Fall Break: Saturday, Sunday, and Monday

Saturday we went to the Zoo. We all enjoyed this a lot.
Here is Seth, looking at the snakes.


Stephen and his sister, watching the boys ride a little train.


The boys on the little train ride.


Stephen and his Mom, watching the boys play on a playground there in the Zoo.


Seth, looking at a butterfly, in the butterfly garden.




There was also a rock climbing area. Levi tried it first. He got about half way up, but then got scared and came back down.




So then Seth had to give it a try. He made it about as far as his brother.




So then Stephen said I had to show them how it was done. I've never rock climbed before, but this could get really addicting. Talk about FUN!


I made it to the top, and rang the bell! Woo-Hoo!!!! The boys were cheering me on the entire time. Guess I should have went first, then maybe they would have went the whole way up.



Levi, being a crazy cowboy.



Seth, riding the elephant! LOL!


The boys playing in another park area...making music.




Riding a baby rhino. LOL! They had as much fun sitting on this stuff, as they did looking at the real thing.


Levi, Mommy, Seth, and Papaw looking at the monkeys.




By this time, we were all getting tired, so we went on a little train ride tour to finish out our trip to the zoo. This was really fun. We went into an animal exhibit (deer), and were able to see some of the animals we didn't make it around to, like the zebra and giraffe.

After the zoo, we went over to the Science Museum. It was A LOT of FUN! There was so much to see and do. The boys really enjoyed this. Unfortunately it was so much fun, that we forgot to take pictures! LOL!

After we finished at the museum, we were all exhausted! We went to dinner, and then went back to the motel and soaked in the hot tub and swam in the pool. We all slept really well that night!



Sunday morning we got up and had breakfast, then went straight to the train station.
Daddy and the boys, on the way to the train.

Waiting for the train to arrive....

All aboard!


We finally made it home, and crashed on the couch to watch the football game. We were exhausted.....

Monday we picked the dog up from the animal clinic, and then spent the day catching up on laundry, and grocery shopping etc.

Today, it is back to the routine of school and work.....

Fall Break: Thursday and Friday

Levi's fall break from school started on Thursday. Stephen had taken off of work for these days out of school also. On Thursday we spent most of the day doing chores, like cleaning, doing laundry, mowing, packing, etc. Then that evening we rented "Iron Man" and watched it. It was a really good movie!

Friday morning we got up, finished packing and headed over to the train station, to wait for Stephen's parents to arrive. We were early, so we went walking around to blow some time.

Here is Levi, being silly...

Seth, being silly too.

Here we are, waiting for the train to arrive.

me.....

and my handsome cowboy...

After Granny, Papaw, and Aunt Michelle arrived, we went to get some lunch. Then we had some time to blow before getting back on the train, so we went to a museum and did some shopping.

In the museum:

Levi was so excited to see his name, so I took his picture by it.

Boys, being silly...

Watching Grandpappy tell Seth and Levi the future. LOL! It was really funny!

We were finally on the train and heading to the City. Look at that excited little boy.

Levi, riding on the train, beside Aunt Michelle.


We were on the train for hours, and it was a chore keeping these boys entertained, but I think we all really enjoyed the relaxing trip. When we finally arrived in the City, it was late and we were all worn out. We arrived at our motel and pretty much crashed. :) But we had a big day planned for Saturday, so we needed to rest up.

random thoughts....

I'm baking cookies, and am taking a few moments to blog....
my random thoughts for today:

-Loving this weather! Our high today is 82 and our low this morning was in the 50's. It is actually starting to feel a little more like fall. Yea! I love this time of year. Being able to open the house up, and not run the air conditioner...ahhh, saving my pennies....feeling good! :)

-Who is watching Biggest Loser this season??? I am! I LOVE this show. It is so motivational. But why do I find myself crying during almost every episode? Something about their struggle with weight loss, brings all of those old memories back and I can totally relate with them. I've struggled with my weight for most of my life. I don't just look like this "naturally". It is a lifestyle change, that I have to think about and focus on everyday. Everyday I have to make that choice to get in there and exercise, and to make those healthy food choices..even when what I really want is a burger and fries like my husband and boys....but I know if I give in, then it will slowly become a habit of "just this once", and then before i know it, I'll be right back into my fat pants. So it is a daily battle, but a battle I've been winning for over 10 years...woo-hoo!!!

-Today is Seth's last day of Pre-K, well, on a regular basis anyway. It just wasn't cost effective. All the money I made, was paying for pre-k, and we just were not making any progress...so we told them we couldn't afford to continue, and gave them a two week notice. They did inform us that because he has been one of their students, they do have a "daily drop in rate", so if I ever need to just bring him for the day (if I need to work, and he can't go with me) then I can pay them $35 for the day. Great Deal! Especially since I don't work outside the house "everyday", but only a few times a week (since I try to schedule my measuring of properties on the same day, especially if they are in the same area). So this will hopefully work out well. He has made friends, and learned so much in the last two months. I've been very impressed, and feel really bad that I can't afford to continue to let him go. But I'll just have to schedule a time to "play school" with him each day, where we continue to work on his writing and letter and number recognition.

