Devastation

So we spent the weekend following the news coverage of IKE, as I'm sure many of you did. We are deeply saddened by the destruction of Galveston Island. We usually vacation once or twice a year there and stay in one of the beach front homes.... that are no longer there. Unfortunately we did not make it this year but were hoping to maybe make it next Spring, it looks like that may not be possible. My husband and I have many wonderful memories from there, some in places that no longer exist and that makes us sad. When we do get the chance to make it back we know it will look so much different than the Galveston we have come to know and love so much.


We also have friends and family down and around the Houston area who were effected. The thought of being without water and electricity for weeks and not being able to get back to your homes to see if they are even standing, and if so what shape they are in, is just incredibly painful. I'd say I understand how you feel and that I sympathize with you but truth be told, I have no idea. Fortunately I have never been through such an experience and hope never to have to. My husband and I do however wish to help our state get back on it's feet. We are currently trying to devise a way for us to go to Galveston and help with clean up, refugees, bring water, anything we can do. If you know of volunteer program let us know, since they aren't really letting just anybody into the area any time soon.


For those of you who were or know someone who was effected by IKE, know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Bust A Move!

I promised to periodically update on how the boys are doing with dance. They still absolutely love it and can't wait for the next class to come. We usually hang around in the parent lounge and watch them on the tv screen but today we dropped them off and ran an errand, so we didn't get to see what they were doing. Just before class was over, the teacher asked us to come in and the kiddos showed us their "Scooby routine" they learned today. She managed to find a hip-hop version of the Scooby Doo song (because she knew it was Noah's FAVE!) and taught them a short little dance. They were SUPER cute!! I really wish I'd gotten it on video, instead I just got a few pics....but stills just aren't the same!

The kids doing a spin move


Doing a little "side-shuffle" move

His 1st Day

AJ had his first day of pre-k today. He was so excited!! They had open house yesterday and we got to meet his teacher and see his room which really got him pumped about today. This morning when we dropped him off he went right in, hung up his back-pack, put his name on the "here" board and sat right down at the table and started coloring. He had absolutely NO worries about us leaving...which was really good, but also very sad for mommy. :( I did great though, no tears! YAY ME!

When we picked him up, his teacher said that he had a great day and that he was her big helper too. THAT'S MY BOY! Brady says, "great, our child's going to be the nerd." And I am PERFECTLY happy with that! :)~

His teacher obviously made quite the impression on him as he has been asking to call her this evening. So cute!

We're cutting the cord...

...FINALLY!!
We have taken the much needed plunge and enrolled AJ into pre-school. The school is small and very close knit which I love. I feel very comfortable sending AJ there and I just know he is going to have a blast.

We have thoroughly enjoyed being able to have him at home with us and to be a part of everything he does but we know this is what he really needs. He has been asking for quite some time now to go to school so that he can spend time away from Noah and have something that is truly just his. He is growing up so fast, I miss my baby but I enjoy the big boy he is becoming.

School starts next Wednesday so I will post pics and write about his first day of school then. YAY for my big boy! Okay, I think I may cry now....

All He Wants To Do Is DANCE, DANCE, DANCE!

So the boys had their first hip-hop dance class today and LOVED it! AJ was a bit upset at first because they combined the 3-4 and 4-5 year old classes because their were so few kids and he wanted to be away from Noah. But, he got over it and being in the same class REALLY helped Noah. I wasn't able to get any pics today because I was afraid if I hung out in the classroom it would make things harder for the boys but I will try to get some soon.

They were so cute. We got to watch them the whole time from a tv monitor in the parent lounge and we had many laughs, as you can imagine. When the class was over the teacher actually told us that the class was great for Noah but that she felt AJ needed to be in a more advanced class. She said he really needs a teacher to push him and teach him "real" moves because he has the whole thing down in his head and all these ideas for dance moves. We are going to look into finding a more advanced class for him. If anyone knows of one, please let us know. Who knows, we may have the next Wade Robson on our hands!

Their next class is on Thursday and they are already talking about going back. Maybe I will be able to snap a few pics or a short video clip to share with you all.

Special Dates

Those of you who know us well know that we do most everything as a family. The boys, however, are getting to the point where they really crave one on one special time with us so we had a special "date" night last night.


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Daddy decided to take AJ to his very first Cowboys game. AJ has enjoyed watching football with daddy since he was just over a year old, long before he ever discovered his love of cartoons! So, Brady thought it was time to take him to see all the action live. AJ was so stoked to be going to the game and even more excited that it was just him and daddy going.















They sat on the 3rd row and got an up close view of the players. They even got to watch T.O. warming up before the game.















Unfortunately AJ wasn't quite up for sitting through the whole game and they left at half time. Oh well, you live and you learn, right?















Noah and mommy had a dinner date at The Magic Time Machine. We had a great time, just the two of us. Noah got to see G.I. Joe, Tinkerbell, Snow White, Wonder Woman, the Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Captain Jack Sparrow - which he knew only as a pirate. We even got to play some arcade games and Noah played air hockey for the first time, which he now loves.













Afterwards he sat and had a caricature drawn and we hung it in his room.











I'm glad we had some special time together with the boys. I think we will have to make this a regular thing!

Spin Cycle

So we went to a neighborhood mom and tots playdate, at a playground we've never been to, on Thursday and found our new favorite outdoor play space! They had this awesome spinning "cup" chair that AJ fell in love with. He thought it was so much fun! Now if only we could get a few of these for our own backyard, that way mom and dad could get in on the fun!


(sorry, the video came out a bit blurry)

How come we didn't have these things when we were younger???