Museum of Nature & Science

Today, Colton and I went to the Museum of Nature & Science with good friends. Anna was there with her kiddos and Cassey was there with hers. I must say, we had a lot of fun, the kids especially! No really funny moments other than simply trying to get 4 kids to be still, all looking AND smiling at the camera. Here are a few of my favorite pics of Colton. All of our pics from the day are on our online photo album.

Uptown Girl

Courtnie had her out of town dance competition this weekend in Tyler. She is in four dances this year. This is the only one I recorded because one girl was out with strep today and I want to record when everyone is there (maybe the next competition). Here is a video of her and her friend Mikalah doing their duet; they have been dancing together since they were 3 years old. Courtnie is on the left. It's kinda far back but since I can't get any closer to the stage and can't zoom while recording, this is the best I can get with my camera. I still love it!!

Lufkin Baseball

We went to Lufkin this weekend for a baseball tournament and had tons of fun. The boys had fun playing ball but most of their fun was spent at the hotel - running up, down and along three floors, playing hide-and-go seek throughout the hotel, cell phone laser tag, swimming in the pool that had to be below freezing and go from room to room jumping on any bed clear of luggage. I can't say we played very well in our games but it was a memorable weekend.

One funny story from the weekend - we all went to dinner one night and two of us families went to the wrong restaurant. We had them set tables up for a large group and sat there waiting for our other guests to arrive. Once we called them and realized we were at the wrong restaurant, we decided to leave and make it to the correct destination. Here was the problem, we had already started eating chips and salsa and ordered our drinks. We felt so bad! We did leave money for the waitress for the small amount of time we cost her. This however did not appease her. We were all rolling laughing and completely embarrassed. I still cannot believe we went to a restaurant, ordered and left before food and drinks arrived. Ack!

There are some more pics on our online web album.

Busy, Busy Bumble Bees

For some strange reason our bushes in the front yard are attracting honey bees like crazy. You can stand by the front door or even by the windows inside the house and just hear them buzzing. They are kind to us though! So far they haven't minded the boys swinging hockey sticks at them, throwing things at them or Jason spraying them with wasp/hornet spray.

It is causing one problem though - Colton will not sleep in his bed at night. He cries that they are in his room and "flying around outside AND in my room!". His little finger just points and waves when he talks about them. I tried to convince him last night that the bees were jut making honey for us to eat and that they were not in his room. This did not work. I'm sure I could have done a far better job at explaining the bees wouldn't hurt him, except is was 1am and mama is tired at that hour. He threw himself on his pillow and covered his face with his blanket.

If you know anything about me, it's this one fact - Brandie does not miss out on her sleep, therefore none of her children sleep in her room/bed. And I caved last night people. My heart broke so badly for him that I told him we could make a pallet and he could sleep in my room. Tonight over dinner he and Jason talked about our bee friends and how nice they were and where they live and where they sleep at night. So here's to Colton sleeping in his bed tonight and hopefully a pot of honey when they leave!

Colton and Jillian

Over Spring Break my good friend Jaimie and I took our little ones to Build-a-Bear. Colton and Jillian have been BFFs since in utero. We had been wanting to get them together and it was perfect timing to make a day just for them when so many times their little lives are centered around their older siblings. They both got all dressed up and were very excited for their "date". Colton picked out a bear and named him Bronco and Jillian picked out a bunny and named her Patty. As we were leaving Jillian stole a few kisses from Colton, which he wiped off very quickly. Here is a cute pic of the two of them, the other pics are on our online web album.

A Battle Worth Fighting

Colton lost, I won =) Cowboy boots must NOT be worn with big brothers "basketball pants" as Colton calls them. Clearly they look like pants when they are many sizes too big, not to mention the multiple color schemes going on and that fact that his shirt is on backwards. We did compromise and just replaced the "basketball pants" with blue jeans. No way was I going anywhere with him wearing that ensemble!
ETA - Colton has his basketball pants back on this afternoon. The kids are going to Nanie's tonight so Jason and I can have date night. She'll think he's cute no matter what he wears! Hope they dont have plans to go out anywhere tonight, lol. Dang it, how did that kid win again?!

