Carnival of Animals

I guess, first thing is to say Happy Valentines day. Although our family does not celebrate this holiday, I know many do. Including Aiden's school. Here he is with his Valentine's box and goodies after school.

Tonight the first grade students had their first performance, the musical "The Carnival of Animals". All the kids did a great job. Our "little" Aiden was adorable!

The "down side" of having a tall kid... he gets put on the back row.

Aiden Up front and center on stage...  

It didn't take him long at all to warm up to being cent of attention... (it never does) 

BRRRRRRRRRR!

I think we are finally experiencing a real winter around here... Aiden had his first outdoor soccer game of the season today. It was freezing. Literally, we had a few minutes during the game where snow was actually falling. Crazy. I think our boys had a really difficult time adjusting to the cold. Sadly, they did not win. The final score was 6-4. Aiden did score a beautiful goal taking a PK.

The PK!

GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

Obviously, Aiden was feeling MUCH better. Still going to make that appointment with a cardiologist though.. Better safe than sorry.

Crazy day.

It’s been a crazy crazy crazy busy week around these parts, and today was no exception. I got a call from the school nurse this afternoon. Aiden was in her office complaining “his heart hurt” and she was hearing some wheezing on his left side. I hauled butt to pick him up from school and took him to see his doctor. His doctor didn’t hear the wheezing – but managed to really aggravate Aiden and I both. Aiden felt like she wasn’t listening to him. He tried to explain to her the pain felt like a punch, or like someone standing on his chest. But, she never really addressed what he was saying. Aiden hadn’t been outside, or to PE today – and has never experienced anything like this before. So, we left her office with instructions to take him to the hospital if the pain didn’t go away. And were referred to a pediatric cardiologist, due to family history. So, I guess we’ll be making an appointment to see her next week. After the appointment I didn’t let Aiden do much of anything – basically I made him sit in one place and take it incredibly easy. I was so scared. The pain slowly dissipated, and by bed time he was feeling great. Adam took him to the school valentines dance, (I was working the event) but we still didn’t let him do much but socialize.

Aiden and Marissa at the Dance

There was a really fun photo booth; Adam, Aiden and I took a few pictures. When get a chance I'll scan those in and share too.

We hope you're all having a great weekend!

Adam and Ryann went to the Father Daughter dance tonight, a tradition going on 5 years. They both look forward to this night every year. These two are truly lucky to have one another!!!

SO Beautiful!!!!

The good looking couple!

Very Excited to finally be at the dance!!

People watching.....

CUTE!!!

Balloon drop at the end :)

Twenty Two Years

22 years ago we said good bye. Sometimes I go what seems like incredibly long stretches with out thinking of my mom. I'm aware that probably sounds horrible to some of you, but I've spent 3x more of my life without her than I did with... However, that being said I've found myself thinking more and more about her lately. I don't know if it's simply because the anniversary of her death is upon us. Or if it has to do more with Aiden, and him turning 7, (the age I was when I lost my mom)...Whatever the reason she really weighing on my mind today.

Courtney, Heather, Mom and Kim

As I stated before I don't remember much about my her. I do remember that she was always dressed beautifully and I swear she kept her big red hair and nails done perfectly, (I did NOT get that gene!) LOL!! I remember holidays and birthdays were her thing. She would throw the most amazing parties. I remember her constantly telling my sister and I to stand up straight - I swear sometimes I still hear, "Courtney DeAnne, stand up straight" I'm pretty sure she would be incredibly disappointed in my posture :). Although I can not remember the name of her perfume, if I pass someone wearing it, it'll stop me in my tracks. I remember thinking she was so tall, come to find out it was just my being so small that made her appear larger than life :) I remember her obsession with George Straight, complete with a life size cut out of him :) I remember feeling like I was the most important thing in her whole world.... I pray that I make my kiddos feel that way every single day, and hope that after I've been gone 22 years; Ryann and Aiden can remember that feeling.

Whoa!

