2007-2008 School Year

Today is the first day of school in Texas. The school year is starting later this year so Nicholas enjoyed an extra two weeks of staying up late, sleeping in and playing video games. It has been a busy summer but when asked he said that he was ready for school to start. We'll see what he says about school in a couple of weeks. It is really hard to believe that he will be in the 3rd grade this year. We are so proud of him and he is growing up to be a fine young man.

Triplets?

Saturday evening we went to the Cole's for our monthly family get together. Tammie had purchased matching t-shirts for the boys. Aren't they cute? Yes UL, Eric is sans shoes (Texas style). We've learned that sometimes it is just easier to let the boy go without rather than fight him to put shoes that will only stay on for about 2 minutes.

Saturday morning Tammie and I took Carter and Nicholas to a movie they have been bugging us to go see. To be honest, the movie was quite enjoyable. My favorite scene in the movie is when Mr. Bean is gagging his way through a seafood platter. Made me think of my mother and how queasy she gets when I eat seafood (cooked or not). Carter has been running around singing "Mr. Bombastic" which is a song that Mr. Bean dances to in the film. The boys give this movie two thumbs up.

She Did It!

Today was a very special day for my family. My mother went through the Naturalization Oath Ceremony and became a U.S. Citizen. We were all so proud of her accomplishment. The ceremony took place in Dallas and she was one of approximately 125 going through the process. It was a neat experience to listen to the oath that these people made and pledge allegiance to this great country of ours. I was so happy that my kids were there to witness their grandmother become a citizen.
After the two hour ceremony (despite what you've heard, the Immigration and Naturalization Service is not the most efficient of government entities) we had a late lunch at my Mom's favorite restaurant. It was a fine way to end such a wonderful afternoon.

Star Wars Exhibit

While driving to work a couple of weeks ago Aaron noticed a billboard referencing a Star Wars exhibit at the Fort Worth Museum of Science. Nicholas, Carter and their cousins Thomas and Phillip are all fans of Star Wars so Aaron thought it would be fun to have a boy's day out. Although Eric is not familiar with the movies, he was invited to come along.


The exhibit included many of the props and costumes used in the production of the films. Here are the boys in front of the Sand People costumes from Episode IV. Here is Carter in front of Luke Skywalker's Land Speeder. Uhhh, Carter?!?!?! You are supposed to be interested in cars first, then girls. And that isn't to happen for another twelve or thirteen years....
Phillip and Nicholas in front of the costumes used for Yoda and Mace Windoo from Episode I. Yoda has seemed to find something rather interesting on the back of Nicholas' head.
Here is Carter in front of a couple of Clone Troopers.

The boys in front of the model of the Millennium Falcon. I'm thinking Carter was getting a little bored at this point of the exhibit.
Thomas with his buddy Darth.

More of Star Wars

Here is Nicholas practicing his salute for the Imperial Scouts. Carter is looking for something to do...or eat...or whatever. The exhibit also included some really neat interactive stuff to do. Thomas, Nicholas and Carter built a robot that then ran on various terrain.
No Jedi would be complete without a light sabre, or at least a neat light sabre handle. The boys with fan favs C-3PO and R2-D2.
The boys in front of a mean looking Droidika. Carter was too scared of this model and chose not to be in the picture.

A nice Kodak moment at the entrance of the museum. The dino appears to have selected to have Phillip for lunch. Another shot with a friendlier, non-meat eating dinosaur.

STARDUST

While the boys went to see the Star Wars exhibit Alex and I went to see the movie Stardust. I would highly reccommend seeing this movie. It had a lot of humor which I didn't expect. We were trying to decide whether to go see the movie the Invasion or Stardust. I'm glad we picked Stardust. We then went to Barnes & Nobles and bought some books. We had a fun day.

Tax FREE Weekend

Bye honey, have fun camping. (PS, is that a fake smile?)Aaron is Asst. Scoutmaster for a group of 11 year olds. They went camping Friday night and got back this afternoon. Most of the boys father's came camping so he got to visit with them. He didn't really get to do much because of his bad shoulder. Aaron has been going to a physical therapist for his shoulder. Hopefully, it will help him. Anyway, he came back today after the 7 mile hike that they did before leaving camp. He was very tired when he got home. Aaron starts his vacation on Monday and goes back on the 28th. He plans on spending time with the boys before they go back to school on the 27th. I think he will get some rest.

Today was tax free weekend. So guess what I did? I went shopping!!! I went this morning after picking up Nick and his cousins from Aunt Susan's house. They had fun at the sleepover. Phillip and Thomas came along with Nick and I for some school clothes shopping. Alex couldn't come because she was going to a birthday party. Bummer! She is fun to go shopping with. Thomas just complained, but Phillip did great as he wanted some new clothes. Hey, I bought them lunch after we finished shopping.

This evening Nick and I went back out shopping. I didn't really get him anything earlier because I had to help his cousins. Once we got to the checkout lane and got the total. Nick said, "Sorry Mom". I asked him why was he sorry. He said that he had seen the total on the register and was sorry because it cost so much. I told him not to worry about it because he needed all the things I had bought for him. Also some of it was for Carter. I told him Mommy and Daddy are supposed to buy your clothes for school. I only wish Aaron would say, "Don't worry about the total, you needed all the things that you bought" when I go shopping.

