Isaac's Big Day

Happy Birthday Isaac!

It's hard to believe that Isaac is already 8! We are entering a whole new world with his interests. He will be the first to tell you that he doesn't like to play with "toys" (actually he hasn't liked them for a long time), he thinks he's too old for them. Here's what he likes these days. He LOVES anything outside:

hiking

biking

running

basketball

climbing trees

climbing rock walls

making forts in the woods

playing catch with the boys

and sometimes playing the wii

Did I mention he still loves to tease his siblings?

He is very excited about being able to start Cub Scouts. He got his uniform and hand book for his birthday and was happy to be invited to the Blue and Gold Banquet two days before he actually turned 8. Unfortunately I couldn't go, but thanks to friends close by, Isaac didn't have to miss it.

He also got running shoes...only to be used for running and biking. And biking clothes like his dad.

For his birthday dinner he requested Chinese...like he does every year. Just a random thought, he tried sushi a few weeks ago and loves it. I don't think I even knew what sushi was when I was 8. Isaac is a good kid. Yes, he's still Isaac and will always "bug" Caite and Hayden. He has a special place in his heart for Halle, she brings out a very tender side of him that we have never seen. Most of the time he's a great help to me. He is very "bright" as his school teacher says and loves math. Just a few random facts about our man: He's still "big for his age", he's the tallest in his class, he wears a size 10 in clothes and 3.5 in shoes, weighs 73 lbs., he doesn't like green veggies, doesn't like chocolate, but he does like homemade chocolate chip cookies, He says that the school's spaghetti is better than mine (what a slam!!), he's very determined (or hard headed, what ever way you want to look at it), he carries around a backpack when he's playing outside that is full of his "stuff" just in case there's a fire and he can't get to his 72 hour kit in the garage, for the most part, he's JUST like his Dad! We are happy to have him in our family! We love you Isaac!!

GIMP

I had a bit of an accident last night. I was outside with the kids talking to our neighbor Mike, when all of a sudden Caite hit me from the back with her bike. I fell forward twisting my knee. I instantly grabbed it because I could feel it dislocate. Yep, I felt the kneecap on the side of my knee not on the front of it. I pushed it back over as I straightened my knee and hit the ground. OUCH!!! is all I have to say. I sat in the road by our driveway for a while with Mike said, "What do I need to do?" I tried to get up, but I blacked out. So I just sat there for a while thinking I'm glad I wasn't holding Halle when I fell. He instantly called Aaron and told him to come home. Then helped me in the house and brought all the kids in. Since then I have have either been on the couch or the bed with my knee in a brace and elevated.

We were supposed to go to Isaac's Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet, but instead we called our friends with a boy Isaac's age and he went with them. My visiting teacher was at the banquet and called to tell me she would take and pick up the kids from school. Then early this morning my best friend and other visiting teacher called and said she was coming to spend the morning with me so I didn't have to get up and do anything. I'm not used to being on the receiving end of service, but it's nice to know people love me. I did have to put an end to it when they said they could bring in dinner. It's not THAT bad, I can hobble around and make dinner!

So, it's nothing major, just an inconvenience. My family is known for major injuries. I have 2 brothers who between the 2 of them have broken and had surgery on every bone in their body. My brother in law just had a hip replacement at the age of 45 and my sister just had surgery on her shoulder. So I'm good with being down and limping for a few days.

Way to go BULLDOGS!

The Bulldogs remained UNDEFEATED the entire season and continues their winning streak into the tournament. They played their final game last Tuesday winning by only 2 points. But it was good enough from them to take FIRST place. It has been a lot of fun watching these little guys play and develop a little skill. Mostly I'm impressed with they way they worked together as a team. We didn't have any "ball hogs", everyone played the same amount of time. We had great coaches who were great examples of sportsmanship.

When all was said and done Isaac didn't care much about the win, he just wanted his trophy and medal. He was so proud of his medal that he took it to school the next day. He said he kept it in his pocket and didn't show anyone because he didn't want them to feel bad, but he just wanted to have it with him. I thought that was cute.

All Tied Up

This is what Hayden was just doing while I was busy blogging a few minutes ago. There is yarn wrapped around the kitchen 4 times, down the hall, in and out of the slat on his headboard, back down the hall and in our bedroom, back to the kitchen, and around the Halle's bike.

Sunday Morning

Yesterday (Sunday) morning was bad. We don't have to go to Church until 10 so usually we don't have to rush. However, Aaron had to work, so he was gone and the kids woke up fighting...always a good start to a day... I think I made 4 different breakfasts (well do you really make cold cereal or frozen waffles, but I did make the eggs), and no one seemed to listen when I asked them to get dressed. I found myself threatening to leave Isaac home if he wouldn't get dressed, just to find out it wasn't a threat. Instead his bike would be taken away for a few days, that seemed to work better. I didn't get in the shower until 9:00, we have to leave at 9:30 and we had to pick up an investigator and her daughter. You could say it was a STRESSFUL morning. One's I don't like.

