The Pumkin Jack Song

I've been teaching this song to Brighton for Halloween and he loves it. Now every pumkin he sees is "Scary Pumkin Jack!".

It's a GIRL!!!

Yesterday was our 20 week ultra sound. I kind of wanted to wait and have the sex be a surprise, but we have been going back and forth for weeks undecided. This was also the point at which they give you "the bill" for delivery. Forking over that kind of dough put Paul in a lovely mood, and when I asked if he wanted to find out or not he simply replied, "If I'm paying this much money, I'm going to find out!". And that was that. It was pretty obvious that she was a she. We got a great picture to prove there was nothing there! Unfortunately she was so balled up they couldn't see some other important things, so we have to do another one next month. I can now begin unpacking all the girl stuff I saved from Skylee, and begin looking for names.

Bye Bye crib!!!

Sunday I put B down for his usual nap after church.  About 15 minutes later he open the door and came waltzing out like he owns the place.  I figured Paul had let him out since B was screaming, and I knew Paul was trying to take a nap.  So I didn't think much of it.  Later I asked Paul if he had let him out and said no.  Hmmm?  I put B (now VERY grouchy and tired!) back into his crib.  Sure enough, a few minutes pass, and out he comes.  I put him back in a 3rd time so Paul and I could witness the escape.  Sure enough he climbed right over like a little monkey.  NOOOOOO!  Our days of peaceful quiet 2 hour naps are over!!!  Paul came up with a temporary remidy, and covered the crib with a matress.  We've since put Brighton in his big boy bed and it's not going so well.  I've also had to put the child protected door knobs on his door so he can't get out.  He just cries and screams, "all done, please open!".  When it's quiet I sneak in.  If he's asleep on the floor, I carefully put him in his bed.  We just didn't have this problem with Skylee.  I don't recall her ever trying to climb out!  I'm glad we're getting this adjustment over with now.

Dave Mathews, NO CAMERAS!

Paul and I went out on a date for the first time in forever!  He purchased tickets to Dave Mathews (one of his all time faves), and we were looking forward to it.  We've seen them two times before, and each time we've gotten a little closer to the stage.  The first time was fun, but we were sitting on the lawn, smelling something other than cigarettes, dealing with people who have no common courtesy, including one girl  who yelled "ants marching!!!" for the entire concert.  The second time we had actual seats, which was nice, but you could only see if you were standing.  This time Paul told me we would be close to the stage, much better seats than last time, but I had no idea what that really meant.  Well we get up to the gate entrance, and they're checking for "illegal" items.  Boy were they thorough!  Nobody told me I had to prepare as if I were going on an air plane!  They made me lift my shirt (just above the belt) and hold it tight to show that nothing was hidden underneath, then turn around, and show that my pockets were empty.  Then they checked my purse.  Of course I had brought my camera.  When the lady saw it, she said "No cameras, you're going to have to check it."  What?  That's stupid I thought!  She explained that the band didn't want photos taken.  Ummm, what about cell phones!  Confiscating my camera, along with others, was not going to eliminate picture taking!  Well, we debated if I should check the camera, or try to sneak it in by sticking it in Paul's over sized pockets on the side of his shorts.  I decided to check it, and as we were entering, sure enough, she asked to see my ticket to make sure I had checked my camera in.  As we headed to our seats, the ushers began telling us there was no such thing as row B/C.  They continued to direct us to the next usher down, hoping the next guy would know where the heck we were sitting!  Finally, we're all the way at the front of the pavilion, and the usher says "oh yes, you're right here."  and points to two folding chairs that had been set up in front of the front row!  It was great!  Not a single person in front, and we enjoyed the concert, even though we have no pics to remember it by!  Everyone was of course trying to take pics with their phone, or the camera they had some how managed to sneak in, but camera nazi (the usher) was on it!  My ears were ringing for a good 24 hours, but it was a good time.  Now I'm so spoiled by that experience, I just don't think I can enjoy a concert again unless I'm in the best seat in the house!

