Halloween Fun!

Okay, so I know I am an entire week behind on this one...(better late than never!)

Evan went as Winnie the Pooh as a honey bee. He wore the hood and everything - I couldn't believe it! Hayden went as his requested super hero, Superman. I admit they were a precious pair.
They really loved the whole knocking on people's doors to get candy
thing. Evan could not understand why he couldn't put his costume on to do it again the next day.

Hayden sported his Texas Longhorn candy basket and Evan loved his Elmo basket.
They especially loved the $1 pumpkin flash lights that Grandmommy had purchased
to carry with them. They put them inside their baskets to help light the way.
Again, why do we bother with expensive toys?

While I am at it, I will cram into this post our other Halloween festivities earlier that week.
Hayden had his sweet friend, Colin, over for a while and I decided to finally experiment
with one of those fun Halloween dessert crafts you see in all the magazines and say to yourself
you are going to do but never get around to. I mean you have good intentions, even ear mark the pages, but then it just gets forgotten about until the next Woman's Day magazine comes out with the next holiday "fun for all" food craft.

The precious duo.

They each kindly took turns pouring in the ingredients I measured out for them.

Hayden was checking out what he calls the "constructions."


We of course had to use "Cars" baking cups.

This is supposed to be a bat.

This is my attempt at a little spider in its web. It turned out
okay but didn't look as near as great as in the magazine.
It was a fun little craft none the less and the boys had fun mixing!

EARLIER THAT DAY.....

This is what happens when Mommy let's it get
"too quiet" upstairs without going to investigate right away.
Thank goodness little E didn't flush!!
It was a brand new roll.

Evan's Name for Pumpkins...

We are not sure how this came about but Evan is adamant that pumpkins are called ghosts. He will not have it any other way no matter how much convincing we try. He is sure to correct us.

An October Morning at the Arboretum

Steve took of work Friday for a nice family outing at the Arboretum. It was perfect weather and the boys had a great time exploring and playing in the pumpkins and hay. I was so happy to get pics of them in their adorable matching Halloween shirts from my favorite children's clothing store, Janie and Jack.

Sweet Hayden is having a fantastic time.

As usual, Evan is on the move as Daddy tries to get a pick of us together.

Hayden enjoys taking the time to pose with Mommy.

Daddy somehow manages to get E to cooperate for just a second to snap a pic together.

Daddy helps Evan walk across the tops of the hay bales.

Evan loved throwing the hay around. I think that was the best part for him.

Hayden's First Staple - Ouch!

Hayden had his first boo-boo requiring one staple this week. He was playing on the playground at preschool and fell back and hit his head after colliding with another child. His Daddy came rushing in right behind me from work as soon as he heard with the Blackberry already to his ear calling the doctor to wait further instruction and asking his symptoms. Apparently I come to find out that Steve dashed through the main office without even stopping to wait for a name tag and sign in -( such a sweet concerned Daddy!)
Steve took Hayden to the doctor while I took Evan back home for his nap. He said he did great and was such a trooper. Of course Daddy took him for a Wii Game rental and ice cream afterwards - nothing a little TLC couldn't fix. He gets his staple out tomorrow. I am so glad. I think seeing the staple bothers me more than the wound. It looks like it would hurt but Hayden forgets it is even there on the back of his head. I guess if we made it to almost 5 years with 1 staple being the worst injury so far we are doing good :-)

Go Texas!

Nothing like a Texas Skull Cap and
"Texas Fight" from little E
to cheer the Longhorns to victory!
Go Horns!
Texas 38, Colorado 14

Soccer Game Fun

Go Raptors!

I kept seeing Hayden in his "runners stretch."
(He watched a lot of Olympics with Daddy.)

He kicked that ball with great determination!

I didn't ever figure out what this boy was
yelling at my sweet Hayden about. He
was getting the finger point and everything.

Anyhow, he loves his soccer practice and counts
down to his games each week.

let's play guess which cut was done by a "professional"...

Let's play a fun little game called "Guess who cut which of my boys hair"

Exhibit A


Exhibit B


Which one was done in a salon and which was done by me??
Drumroll.........

Yes, I actually paid someone $20 to cut Hayden's hair!!
This picture was taken even after I took him back to attempt to fix
this haircut.
Not that little E's trim is any sort of masterpiece but oh my goodness
what was that woman thinking??!!!

Let's go back and revisit Hayden's "do". Does it not look
like I brought this in to her and said, "This
is exactly what I want!"
Don't get me wrong, Hayden is precious as always
but what in the world did he do to deserve such a haircut??
On top of that he has his soccer pictures tomorrow.
Thank goodness his hair grows fast!

