10.27.2009

seven

Sad but I didn't take many photos from JT's birthday this weekend. Here is a quick recap of the events. First it started on Friday with the delivery of Burger King at lunch (Rick, Zach, and I stayed and chatted it up with the 1st graders at lunch) and then some eyeball cupcakes for his class. Saturday started with a baseball game. We got home just in time to clean up our mess from the morning before Malik and William came over. We took the boys out to dinner at JT's favorite joint - Pluckers. We then came home for cake and the boys settled in to watch spooky movies. They dined on a bucket of popcorn (something JT has been asking for ever since the Popcorn Factory catalog started showing up) and things got a little crazy when they decided to mix Fanta Orange soda with Strawberry soda and Rootbeer.
Sad but true - the boys were out by 10:30 and slept in until 7:30. JT claims that they woke up in the middle of the night and goofed around but I am not sure I am buying that one. Even more sad is that Rick and I were on the same sleep schedule.

Sunday morning included a special donut delivery from Izzy, who I think realized a boy slumber party is not something she wants to experience.

JT ended his birthday weekend with a trip to Target where he purchased the coveted Nintendo DS that he had been saving money to purchase. He requested donations from all his grandparents and lucky for him he has some generous grandparents that helped make the purchase possible.




My one piece of birthday advice is to never have your friend, who can make really cool cakes (you may recall the bleeding spider cake from a few years back) make a cool cake because you have to listen to your child question your cake making abilities as compared to your friend's.

The good news is that after several lavish events, JT said that he thinks he may like the smaller party better. I hope so because I am certain my big birthday bash days are over (sorry Zach).

10.23.2009

my baby

As I write Joseph Turner is 40 minutes away from turning 7. Of course he is sound a sleep, no doubt dreaming of baseball or the DS he hopes to acquire with his birthday loot. I am not sure I am coping well with 7. I already shed a few tears when I had to move out the young boys section to find a pair of size 8 jeans. I want my baby to stay little and never leave but there is also that part of me that is so excited to continue to watch him grow and turn in to the fabulous young man that he is becoming.

I have no idea where 7 years have gone. My memory typically fails me but I remember every minute of JT being born, I remember Rick and I begging the hospital to let us go home because all we wanted to do was sit at home and stare at this new little bundle.

JT is a great kid and we probably don't give him enough credit. He has a great sense of humor, he is forever curious, he is always willing to try something at least once, he is compassionate, he is always planning or organizing, and for every time he beats up on his brother there are at least 5 more times he is helping Zach, encouraging Zach, or just loving on Zachy. There are about a million more fabulous things to say about that little bundle who has grown up way too fast.

JT requested a low key birthday with two friends, dinner at his favorite restaurant, and then a night of spooky movies. Oh and some carrot cake. I'll get a few photos and post them later this weekend.

Hopefully tonight he will sneak in to our bed to cuddle because I know soon he won't want to do that anymore.

10.20.2009

eyeball


art

To some of you this may seem like an obvious progression but others may need to sit down when I announce that Zachy's Star Wars obsession has transitioned into the world of artwork. He is constantly grabbing paper and drawing a Jedi battle. He is also making great leaps with his writing. He has mastered his name as well as: Mom, Dad, Izzy, and From. He has recently started hanging up his artwork around the house.





Of course, JT is always creating something and he made this cat in school the other day and thought Albert would like the inspiration when he goes in to his cat room.


10.08.2009

October

I love October. I'd marry it if Rick wasn't standing in my way. I wait eagerly for this month to arrive; I dream about October all during the hot Texas summer. But like any good Pablo Neruda poem, with great love also comes hate. With the beginning of my favorite month, comes an onslaught of activities and before I am done pilfering all the good Halloween candy we are setting up the Christmas tree. Maybe it just seems extra busy because we are finally able to get outdoors without melting.

I promise to get some better blog news up soon but for those of you who feel incomplete, here is a quick rundown of all things Lucas.

The boys
As is my super planner, crazy mom ways, I made both boys lock in on their Halloween costumes early. Honestly Zach found his in August while looking at a catalog at Nana Jujus. JT took a little more time and several secret meetings (Rick bans Halloween talk prior to the month of October and it was still September when we were researching). Needless to say, both boys are smitten with their costumes. I had to make some minor modifications to JT's but it is pretty cool. You'll have to wait a few more weeks for the final reveal. I had to hide Zachy's because he tried wearing it everyday.

JT News
  • His 7th birthday coming up. After much discussion and a bit of emotion he has opted for a small affair and two special friends.
  • He got his first 1st grade report card and is doing a fabulous job in school - we are very proud of him.
  • Fall ball is almost over and going well - this fall season has been very low key but JT has made the transition to coach pitch and still loves the game.
Zachy News
  • Hard to believe but he is still addicted to Star Wars
  • He has officially started working on riding his bike without training wheels; he isn't completely riding yet but if we can get a day when Zachy is in the perfect mood he will take off. He has done it a few times but likes to be stubborn about it and makes himself fall once we all start cheering for his success.
  • He has developed a small obsession with CandyLand. I've heard Rick complain about Zach's techniques so I decided to try my hand at a round with Zachy (and Mama Horsey). Zach started the game by dividing out all the "good" cards (the double-color and special moves) and asking me to keep those cards on the top of pile. He quickly agreed to let me shuffle them in to the rest of the deck.
  • He continues to whistle at all hours of the day especially late at night when he should be sleeping.

Both boys are eager for LJ's visit in a few weeks. They really want to dress her as Yoda for Halloween.

I don't have anything nearly as exciting going on as the boys. I am slowly starting to get back into running with little to no pain. I've also started a few sewing projects but I am on a brief hiatus as a friend needed to borrow my machine to try her hand at making a Little Red Riding Hood costume. I have a weekend in NOLA with my kindred spirit but not until November and that seems far away right now.

If for some reason anyone wants to know about Rick or his booger picking addiction, you can just click on his blog (look to the right and click Trophy Husband).

Happy October everyone. I hope you are enjoying it as much as I am.