Monday Funday with Aunt Niki

Monday Aunt Niki was feeling really brave and decided to take the boys out for some fun.

They started their day at the park at Firewheel where they played for over an hour! Next the stopped for snacks at Sonic before heading over to Build-A-Bear where they made a mommy bear and baby bear. So sweet!

Finally, they headed to the movie theater where they watched, Megamind. Before leaving though, they stopped at the arcade where they played a few games...a special treat because it's something Mommy would never take the time to let them do.

By the time Aunt Niki got home she was exhausted and had decided she was NOT ready for children full time! (Haha!) The boys were also ready for naps...both of them! (And I can't remember the last time Luke took a nap!)

What a Funday Monday. Thank you Aunt Niki!!!

Harvest Tea at the Arboretum

It's become a tradition...when Niki visits, we always go to high tea at the Arboretum. It's such a fun, girlie thing to do and we've both come to really enjoy it.

This time of year is Harvest Tea. The butternut squash soup is delicious!! It's my favorite soup served out of all the teas. We had apple spice tea with this course. Next we had a variety of tea sandwiches: banana bread with cream cheese, cranberry orange with turkey, and my favorite, cucumber sandwich!! With this course we had peach tea. The service closed with a sinful variety of desserts: pumpkin tarts, black forest brownies, my favorite pecan bars and their world famous scones served with clotted cream and jam. MmmmMmmm!

Even better than the food is the company and fun memories Niki and I are making. I love having my family here...especially at the holidays!

Morning Snuggles

Both the boys love to snuggle up in a blanket when they first wake up in the morning. It's especially tough for Luke because he has to get up so early to be at kindergarten by 7:15am. To help make the transition a little easier, I snuggle them up on the couch in a blanket while I make their breakfast. It's such a quite, calm, sweet time of day that I stopped this morning to take a couple of pictures. My babies are growing up so quickly and I want to remember these moments. I know these are the times I'll look back on one day and miss. My sweet boys have given me so much purpose and fulfillment...I love the love they bring to life!!

Spirit Sleeves

Not too long ago, we bought Luke a Wally Watkins Wrangler's shirt to wear on Fridays to their Wrangler Round-Up pep rallies. Luke loves Fridays because of all the fun activities during the assembly. I love Fridays because I don't have to think about what Luke is going to wear to school.

Recently though, the weather has turned cooler and I wasn't sure if he'd be able to continue to wear just a t-shirt. About that time I got an order form from the school for something called spirit sleeves. I'd never heard of them, but thought the description sounded perfect to extend the life of Luke's t-shirt.

So, we bought a pair and boy does Luke like them! He was so excited to be able to wear them that he immediately put them on and even wore them to bed that night! The next day was equally exciting when he went to school wearing them.

I love seeing my big-boy so excited about school activities. These spirit sleeves are such a neat idea!

Noah's 1st Music Program at LAP

Noah "performed" in his first music program at the Learning Academy Preschool on Monday evening. I say "performed" because all he really did was stand there...maybe he mumbled a few words, but that was about it. He definitely doesn't enjoy the spotlight quite as much as his big brother Luke does...who stole the show when he was 2years old. None-the-less, I was such a proud mommy sitting in the audience watching my Sweet Angel on stage.

I actually think the excitement leading up to the performance was more fun for Noah. We dressed him in his handsome button up shirt and matching brown jeans. Then, to my surprise, he insisted on wearing his cowboy boots...which made him look like SUCH a big boy. Oh, he was excited to walk out that door so spiffily dressed!

After his performance, he was very happy to see daddy, Luke and Ms. Sherry waiting for him. We all gave him big hugs and high-fives.

I can't wait until the next performance at the end of the school year. Maybe by then he will have come out of his shell just a bit!

Luke's First Baseball Trophy

Luke's first baseball season is over, but the baseball party celebrating their success was this past weekend. All Luke's buddies were treated to baseball shaped cupcakes and treats ...and plans for next season were made.

Chris, Dale and Leo will all return as coaches...and even though Leo wasn't an official coach this year, they still gave him a thoughtful coach's present and gift certificate for all he had done during the season.

The highlight of the party was when all the boys received trophies with their names engraved on them. Luke was SO excited. He held on to the trophy the entire day until we finally convinced him to put it on display in the china cabinet so that he didn't lose it or his little brother didn't break it.

I'm sure this is only the one of many baseball trophies to come over the years. Until next season, we'll be practicing batting, catching and the fundamentals of the game!

Potty Pals

It takes a real friend to be with you through the ups and downs of life. I believe that entertaining your little brother while he learns to go to the bathroom on the big boy potty qualifies as such!

Noah has done a really good job with potty training...he actually pretty much taught himself much earlier than any of us would attempted to teach him. However, the ability to wait to go to the bathroom until he gets to a potty...and the willingness to wait until he gets to the potty are two different issues.

