Spring Fever

I am so thankful for my family.  You are all so wonderful!  It is always hard to be sick.  It makes one remember to be grateful for health.  The kids all had this stomach bug twice.  It was hard to have them home from school and not feeling well.  Spencer had it the worse I think.  He missed the most school too (three days).  I am thankful to report that we all seem to be fine today!  I hope it stays that way.

Last Saturday I was able to go to the Dallas temple with a group of women from our ward.  I was a driver for three older sisters in the ward.  It was fun to go with them and we had a nice visit as we drove.  At the temple we had 10 sisters from our ward together.  It was great that so many were able to come.  While I was gone Neal was with the kids.  He had a busy day taking care of all of them.  He took them to Hewitt park to picnic and play.  They had a great time.  

Saturday evening Neal’s mom was able to drive up and be with us for a day.  It was so exciting for the kids to have Grandma here.  They all got to bed late Saturday and up early Sunday to get every minute they could with her.  Sunday was nice to attend church and then play in the afternoon with Grandma.  We went on a picnic but that didn’t go well because it got too cold in the cool wind.  The kids had some fun playing some board games with Grandma and showing her all their little “special” things.  Monday morning Grandma left us at the same time I left to take the kids to school.  We are thankful she could come and hope to see more visitors in the future! (Hint, hint, you are all invited to come visit any time.)

I was able to finishing sewing pajamas for Spencer.  As I was finishing them I realized I had cut out the shirt up-side-down.  The pattern on the fabric wasn’t obvious it was directional but I noticed it and had to laugh.  The clouds are just puffy on the bottom with a flat top.  He thinks they are great and hasn’t noticed it, so I wont say anything about it.

We had a cold spell over the week end.  We even got below freezing two nights.  I was thankful I was paying attention to the forecast and was able to cover my little garden plants and save them from the frost.  They are all looking well today.  I hope that things will start to warm up again.  It feels more like winter than spring here this week.

Ruth really enjoyed going to her Activity Days last night.  She was so talkative about it when she got home.  I am glad that she is enjoying doing things and being friends with the other girls from church.

Today I went to the Easter parties at the school.  The Kindergarten kids were at Hewitt park this morning.  Caleb and I got there in time to watch the egg hunt.  We stayed and watch Spencer play some fun relay games too.  He had a great time!  Then I went over to Warren park to be with Andrew and the 2^nd grade kids.  We watched Andrew hunt for his eggs and enjoying being with the activity.  It is a fun yearly tradition the school has.  They only do it for K, 1^st and 2^nd grades, so Ruth didn’t do a party today.  We left when the 2^nd grade kids started to eat their lunch.  They were going to play games after lunch, so we missed that.  Caleb was hungry and I didn’t bring anything for him, so we came home for our lunch. 

Caleb keeps me smiling every day.  He loves trains, almost as much as Andrew did at this age.  Caleb knows where all the rail road crossings are.  As we drive around he always gets excited and tells me we are about to cross the tracks.  He will say “I am ready!” and get all excited until we cross, then he says “yeah, we did it!”  He thinks it is a big deal to go over the tracks.  He also likes to go around the house with “one sock on, one sock off.”  I am not sure where he got that from.  He is also having a hard time going to sleep again.  He will come to us and wants to sleep in our room.  He has started laying down on the floor.  One night I woke up and thought I heard someone breathing that wasn’t Neal, I didn’t see anyone.  Then I looked down, Caleb was asleep next to my bed on the floor.  Yesterday I went and bought Caleb some new shoes.  He really wanted green shoes, which aren’t that common.  He decided he liked some gray and white ones.  And the best part, it is neon green inside them!

Caleb had fun with the car while Neal cleaned it up and took pictures.  Hope to sell it soon.  Anyone need a car?

Spencer had so much fun at the Easter party.  He remembers going to these parties for Ruth and Andrew and was so happy that it was finally his turn to play the games!

Caleb really wanted to be with Spencer and walked next to him on this relay.  Spencer had a hard time jumping down the field with the ball.  Caleb gave him emotional support. 

Andrew with his class looking for eggs.

Andrew with his school teacher

Happy Spring Time

I think I am in a recovery mode from everything this week and am having a hard time thinking and functioning today.  Last Thursday I packed up the kids into the car and drove south to the country by San Antonio.  The drive went well and we didn’t have any problems.  The kids were so excited about visiting their cousins. 

