Friday Night Flick "Elf"

Tonight was the first movie night that the boys have gone to for Freedom. It was Camden's first movie night ever. They got to enjoy a hot dog, popcorn, gummy worms and a soda while watching the movie "Elf". Camden started out sitting by his buddies Nissa and Isaac and Bailey sat by Manuel. They both were having a great time so I went ahead and left. When Dave went to go pick them up, Camden had moved over to sit with his brother. How cute is that! No matter how much they fight or argue with each other, they both start missing each other and enjoy each others company. I was really hesitant to send Camden. I knew Bay would be fine. He has been to several movie nights at Forkner and he is older but Camden is still so small (in my eyes) and I worry about him. Maybe because he is the youngest and it still feels like he is my little baby. Just a momma bear protecting her little cubs. But I am so glad I let him go. They both had a great time. They were so exhausted when they came thru the door, we had to forgo the shower tonight. Yes, they kind of stunk but I am washing the sheets tomorrow anyways. Dave said that Camden was starting to fall asleep on the car ride home-we live half a mile from the school so that says alot. Tomorrow I am sure they will talk my ear off as to how much fun they had. Cannot wait to hear the deets...

Writers Hall Of Fame

I am so extremely proud of Bailey. Today, he received the Writers Hall Of Fame award for outstanding writing achievement for the month of December. There was only one student out of every class chosen for the award. We are so proud of him.His handwriting has really improved and he comes up with some awesome stories. He has such a vivid imagination. We are so truly blessed that God has entrusted us with you precious little one. We might not always know how to react to some situations but for some reason, God gave you to us-He says it is a perfect match. You are ours to guide and protect and to raise knowing you will always be loved. And more importantly, to raise you to fully trust and know God is always there with you and to know God as your best friend. May you always strive to do your best and to know its thru God you have this incredible gift. Love you Boo

Groceries

Ok, so I got home just a little bit ago from WinCo (our cheaper grocery store)and looked at the mound of groceries that needed to be put away. That is the worst job-especially putting the fridge stuff away. I loathe doing it. I would have gone grocery shopping earlier today but taking 2 kids who seem to think that is the time to wrestle in the aisles, is more stressful and embarrassing then waiting for daddy to come home from work and going by myself. Grocery shopping used to be relaxing to me but lately there have been so many people who make really dumb decisions. Like parking their cart in the middle of the aisle where no body can get around them or two people talking and blocking the aisle so no one can get by. Tonight seemed to be just one of those nights. Anyways, made it home, hubby put away the fridge stuff (yeah) and I put away the rest. Now, I am already tired so after The Office, I am off to bed.

Fire Station

Today Bailey had his first field trip for 2nd grade. I was not chosen to go so I have no pictures to upload but wanted to at least blog a minute about it. I think it is so awesome that so many parents are so involved at this school but at the same time, its hard because you do not always get to be the chaperone on the field trips. At Forkner (Fresno Unified) I got to go on every single field trip they had. There was very little parent help there and it was the same group of us women that were always helping. I definitely love all of the parent help here. Especially since I am room mother in Bay's class and Co-head room mother in Cam's.It is really helpful for the class parties when lots are involved. Bay said he had a great time today. He got to bring home a trading card that had the chief and santa on the front-he loves the card. Thought that was really cool.He is just growing up way too fast. He did not even care that I wasn't going. So different from last year where he would almost cry if he thought I wasn't going. What a difference a year makes.

Christmas Lights

We are all bathed, in our pajamas, listening to Harry Connick Jr's Christmas CD and licking our candy canes while we are driving around looking at all the colorful lights in a neighborhood. The kids are loving it. I am taking pictures left and right as to which ones the boys are pointing at. We wanted to walk Christmas Tree Lane this year but heard the price of the shuttle was $7.00 a piece. So, here we are. The boys are already deciding which ones they want me to order for them-for the scrapbook pages they want to make-love it!! It is starting to feel a lot like Christmas.

Remember Why

Well, we had a bit of a rough day today. I think everyone was a bit tired-I was both physically and mentally. So I had a feeling today was going to be one of those days. The morning started off pretty normal. I got Bay off to school without a hitch. Camden and I read a few stories and worked on his homework. He also helped me sweep and vacuum and pick up his room. I also was able to address our Christmas cards to mail off later. By then it was time to take Camden to school. He is so funny... He has to give you a kiss and a hug but it has to be before we reach the gate or just inside the gate. And once he gets in line, he just will not look at me to save my life. It is pretty cute watching him converse and interact with his classmates. So then I came home just long enough to eat lunch and then back to school to help in Cam's class. Well, after school we start walking to the car together and they both take off running. Ofcourse I am left with the luxury of carrying everyones backpacks, lunch boxes and jackets so catching up with them is no easy task. The road is coming up and I just pray they stop and wait for me-too many people around they cannot hear me yell at them. Phew, they do wait for me but after they start kick fighting and Cam gets kicked right in to Mr. Pickles. Well, we cross the street and get into the car and all of a sudden Bay starts yelling at his friends who by the way are far in front of us walking plus the windows are all rolled up. So now I have a headache and I have seen my children for a total of 3 minutes since picking them up. They start fighting over a big pink eraser Bay got for a fundraiser. Cam got one too but his was at home. So then I get out to get the mail and Cam starts taking off his seat belt. Im like, whats up? Oops Just a little mistake. So we make it in the garage and Bay gets out of the car and starts banging on the door . He's like, hurry up mom. Well, I am bringing in both backpacks, the mail, my purse and their jackets and I am getting a little annoyed at the amount of patience he is showing. So we make it inside where Bay instantly gets naked besides his undies(mind you its 57 degrees outside. So he gets his clothes back on after being told numerous times to do so. Then, we have a little poop insident (which I will not share) Well, they did get their homework done quietly and that was great. I am still trying to get the rest of the bills paid, see what to make for dinner, make a grocery list and fininsh swapping out the 3 rooms. I am pretty tired from going and going for the last 4 days. All is well and then the wrestling, fighting and using an outdoor voice starts up. I warned them 3 times and finally made them play in their own rooms for about 30 minutes. They were driving me crazy. I know it is becasue we all went to bed way too late last night but I had no more patience left. Then I look over at the boys and they started arranging the figurines in our nativity set. They were playing nicely and speaking quietly and it hit me. Yes, my day kinda sucked but all it took was this precious vision of the boys getting along to make me smile and forget everything else around me. Sometimes I feel like if I do not get my To Do's done, I have failed the whole day, but then something like this happens and I realize that I need to not get so caught up in my To Dos' that I miss the precious fleeting moments like these. Sometimes the few and far between but when they happen, they can take my breath away.

Decorating the Tree

The boys had to wait a whole day to be able to decorate the tree. That is quite a lot of patience for young boys. We had our traditional hot chocolate with marshmallows and powdered donuts while listening to Christmas music play. All the lights were out besides the tree lights-very soothing. I would unwrap or unbox each ornament and hand it to the boys who would in turn hang it on the tree. I was able to hang ornaments this year-last year they got them all hung before I was done unwrapping. If you notice our tree, there are just a few ornaments hung higher then 4 feet. I think it is cute. The bottom half of our tree looks very full and festive-just where sweet little hands could hang them. I thought about waiting until they were asleep and fixing it but it will not be too much longer till they will be reaching up higher then I can. So they are staying put.