Early Birthday Celebration

He is growing up too fast...

Movin' on Up

Will was moved up to the next class at school this week! After returning from Christmas break, Ms. Joleen (the director) called me and let me know that he was very ready for the Bluebirds class, so he started Monday. He is potty trained now (woohoo!) and they felt he was ready for more structure. He really seems to like his new teachers, and has a new friend, Sophia, who he's been talking about also. We are so proud of our big boy!

Back to Reality....

This week was back to reality for all of us...it was so nice to be home together for the Christmas break, but at the same time it is great to get back into our regular routine. Will LOVES school. He loves his friends, he loves his teachers, so that makes life easy for us! I will say waking up early this week has not been fun! Will slept in every day over the break (because we let him stay up later than usual) so getting him back to normal with that was a little tricky. But, we have finally found something he likes to eat for breakfast and will eat before he leaves in the morning - French Toast Sticks with syrup and chocolate milk. Every morning. We are hoping this will help the skinny boy gain some weight!!

I cannot believe his 3rd birthday is right around the corner. Our baby is no longer a baby. He goes to the potty when he needs to (and wants NO help). He lets us know what he wants. He talks like a big boy, and plays like a big boy. Life has changed over the past few months ... he has turned into a little guy! While I am so proud, I am a little sad too!

Patrick is running in his very first full marathon next weekend...26.2 miles. Please keep him in your prayers! He is ready. He has trained like crazy! Pictures will be posted soon after. We are already so proud of Daddy!

Shaving with Daddy

For Christmas we got Will a Thomas the Train shaving set....he has been wanting to shave since, but I have told him only when Dadddy shaves! He thinks it is just the most fun thing to do! I know he feels like such a big boy shaving with Daddy. Here are a few shots of Will's first time "shaving".

Christmas Morning .... Santa!

We did have to wake him up to see Santa gifts so he is a little sleepy .... enjoy!

Christmas Program - Video below

Push the play button to see Will "singing" Jingle Bells!

Christmas Program

Today was Will's Christmas program at school ... it s precious! His class sang Jingle Bells. I have a video but it is not cooperating so hopefully I will get it downloaded soon. Here are some pictures of our big boy!


He did not have a speaking part by the way....

November.....

I have really been bad about updating lately! We had a fabulous Thanksgiving with family and enjoyed having 5 days at home together! All of us. We are really counting our blessings this time of year, as it was a year ago Patrick was laid off. Thank goodness we are where we are now!


Annie Caroline, our new niece, was born November 21. Isn't she beautiful?






The weekend after Thanksgiving Bentwater does their annual Holiday lighting. Will had a blast! We rode a train, he got to innertube down a snow slide, see Santa and play games! It was fun for all!



He was so funny ... he got so excited, he would not look at Santa!






Now it's December and we have lots going on .... I will try to update more often!!

Sick, sick, sick....

Last week was a long one for all of us. School got the best of Will, or at least all the germs did! He started the week with a sinus infection and stayed with YaYa Monday through Wednesday. Wednesday we were sure he was on the road to feeling much better .... but at 10:00 that night he woke up (after being asleep for almost 3 hours) running a fever of 102!! Will does not generally run high fevers so this scared us a bit. So, Mommy pulled out the trundle and slept with our sick boy. I took off Thursday to take him to the doctor and he had a very red throat with high fever - viral. He continued to run fever until Friday afternoon so Daddy stayed home with him.
Today he has been all smiles! I am just praying we can get through the next month until Christmas break without him getting too sick again!
Tomorrow he will go back to school, and he is ready! He definitely is ready to see his friends, and teachers ... and so are we!


Poor sick boy passed out on the couch

Our Triathlete

Patrick completed a Half Ironman yesterday .... for those who don't know (because I did not until we started this triathlon journey - and yes, I said WE! I have been a very supportive wife!) it is a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride, and 13.1 mile run. He finished in 5:49 and looked great through the whole thing! We are so proud of this amazing accomplishment! Good job, Daddy!




Waiting patiently...




Crossing the finish line - way in the distance

Getting his award - 1st place in the Clydesdale division (over 200 lbs)

First Week = Success!

Will started his new school Monday ... and walked in like a pro Monday morning. Mommy got in the car, called YaYa and we both cried! But, every day he has been happy to get there, to see his friends & teachers, and most of all - to go play! I feel like this has totally been one of those God things. The place he is going is a well respected church day school in Conroe, and we were lucky they had an opening in his age group. We have gotten positive comments each day from not only his teacher(s), but also other teachers and the director. They all say it is like he has been there forever!
I am afraid we have a big boy on our hands .... it makes me sad, but at the same time so proud of his independence!

October ....

...in pictures! Pumpkin patch, pumpkin carving and Trunk or Treat!

The verdict is....

Zena, who is now Maggie (Zena just DID NOT fit us!), is a keeper! We are definitely going to have to get her used to outsiders...she is quite attached to the 3 of us, but is not too sure about neighbors who walk up when we are outside. Poor girl gets scared and backs up as far as she can, but we know she will get comfortable! I am just crazy about her, and love having a new companion in our house!

In other news....we have had to find somewhere new for Will to stay during the day, long story! We are thrilled that he is going to be starting a church school in Conroe starting the first week of November. Thanks to YaYa for coming to the rescue!! We feel very confident that Will is going to be very happy at his new school and will stay there until he starts kindergarten!

Life is good here ... we are all doing well, over some sickness that Will and I had this week which was no fun! Two days of us stuck in the house with a pup who has lots of energy is exhausting when you don't feel well! Other than that nothing is new! We are ready for Trunk or Treat next week and loving the fall weather!

Zena

We are "fostering with the option to adopt" ...... you know, kinda like, "leasing with the option to purchase"??? We want to make the best choice for everyone involved. We want a new dog, Will wants a new dog, but we have to be sure it is a perfect match for our family and for this sweet girl. She is an American Staffordshire Terrier and seems to be a sweetie! We will keep you all updated...........