End of the Year Activities!

I know, I know, I know.  I suck.  It's just that I don't sit in front of a computer all day anymore, so it is harder to get all this online.  Still, I will try to be better.

Here's the latest update:  Both Luke and Evie have advanced in scouts.  Evie was a Daisy for the past two years and is now a Brownie.  They do a "bridging" ceremony to show the transformation.  This happened last night before the 10 tornados hit North Texas.  What a night!

Luke advanced from Bear Cub (I think) to Weebelo. I have no idea what that means, but he gets to be one for 2 years before he advances to something else - maybe an actual boy scout? - I'm not sure. Still, he was goofy and cute during the ceremony which was seriously boring, but we do it all for our kids, right?

I added this picture because I just find it amusing.

And then there is George, all suited up (and dirtied up) for Tee Ball. He's loving it.  Every day he asks if he has Tee Ball.  Sadly (for him, and not me), it is only twice a week.  He has one practice and typically just one game.  Last Tuesday, was his first game.  His head got stomped on and he cried three times.  I hope things go better at the next game!

They are all so super cute!

Green Smoothies

Just so you know (and because I have no one else to tell here in my empty house), I've taken to drinking green smoothies.  They look like vomit, but they don't taste bad at all.  It's shocking that I've gotten past the look of the stuff, but it's such a healthy choice, I can't help myself!

This one consists of a cup of strawberries, a banana, a cup of water, and 1-2 cups spinach.  Who knew I would ever willingly drink something like this?!

Joie de Vivre

My joie de vivre (which ironically consists of the most frustrating individuals in my life; how could I not adore them?):

Seeking peace.

I know it's been a while, but I can't possibly put into words how terrible the week before last was.  Not only were the terrible events of the Boston Marathon Bombing, the West Explosion, the identification of the Kaufmann County killers, and the poison sent to the president just devastating, but there were additional things that happened locally to make our lives just plain depressing and difficult.  These included some bad news about my friend who is evaluating the extent of his brain cancer and treatment options and the horrific news that an acquaintance of mine lost her six-day old baby.  I just found myself sad.  And unfortunately, it showed on my face and in my demeanor.  I did my best to pull it together for the kids, but damn!, it was a rough week.  I have thanked God each day last week that it was a more joyful week than the one before.  I know this is all part of the circle of life -- you know, you take the good with the bad. [This always causes me to break out into the Facts of Life song, "You take the good you take the bad,  you take them both and there you have the facts of life, the facts of life!  There's a time you gotta go and show you're growing now you know about the facts of life, the facts of life! When the world never seems, to be livin' up to your dreams, and suddenly you're finding out the facts of life are all about you! Yoooou hooohoo ooo! It takes a lot to get 'em right, when you're learning the facts of life!] And I digress, but singing that song really does make me feel better!  And here's the video in case you don't actually know what I was "singing".



So, this last week we plugged through each day praying that it would be devoid of more bad news.  I threw myself into gardening and yard work.  I cleaned bathrooms.  I washed and folded clothes.  I focused on taking control of my little corner of the world. I think it worked.  And now, I feel like, although the world is changed, I have found my balance again.  And so, I'm forging ahead with life: wiping poopy butts, helping with homework, offering legal advice, and enjoying the small things in life again.  I hope you all are finding your equilibrium as well.  And, most of all, I hope that those who are suffering from all the events of the last couple weeks are healing.

May we all enjoy a beautiful week blessed by Heaven.

Love to you all!
-T

9 Years Old. Holy Crap!

It was Luke's birthday this weekend and the monster SAHM in me came out.  It was ridiculous.

My mom and I took lunch to Luke on his actual birthday (Friday) and ate it with him in the park across the street from his school.  You know you can't beat Chickfila.

That night, he picked Papasito's for our dinner.  The kids had fun, and Grandma and I had a wonderful margarita!

That night he opened a few presents, but Chuck was out of town for work, so we saved his big present for later.

Sunday, we had Luke's birthday party for friends and family at a rock climbing place.  There were 27 kids there!  It was insane, but the kids seemed to have fun.

Luke climbing first.

Luke a little worried about coming down.

George - up really high!  He's in the blue shorts and red shirt.

Evie in her natural habitat.  That girl loves to climb!

Here are some pictures of the amazing cake that we got and the kids climbing.  Too much fun!

People actually asked if I made the cake.  Um . . . no.  Not even close.

I did make the party favors.  Chuck and I thought it would be funny to make the kids pet rocks.  We weren't sure whether the kids would like it but we thought it was funny.  The response was mixed.  One of the rocks ended up in the trash covered in cake, and several others were coveted and taken home with the attached instruction guide.  Here's what they looked like.  I even put them in a basket and sent home instructions (which I thought were cute and fun). 





Cute Pet Rock.

Owner's guide for Pet Rocks.

Pet rocks.

The crazy one in the middle was designed by Luke.

We finished the night with Luke's big present:  an XBOX 360 Kinex.  The kid was beyond thrilled.  He's been trying to sell us on this as a birthday present for quite a while.  It's quite a present and to top it off it is Star Wars themed.  We've confirmed his status as a nerd, but I adore him! 

 We also got Dance Party 4 and I broke a sweat having fun with it after the kids went to bed!

Happy birthday to Luke!

It's Luke's birthday today.  My, how he has grown!  I adore him. I love him. I yell at him. I laugh with him.  It's all wonderful. Every moment is frustrating, wonderful, and perfect.  I can't believe that he's half way to being an adult.  How amazing!

He's having a rock climbing party Sunday afternoon and we are going out to dinner tonight as a family.  His choice is Papasitos.  I'm not sure why because all he eats there is rice burritos. Weird!

Picture Day and Handwriting

George has picture day today, so not only did he get a haircut yesterday . . .

but I also made him wear Evie's apron while he was eating and drinking this morning so he wouldn't get his clothes dirty. 

I thought we were finished when we left the house, but he decided to eat a donut at Starbucks too.  So I put the apron back on. 

He looked ridiculously adorable, but let's hope he doesn't use that smile.

And here is a lovely picture of Evie with her short haircut (her choice) and birthday-boy Luke (turning 9 this week!) as they display their alligator pencils that I brought back as souvenirs from New Orleans.

As for Evie, we found this lovely worksheet in her folder last week and we are still chuckling.  She obviously comes from our family (as embarassing as that is) and she can't deny it.  The worksheet asks her to rate her handwriting.  She gave it a smiley face all the way around, but at the end there was a prompt saying, "Things I could do to make my handwriting better:"  She answered, "Pay someone better then me (sic) to do it."  (And yes, I find it necessary to put sic in there so you know it wasn't my grammatical error; it's the lawyer in me).

Chuck and I can't get over it.  To be clear, Evie told me about this and told me how she wrote it as a joke for her teacher.  I didn't really understand what she was saying until I saw the paper and the context myself.  I sigh and shake my head, but what can you do?