Merry 2008 Christmas!

The day begun early about 7 am and we hit the floor running with opening the gifts. My was there a lot! I've had them all tucked away and had forgotten how many there were!
Bubby was a great Santa handing out the presents and T-Bone was great at opening them up! He did seem to get alittle overwhelmed and kind of backed off after a while. They had a blast.
Bubby got alot of Spiderman stuff and T-Bone got Lighting McQueen. Bubby got a remote controlled truck and helicopter. The helicopter is fun! Can't quit wanting to play with it. No body wanted to take a nap but for daddy this afternoon! All the boys napped while mommy took a shower and had some quiet time. I did manage to make lunch before they all went down. I decided that I wouldn't do the traditional again as for Thanksgiving. I made Tempura with sweet potatoes, onion rings and large shrimp. Yum. It's kind of messy but worth it.
I think leftovers or a hamburger is in order for tonight. ")
It was a very nice Christmas. I'll be downloading the pics later and well post them on here.
Hope everyone had a great one too!
Merry Christmas!

A Christmas Eve reminder

As you know we volunteer with Meals on Wheels and today was our route day that happened to land on Christmas Eve. So with a quick breakfast and bundle up off we went to make our deliveries. I tried to keep myself humble and not get caught up in the "hurry" of it all but it was a struggle. I have a few last minute things that I had to tie up today just like most. I had made out some Christmas cards for my boys to hand out with the meals in hopes to brighten some days for those that are home bound. Little did I know that the tables would be turned.
All of the people that receive meals are grateful and kind people but a few of them just give me that warm and fuzzy feeling. One of them is Alberta. Just looking at her I can see the stories of her life in her eyes. A strong Christian women of faith is apparent with every visit I make to her home. She is a small elderly women that lives alone in old dated home. Yes a dated home, she tells me but I'm blessed, it's paid for. She greets me at the door with use of a walker. When I ask her how she is doing she always replies 'very blessed dear'. In her home is the pictures of her when she was younger with her family and a few of John F Kennedy and Martin Luther King sitting on the TV top. Lately she has had one or two of her top burners on the stove to help keep her warm while the weather is cold. Well today we all came to the door complete with Santa hats and a Christmas card. She was so touched with Bubby giving her the card that she wanted to give him a sucker. I tell her that she shouldn't. She insists and goes to get her purse. As she is walking down the hall I can see that she is missing a sock on one foot and that her night gown is in need of being replaced. I glance at the wall beside me and see a plaque that was given to her for her years of volunteer service for the elderly. I thought wow she did what I'm doing now for a very long time. She comes back and pulls out a dollar instead to give him. I refuse. She tells me that she knows that we don't need it but that the spirit told her to do it. My first thought was why God? I got my answer soon. It was a reminder of what Christmas really is all about. A sacrifice. Well I melted right there standing on her living room floor. All my problems and worries left me as I saw God use this sweet little elderly women that didn't have much at all and was homebound to teach me a good lesson. Humble me he did. Don't you just love it when God speaks to us in a way that we can understand and uses anyone or anything to do it. Merry Christmas.

Our Gingerbread house

How do you like it? It no longer looks like this. Some of the pieces (clears throat) or should I say candy are missing. Duh. This year T-Bone helped. And did a great job I might add! Christmas is so yummy.
We also went out tonight and looked at Christmas lights in Plano. Bundled up very well. Baby it's cold outside! ")

The week of Christmas! 2008

We're ready, are you?

Daddy's back

From where you ask? Well he went to Waterloo, Ontario in Canada this week on a business trip. It was an opportunity for him to meet up with the people that work at Research in Motion at their Canadian headquarters and get a clearer picture of what he'll be doing at his new job. Daddy said they EVERYONE up there was nice. He didn't have any negative interactions with one Canadian. Hummmm really? He said that he would like to live there but the cost of living is out of this world and it's a bit on the cold side. ") Outside of that he had a great time meeting everyone and getting to know the company.
The boys missed him greatly and couldn't wait to pick him up at the airport on Thursday. We did alright on our own but it's sure nice having daddy back home! Now could you please change that light bulb in the garage that I couldn't reach while you were gone? It's dark in there! Thanks Daddy. Ahhhhhhh nice not having to do the 'Daddy jobs' :)

I'm so busted!

