Kendrick's Check-Up

After dropping Cavett off at school today, Kendrick and I headed to the pediatrician's office. He is perfectly perfect.

Height: 29 1/8" 50%

Weight: 21 lbs. 10 oz. 50%

Head: 18" 50%

As the doctor was leaving he did the sweetest "bye-bye" and waved. Unfortunately for her, she walked out the door before he was able to blow her a kiss. What a heart melter! He also received 4 shots. He doesn't take as well to pain as Cavett does. He cried quite a bit. I almost cried this time too. After some lunch and some Tylenol, he's now snoozing.

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

What Not to Wear

Last weekend while Brenda and her family were over we got to talking about fashion and clothes and how I needed a whole new fall wardrobe. We talked about the show What Not to Wear and decided that Brenda could be my "Stacy."

This afternoon I spent 2 hours going through the clothes in my closet and ended up with 2 garbage bags full of clothes, and 3 grocery sacks full of coat hangers. I reorganized and sorted. I threw out just about everything I hadn't worn in 5 years. Basically, it was a lot of teacher clothes from Talbots that are out of style or the wrong cut. Some of it I looked at and thought "what was I thinking???" It was kind of hard throwing out perfectly good wool pants that were lined (think at the waist with pleats!). But, I knew that even if they hung in my closet, I wasn't going to wear them. I'll donate them and somebody will enjoy them.

So, fashionista Brenda came over and went through my closet and threw out just a few more things and made a pile of clothes that need to be altered. She claims she has a great lady who is dirt cheap. Afterwards, we hit the stores. I came home with 4 tops, 1 cami, 1 pair of pants, 2 pair of shoes, 1 pair of earrings, a necklace and a clutch--all for under $300. I also found a to-die-for-dress that I hope to pick-up tomorrow. I'll call it my birthday/Vegas/Christmas party dress. I'm not letting Stephen see it till Vegas. In fact, Brenda and I may send the boys to another room while we get dressed. (She found a smashing one too!) If you hadn't figured it out, I am meeting Stephen in Vegas after he is done at LVI for a little birthday celebration a little later this month. Brenda and her husband are going too.

Anyway, I wore one of my new tops, shoes and jewerly today and felt so much better. What I learned: Fun accessories make you not feel like such a "Mom-in-T-shirt-and-jeans" boring. Thanks, Brenda and I look forward to the next episode!

Most Unfortunate

Yesterday as I was driving the Jetta the power steering light came on on the dashboard. The car was still driving fine, but we decided to take it to the dealership this morning. After plugging it in to the computer they said that it was saying weird things, but it was still working fine. They called "Volkswagon International" and they said "huh? Let's take our time and figure this one out." Kinda gives me an uneasy feeling. So, I am now driving a rental car and it could be Monday before I get my car back. We are in a white P/T Cruiser. I've always hated these cars, but I am trying to pretend I am in a 1920's gangster car.




On the way home we stopped off at the park. It is a glorious day! I don't know what blew in last night, but at noon it was 80, breezy and low humidity. Picture perfect. Kendrick really enjoyed the park this go around. Being able to walk really helps. The only issue was that he wanted to walk down the slides.





Addendum: Now Germany is saying "I don't know. Try to replace ___ part." So, this part is "red light" ordered and it could be 10 days before I see my Jetta. :(

First Day of School

Today was Cavett's first day of 3 year old Pre-School (a.k.a.-Mother's Day Out). He got to wear his new shoes, always exciting. We took pictures this morning and he was in quite the mood. Hope you get a kick out of these.

At this point, the first day is not very traumatic. This is his 3rd year at this school and he knows almost everybody in his class. One of his teachers is our neighbor who lives down the street from us. He's only going 3 days a week. Now, when he starts going everyday, all day....that is a big deal. I am really excited for him this year, many changes. No longer will he take a nap and he will also be having an extra 30 minute class on Fridays to learn Spanish.

So I picked him up at 2 this afternoon. He was covered from head to toe--literally--in sand. I really try to not ask yes or no question, but sometimes, that is the best that you can do. Here is basically how our conversation went on the way home.

M: "What did you do at school today?"

C: "I don't know."

M: "Did you go to chapel?" (That's the usual morning routine on Wednesdays.)

C: "No."

M: "What books did you read?"

C: "I read Bob the Builder. They read Piggies and David."

M: "Oh, like David and Goliath?"

C: "No, David goes to school."

M: "I see. And tell me about the Piggies."

C: starts looking at his fingers and counting, "What's this one called?" pointing to his pointer finger.

M: "It's your pointer finger" thinking, it must have been a finger book.

M: "How were your shoes today? Did they help you run fast?"

C: "Yeah, I ran."

M: "What friends did you play with today?"

C: "Caroline. And, I played with the boys. Not the girls."

M: Good, I'm thinking. "Did you eat all your lunch?"

C: "No, I only ate part of my corn dog."

M: "What about your grapes?"

C: "No, I didn't eat them."

M: "What did you eat for snack today?"

C: "Animal cookies like at Kendrick's birthday party!"

M: "Oh, animal crackers. I see." No wonder, I think.

M: "Did you play nice today? Were you kind to your friends?"

C: "Yes.......Silence.....not just one."

M: "Did you hit or push some one?"

C: "Yes, the one with Thomas the Train T-shirt, Matthew. I just wanted to do the puzzle."

So we insue the conversation about being kind, etc. At least he was honest, eventually. I'll thank God for that and we will keep working on it. Our apologies to Matthew. After we got home it was to the bathtub and down for a nap. What I don't understand is why he is still awake right now. Shouldn't he be worn out?

Scootin' Around

Kendrick has now figured out how to push himself on the little firetruck. The problem is that he also wants to use it as a step stool! We took it outside this evening, but he was only interested in trying to play on Cavett's big boy scooter.

Fun at the Circus!

I saw lions and tigers and elephants. There even seemed to be some clown hats or were they birthday hats? The cake was amazing, but more on it in a bit.

We had a couple friends from town come out to have a small gathering for Kendrick's birthday. The Alexanders and Falcone's showed up along with their little ones. We played in the pool a while and then had show inside.

If you can't tell, this is Stephen writing this as Jennifer is away with Pure Sound/New Sound this weekend. It's boys time at the Hill home.

So after some libations and food from the grill it was time to bring out the cake. This is the cake you've all been hearing from and my wife really out did herself.

And to top it off, it tasted FANTASTIC!!! I'll let the pictures speak for how much fun we had.

It is really hard to think of all the "stuff" that has gone on this past year. Thank you Jennifer for being my solid ground!

Coast Guard Jesus

I know, I know you are wanting to see cake pictures. That is Stephen's job this weekend, as I had to leave yesterday at 7 AM to go to Pure Sound Youth Choir Camp in the Hill country of Texas. So, be patient you will see them soon.

For your enjoyment while you wait....

Last night the kids had a talent show. Some good, some bad, some wow, some funny. Here's one that was reprised from several years past. Use your imagination. Picture this. Two chairs. A blue towel drapped over them. Two kids behind flailing like they are drownding. "Jesus" comes to rescue the guys, pulling them out of the "water". Jesus says, "I always was a fisher of men." Maybe you have to be there, but these kids are funny. There are other takes on the theme, like Weatherman Jesus, Apperntice Jesus, Carpenter Jesus...etc.

Hopefully, New Orleans won't physically need a Coast Guard Jesus in the next few days.