December

When you get behind in your blogging, it is daunting to say the least to poke your head up and try to get through the weeks behind you.  It is my own fault--sickness, trips out of town, programs, costumes, parties, and baking.  By all accounts, it is definitely December.  I did plan ahead though getting all my shopping out of the way very early hoping to focus more on the giving and doing more for others.  I guess I accomplished that and now I'm well on the way to the anticipation of the end of "technical, liturgical" Advent and on with the celebration of the true meaning of Christmas. 

In the mean time, let's recapitulate....

We started the month of with a flesh wound.  The first Wednesday of the month during recess, Cavett hit his head on a pipe protruding from the school building wall.  Unfortunately, my phone was charging and on vibrate.  The school ended up calling the office and I got the message 15 minutes later.  We met at the pediatrician's office and Cavett received 3 stitches.  He was such a trooper and very strong.  I was so proud of him.  I would have been a mess!  In fact, I couldn't even watch him get the stitches or numbing shot.  It healed beautifully and the scar should be minimal.  He said he looked like Frankenstein!  There was also the sickness--me recovering from Mono, Kendrick had a ruptured eardrum and strep throat and I'm pretty sure I'll be taking Cavett in tomorrow for ST as well. 

The next day was Kendrick's school program and I was able to take Grandmama with me while Uncle John got his teeth worked on.  He was just precious and sang like a sweet angel in his Christmas "tie."  He was even able to stand next to his best friend, Luke.  Video to come on the next blog. 

 That Saturday was completely free, so we headed out of town with our friends, the Boatners, to Grand Saline so that the boys could shoot the guns.  Being the only girl in the bunch, I was elected "Storm Trooper" and chased around the field. 

Stephen also shot a few of the nuisances (beavers) in the lake. 

 Wise, he is.  Our church pageant was held and Cavett was one of three wise "persons."  Why we can't call them what the Bible calls them, I'll never know.  They were and still are MEN.  No matter, he was dressed royally in my former couch pillow material and tchotchke.  He delivered his lines with enthusiasm and elegance.  So, proud again.  Video will also be on the next blog. 

Pictured here with Herod.

 The final belt testing and karate tournament of the year were also held in the month of December.  Cavett is now a green belt and Kendrick is a yellow belt.  They both have come a long way since beginning in January and April of 2011, respectively.

And, then there was the baking and hosting of parties.  I ended up baking 16 double loaves of Christmas Bread for friends.  I hosted a Sunday School party, Chancel Choir party and DFW Centenary Alumni Party and a friend after party at my house and also hosted Kendrick's school party and the office party at a restaurant.  I'm pretty done and looking forward to relaxing the rest of the year. 

The Tooth Fairy Strikes Again

For the second time this year, the tooth fairy will be visiting our house.  This time it was forced.  Stephen had an opening in hygiene today and it was time for Cavett to have his cleaned.  After his cleaning and exam with no cavities, it was pretty clear that the lower tooth he had been wiggling for several months needed to come out.  His adult tooth was coming in too far behind. 

I am so proud of Cavett.  I sat with him as Dad was ever so gentle and very strategic in word and needle as he numbed Cavett up.  Cavett said the first little bit of medicine gave him a little pinch, but he didn't feel it the second or third time and that it felt really funny and fat after a bit.  The "pliers" were grabbed, a bit of blood showed; I became queasy and sat down on the chair with Cavett.  The tooth still had a pretty good root on it.  Next came the "scaler" and more blood; I was light-headed.  The whole time Cavett is cool as a cucumber.  The tooth came out and that is when it really hit me, but "whew" it was over!

The good news is: when you have to get a tooth pulled at the dentist, the tooth fairy brings you more money.  We'll see how much there is in the "tooth fairy" wallet...

On another note, both boys belt tested today in Karate.  Cavett is now a Camoflouge belt and will go to a new class.  Kendrick is now an orange Tiger belt.  This means more time doing after school activites and waiting for classes, since there is not enough time to go home and come back between classes since they aren't back to back....

5 Days Left

Before school starts!

Today was a bit of a bust.  We were busy--too busy.  This morning's note took us to the hallway cabinets to the games.  It was "Board Game, Cards and Puzzles Day."  The problem was we weren't home long enough to enjoy it.

