Father's Day and Anniversary "A to Z"

He's the man of my dreams. The father of my children.

He's Attentive and Brawny, Charismatic and Devoted.

He's Endearing and Forgiving, Gentlemanly and Handsome.

Ingeneous,

Jovial,

Kindhearted, and

Loyal.

He's Manly and Noble, Obliging and Passionate.

Quixotic,

Romantic,

Supportive,

Thoughtful,

Unique, and

Virile.

He's Welcoming and 'Xceptional.

Yeilding, and

Zealous.

I'm so lucky to have you stand by my side through all life's smiles and trials. 

I love you, Stephen.

An Ode to Camping

The bags were packed, the ice chest full.

Tread not here or you'll fall into a duel.

 No river made the tracks stand out.

 With no water there was not even a pout.

 The hike uphill was hot; we were beat,

But this view God has is so complete.

 Sweet stories were read with care and love,

While falling asleep with stars up above. 

More hiking next day, up a new mount.

While Kendrick with feather held some clout.

To the pool we did dip, trying to stay chilled.

For this trip we were ultimately thrilled.

Critters and Views

Here are a few of the critters we saw this past weekend.  Only ones missing were the raccoons that stole our cookies and the armadillos that rummaged around camp.

There was actually a second fawn back further in the woods that I couldn't picture.

Karate Kids

Tonight was testing at Karate.  It happens once every 8 weeks. 

Since Kendrick started Karate at the end of April, this was his first belt testing.  Last week we really didn't think he was ready, but his teachers had confidence and he pulled through showing off all his moves with confidence for the most part. 

I think he was truly proud of himself and I know that Stephen and I were as well as Grandmama who was able to join us for the evening. 

Cavett earned his 4th belt tonight-the yellow.

Upon completion of the white belt, the kids in the class get to hang up a black belt in front of their picture encouraging them on toward that goal.

No karate kid is complete with out the headband!

Way to go Cavett and Kendrick!

We are so proud of you and your accomplishments, not only on the mat, but in the classroom, at home and on the potty!!!!

Playing School

One of my favorite things to do as a kid was to "play school."  I, of course, was the teacher and my younger sisters were always the students.  We had desks and chairs.  Everyone had to raise their hands and I made up work sheets typically having "fill in the blanks" or "circle the correct word" for verb tenses.  The settings varied--sometimes our rooms, sometimes the porch, or maybe the tree house. 

Today, I got to re-visit this role and we "played school."  Kendrick had his time with me going through some pages in his pre-school "Math" book, which he LOVES.  I can't seem to get him to crack the "Reading" book though.  Afterwards, he colored and cut up strips of paper while Cavett and I worked on writing a screenplay. 

We went to see Kung Fu Panda 2 again today because someone is now pooping on the potty again after a short regression.  At the end of the movie, it shows an older panda in a remote village that says, "My son is among us...."  I thought it was a great lead in to Kung Fu Panda 3, of course. 

Cavett and I talked about what the problem could be in the sequel while we did our chores and we discussed what he thought might happen.  So, for "school time" we pulled out his school draft book and I gave him a few questions to guide his screenplay:  who are the characters, what is the setting, what is the problem, how will the problem be solved?

He did a great job, but after 30 minutes, I took over writing down what he said.  So, if you are curious or if the writers need help in  wrapping up the next sequel, here is Cavett's story.  Spelling is his own.

Po wants to find his rel family.  The fereus 5 and the other good masters were with the Panda, Po.  Po told them to serch all of China.  They all end up in the midle of China in the panda vileg.  When Po sees the vileg, he asks one of the pandas, "Does my Dad live here?"

The Panda tells Po where his Dad is.  He goes to find his Dad.  Po said, "Is that you, Dad?"  His father said, "Yes.  My son is among us!"  Po and his Dad hug each other and one of the  pandas in the village says, "Are you the dragon warrior?"  Po replies, "Yes!"  and shows off his Kung Fu.  Everyone cheers. 

The End.

I guess I need to get my act together and have something planned to do like this everyday.  I mean, this is what I always wanted to do when I was little...

