PWS Spring Picnic '13

At the end of April we had our Spring Picnic at PeeWee School. (I want to point out that it was in fact April and we were wearing sweaters...the weather here has been absolutely crazy, almost like we actually had a spring...so weird!) 

Anyways, we had been studying community helpers at school, so we had some of the helpers in our community come out to our picnic. The H-E-Buddy (from HEB, a local grocery store) came out to hand out some goodies, a school bus, a small fire truck, an ambulance and a large rescue truck from the League City fire department came out to support us. The kids had a blast checking out all the different vehicles and getting to try out different things. 

Eating our picnic dinner

My super excited monkey

I hope this is the only time he's ever in one of these!

Checking things out

In the school bus

Checking out the fire truck

Trying on a mask from the fire department, he said it was stinky : )

Aaron didn't want the mask on, but he did want to examine it

Driving the big truck

Fireman Caleb, to the rescue! 

Robotics

The robotics team Jonathan's work group supports, the Robonauts, had an amazing year in competition this season! They won first place in three regional competitions before heading to the final competition a few weeks ago. We had the great opportunity to go watch the team working with the practice robot on their mock field before they headed out to the finals. 

Caleb LOVED watching the robot move around and shoot frisbees. He even got the chance to load some of the frisbees into the robot. He was crazy excited to see everything going on. We're so lucky that Jonathan is connected with this group! 

Visit from South Carolina Family

In April my great-aunt and uncle came to visit from South Carolina. Caleb was a toddler last time they were here and they hadn't had the chance to meet Aaron yet. It was fun catching up with them and letting them watch the craziness of boys (they only have grand-daughters!). We had a family fish fry one of the first nights they were here. My parents were out of town, but Thomas and his family were able to join us and we had a great evening outside. 

Enjoying the fish fry

Table full of family

Katy and I watching the kids play

Derrill and the kids were having fun playing with tennis balls (or throwing them at each other, depending on how you look at it!)

The end of our evening... Hannah Joy lasted a few seconds before wanting her Momma. 

We had the opportunity to get together one more time after my parents returned home the night before Wanda and Joel left. Thomas and family didn't get to join us, but the rest of us were able to get together. After we ate dinner, we had a bit of entertainment:

You never know what will happen when those two get together! I love how much Aaron loves his GG! 

Random Fun

Just a few random pictures from the first half of April. 

I was doing some work at GG's house and Derrill came in to play with Aaron for a bit. They were having fun drawing pictures together. 

Caleb helped me make some chocolate muffins one evening and  fun devouring one before bed. 

I asked for a sweet smile...this is what I got! 

Grandpa and Dao bought some new toilets recently and gave us the boxes to play with. They were advertised as "space shuttles". While playing with his the first day, Caleb decided his was the tomb. He told us we had to wait 3 days and then he would roll away the "rock" (another piece of cardboard) and tell us "Jesus isn't there". It took me a few minutes to figure out what he was doing when he called it the tomb, but there were tears in my eyes by the time he finished his game. I love that he's been listening and soaking in bible stories. 

A random moment of wanting his picture taken. He pointed to the camera and said "cheese" over and over again until I caught on. As soon as I grabbed the camera he sat down to pose. 

We ordered a pizza a few nights ago and as I answered the door, Aaron ran to it like this. He had gotten one of his brother's shoes on and a sideways hat all by himself. He made the delivery man laugh! The tummy showing was just icing on the cake : )

The boys on picture day. Aaron was proud of his handsome shoes : ) I actually planned on these shirts with nice new shorts for our Spring pictures in mid-April only to wake up with it raining and in the 40s. We had to search for some jeans last minute, crazy Texas weather! 

Aaron playing peek-a-boo while getting ready for school. 

There's a few random moments for you! Enjoy : )

Easter #3 - Ron & Dao

We had our first two Easter gatherings during Easter weekend, but wrapped up festivities with an evening at Ron and Dao's house the following Saturday. It was nice to not try to fit everything in one weekend and it gave us more time with everyone. Laura and Drew drove down to join us for some play time and lasagna. 

Playing with toys while waiting for Aunt Laura

Caleb told Grandpa that he didn't throw him high enough...so Grandpa had to try again : )

Wanted his picture taken

Best picture we've gotten in a while!

The four of us

Eating dessert, this boy is crazy silly!

Aaron liked his dessert too. I can't figure out how to rotate the picture...so just turn your head sideways!

Grandpa put Caleb up in the tree. Caleb was pretty nervous, but I think he was having fun. 

We had a great time with Grandpa, Dao, Laura and Drew! Glad we all had the time to get together!

Caleb's First Soccer Game

Caleb's soccer season started about a month ago with practices and this past weekend his team had their first game. It's been an interesting month. Caleb did great during his first practice, but since then he hasn't wanted to go on the field. The 2nd and 3rd practices he never went on the field at all, choosing to sit by me and watch instead. Heading to the first game, I knew not to have high expectations. Jonathan and I agree that we're not going to force him out onto the field. He has the choice to be on the field or sit on the sidelines and watch. He does not get to quit or stay home. I feel that it's important that he understand we don't quit on a team and at this age there's no telling when he might get the urge to play. He's told me all along that there's "too many kids" on the field, but as he gets used to them he may adjust. 

On Saturday morning, I was surprised when Caleb ran onto the field to warm-up with his friends. However, as soon as things got organized, he came to sit by me. We spent the morning watching his teammates play and cheering them on. He had fun, I had fun, it worked! Aunt Katy came to watch the game, but after it was evident that Caleb wouldn't play, she took Aaron over to the nearby play area to run around while I sat with Caleb. (Jonathan is assistant coach so he was out on the field the whole time.) 

Running during practice. This look is SO Caleb! 

Talking and playing with friends

I brought this chair for me...Aaron had other plans

Game is starting up, so Caleb came over to the side to watch.

Sitting near daddy at the goal

Aunt Katy heading back with Aaron after the game ended

Having snack with some friends after the game

On Monday, I prepared myself for another practice of Caleb sitting on the sidelines only to be surprised that he wanted to go out on the field! He participated in some activities and watched some of the others when he got overwhelmed, but stayed out on the field with everyone the whole time. I have no idea what to expect during the game tomorrow, but at the very least we'll get some fresh air : )

Sand Box

Jonathan and I have been talking about getting the boys a sandbox for a while. They love to dig and get dirty...what better way is there to do that? We ordered THIS sandbox from Amazon. I wanted something the boys could sit in and not be on top of each other. We've had three boys and mommy's feet in the sandbox at the same time so far and there was still room! 

Helping Daddy get started. It was one of those random cool/cold days we've had lately so they didn't get far that evening! 

Aaron and I watched from inside!

Even Tiger was trying to warm up

Caleb helped with the "structions"

The next morning was MUCH warmer so they went out to finish. 

Caleb had the important job of putting all of the screws in the holes for Jonathan to tighten

He's so big! 

Jonathan dumping the first of 12 bags.

Aaron was ready! He found some of his tools and waited (impatiently) for the sand to be ready

First time in the sandbox

Digger trucks were made for sandbox fun

The boys LOVE their sandbox

The boys have really enjoyed having a sandbox to play in. They've asked to go outside every day since we got it and have gotten to until we had a front come through on Wednesday. It was super windy on Wednesday and then it rained a lot yesterday...hopefully today they'll get a chance to get in again!