I went to work the day after writing my last post and learned that The Dallas Opera House will be hosting The Magic Flute! I can not tell you how excited Adam and I were to learn this good news! So, we have plans to take Aiden in April. We're all beyond excited!!! I swear Aiden's eyes were the size of saucers when we told him.
I can't remember if I wrote about Aiden's TPRI, (Texas Primary Ready Inventory) results at the beginning of the school year... He scored 100%, and was reading 69/79, (he read  2 stories) WPM. They take this test three times a year in kinder, 1st and 2nd grade. So, we got his 2nd results on Friday.... They included a chart of his progress - that made Adam and I laugh out loud....

The gray area is where a first grade "should" test. The two lines WAY up there, are where Aiden has tested. 69/79WPM at the beginning of the year and 120/112WPM this go around. So needless to say he is well above the average reading level at this period in time, (that really is no surprise) but he is also WELL above where the he is expected to be at the end of the year. According to this test, the goal at the end of the year is to be reading 60WPM, (Aiden was above this a the beginning of the year). Oh, he also scored 100% on the question/answer section of the test too. Of course we're extremely proud of our little man, but slightly aggravated that he is stuck working on things that are obviously below his level. Really makes us wonder what our next step should be concerning his schooling......... decisions, decisions.

Aiden has been earning an allowance for well over a year now. Recently Adam and I decided that while he was learning a valuable lesson that he had to work to earn money, we thought we needed to change up what he did with his money, (previously he would just deposit into his bank - and never see it again). So about a month ago he started taking his allowance and breaking it up as follows, 10% to the church, 50% of what left into his bank. The remaining money went into his wallet to put toward a special something he previously picked out. This week he hit his goal, and we set out for him to purchase a new DS game. He has been so excited to purchase this game. I think the facet that he saved his own money to purchase the game has made it that much more special. He has been playing as much as we let him too.

He is now saving for a new Ninjago Lego Set. I think the lesson we wanted to teach is working! :)

February 1st is just around the corner, which will mark 22 years since we lost my mom. That just seems crazy. When I really try to remember her, it's hard. I was just 7 years old when she passed, and it's hard to admit, but I don't truly have many memories of her. I have things that seem like memories, but most of them are just stories I've heard from others, or pictures I've seen. The few real memories I have I hold very dear.... I don't really know why I shared all of that........ but Aiden had asked me several times over the past few months if I'd take him to see her grave site. And with his seventh birthday just around the corner I decided it was probably a good time. So we headed out there today. Um, it had been a long time since I had been out there... we searched for her headstone for about 20 minutes, (I realize how sad that is). We finally found it. I don't really have much to share about our day, other than the ridiculous amount of time it took to find her. It's just a day I'd rather not forget. It saddens me to think if something were to happen to me Aiden may not have many memories of me later in life- that sucks, but encourages me to make each day I do have with him the best it can be. And, I pray God gives us a more time together than I got with my mom.

Anyways.......... That's all we've got for now. We hope you have a lovely week. Until next time..........

Opera Seria....

Aiden came home a few months ago, (around the end of October) and asked me what my favorite opera was...... Um, yeah; I know NOTHING about opera. Nothing. So he asked me if I preferred opera seria over opera buffa? Yeah, again I know nothing. So Aiden totally schooled me. Opera seria are the more serious operas, and opera buffa are comedies... Cool... I did not know that. Which took us back to his first question. What was HIS favorite opera? He said he really liked Mozart's the Magic Flute. Knowing nothing about opera I assumed it was a comedy. Nope. It's serious. So we set out to find it on Youtube. Do you know how many videos are out there under "the magic flute"? TONS. Aiden liked all of them. But, he like this version by Diana Damrau the best. So, now we're curious - what is YOUR favorite opera? Did you know the difference between opera seria and buffa? Did you totally just get schooled by a six year old?! No worries, this kid has a thing for classical music and the history surrounding it, and the composers. Last year he learned where all the 17th and 18th century big name, (Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky) composers were born and could point them all out looking at a map/globe.

Here is a clip of Aiden's favorite part of the opera.... Seriously watch it. She is AMAZING! (if you subscribe to the blog, the video won't show up in your email... you're going to have to go to our blog)

Amazing, right?!  Aiden loves this so much we often listen to it in the car, (my car has Microsoft sync so we're able to play it over the car's speakers) on the way to soccer games. He is a total nerd when it comes to this.... I love it.

