Happy Birthday, Compadre!

Wishing M a happy 9th birthday last month at one of our local favorites...I'm not sure which was bigger...the sombrero he wore while the staff sang to him, or the smile on his face after being creamed in the face.

Cruising

P only wishes this was for real....he was trying out the driver's seats of each car at the Houston Auto Show in January....but, I think the Mustang looks pretty good with him behind the wheel - at least the price tag on that one was a little more bearable than the Jag he tried out next!

Can you believe it?? P, driving? In just another year or two?

I've already offered to give him my car...the big ol' surburban...he said "no way...its a big rolling turd!"...what gratitude! Oh, well, I can't blame him...after living through the formative years of these 3 boys, surviving countless lost chicken nuggets and happy meals, purple sharpee "accidentally" drawn smiley faces on the back seats, a gazillion trips to over a gazillion different ball games & practices, 10+ fender benders or wrecks and getting SHOT in the fender, I wouldn't want that for a hand-me-down car, either.

All Star Basketball

Here's M playing some tough D against Liberty's team...unfortunately the effort wasn't enough. We lost and are out of the tournament. M had fun: he collected a few more bumps and bruises which he wears as trophies and war medals. He'll be proud to show them off to G & P who missed his games - they've been in Austin at the state HS tournament.

Back to School

So far, so good. In the blink of an eye another summer is over & another school year begins. Everyone has had a great first week of school. P is adjusting to Jr High & 5:45AM football practices. W loves his new school and beams because his teachers told him that his class was hand picked because they were the smartest and kindest kids in the entire 4th grade, and M is enjoying 2nd grade and finally having a locker...just like his big brothers.

My classes are beginning well - -more students than last year, but that is a good problem to have to work with. G is busy moonlighting as an AP during part of his school day - not much discipline to enforce just yet, though. We received our M. Ed degrees in the mail last week (no formal graduation plans ...just finishing together was enough for us) - - it is nice to experience the luxury of free time again. There for awhile, we both were so busy that it seems we barely had time to keep up.

It has only been 4 days but I think we have fallen back into our school routine - - we'll see how well that holds together next week when there is more homework (for me & for the boys) and then later on when fall baseball practices begin again.

Until then...go to bed early, line up your backpacks & pack your lunches, and don't forget your homework!

Summer ReCap

Vacation Bible School, Baylor Basketball Camp, Dayton Basketball Camp, Gulf Shores, Houston Childrens Museum, BlueBell Ice-Creamery, Monastary Miniature Horses, Eagle Point/wave pool, Stewart Beach/Galveston, 16th anniversary, finished the deck, repainted 3 rooms...

I think we've had a pretty full summer, although it doesn't seem like it lasted for very long. Today is my last day of leisure...the boys still have another week -- but I think we are ready to get back into our routine. P will be in Jr High! - -I still can't believe that! - and is excited to start the year in a new school, with new classes and playing football then basketball, then track....what happened to my little blonde-headed baby? He's not a baby any more - and not blonde, either. W is excited about 4th grade - cool new school - he can't wait to get into the science lab and try out the new playground (although his big brother reminds him NOT to run on that playground, I think he must have found that out the hard way)! Plus, he is excited about fall baseball...maybe trying something different this year - - select ball. We'll see how that goes. It seems like just yesterday that we were taking him into his kindergarten class...now its 4th grade...time really does fly. M will be in 2nd grade - another school, big changes from 1st grade. He had a great time helping pick out all ofhis school supplies...4 boxes of crayons, 3 packages of pencils, the big pink eraser, etc...He's still the youngest brother...but not a baby by any means.

We only have 10 more years of back to school with our boys....then they will all be college bound. Realizing that there is a definitive time span helps me remember to look past all the rush and hustle of this time of year, and cherish the smiles and expectations and excitement that new classes, new teachers & new friendships can bring.

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

What do you get when you combine two toddle little girls and three adoring cousins?

give up? .......a day of fun for all 5!

We had my nieces today while their mom (my sis in law) did some work/school stuff - - its seems like just yesterday, but also a million years, since my boys were this small. We had fun...they built pillow & blanket forts, counted through numerous rounds of hide & seek, watched The Land Before Time (still one of my favorites), and ran around in the back yard.

Thanks, J - - for letting us share the day with your babies!