Thought for the Week

From some notes I found:

W.J. once said if others do wrong,

ours is the greatest privilege to do what's right.

In light of recent experiences, we are trying to instill this thought in Benjamin & remember to carry it out in our lives too.

first day of montessori school - august 25

The big day arrived for Benjamin last week - his first full day at the montessori school. Here he is, our happy boy...

Our conversation went like this:
"Mommy, are you going to leave me at the school today?"
[hmm...where is this conversation going?]
"Yes, that's the plan...I'll go home, do my work, take care of Trevin & then come back a little later to pick you up."
"Oh, goodie! I know the teachers will take such good care of me."

So we had absolutely no separation anxiety, no sadness or tears and he loved every minute of his time at school. Yeah!!

Here we are!

Well, I just found myself again...under a mountain of laundry & projects. Anyway, it's good to be back & we have lots to share. My post tonight will be about our big trip.

These pictures give you a glimpse into our exciting trip to Boise, Idaho to visit some very special people. We finally got to meet Malia. I will tell you - she is as sweet as she looks and that hair is real!! I was hoping she'd share some of it with Trevin, but she said 'no'. Oh well...my baby is still bald.

Trevin's first plane ride - an unforgettable one

New friends about the same age...Trevin & Trevor!

My crafty sister painted the letters on these shirts...aren't they great?

Benjamin picked out these "Texas orange" roses as his favorite in the beautiful rose garden

Sweet smile for Uncle Russell

Playing Thomas the Train UNO...Damion was the winner!

Hello little Malia!

a tired little boy on the early morning flight home

Thanks R&A for your gracious hospitality & fun times. What great memories.

Stonyfield Special

We love their yogurt...

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Memory Lane Monday: Little Swimmers

swimming lessons Summer 1981

This weekend we had some good laughs watching Mom & Dad's old movies of us cousins (A&A, DD&B) jumping, swimming, splashing, & dunking at our lessons.

[Lori - I believe this is the same pool where the twins had swimming lessons last summer]

swimming lessons summer 2010 at the YMCA
last day of swimming lessons - doing something "fun" but they all look so serious!


a Texas size fish!

Benjamin & I had races going down the water slides at the hotel last week...it was super fun!

We nearly had the place to ourselves & it was fun to be a kid again.

I have a feeling Trevin is going to be a great swimmer someday. He just loves the water & doesn't seem to mind water all over his face when he makes huge splashes.

hosted by From This Front Porch

Too busy

Yes, we have a boy who is too busy to look at the camera or his mommy vying for his attention. Rocks & grass are apparently much more intriguing. Oh well, I still had fun taking pictures. We had a great time in San Antonio...playing, splashing, racing down water slides, swimming at a beautiful hotel while Russell was at a conference. It was a nice getaway.

on my heart...

In light of recent experiences, I've been thinking about this poem & wanted to share this today...

If we could plan the way of life, there'd be no tears, no loss,

But then, how should we learn the meaning of the cross?

How to learn to bear our burdens with courage and good cheer?

No need to do a kindly deed if all were perfect here.

If everyone had everything, what need of sacrifice?

Would things have any value if they did not have a price?

If trouble never came our way, how peaceful life would be,

But then, perhaps, we'd never learn to face reality.

If nothing ever interfered with life's calm, easy flow,

How should we learn to brace the storm, how would the spirit grow?

If all were well, what need to serve, to love and sympathize?

The things that make us humble are the things that make us wise.

[author unknown]

Finding the Joy...

Then and Now: Feet

[Edited using PW action shots]

Then & Now

nearly 11 months ago...our beautiful baby

things I loved about this age: so sweet & tiny, the fact that feeding[bf] him was so much easier compared to Benjamin, his good daytime naps, that he could fit in our laps, smoothering him with kisses & love, watching Benjamin adore him, the way he completes our family.

this week...our big boy

things I love about this age: still sweet & now so heavy, his interaction with all of us, his words (dada & mam mam), the way he crosses his chubby, little feet when he's sitting around, how he scurries up the stairs after his big brother, the wonderful feeling of getting a decent sleep at night since he no longer 'snacks' at night.

Summer Fun = Getting Wet

It is so nice to have a little quiet time to sit down & catch up on the week. I feel like these summer weeks have been running away from me. Part of this is due to extending Benjamin's swimming lessons another 2 weeks since he was doing amazingly well & he graduated up to the next level. Last week there were 4 in his group & now there are 3, so he gets a lot of personal attention from the teacher - which is a huge help.