Ok I know that alot of you 'experienced' moms are going to be saying to yourselves " That was not smart" but please have grace on me, I've been a little distracted lately with Daddy Dude's new job and feeling the rush with Christmas right around the corner.
Here's my story:
I put the boys down for a nice afternoon nap. I figure I've got maybe an hour and a half or two to get some much needed Christmas wrapping done. I know, I know, my mistake. I seemed to have forgotten that the sound of paper rustling travels the speed of light for a four year old. I mean what was I thinking without having Daddy here to cover my back? Duh.
So there I am all splayed out on the floor with my tape, scissors and wrapping paper. I've aligned myself nicely in front of our TV screen so Dr. Phil can tell me like it is while I get busy with my elf work. All the time in the back of my mind I'm thinking "He's going to come busting through that door and then what?". I never did have time to finish that thought through.
I'm so busted.
No he didn't see any of the presents without wrap. I was smart in that dept. ")
I quickly (mom may need a new hip for Christmas) caught him at the door. You should have seen his face. All lit up like the Christmas tree. Oh my. I hurry him back behind the door and beg, plead, scream for him to stay put until I tell him to come back in. I throw all that I have into the garage into our secret hiding place (Dad's unplugged brew fridge) in about 3 trips tops. I then tell him that it's ok to come back in. I'm trying really hard to play it cool now. It's not working. He is giving an interrogation that the FBI would be proud of. All the while I see the Batman helicopter right behind him at eye level on the stove that I forgot to put up. I distract him while I'm kicking myself in the booty, all at the same time. So I come up with the story that the presents are for someone else. That worked. Now he's bugging me about how I didn't get him and T-Bone anything. HELP.
In the future, they are going to be wrapped while he is gone or I'm doing it elsewhere. Lesson learned, next.

Daddy 1st day at his new job

Whew. Glad that's over! Poor Daddy had a long busy day at his first day at work. A day of setting up his computers, getting security clearances and trying to get his Blackberry going. Not to mention meeting a whole bunch of people. Warning: Overload! ")
He's decompressing as I write this while messing with his new Blackberry.
The next few weeks will be transition time for him until the dust settles down a bit.
I'll keep everyone posted.

So that's what that was

It all started when T-Bone had a very high fever the Friday after Thanksgiving. No other problems but maybe a little stuffy nose. When I say high fever, I mean high! It would only stay out of the 104 range for about 2 hours on Motrin or Tylenol. If you are a parent, you know the feeling of helplessness in the middle of the night struggling with whether or not you want to take them to the emergency room. I will try to do anything to keep my kids out of there if all possible. So for three long days and nights we "fought" the fever. On Monday the fever dropped only to return. That's it. I'm done. Plus now I was starting to feel bad too. A sinus infection maybe? I need help.
They said that he had a bad ear infection in his left ear. I wasn't surprised, he has been pointing at it and saying "hurt". I'd been using drops from a previous infection and was hoping that whatever was going on, his body could fight it off. As for me, a sinus infection. Both of us was given a round of antibiotics, something that I don't like but sometimes necessary.
Well the next day the fever again dropped and then a few hours later a rash appears on his face and trunk area. Oh yeah, I remember this. We went through it with Bubby. Roseolsa was one of the names for it. High fever with a stuffy nose for 3 - 5 days then a rash for a few days. I did have the thought of it once while giving him a midnight cool down bath. It felt like I'd been here before. ")
So now things are better. I'm much better and T-Bone's fever is gone and all that's left is a lite rash almost gone. And Bubby's safe since he's already had it. Thank Goodness for that.
So the clouds part once again and the sun shines as it did before. (Enter sigh of relief here)

Giving Thanks

Giving Thanks is what today is all about. We have so much to be thankful for. When I look back in history and in some of the lives around me today. I realize how much we have.
Not in the tangible things but in our mind, souls and spirits. Peace, love and forgiveness to name a few.
Though our suffering we come to a cross road in our lives. We either become hard, bitter and afraid or soft, thankful and free. By God's grace I try to stay in the later.
I thank you God that you know me and I know you. I thank you for giving me a new life more than 12 years ago and your still setting me free with each passing moment. For my family that surrounds me here on earth and gives me the joy and tears that I call my life.
For friends that come to call and welcome me into their heart and lives.
For this day, this moment in time with a grateful heart.
Happy Thanksgiving

