Who's your boss?

I was talking with 5 year old Carson recently about how everyone has a boss and even Daddy's boss at work has a boss.

Me: "Do you have a boss?"
Carson: "YES!"
Me: "Who?"
Carson: "Cameron"

(That is his 1 year old brother)

Laptop video camera

I was checking out the video camera on my laptop and Cameron stared at himself live on the screen in total amazement for a long time. I took this still image.

Special Lemonade

Check out Cameron making fresh squeezed lemonade. He is only 1!

Robots

Upon Carson's insistance, we went out yesterday to get supplies to make robot costumes. Here are the unfinished robots. I still have yet to intall the dryer-vent arms and legs, antenne and Carson's face shield. Let's cross our fingers and hope the boxes hold up till we get to complete those!
Carson had me label all of his buttons. One of them is labeled "Pillow Slicer with arms" - he told me not to worry because the pillows automatically go back together after he slices them :)

Rainy Day Splashing

We changed our plans this morning and decided to stay home and enjoy the weather. It was rainy and although Carson and I were fine to stay inside and read all day, Cameron had other plans. He insisted upon running through the rain puddles for a majority of the morning. Then they both wanted hot herbal tea to warm up with, yummy :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2008!!

I love Christmas and I wish you all the very best during this time of year!!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Photos

We finally got our Christmas pictures taken. This one of the boys is so cute!

Candle Lighting

Tonight we went to The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting in honor of our son, Cole. I had sent in Cole's digital picture just in time to make it in the slide show of children loved and lost. Even though I am a bereaved parent, my heart always goes out to those families that have endured the loss of their children. It was very sad to see all the faces of the children that have passed away.

We haven't been to a meeting or candle lighting since we moved to Dallas since we have always had a young one in tow. We were very involved with the local chapter in Houston and I realized tonight that I have missed being around other bereaved parents. There is something comforting about being around others who truly know what you go through.

Sweet Cameron!

There is so much to post on Cameron, but I haven't got much time...so I'll just post a few things that happened today. By the way, he is 18months old now!

This morning when getting ready to go to the library, Cameron was playing with the silverware. I didn't realize until later that day when we were home that he had actually set the table with spoons and forks where each family member sits. How cute is that!?!!

Another cutie....Today while rolling on the floor over and over again playing by himself, he would stop and then sign to himself "MORE" and then roll some more. He kept doing this over and over again. It was adorable!

Here is a picture of Cameron from Sunday's party with his Uncle Chuckie and my mom's amazing homemade chitty chitty bang bang pinata!

The BIG 5!!!

Carson will be 5 years old tomorrow and I just can't believe it! He is growing so fast and we enjoy every moment with him. We had his birthday party on Sunday. We had around 45 people over and had a blast. The theme was flying motor car. He loves to challenge me. But, I came up with some ideas and I hope to post party pics soon. We collected toys for tots as we do all his parties and he was happy to do that. After his friends left, he opened a few family gifts. However, before he began, he presented me with a gift of a necklace that he made and wrapped for me. He said that this is the day that I birthed him and I deserve a present too. That sums up his character. He is such a giving and thoughtful person. He shares amazingly well with others and has incredible patience with his 18month old brother. I couldn't have asked for a better son and I am so proud and thankful to have him.

A couple of months ago, Carson started to read very well. It was like a light switch turned on. He reads everything from toddler books to larger chapter books from 4-6 hours every day! His favorite are still the Magic Tree House books. He even reads larger chapter books such as Charlotte's Web, Little House on the Prairie and Black Beauty. I really have to be careful with what he reads because at his level, much of the content in books isn't appropriate for his age. I miss him alot as he spends so much of his time reading, but I am adjusting.

He spends a lot of his time inventing things and has decided that he wants to be an inventor like Ben Franklin and Caratacus Potts. He comes up with some really clever ideas. It boggles my mind how much effort and time he puts into this. Today's creation was a rocket and probably a few other things that I haven't yet seen.

He has been taking ice skating lessons and is really good at it. However, he recently told me that he is getting burnt out and doesn't want to continue. We might try Tae-Kwon-Do next.

