Growing Up

Today Cavett rode his bike to school.  Literally, not for fun, but as transportation to get to school that morning.  Of course, I rode with him pulling Kendrick in the trailer.  There was really only two scary moments:  walking across 6 lanes of 8:00 traffic on Stacy and he dropped his bike in the middle and then missing a stop sign and driving out in front of a stopped school bus.  We learned a few lessons that morning. 

We also met him that afternoon and he rode all the way home. 

He's growing up--too fast.

Labor Day Fun

Labor Day brought us MUCH cooler temperatures.  A cold front blew threw Sunday night and made our annual Labor Day bike ride and treasure hunt so much more fun.  After the whole "Count Down to Summer," Stephen decided that he needed to take upon himself to plan out the whole day.  He came up with the clues, the treasure (a trip to Cold Stone Creamery) and the locations. 

Weput on our Hill family T-shirts and  found ourselves at the Karate school, a park, a tennis  court, the Armstrongs house, Chick-Fil-A, as well as playing several games along the way.  He did a super job and we all had a blast. 

Kendrick's favorite part was popping the balloons which contained the clues. 

Cavett's favorite part was the bike ride. 

Looking forward to the 3rd Annual Labor Day Bike Ride and Treasure Hunt!

Off with the Old

After lounging around the house all day yesterday, we decided to pack up all the bikes and scooters and take them to school to the basketball courts to ride around.  Flat surfaces clear of cars are way better than our sloped driveway leading to an intersection.  

With a bit of sadness, the training wheels came off of Cavett's bike.

He didn't really want to give them up, but the goal was to be without by the time he was 6.    that time is quickly approaching.  Even though he was apprehensive, he did it with ease on the first try.  We just need to strengthen his legs so he can pedal longer and faster to keep him from slowing down too much.

Kendrick had great fun on his bike and even wanted to get rid of his own training wheels on his own new bike. 

The best part was that the Alexanders were still here and we got to play around with them. Of course, Mark got in on the action and I got some great pictures of Walker and J.P.

A New Tradition

This Labor Day we wanted to completely soak ourselves in family time.  Stephen will be out of town for the next two weeks, so we wanted the kids to have lots of time with him.  We decided on a morning bike ride.  Stephen downloaded the Allen trail map studied it and then let the kids look at it.  Of course, to them it was a treasure map.   In the meantime, I made banana/flaxseed muffins and Stephen sat quietly on the end of the island writing while the kids argued over the map. 

I kept looking over there thinking, "Get off your duff and help me!  Do you hear the kid asking for milk?"  After a few more minutes, I decided I'd just say, "What are you doing over there?"   

"Making a Treasure Hunt," he replied.

Genius. 

We packed our lunches and bicycles and headed out.  But first we had to check the mail just in case the mailman forgot and came today any way.  Low and behold our first clue. 

Clue #1:  In all the mayhem, we lost the first clue, but it said to go to the Astronaut Park and look under a trash can.  (The Space Park near Cavett's school at the head of the trail.)

Clue #2:  Through the woods and down the "Teacher's Path," look where they sit, but don't take a river bath.  (This was the Eco-trail that was next to an elementary school.)

Clue #3:  Look for a park where dogs can play.  Then turn around and on a tree I'll stay.  (Across from the dog park.) What was funny was that when they received this clue, someone with a dog walked by and Cavett asked them if they knew of a dog park nearby.  These people had no clue there were in fact two different ones up ahead. 

Clue #4:  On the next bridge where cars can go, look for a clue where the light doesn't like to go.  (In the shadows of a bridge.)

Clue #5:  Quickly, Quickly!  You are almost there.  To the closest park, ride on like a mare.  Find the place where Moms like to sit.  Your treasure is hiding under it.  (Had to look at the map and determine the closest park and find a bench.)

Treasure:  You found all the clues, so this treasure is all for you.  It is a solution for all your hard work.  You get Yoga-lution for your dessert. (Our local frozen yogurt shop.)

This man is the best!  He even made it rhyme and kept them guessing.  At this point, Cavett still doesn't even know how or who put the clues there. 

It's our new Labor Day tradition.  It's just going to have to get harder.  Geo-caching here we come! 

And if you thought that Kendrick rode in the trailer the whole way, you are wrong!

A Looooonnnngg Weekend

This past Labor Day weekend began on Thursday now that Stephen "works" only Monday through Wednesday. That day we woke up later and had breakfast together and then went about the normal day business, but that afternoon we had a family playdate with the Davis'. We met at Going Bonkers and watched the kids and Daddies have fun climbing through the mazes. We topped of the night at a local Mexican restaurant. Couldn't ask for much more fun!



Friday was Cavett's first day of school. He was very excited and was raring to go. We dropped him off, ran errands associated with the pool and then picked him up without a hitch. He said he liked his teachers and friends and that playing outside on the playground was the best. For what child is it not? When I did pick him up the teacher kinda leaned in and said, "He's really smart..." in that not really excited way. It could have either been construde as in awe or "he's gonna keep me on my toes" kind of way. I'll chose the first, but I know what they mean. He is smart, what can I say.



Saturday after settling all the workers in the back yard, we headed to Grand Saline as you can see from the previous posts.



Monday we took a family bike ride on the City of Allen trails that run through Twin Creeks. I am just loving these! It was beautiful and a good ride. If only they could finish these trails up and interconnect them all. We had great fun at a park with a picnic at the end of the ride. But, it was finally too hot to keep it up and naps followed. That afternoon we were invited to a pool party in Lewisville by some new friends. We wore the kids out completely and so can't wait till ours is finished.



Speaking of....the deck concrete was poured today and we should have plaster by the end of the week. I'll spend my "ME" time tomorrow while the kids are at school going to get the last of the pavers for the coping and choosing the plaster color. Trying to decide between a white plaster with blue flecks, a blue plaster with flecks of brown, black and blue or one called grenedine grey--blueish grey plaster with blue, grey and black flecks. With all the light coping and sides, we are thinking that darker may be better and keep it warmer longer. Opinions? Click here for pics...



To come tomorrow.....Kendrick's first day of school!!!!!!

P.S.--Having trouble posting pics, so most likely you will get them in a separate post. Sorry.

The First Family Bike Ride

This afternoon we were finally able to find the part that connects the bike trailer to the bike. Again, thank you Templins for your hand-me -down "gift"! We were able to take a quick jaunt through the neighborhood. Cavett wanted to try the trailer out as well, so he and Kendrick were pulled by Mom. The temperature was about 45, with a wind chill of 35! It was cold, but fun. We are looking forward to many more trips to the park, soccer games and around Greatwood. Who knows we may even go so green as to ride all the way to CVS instead of driving!