We got to the Mabey’s home at lunch time.  After eating the kids just played.  They were excited to explore their large yard (they have 2 acres of undeveloped land) and just have fun.  The weather was so nice too.  The kids set up little stores and sold their little things.  Ruth was happy to get some cool rocks from Peter.  I thought it was cool that they had their own currency, shells they found in the dirt.  So the kids worked to find shells and then they traded shells for things like candy from Joseph and rocks from Peters collection.  They even sold chocolate milk at one time.  Spencer got lost of little trinkets he was excited about.  They all enjoyed their store play.  Friday they played princess and knights.  The boys had fun running around with their play swords defending their rock fort.  Everyone was so tired Friday night that they fell asleep fast!  

I was able to relax and visit with Neal’s mom and Andrea a lot.  It was nice to hear what they have been doing and share thoughts and ideas.  I also read and did a little cross stitch.

Saturday morning Ruth and Andrew both got up not feeling well.  We needed to drive home and did.  Ruth got sick in the car.  I was thankful we had a bucket to catch it.  It was hard to drive that far and deal with everything by myself.  But, I am glad we went.

We made it home about 1:30 Saturday afternoon.  Ruth and Andrew were laying around the house and Spencer and Caleb were happy to be home and were playing.  Neal came home a little before 3:00, he had been at work, and I was able to leave and go to a baby shower for a friend.  It was so nice to get away from everyone for a bit.  I needed that break.  I enjoyed visiting with the women there and was slow to leave.  It was a good break for me.

During Saturday night Caleb got sick.  Neal and I got him and his bed cleaned up and helped calm him down.  He didn’t feel well.  In fact I think he had it worse than the others.  Sunday morning I didn’t think I could go to church with three sick kids.  Neal left and went to his meetings before church and Sacrament meeting.  Then he came home and I went to church to attend Relief Society.  Spencer came with me and was able to go to some of Primary.  He was happy to see friends there and enjoyed his time with me.  I am glad I was able to go to Relief Society.  It always lifts my spirits to be there.  

Sunday was Caleb’s birthday.  He was doing a bit better but wasn’t eating much.  We still let him have a little cake, after all, it was his birthday!  He was so happy about his birthday and being three.  I guess it was too much and lots of excitement because Monday was a hard day for him.  He is doing a lot better now.  He is still not wanting to eat much and acts tired, but I think the stomach thing is past.

Caleb is learning his letters.  His favorite letter is L.  He will see it places and say “I like that letter.”  It is cute.  He also likes to make his toes talk.  I will be putting on his shoes and he will say things like “Me go first” as he holds up a foot.  He will wiggle his toes and say “I like my socks.”  I think it is funny he makes his feet talk. 

Tuesday I was able to go to the store and buy plants.  I got tomatoes and peppers for the garden.  I also got lots of flowers and other plants to try around the house.  It is fun to try to make things pretty.  I was able to get it all planted yesterday too.  Then last night it rained.  That was great for my new plants.  I am enjoying this spring time.

Ruth playing with her cousins

Spencer and Caleb had fun with the cousins too

Andrew and his adventures

Caleb requested a green cake.  Ruth and Andrew helped me design and decorate the cake.  Caleb loved that his name was written on it.

Caleb opening gifts, you can tell he wasn't feeling his best.

My cute 3 year old. 

Caleb's 3rd birthday!

Spring Break

We are enjoying our spring break from school.  The best part is that the weather is so nice.  We are keeping busy with everything though.  The kids are happy to have lots of free time.  Last Saturday we went to Lowe’s and bought some plants and rose bushes.  Yesterday I was able to get them in the ground.  I hope they grow well.  I am excited to have roses in the yard.  

Sunday we invited some friends, the Powell’s, over for dinner.  It was nice to visit with them.  Monday I took the kids to the children’s museum.  They enjoyed seeing the special exhibit on robots.  We ran into our friends, the Baker’s, and had fun playing with them.  Today we went to the library for a puppet show.  Then we bought our lunch at McDonald’s to start our celebrations for Caleb’s birthday.  Then we went to the Hewitt park to play.  It was a fun time.

Caleb has been very attached to his little puppy.  He carries him around everywhere, even to church and stores.  He also is loving the color green.  It is funny how he has gone through times of loving different colors.  With his birthday this Sunday, on St. Patrick’s Day, I think it is fitting that his current favorite color is green.