Just yesterday at bedtime, he said that he wanted to 'do the weather'. He put on a tie over his PJs and preceded to run his hand over the map and tell us what the weather was like throughout the world. Apparantly, there are 14 hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico right now and there are some fatalities. Also, there are blizzards in Brazil with snow drifts higher than our house. He said that Cameron was his colleage and they work together at the weather station. Cameron's contribution was driving a matchbox car under the map.

I know, I know

As you probably know, it has been such a long time since I have posted anything. Life has been so busy!

I will do my best to catch up. Please be patient with me :)

Beekeepers Association

The Collin County Beekeepers Association hosted a homeschool education day at a local hotel. It was well put together and educational. Carson enjoyed the talks as well as bee storytime and beeswax craft.

Halloween 2008

We went to the library for their annual Halloween puppet show in costume. Carson designed his own costume this year and told me how to help him create it. He was a superhero and Cameron was a wizard. Look closely and you will see that his staph is actually a stick with a marble glued to the top.
We met up with our homeschool group at the park for a party. We played games and the kids trick or treated the moms for non-food items. The boys had such a fun time.
At night, we sat on the front porch, ate homemade cookies, and handed out toys to the trick or treaters. It was such a nice night.

Spiked hair

Carson decided that he wanted me to spike his hair on top of his head in a mohawk. He loved it and kept touching it all day. It was really cute watching him watch himself in the mirror.

Archaeological Fair

We ran into some friends at a local archaeological fair and learned about native americans. We made maize, listened to native american drummers and learned how they made arrowheads out of flint. It was really interesting and not crowded at all so we stayed as long as we could. Cameron was really excited to get his hand painted - he kept showing it off to everyone!

Fall Bash

Mark and I hosted a fall bash for our homeschool group. We cooked burgers and hotdogs and had potluck side dishes. I had lots of activities for the kiddos including crafts, tent play, and we also set up the karaoke outside. The weather was perfect for an outdoor event and we had a great time. We had such a good time that we are thinking about hosting a spring bash next year!

Fall Bash - more pics

Rocket Launch

We finally got a chance to get to the DARS rocket society to launch Carson's rocket. It was so fun for him to participate since we just watched the last time we went.

Ice Skating

Carson is taking ice skating lessons. He is really good at it and it is nice that the classes are every other week so it doesn't overwhelm our schedule. He says that he is really enjoying it.

Chess Anyone?

At the park, some boys in our group sat in the shade and played chess. I thought this was really cool and took a picture. Mitchell (the one on the right) thought it was really funny that I was taking his picture. It was such a beautiful day and I feel so happy that these children get a chance to be outside and unrestricted.

Finally, The chosen one

Whenever we have been to a children's show where they asked for volunteers, Carson has never been chosen. He ALWAYS raises his hand and is usually disappointed when he isn't chosen. Well, he finally got his chance! We went to a clown show and they asked for volunteers. He was so excited and took his responsibility VERY seriously. He listened well and did as instructed and turned the scarf green with the green magic wand. He really wanted to stay up there and continue to help, but was happy with his participation.

Mom's birthday

Earlier this month, my mom celebrated her 62nd birthday. Happy Birthday, Mom!
We went to my parents for a visit and I made her a homemade french silk birthday pie. It was a relaxing visit and we spent a lot of it enjoying their pool.

Witty

I bought some Sundrops to decorate a cake for Mark for our 13th wedding anniversary. While we were checking out at the grocery store, the bag ripped open and the candies scattered all over the floor.
Carson quickly chimed in, "Mom, now you know why they call them Sundrops. Because they like to drop!"

Picture of Sundrops on the cake :)

Big kiss from Cameron

The twins turn 5!

Our neighbor's twins turned 5 and had a pool party. We've never been to their house, so Carson was so excited to go. The pool was a salt water pool - those are so nice! Mark got into the pool with the boys and they stayed in for most of the party. It was hard to get Carson to leave when it was all over.

NEW Sheds & Fence!

We bought 2 sheds for our yard. One is a garden shed and the other is Mark's workshop. They put them up as the boys watched. Dallas Shed did such a great job! We finally have the garage cleaned out and can park 2 cars inside.
We also put a in new fence that included an electric gate for our driveway. Coming home and pushing the button to open the gate is so nice and luxurious! Our property is so much nicer and I LOVE living here.

Carson and I brought cold water for the workers. He made a sign so they would know what was in the glasses (Cameron is contributing by playing in the water!)