Runaways

I love watching my kids grow up, but sometimes it's too much for me. It seems just yesterday they were babies and today they are getting ready to pack for college.

Every morning, Cooper is exasperated when Abigail gets dropped off and runs into her school building unsupervised. Little Man is desparate to not be escorted to class, as per the preschool's rules. This morning, Cooper asked, "When I'm this many will you drop me off for school?"


And, Abigail is already planning her adulthood, telling me... "Mom, you're going to be so jealous of me when I'm on "Dancing with the Stars" and "The Voice".

Sure, kids. I'll just step aside while you run off by yourself to unsupervised stardom!

It finally cooled off down here in Texas. I know, it's October and I shouldn't be surprised. But, it was still 105 degrees a few days last week, so I wasn't prepared for the cooler temps we are having this week. By unprepared, I mean my kids haven't been fitted in pants for the new year. I've been waiting until I absolutely have to buy pants. It's not that I'm cheap, but because my kids' legs grow longer every night. If I had bought pants when school started, I'm certain they would be too short by Thanksgiving.

No matter what the reason, my procrastination led me to a quick trip to Marshall's Sunday night. Not one of the three of us were interested in shopping, but the weather forced my hand. Unfortunately, that meant I wasn't mentally prepared for the challenge of battling Abigail's "new style".  We got in and out with little arguing, but in retrospect, I probably should have put up more of an argument instead of just pulling out my debit card.


My daughter went to bed a 7-year-old last night, but this 17-year-old is who I dropped off at school today. Aagh!!!

Cooper and I enjoyed the Drafthouse so much yesterday that we had to return with Abigail today. I know, it's excessive. But, when the kids are begging to see Dolphin Tale and I am looking for a lazy way to spend time with them and there is place where we can all get our way while we are showered with pizza and cookies... Uh, duh! Drafthouse, here we come!


These crazy kids filled up on mozzarella sticks, pizza and cookies and also enjoyed Dolphin Tale.


I know the days of being un-cool and only being wanted as an ATM are on the horizon, so I'll take these fun days any chance I can. Kids who want to hang out with their mom? Yes, please!

Party Hardy

I look forward to Saturdays because it means sleeping in, relaxing, and family time. Today was not a Saturday I've been looking forward to. For whatever reason God enjoys laughing at my craziness, Abigail received four birthday party invitations for today. Yes, you read that right: FOUR. Then, a week ago, the swim team scheduled the end of long course season party/team meeting/awards. That comes to five events in one Saturday. All thoughts of relaxing and sleeping in went out the window. Sigh...

Because Abigail can only be in one place at a time, she had to decline two of the party invitations. (Thank the Lordy!) But, the day was still crazy. The first party kicked off at Kerbey Lane in Austin for breakfast. (Sidenote: Although I'm not fond of birthday parties, I loved the idea of meeting for breakfast. Fun!)

I didn't want to be driving back and forth to Austin, so Cooper and I stuck it out in Austin and had some of our own fun. We met one of Cooper's friend, Ferris, and his mom and brother at the Drafthouse to see The Lion King. Brunch and a movie is an excellent way to spend a Saturday morning.


Please forgive Cooper for looking "special" in this photo. He's decided that it's hilarious to ruin the photos I take. Yeah, it's hilarious, Cooper.

Abigail's morning party lasted until early afternoon, so we still had plenty of time to kill after the movie. I bribed Cooper with browsing a few stores with me in exchange for me browsing through Toys R Us with him. Unfortunately, I didn't know that the nearby Toys R Us had closed. Oops!


When we finally ventured to the arcade/bowling alley/laser tag arena to get the party girl, she hadn't spent all of her arcade money so Cooper and I hung out in the arcade while she played.


Finally, the fun wrapped up and we wished the brithday girl a happy day!


There were a few hours for naps while I wrapped the evening party's present and baked for the swim team party. Then, we were off to party #2. Again, this party was another creative night. The girls started off at Mighty Fine for burgers...

... and then ventured to the mall for Build a Bear. Abigail had a blast! I'm pretty sure it was her favorite birthday party ever. I'm so glad she has sweet, Christian girlfriends to have fun with.

While Abigail partied away the evening, Cooper and I had more fun time together. I loved getting to spend the day with this kid. Even if we did take this picture three times before I could convince him to take one without showing off his chewed up hamburger bite in his mouth, he's just too cute.


The two of us went on to the swim team party where Daniel and Abigail joined us late in the evening. And, we finally got to head home at the end of this very long, party-filled day.