Daddy's new job

Well after much prayer, talk and time, Daddy Dude has found a new job. He will be a new designer for a company that makes Blackberry (Smart phones). This is an awesome opportunity for him. It was a difficult decision for him to leave his job. He has been there for over ten years now and they have become like part of our family.
God has opened a new door for him and we give him all the glory. He has ALWAYS been faithful to provide for us. With us being a one income family and having two little ones it's a big responsibility for Daddy to provide for us. With this new position, comes new changes and challenges for him. I personally hate change at first but in time it all becomes my normal and I bend to it. Daddy says that change doesn't seem to come as easy as it was when he was younger. ") I know that he will do great. Daddy LOVES a challenge and a opportunity to grow and learn. He's never had a problem with that whether it's his work or for him personally. He's got a knack at figuring stuff out. His gift is gathering information and putting it together. Something I'm not too good at doing. My goal seems to be just getting it done and figuring it out as we go!
Anyway this is great news for us and we are humbled to have this been given to us. He will start the 2nd week of December. Since they are a company from out of Canada, they will be flying him up there in a few weeks to meet some of the higher ups and do some training. Nope we're not moving up there. They have their US headquarters here in Texas, not that far from where we live so he doesn't have to pack long underwear or anything!
We spent the evening at one of Daddy's favorite German restaurants, Bavarian Grill. We celebrated the German way. Beer, sausage, wienersnitzle and some yodeling!

Daddy's Birthday

Today is Daddy's Birthday!
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to Daddy. Happy Birthday to you!
Bubby and I started his day with breakfast in bed. A linen napkin was used. Daddy always considers a real linen napkin to be a sign of something good. He has commented more than one occasion if we go out to eat about whether or not they offer cloth or paper napkins. ") I never gave it much though before he brought it up to me. My pet peeve is: Why do some take the time and trouble to wrap your utensils up only to leave the part that will be going into your mouth exposed? That's wrong.
Anyway, we sent him off to work with a full belly of a English muffin with egg, ham and cheese toasted of course. Orange juice, a V-8 and completed with a small chocolate kiss that Bubby added at the last minute. (Put a Ahhhhh, in here)
After coming home we headed off to Red Hot and Blue to snag some BBQ. Daddy's kind of fond of their sausage plate. I like anything with their sweet BBQ sauce on top of it and Bubby's big on the sign that has two pigs with sunglasses on playing the blues on guitar. T-Bone threw back some serious fries and a grill cheese. I can remember it was the first place we went out to eat at after we became parents. Kathy was our waitress then as she was tonight and even before we came with child! It's kind of homey to us.
After coming home we had cake and Daddy got his gift from us. It was a gift certificate at Fry's for some memory on his laptop. Bubby over heard him saying that he needed it and so that's what we got him. Maybe now he won't have to wait a half an hour to get on the internet!
Happy Birthday Daddy. We love you. You take good care of us and we appreciate your hard work and fun attitude when you come home from work each night (even when your tired). We hope you have an awesome year!

Beavers Bend State Park

Well we got back from our stay in a cabin in Beavers Bend State Park in Oklahoma last night. We had planned on staying for only two nights but ended up staying an extra night.
We have gone out there BC (before kids) and have always loved it. I think that we've been out there a total of 6-7 times. I still get awed by the sight of the forest. All the trees where changing colors and the leaves falling made it look like it was snowing! We hiked, fished, cooked hot dogs and marshmallows on the campfire, canoed. The boys were in full throttle the whole time we were there! T-Bone hiked with us like a trooper. They of course slept like a rock when the time came time to lie down. ")
We saw several deer in the park and they came surprising close to us. At night while daddy and I sat around the fire we could see the deer grazing in front of us while we listened to an owl call echoing through the forest. We did see two wolves. One was in the back of a pick up in a cage, it appeared to have been trapped and they were moving it to a more suitable home. The other I saw running in front of me at night no more than 30 feet away! That kinda freaked me out since the boys and Marty was out there with us. He/she didn't seem very interested in us at all and ran right past us. And we did see a few critters (raccoons, cats) trying to get a night time snack from the dumpster.
The highlight was the day we left. We all pack up for a great canoe ride along the river while Bubby did some fishing.
The weather was awesome the whole time. Mid 70's during the day and 50's at night.
Though I'm knee deep in smoke smelling clothes that need washed and three days behind in Bubby's home school, I have no regrets. ")

