First week of school

Well we made it through Madison's first week of school. We are all loving it! It is a great fit for our family. Our biggest struggle is trying to narrow down all of our ideas to a feasible schedule! Our second struggle has been with handwriting. We have tried to find some unique fun ways to work on this with both of the girls. We tried writing in shaving cream. The girls loved this. We have also done rice or sand. If anyone else has any fun ideas, please let me know!
This week the Bible Story focused on the Creation. Rob helped the girls to make a bird feeder and a squirrel feeder for our backyard. We also made a book about the days of Creation.



The theme for Science/Social Studies was Family. Family is so important to Madison so she was thrilled to get to do some activities with this one. We made a huge Family Tree dating back to Great Great Great Grandparents. This was a lot of fun.


She also came up with the idea to make a video about her family. We came up with 20 interview questions and interviewed Mimi and Grandaddy, her great grandparents and Granna, her grandmother so far. I have really enjoyed the interviews myself. Madison has referred to some of the stories several times the last couple of days so I know they impacted her too. She really wants to have a hair cutting party like the ones Granddaddy had when he was little. My girl likes to party! If I ever get the video downloaded, I'll try to add it to this post later.

Studying this theme with Madison has just reminded me how blessed we are to have such a great family! Each family member seems to always take time with each of my kids and really invest themselves in their lives. It takes a village! Good thing we have a Big Family!

13 Months old

Cade is already thirteen months old. He is getting so Big! He is talking so much. He has over twenty words, but we have lost count. He is still not walking. Why should he? Mom hauls him everywhere he wants to go. He points at something and the girls race to hand it to him. He is in no hurry and neither are we.

He has the most contagious laugh and is a clown already. His recent trick is to perform gymnastics for us on the living room floor. After each stunt, he claps his hands until you join him. He also LOVES playing the piano. He crawls up on the bench and begins playing. He stops and turns a page of music and then continues, cracks me up! Who knows he may be our next Beethoven.

37 Hours to Go

Rob has been in California since Wednesday and we are all missing him terribly! On Tuesday, Kinley found out about his trip. She decided that she was going along. All day she talked about the special trip she was taking with her daddy. At bedtime, she brought in a little red suitcase packed with clothes and her favorite stuffed animals and set it by Rob's bags. Rob tried to communicate to her that he was going for a wedding and could not take her along. She would not hear it. The conversation went something like this:
Rob:"Honey, I am riding an airplane and I bought a plane ticket to ride the plane. You can't go with out a ticket."
Kinley: "Get me a ticket."
Rob: "It is too late."
Kinley: "The man will let me ride the plane without a ticket."
Rob: "You won't have a seat."
Kinley: "I'll ride on your lap!"
Rob: : "Your too big."
Kinley: "You hold me all the time."
Rob: "Kristi... I need your help!"
We finally coaxed her to bed. Or we thought. Ten minutes later Rob goes back to our bedroom to find Kinley stuffing her clothes in Rob's suitcase explaining that she will ride in his suitcase.
My girl is persistent. It was so sweet.
At this point, Rob want to buy three more tickets and take the whole family along! I finally convince both of them that this will not work. Kinley is devastated. Rob is heartbroken. I am too.
Kinley would not leave his side and fell asleep on his chest on the couch.
Rob left the house the next morning at 5:30 AM. Kinley comes bursting into my room at 6:00 AM ready to go with Rob. She was devastated again, crying "My Daddy is gone to Africa!"
My girls sure love their daddy and I know why. We are all counting down until he returns. Only
37 hours to go!

My Little School Girl

I can't believe it is already here. My sweet Maddie started Kindergarten last week. She has been waiting for this day all summer long. She has had her backpack ready to go, her school uniform laid out and pressed. She sharpened the whole box of #2 pencils, my girl likes to be prepared.
We prayed long and hard about what to do with Madison for school this year. There are so many options out there these days. Madison can tell you all of the benefits of both public and private school. We have been discussing this for so long, praying through each step of the process. God lead us in a direction that I never anticipated. She is attending a private Christian school called Sterling Classical School. It is a University Model School where she receives classroom instruction two days a week and completes the rest of her lessons outside of the classroom. As a public school teacher, I never thought this is the route I would take but here I am letting God take the lead.
Rob and I are excited! We love our kids and enjoy their company. I've never been the parent excited to drop them off and get them out of my hair! We are thrilled to be a part of the learning process with Madison. I really think my kids could not possibly find a better place on earth for them to learn. The teacher/child ratio is 3:2 on the days here at the house. The teachers adore them and there are almost daily field trips. There are lots of books, lots of art, and lots of silliness. In no way does that diminish my respect for teachers and for all parents and all the choices they make. I've grown up around educators, I come from a family full of wonderful educators! They are some of the most dedicated, under-appreciated people who truly love children and teaching that I know. We just feel this is what is best for our family this year.
I am excited about this year. I can't wait to do science experiments in the kitchen and watch Madison have those "Aha!" moments. I can't wait to share the world with them as a giant classroom! We have already had some really cool memories that I plan to blog about each week.
So did it make it easier, to drop her off for her first day of school? Yes and No. Yes, because I know I am still going to get to spend the majority of her time with her. No, because it is a mile marker. My baby is growing up. I still remember my first day of kindergarten! Her brother and sister were less than thrilled to drop her off too. Caden came in and found himself a seat ready for the day!