Grandparents' Day

Today was Grandparents' Day at school. It was the first time Abigail and Cooper have had grandparents in attendance at the annual event. Abigail made sure to call Gran last week and invite her. She was sure I hadn't already informed Gran and Grandad of the occasion. Gran and Grandad were so sweet to take time off from work and travel to Round Rock for the event.

The morning kicked off with Abigail's class singing two songs at chapel. I wish I could show you a video or even a photo of the performance. I was irresponsible and showed up with uncharged electronic devices. If you were there this morning, I was the lady in tall boots at the back of the auditorium looking for a plug to charge my camera battery. Fortunately, I found one. Unfortunately, I missed the photo op of the performance.


After chapel, we visited Cooper's classroom as they had snacks and went through the morning circle time routine. I'm pretty sure this pre-kindergarten class is already smarter than me. They knew the day and date of the week. If it weren't for the calendar on my phone, I'd never know the current date. Would anyone like to join me in a circle each morning to sing about the day and date of the week? It might help me keep up with these details.


Cooper showed off his "Smurf Hands" painting and poem for Gran and told the class that Grandad gives the best hugs. He doesn't even try to hide that he's quite partial to Grandad.


In Abigail's class, Gran and Grandad helped her fill in her family tree.


We got to meet Abigail's teacher, which was an added bonus. Daniel had yet to meet Mrs. E. Abigail is usually mortified at the thought of being seen with us at school. Apparantly it's okay when there are grandparents to show off.


Daniel was busy being the WatchDOG on campus today. (Each day one dad is on campus all day to help corral the kids and do any tasks the administration needs help accomplishing.) The kids love and look forward to these occasions. I'm so glad he has the chance to do this several times during the school year. We love being a part of a school that invites our entire family into the classrooms, and today was a special day to share with Gran and Grandad.

Star Student

Today is the first day of Abigail's Star Student week. She's terribly excited.


I wish I could show you the Star in all her crowning glory, but that would involve going into the classroom with her. There's no chance she'll allow anything that embarassing to happen.

Mason Money

A few months ago we set out on a new financial journey. It's called A Budget. We decided to take the kids with us. I even bought them new luggage for the trip.


These mason jars are now the keepers of all things needed for the trip. Cooper only has one jar, because anything further would be difficult to understand. Abigail has three jars: spend (70%), save (20%), tithe (10%).


The kids earn money by doing chores. We don't give them an allowance, but do pay them for any tasks beyond what is already expected of them, i.e. clean rooms, beds made every morning. Cooper has become wonderful with the vaccuum cleaner. Abigail likes to clean out my car. And, I was able to let my housekeeper go.

Cooper's jar is mostly empty, because he recently spent all his earnings on a used Nintendo DS with five game cartridges. Abigail's save jar is empty because we opened a savings account that is used when the jar becomes full.

I love that the kids are learning that money must be earned. And, I especially love to see them making choices of how to spend their money.

Abigail was named the Star Student of her class for the coming week. Don't be too impressed. Her name was drawn out of a hat, which the teacher will do each week until every kid has spent a week as the Star Student.

I'm not sure of what the title involves other than wearing a crown all week in class and getting to skip out on some of the homework for the week.

And, Abigail has to present a poster to the class Monday morning that tells them all about her. She spent more than half of today coloring and decorating her poster.


I had all kinds of creative ideas for how to "help" her with the poster, but the assignment came with instructions from the teacher that parents were not to help.


Cooper desperately wanted to be involved in her project. I spent several hours bribing him with his DS to stay in his room.


Fortunately, it's done and ready to present to the class. Take note of my "favorite" section where she wishes for a sister. Yeah, she can just keep wishing. That's one wish that won't be granted!

Lately, there has been lots of fighting. I mean, screaming, hitting, slamming her brother's head and fingers in her bedroom door. That's why her daddy had to remove her bedroom door.

She says mean things like, "You ruin every day of my life that you're in it."

She yells that she'll kick him in the face if he talks to her again.

Then there are moments like tonight when she loves him and asks if she can read him a bedtime story. They snuggle up in bed together in his bed and she reads a Skippy Jon Jones book in her best Mexican accent.

Then, they hug and kiss each other goodnight, and I know that one day they won't want to beat each other up.

The Teacher Becomes the Student

Sometimes my children frustrate and annoy me. There are days I wonder if they've heard anything I've ever taught them. Many days go by that I want to pull my hair out because I can not think of a punishment to fit the crime.

Then, there are days when I am the one being taught. I am humbled at their knowledge and understanding of kindness.