Developmentally, Noah has it mastered...the willing part is not something he is always on board with. He's just so darn smart and knows that if he has a pull up on, he can go to the bathroom in it without making a mess and being uncomfortable. So, we wear cloth undies most of the time...or, if Noah has his way, bare-bottomed.

Luke has been such a good big brother though...always patiently explaining to Noah and showing him where we are supposed to go to the bathroom. He even goes so far as to make sure Noah has some light reading materials and/or a narrator to do the actual reading for him.

It's so funny to watch them sitting down together ...Noah on the potty ...Luke reading the book. Moments like these make up for all the arguments over who had what toy first. I love seeing my boys interact as brothers...and best friends.

Sweet boys = one blessed mama!

34 weeks...and counting

Exactly 5 weeks from today we will be holding our new baby boy! I'm so excited thinking about how sweet and joyful that day will be.

I'm also growing anxious about all the things I have yet to do. I guess I just thought that since I was having another boy that I didn't need to do anything. The problem with that is Luke and Noah were born in July...this baby will be born in December. That means I need lots of warm newborn things that I hadn't thought about.

My doctor's appointment went well. I'm measuring small at 31cm and it looks like the baby is face up, with his back to my back, which is also lending itself to the fact that I look so small. Everyone is shocked to find out I'm 34 weeks pregnant. Good thing I'm having a CSection, otherwise we'd be looking in to techniques to turn the baby.

We still haven't decided on a final baby name. Christian Cruz and Justus Jude are at the top of our list. I guess we better finalize that too!

5 more weeks...I can't wait!

Last Game of the Brave's Season

Last Saturday was the last game in Luke's baseball season. The Atlanta Braves tied the game and enjoyed great end to a fun-filled season.

Luke nailed a coach pitch and earned a double. He played second base and stopped several balls too.

The Spring season starts in April and Luke is excited to see all his friends again. Over half of the kids on his team he's known since he was a baby from either preschool or the Wylie moms' group.

Until then, we'll be practicing batting and catching with our little slugger super-star!!

Happy Halloween 2010!!

The boys are both old enough this year to really be excited about Halloween. And, they each have opinions about what they want to be. No surprise, Luke wanted to be Batman. When I asked Noah if he wanted to wear his fireman costume again or Superman, without hesitation he said "Ooop-ee-man!"

We started the festivities on our little cul-de-sak. I think the kids must have made the rounds 2-3 times before heading further down the street. Leo is proudly wearing his flashing Tampa Bay Bucs hat and jersey...since they won the game tonight he's officially dressed as the Bucs #1 fan.

5 weeks away from delivering our third super-hero, I'm not able to walk very far this year, so I'm staying behind to hand out candy to all the trick-or-treaters that come our way. I have to admit that it's pretty darn fun to stay here and see all the kids too.

It shouldn't be long and the boys will be home. After a few sweet treats, there will be LOTS of brushing, flossing and gargling before heading to bed. Cavity bugs and super-heroes just don't mix!

So, this year I have two little super-heroes...but, they've always been super to me!!

Mummy dogs

It's Halloween and the boys can hardly wait to go trick-or-treating. I, being the mother though, am also concerned about filling their bellies with dinner before sending them out for all the candy and treats.

So tonight, in honor of Halloween, we made "Mummy Dogs!" Just a hot dog and slice of cheese wrapped in strips of crescent rolls, but fun enough that Luke and Noah each at two of them before getting dressed! That's success to me!!

BOOOOObies

I had to laugh at Noah today and stop to take a picture. I bought a few nursing bras from Target and he insisted on putting them on his head. I tried explaining that they were for mommies and not little boys, but he wasn't having any of it! So rather than try to take them off of him, I ran to get the camera!

I showed the pictures to a couple of my friends. One commented what an interesting Halloween costume it was for a 2 year old little boy - a lingerie store? Another said that Noah could walk around trick-or-treating saying "BOOOOObies!" Ha!

These boys keeping me laughing and life is always interesting! Sure is going to be a wild adventure when this third baby comes along!!

Boo on Ballard!

Last night we took the boys to "Boo on Ballard!" Each year the city of Wylie closes down Ballard, the main street in town. All the businesses let the kids trick-or-treat up and down the street from store to store.

We have learned that it's best to get in and out early, so that's exactly what we did. And, what fun we had looking at all the costumes and trick-or-treaters.

Noah was in awe of the entire situation. He really didn't say trick-or-treat loud enough for anyone to hear...but he did mumble "tank-you" in a tiny voice. Luke, on the other hand, knew just what to do...and didn't waste any time doing it!

We weren't able to stay long due to all the contractions I'm having, but the boys both left with a bag full of treats. They were happy...and so was I...four different dentist offices were there handing out toothbrushes, floss and more.

