Plano Balloon Festival

A few weekends ago I got a Saturday night off.  We didn't really have anything planned.  My mom told us about the Plano balloon festival and it sounded like something fun and different to do.  It was kind of like a little carnival with food and bounce houses.  We were a little let down when we found out the balloons weren't going to fly in the evening like they were supposed to.  It was too windy.  :-(  But it was still a fun evening...and I wasn't at work!

There were tons of people!  I found out later that some of my work friends were there too but I never saw them.  It's hard to tell from this picture, but all of the festivities were down in this bowl type area.  Everyone sat up on the hill to see the balloons. 

Every time we pass a Mustang Ethan says that the car he wants when he gets older.  He better start saving those pennies!!

No this picture isn't crooked, that's how steep the hill was! 

Ethan was super excited to find tornado tators just like at the state fair!

And of course, if there's pizza, that's what Caleb is going to pick.

 

They were all excited and ready for the balloons to launch.  What a bummer when they didn't!

Instead we got to enjoy a "light show".  Lame-o!  Different balloons lit up at different times to music.  Not very exciting when compared to watching them launch!

Down in the kid's area there was a little dance floor where the kids could go break it down.  I was suprised that Caleb did it.  He's standing behind Ethan in this picture so you can't see him.

There was a little area full of instruments that the kids could try.

No, he did NOT put his mouth on that flute like every other kid did.  He just pretended.  He wanted to take a picture for Aunt Ree since she played the flute and he says that's what he wants to play. ;-)

Watching them make kettle corn.  Smelled good! 

Mommy waited in a VERY long line to get those balloons!  That's all Caleb begged for the whole time we were there.  Now they're hanging up in the playroom.  :-)  Maybe we'll try to go again next year and actually see some balloons fly!

Crosspoint in the Park

A few weeks ago, we had a cook-out at Lynn Creek park with church.  It was just a time to get together and invite friends and show them how awesome Crosspoint is.  ;-)  We had hot dogs and burgers, played games, and had a concert.  Luckily it wasn't quite as hot as it was last year so it was more enjoyable!


Mondo helped cook hundreds of burgers and hot dogs.  He stood at that smoker for hours!



The kids helped fill up water balloons...and threw them at each other.  All of the kids had to stop "helping" because they were supposed to be used for a game later.  But how could they pass up a water balloon fight when they were hot?  ;-)

The boys went on a boat ride with our friend Scott's dad Hugh.  I had to cut the cord because I couldn't go on the boat because I was helping with the food.  I was a little freaked out but knew that they were in good hands...and they had life jackets on.

Enjoying some food.

The teens and kids playing games.

I was proud of Caleb for joining in.  This was the water balloon toss.

There was a concert by a christian singer during all of the festivities.  Then there was some "congregational singing" at the end.

Caleb and Maddie playing by the water.

Another one of Caleb's buddies from church.  They were having a serious discussion!  ;-)

Back to School!

It seems like the summer time just flew by this year.  I'd been dreading Caleb starting kindergarten since he's such a momma's boy.  And Ethan started 3rd grade. Only 3 more years at Larson then it's off to junior high...yipes!!

"Sneek a Peek"



The week before school the kids got to go "sneek a peek" at their classroom and find out who their teachers were.  Ethan got Mrs. Long.  I didn't really know anything about the 3rd grade teachers but she seemed fun.  She is from South Africa I think so she has a fun accent.  He is in class with a ton of his friends so he was super excited about that.

 

He walked Caleb to the kindergarten hallway....melt my heart!

Caleb got Mrs. Loteryman!  She was Ethan's kindergarten teacher so we were super excited to get her again.  Of course he clammed up and wouldn't even look at her or talk to anyone.  He's super shy when he doesn't know anyone...just like his momma.

He decorated a shirt to hang on a monkey outside the classroom.

He got a cute little baggie full of goldfish that said "You are o-fish-ally in kindergarten!"  So cute!

First Day of School

Of course I had to put them in matching shirts.  :-)  I'm so excited to have them at the same school!

First day of school?  No big whoop for this big 3rd grader.

That's about the biggest smile he could muster up.  No tears, but not super excited to be there either.

This is how he looked when we left him.  Coloring his paper with intensity.


**Update**

One perk of me taking forever to post this blog...I can update Caleb's school progress.  He did great for the first 2 or 3 weeks.  Walked right in and got to work.  But for the past several weeks he's been crying every morning once we get to the classroom door.  He hugs me and won't let go.  I peel him off and shove him in but he comes right back out.  He asks every day when his next break from school is.  He says school is fun and he always comes out smiling.  I think it's just separation anxiety and also he's not used to going to school 5 days in a row.  I tried sending him with Mondo one day and Ethan another but he still cried.  So we're pushing through and the tears are getting a little less...but they're still there.  My poor little critter.  :-(



Randomness

Caleb has turned into quite the animal lover.  And as you will see in the rest of these pics, Lexie is his favorite. ;-)

My mom's new cat Precious.  They got her from the pound but she must have lived with children because she is VERY tolerant of kids.

 

One day in the summer when poor Ethan was sick.  :-(



Caleb was sick at the same time.  Both had high fevers.  He needed heat from Papa...which if you know Caleb, he is ALWAYS hot so you know he was sick if he was cold!

He was singing "Jack and Jill" with a bucket on his head.

 

Ethan striking a Michael Jackson pose.

Playing with Precious again.

Being silly at Nana's.

 

He said "Look Mom, it's a picture of Caleb!"

Helping me give Gracie a bath.  She was not amused.

Colton and Carson's little sister Ashlyn.

Harry Potter.

Ethan let Gracie sleep with him for several nights.  Then he permanently kicked her out after he said she made too many weird noises in the night.  She is pretty whiney.

Being a cowboy in daddy's boots.

Having a sword fight with a sprinkler.

My dad got me a Duck Dynasty hat.  I love it!

Caleb hurt his foot after jumping off of the swingset.  I think he might have had a tiny hairline fracture because it was swollen and he limped for almost a week.  We kept it wrapped and elevated and he survived without a doctor's visit.  That's what you get when you're a nurse's kid.  ;-)

He found my old bear.  That thing went EVERYWHERE with me when I was younger.  And yes, it's huge!

Again, Precious the tolerant cat.  I think he got a few scratches after holding. 

We recently switched scrub colors at work.  We were wearing hot pink and black but now all nurses have to wear royal blue.  I think this is the 4th scrub color change in the 12 years I've been there.  It's smurftastic!

And finally, Caleb and his sweet Lexie.  :-)