-Today was Levi's last day of school for this week, and also picture day (I hope they turn out good, and that he didn't "cheese" again. LOL!). Tomorrow starts his "fall break" and he doesn't have to go back to school until Tuesday of next week! He is super excited, especially since Daddy took off of work for "fall break" too. Woo-Hoo!!! :) We have some fun stuff planned...so I'll share it all with you next week.

Still here...

We're still here, alive and well, just been very busy. Sorry I've been slacking at keeping you all updated. But actually I enjoy being so busy that I can't find the time to blog...it means I'm working! :)

I took Levi to the Dentist yesterday for his very first cleaning. He really enjoyed it! They were really great, and kept complimenting him on how great he was doing and that they didn't believe he had never been to the dentist before, because he was a perfect little patient. He mostly loved getting his sack of goodies afterwards (toothbrush, floss, toothpaste, etc). They also gave him two stickers and a new pencil, so he was super excited. Then I took him by McDonald's on the way back to school, to get him some lunch and he got a Batman toy in his happy meal. Talk about a boy being on cloud nine! LOL! :)

Seth's first dentist appt is in a couple of weeks...I've already warned them that he is more than likely not going to do as well as his brother! Ha! I'll let ya'll know how that one goes....

Other than that, we've just been working and staying busy, and enjoying our time off with our boys.

Personality Test

My friend Jen, over at "A Simpler Life" posted about a personality test...well, I'm a sucker for personality tests, so I just had to take it. Here are my results. What do ya'll think??? Does it fit? :) Take your own test here Then let me know your results.

Your personality type:
Practical, traditional and organized. Likely to be athletic. Not interested in theory or abstraction unless they see the practical application. Have clear visions of the way things should be. Loyal and hard-working. Like to be in charge. Exceptionally capable in organizing and running activities. 'Good citizens' who value security and peaceful living.

Careers that could fit you includes:
Military, business administrators, managers, police/detective work, judges, financial officers, teachers, sales representatives, government workers, insurance agents, underwriters, nursing administrators, trade and technical teachers, (mafia dons).

Busy, Busy

It has been a busy few weeks...sorry I haven't updated. I just haven't had time, and this hasn't been at the top of my priority list...but while I have a few moments, I'll update....

Last week Seth was sick, so I was hauling him to work with me,and then trying to work around him here at home. It was miserable...but luckily he was feeling better before the end of the week, especially since Nana and Papa were coming over on Friday. Once they got here, and we picked up Levi from School, we all got ready and went to a Professional Baseball Game. It was so much fun!

Here is Levi, eating his ballpark hotdog! LOL! :)



Seth, being silly, trying to get me to take his picture.


Me and my handsome hubby, enjoying an evening at the ball park. :)


Levi, showing us his new baseball that Nana bought for him.


Seth of course had to do just like brother.... LOL! (Pete, and Re-Pete).


Levi was getting bored, and laying on Papa. But the boys did really great! When out team made a homerun, they shot off fireworks. That made the boys night! They loved it and would say "are they about to do fireworks again?" LOL


The next day, the boys went with Nana and Papa up to the Farm to visit my Nanny, and also to go to Samantha's birthday party (their cousin). Stephen ran with me to go measure a house before we went up there, so we could just take one vehicle.
Once we got there and ate lunch, and the birthday girl opened all of her presents, my brother gave Levi his birthday present (since we didn't get to see them at Levi's birthday party last month). It was a new Bow and Arrow! Levi was so excited!!!! We explained to him that this is a Mommy and Daddy Supervision Required item, and that he can't do this by himself, without us around. (I also keep it put up where he can't reach it, to help him remember! LOL)

Here is a picture of Daddy, teaching Levi how to shoot it. Levi is actually really good at it!


Here is Seth learning how to shoot it too.


Every evening we have been having target practice. We set up a target and take turns shooting the bow and arrow. The boys love having this time with us, where they are the center of attention, doing something they enjoy. It's great for us to. Who needs TV when you have a 4 and 6 year old to keep you entertained! LOL!

Hope you are all having a wonderful week. I promise I will try to catch up with you all soon.

Aaaa-Chooo!

Every September, ragweed....need I say more? Why did God create this horrible plant? Every year around this time, I have horrible allergies. I was told that it's because of the Ragweed AKA: hayfever. Blah! I can't breath, and my whole head feels like it is underwater. I hate this feeling...I hope it goes away soon. I'm about to go nuts, and I've tried taking just about every medication I can get my hands on, and nothing helps.

Other than that, it's been a busy week. Yea!! I've had a lot of work (thank you Lord!), and between that, hitting the gym, taking care of the house and the fam, well, this week has just been flying by. Guess that's good, because I'm so busy I can't just crash on the couch and feel sorry for myself for not feeling well. I'm forced to take medicine and push through it. :) No time to be lazy....