Today's Task....

.....convincing a 4 yr old boy that his cowboy boots are not to be worn with shorts, even when he tries to explain to you that his shorts are "cowboy shorts". It might seem like a simple task to some. But have you ever tried to convince the baby of the family of ANYTHING? It's not always successful, truth be told, they often times win.

You see, Colton is the typical third child, the baby in the family. He knows what he wants, how he wants it, and exactly how to exhaust you so that he will get exactly what he wants. The book I have just finished talked briefly about birthorder and his description of lastborn children fits Colton to a "T"! It reads: "Lastborns grow up with a tremendous, unflagging sense of entitlement. Because they are often coddled an babied - not just by Mom and Dad, but also by older siblings - lastborns usually grow up to be funny, and often blatant show-offs, loving to be the life of the party. They can also be manipulative, however. Lastborns tend to love surprises, and they are far more open to risks than their other siblings."

That's my Colton. Does this description sound like anyone else we know? Possibly his father?? Colton does truly believe everything belongs to him, even if it is yours or in your hand. He also is an extreme risk taker. This includes taking the risk and fighting your parents for wearing those boots with shorts, even when your Mommy tries to convince you that you look like a dork.

So who wins this mornings battle? Colton. Those other Mommys at storytime better not laugh at my baby! I know he looks like a big goof, but they better be talking about how charming and handsome he is.

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Green Thumbs

We have started our very first garden! I decided on a whim one day to head to Home Depot (which I do not like!) and buy things necessary to start my garden. Although still not a big fan of the store, I did have some fun in the gardening section. Maybe now I can find entertainment in this dreaded store while the others members of my family randomly walk up and down each aisle looking at everything. Anyway, I came home with a strawberry starter plant and seeds of lettuce, cucumbers, watermelons and hot peppers. Since Jason wasn't too fond of my idea of starting a garden in the backyard, we are planting them in pots for the time being. The strawberry starter plant had one tiny strawberry starting to grow and at this time there are multiple strawberries growing. The others were planted from seeds and just this morning the lettuce has sprouted as well as the cucumbers. I have been VERY excited since I've only been watching them daily since we planted them. The anticipation is killing me, I cannot wait for the seeds to grow into something bigger so we can plant them in their pots and move them outside. Starter plants are definitely the way to go for those who are as impatient as myself. I will have to start taking pics so we can document our progress.

Whirlwind Day

Cameron came home from school yesterday with a note from the school nurse saying he might possibly have poison ivy. I call our doctors office and they tell me we cannot be seen until Thursday because their schedule is so full (I will deal with this at a later date) and they suggest to call the nurse's hotline to see about which urgent care facility our insurance allows us to go to. I call and finally speak to someone and answer their fifty questions and tell them my life story. She transfers me to the nurses hotline. I finally speak to someone there and she asks the same fifty questions. Except she irritates me further by REPEATING every one of my answers. Really. Here's an example:

What is the child's name? Cameron. C-A-M-E-R-O-N.

His last name? Gautreaux. G-A-U-T-R-E-A-U-X.

When is his birthday? 8-22-98. So that's August 22, 1998.

This goes on for every dang question she asks and takes twice as long and goes from humerous to darn irritating about four questions into it. Not to mention, it should all be right there on the screen, she is just verifying the information. I'm not applying for anything and we are no longer using the pen and paper system. She transfers me to speak to the actual nurse. Now this woman can ask some questions, the lady before was just warming me up. Two hundred questions and 20 minutes later, she got an ear full from me. We start with the same questions - my name, child's name, phone number, address, policy number, blah blah blah. This is when the real fun starts, and these are just a few of the questions....

