THOR & the tads

Our friend, and often entertainment...THOR, the turtle. He's a trouper letting the kids handle him. Yesterday I peeked out my front door to check on the kids and Maddie and Rydge were taking Thor for a WALK...that's the kind of pace I'm talking about!

Sorry to those of you who are repulsed by amphibious creatures. The kids felt that I needed to post the progress of some of our tadpoles. I have to confess, it's pretty awesome! Many of them have legs, and some have all four legs and just need to lose the tail. It's been fun to watch the progress. Kyle and Maddie have taken amazing care of them...making sure their home is comfortable!
Not a real clear picture...these guys are SO tiny, about the size of my thumbnail, I had to zoom in quite a bit, but still kind of cool!

My Achey Heart...

Rydge looks as nervous as I feel! He rocked, tho - just walked right into class, gave me a big kiss on the lips, put his backpack away and sat down. Easy as pie! It was SO much harder for me!
Walking hand in hand with Dad, carrying 'Green Lightening' - his backpack. So glad Spencer was able to go in a bit later today...

Well, my baby is off to school and my heart just aches! I was trying to explain to Spencer why this was so hard for me. I said, "it's kind of the beginning of the end". He didn't think so with so many wonderful times ahead. But that's not what I mean. It's the beginning of my baby spending more time with other people than he does with me. It's hard for me to cut those strings, especially with my best little friend. I did control my emotions, however, and waited to cry until I was alone in my house. Change can be so hard.

Kids to school...mom to Target.

Hooray! The first day of school!! Maddie sprinted out the door...Kyle walked fast enough that he wouldn't be seen walking to school with his mom, and Ty had to be dragged. Thank goodness for a sweet new neighbor boy that invited Ty to go with him this morning and show him the ropes. That eased his anxiety a bit.
Of course, Rydge and I enjoyed our new found freedom and we hauled off to Target the moment the kids were out of sight! We bought him a few new shirts for school - in all of the hulabaloo, I'd forgotten to get him any new clothes for school - he starts on Wednesday. Then we splurged and went to lunch at Panera. I have to party with my baby boy a bit...he's a big kid now and will be going to school three days a week from 9-1. It'll be quite the adjustment for me!

Mother of a TEENAGER???

Is it possible that Ty is 13? He had a GREAT b-day! Books, the 'perfect push-up' (I know, I know), and a new BIKE! His old one was stolen the day before we moved from Arlington...so he was so happy to get a new one!
Dinner at On the Border...Ty could eat bean burritos everyday.
Family dinner the next night with the Elmer crew! (nice face Spencer! ...he's going to kill me for posting this pic). Ty wanted Navajo Tacos (more beans!) and chocolate pie for dessert. Thanks so much to the Elmer's for helping us eat up all the food and coming over to celebrate!

I want to express my love for my first boy! He is a special blessing to his dad and I. I'm so grateful for his loving, kind heart. He's an amazing example to his family. I admire his self-motivated attitude, his desire to make people happy, his willingness to serve, his coordination!, his sense of humor, his sweet giggle, his ability to make friends, his protective nature towards his siblings. There's an indescribable quality to Ty...he's just GOOD. I could go on and on. He's just a GREAT kid and I feel so humble and grateful to my Heavenly Father for sending him to us! Happy birthday, Ty! We love you!

Happy Day...no shirts as usual.

Tyler found a treasure at the pond.

The kids started painting in the driveway when we got another one of those crazy TX rainstorms and they had to relocate to the garage.

The rain didn't bug Ty while he was shootin' hoop.

Kyle collecting feathers
WEBKINZ!
Tadpole hunting

The Catch.

DO MY BOYS EVER WEAR SHIRTS???? oH, WeLl. I'm so blessed to have kids that love the outdoors! We had Hayley (my niece) over today (with her 20 Webkinz!) and the kids had so much fun playing, looking for baby frogs, turtles, and tadpoles and collecting feathers. Fun day!

Tribute to our Mansfield Friends...

Nicholas and Michael!! Wow - we couldn't have asked for better neighbors!

KADE!!! What are we going to do without you??? We miss you Deardon's!

Ryan! You rock man!
Kyle, Kyle, Kobi! Thanks for the great times Laberge family!!
Kyle! Thanks for the great time Moody's! We'll miss you!

In the short time we lived in Arlington/ Mansfield, we made some great friends! We'll miss you and hope that you will all keep in touch...we're not that far away!!! I don't have pictures of all of you... wish I did! Thanks for your friendships!

Rydge loving his new bike.

The new do...

Instead of the usual buzz, Rydge got a real haircut. He was really hesitant to get it done, but once it was over he told the stylist, "that was really fun!". She styled it with a faux-hawk...the kids thought that was a riot! That night he said, "mom, can I get my hair cut tomorrow? That was awesome!" He loves his new spiky hair!!

Texas Rain

There's nothing like the thunderstorms in Texas...they say everything is bigger here, and they ain't kidding! Today the storm blew in and the kids threw on their suits to go and play in it. The raindrops were the size of grapes! The kids are lucky they didn't get pummeled! It blew out as fast as it came in.

I have caved....

Well, as a friend recently informed me...sometimes we have to succumb to peer pressure. It's time for Rani to blog. My first will be short and sweet...but I have to admit, this is an amazing opportunity to journal the happenings of our crazy little family. It's also an appropriate time, as everything we know has changed and we're now living in Spring, TX. Ironic since this is where my family was transferred my senior year in high school...and the same place I subsequently swore that I'd never return (to live anyway). See where swearing gets you?! But we're so richly blessed to be together as a family, to live near our Gigi and Grandpa Bubs, and my brothers Joe and Shea and Shea's family, Leah, and Hayley. I never would have believed that we'd end up here! And truthfully, if the first week is any indication...WE LOVE IT!

I look forward to keeping in touch with all of you! Happy blogging!