The Boys of Summer

The summer is drawing to a close.  The temperatures are FINALLY dropping out of the triple digits and we threw our final pool parties of the summer over Labor Day weekend.  We've made some really great, new friends this year and look forward to many more summers with tons of boys splashing around in our pool. 

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!

The End of Summer Extravaganza

Stephen drove down to Houston for the day for business, so I decided to make my last free weekday with both of my boys packed with tons of fun!  Here's the short list:

Balloons and a run through banner.

A Dance Party in your underware.

Animatronic Ice Age Mammals at the Heard Museum.

Investigating butterflies.

Bowling with Kendrick making a strike and a spare!

The movie, Nanny McPhee Returns-a combo of Mary Poppins, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, Charlotte's Web and the Sound of Music.

Watching them devour two tubs of popcorn for dinner.  Ok, so maybe I helped.

The amzing thing was that besides the movie, everything was minimal for cost.  We are members at the Heard Museum (which for you Shreveporters has reciprocal membership at Sci-Port.)  And we found out there is a summer bowling program for kids where all you have to pay for is the shoes--Kidsbowlfree.org.  Unfortunately, I found it  so late in the season, this is only the second time to utilize it.  Hopefully, they will do it again next summer.

It was a great day of quality time. I think I spoiled them enough (something I rarely do) and sufficiently wore them out.  Heck, I'm worn out!

Tomorrow--all pool, all day.

Here We Go Again...

Facebook has become my daily post of what we are up to.  I am just really having a hard time blogging these days.  Kendrick is dropping his nap and I have a huge book project that I'd like to finish before school and BSF start up in the fall.  So, for posterity and my end of the year book to remind me what pictures to include, here's the run down of where we have been and what we have done...

July 1st-Our second outdoor umbrella of the season blew over in a storm and spintered.  Returned to Costco with no worries.  They gladly accepted it.  While waiting for Dad, the boys discovered the joys of bungee cords acting like sling shots.  The flip flop was the overall favorite for catapaulting.  We will see if they take back umbrella number 3!  (I swear, the thing has a design flaw and catches the wind!)

July 3rd-  We had our college friends, Renee and Kristin over and were overwhelmed with guns, swords, and wrestling.  Boys.  5 of them. 

July 4th and 5th-We had all of the Dallas area Hills over for Grandmama's birthday.  For some reason the camera didn't come out and the only pic I got was of her breakfast.  She always elludes the camera, but then again, I'm sure she didn't want to be seen in her nightgown with breadkfast in bed. 

July 9th-11th- We headed down to Houston just beacuse.  It had been a year since we had made the trek and thought it was time to reconnect.  On our way out of town, with my cows popping out of the sunroof in the drive through, we stopped by Chick-Fil-A, since it was cow appreciation day.  We got our free chicken biscuits and hit the road. 

We swung by Stephen's office first and said hi.  Next up was our old 'hood.  It was so good to see these faces of friends we have truly missed.  I have nothing like them in my neighborhood and it is sorely missed.  Our kids miss the interaction as well.  

 

We spent the rest of the weekend with Anna, Mark and Walker catching up and looking forward to J.P.'s entrance into this world.  Unfortunately it didn't happen during the weeknd, but Anna was a sure trooper keeping up with us all. 

On the way home, we stopped by Wheelock, TX for an adventure.  The kids were asleep for most of the drive, but I know that once they woke up and we were on a dirt road, Cavett might remember it later. 

It's one of those crazy Dadoo moments when he throws everyone into the car and starts driving.  When he finally arrives at the destination, it's a tree in the middle of no where, but it has significance. 

When we got out, it was two houses--a log cabin (1836) and a large white house(1845).  It was the Cavitt homestead settled in 1835.  I had originally wanted to see the cemetery which is behind the house to confirm some dates for my genealogy book, but there were gates and "No Trespassing" signs.  Turns out a couple from Dallas who is related distantly just bought the place and is in the process of restoring it.  He said the cememtery is too overgrown and he sees snakes everyday.  We exchanged information and emails and hopefully we will get an invitation back one day. 

July 13th-We have finally finished our 7 swim lessons (interrupted by rain, toes and messed up schedules) and our teacher invited us to the Natatorium to see if Cavett could swim the length of the pool.  He did so with ease and vigor!  8 laps and could have kept going!  I was so proud.  I think we have a sport for him!  He'll start stoke clinic in the spring and then do swim team next summer. 