Next year should be interesting with THREE boys. Oh, I need one more set of hands, eyes and arms!!

Costume Parade at LAP

Today Noah had his first costume parade at Learning Academy Preschool! He was so excited that he couldn't wait for me to get him dressed this morning. He had his jammies and diaper ripped off before I could grab the camera and take pics of him!

Noah dressed up as a fireman...the same costume that Luke wore when he was little...except Luke fit in the costume when he was 1...Noah is wearing it at 2!! I found some old pictures of Luke in the costume and got such a kick out of comparing the two...they looks so much alike!

Once at school all the parents waited in the sanctuary while the kids got ready. Class by class they came in for chapel. They sang songs, praised God and said prayers before starting the official costume parade up and down the isles.

After the parade, the children got to trick-or-treat through the church offices before lining up for pictures. It was such a precious time and one that I treasured.

Luke Hits a Grand Slam!

Let me set the scene for you... It's the end of the game. Luke's team, The Atlanta Braves, are down by 4 points. Bases are loaded. Luke steps up to bat. He adjusts his stance, leans back and swings! The ball goes all the way in to the out field. All the little boys on the other team scramble for the ball.

Luke runs to first base, where Leo is coaching. "Run son, run!" Luke heads to second base, where the coach is swinging his arms in big circles telling Luke to keep running. Luke rounds third base where another coach is jumping up and down yelling, "Run home Luke! Run home!" Luke runs to home plate where the umpire is reminding him to, "Touch the plate!"

Luke did it! A grand slam home run to tie the game for his team! I don't know who was more proud...Leo or Luke. When they got home Leo called more people than Luke did and could NOT stop telling me the story over and over! What a day...what a game! Luke was rewarded with game ball!

Baby Boy Padron #3 - 30 Weeks

I can't believe I'm already 30 week pregnant. In some ways I feel like I've been pregnant forever. In other ways, I can't believe it's 3/4 of the way over.

Knowing that this will most likely be my last baby makes the aches and pains a little more tolerable. Emphasis on "little." These days I'm pretty much exhausted, achy, not sleeping well and dealing with an incredible amount of Braxton Hicks contractions.

It will certainly all be worth it in the end, but right now the exhaustion and pain are making for one grumpy mommy most days. I feel really bad when I am short with Luke or not able to get up and play like I used to. I find myself apologizing a lot these days, but I guess it's good for the boys to see me modeling that.

Since we're having a CSection, my due date is actually at 39 weeks on Wednesday 12/8. I'm excited to meet my new baby boy and revel in the magical moments of those first few weeks.

If there is one thing that I can say with certainty, it's that I LOVE my boys!!!

Luke's Big Day at the Dentist

Oh, my poor sweet honey bunny had a BIG day at the dentist! Eight root canals and silver crown. He was under complete anesthesia and the whole mouth was done at once.

I was super-nervous about him being placed under anesthesia, but after one failed attempt at the regular dentist using laughing gas, I knew we had to see the pediatric specialist and have it done all at once.

Luke did amazingly well...and he was so funny when he was waking up. It was probably a 1/2 hour after we got home when we were watching Cat in the Hat that Luke said, "Mom! This show isn't right. There are two Cat in the Hats and two Thing #2's!" It wasn't until he looked over at Leo and asked why he had four eyes that I realized he was seeing double and having blurry vision! (One of the side effects of the anesthesia.)

About a 1/2 hour later he told me that his mouth was waking up and that he could see again. True to my big boy, he soon started asking for food. Two bowls of pumpkin-spice pudding, three bowls of apple sauce and two bowls of jello later and he was still hungry! I guess that is what happens when you don't feed a growing five-year old anything since mid-night the night before! So, I made a big pot of homemade chicken noodle and vegetable soup.

I'm so grateful this experience is over and hope that the crowns hold until his adult teeth come in, sometime around 10-12 years old. Until then, we'll be chipping away at $4K dental bill!

Grove Along & The Goodbye Song

Luke is always singing and dancing or rapping. He's so musically inclined and just has a rhythm in him that he can't contain. Recently he made up a song with beats and raps that I call, "Grove Along." It's so funny to watch him sing this so I had to record him.



The next song was one he came home from school singing today. It's called the, "Goodbye Song" and they sing it every day before school is out. I'm not totally sure what Luke will be when he grows up, but something to do with music is at the top of my list.

Luke & Kindergarten

Luke came home this week with so much to tell me about the police officers that visited his school. He was so excited to have seen a police car up close, the K9 unit, the pepper spray the use on bad guys and even a real gun!

The funniest part was when he put on the police hat they made and asked to borrow our pepper grinder so he could protect our house from burglars.

