Happy 5th Birthday Noah!!

Happy Birthday to the bravest little fire fighter I know - Nathaniel Noah! If I had to guess what you would be when  you grow up, there is no doubt it would be a fireman. You love fire trucks and going to "work" ...which you insist is the fire station at the entrance to our neighborhood. Every time you pass by you ask me to drop you off there. When I don't, you get upset and tell me you are going to be late & get fired. You are so serious about it. It makes me smile every time.

Other things you like are being outside, digging in dirt, finding worms, lizards and caterpillars. You are ALL boy - loud, sweaty, sticky, dirty and completely sweet! Your dimples and big brown eyes melt my heart. Your hugs are the best - so big they hurt! I love everything about you and am so grateful God gave you to me here on this earth.

PineCove Base Camp - Luke Summer 2013

Luke had such an awesome week at PineCove Base Camp. I knew this was something I wanted him to experience and that God would have incredible things in store, but I really couldn't imagine how fantastic it would truly be. 

Luke faced his fear of heights, trusted God, was encouraged by his friends and (most of all) had fun! He LOVED the water slide and told me about all the different ways he slid down...head first, reclining, cannon-ball style and more!

The mammoth hunt was a favorite too. Camp counselors put socks on their hands & the boys had to try to wrestle them off. Big tarps were wet down with soap & water making them super slippery. I'm certain this is one of the reasons Luke came home exhausted every night!

At the big, group rally on the last day of camp, Prince presented Luke with an award for outstanding character qualities displayed during the week. 

"Luke is brave, allowing him to approach new situations. He is insightful and able to explain difficult concepts. Luke is authentic, expressing himself truthfully. 

It was a life-changing week for Luke. We are so blessed he had this opportunity!!

The Difference Between Mud and Dirt!

Today is Monday and all the boys are home with me. It rained yesterday...I'm talking a downpour right before church! Although we praise God for the rain in June in Texas - and love the way our gardens grow after - I do NOT like the resulting mud that lingers for days. Nothing attracts mud faster than a little boy...especially a Noah-boy!

Today, on more than one occasion, I've had to let the natives...I mean wild-dogs...I mean little boys...yes, I mean precious little boys from God, outside. You just can't keep a boy inside all day. It's not natural. It's not humane.

Each time, I've carefully instructed Noah to stay out of the mud - and each time he's returned covered in it.

I am not exaggerating when I say this boy gets dirt in places I didn't even know existed. Between the toes, you might expect. Behind the ears, for sure. Under arms, butt-cracks, up the nose and completely around the eyes - you bet!

This last time I let Noah in I asked him, "What is the ONE thing I told you to stay out of?"  He just looked at me with a sheepish grin, then a roll of the eyes, then batting his eye lashes he said, "Mom...this isn't mud - it's DIRT!"

With that, he hopped in the shower. I guess this girl learned something new today!

Luke's 2nd Grade Awards!

Today was Luke's last 2nd grade awards ceremony! For the first time this year he made straight A's. He also received the most improved reader award and the encouragement award. So proud of my honey bunny! What a strong finish to a great year!! 

Noah - last day of preschool 2013

Today was Noah's last day of pre-school! I took the day off work to spend the day with him at Learning Academy Preschool one last time. 

We had a great time planning his school party! Since almost 1/2 the kids in the class have a summer birthday, we chose Happy Birthday as the theme! The kids had a great time making visor  hats as their craft activity. Noah's had horses, pow-pow guns, dogs and cactus' on it. They had an even better time eating a big birthday cake and singing happy birthday to all their friends!

Noah gave his teachers, Ms. Cheryl and Ms. Barbara a card, Starbuck's gift card and a yellow rose for friendship. We also gave a rose to each of the teachers that have taught him over the years as we left the building. It was so special to see Ms. Teresa his 2 year old teacher, Ms. Beth his 3 year old teacher, as well as his music & chapel teachers. He was so proud to give them each a flower and a big Noah hug!

The last day of school wouldn't be complete without one more picture by the church bell. This has been a place of picnics, play and such a symbolic spot throughout our preschool years. Good thing I have Cruz coming up next year. When he graduates preschool, it really will be the end of a chapter! So thankful my boys have such a wonderful Christian school to start their education & learning.

Noah's Graduation 2013 - Learning Academy Preschool

I honestly can't begin to put in to words how a mother's heart bursts with emotions on a night as special as a preschool graduation. The journey for each of my boys has started at Learning Academy Preschool when they were just two years old...barely talking and still in the trenches of potty-training. Today 3 years later, we are at the end of our pre-kindergarten year. Where has the time gone? 

I wanted Noah to feel especially handsome on this day, so I bought him a fancy button down shirt and fresh pair of khakis. In typical Noah-style, he refused his dress shoes because they hurt his feet and opted for his bright yellow and black, dirty sneakers.

When we arrived at school, we spotted his graduation sign out front, on the lawn. We stopped for a quick picture, then made our way inside. I dropped Noah off with  his class and took my seat in the chapel. As we waited, a slide show played with picture of all the graduates. I will admit that when Noah's name and cap & gown picture flashed across the screen, a few tears escaped.

Each class sang two songs. The grande finale included all the classes together singing about graduation. Each word full of meaning & memory about all the children had learned over the years.

Finally - it was time for the diplomas. As Ms. Sherry called, "Nathaniel Noah Padron" I thought of all we have been through in Noah's life. Each moment a treasure and gift from God. He accepted his diploma from his teachers and paused a moment for a picture.

And that was it. The perfect ending to a perfect night! Not a day goes by that I don't thank God for my sweet angel sunshine! So truly, deeply blessed to be his mother.

First Harvest of 2013 - RADISHES!

What a Spring this has been. We've had frost warnings three times in the past month - today broke a record at 37 degrees. Despite this, we had a delicious first harvest of radishes from the garden. It's our first year to plant them -- mainly because they are reported to deter squash vine borers that desiccate my beloved yellow crook-neck squash every year, but they also are a great cancer-fighting veggie.

Beautiful in bright pink & red color, they are deceptively spicy. The boys all "want" to like them and eagerly chop them up for salads.  One bite though and the delayed reaction of spiciness has them reaching for the water bottle! So, that leaves the harvest for me!

Looking forward to what else our garden has in store this year: cucumbers, green beans, tomatoes, squash, zucchini, red peppers and several herbs!