The boys squeezed in one game of "Feed the Kitty" before we headed to Coppell to drop Walker back off at his Dad's office.  Then we had to pick up some clothes at Kid 2 Kid and then to the gym.  After that it was haircut time.  It had to be done before school started and I was dreading it, seeing that it was the week before school and was bound to be busy.  But I figured during the week would be better than the weekend.  Then there was lunch and swim lessons.

Since they had stayed up late the night before, naps were in order.  Kendrick fell right asleep and Cavett had some good down time reading in his room.  Up next--karate where Cavett earned his Cheetah belt.  We dashed by Hobby Lobby to buy some last minute items for a "Back to School" gift for his teacher and then dinner was upon us. 

They were able to squeeze in two more games while we were at church for Choir practice.  So, I told them we would have a "do-over."  At any time we are lacking something to do in the coming days, we must pull out a game of some sort or a puzzle. 

Better luck tomorrow...

Texas Twister

We could really use some storms right about now, but this is all we have.  Our Karate team put on a huge regional tournament today at the Allen Events Center.  Not knowing what to expect, we were a bit overwhelmed with the size and what to do and where to go, but it all came together.  We were armed with two cameras, since we had two kids with two different colored belts, but unfortunately, there was only one card between the two of us.  Luckily, that card was the one taking video and we were able to snap a few pictures at the end. 

Kendrick sat and stood like a "black belt" while he waited for his turn.  The judges were really fun and motivating and helped him some.  He was awarded "Amazing Blocks" for his form and "Incrdeible Control" for his weapons. 

Cavett followed directions and instructions very well and behaved like a "black belt" as well.  He was awarded "Best Hand Technique" for his form and "Best Weapon Twirling" for his weapons. 

Way to go kiddos!  We are proud of you!

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!!!!

This Week's Accomplishments

Both Cavett and Kendrick hit milestones this week.

Kendrick has begun his first sport.  He has shown his patience and practice and has been allowed to start Karate early.  Typically they don't allow them to start until they are 4, and he is 4 months shy of that.  But, he has been watching all of Cavett's practices and doing the moves on the sidelines with the  kids.  He has a great grasp on the strength and even has better form than some of the kids already.  With Kendrick, I think he does better in a group setting rather that one-on-one, so he has been doing very well and will receive his gee this at this afternoon's practice.

For Cavett it was his first major school project.  Every child chose an animal for their research project.  Cavett came home last week telling me that his was a blue jay.  Really?  They are headed to the Dallas zoo for their final field trip and I thought no way is it really a blue jay as a zoo animal.  Come to find out it was... well, let's just see if you can guess.

For the beginning of his presentation, here is what he is showing.  Can you guess his animal? 

We spent one afternoon researching the rubric--Diet, Habitat, Characteristics, Predators, Interesting Facts. We learned many new vocabulary words including "Neotropics", "Frugivorous", and "Diurnal."  We spent one afternoon searching through Uncle Jonny's old National Geographic Kids, Ranger Rick and My Big Backyard magazines for pictures.  We spent one afternoon planning the board and gluing pictures and yesterday he wrote all the text on the board and together we made a model of clay.  Nana even gave him the idea of having big kitchen tongs, a serving spoon and tweezers to describe the different types of bird bills and why the toucan must have a 7 1/2" long bill made of bone and keratin.  The project will be turned in on Friday.  Whew!  Glad to have the first one of many behind us!

Of course, the icing on the cake was that he got to eat a box of sugary cereal for the project, because we had to show the mascot of Froot Loops!

Hi-ya!

This week Cavett started Taekwando.  I know, I said we would never have done this many sports by now: soccer, swimming, baseball and now this.  But we found out that baseball season doesn't start back until the last week of March and after the "behavior issues" he has had at school, Cavett needs the discipline of self-control, listening and following instructions.  We had been discussing it over the New Year weekend and that one of Stephen's patients is an owner of a Karate school. He went to work on Monday and low and behold, that patient was in the office that day.  Coincidence?  I think not!

We went to observe one class on Wednesday and I was sold.  It's a 30 minute class and we can go as many times a week as we would like.  They emphasize behavior and holding still (like a black belt) and listening.  After every command, they said "Yes ma'am!"  There is a goal of the week with a home report card using things like-putting away your clothes, using your manners, helping your parents. 

Unfortunately, they won't take Kendrick until he's four, but said they might squeeze him in after he has been watching Cavett for a couple of months.  Maybe it will provide incentive for potty training as well.

But Cavett is enjoying it and for now it's our "sport."  We'll see if we can keep it up during baseball season.