A few days ago Abigail began to ask me a question and abruptly stopped herself. I continued to probe because I could tell she was truly curious about something. And, I'm not one to ever let anything go. I insisted that she ask her question. She insisted that she could not ask her question because it would be impolite to talk about someone. "Mom, it would be gossiping." She continued to tell me that she had just found out a friend has divorced parents. Abigail had thought the friend's stepdad was actually her birthfather. With this new knowledge, came many questions, but Abigail refused to ask them. She would no longer discuss it because she insisted that she would not gossip and her friend's family life would not be appropriate to discuss. I was amazed at the maturity she had shown at just seven years old. I wish I could be that discreet and mindful of not gossiping.

Also in the past week, Abigail was in the car with me and I was listening to Dave Ramsey. I love hearing his financial advice, but the kids are quick to request a station change as soon as I pick them up from school. Usually I oblige them. This time, Abigail asked, "Why is that man talking about money?". I explained the purpose of the radio program, but she probed again. "But, isn't it rude to talk about people's money issues in public?" Wow! Another golden nugget from the pipsqueak kid! Uh, yes, I have strongly taught the kids not to ever discuss the cost of items or a person's salary or anything close to those topics. And, now the oldest one was calling me on the hypocracy of my Dave Ramsey obsession. Oh, goodness.

I can't help but be amazed at my daughter's intelligence and consideration of others. But, I wish she could show it in a less humbling way.

First Week of School

We made it through the first week of school! Fortunately, it was just three days. It's too bad every week is not just Wednesday through Friday. I think we could handle that.

This week, the most important issue was fashion. Abigail has a "new style" this year and she is taking great pains to make sure she shows her "new style" She isn't interested in anything I like. She isn't interested in looking her age. She is trying my patience.  Needless to say, shopping for school clothes was trying. We were able to compromise and come up with a few outfits, and she looked very cute. But getting to this point was not easy.
Day 1, Wednesday...


Day 2, Thursday...


Day 3, Friday...


I am already dreading the real shopping season: when it starts cooling off and she has to have a whole, new wardrobe. There are going to be lots of arguments. I just know it. It's not going to be pretty. Please pray for me.

I Had Good Intentions

I could kick myself! I stayed up late the night before school putting together first day of school gifts for the kids' teachers. I designed and printed three different sets of stationary cards.


I labeled a cute mug with my Silhouette.


I wrote sweet, endearing cards for each of the three ladies and then wrapped up the gifts so that they would be ready when we walked out the door.


Unfortunately, I slept so hard that I completely forgot the gifts. So, they were great second day of school gifts today. Oh, well.

Back to School

Today was the first day of school, and the kids were elated to get out the door. Also, they were too cute!




We weren't exactly punctual, so I don't have a photo of Abigail at her desk. The teacher was already teaching when we dropped her off, so I have nothing to show. She was mortified that we walked her to class, so she is probably happy that I couldn't come in and take photos.

Cooper's class starts 10 minutes later so I got to be the doting mom with a camera in his class. Yes!



And, with that, they're off! And, Daniel and I spent the next five hours in blissful quietness. It. Was. Awesome. Thanks, school. I owe you.

One Last Hurrah

We made one more trip to Odessa for a last hurrah of summer. The kids were in hog heaven playing with Gran and Grandad's neighbors, Paige and Noah.


I enjoyed a few visits with my grandparents. My dad's father especially cracks me up. He's a hoot!


We made several visits to the nursing home to see Mimi.




The highlight of the trip was the kids singing at the Sunday morning service at the nursing home. They each sang "Jesus Loves Me" at least once, and I'm certain my grandmother enjoyed every off-key note of it!

She's Still a Maniac

Abigail loved her run/swim event a few weeks ago and begged to compete in a full triathalon. Who am I to hold a girl back?!

This was a much bigger event than the run/swim, but she wasn't deterred.



She started off in the swim and was passing people like crazy! She was like lightening!


She lost some time in the first transition because her ponytail made it difficult to get her helmet on. She eventually got it.


She came out of the transition like a mad woman on her bike!


Not even the 5K bike portion was enough to deter her fierceness. She was still determined when she came back to the transition area.


Unfortunately, a collision going into the transition area caused her to lose some more time and come away with a knee injury. But once she got her bike untangled, she was off again!




I love to see her compete! She goes all out!



She is just awesome! She was 14th of the 26 girls in her age division. She was 86th of the 166 7-10 year olds. See, I told you she is awesome!




She is already campaigning to compete in another tri, and I'm sure I'll cave in soon. She's just too good to turn down.