The Lessons

Over the Christmas holiday I got to talking to one of Stephen's employees who on her days off works at a gymnastics gym. She told me about their program and that our boys would love it. I decided that would be a good idea and a focus, channel for his energy. Kendrick's age group is a "Mom and Me" class and we are going every Friday while Cavett's in school. I think I love it just as much as him, because it bring s back memories of taking gymnastics at my elementary school, Trinity Heighs Christian Academy.

He is jumping on the trampoline in different ways--one foot, in circles, patting knees, doing pull ups on the bars, flipping on the rings, balancing on the beams and his soumersault is perfected. It is just what we needed. Thanks Mary!

Also, we have been talking about putting Cavett in piano lessons for a while now and debating on how soon to start him. My college roommate, Renee, convinced me to do it on my own. And, she's right, I can do it. I just needed the right books and time alone. So, we have set it up like a real lesson. Cavett and I will do book work on Thursday afternoons while Kendrick is sleeping and the Dad will play with Kendrick while we work on the piano.

Yesterday was our first lesson and he loved it! This week he is working on the black keys, learning finger numbers, bar lines, measures, and quarter notes. Maybe we can convince Grandmama to give him his next lesson in Grand Saline tomorrow.

Kendrick--What's next?

This child...really? I love him to death! He is so much fun, makes me laugh, has the cutest smile, but really????? He's a bull in a china shop; he's a daredevil; he's not afraid of a thing. Oh, and did I mention his love of art?

Today he created a lovely masterpiece in blue permanent marker about 2 feet off the ground running the length of the rotunda, through the kitchen, by the laundry room to the dining room. I can't get it off. He sat in time out and I think after talking about drawing on paper all day, he might have gotten the idea. We will re-paint this weekend.

Then, as I was cooking dinner I turned around to this! I had put the firetruck on the counter to vaccum and mop earlier, but never put it back on the ground. Didn't bother him! Up he goes! Luckily, I caught him before he busted his head.

He is a precious child and I love him dearly, but I am scared for his LIFE!!!! I need to knock some fear into this one. My laid back parenting has back-fired on me! HELP!

The Big 5!

I can't believe it! Where has the past 5 years gone? Instead of a tiny baby, I have a growing boy who can read, write, play all sorts of games, dress and feed himself, and multiple other things. We celebrated Cavett's birth yesterday all day, literally. We woke up with requested blueberry pancakes and then opened a few presents--a watch and some birthday clothes.

The actual party was at the Heard Museum. We invited a small number of people. No one from his class, just family friends and actual family. Rain was a concern, so we headed out on the Dinosaur trail first. It was so much fun to see all the rain boots and the kids roaring back at the dinosaurs. They also got to pet Rosie the Rabbit and Kilo the Bearded Dragon. The dinosaur cake was a hit and wrapped it up with a visit to the kangaroo cage.

But the celebration didn't end there. Chipolte was for lunch with Memaw, DD, Mike, the Chaneys and Amber and Jonny. As the afternoon went on at home it was come and go with Grandmama, KK and Austin, Cousin Beth and Lyle and Cousin Elaine joining as well as some friends from our Sunday School class in Houston.

I'm pretty sure that Cavett had a great day and it was good to have a reason to have a mini-family reunion to see so many loved ones in one day.

From here, life changes for my baby. Kindergarden is next year. Loose teeth are just around the corner. But if you ask him, what he is looking forward to is 6 when he can chew gum and climb up Grandmama's laundry chute. I'm not really dreading it completely. He's ready and I know that I need to let him grow up, but I will still cherish each and every hug and kiss.

Happy Birthday Cavett!

The Cake

Tonight I finished Cavett's birthday cake. He picked out a triple chocolate and the icing colors and we baked it up Tuesday afternoon. I assembled it Tuesday night and added the crumb layer. Tonight it is complete. I may have smurf colored hands from tinting the fondant, but I feel good about this one. Each time I bake one, it is like climbing a mountain, and a different one each time. It's a challenge, but one I thouroughly enjoy. Maybe my kids will never notice that we always baked the cake together and I iced it. Maybe they won't notice that it isn't store- bought-perfect. But, they will always know that I wanted to spend time with them sharing one of the things that I love to do with them.

To see past cakes click here.