B and the 4 wheeler

April 2009

Thursday night B came down with a fever, so we thought our weekend plans were ruined.  It continued until early Saturday morning, with a 2 am dose of Tylenol.  By 8 he was his usual self, and we decided to attempt our day trip to Nacagdoches, for a fun day on my in-laws land.  The weather was beautiful, and all enjoyed a day in the sun.  The moment Brighton saw the 4 wheeler, it was love at first sight!  If Paul took another child on a ride, B would scream and cry.  He wanted to ride it all day, and when we parked it and turned it off, there he was, trying to climb up on it.  Now Paul has started with comments like, "Gee, we need to get one of those, you know, for B, since he loves it so much!".  (We all know who really wants one!!!) Paul was the one to come home with a few scrapes and scratches from having a little too much fun himself.  He thought it would be fun to say he got into a fight.  All the kids had an Easter egg hunt.  I think we might have spread the eggs over too much area, because it took them forever, and they only found maybe 2 3rds of what was hidden!  We had to coerce them to continue looking for the $20 egg (they were pooped).  Of course these city kids don't have much tolerance for the great outdoors.  Maya ended up finding the mother load.  She took home the $10 and $20 egg.  That made for some sore losers (one Skylee Mae!).  It was an enjoyable time though.  

February was a busy month!

Jan/Feb 2009

I'm a little behind so I'm going to try and play catch up (doesn't it always feel like that!).  February was a busy month for us.  Skylee turned 9 (I can't believe I have a 9 year old!), and we had our 10 year anniversary.  We had scheduled Skylee's party at the park.  The kids have fun running around, and there's no mess for me to clean up!  But...the weather didn't cooperate, so we had to reschedule.  There just didn't seem to be a good day that would work for everyone, so I gave in, and we had a slumber party.  The girls were great though, and weren't up til wee early hours.  They ate pizza, made cupcakes, and bracelets, and watched High School Musical 3.  It was a lot of fun.

For our anniversary, we were apart.  (Although I'm now able to stay home with B, the school district I taught for kept me on part time as the Honor Choir Director.)  Since we were invited to perform this year for TMEA, I was in San Antonio with the Aldine Honor Choir, while Paul was at home, sick as a dog (let me tell you, it was bad!).  I felt awful leaving him, so I arranged for some baby sitting. I figured, at least he wouldn't have to take care of B!  But he claimed to be feeling better, so he did his fatherly duties.  Our performance at TMEA was incredible!  The kids were soooooo nervous, and the rehearsal was a little rocky.  There were two choirs before us.  The first one was horrible! (OK, not horrible, but definitely not good enough to be invited to perform at TMEA!) So I was feeling much better, because I knew in comparison to them, were were awesome!  Then the 2nd choir performed, and they were very good.  So I started sweating a little!  The moment arrived, we went on stage, and the kids gave the best performance they have ever done!!!  It was a great feeling, and it just flew by.  The audience was packed, and a lot of parents were able come, which was great because most of the students come from pretty humble circumstances.  I wasn't able to stay for the rest of the convention, but other teachers from the district over heard a lot of "buzz" about us, and folks were impressed.

After we boarded the bus to come home, I got a text that Riley (our niece) had been born during the performance.  We were glad to hear baby and mom were doing well, and things had gone smoothly.  The next day we were able to go to the hospital and visit with them.  She looks just like her daddy!

Happy Valentines to family and friends!  The day before V-day will be our 10 year anniversary!!!  Unfortunately we'll be apart that day :( .  I'll get to enjoy a fun filled bus ride with 80 elementary students to San Antonio.  We'll be performing for the Texas Music Convention, so....I'm trying to figure out some way of making Valentines day fun and enjoyable.  While I'm away, Paul will be at home with the kids.  It will be the first time he will be completely on his own with the kids for more than a few hours!  I wish I could be a fly on the wall, it should be interesting.  

Those rare, quiet moments

I walked into the living room the other day, and B was sitting on the couch, watching TV with Paul's hat on.  Too cute, I had to capture the moment (which was rare because he rarely sits still!).