The summer is nearly over.  Just a little over a month left and the next two weeks are pretty full with a wedding in Shreveport, a dental (parent-only) trip to Boston, trips to and from Grand Saline for the kids, and Chicago Heizers (Hills) coming to visit.  Before we  know it August 23rd will be here! 

July

Is it really almost August? How can it be? I have enjoyed being off of our regular routine in Sugar Land, but I am ready for a steady constant schedule. How many more days till school starts? Oh well, here is what has been occupying our minds and time....

The first full week of July was full of guests. My former co-worker, Wendy came to visit for a few days and we had some great "girly" time. It was good to visit with her to catch up on her life. Greg Warren, one of Stephen's groomsmen and our college friend, showed up in town and we caught dinner with him on Wednesday night as well.

Thursday after swim lessons we headed to McDonald's. It was Kendrick's first visit and Cavett's second, though he can't remember the first. They loved it! The one in Allen has a fantastic playground. The whole reason we went was a "blind date." It was a playdate to meet a friend of a friend from Sugar Land. We hit it off and we are looking forward to another playdate come August.

Thursday evening Brenda and Isabela arrived and Sammy followed bringing Stephen back with him. (Hopefully that was Stephen's last trip back to work in Houston.) We had a very memorable weekend full of laughs and tears, and of course the typical dress up times for the kids. We also got in a little shopping time too. We miss them terribly!

Highlights: Chick-Fil-A Cow Appreciation Day and Cavett's major fit in the restaurant

Lauren Davis' 1 year old Birthday Party

Brenda left on Tuesday morning and my crazy cousin, Sarah stopped by for the afternoon. Never a dull moment with that girl! She constantly has me in stitches, but yet can talk about real things too.

Highlight: Cavett is now asking to do the dishes!

Wednesday I spent cleaning and cooking. All of Stephen's siblings and parents were coming over for dinner and all but one spent the night. It was really fun to have them all over and pull out all my good china and crystal, but the events surrounding were not as joyous. Richard has cancer--an 11 cm inoperable mass on his liver and after further scans many small lesions all over his body. Chemo will start soon. For the past 3 weeks when Stephen hasn't been working, he has been with his Dad and family at the hospital. Again, I go back to so many scriptures I clung to in the mourning of my own father and my heart aches for what Stephen feels.

On a brighter note, Thursday we left for Shreveport via Tyler (to pick up Memaw) for my little brother's wedding. It was a perfect wedding and it was all just beautiful, not a single flaw! Congrats to Jonny and Amber. I told Mom at one point this weekend that it feels like I have known Amber all my life and that it was like she was born into our family. She is that wonderful! On the other hand, want to know who stole the show? Yep! That would be the "ring master and the ring leader"! They were perfect and stood so perfectly still through the entire ceremony. Only glitch was that they couldn't remember whether or not to take the bells with them on the recession. They also stole the dance floor as well. Cavett got to go to the toy store yesterday to pick out a special toy as a reward--this never happens, so this is BIG! He chose a gun, of course.

Highlights: Cavett's prayer after the wedding "God bless the beauitful bride, Amber who got married today."

Watching the kids dance.

Playing "Prince of Wales" with the Dent family after the reception.

When Cavett was asked his favorite part of the weekend, it was "dancing with Amber."

For more pics of the wedding head to my Facebook page.

We have 3 days at home and then we are back to Shreveport to drop off the kids and a car with my sister and Mom who will keep them while we are celebrating our 10 year anniversary with a trip to Napa, Sonoma and San Francisco. Stephen has a convention there next week and I will leave him on Thursday to fly back and take care of the kids plus my sister's two kids while they go to Portland, OR for a parents only weekend.

So, really.....after this next week, I will be ready for some monotony, a schedule, school to start. It's been a fun summer, but I need some structure. See you in August.........

Oh wait, I just remembered another issue...we are building a pool, so we have had pool guys out, bank guys calling, tile and travertine to decide on and I have been trying to keep Stephen grounded in his dreams. It will be nice and big, but may not be finished by the end of the summer. We will start digging Aug. 6 and may be done sometime in October. More fun times to come....