CC's first day of Prek -4s

It's hard to believe that it has been one year since she started Pre-school at St. Pats. Camden is attending Northwest Christian School, in San Antonio. I was a little hesitant about the school for many reasons.

1. the long day Monday- Friday 8:20 to 2:50.

2. the high teacher ratio

3. how strict it is

4. the fact that they tell me how to raise my OWN child

5.how much they enforce sell sufficientcy

6. how unpleasant everyone seemed

7. all the rules!

.. just to name a few.

BUT there were things that I did really like:

1. the discipline, we do want CC to be really well behaved

2. the amount of academics, it is by no means a childcare facility

3. art class, music class, PE, Spanish class, Chapel, and religion class, very well rounded

With all my hesitation aside, CC had a great time. She loved her Sea World Themed classroom, and she said her teacher was really nice. (Which I was somewhat worried about!) They are very structured, and it seems like CC adjusted well. One the second day she already knew what she was suppose to be doing! Come in, hang up backpack, take out snack and put it on the ledge, make sure your lunch box is inside your backpack, take homework folder and put in file, get pencil box, find your seat and start morning activity. Seems like a lot, but she picked it up fast. She had a great time at music class and couldn't wait to start using the musical instruments.

They have a clip system; green is good, yellow means no playground time, and red means trip to Mrs. Beavers office. She was of course! green, but had already seen two boys get yellow. (the first day... they don't mess around!!)

The first day was minimum schedule, so it will be interesting to see how she deals with all day. But, I have to admit I am pleasantly surprised.

Carter's first dose of steroids

For the last few day we have been trying to figure out this unusual rash on Carter’s left thigh. We thought maybe he got bite by chiggers, but it didn’t seem to bother him. The rash showed up on Friday, and kept getting worse. So yes, we have been in Texas for almost three days exactly, and we have already made our first trip to the urgent care. We’re not exactly sure, but the doctor seems to think he’s having a severe reaction to one of his immunizations. She guesses measles. We won’t know for sure until he’s four and has to get it again. He’s such a trooper ! It hasn’t slowed him down yet. He’s still trying to climb the stair, and hide in the cabinets. 5 days of steroids, and the irritations and inflammation should go away.

Peace y'all

Everything is packed, well for the most part, the movers are one their way, and we are pretty much ready. The movers will be here Wednesday at 6AM!! Hoping to finish up with last minute things and get a good nights rest. Plan to be on the road at 5AM Thursday morning, and shooting for Las Crucas. Its a good 10. 5 hours drive time, but we think we can do it. After a few stops we should be there somewhere around dark. We plan to be back up Friday morning at 5AM, with an estimated arrival time in San Antonio somewhere around dark. Two kids, two stressed out adults, two days, 1350 miles, and endless memories. There are thunderstorms the whole first day, so wish us well and pray for good weather. Can't wait to get to SA and post some pictures of the trip. Should be memorable to say the least!!

Moving Hell

We are in moving hell. Anything that could go wrong has gone wrong. Why is moving so stressful and unpredictable?

Flashback Friday

As our move to Texas gets closer and closer, I'm starting to miss Kansas City more than ever. This is from August 2007. Camden and Me at Deanna Rose, in KC.

20 things I love

Alright, like Melissa, I did ten of each. It's too late and 20 would take way too many brain cells.

CAMDEN
1. i love that she is so obsessed with princesses her world is one big fairytale.
2. i love that when we are watching the dancing show she gets her dress up shoes and princess dress and wants to dance with her daddy.
3. i love that she thinks dolly is a real baby, and she takes such good care of her.
4. i love that she calls Carterher "peanut" and her "sweetie pie." I also love that she sees random babies in the store and calls them "little sweeties."
5. i love how funny and smart she is.
6. i love that when she has nothing to say she pauses and says, "mommy... i love you."
7. i love that when we go random places, kids club, doctors offices, she always starts a conversation with kids, "what's you're name?"
8. i love her imagination.
9. i love how girly she is.
10. i love how much she likes to help.

CARTER
1. i love his big brown eyes, and how they remind me of his daddy
2. i love how he pretend to tickle himself.
3. i love the sounds he makes when he first sees CC, almost like a monster noise.
4. i love that he will eat literally anything but cottage cheese.
5. i love that he is such a sweetheart. he is always kissing or snuggling someone.
6. i love how sensitive he is.
7. i love that when he gets in trouble he has the biggest pouty lip i have even seen.
8. i love his babble. he wants to talk so bad, and be big like his CC.
9. i love how easy he makes my life, and how he is the perfect addiction to our family.
10. i love how every time i open a door he tries to sneak out. might sound dangerous, but its super cute. he get's this expression like he just did something so bad, but got away with it.

Well Baby Check Ups

Well... the wells went alright. Both good and bad. Let's start with Carter. Carter is growing perfectly. He is 31 inches (80th percent) and 23.5 pounds (60t h percent). The doctor estimated he will be between 5 feet 11 inches and 6 feet 3 inches. Hmmm... kind of a big gap but hey its early. His eyes, ears and throat look perfect. We were concerned his pink eye is coming back, yuck, and Dr. Robbins gave us drops just in case. Any concerns with Carter's legs and hamstrings have been eliminated. He said he looks great, and sure likes to move! He is still very impressed at how strong Carter is, oh Daddy would be so proud! He got four shots, and was sent on his way until 18 months.

