SPRING BREAK - DAY 1

So for Spring Break we had great plans of going camping with our neighbors for a few days as we explored caverns that were hundreds of feet under the ground and went on a fun drive thru animal safari only to then be followed by a few days in San Antonio to visit one my my BFF's and check out to Sea World. And then the puking started... followed by the fever, double ear infection, and the diarrhea. And soon all our plans were flushed down the toilet (literally). We were all heart broken so I vowed to do something "fun" with the kids everyday and to make the best of the break.

We attempted the zoo, but turned up our noses at the insane line backed up for what seemed like miles just to get into the zoo parking lot! So we wandered around downtown Houston until we found a park and played on the playground for hours and had a lovely picnic with our friends.

I only got harassed for money by a homeless person once. When I told him I did not have any cash on me but that he was welcome to any of our picnic food there he told me, "I don't want no snacks, I want a burger! Can you go get me a burger? I will wait here for you." It really was so polite of him to offer like that. But when I told him NO, but that he really was welcome to the food... (which we had all sorts between the two families... I'm talking sandwiches, granola bars, several different kinds of crackers, drinks, chips, fruit, veggies, cookies, etc)... he said, "I want me some BURGERS!" And people wonder why we give money to charities outside the US and we don't feed our "own" homeless?!? At that point I just walked away... very fast! :)

Dallin loves to climb...

And loves him some Capri Suns... I think he drank SIX that day at the park!

Eli picnicking with his buddy Aaron.

Connor with his muy guapo friend Victor. I have a crush on this kid. If I wasn't already taken... I might just have waited for him! ;)

MY APOLOGIES

I want to say sorry to anyone who may have heard some bad language on my blog site. I was shocked today when I heard a voice come on (in the place of a song on my playlist) and say some profanities where music was supposed to be playing. I am not sure how this happened since I always listen to the music before I add it to my playlist. But regardless... I apologize to anyone else who may have heard it. I deleted that particular "song" and went through and checked all the rest. They should be fine now. If anyone does hear something that is inappropriate (other than maybe me ranting in a blog post ;) please feel free to let me know so that I can do something about it.

Clean Slate

Spring always brings a sense of renewal. So that is what I am going to do. I am going to allow myself a fresh start. I am wiping my own slate clean. (Is that acceptable? I don't know, but I am doing it!) I am allowing myself a "do-over" and am going to try to do right by ME, by my FRIENDS, by my FAMILY, and most importantly by my GOD. I am only human and my slate probably won't stay clean for very long-- but I feel a renewed sense and longing to try harder-- so I am.

Eli's Lingo

A few days back I could tell Elijah was very tired. He hadn't slept well the night before, wasn't feeling well, and woke up extra early that morning. Eli is in the process of phasing out of naps and had not taken a nap for several days in a row.

Me: Eli, you are going to have to take a nap today.

Elijah: No! I don't want to!

Me: I am sorry Eli, but you have to. Your body is telling me it is very tired.

Elijah: No Mommy! My bottom is not tired! See! (then in a high disguised voice he says) I Eli's bottom, I not tired!

(For the record... he feel asleep in record time that day :)

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Eli always tends to add "so bad!" to the end of all of his sentences to make his point. It always makes me laugh. He is never hungry, but hungry so bad! He doesn't just want to watch a show, but he wants to watch a show so bad! (you get the point) I was holding Eli and giving him a love when we had this conversation.

Me: How come you are so cute, Eli?

Eli: Um, cuz I yuv (love) you so bad! (and he leaned in to give me a big kiss)

Could I love this boy anymore? I think not! :)

Clear Skys

This last week has been beautiful here in Houston with almost every day reaching 65 degrees and sunny. We took the opportunity twice this week to walk around the lakes and feed our local ducks.

Eli loves to spot the squirrels in the trees.

I was told by Eli that this duck with the lovely tuft on her head must be a "gurl" and looks just like me! (I had my hair waded up in a bun that day ;)

The two boys and I finished it all with a trip to the park... just us. It was lovely.

My Sweet Boy

Connor is going through a bit of an annoying stage at the moment. If he is not whining, complaining, or yelling about something... (sometimes I am convinced he is not a 7 year old boy at all, but in fact a 13 year old teenage girl)... then he is usually a bossy "Mr. Know It All" to his parents and brothers. The last couple days especially, it has been driving me nuts!

And then last night happened. Our bedroom is downstairs while all the boys sleep upstairs and we don't always hear everything. About an hour after I fell asleep (4 hours after the boys fell asleep) I was awakened by Connor. He was standing there in nothing but his undies holding Eli's hand and simply said, "Mom, something is not right with Eli." I turned to Eli who was barking up a storm. I have no doubt that it is Croup. I have heard that scary, distinct cough before and seen those deer in the headlight eyes as they struggle to get air in.

My heart was full. Connor had heard Eli coughing and recognized something was wrong. He woke up out of his deep sleep, climbed down his bunk bed, grabbed Eli and lead him to us where he knew he could get help.

At the end of the day, Connor IS a good big brother! :) I expressed my appreciation to Connor this morning and I could tell he felt like a real hero. I suppose he should. :)

Getting Creative!

This morning I was invited on a train ride! (Next time I am thinking about taking my business elsewhere... the leg room on this train was atrocious! ;)

Eli had lined up all the dining room chairs and was playing conductor. (thus the hats)

Dallin did a good job bringing up the caboose.

But really all he cared about was flipping that light switch on and off for 30 minutes straight!