Steak and Crab Dinner with Dad

To celebrate dad coming home from the hospital, we decide to invite him over for a nice dinner. 

We also included after dinner entertainment - the dancing Cuban Padron boys. 

Precious memories 

Papaw - Everyday is a Gift

Luke was making us all laugh with his funny faces today when we visited Papaw. 

The day Noah came to visit, Papaw was feeling well enough to walk by himself to the hospital's outside terrace! 

We were so happy when Papaw was finally able to come home. Cruzie came to visit him one morning when the big boys were in school. 

So thankful that my heavenly Father healed my earthly father so he could come home to rest and heal in his own house. 

Noah's 1st Personal Haircut

The picture pretty much tells the story. 

Noah found Leo's electric face shaver...

guess he was feeling creative...

or curious.

Noah Loses His 1st Tooth

Let it be written in the chronicles of Padron history, on October 20, 2014, Noah lost his first tooth. Bottom, center left tooth! So tiny that when it fell on the floor, we almost couldn't find it. Excited to see what the tooth fairy brings tonight. 

365 - Rock-A-Bye Baby

I absolutely LOVE that Cruz will fall a sleep in my arms. I can't remember either of the other boys doing it, although I'm sure they must have. 

Maybe I'm just sentimental because Cruz is my last baby. Maybe I'm having a hard time letting go of my "child-bearing" years as I look toward turning 40. 

Regardless, I can't stop taking pictures of my sleeping baby. His little face is just so precious. His little face is engraved on my heart, but I worry about my memory. These years are going so fast - too fast.  

Oh how much I love this little guy. It's intensely scary. If he only knew how much power he wields over my Mama's heart. I have a sneaking suspicion he's on to me though...he's definitely the "baby" of the family ...a little sweet...a little spoiled rotten.

#BittersweetBaby #SlowDownTime

365 - Strong Man Luke

A midst the fighting, arguing, picking and tattle-tailing, there are times when the boys enjoy each other. 

I will admit my anxiety level is just as high when Noah is on Luke's shoulders as I am when they are wrestle/fighting on the ground.

The balance and confidence level is much better when it's Cruz on his back.  Although, they do get to running pretty fast around the coffee table, which makes my head spin just a bit.  

Love, love, love the  happy times. These are the ones I chose to document & remember! 

#365BrotherlyLove, #GrowingUpGettingRealMuscles

365 - First Snow of 2014

We had begun to wonder if it would snow this year! Other than IceMagedon back in December, we haven't seen a flurry! 

The forecasters let us know what we were in for today...a light dusting of snow. 

I have to admit the boys were disappointed when they woke up and not a flake had dropped from the sky.

No school cancellations...No snow day...out the door they went.

But then...

Around 9:00 something magical started to happen - SNOW - and not just a dusting...an actual half-to-three-quarters of an inch. 

Enough that, by the time they got home, they were ready to play! 

Luke swept the snow off everyone's sidewalks so they would have enough to build a snowman.

Don't let this picture fool you...look closely at the frozen tree branch Noah is holding. 

As soon as I snapped this pic, he whacked the heck out of the back of Luke's knees. 

Luke was not nearly as eager to stand so close to his brother in this last pic I was able to snap! 

#365Snow2014

#365BrotherlyLove?

365 - Superbowl Sunday

 It's superbowl Sunday and boy are we partying it up - ;)

Seriously though, there were some funny moments throughout the day.

It was awfully quiet, when I peaked in the toy room I found Oscar & Cruzie contently playing in his cage.

Later, overcome with excitement for the upcoming football game, my bambino fell a sleep on the ground right where he was playing. 

This boy is my heart.

Noah is a party all on his own. 

Put that boy outside and he will find something to do until you call him inside.

Once inside, the party doesn't stop though.

Always dressed to a "T", today he's a vegetarian fireman/construction worker.

This boy is my joy!

Luke had his ups and downs today. 

Here he is channeling his serious perfectionism with his love of art.

Of everyone, Luke wins the team-spirit award.

Here he is carefully making signs for each of the football teams.

This boy is my mirror reflection. 

We'll end our Superbowl Festivities with a family favorite dinner of black forest ham, baked potatoes, corn, peas & carrots and sauteed greens with yellow peppers. 

#ThankfulForMyBoys

365 - We Gotta' Wear Shades

Oh, these boys make me smile! 