NRH20 Waterpark

Yesterday we went to the NRH20 Waterpark with my sisters and their kids. Here is JR(a friend of the cousins) Alex, Thomas, Phillip, Nick and Carter. Yeah, the waves just started. Every 15 minutes the waves would start in the pool. The kids have a blast! It was Carter's first time in this pool. He liked it a lot.
Here is Thomas and Nick in their tubes waiting for the waves to start. Phillip and JR like to swim in the waves. When the waves are done everybody is exhausted.
My favorite place to go is the LAZY RIVER!!! It very relaxing and fun. There is Carter wearing a life jacket, riding along with Alex and Phillip. Before we left the waterpark we all went to the lazy river and went around FIVE TIMES! The third time around I had told Nick it was the last time. With a grin he asked that we keep going for a fourth time. At the end of the fourth time around it was I who wanted to make a fifth go around. Now Carter and Nick's favorite spot is the LAZY RIVER. The park has a double tube which the boys have named the double donut hole. They're so funny!

Water exploring.

More fun pics from the waterpark

Frogstein's Splashatory! Carter absolutely loved playing in the Frogstein's area. Whew!!!!
Carter is on the left about to come sliding down. Phillip is to the right. Shoot!! I got water on my camera lens. Duh, waterpark.
This is the new ride the "ACCELERATOR". Okay, Phillip came down fast, Alex you can see. Nick is still up there and is just about to come down. He went on a lot of big slides with his cousins. While they waited 25 minutes in line to ride the Green Extreme, Carter and I went back to the Frogstein's for some more fun.

My Mom watched Eric while the boys and I were at the waterpark. Thanks, Mom you are the best! Home Sweet Home.

Sleepover at Aunt Susan

After a long day at the waterpark the kids went over to their Aunt Susan's house for a sleepover. The picture is blurry because my camera battery was low and water had gotten on the lens. Oh, well. Susan isn't in the picture because she was also taking a picture with her camera. I'll have to get a copy from her. There is usually someone in the family taking pictures. One of my Dad's hobbies while I was growing up was photography. He was always taking pictures of the family and places we've been. I think Susan and I have inherited that from our Dad. I love taking pictures of my boys and my family. Now if I could just scrapbook those photo's. Maybe, Aaron will get me a new camera soon. I've had mine for five years. I'm pretty sure the technology has changed and I'll be able to take even better pictures with a new camera. What do you think he should do??

Kidz Muze

I haven't blogged in a while so I'm trying to get caught up. There are four posts today....so enjoy!

Kidz Muze is a fun place, but not really worth the price of admission. Most importantly, the kids had a good time.

Okay, why can't my boys play this nicely together at home? Go figure.
Okay, where is Nick?
Eric had a lot of fun exploring the toddler area.
Come on Eric...move. You are in the way.....

Carter enjoyed the smaller kiddie area. Here he is nearly busting his $%& on the slide. Uhhh, Child. You aren't supposed to walk down the slide. After boosting his confidence on the slide he joined his older brother in the bigger play area.
Eric really enjoyed playing in this boat. His current fascination is steering wheels.
Nick really enjoyed climbing the wall. He made it all the way to the top. He told me that it was a little scary looking down, but he knew that he could make the high climb. Great job kiddo!

Candy Store

The boys always get so excited when we come to the mall to have lunch with their Daddy. Lockheed is only 7 minutes away from the mall and the food court has a variety of food places to eat. The boys usually eat at Chick-fil-a.

While waiting for Aaron, we stopped inside the candy store. They have free samples!!!!
With this much variety, who can have just one? Nick's favorite was the buttered popcorn (ewww).
I want one of these, and one of these and.....oh yeah one of those too.
Passing the time waiting for Daddy. Ride 'em cowboy.

Music... makes the people, come together

My boys are working hard at becoming the next boy band. Here they are tuning their instruments before the show. The topic of conversation was what song to sing?

Here is Carter on lead guitar and back up vocals. Nick just finished his keyboard solo and ended with a mighty flourish by throwing his instrument on the floor.
pffft.pfft. testing....is this thing on? Watermelon....watermelon...hellooooooo. Hi, my name is Eric. This is MY band because I am the lead vocalist.
Jeez. Just cuz I called it my band my brother quit to further their video game careers. Whatever, I love to scribble on my Magnadoodle.

Happy Birthday Dad

My Dad turned 62 on August 9th (yeah, I'm a little late on posting pictures). We had a very enjoyable celebration. This has been a hard year for Dad. In May he was admitted to the hospital with severe headaches and the doctors found two tumors in his brain which the oncologist diagnosed as cancer. Surgery was performed in June and to every one's surprise (and relief) the tumors in Dad's brain were only pockets of infection. Still serious, but much less severe than cancer. After draining the abscess Dad was on intravenous antibiotics for six weeks. Unable to work or drive Dad got a little stir crazy. All is pretty much back to normal. At his last CT scan in July the abscess was completely gone, and his driving and working privileges have been reinstated. We feel that we have been blessed with this happy outcome.

Now....don't smile at the camera!!!!
Hey, who is turnin' sixty-two? Who you callin' old? Love you Dad!
Dad getting a little help blowing out his candles. I love this picture of Carter and my Dad.

Here my Mom is feeding Eric his favorite fruit...WATERMELON. I swear, that boy would eat watermelon for breakfast, lunch and dinner. My Mom told me about a Farmer's Market nearby where they help you pick out the perfectly ripe melon. I haven't been disappointed yet. We make our weekly trip to the Market to satisfy Eric's fix. Here is Eric with his oldest cousin, Thomas. My how he has grown (just check out the man-stash). Thomas is really good with boys and the boys just adore him. Thomas will be starting his sophomore year at L.D. Bell. This high school is the same school that Aaron and his brother Michael graduated from. (Poor kid)