P.S.- Marion, if you are reading this, I think of you every time I ice a cake now (for many more reasons than "Batter, batter")! Love you and can't wait to talk to you soon!

The Rearview

It's back--the Rearview. I haven't blogged this week, here it is in hind sight.

Monday was MLK, so the kids were home. As a result we got to have a much needed playdate with the Davis'. Adrianne suggested Going Bonkers. I asked Cavett and his response an emphatic, definitely. I asked it timidly, since he was just there with Amber on Saturday, but that didn't matter. He loves the place! It was a bit crazy with tons of kids there--much different from the other times we have played.

That evening as I was beginning to get dinner ready, I reached under the stove for a pan. Kendrick started screaming and pulling on the cabinet doors as I was shutting them. I couldn't figure out his deal or what he was saying, but I decided to just let him play in the pots and pans. he chose one pot, pulled up a stool and wanted to help me cook! He wanted a knife and wanted to chop and put the peppers in his pot. And of course if one son does something, the other son does too. We found two dull chees knives and they got busy. I can't wait for us to really cook as a family one day. Right now, I would be happy if only everyone would eat the same thing at one meal.

Tuesday was our regular gym/grocery shopping day. The kids were very well behaved in the store and received a treat--Icees! That afternoon we hit a new park in McKinney. It is similar to a favorite in Allen, but it didn't matter. Cavett made friends with every kid there and played pretend "Star Wars." Of course, Kendrick followed him every step of the way.

Wednesday--was a school day. I got BSF and a girl's lunch in before picking the kids up. That evening we headed to Creekwood UMC for our first class in Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University Class. It seems we have completed "Baby Step 3," but we haven't been able to puch beyond. Hopefully, this class will jump start us in going beyond and analyzing our budget better.

This afternoon was spectacular! From the weather to the time spent together, it was perfect. While Kendrick slept, the three of us worked in the yard pulling weeds and tidying up. Afterwards, Stephen and Cavett plopped down on the chaise lounge by the pool and took a breather. Oh, it made me anticpate the summer. It's going to be fantastic! In fact, as a lover of travel, I think I may even be able to stomach a complete summer with no major travel, if we can get the rest of the backyard finished. We turned on the hot tub and headed to our next destination after Kendrick woke up.

The past weekend in New Mexico really re-ignited the desire to get out in nature again. Stephen and I use to camp alot 10 years ago, but after moving to Houston, it was just too far to get to somewhere really beautiful. Our resolution for the spring is to take the kids camping and hiking. So, we began with going to our favorite, the Heard museum for a 1 1/2 mile hike on the Sycamore trail. As we hiked, we sang the "Zacheus" song and looked for sycamore trees. not too far into the trail there it was--the most beautiful sycamore I had ever seen. It was about 150 and had the most graceful, glowing white branches reaching up to heaven. Breath-taking. Unfortunately, the trail got flooded a little less than halfway. We still got in almost an hour of "exercise."

The hot tub was good and warm on return and the kids played while we took turns getting dinner ready. Speaking of, it was gobbled up as fast as possible and sleep was almost just as fast. I guess we wore them out.

I am really trying to cherish each of these long weekends this Spring, as Cavett will be starting Kindergarden in the fall and Stephen may expand his working hours. Sitting at the dinner table tonight was a perfect family moment. My boys are growing up and becoming more independent.

Parent's Get Away

This past week, our friend Kelli was working in El Paso. She suggested that we just all join her for the weekend and we would drive to Las Cruces, NM to celebrate the husbands birthdays. It was a great idea! We flew out on Thursday and rented a house with a beautiful view of the Organ Mountains. The rest of the weekend included a 4 1/2 mile hike in the snow up the Organ mountains, acting like little kids sliding down the sand dunes at White Sands National Monument, some great dinners and lots of time chil-laxing on the sofa watching movies. Trust me this is not something I can do at home. There is always something or someone calling my name. It was a great time with great friends and we can't wait to do it again and maybe with the kids next time!

There is just something strange about seeing cactus in the snow.

While we were gone we left the kids in wonderful hands--Aunt Amber and Uncle Jonny to the rescue! They got to go to the Wiggles Play Room, a puppet show of Peter and the Wolf, Chick-Fil-A, Going Bonkers and finished the weekend with the boys taking them to the church we have been frequenting. I think all survived quite well and had a perfect time together.

Just for my siblings

Bubba with the blue hair!


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