do:

Basketball for Barrett, this is was much better year than last year. He played well and was not an airplane too many times on the court. The coaches, Ben and his buddy Durwood did a great job of trying to help all of their players score at least once during the season. I'm pretty sure only one player did not score, no matter how hard they all tried to help him out. One of the shortest kids on the team did the best job, and was a little spit fire on the court. I think they had a blast.




Isabelle and Ben attended the Arlington Classics Academy (ACA) Father Daughter Dance again this year and had a blast. While I took formal pictures for the event. It was actually nice this year I could see more of what was going on and got to share in the experience a little bit better since we were are all the same floor. Last year the venue was two stories. She also played indoor soccer this winter and really started rocking it in goal. She is turnig out to be a pretty good little goalie. It almost seems pretty natural for her.




Cooper was just Cooper, he is gearing up for T-ball to start in the spring and testing my limits on what he can and cannot do. Some days it's trying while others it is a real joy.



Decllan is growing up so fast. He is almost a year and half old and just keeps learning more and more new stuff everyday. He really loves Cooper, and follows him around and does pretty much everything he does. It's kind of cute and a little bit worriesome. He misses his company when Cooper is at school but at least he has Mommy. Decllan is really starting to talk and sign more each day and picks up new signs everyday, I just love it.

Happy 4th Birthday Cooper

For Cooper's 4th Birthday we held a Super Hero party at the house. He had so much fun with his friends and family being a super hero and putting their mad skills to the test. Ben made up a little super hero training course for the kids to participate in and they all did wonderful. It is truly amazing to see our kids move around and how their gross motor skills differ from kids their own age. Everyone made it through the course with flying colors and had amazing fun, playing, jumping and just being kids. We even made cards for the real heros out there who serve our country every day, away from their families.

I tried to make it fun for the adults as well, by labling all of the food something different than what it actually was. So I had x-ray bites, and speed enhancer balls, and so much more. It was actually lots of fun trying to come up with names for the food to match the party. My little batman did not really care but I sure did. Plus the food was all a big hit, I'm not sure why people insist on giving kids unhealthy stuff to eat at parties, all my party goers ate like real super heros food that will help their bodies.


We did have cake, which I would normally been happy with but the red frosting looked pink. I told the girl why not use green then. Oh yeah we could have done that. Duh! Sometimes I wonder how people function. Of course the color of the frosting did not make a difference to the kids, they still ate the cake which was the point. They loved it! Overall I think Cooper turning 4 worked out great.

Bear's Concert

Shortly after the kids came back from Winter Break, the kindergarten classes held a little concert for the parents. Bear did great. He paid attention, knew all the words to the songs, and had a blast. His concert was much better than the last one Isabelle's class held. Either way, it was great to see him perform and really enjoy himself. He was a little envious of Isabelle because she had done two performance and they did not done any. Now he has and is a happy camper. He has such great tone, that I'm glad he enjoy's singing and does well at it. I hope we get to hear him sing again before the year is out.

Chinese Lantern Festival

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In January we all visited the Chinese Lantern Festival at Fair Park. It was so cool! The exhibit, it was freezing outside, everyone was bundled up and ready for the weather. I had been looking forward to this exhibit for months, I purchased discounted tickets from Groupon, well before the event started, and waited and waited, then the day finally came. So instead of me talking about what we saw I shall give you a highlight of a few of the lanterns.

The Big Surprise

It may come as a shock to some of you who have not received a Christmas card, that we are expecting number five (5). That's right something went wrong in the process and here we are again expanding our family by one more. Needless to say this has been quite a shock to me and I still don't think I have my mind wrapped around the idea of another child. I know I only have so long to get ready for this and the baby will be here before we know it.

The real stinker is that I had started getting rid of baby stuff once Decllan had reached a certain point. Mostly baby clothes, smaller diapers and things like the floor play mat and high chair. The good part, I guess, is that I still have the big stuff like the crib, dresser/changing table, car seat and stroller. I did give away every stich of maternity clothing I owned mostly because who wants to keep that around as a reminder. There has been some adjustments that have needed to been made, but I think we might make it.

The funny part was the kids did not even believe us when we told them. Since we had previously told them that we would not be having any more kids, they were like, Mommy's not pregnant she said no more. Well at least they listened to me on that.

For our big reveal on the gender I had the idea to keep it a secret from everyone and create a box that the kids would open and balloons would fly out that are the color of the gender. Pretty clever; except my kids always fight over balloons.

So this is what we did. It was pretty fun, for them, but Isabelle cried for 30 minutes, and was almost inconsolable. Pour girl, she will be one among four (4) brothers. She prayed really hard for a sister but it was just not meant to be. Bear was excited, and Cooper still thinks the baby will be a girl. Too funny!If you look you won't even see her behind the box, she is crying already.

Merry Christmas

Well it's that time of the year again were we celebrate Christmas with the birth of Christ and Santa. I know what a combination but hey it's what has happened with commercialization. Oh well, at least the kids have tons of fun. The older two both received weapons for Birthday/Holiday and can hardly wait to test them out and practice their targeting. Cooper received a new big boy bike, free of training wheels. While Decllan received some musical instruments, he really loves music.

Over all it was a pretty good day, they kids really enjoyed themselves and had a blast in the freak snow storm we had on Christmas. We enjoyed spending time at Oma and Grandpa Don's new house. While visiting with Uncle Adam and the grandparents; it was a very nice relaxing holiday for all of us. I even got in a little nap.

