he's only 5

On the way to the library this morning Carson asked me, "How do you stop having babies?"
(I'm trying not to show shock on my face.)

M: What do you mean?
C:  When you don't want anymore babies what do you do.  I only want five.
M: Well... (I can't believe I'm having this conversation with a five year old!!)  When the mom doesn't want anymore babies she can take some medicine so she won't have anymore babies.  It's called birth control.  (In retrospect I probably shouldn't have told him what it was called.) 
C:  OK.  I don't care how many babies I have, I just don't want like 12.

I can't imagine what he might ask me when he's 10.

Wahoo!!

Texas A & M Aggies 2011 National Champions!!!
76 - 70

gardening

With all the flowers we've planted, and there have been lots, this is the first year it has become a family event. :)  I'm not sure why, but it was nice.  Usually it's Brian and myself while the boys gather the little plastic pots the plants come in.  Everyone tried their hands at digging, watering, and planting,  We only planted the verbenas tonight.  We still have dozens of petunias to plant.

 We also planted three trees.  Two on Saturday, it took us three hours because the soil was so hard and rocky.  Then last night we planted the third.  The wind kept blowing it over we had to get it in the ground.  I'm hoping the tree below, when it gets big, will help shade the front door. During the summer the handle gets so hot you don't want to touch it.  

These two trees will help provide shade in our back yard plus some privacy during the swim season.  I told Brian the trees are so cute I don't mind if they stay small. :)

btw ~ we're watching the Aggies in the championship game against Notre Dame.  There are 9 mins left and it's 56 - 55.  Aggies are ahead.  =D

one year

I haven't been looking forward to this weekend very much.  I'm sure April General Conference will always remind me of my Mom's passing. 

I talked to my Dad this morning and he sounds good, like most days.  My sister, Waynette, and her family spent the weekend with him.  He misses his eternal companion, but is often optimistic.  He has knee replacement surgery coming up that he's not looking forward to.  I know he worries about who is going to take care of him as he recuperates.  It's always been my Mom.  

I miss my Mom terribly. Although,  I cherish the relationship that has come about  with my Dad. I have talked with my Dad more these past 15 months than I have the rest of my life combined.  I have always  known that through heartache comes great blessings.  My relationship with my Dad is proof.  I love you Dad!        

picture day

Adam watched Carson sit on the soccer ball and thought he was so cool when he figured out how to sit on it too.  Then he kept taking a bite off of his spoon and saying "mmm".  I was pleased that I was able to capture this moment.   

April Fools

April 1st is just another day around here.  But this year I thought I would make something fun.  Not everyone appreciated the humor.  When I called the kids to dinner they asked what we were having.  I told them cake.  Carson thought that was cool and was jumping all the way to the table.  He sat down and wasn't so sure anymore.  Mason saw it and was in tears. (I want to explain that someone is in tears with almost every meal I make.)  They all started checking it out trying to figure out what it was...pizza.  It tasted pretty good and it was fun.  I kept telling them they needed to finish their cake so they could have pizza for dessert. 

My pizza didn't turn out quite right.  I bought a gel food color that claimed that it was a true red...it wasn't.  Oh well, it was yummy to eat.  I hope you all had a fun April Fools Day!!

PACE

Mason is involved in the PACE program at school, which is a select few in the grades 2-5.  In the spring the students work on a research project.  This year our school district had a special event at one of the high schools, "Evening with the Expert".  Everyone displayed their research boards and their product.  We have 14 elementary schools in our district, yet I was still surprised at all the displays at the school.  There was a great turn out.  I'm sure this will be an annual event. (Mason is wearing his cub scout uniform because he just got back from a field trip to Petsmart.  Another hectic evening running kids around.)

Are you an Aggie?

Last night Brian and I became Aggies.

For Brian's birthday I gave him tickets to the Women's NCAA Conference Championship at the AA Center. We really didn't know what to expect or even who was playing.  As we were parking I saw people wearing Texas A&M colors, so we chose to cheer for them.  Come to find out they were also the underdog.  A&M were the 2 seed and Baylor University the 1 seed.  Baylor was represented well.  When it began we actually considered cheering for Baylor.  But we stuck to our original choice and we were Aggies all the way.

The Aggies won!!!  The game was great.  The referees missed many calls, but at least both sides were treated the same. :)  At one point we were leading by only 6.  I was getting nervous that they weren't going to pull it off.  But they did.  It is Texas A&M's first time at the final four.  It was a very exciting moment. 

first swim

I felt this deserved it's own post.  Saturday Carson asked casually if he could swim.  He was surprised when I said yes. :0)

Carson swam the longest, as usual.  Although Adam might beat him one of these days.  The water temp was 70, it felt cold.  Mason only waded.

Karlee wanted to enjoy the sun as well.  She didn't go near the water but her homework did.  She was working on a science project and the wind blew a sheet into the deep end.  Darn wind!!

We are ready for summer!!

recent fun

This past week has been crazy busy.  Monday we went out to eat for Brian's birthday.  Tuesday was pack meeting.  Wednesday while Bri and the girls were at church I did hair.  I almost never do hair in the evening, but this person likes her perm to process over night and since half the family was going to be gone I agreed. 

Thursday night was a Relief Society Meeting to celebrate the organization of RS.  We sat together in our birthday month.  I was able to get to know some new people.  We then needed to decorate a cake.  I think we did a pretty good job. 

Friday night we attended our Ward Chili Cook-off.  Mason, one of my pickiest kids found a chili he loved.  I was shocked.

Saturday morning we went to Carson's soccer game where he made a goal.  He was soo excited.  We all were.

After the game Carson changed his clothes in the car and we hurried to a birthday party at Build-A-Bear.  The guy running the party drove the parents crazy but all the kids had a great time. 

After Carson got his bear stuffed he was asked to give the bear a hug to see how it felt.  "Oh, it feels so good!!"  he shared with a smile.  It was great. :) 

The cupcakes were from Albertsons.  Don't they look yummy?!? The birthday girls only request was "red".
The kids rode the train and carousel before the fun was over.  A successful party for all.