The next thing that Luke had to tell me about was his trip to the library! For the past several weeks the kids have been allowed to visit the library, but not check out books, as they have been teaching them about how to be responsible with the books and take care of them. Well, this week the FINALLY were allowed to bring a book home to read. I couldn't help but laugh hysterically at the book Luke chose. It was titled, "My Dog is as Smelly as Dirty Socks." Ha!

I have to say that so far Luke has had a wonderful kindergarten experience. I'm so happy and excited for him! He's such a smart boy and is growing up so quickly right before my eyes!

Play Ball!

Recently Luke had his first baseball game as a member of the Atlanta Braves. All his best buddies from preschool and the moms' group are on his team: Luke J, Brady, Collin, Michael and Evan.

The days leading up to this event were filled with lots of Father/Son firsts: first trip to the sports store, first real glove, bat, uniform, etc.

Luke could hardly contain his excitement the morning of his first game. As we geared up, he promised to hit a home run for me. (A home run to him is anytime he makes it around all four bases...regardless of how many others had to help hit him in.) I was so happy for him that he did score a point! He really thought he was "da man!" And...in my heart, he was!!!

It was a hot day, but so worth the effort.

Luke has had a couple of week night games since then and each time he gets better and better. I can't wait to see my little slugger (and daddy) at the next game. Leo has been helping coach by pitching and that has Luke really excited too. Who knows...with three boys in our family, we're sure to get close to a little league world series, right?!?

Best Brothers!

I cant' begin to express what a blessing it is to see my boys playing together and becoming such good friends. They are such a great age space apart and, now that Noah is growing up, they have really become good playmates and friends.

The other morning they were snuggled up on the couch together cuddling and hugging each other. It was so sweet and absolutely melted my heart.

I love seeing my boys love each other. I am daily reminded of just how blessed I am to call these boys my own!

Celebrating Lil' Luke's Birthday

On Saturday's Lil' Luke (who is officially as tall as my "big" Luke) comes over to play. This particular Saturday it was Lil' Luke's birthday.

About an hour before he was scheduled to arrive, my boys started getting really excited. They asked if we were having a party for him...and I thought, why not! So, we got out our Happy Birthday banners and signs and dressed up in our best party hats and glasses.

When Lil' Luke came to the door, I was ready when video camera in hand as the boys shouted, "Happy Birthday!" Lil' Luke was SO surprised...he actually got a little embarrassed and shy.

Later I found out that our neighbors two doors down could hear us shouting and celebrating over their baby monitor!

As usual, the boys had a great day playing, drumming, and jumping on the trampoline. The next day we went to his actual party at a bowling alley, which was a huge hit too.

It's so nice having friends who are like your family! These boys have known each other since they were born and are sure to be best buddies for life!!

McDonald's Mania

Luke absolutely LOVES to pretend that he works at McDonald's. Almost every day he stands up at the bar in our kitchen placing and taking orders. He even keeps his old McDonald's gift cards and pretends to swipe them through his cash resister (as he calls it).

The other day he set up his cash register in the kitchen and dressed in his complete McDonald's outfit: apron, hat, name badge and headset.

Before it was all over, he recruited Noah to be his "cook." He set up a stool and work station complete with pretend food from his kitchen to cook and serve his guests.

The boys must have played for an hour before dinner was ready for real. I love my funny, silly boys!!!

Sugar Bear Noah

I finally had a little time to make a new crocheted hat pattern that I had been dying to try...a cute little boy hat with bear ears, ear flaps and a braided tie.

The ears took me a while and I'm still perfecting them, but I just had to take a picture of my sweet Noah-boy wearing the hat. After all, nothing makes a hat look as good as an adorable model!

Not to be left out of the action, Luke had to get in the next picture. Both boys love to have their pictures taken!!

Cowboy in Undies

Noah is just too stinkin' cute in his big boy undies & cowboy boots! I am so proud of him for basically potty-training himself. I'm still amazed at how easy it has been!! There's no doubt we're still in the "training" phase though, so most of the time Noah is running around in his undies...if we're lucky!

I'm not sure what he's more excited about...his first pairs of super-hero undies or the fact that he can fit in to Luke's old cowboy boots. Regardless, it's the combination of the two that make for such an adorable memory!

I wish I had been able to catch him with his stick-pony and sombrero. Now that was a funny site!!

Playdough Fun!

Luke and Noah have more fun creating with their play dough table in the garage. It's funny how the garage has slowly changed from a place we park our cars to a place the boys can play on bad-weather days.

Today Luke decided to make a plate of spaghetti and meatballs. He was so proud to bring it in for me to taste-test. Next, he made a birthday cake topped with "candles" made from golf tees! I have to give it to the kid when it comes to creativity and imagination!

Now, if I could just get him to be as excited about putting his play dough tools up and the play dough back in the cans!!