Look who's 8

I'm sure that I'm not quite old enough to have an eight (8) year old. That's right 8! Yikes, where has the time gone.

Either way she is amazing. One of the sweetest most empathetic kids I know. She has a big heart and is always willing to help out a friend. But not always those brothers of hers.

Let's see some Highlights from Isabelle's year of Seven (7)

1. Started playing Academy Soccer
2. Loves Arlington Classics Academy, started 2nd Grade
3. Enjoys Music and Art
4. Currently wants to be an Art Teacher when she grows up
5. Brownie Girl Scout
6. Is a GREAT big sister
7. Loves to read
8. Went on a special vacation with Oma and Grandpa, by herself.

I'm sure the next year will be just as exciting. She is already planning her summer and what she wants to do, so get ready world here comes Isabelle.

Breakfast with Santa

I'm not sure why millions of people try to get pictures of their kids with Santa each year. And yes sadly I am one of them. Although, I can say that there has been the rare occasion where I actually paid to have pictures taken with Santa, not that it happens often. Or even once per year. After all I would hate to have that picture of the screaming kid, trying to get away from Santa. I really like the free Santa pictures.

Well this year Decllan was not so sure he wanted to sit on Santa's lap or be near him at all. Cooper sat beside Santa, never one to be a big fan. It was kind of cute and funny at the same time. Oh well at least they got to have some fun with friends and do a little cookie decorating as well.

Decllan really enjoyed the cookies, and I think he had two. This kid has a sweet tooth like nobody else. It's crazy. Oh well we love him.

Holiday Parade

Isabelle's Girl Scout Troop had the chance to walk in the Mansfield, Texas Holiday Parade, as the Grand Marshall's. The title was given to the Girl Scouts since the group celebrated 100 years in 2012. What an amazing time to be a Girl Scout.

I'm sure the organization has drastically changed since Juliete Gordon Low founded Girl Scouts those many years ago but that is a story for another day.

Isa had a blast walking in the parade and the boys really enjoyed, the chance to watch and get free candy. Which mostly consisted of candy canes since it was so close to Christmas.

I was actually surprised at how warm it was that day, Isa even rolled up her pant legs while walking. Too cute! Either way she had a blast and always asks when the next one will be.

ACA Program

The Second Graders at Isabelle's school performed a few songs for the parents the other day. I can only say that if the piece originally did not have words it would probably be best if it was kept that way. I hate to say that they did not sound good, nor could you understand what the kids were singing.

Isabelle loves to sing but this was not her best performance, and I really think the music selection and choices had a lot to do with that. If the music teacher had picked other pieces to perform it might have been different, but I'm just not sure. Of course they did not sing any holiday music for fear of offending someone, but still it was just not a good performance. I feel bad for the students, because they had to learn words to pieces that should not have words put to them.

If you want to do a "patriotic" concert then pick songs that have words already made for them and sing those not some made up pieces that sound horrible with words. I guess the only good thing that came from this performance was that Isabelle had fun. I guess that is all I can ask for.

School Program

This year Cooper has his first school program where he gets to sing Christmas songs for all of the parents. It was too cute and I'm so glad that he had this chance. He just loves to perform, but could hardly wait to get out of his "dress up" shirt. His class sang by themselves and then with the whole group, and he thought he was done after the first round. His teach reminded him that no he had to wait until the whole group performace to change his shirt. Too funny!

He did a great job and really looked like he was having lots of fun. The songs were cute and I he did a wonderful job.

Thanksgiving

I know, I'm sure lots of stuff happened between Halloween and Thanksgiving I just must not have pictures.

Oh yea the 3-Day walk, I have some pictures from that on my phone. I'll have to download those to my computer.

Anyway, as is the current tradition we went out to Sulphur Springs, TX for Thanksgiving at Ben's parents house. All of his sisters and their families come into town for this fun and festive ocassion.

We have food, fun and family. And lots of it for at least four whole days. Who could ask for more.

Here we all are at the annual family tree hunt where we look for a tree for the grandparents. The kids love to take their turn at cutting the tree down and make the great search for the best tree around.

Halloween

Happy Halloween!!

Every year I struggle with what my kids should be for Halloween, and whether or not I should make their costumes or let them buy costumes. Well for the older two I let them both be vampires, Bear's second turn, and we purchased their costumes. Cooper's was also purchased since I did not think I could do a very good job of making a Batman costume. Now Decllan was a reused costume that I had made Barrett just after he turned two, he was a pirate. Now all three of my boys have worn the same costume and they each look so cute. I just love it.



The only downer for Halloween this year was that Isabelle did not get to go trick or treating since she did not finish all of her homework as previously stated that she had. Silly girl, does she not know there are consequences for her actions. Either way, she unfortunately still had fun, handing out candy to the neighbor kids, with Oma and Grandpa Don. I did let her still dress up for the day as well.


The other three had a blast, and even Decllan made it up to a few door steps to get his treat. It was kind of cute. I think next year will be his year to shine and he will be ready to go.

Fall Fun

Each year our Mom's group goes out to a little "farm" in the country for the kids to visit and play with the animals as well as have some fun, doing different activities. Cooper was only interested in the animals and the hayride, so we left after we completed those activities.



Decllan really enjoyed the animals and had fun walking around the pumpkin patch. It's so much fun to see how fast they grow up and become interesed in different things.