Halloween 2009

This year, we nixed the Nursery Rhyme scheme we have had for the past several years and went with something for just the boys. They were Mario and Luigi from the Nintendo video games (for those of you living under a rock for the past 20+ years). I thought about making the costumes myself, but decided that in weighing cost and time, it was worth it to shell out the money for the purchased outfits. They were hilarious! The blow up stomach and the moushache made all the difference. They also had a great time bumping tummys.

Halloween morning we headed to Shreveport for Anna Grace's Birthday party that afternoon at Nana's house. 25 kids 5 and under---crazy, but they all had fun. After we stuffed our faces with cake, cookies and candy, we took them trick-or-treating on Nana's street which has been labeled Halloween Lane. Seriously, people have signs in their yard saying "Only kids in costume will receive candy." We hit about 6 houses and were done. We got ready for Rhapsody and left them with Nana. She said that Cavett probably had more fun handing out the candy at the door, than actually going trick-or-treating. In fact, when Nana ran out of candy, he went into his own stash. Sweet kid! Kendrick really got into the act as well screaming "Happy Halloween" as they left.

More Grand Saline

Morgan, you ask and you shall receive. Here are a few more pictures from the day before (train bridge) and we did end up going to the Salt Palace the following day. Of course, Cavett had to lick the house just to make sure it was really made of salt. We also hit up the library twice that day and saw a train rumble by just a couple of feet away from the building.

A Grand Saline Tour

This morning we decided to get out of the house and have an adventure. Dad took us to a very old wooden bridge that went over the train tracks, but no train at the time. We also went to see the caboose and the salt bowl where Dad did his Eagle Scout project. No trip is complete without a visit to the dollar store as well. The Salt Palace was skipped this time and we will go again when Kendrick is older.



However, the icing on the cake was taking a drive through the back roads of GS that I had never seen. You know you have spotted a red neck when instead of raking leaves, he is raking aluminum cans. I am dead serious.

-- Posted from my iPhone

A Conversation

This afternoon before Stephen left for Grand Saline, I sat Cavett down and told him why his daddy was leaving. It went something like this...

Mommy: Do you know that Grandaddy is sick?

Cavett: Yea. He has cancer.

Mommy: Yes, just like Granpaw and Gran. He really isn't feeling well which means he may go see Jesus soon.

Cavett: (with a sad look) Then, I won't have any grandads left.

Mommy: (holding back the tears, gnashing the teeth, my heart breaking) Yes, that's right.

Cavett: (looking on the bright side with a smile) But I'll still have Nana and Grandmama. And, Jesus is going to raise from the dead and all the people in heaven are going to come down so we can all be together again.

Mommy: Yes, that is almost right. But Jesus already rose and one day he is going to come back to earth and make everything right again.

Cavett: Oh, yeah, yeah. (as if it is tomorrow) He's going to come back with all the people in heaven and we are going to all live here on earth.

Cavett's got it. I wish it were still as easy as he makes it sound. The emotions just get in the way when you are older.

Isaiah 65:17-18, 20--"Look, I am creating new heavens and a new earth--so wonderful that no one will even think about the old ones anymore. Be glad; rejoice in my creation! No longer will babies dies when only a few days old. No longer will adults die before they have lived a full life."

Romans 8:18-39 (with favorite scriptures quoted)--"Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later. We too, [along with creation] wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has promised. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to his purpose for them. Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity or are persecuted or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us. Neither death nor life can separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

2 Peter 3:13--"But we are looking forward to the new heavens and the new earth he has promised, a world where everyone is right with God."

Revelation 21:1-4--"Then I saw a new heaven and a new eath, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven like a beautiful bride prepared for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying,"Look, the home of God is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever."

The Big Orange Pumpkin Patch

This afternoon Dad left to go back to Grand Saline and we needed an outing to fill our day. We chose the Pumkin Patch just northwest of McKinney. I knew it would be a bit muddy, but we decided to brave it anyway.

We drove up and we were the only ones there for a while which was nice. The boys loved chasing the chickens as they cock-a-doodle-doo-ed like crazy. There were longhorns, sheep and goats to feed. Cavett really got into it. One goat even took away his cup and decided to feed himself. Kendrick fed the longhorn one nugget and decided he had had enough of the feeding. Unfortunately, the patch was entirely too muddy to get into, but we were still able to have a tractor ride through the grounds.