I will keep this short this week.  I need to pack and get ready for our little trip.  I am going to drive the kids down to San Antonio tomorrow to visit with the Mabey family.  Neal isn’t able to take time off work, so he can’t go.  It will be a new adventure for me to go somewhere without him.  I think it will be good and the kids will love playing with their cousins. 

Caleb looking cute, he fell asleep watching a movie

Spencer playing at the museum

Caleb driving around at the museum

Our peach tree is starting to bloom

My new rose garden.  We still need to get a boarder in.

my pretty flowers by the dining room window, I am happy that flowers are growing in my yard

a new bush planted in the back yard

The petunias are growing too.  The small little tuff of green is my lilly coming back that I planted last year.  There is hope in my gardening ability! 

Spring Time

It is always good to reflect on the week and think about all the things six busy people do.  Last Wednesday evening I went to the church to help the young women with a sewing project.  They are preparing to go on a pioneer trek in June and the girls need pioneer clothing.  Since I know how to sew I was asked to help them.  Last week we started easy and the girls made aprons.  They were a simple one and the girls all finished them that night.  We had four sewing machines going and it went well.  I don’t know how much they plan on doing but I said I would help when they do more sewing.  

Thursday morning I was invited by some friends to meet at the children’s museum to play.  It was a fun outing.  Caleb loved having friends to play with and I enjoyed visiting with the moms.  I was glad I went because I missed going to the park Friday for play group because I wasn’t feeling well, I had a terrible head ache.  I was thankful to have had an outing last week.

Thursday we also had the missionaries come for dinner.  Andrew had come home from school that day with a bad ear ache.  He was crying and having a hard time.  The school nurse had looked at it during the last hour of school, since he was crying in class.  She called me and said that it looked red, but not infected.  I gave him some decongestant, as the nurse suggested, and had him rest.  After dinner Neal and the missionaries gave Andrew a Priesthood blessing.  Andrew has also still had problems with his eyes.  Neal blessed him that his eye problem would be solved.  The next morning Andrew woke up after sleeping soundly all night.  He said his ear still felt a little funny, but not painful.  Today, almost a week later, he is completely fine. I have also not seen him do the funny eye rolls and he said his eyes feel fine.  I am thankful for the Priesthood and know that Andrew was helped this week.

I was able to make Caleb some new pajamas.  He has decided that green is his favorite color right now.  He kept asking for green pajamas.  So I decided to make some.  I found some cute shamrock fabric that I used.  I thought that would be fun since he was born on St. Patrick’s day.  He has loved his new pajamas.  In fact yesterday he wouldn’t let me get him dressed and I had to really persuade him to let me change his clothes before going to the store!  I am glad that he is happy with them.

I have been enjoying the strawberries this month.  They are only 98 cents a pound for the last few weeks.  I have made jam, pancake sauce, pie, strawberry lemonade and just enjoyed eating them!  I have been amazed at the prices of some of the fruit this year.  I also have been getting whole pineapple for a dollar each.  I love all the fresh fruit.  

I love that my boys all like to cuddle with me.  Even Andrew likes to sit on my lap or next to me as we talk and read stories.  Spencer is always asking for me to hold him and Caleb is constantly saying “I need mommy” or really “I need mommy’s hair.”  They are all so precious.  I enjoy talking to Ruth about the things she is reading and learning.  They are doing Texas State history this year in 4^th grade and she has shared things with us that she is learning.  

I am enjoying being out in the yard more.  The weather has been so nice.  It is a beautiful spring.  I have even seen some trees starting to leaf out and have blossoms on them. I see iris and daffodils blooming (but not mine, maybe I can get some to grow soon!)  I have been working in the yard pulling weeds out of the lawn and watering things.  My petunias I planted last fall are blooming again.  It is fun to see things grow and enjoy the beauty of nature.  

Neal is staying busy and works hard.  It was nice to have him home all day Saturday.  He was busy doing things around the house but the kids enjoyed just having him here.  I was able to take Ruth out on Saturday for a treat at the frozen yogurt place.  It is always nice to spend time with the kids one on one.

We are looking forward to spring break next week and Caleb’s birthday soon!  I hope you can all enjoy a beautiful spring time.  I also want to wish happy birthday to Jeremy today!  As the children grow up it reminds me that I am getting older too.  Happy birthday to Tori tomorrow and Grandma Hubbard on Friday!  It is a happy week!

Caleb in his new pajamas. 

It was crazy hair day at school today.  The kids had fun getting their hair fixed.  They started acting a little crazy too, I hope that school went okay and they didn't act crazy there!