Halloween

Well as most of my friends know we really don't "do" Halloween but the boys and I did manage to do something kinda scary today. We went to vote! ") Seems like so did everyone else over here!

Ms Diva

Well I have really struggled with blogging about this one but it's such a big deal to me I just can't pass. Have you ever heard of a diva cup? Well if you haven't you should have. I am talking about a menstrual cup. Yes a silicone menstrual cup. I found these a few years back while researching different alternatives but I thought there was no way that I could use it. I won't go into the details but if you are interested you should check it out for yourself at: http://www.divacup.com/ The reviews where too tempting for me to pass at Amazon along with the low price. Once I got passed the "Ewww" factor I was pleasantly surprised. And I kind of took the stand of wasn't it about time for me to feel ok with myself down there? I mean I am 44 years old now. ") These are so nice without the hassle and mess of other products and you can save a few bucks too. I'll even go as far as to say I've "forgotten" more than I few time that I was even on my "girly time"! It should last me 10 years and I don't have to worry about running out and replenishing my stash hidden from my family of boys in the bathroom. Not to mention the comfort! Wow.
I feel liberated by taking this step.
Why didn't I do this sooner?

Living with Super Heros

Tonight another episode of Batman and Superman!

Eating those eggs!

I usually make a big breakfast for us on the weekends. Today I got to use our fresh eggs. So far we have gotten 5 of them. Both hens are laying now. So this morning we had biscuits, hash browns, sausage and eggs. One word about those eggs: Yum.
How did they really taste? Well clean is the only word that I can think of. Really clean, without any funky taste. Same thing with brewing your own beer Daddy says. Of course you really can't tell that most eggs have any funky taste unless you have something to compare it with. ") Also the white was very thick and the yellow was REALLY yellow or maybe orange would be a better color. All in all we were not disappointed. I properly thanked the girls for them.

Jumping for joy!!!!!

I thought this day would NEVER come. The boys and I sat down for lunch today when we started hearing some serious clucking out back. I went out to check on the girls and found my larger hen (Henrietta aka Icky) moving about on the nest in the coop. She was making all kinds of racket while getting off and on the nest. The other hen just looked concerned and confused about her being in the coop during the day. I just knew she was getting ready to lay. I've read that they act different before they lay and can cluck alot. I also noticed that she was a bit aggressive about her food this morning and she is the low one in pecking order. So I wondered.
Well after checking the nest a few times I went out back and she was back to her old self running around the backyard. I peeked around and looked inside the nest to discover the most beautiful egg I've ever seen! Yes I said beautiful. A large soft colored brown egg!
After months of feeding, watering, fly control and cleaning, we have produced fruit! Don't get me wrong they are the easiest critters to care for but you do have a goal in mind for having them.
It's awesome to feel somewhat self sufficient! ") The harvest is sweet. No more buying store bought for us.

One of those great Texas days in the fall

This has to be my FAVORITE time of the year. Every thing's cooled down from the hot Texas sun and people are coming out of the indoors and getting out some. After breakfast we decided to pack a lunch, fishing poles and bikes and head out to a favorite park of ours not too far away. I won't share it's location since it's a great kept secret around these parts. Yes, I'm being selfish.
We always seem to have a great time out there. Bubby caught his 1st couple of fish and a turtle out there. I was an awesome day. While Bubby and Daddy Dude did some fishing T-Bone rode his Big wheel and I walked beside him around the pond. We then had a nice lunch under some cypress trees as we watched the world go by us. Here are some pictures of the day. Enjoy, we did!

