Friday, April 13, 2012

"quotation marks"

It is so funny to have a dramatic daughter and spastic son...because Easton is constantly coming up with these sayings or mannerisms that are typical or social that he has seen his sister do...but he is not able to use them at the right time or in a functional way...so we end up crying we are laughing so hard. Recently, the quotation marks is the latest example. Elle has used them for dramatic effect...so he has seen them used a lot. The other night at dinner, we were talking about something she was eating, and he used the quotation marks...over and over. We were rolling. I finally took a picture of him...

Birthday weekend


My family has a couple of birthdays that landed together, my nephew and Elle, my other nephew and Easton, and my neice and my Dad. So it is always fun to celebrate the birthdays together whenever we can. Elle and Easton had gone to Addyson's birthday party with my parents ahead of time and given Jason and I a little date night. At the party, the kids were singing karaoke and got their faces painted. Obviously as you can see, Easton did not really participate in those festivities...but Elle was all in. Easton said it was really for girls, but he enjoyed playing with Nashy and wanted to celebrate. Then we went out to eat for my daddy's and Addyson's birthdays at a great little cafe in Southlake. They have a tradition there of having the birthday people sing with a chicken hat on, but of course both of my kids wanted to put the hat on as well. It is always a good time with the family!!

Sometimes I wonder...


Seriously, our kids are so technologically savvy...it is crazy! One morning, I snapped this picture when I rolled over in bed and they were both sitting there playing quietly and I didn't even know they were there! I am not completely worried about them yet, because I know that they spend an equal amount of time reading, playing outside and in their extracurricular activities. So I feel confident that they are well rounded kids...but honestly, it amazes me that they're able to maneuver through any piece of equipment that we own. At times, it is a blessing, of course, and hopefully in life it will benefit them! I just need to keep focused on not letting it get out of control, right?

Another season of tball


So as Easton is growing up, and really enjoying tee ball, this is our 3rd season playing. The first season, he was the first child drafted (we found out later since we aren't allowed at the draft) because of his name and our team didn't have a coach or a manager, so Jason stepped up and did it. It was a little crazy, because this league is filled with people that have been doing this for a while with all of their kids..so to say the least--we were really "out of our league"!! But we made it through and of course Jason pulled out a winning team...and Easton learned a lot that season. In the fall, we joined forces with some of our friends and he drafted Easton by telling them Jason was helping as a coach. We had a wonderful season and again, Easton learned a lot and learned even more of a love of the game. So when we entered into this season, we were kind of thinking that we were on that same track. But again, when the draft occurred, Easton was drafted first and the board stated that "his dad would coach"...so our friend was not able to help us. Jason did not want to manage again due to all of the headaches, but agreed to help coach in anyway possible. It has been a roller coaster and trying to keep all of the politics and stuff away from the kids so that Easton can just enjoy playing ball...but this team is really bad!! :). I keep telling Jason that I really don't care about them winning or losing, I just want Easton to learn more about playing. But it sure does make it less fun to get spanked every game...:(. We told ourselves the first few games that they didn't even know..that they just loved playing--but then the 2nd game, Easton said, " I don't like losing...". We just reminded him that sometimes you have to struggle in order to get better. That God is building you up. He does love playing...and he is only 5---they aren't going to the World Series anytime soon or anything...:)

Medieval Times trip

My family is so fun. Anytime you mention something that you haven't done...my parents immediately say something along the lines of "well let's go?!"...so that wasn't any different when my kids mentioned that they wanted to go to the castle place off of the highway. I knew the kids would love it because Elle is really into the horses and Easton loves knights and fighting...but man, I never could've guessed just how much they would love it! It was so much fun to just watch them scream and yell for our knight. I couldn't believe how much they got into it. I was also surprised at how much they enjoyed the food...they both licked their plates. Of course my mother had to buy them all sorts of stuff as we got there from the little store...as always. ;).

Crash and burn


Easton has always, for as long as I can remember, been a kid that has taken things to the next level with regards to intensity...running faster, climbing higher, jumping off of things, etc. But the thing that was always crazy, is that he never got hurt...he was like a cat! He always landed on his feet and loved it--just encouraging him to do it more and harder and faster! He has every kind of bike, scooter, and riding toy there is...and most of them he doesn't use as they are intended--because that is too boring. :). Recently, when I was gone with Elle to horseback riding lessons, Easton was outside riding his scooter and I get a call from Jason telling me that he had a little spill. There is no urgency in his voice or no cause for alarm. I asked if he was okay and he answered with a quick, "he's fine". When I got home, this is what I saw. Honestly, I had to hold back a scream! What had happened to my sweet angel?? Was this okay?? What was not okay?? Dead?? (I know, I know--I am probably overreacting...but he's just such a precious little boy and look at his face?!). But he did learn not to ride his scoot backwards and try to jump off of the curb at the same time...lesson learned!

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Church camp


This year was Elle's first opportunity to go to over night church camp with GABC, so of course she wanted to go. It occurs every year right as we are getting out for Spring break and lasts 3 nights...and I was asked to go as a counselor. If any of you know me at all, you know that I am incapable of saying no--and I do want to be involved with our children's ministry, so I went. Man, what was I thinking?? A bunch of 3rd grade girls, right as I am ready for a week off of work? But God is good all the time, so He provided. It was so much fun to watch the girls worship and learn more about Paul during the week. The weather was awful, but we modified and adjusted and the kids of course never care. Elle, my child that is never sick, came up with strep throat the night before we were supposed to leave, so we went to the dr the morning of and she got a shot of penicillin. Again, God provided healing and she was good as new as we pulled out on the bus. I am not sure that I will attend every year, but what a blessing to be there with my child as she is enjoying other children and really soaking in the love of the Lord!

Love of pets

Elle and Easton have just fallen in love with this stinking cat. I am allergic to cats and swore that when she got her for her birthday last year, the thing would never be allowed in the house. Well...not only is she in the house a lot, she rules the roost. Thankfully she goes out to go the restroom, so no litter box, but she loves to be to play with the kids and just take little cat naps here and there. She is so rotten. Recently, we brought our lab back from Waco because she was hit by a car and needs some rehab...so the cat is really having to adjust to not being the only pet in the house. Easton keeps saying things like, "your cat is annoying my dog!" to Elle, and then I find him laying on the couch loving on her like this. :). Precious.