Sometimes their little lights are just so bright we have to wear shades. 

Hide it under a bush? 

Oh no! 

We gotta' let it shine!

Sing it with me...

Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine!

Have I mentioned how often these two make me smile!

#365ThankfulFromEarToEar

365 - Second 9-Weeks Awards

It was awards day at Wrangler Round up this past week. 

I was so proud of the boys! 

Luke made all A's, except for one in language arts. 

He also received the Ropin' Reader Award!

Noah had a really great day too!

He received the Ropin' Reader, Magical Mathematician and a "Way to Go" for his reading log. 

Cruz also received a Blue Ribbon award in music for listening and following instructions. 

He would not, however, allow me a picture, so I'll simply write about it here ;)

#365ThankfulForAt-A-Boys

365 - The "Littles"

I just love my Noah-boy, a.k.a. the sweet angel.
He is one of the most colorful, eclectic-dressing, story-telling, imaginative kids I've ever met. 

Not a day goes by where he doesn't dress himself "up." 

Some days that means as a cowboy. Other days, it's a fireman. 

Regardless of what he chooses, it's always fun! 

He is my "boy" boy. Loves dirt, bugs and all things outside!  

Cruzie: He is my "bambino" and I am his "mamilla." 

This boy has my heart wrapped around his little finger - in a powerful way.

I will never, ever tire of looking at his sweet face.

I try to memorize every feature & expression, but he's changing so fast. 

God has given me a revelation in to just how fast life is passing and I am grateful for the "Selah" moments...the ones where I pause, look around me and realize how very blessed I am. 

The picture of Cruz, below, was one of those moments.

#365ThankfulForTheSelahs

365 - This is How We Do It!

On an average ordinary day, this is the progression of three little boys...

Starting with Noah, it is a process to be this handsome!

Gotta make sure the faux-hawk is just right.

Not too shabby, eh?

This is how you eat a corn dog. 

Corn dogs make Cruzie "vewy, vewy" happy!

...And sleepy when his belly is full. 

This how Luke does his homework. 

Well, maybe that smile was a small exaggeration-this is more like it.

But, this really is how he looks when he's D-O-N-E!

#365ThisIsHowWeRoll

365 - Noah & Oscar

This is the story of a lil' pup named Oscar and his boy Noah. 

Oscar was abandoned when he was 8 weeks old and taken to a high-kill animal shelter in Kingville, Texas.

A rescue agency saved him and found a foster home for him to stay with while they looked for a permanent solution. 

Santa knew how much Noah wanted a puppy. He arranged for Oscar to move to a second foster home in Wylie. Christmas morning, Oscar showed up on Noah's doorstep with a note from Santa saying he knew Noah would be the perfect little boy to take care of Oscar and give him a forever home. 

It was love at first site. Oscar is a snuggler & give the best puppy kisses. Noah takes him everywhere and his favorite place to sleep is on a lap or curled up under the covers with one of his humans. 

This is a happily-ever-after story. 

Oscar & Noah are best friends forever! 

#365ThankfulForPuppyLove

365 - Ripstik!

Oh me - oh my - oh! Luke's Ripstik skateboard came today! Ever since the neighbor boy brought his out to play, Luke's regular skateboard just hasn't hit the mark. He used his Christmas money to buy it and has been enviously watching Davis ride his, as he eagerly awaited its arrival.  

Noah was equally excited about the box it came in. I'm telling you, this boy has a "thing" for boxes. He is the biggest pack-rat and I'm more than a little concerned about seeing him on an episode of "Hoarders" one day. Check out that glazed-over look on his face. It's like he's on a cardboard high!

Cruzie just sat watching it all. He was naked and refused to get dressed, so I had to sit him in the chair and cover him up in order to get his 365 picture today.  My silly bambino loves to run around the house yelling, "I nakie! I nakie!"

Any day the UPS truck comes is a good day in the Padron house! 

#365ThankfulForUPS

365 - Homework

Oh the torture...homework and mom making Luke take another picture. He was NOT in a chipper mood today, which is the case often with my honey bunny. His emotions run strong, which means he feels the highs and lows intensely. I know Father God will take that emotion and turn it in something wonderfully compassionate one day. 

Noah was proud to show me how well he had colored in the lines. He loves all things trucks, so this coloring book is perfect for him.

#365BigBoys