Great minds think alike right?

Short funny story:
Today I got two free tickets to "On Golden Pond" at The Contemporary Theater of Dallas. They have this offer of giving out a select number of tickets out for free for different plays. So it's race to get them if you can because others are doing the same. Well my friend Ms. J told me about it a few weeks ago and I got notice from a email that they were offering again and that the doors would be open again today at 3. So I checked out what was available and what time the shows are for ahead of time so I would know what I was shooting for. I picked "On Golden Pond" at 2 this Sunday afternoon. I thought this would be a good time for the both of us to go.Well I got them! Soon as I was finished I called Ms. J to tell her the great news that I scored two tickets online for us! She didn't pick up so I left a message. The reason why she didn't pick up was that she was calling me to tell me that she got us two tickets to "On Golden Pond" this Sunday at 2!

T-Bone's 2!

The day started with getting him up and dressed. Then as he turned the corner walking into the den he discovered his presents on the floor. He was stuck for a moment trying to decide what he just had walked into. Soon the camera was on and he was opening one after another. I must say the boy had some great present opening skills this time around. I couldn't help but think ahead to Christmas and what it will be like. He got a box full of new hot wheels, a large monster truck named Gunslinger, a tool box and a hot wheels dare devil track. We got Bubby a Spider man motorcycle so didn't feel too left out. As you can tell T-Bone loves cars and trucks, don't all boys. It just amazes me that boys seem to migrate towards certain things as do girls.
Bubby being the first and not having a older brother to learn from did it without any suggestion. T-Bone like I said before is all boy!
As our family tradition we went out to eat. The birthday person gets to pick the place they want to go. Since T-Bone loves Tex Mex we decided to take him to El Fenix and get him a child size enchilada platter. I'm thinking that this might be a mistake but hey it is his birthday. I'll let you know how it all passes. He loved it. This guy likes his food spicy. Hot sauce is his choice while Bubby sits back and eats his chips with butter. The staff then came out with an awesome strawberry sopapilla and sang Happy Birthday to him. Later Grandma came by as always bearing gifts. The boys love her visits and enjoyed showing off for her while she is here. After some dinner we all had cup cakes and again sang Happy Birthday to him and had him blow out the number 2 candle. Ahhhhhh another year passed and now his is a two year old. I'm having a hard time wrapping my brain around that one. :)
Happy Birthday T-Bone.

Wednesday Oct 8th 2008, T-Bone's B-Day party!

Ok Ok so I'm running alittle late with this. This week has been a blur to me.
I put Wednesday's date on the title because this was the day that we had T-Bone's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese's. So I'm playing like today is still Wednesday. You with me on this?
Well today we had another great Chuck E. Cheese birthday party! T-Bone's official Birthday is not till next week but we had it a few days early. We had most of our playgroup there: Aunt J and her three sons, J#1, J#2 and J#3. Uncle P with Bubby (another Bubby nickname), and Aunt S with Bean. Most of the time was spent with the kids spending their tokens playing games and riding some rides. Only bump in the road was a late entrance by the mouse himself wishing T-Bone personally a Happy Birthday! I feel for the one in that thick suit, barely able to see the little tots running circles around his legs and pulling at some extremity. Some happy to see him and others not. Probably all for min wage too. Thanks who ever was in that Chuck E Cheese suit. ")
We all had pizza and a Lighting McQueen cake to help celebrate the day. I didn't even realize that T-Bone had "blowing out the candle" skills yet! It surprise me when he quickly blew it out before we even started singing! I covered his mouth the 2nd time around and we weathered just fine.
As always I'm in awe that he will be two years old! It was just yesterday that we brought him home from the adoption agency. He's still a baby to me and I suppose will always be in one way or another. Happy Birthday T-Bone! Your living up to your uncle's name for sure. You have an incredible since of humor though your not too up to sharing that side of yourself with just anyone yet. At home your full of robust and usually wide open. You are the stunt man of the family for sure. I call you my webble wobble, because you fall and won't stay down! Your very physical and all boy, tough. I can see you playing football when you get older. You can be sneaky and trying when it comes to disciplining you. You don't fall into place too easy and can buck up against the system sometimes!. We love you and are glad that God brought you into our lives! Have an incredible year little boy.