Snaggle-Toothed

It's happening.  My little boy is getting adult teeth.  This is a huge milestone!  They are actually called adult teeth.  He is one step closer to adulthood.  He is loosing those sweet tiny teeth he was born with and will soon have what seems to be monstrous teeth compared to his little smile. 

We first noticed it a little wiggly about 3 weeks ago and encouraged wiggling.  By this past Tuesday he began complaining of that tooth hurting, so I knew those roots were gone and short sharp stubs were left.  I asked him on Friday before I left to wait and try not to pull it until his Dad and I got home on Sunday.  But, that was not possible.  It was bugging him so bad that he sat in church with Grandmama and wiggled it the entire time.

After they got back home, he went off alone and yanked the thing out of his head.  He said it didn't hurt and that there was very little blood.  No big deal. 

For the past 2 years if you would have asked him what he wants to be when he grows up, he would say that he wants to be a dentist like his Dad.  He is now well underway to that goal, with his first tooth pulled by himself.  If he follows this path, this is only one of a lifetime he will get to pull.

No matter how many holes there are, I will still always love that heart-melting smile.

Boys Will Be Boys

Yes, boys will be boys.  Yesterday, I was surrounded by "farting" arm noises.  Today, it was a little nicer.  After all the morning camps we were having quiet time.  Everybody was to be in their own rooms.  About 2:45, I went to check on everyone and was going to let them know it was pool time.  But, I snuck up on something much better than I hoped.  The two of them were in Kendrick's room playing so kindly with one another.  Who cares if they were blowing guys up and having a "battle,"  that's just what boys do. 

The important part was the kindness I saw.   

“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another."  Zechariah 7:9

"Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." Colossions 3:12

"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Galations 5:22-23

The last two passages I pray for almost every day for me and my kids.  It's so nice to see answered prayers.  Thank you God for a peaceful summer!

Car windows

Remember the old days of rolling down your car window with a handle?

This morning my window locks weren't on and the kids were messing with them. I quickly flipped the switch and got everything up. My mind drifted to my childhood in the old blue station wagon. How much harder it might have been to convince kids to roll up the windows.



I told the kids that we didn't always use a button to roll the window down and that we say "roll", because we used a handle to "roll" it down.

Cavett then said, "yea, that's because you were born in the nineteens!"

Ok, I expected the eighties or seventies. I didn't expect nineteens! But I guess it's true.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Kindergarten Complete

Somehow this year has flown by and my little-bitty Kindergartener is now staring down 1st grade and hoping for a really great teacher.  Although it wasn't the best of years with the best teacher in the world, Cavett made the best of it.  He made some really good friends, a sweet little girl friend, sang a solo the Thanksgiving play and learned some in the process too. 

For someone who was still trying to decide which hand to write with in August of last year, his handwriting has come along quite well and the "journal" he came home with was impressive and funny to read.  He is reading on probably a 3rd grade level and chapter books are most interesting now as well as the dictionary. 

Math is not as strong as language arts, but he is still way ahead of the curve learning some multiplication and excellent on addition and subtraction with word problems and loves patterns.

Even though he hated coloring at the beginning of the year, his drawings have come a long way and in one picture even gave some depth perception in drawing someone very small in the background kicking a ball.

His new teacher for the end of the year, Miss Merks.

Today was the classroom "awards ceremony."  Each child received two awards: one academic and one fun something.  He received a "Great Reader" Award and the "Mr. Cool" Award.  I couldn't be more proud! 

I love you, Cavett!

A New Blog

It seems I get to be the editor for a new blog...

Check it out! 

Also, click here to see the new office website!

A Sigh of Relief

This afternoon's after school conversation was about our cousins and how there are 4 boys and one girl on each side.  As we were talking about this Cavett asked,  "How do we know if Asher and Alex are boys?"

With a deep breath, I replied, "How do we know anyone is a boy or a girl?"

He responded, "By their hair...."

I kept prodding wondering if we'd need to talk more at this moment... "And..."

Cavett said, "Fingernails,...... make-up, .......and jewelry.

"Oh, OK."  Maybe he and Dad can have a conversation about that on the boys weekend to Grand Saline on Friday....