PS- He also totally loves "Moves like Jagger".  His taste in music is quite broad. LOL!!

Here we are...

*Edited to add photos!!*

I’ve kept meaning to sit down and do a real update on this thing, but there always seems to be something else that HAS to be done, and so this keeps getting pushed to the back burner. Not to mention, I am making it a priority to include pictures with all of our posts this year…. Uploading pictures really adds to the amount of time it takes to update this thing. (For some reason I couldn’t post pictures on this post… I’ll try to edit it later and add some)!!

This month has been a busy one. I made the decision to redecorate the master bedroom. I painted the walls the most beautiful shade of grey. It took me two full days to get it done – which meant the house was turned upside down. I had to move all of our bedroom furniture into the living room. I never realized how BIG our furniture is. Or how heavy…. Anyways the walls look absolutely gorgeous!! I realize dark walls aren’t for everyone – but Adam and I LOVE them. Gray is one of the most comfortable colors to me, so the color is just perfect for us! We used Benjamin Moore’s Kendal Charcoal paint. All the trim is bright white – and it looks absolutely beautiful. All our old furniture is DARK brown – so that is slowly all going. I moved the old dresser, (that thing is HUGE and heavy 100% solid mahogany) to the play room, (yay more storage!!!). And bought some pre-owned pieces for our room. They are really pretty. They’re solid wood, and in need of some TLC. I’m going to be refinishing them and painting them bright white. However, they are in the room as is for now…. They’ll get their face lift when I have more time. So the bedroom redo is slowly underway – but we’re already so much happier with the way it looks. I’ll post pictures when it’s all done, because it is defiantly a work in progress.

Aiden joined running club at school.

They meet every Friday after school. He is only 2 weeks in but has already impressed me! The first week he ran 2.5 miles, and last week he ran 3.75 miles!! I’m really glad he wanted to join the team, and I especially happy it’s something he enjoys and looks forward to each week. Hopefully he’ll continue to enjoy it as the temps go up…. Speaking of, dude what is up with this weather??! I really am surprised none of us have gotten sick, (knock on wood) the weather can not make up its mind. We had 2 days last week where the temp got up into the high 70’s then at night they dipped down into the 20’s, then back up to the 40’s. It’s been crazy. I’m beginning to be a bit fearful of the weather we’re going to have to deal with this summer.

Aiden is still playing soccer. He has a few more games left of this indoor season, and then they’ll move back outside. And I can NOT wait. Indoor is so stressful, (for me – it’s all just fun for Aiden). He is still quite the little soccer star. He is also still doing awesome in school. He got all Ms on his last report card. And OMG! Can you believe he is going to be SEVEN in just under a month?!!! I just can NOT believe it!!! He has decided not to have a party this year. Instead he wants one really high priced gift.... more on that after his birthday. So, please do not let it hurt your feelings if you don't receive an invitation - because there will not be a big party this year. Just dinner with family.
Ryann isn’t currently involved in any extra curricular activates, but she is also doing awesome in school! She is growing like crazy. We get her again NEXT weekend, just in time for the Daddy Daughter dance... we took her dress shopping the last time she was here. Her dress choice alone will prove how much she has grown... no more princess-y dresses for her... :(
I’ve been busy with PTA stuff. I’ve found myself regretting being on the board again this year…. I’m doing the yearbook again, and I’m just so ready to be done with it. I said this last year – but I mean it this time…. I will not do this again next year. I’ll be happy to volunteer, but I’m not going to serve on the board again. (Please show me this in May when I’m thinking about signing up again.)

We have been back at church this month too. I didn’t realize how much I missed it, or how much the kids have missed it. (The current series is awesome! I love how Brandon takes scripture and shows how it's still relevent in today's world!) http://www.keystonechurch.com/


So, I realize this post is just a hodgepodge, and probably a little hard to follow. Sorry, that tends to happen when I go a while with out posting a real update…. I’ll try to do better!

Bye bye braces!!

Ryann just finished up at the orthodontist. Just over a year and the braces are OFF! I know she was very much looking forward to this appointment. This was her the day she got them put on...