Kinley cried because she was going to miss her "best sissy in the whole wide world"! It was really sweet. Madison took it all in stride.
When I picked her up, her teacher told me that she complained of a stomachache at lunch, probably remnants from the stomach virus. Miss Carlson, her precious teacher, prayed over her and sent her home with a special note. This along with all of the wonderful friends involved at the school, is just confirmation that this is God's plan for us. I hope you will enjoy the journey with us.

God's remedy

It has been one of those weeks. Starting on Sunday, we were attacked by the stomach virus. Madison went down first. She complained of a stomach ache and woke up in a pool of disgorgement. (Yes, I had to look that word up for the nice way to say vomit!) She held on all day Monday and then Kinley and I were struck down Tuesday night. Rob and Cade joined the injured party on Wednesday and Thursday. Our house was not a fun place to be this week.

It has been a hot summer. No rain. Our average rainfall was just over one inch last month. This week Rob and I gave up the struggle with our yard. After receiving last month's water bill, we decided that a yellow yard might not be so bad.

Last night before bed we asked our God for a full recovery from our sickness and some relief from this heat/dryness.

God heard our prayer and we revelled in it!

The kids anxiously watched the clouds roll in.

But we had fun while we waited.

It slowly started to sprinkle.


And we rejoiced in God's goodness.

Our cup overflows.

We praise You Lord!

Cade's First Professional Haircut

Cade got his first professional haircut this week. Granna has trimmed his hair several times but today she treated all of my kids to haircuts at Pigtails and Crewcuts. They cut off about two inches of each of the girl's hair and Cade had his first experience with the clippers.

Bye, Bye Baby hair!
He did really well.
Mommy had a harder time. Look at the ridiculous pout on my face! :)
Final Touches

Mommy's boy with his new big boy haircut!
Isn't he precious?

We all scream.. for ice cream?

We decided to brave the Austin Ice Cream Festival this year. Rob was not able to go with us so when he got home, he asked Maddie about the festival. This was her summary of events:

*It was very hot- 102 degrees.

*Mom lost our tickets for the games.

*A lady passed out from being dehydrated.

*Mrs. Tiffany cut her foot.

*I burned my bottom on the slide and did a flip at the end.

*Mrs.Tiffany lost her phone but we found it.

and

*The only ice cream we ate was the HEB free sample.

Rob's response: "Did you have fun?"

Maddie's reply: "We had a great time."

We couldn't have done it without Kika!



It was great to be with Tiff.

It was hot but I had two pretty girls with me!

Austin Ice Cream Festival 2008

Parking: $7.00

Fuel to get there: $15

Cost of lost tickets: $6.00

Being with family and good friends: Priceless!

Tooth Fairy Revisits

August 5, 2008

Dear Madison,

Wow! You lost another tooth! I am so glad that I get to keep this one. It sure is white and shiny. You are doing a great job brushing your teeth. I can tell that you have been eating healthy foods too. Those fruits and veggies sure keep your teeth strong!
You will have to show all of your friends when you start kindergarten that you have already lost two teeth. Way to go!
I am so impressed that you pulled this tooth all by yourself. You are very brave. Keep up the good work. I heard that you are sewing a special pillow with your mom for your baby teeth. That is a great idea. I hope it is finished before I come again.
Your friend,
The Tooth Fairy

My Daddy

Has someone ever done something that really made an impression on you and yet you failed to tell them what an impact they made in your life? I do this all of the time. I am always wanting to write someone a letter to tell them how much I love them or how much I care, but somehow I never find the time. Sad but true.

I've written a letter to my dad a thousand times in my head the past few months since his kidney donation and yet I never took them time to write it on paper. My kids are in bed and Rob is not home. I thought I would take this opportunity.

As most of you know, my dad donated his kidney to his younger brother this past May. My dad, the one who lets everyone know how miserable he is when he has a cold, or diagnoses himself with every disease he hears about on the news. My dad whom I do not think, has been for a well-check in my lifetime. Yet, because of the love he has for his brother, this man set aside all of his worries and gave a part of himself to change someone else's life forever. This is one of the most selfless genuine acts of love that I can imagine. Yet, my dad never acted like it was a major ordeal. He took it all in stride. He truly understands that we ought to love one another the way Christ loves us. (1 John 4:11) He never looked back.

I remember reading several years ago about someone trying to sell their kidney on ebay. I think the auction was up over $5 million before they finally pulled the auction. Why would it sell for so much? Ever heard of supply and demand? Not many people are willing to donate a living organ. Yet all my dad has left to show is a small mark on his stomach. A battle scar that represents his love and devotion for his younger brother. A wound that that should not evoke a feeling of disgust but one of pride.