Fall Yummies

My son Bubby is in the top 10 of picky eaters thanks to me. So one of my tactics to get him to try new foods is take him to the local Sam's and turn him lose on the sample carts! Honest, it amazes me how he eats new and different foods taken by a stranger. Come to think of it, I'm going to have a talk with him about that. Anyway during our last visit, they had all the fall goodies out in full force. We came across a nice lady serving out samples of the most wonderful pumpkin bread. Bubby ate it up and T-Bone and I liked it too. Now I'm not usually the one to fall for the ole bait and hook but this time I did. I got one big box that contained three packages of mix. So far I've made two of the three and yum. If you were to put some butter cream icing on these it would......Well ok I'm back now. Sorry. They have turned out to be a great breakfast in the morning for the boys. I can't say that they are all that healthy and I can't remember just how much they cost. Maybe I should sit down with a few of them and think about it. ")

Fair Day!

Today was are annual State Fair family day. Daddy always takes off a day and we go during the week hoping to avoid crowds. Daddy and I have never missed a State Fair since we have been married (12 years) and never will if we have anything to say about it! Yes we will be the couple riding our scooters through the crowd with our sombrero hat's on. It's just a tradition for us to go and it holds some history with us as well. We went when we dated a very long time ago. I have this very special memory of us at the Fair. I'll share. We were walking out of a pavilion from seeing a horse show (my favorite, and sadly something they no longer do :( ) There was the song "Pretty women" playing in the air. When I turned to look at him he smiled and I could tell he was agreeing with the song while looking at me. It was a magical moment for me. He's always had the ability to make me feel so special. So with that said it's a very personal tradition for us to go. Now that we have a family it even makes it more special. I have many fond memories of my family and I going. When I'm there, I can see my mom carrying one of those big Toyota bags everywhere while I followed her around. Man I miss her and I would have LOVED to have taken her around that place with the boys! We played hard today! It was coupon day which meant that all rides where only 5 coupons each! Bubby likes just about it all and T-Bone is just as willing but unable because of the height requirements on some of the rides. Most of them will let the little ones ride if an adult rides with them. I can't describe the joy I have seeing my hunk of a man sitting side by side with our youngin on a huge green caterpillar ride! I just sit on the side line and laugh out loud as they pass! So this must be what they mean when they say "They'll keep you young"! We then went to the planetarium and then chowed on some corny dogs. The highlight was seeing the miniature trains go around Big Tex's boots. The boys could have watched them for hours! Bubby was concerned that Big Tex's jaw didn't work right when he talked. He said that his jaw should not go into his neck when he spoke and next time he wants to tell the "Fair people" to fix it and make it right. ") We of course hung out at the science museum and I even got some sand between my toes with the boys in the dino dig. Ahhhhh, that sand felt good on my tired dogs! Last but not least we stayed and watched the parade. It always make me kind of tear up when I see the boys light up at the magic of the lights and sounds of the parade. We ended the night with a few more last minute rides, one of which was the carousel. I felt proud and full having a boy on each side of me as I stood between them as they rode by the lights. It was a nice ending to a long day (about 10 hours long). I remember the first time we took Bubby out there he was just 3 months old and we stayed for 9 hours. Most of that time he slept quietly in the stroller while we did the Fair for the first time as "parents"! Maybe we can go back just one more time this year?

Bye Bye baby stuff

Grandma has graciously offered to sell some of our belongings in her garage sale this weekend. I jumped on the chance of course! We have been wanting to have a garage sale this fall but just haven't been able to pin a date down yet. We are done with extending our family and we no longer need the "baby" stuff that we have. It was great to have adopted two boys! As I stated in an older post Bubby grew so fast that most of the baby things we have were very gently used and was in good shape for T-Bone to use. I do have to admit to feeling the heart "twang" seeing this stuff leave our house. :( No more babies. But soon the feeling leaves and I'm convinced that we are fine at four! I love the fact that Daddy can look after one and me the other. Any more than that would go beyond our league. I freely admit that I am not "special" enough to go having more than two children. ") Actually some days I wonder if I am fit enough to have two! Anyhoo I hope to rid ourselves of some unneeded baby stuff this weekend.
Oh and on another note, we scored Bubby a great used school desk. It was just what I wanted for just 5 bucks and right down the road too! Yahoooo! It made me think about the day that we will get one for T-Bone too. Yikes, Home schooling two! That's a whole other thing to think about and for now I choose not too! :)

Get that boy some new shirts!