Wonderful Relaxing Weekend

Saturday we took the boat out to the lake. We had a friend of ours go with us, and she brought her daughter (who is about 1 & 1/2 yrs). So the boys had a blast entertaining them, and showing off! LOL! Levi even water skied all by himself.. FOREVER! He was doing tricks and everything, the little show off. :) We all really had a great time at the lake.
After we left, it was getting late so we just stopped by and picked up some pizza on the way home. Then we simply relaxed, watched a movie, and ate pizza. It was GREAT!

Then on Sunday we had overslept, so we didn't have time to make it to church. So we ate breakfast, then Daddy went outside to start working on cleaning out the shed, but the boys wanted to do a craft first. So I helped them make some headbands. They were playing cowboys and Indians. :) They had a blast making these, and wore them almost all day! After this we went outside to help Daddy clean out the shed's loft area, to make room for all of the garage sale stuff, from when we cleaned out the boys rooms/closets/drawers. (It's all been piled up in our spare bedroom, and it got to where you couldn't even walk in there, so we knew it was time to get it all cleared out). While doing this, we found the boys bounce house, and then their Superman slip n slide!!! Talk about some excited little boys! They played on these until we made them take a break for lunch. After lunch and a nap, we watched the Dallas Cowboys win the football game against the Browns! Yea!!!! Go Cowboys!!!! Then I ran to the store to pick up a few necessities, and the stuff to make some homemade "heath" ice cream. YUM!!!! It's my mom's recipe, for "butterfinger" ice cream, but I substituted "heath" instead. It turned out really good! The boys LOVED it!

So they had a big, fun weekend, and we got some stuff accomplished. Now today, I'm working on actually cleaning the house and catching up on laundry....while waiting for more appraisal work. :)

Here is a picture of Daddy helping Levi finish his craft. :)


The finished product! LOL! He is so silly.


Here is my other little swimmer/indian. :) He had on his spiderman swimming goggles that we had found while cleaning the loft, and his indian headband, while riding his stick horse! LOL!


Isn't he a cutie! I love this innocent, "don't care what I look like, because I'm having a fun" stage! :)

Happy Birthday Hubby!!!!

Yesterday was Stephen's birthday. He seemed to be having a great day at work, and I was planning on having a small family party for him here at home. So after I picked up Levi from school we ran to the store to do some birthday shopping, and to get stuff to make a cake.

We got home, and Levi wrapped presents and started decorating, while I started baking the cake. Unfortunately we didn't get home as early as I'd planned, and I didn't have time to get the cake all finished before Stephen got home. But I did get it baked and cooling at least, and I got the Pizza's ready for dinner. So while we were waiting on the last pizza to come out of the oven, Levi had his Daddy open his presents. I think the boys were more excited than Daddy! LOL!

Levi was so proud of the things he had picked out! Seth said "what did I get ya?" LOL!

I guess it was a good thing I didn't get the cake decorated, because all 3 of my boys had a blast decorating it! :)

Oh, and before all of this, Levi grabbed the candles and said "Dad, look at the candles we got you", right as I grabbed them out of his hands and said "he can't see that yet". So then I had to whisper in Levi and Seth's ears and tell them a "special secret" so that they would hush up about them. They were trick candles that keep re-lighting. So much for the secret, because then they followed daddy around the house, saying "your candles do something, over and over and over". He said "I don't think i can ever guess what they are" (in a sarcastic/laughing voice). LOL! So he wasn't exactly surprised by the candles...but the boys sure had lots of fun blowing them out, over and over again! hahaa I bet that cake has more spit on the top then icing! LOL! :) But we all had fun, and even though it wasn't the prettiest cake and with inevitable spit on the top, it sure did taste good. :) I hope Stephen had a good night, and enjoyed it.

Happy Birthday Stephen!!!!! We love you!!!!

Labor Day Weekend

We really didn't do much this weekend. I worked on Saturday, and then on my way home, I stopped by the toy store to pick up Levi's birthday present from Granny. (They couldn't give it to him before, because we were on vacation at the floating gazebo, and would have had no room to get it home.)

So I picked it up but it was the last one in stock and I had to take the assembled one that they had on display. Fine by me! Then we don't have to put it together! :) So Stephen got the battery out of it, and charged it, when I got home. Later, when Levi was outside playing, he finally noticed the battery and was asking what it was. I grabbed the camera, and let him go discover what it went to.

Here he is, looking puzzled....

I had him go look in the back of my van....here he is opening it....

Just look at the excitement on that face! :)

Even Seth was excited!

Aunt Michelle had bought these tags for the boys awhile back. (see it, on the very front, it says Levi). So Daddy finally put them on the front of their 4 wheelers. Cute!

Daddy had just finished putting Seth's personalized tag on, so I snapped his picture.

And the race is on..... :)

As far as the rest of the weekend, we didn't do much. We went to church Sunday, and mowed on Monday. Other than that, we simply tried to relax and enjoy our time together as a family. :) It was a great weekend!