Mother's Day

It's been a while since I last updated, but I have been meaning to add this. It's a little questionare Kris filled out for the kids and gave me for Mother's Day. I'm glad that I'll always have this keepsake.

1st Day of the Rest of Our Lives

It's been a while since we posted anything. To say it's been hard to keep up-to-date with a blog would be an understatement, but it's definitely not a priority, and I think that's how it should be.

Harrison started pre-k today. We met his teachers on Monday and he seemed very excited. It might have also been because they gave him a lollipop. He picked out his clothes last night and it was the first thing he said to me this morning. After breakfast, I gave him a blessing and got a little emotional. I felt like I was saying the things Heavenly Father would want him to hear, and I felt the Spirit as a calming and peaceful influence. Afterward, he asked me why I sounded sad, and all I said was, "That just happens sometimes," which really wasn't an adequate or fair answer.

How should I/could I have answered that? It's really such a cliche' to say, "It feels like just yesterday...." but it really does. How we rushed from Lydianne's job to the hospital in the pouring rain. How I walked into the hospital in soaking wet jeans & shoes to find out that we were definitely delivering that day. Listening to Arcade Fire on the computer as we waited for the surgery. How we were anxious and nervous and excited. Holding my baby boy for the first time. And now he's standing in the kitchen with a backpack on for school. 

I wanted to tell him that sometimes people are mean, and that's ok. Be nice anyway.

I wanted to tell him that it's ok if he's not good at everything, just try hard and have fun.

I wanted to tell him that I don't care if he wins as long as he plays fair and does his best.

I wanted to tell him to be a friend to everyone, especially the people no one else is friends with.

I wanted to tell him to do what he likes to do and not worry about what the other kids think is cool.

I wanted to remind him of all the Sunday School lessons and Bible lessons we've learned.

I wanted to tell him that sometimes you won't have any friends to play with or sit with, and it's ok to feel sad. But remember, you're still a good boy and people love and care about you. 

I wanted to tell him, you'd beter be nice...or else...

Would he remember anything we taught him? Could we have done more? I don't think I've ever said more prayers in one morning than I have said today.

The Pumpkin Patch

Pictures from our annual trip to the Rockwall Pumpkin Patch.

Smiley boy:

Uncooperative girl:

"I got it":

Baby Smiles Make Me Happy

And, all of Grayson's baby acne went away within 48 hours of me cutting dairy out of my diet. Coincidence? Maybe, but his rash on his chest and bottom also are clearing up nicely, and his stool (which used to be a consistent green color) is finally becoming more yellow with each feeding. Supposedly, it can take up to 3 weeks for all the intestinal stuff to work itself out. His stool is still more watery than it should be, but I'm hoping to see improvement in the next coming days. Also, I'm thinking that cutting out dairy will really jump start me losing this baby weight, since I'm usually a big fan of anything smothered/covered in cheese, cream or ice cream.

Little Entomologist

The kids love to catch the crickets that sneak into the house. They're a little braver than mom. They have some cool tools to catch and trap them, but they're still trying to figure them out completely.

Firehouse Open House

We had a blast at the Fire Station Open House yesterday. We even met up with friends from church/day care (unplanned), so that was awesome!

 

Harrison made this face after his hand got dirty from touching the tire. Love it!

 

Concentrating hard so that she doesn't fall down:

 

Harrison on the big slide:

 

Annlise on the big slide:

 

Daddy helping Annelise go up:

 

Annelise on the medium-sized slide:

 

Harrison going up all by himself:

 

Little Fireman:

 

Arboretum 2011

We took our annual Fall trip to the Dallas Arboretum on Fair Day (when all of the teacher's and students get a day off school so that they can go to the Texas State Fair), which meant it was not crowded at all. We ate our picnic (consisting of Jimmy John's sandwiches) and then headed off to explore and take pictures.

 

Kris and Harrison take this picture in this same spot every year:

 

 

 

Goofy kids:

 

 

We asked him to show us his real smile, not his "cheese" smile:

 

 

 

Looks can be deceiving. Don't be fooled, she is a little tornado:

 

 

 

 

Self timer + second attempt = Not too shabby. I think we clean up well. Spoiler Alert - this will probably be our Christmas Card photo