Well as some of you know the weather has become much sweeter these days in Texas! I LOVE it. I have my windows wide open with the breeze swinging in through the curtains as I write this! Did I say how much I love this already? ")
Well with the cooler weather comes out the warmer clothes. I kind of dread pulling out last year's batch in Bubby's drawers. He is SO tall and is not showing any signs of slowing down lately. We decided to take a stroll (T-Bone and I) while Bubby rode his bike around the neighborhood. It was a bit nippy and I thought a long sleeve shirt was in order. The poor guy sleeves were almost sitting on the inside of his elbows! It was sad. Of course he didn't care. He was thrilled to be out and about in his element. But as you know it really pulled on the mommy in me. So off we went after the ride/walk to get a new supply of shirts. T-Bone will always have a great set of clothes in good condition. Bubby had yet to wear the same clothes for longer than about 8 months. The opposite is true for Mr. T-Bone. He is almost 2 and can still wear some of his 6-9 month old stuff! I also have a huge box full of great shoes that look almost new. T-Bone is only on his 2nd pair! Funny how they are so different from each other. Oh well it's great that i don't have to get alot for T-Bone. He'll have the great hand me downs. ")
So Bubby is set up for the next ride around the block. He should be riding in style.

Grandma and gifts

The victim

The technique (note the fishing hat)


Success!


Hey these thingy's fit pretty good on my fingers!

Doorbell rings. Well it really doesn't "ring". It's one of those late fifties models and it screamed until we brought Bubby home and I fixed that wagon with some good ole duct tape! Now it's more like a sad dud noise but hey it gets the job done. ")
I was cleaning up after dinner and Bubby was yelling "Grandma, It's Grandma!". Poor T-Bone was unable to see because he was still strapped in his chair but he was just as excited. She brought them some fishing poles with fish (toy of course) and some cute little visor hats. The hat made T-Bone look like a pool hall hustler (sorry no picture). She always brings them something. They of course love it when she does. Nothing like a seeing their Grandma come by for a visit!

Bubby's first day of school

Just sit down for the first lesson. Look at that excitement!

My work is done here today. Mission accomplished.


Today was Bubby's first day of Kindergarten! It was my first day to be his teacher too. We had a great time and he loved it. He was so excited about starting he could barely wait. We turned our spare bedroom into a classroom for us to home school in. I found a huge dry erase board last week on Craig's list for really cheap and had Daddy mount it on the wall this pass Labor Day weekend.
It looks great in there. I was really nervous about teaching one on one with my own child. I've taught preschoolers before but only in a class room setting. For some reason I thought I'd lose some of my old abilities with just one student. Though it still very early in the game it was quite the opposite. It was GREAT to be able to have the time to focus on just him and not spread my time out between several students! We are using My Father's World Kindergarten program and Math U see for our math curriculum. He is only 4 and I'm starting him early but he's ready for something now. No questions about it. I'm so excited to have this opportunity to home school our boys. Upon doing some national research regarding the regulations and laws with homeschooling I realize just how blessed we are to be here in Texas. Texas and Oklahoma are one on the rare states that do not have any laws or regulations regarding you homeschooling your children. Ok that's one good mark for Texas. Hate to be sarcastic but I can't say that I'm much for living here. I know, it sounds horrible being here for so long (40 years) and I know how Texans just LOVE their state but ........ Please forgive me. The first problem is that I don't do the Texas heat in the summer at all! I just can't stand the fact that we have to run our air conditioner almost around the clock for 3 to 4 months out of the year and have to pay for it. We are a slave to the electric company! Ok I'll move on here. Enough venting for now.
Back to the real reason for writing this today! Bottom line, we had a great time learning together and I look forward to the educational journey that begun today! ") Love U Bubby, good work.