We got to Church on time, sat down, and I was out with Hayden and Halle before we even got to the Sacrament. Lovely. So Isaac and Caite were sitting by themselves which is usually okay, but I didn't trust them yesterday. Caite came out a few times, got in trouble, and went back in quietly. Halle was a mess wanting to run everywhere and Hayden was trying to confine her. I was getting ready to explode when out of the corner of my eye I saw my Night in Shinning Armor walking through the door...only he was in blue scrubs.!!!He finished rounding early and was able to leave. I don't think I have ever been so happy to have him at church. I have gotten used to going to Church alone, but yesterday I just couldn't do it. Thanks Love, for rescuing me.

Biker DUDES

Here they are my very own BIKER DUDES. Aaron got home early on Saturday and took Isaac on a bike ride. I LOVE where we live because there are trails everywhere connecting all the neighborhoods in Maumelle. It's great for biking, running, or just a causal afternoon walk. So my dudes took the trail in our backyard and rode around the entire town. According to the gps wrist watch thingy (obviously I'm not a runner and don't know the name those high tech tracking devices) they were gone for 1hour and 51 minutes and went 13.5 miles. Not bad...definitely more than I have ever done. Isaac was ecstatic that he went so far. He told Aaron he's ready for the 50 miler with the "Big Scouts". Maybe when he's a real scout.

Happy Valentine's Day

We have had a fun few days around here. We have decorated Valentine's boxes and bags, written out individual Valentine's for all the students in the kids classes, made pink heart rice crispy treats for teachers and neighbors, went to class parties, and received our own Valentines. Aaron was off on Friday so I was able to leave Hayden and Halle home while I went and helped with both classroom parties. The problem was they both started at the same time. So I split the time in half. I started in Caites class with pizza, cupcakes,and cute games. She has such a great teacher. I am amazed every time I visit the classroom. Then I moved down to Isaac's class for an ice cream social with every type of topping imaginable. We all had fun. I love being able to help (and not drag the younger kids along). I forgot my camera...nice, real nice.

So HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to you! If you are reading this it's because our lives have intersected and our hearts have been touched. We LOVE you!

Addiction

Although I have only been doing if for a very short time, I think I have an addiction. I'm addicted to making my girls skirts. My friend's little girl had on the cutest skirt a few months back so I asked her where she got it. She made it. So I looked at it closer and said, "I can do that." Then I made sure it was okay if I stole her idea (which she stole from an online boutique). I have made 3 different ones for both my girls and then I made one for all the Gardner Girl Cousins...that's 9 total. My friend has me beat I think. Anyways, they are way cute and fun to make. I need to get more fabric for my next set. Here's my girls skirts.

100th Day of School

The BIG day has arrived! The kids have been counting and counting and we finally made it to the 100th day of school. We had a few set backs with being out for a week due to the school roof problem, and we have had a few ice days, but Today is the day! Caite's class has been preparing things to count, they have made chains, pictures with 100 things on them and last but not least they were asked to make a special 100 day Shirt to wear for the occasion. The only requirement was it had to have 100 things on it. This is what we came up with. Of course it looks just like something Caite would make!

P.S. I'm excited for my winners from my previous post! April, Heather, and Angie get ready for a big surprise!!

Surprise!

I saw this on a friend's blog -- and love to give and receive comments (and surprises)
... SO

--Here's how it works-the first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive, at some point during the year, a handmade gift from me. What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise!

The catch is that you must participate as well. Before you leave your comment here, write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going. Then come back, let me know you're going to play, and sit back and anticipate the arrival of your gift! Remember that only the first 3 comments will receive a gift from me, so be quick!

(I know some of your first thought were that we were having another baby...your WRONG...way WRONG)

Angel One

Angel One is the helicopter transport system for Arkansas Children's Hospital. Aaron is one of the lucky doctors who gets to fly on it and pick up sick kids from all over the state. How it works is smaller Hospitals call when they have a child to critical for them to handle. The Angel One team flies to them, gets the patient stable and then takes them back to Children's to get the treatment needed. Usually these kids are very sick or burned...not in good shape at all.

From the time he was young, Aaron has wanted to fly on a medical helicopter. Now he has that opportunity. Not only is it fun but he gets paid extra to do it. He usually picks up night shifts...the past 4 shifts he has worked he hasn't been called out, so he gets to sleep and still makes $--not too bad. He had two shifts in a row this week so he brought his helmet home for the kids to see. I think the helmet put a little flying bug in Isaac. Can you see that excitement in his eyes? He thought it was awesome!