The boys had a good time. Momma, not so much. I think if I am going to be a "boy momma", I need to get me some rubber boots too! I have also given up on the whole idea of trying to get a good picture of the two of them together. It happens so rarely and with MUCH coercion. It just isn't worth my sanity. If only I could post all the pictures I took so you could see the progression to get one good one.

As for the rest of our weekend, Cavett is finally fever free and will go to school tomorrow after which we will head to Grand Saline until Saturday afternoon for Cavett's soccer pictures and game. Please keep the whole Hill family in your prayers.

Fort Worth Zoo

I've been feeling guilty that I made all these cute little storybook scrapbooks for Cavett before Kendrick was born. They were about his first trip to the zoo, Grandmama's house, a California trip, the circus, etc. So since Cavett was actually sick with the swine flu, this trip was for Kendrick. I finally am doing a book for Kendrick now, except it will be a Blurb book. Here's the first version--

Kendrick went to the Fort Worth Zoo

When he was only two.

The zebras were first and you named it out loud.

Mommy was extremely proud!

The monkeys were really hanging around,

But on their chests they did not pound.

We saw a giraffe with a very long neck,

But the amphibians were closed, what the heck?

There was an elephant with just one tusk

And boy, did he create quite a musk!

The tiger relaxed in the cool shade

While the Asian Rhino took a wade.

In the Outback we played in the sand.

Dirt did cover your whole hand.

The penguins swam and were black and white.

A strange gharial was quite a sight!

It had a big thick tail and giant feet, too.

You guessed it--a kangaroo!

Lunch was yummy, there was a breeze.

The trees surrounding us were sure to please.

You pulled the wagon and ran about.

I think I really wore you out!

The Boys Update

It seems I am only getting to the computer once a week these days. So here is the Monday update. We spent the majority of the weekend in Grand Saline to be with Grandaddy and Grandmama. He was doing pretty well while we were there with the boys on Thursday and most of the day Friday. However, by Friday night he was in the hospital. Amber and Jonny kept the boys and we went back over after Cavett's soccer game on Saturday morning. While we were there with the boys we had a great time watching the 22 Canadian Geese and chasing the cows. I was able to snap some really cute pics of them as well.

Cavett is doing very well in school both his teachers speak very highly of him in that he is very polite using "yes m'ams" and "please and thank yous." They also have discussed with me how he is very into noticing the details. He is a real sweet one these days being fairly patient with his brother and is such a helper in the day to day things. Today I got to spend the day with him, as he was home with a bit of fever, but not enough to really keep him down. What a change to not have to buckle anyone in and not have to hold his hand or worry about him running off.

Kendrick's vocabulary is growing by leaps and bounds and is in the stage where words are repeated incessantly. One of my favorite words of his is "oaf" when an uh-oh happens. Last month the color at school was yellow, so everything was the color yellow. He also really loves his vitamins and asks for them at least 4-5 times a day. He is having a bit of difficulty at school with biting his friends and his teacher seems to hate his constant stream of drool and everything going in his mouth. But, even though we are still making it though the 2's, he has a smile and giggle that will melt your heart. He is starting to love books and reading. Today while I was changing the sheets on his bed, he sat down and "read" a book to me. It is absolutely precious the way he copies and mimics Cavett.

Boy am I lucky to have such sweet kiddos!

Mary Poppins

Thursday afternoon Cavett was treated to the ultimate date--Aunt Amber was given tickets to go see the musical, Mary Poppins, at Fair Park. As he dresssed in his Sunday best, I told him that it was a date and he proceeded to ask, "Does that mean I get to open Amber's door?" "Of course!" was my reply. They left at about 12:30 and about 5 hours later we met them in University Park to pick him up.

Traffic was thick and parking was incredible. They ended up parking way across the fairground, due to the fair, but the good thing about that was that Cavett got to ride a tram and see "Big Tex." Amber said that he was a perfect date and several times during the show looked over at her and said things like, "That is amazing!" His favorite song was "Chim-Chimney" and he loved it when Mary Poppins flew over the audience.

After we picked him up, I asked him if he opened the doors for Aunt Amber, but he said, "I forgot! I was too exctied." We are so excited and pleased that our kids are getting a good dose of their aunt and uncle. I only hope that they tire of us before we tire of them.

How much fun can you have with laundry baskets?

Another edition of "How much fun can you have with..."

Soccer Sub

While we were in Shreveport, Anna Grace's soccer team needed a little help. (Players 32 and 33)They were down several players, so Cavett graciously stepped in. It was so fun to watch the two of them together play. Afterwards we celebrated Candace's birthday at Strawn's.