As I lay praying in my bed for my dad the night of his surgery, I thought about how much my earthly father was acting like my Heavenly one. How God gave a piece of himself, his son, so that I may live a new life. Not just an ordinary life but an abundant one. Just as my dad did not want to see his brother suffering, spending his life mediocre, struggling through dialysis each week, Christ wants more for us. He gave his life for us and never looked back. This really makes me evaluate how I am savoring this gift.

So thank you dad. Thank you once again for teaching me a valuable lesson about unconditional love. You may not be able to quote the scriptures that convey this lesson. But more importantly you live it each and every day. You are an example to us all.

A Little Kinley Time

Having three kids makes it difficult to have individual time with each one. Rob and I try to set a time with each of them every couple of months. Kinley and I had "a little Kinley time" as she likes to call it.

Madison was having a special day with Aunt April and Cade spent the day with Granna. Kinley had a hard time deciding what to do on our date.

"Kinley what do you want to do today?" I asked as we dropped off Cade.

"I want to go to the jumpies, go to the pool, watch a movie, go to the bookstore, eat ice cream, go to the park, and play in the sprinkler." She answers frankly.

"Is that it?" I ask.

She adds, "And eat a hamburger."

She is a little bit like her mama. I am always trying to cram a hundred things to do in a

twenty-four hour period. I am sure God often laughs at me as I plan out my day saying "Is that it?".

First we went to Amy's Ice Cream. Yes, we had our ice cream before lunch. This is one of the privileges on one of these special dates, dessert first. We went to the Amy's off of 2222, so that we could go to the playground and have a burger at Phil' s Icehouse.

Kinley posing on the playground.



Sweet Cream with "magic" sprinkles makes me smile!

After our ice cream, we shared a cheeseburger and sweet potato fries. Then we went back to the playground to race down the slides, Kinley beat me every time! We snapped a couple of pictures in the photo booth. Kinley chose the pose each time.

We decided to end our date at the bookstore. As we were heading there, I remember that the new learning store off Great Hills was open. We decided to go there instead. Kinley had so much fun fishing and playing in the kitchen. Here she is serving me "Extra cheese pizza!"

It was a great having a little Kinley time. This little one knows how to make you smile!

Surfer Dude

Caden's First birthday was a blast! It was fun to plan a party for a little boy! We decided to go with a surfer theme. I had Teresa take some pictures of him in one of his hawaiian shirts. Thanks for the great pictures Granna!
I wrote up a little poem about the party. My friend Tanya helped with the invites. She has a photography business and does invites too! This is what they looked like:

As for the cake, My mom helped me this year. Our first attempt was a surfboard on waves but the boys said it looked like a dragon tongue! So we make one large surfboard for all of the guests and Caden's own personal sufboard cake for him. Maddie, Kinley, and my Dad served as our taste testers.
Here are all three cakes:

Of coarse, I had to get all the cute surfboard plates and partyware to go with the theme. Cade loved his balloons best!

I also made cupcakes with individual surfboards on them. We had hotdogs, fresh fruit, chips, and drinks. For snacks we had goldfish and swedish fish. We decorated with some great hawaiian decorations- leis, flowers, coconuts, etc.. We had two water slides for the kids. One was really for the adults. I think Rob and Woody had the most fun on it! We also had a little wading pool for the younger guys along with a fishing area. Our backyard was really full! We have been blessed with many friends and family, so we had 45 guests at the party. You know how Rob and I like to include everyone!

The kids had a great time. The rental company brought the water slide early so we all rode on it before the party. My parents are great! Both Gig and Pappy went down the slide. The girls loved that! I hope to be that kind of grandparent one day! Rob would toss the girls down the slide to increase their speed. We definitely got our money's worth because we hooked up the slide for round three the morning after the party. Cade would just squeal the entire time. He was precious!

He loved his cake and ice cream. He had orange icing head to toe. Aunt April slipped him a little icing the night before the party so he just dove in when the cake was set in front of him.

After all the friends left the party. We opened presents with all of our family. It was nice to get to visit with everyone. Party days can be a little hectic! Mimi made Cade a "wallering quilt" which he loved! He immediately dove into the blanket giggling. It was a response that I will treasure always.

He loved his wooden sorter and all of the neat trucks he got too!

We had a picnic the next day on the great picnic table he got for his birthday of left over hot dogs and birthday cake. He points each night at the football hanging in his room that is autographed by Mac Brown, a gift from Uncle Woody.

Rob and I decided that we would start a tradition with him each year. We wanted to share two of our favorite pastimes with Cade. Being the music lover that he is, Rob chose an album for him each year. This year He chose a Dr. Dog album. Uncle B joined in and got him a Black Keys one too. Being the avid reader that I am,I'll buy him a book each year. This year I got him a great Bible. I get all teary-eyed when I think about him one day reading it, being transformed by God's word. These babies just grow up too fast. Watching their bodies, minds, and faith grow has been the most amazing gift. I am trying to savor every moment of it!

I heard the girls giggling loudly and this is what I found..

How did you guess that I have two older sisters?
I'll pay them back one day!