First Day of Preschool

So Mommy is a bit behind in posting about the first day of preschool. I am a procrastinator often times. Anyhow, I didn't get Evan's first day art back until Tuesday so my delay paid off :-)

The backpack is virtually bigger than E!

Evan is not quite as excited about the hug as brother.

Hayden helps little E adjust his backpack.
Evan is SO excited about his backpack.
He loves to wear it and refers to
Dora the Explorer by singing "backpack, backpack."

So they are not really walking off to the school bus or anything
but I figured it was a better visual than the garage.

The boys stare at the neighbor kids
actually getting to leave for school through
the front door. They look quite awed by it all don't they?

This is Hayden's kissing hand. This was done based on a sweet
story where a Mommy kissed her child's hand and
whenever he felt scared or sad she told him he could
put his hand to his cheek and would get a kiss from Mommy.

The boys did great on their first day!
I think they are going to have a wonderful year.

Soccer Is Back in Session!

"The Raptors" are back and ready to start the season strong!

Hayden could not be more excited about counting the
days down until practice and soccer games each week.
Daddy is even doing a little assistant coaching where needed.
It is basically the exact same group of boys and they
really are learning to play well together. We are so
proud of the little cuties.

Hayden has been working some great defense!

Little E intently watches brother from the sidelines with some
delicious animal crackers.
(Yes, poor baby still needs a good hair cut.)

Our Little Fish

Hayden has done beautifully with his swimming lessons this summer.
We are so proud of him!
He has been really eager to learn and asks
quite a bit to go to the pool around the corner to practice.
This is definitely not the same child who was screaming
last summer just to put his face in the water.

A Sweet Brother Reading Session

I sometimes find Hayden and Evan up on a bed together playing. It usually involves getting under Mommy and Daddy's covers, hiding, and then throwing or kicking off the covers and screaming in delight. It is one of their favorite games.

On this particular afternoon they snuggled up in Hayden's bed to read a book together. Hayden even let Evan borrow one of his favorite bed time buddies, Corduroy, as you can see tucked under Evan's arm. Hayden is of course holding Bevo. This was such a special sight to see because the boys have done a lot of fighting lately (usually over toys). It was wonderful to not have to "referee" this session and just watch them sharing peacefully together.
I pray they will be best friends for life.

Happy Birthday Sweet Angels!

Today would be Cathryn and Corynne's second birthday. We celebrated the sweet lives of our friend's daughters on a beautiful hill in our neighborhood and the girls celebrated in Heaven with their Savior.

If you have not yet read their story, I encourage you to visit www.angeltwins.org
and make a donation today.

Gorgeous flowers!

A special birthday cake in memory of the precious darlings.

Hayden is eager to send off his balloon. (done waiting, Mom!)


Pink and purple balloons were released
with their little Angel Twins cards
attached so anyone lucky enough
to find one could read and share their story.



Hayden and Colin (one of Cathryn and Corynne's older brothers)
have become fast friends.

Happy Birthday, Cathryn and Corynne!
Though hearts ache to see you and miss you terribly, we rejoice in
hope that will see you and celebrate with you one day
again face to face.

If you click the You Tube Video at the beginning of this post, the song you are hearing is Little Wonders by Rob Thomas.
It is a song that holds so much meaning to my friend Kristen and
was played at both memorial services for Cathryn and Corynne.
I can't not listen to this song without tearing up.
I hope you might take the time to read it.
Feel free to post comments on what
the song means to you.

To me it is about embracing the little precious moments
because before we know it our time on earth is gone.
In eternity our life here is but a moment.

It reminds me that our trials shape us and to
let them soften not harden our hearts.
It is not to dwell in our trials
but to learn from them
and hold dear to each other and what is precious
in our lives.

It reminds me also of James 1:2-4 when the song talks about letting your troubles
fall behind you and that in the end it's the heart that matters.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4

Little Wonders Lyrics

let it go,
let it roll right off your shoulder
don't you know
the hardest part is over
let it in,
let your clarity define you
in the end
we will only just remember how it feels

our lives are made
in these small hours
these little wonders,
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away,
but these small hours,
these small hours still remain

let it slide,
let your troubles fall behind you
let it shine
until you feel it all around you
and i don't mind
if it's me you need to turn to
we'll get by,
it's the heart that really matters in the end

our lives are made
in these small hours
these little wonders,
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away,
but these small hours,
these small hours still remain

all of my regret
will wash away some how
but i can not forget
the way i feel right now

in these small hours
these little wonders
these twists & turns of fate
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away but these small hours
these small hours, still remain,
still remain
these little wonders
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away
but these small hours
these little wonders still remain