 This morning,

and NOW!

Getting them off was a bit uncomfortable, and getting the mold made for her retainer was horrible. But, they're off. We go back this afternoon to get her retainer. Adam, Ryann and Aiden plan on spending this afternoon eating all the yummy foods/candy Ryann has missed this past year. Starting with tortilla chips, then moving on to gummy bears!

I'll have more to update you all on very soon. In the mean time, we hope you have an awesome week!

Heavenly Drummer

http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/2012/01/heavens-little-drummer-boy.html

I've shared this family's story a few times before. Please lift Courtney up in your prayers tonight, and the months ahead. I can't begin to imagine what she must be going through.

The smart one.....

Adam the kids and I ran to Target over the weekend. Each of the kids had a gift card from Christmas, and I had a couple household items I needed to get. So, Adam took the kids to the toy isles and I headed to pick up the few items I needed. When we got back home Adam told me that they ran into Jacob and his mom at Target. Jacob is in Aiden’s class at school. The boys said “hi” to each other and talked for a few minutes and Adam introduced himself to Jacob’s mom. At some point in their conversation Jacob’s mom referred to Aiden as the “smart one”. Apparently she had gone to the school Friday to have lunch with her son, and Jacob was pointing out everyone in his class. He pointed to Aiden and said, “That’s Aiden Nabors. He is the smart one”. There is no point to this story. I just thought it was cute, and wanted to share – and also make sure it’s written down some place so I won’t forget.
We didn’t do a whole lot this weekend, and that sure was nice. I’ve had a very hard time getting back to our normal schedule since the holidays. So time at home with the family is fine with me!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!

I’m a little late posting this… sorry! We had a wonderful Christmas, and New Years; and we hope you did too!! Christmas Eve Adam, Aiden and I went to church for our candlelight service.

After church we headed for our traditionally Christmas Eve meal at Kobe Hibachi grill. During the 10 minute drive Aiden lost his other loose tooth!

After dinner we drove around a looked at Christmas lights. When we got home Aiden got to open one gift – PJs of course!

Afterward we snuggled up to watch Prep and Landing. We love those movies! Read “Twas the Night Before Christmas”,

Put out milk cookies and carrots.

Placed Aiden’s tooth under his pillow and hit the hay. Adam and I woke up before Aiden… again. The weeks leading up to Christmas Aiden was SO EXCITED about Santa coming and finally getting to open all his gifts. Would you believe that when he woke up Christmas morning he completely forgot about it being Christmas at all! He also totally forgot about the tooth fairy coming. He told us, “I slept so good I forgot all about them”. LOL!!!! Once it sunk it that is was finally Christmas he ran out to see what Santa left, and to open the other gifts.

We stayed in our PJs, and went to Gamma and Papa’s house to visit and eat some lunch. After lunch Adam went to pick up Ryann. When they got back we opened gifts again. We were all beyond spoiled. We stayed and visited some more, ate dinner then headed home so Ryann could see what Santa brought and open the gifts from the rest of us. It was a late night – but a ton of fun!!

Did I forget to mention- Santa brought a TRAMPOLINE?!!

Adam was off the entire week following Christmas. He and the kids hung out around the house, ran lots of errands. We also took them rock climbing and to the new trampoline park in Southlake.
Friday Aunt Jamie and Uncle Brent were finally home from their Christmas cruise so we all met back up at Gamma and Papa’s house to have Christmas with them. It was a lot of fun, and we were really excited to have them back safe and sound.

The kids spent the night with their Grandparents’ New Years Eve, and Adam and I got all dolled up and went to the Gaylord Texans NYE Gala. It was so much fun!! We don’t get many nights out, and even fewer that we get to get all dressed up for, so it was defiantly a nice treat!

Sunday we took Ryann back to her Mom. And Monday I spent the ENTIRE DAY cleaning. Yesterday everyone was back to school and work. Boy, was it hard getting up and motivated, but we all made it though ok.

Again, we hope you all had a wonderful Holiday! 2011 was such a wonderful year, I can not wait to see what 2012 will bring!!