Is the rash red? Yes. Purple? No. White? No. Clear? No.

Blood color? No. Are they the size of quarters? No. Nickels? No.

Dimes? No. Pencil eraser? No. Pen tip? Sure.

Do they itch? Yes. Are they swollen? Cameron, come here. No.

Has he taken any new meds? No. Are you sure? YES!

Has he eaten anything different or unusual? No. Are you sure? YES!!

How long has he had this rash? I don't know, he started to complain

about it today, maybe a few days. So you don't know how long the rash has been there? Well, if he doesnt tell me about it then no I do not. Are you pregnant? No. (Irritation is in full force now!).

Seriously, after 20 minutes of badgering, she tells me I need to call my doctor. I literally laughed out loud and said something like, "Are you serious? I've been on the phone with you this entire time so you can tell me to call my doctor? That's not why I'm calling you! I've already called. They can't see us until Thursday. I need to know which urgency care facility I can take him to! I'm not stupid, I know he needs to be seen!" She goes on to tell me she doesnt have that information and that it would be okay to wait until Thursday. I hung up the phone. She can go ahead and let her child's poison ivy spread all over their bodies, but I'm not doing that to my child (it's already on his face!!).

So we just went on to CVS' Minute Clinic. We have never been there before but heard good things, it was close to my Mom's house and since she offered to cook dinner for us since clearly I was not going to have time now, that's where we headed. LOVE these people - nice, helpful, very precise and timely. My kind of people!

While waiting though, Cameron tells me that when he was in the nurses office she told him that morning, "Your mother should have taken care of this at home." Problem - you went this morning and no one called me? Another problem - she said what?

I totally understand that bonehead parents send their kids to school sick. I'm not one of them and didnt know my child had a spreading rash. But, NEVER will you belittle or speak unkind words about me to my children. Never. Her job is to simply take care of my children and see to their medical needs when I am away. It is definitely not to comment or critique my job as a parent. Children have things come up while at school, she needs to simply take care of them. I could continue to curse this lady and her comment but I will leave it alone and off my blog. This I will deal with today.

To add humor to my fun day, I go to pick up Cameron's Rx at the CVS counter and realize I left his insurance card on the counter at home. At the same time I realize I had spilled my 20oz bottle of water in my purse. Ugh. This honestly didnt make me mad any more than I already was, I just laughed and smiled. Picture it friends, I held my cool and let it roll of my shoulder! Ah!!

I did complete the evening with my dearest friends. We all read a book together and then met for dessert (I mean, to discuss the book, that's right!). I ordered a Chocolate Tallcake with ice cream, and I needed every bit of the chocolate that was in each bite.

PS - I later found out that Cameron had told Jason about this rash last Thursday and thought then it was poison ivy. {thorat clear} Did anyone not find it necessary to tell me then? How does a man's brain work anyway? lol.

Self-Sufficiency, Part 2

Colton continues to get too big everyday and is becoming more and more self-sufficient. The kids' growth never ceases to amaze me but I guess with Colton being the baby, watching him grow and learn to do things on his own is so bitter-sweet.

This morning Colton comes running in the living room (I was vacuuming) and tells me, "Come look at my room Mama!". I go in there and find his room picked up and his bed made. He goes on to say he did it all by himself. What?! You're 4! What 4 year old makes their own bed, and that well? Well he did, and how awesome is that!! What I didn't snap a picture of was UNDER the bed. I was more aiming for a picked-up room, not really a made bed and definitely not everything underneath the bed. Ah well, I'll take it a little at a time.

We then went into the kitchen to make lunch and Colton "tells" me he's going to make his own peeaanjelly sandwich (it's all one word to him, with some missing letter sounds). And he does just that! Such a big boy!! I'm proud and sad at the same time.We've also mastered one more thing, one that am proud that he is doing on his own..... wiping his own bottom!! No picture for this accomplishment.