Now for CC. CC had to have her four year well early so she could get her physical for Pre-school. She is now a whopping 35 pounds (55 percent) and 39 3/4 inches (60 percent). Dr. Robbins guessed she would be between 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 8 inches, which I would be very surprised if she was anything above 5 feet 4 inches. But we will have to see. Her eyes, ears and throat looked good. Her development is above average, and Dr. Robbins said, after he learned all about Texas, where we were moving, why we were moving and what preschool she was going to. He said her vocabulary is amazing, and her speech is perfectly clear. And now to the not so exciting news. Because she was technically there for her four year check up she had to have a vision and hearing screening. The hearing was first, and after we figured out she couldn't hear out of her left ear because of her hair, passed with flying colors. And then vision. I have never seen a little one take a vision test that early. I have had my fair share of them in my life, but it was fun to see them take it so early. (The office we used just passed vision and hearing as a requirement for well babies for four.) Well it was fun, until CC started missing them all. She could only see the top two rows, putting her at 20/80 in her left eye and 20/50 in her right. Although she did know T, H, V and O, she still didn't pass. Dr. Robbins referred us to an eye doctor and said we should look into it. He said because her vision is different in both eyes, it could mean trouble. He mentioned lazy eye and corrective glasses... both of which I don't like. However coming from Mark and my family it is not a surprise she is having troubles. I was just hoping she would have been a little older. So once we get to Texas, I am going to have her preschool re-test her and go from there.

So all in all a good trip, could have been better, but not bad. CC is super excited she thinks she is getting Barbie glasses just like Payton!!

CC says:

I was showing CC a map of San Antonio because she wanted to know where our new house was.

And she looks at the map and says, "In that web? We're going to live in that big spider web? That's kind of silly."

Then she asked where Lala's house was. And I showed her where LA was, because we had to zoom out pretty far so she could see the distance. And she point to the Pacific Ocean and says, "And is that her pool?"

And before I could even answer she looks back at SA and is pointing at the Gulf and says, "Oh look Mommy! We have a pool too!!"

She cracks me up!

The Perales Wedding (s)

The wedding festivities are sadly over, but we had an amazing time. Cabo was amazing. We stayed at Casa Dorada, which easily had to be the nicest hotel I had ever stayed at. The fish tacos at the swim up bar was a highlight of the trip. We were so busy the whole time the week FLEW by. We started the trip off with a sunset booze cruise.

The next day we layed by the pool for some 2 for 1 happy hour. And I think that is the only reason why I gave in and went parasailing. Yes, me who hates anything to do with heights, went parasailing.

Here is Mark and Me getting ready to take off. If you can't tell I was terrified, getting nauseous and trying to think of any excuse not to go through with it. But in the end, I did it.

Was it fun? Yes. Would I do it again? Ummm... no! After our two hour parasailing adventure we were finally back and it was time to get ready for the Welcome Party. Brittany's parents were so nice to host a welcome party once everyone had arrived. Some really yummy food, great margaritas, and a really good acoustic concert.

Mark and I at the beach. Minus the humidity it was a wonderful night.

After the Welcome Party some party poopers (Mark included) went back to the hotel while some of us went Cabo Wabo. We didn't stay long, but long enough to enjoy the cover band, have a few drinks, dance like crazy, and have a tequila pop! Don't ask.

I'm actually afraid to see the pictures that Tiffany took (J/K), but here's the only one I have from the night. Tuesday was a lot like Monday. We layed out by the pool, and went out to eat at the Marina. Mark had heard from this guy at work that Salimans Landing had the best fish tacos, so we were on a mission. We had been talking about it all week, and we had to find it. AND, we did!! Problem was, they didn't have fish tacos :( um... go figure! They did however, have really good food. And we ended the night with some Senor Sweets, and some drinks by the fire pit.

Wednesday was Wedding Day!! We layed by the pool and watched the clock!! Brittany and I got our hair and make up done, and headed to La Playa Grande. The wedding was amazing. It was right one the beach over looking the water. They even added the pirate ship. Just kidding, it just so happened the pirate ship was there. And you can see it in the picture. I can't wait to get the professional pictures back. I was so busy enjoying the day I didn't take one picture!! The set up was amazing, the food was delicious and the bride was more beautiful than I have ever seen.

But then we had to head back home. The week was fun, but we were ready to get back to CA. No more Mexican food and no more pesos!! But luckily there was another celebration. The reception. Once again, it was beautiful and everyone had a great time. Here is Mark and I at the reception celebration the marriage of two amazing people.

Congrats Brittany and Clint!! We love you and were so proud to be a part of your wedding!!

Praying for a baby

NO it's not what you think. CC is praying for a baby. We were driving in the car and she asks me, "Mommy where do we get babies from? You know, before you get them in your belly?"

Me: "From God. You pray that God blesses you with a baby."

CC: "Ok well then how do you pray for a baby girl?"

Me: "I guess the same way. Most people don't mind if they get a boy or a girl, they just pray for a healthy baby."

So CC gets super quiet....

Me: "CC, are you alright?"

CC: "Mommy shh.... I'm praying."

And they she continues," Dear God, please bless me, my mommy, my daddy, and my baby Carter. And please bless us with a baby girl. Most people want a healthy baby, but I want a healthy baby girl. I will even share my toys, and let her chew on my books. I guess I'll take a baby boy, just give us whatever you have left in heaven. Amen"

Is that not the sweetest thing you have ever heard? Let's hope this is one of God's unanswered prayers:)