He's Five

It is impossibly hard to believe that Nate is, as of yesterday, five years old. But he is! And he will start Kindergarten in the fall! [Independence Elementary, consider yourselves warned.]

To celebrate his birthday, we took him to the "Day Out With Thomas" train ride. Nate had a look of sheer joy on his face the entire ride. Afterwards, we ate at the Cheesecake Factory (his request) and took home cheesecake for the birthday cake. While we were wrapping his presents, Nate sneaked one piece of cheesecake behind the couch and was snacking on it when we caught him. He quickly stood up and feigned innocence, and while he was busy trying to fake us out, Charlie ate the rest of that piece.



Luckily, there was a piece left for Nate that even fit all five candles, and he loved all the presents (thank you, long distance mailing family, for all the wonderful gifts!). He had a hard time falling asleep last night.

But tonight, he should sleep well, since the Baird children have been here playing with us all day. More on that subject tomorrow!

Early Easter

This is the third year I've been Activities Committee Chair for our ward, and thus, the third year I've planned an Easter egg hunt for the kids. It was smaller this year since our ward split, so I was able to have it at the church for about 50 kids. I'm happy to report that there were no injuries or tears, and there were plenty of eggs for everyone.


The only egg hunt casualty, I guess, was Christopher. We let the big kids out last, and as they gathered up the last of the eggs, Matt and I looked at each other and wondered, "Where's Christopher?" Turns out he was holed up inside the church playing video games, and missed the whole thing. Good thing his mom was in charge and saved some eggs for him.

Everyone's a Winner

Every year around the end of February, the scout leaders hand us a little box that has a wooden block on wheels and tell us it's almost Pinewood Derby time. The kids get all excited and moms (at least this one) envision their kitchens covered in sawdust, weights, and paints, because that's where dads and kids, apparently, enjoy working on the cars.

Matt had Christopher draw out the design he wanted, and Matt did the cutting. They painted together, and Christopher placed Pikachu, the driver. It wasn't the most aerodynamic vehicle, but it was certainly dynamic!

When I took Christopher's picture with his car, he said, "Is this going to be on the blog?"

Yep.

Making Fun

For the past week, Nate has been a little gloomy. His arm has been hurting, his cousins went back to Utah, and he can't do all the crazy things he usually does. He is not a kid who enjoys just sitting around.

So we've been trying to find activities for him that will cheer him up. On Saturday morning, we had Skyler, her cousins (all boys!), and Julie over for breakfast. Although Nate was a little hesitant at first, he warmed up to everyone and joined in the party.

Since Nate can't ride his bike and is forbidden to jump on a trampoline ever again, he has been going on frequent Jeep rides. He has learned to shift left-handed and drives very well with just one hand.

On Saturday afternoon, the boys and I hit the mall. Nate thoroughly enjoyed the carousel, riding in the "car" stroller, snacking on soft pretzels, and riding in the cars that cost a quarter. I got a little nervous when the kids went on the spinning teacup that was on the carousel, but Nate hung on with his left hand and laughed the entire time. The thing made me sick.Do you know the difference between a carousel and a merry-go-round? I do. I learned that on Saturday. Traditionally, a carousel turns counterclockwise, and a merry-go-round turns clockwise.

Who knew?

It's also supposed to be good luck to ride the black horse, which is the horse that Nate rode, and that's a good thing, because we need all the good luck we can get after last week!

A Festive Weekend

Until the unfortunate trampoline incident, we had a delightful weekend with our family!

Sam loved the weather, fresh air, Texas barbecue, and his nephews so very much that he is moving to Texas very, very soon. *


Oma loved the Texas weather, her grandchildren, and doing my laundry, but I can't seem to persuade her to move to Texas without Frank, and he won't move here.



Nancy loved wearing her spring clothes and the unique and fabulous shopping, but she won't leave her clients to move to Texas.


Elliott loves his Batman costume, our dog and cats, bacon, and Nater. He would move to Texas today, but his mom says I can't have him.


Harper loves her sunglasses, her backpack, shoes, and selecting items from the pantry for all-day grazing. Harper will go wherever her mom goes.


There are many more cute pictures for your viewing pleasure if you'll just click the image below to visit the Picasa web album:

Family Visit March 2007

* I am jumping the gun more than a little on Sam moving to Texas, but I'm not giving up hope!

The Reward

When Nate was at the hospital having a very rough time with his broken arm, we distracted him with talk of the shopping trip that would follow the hospital stay. At the time, he was certain he wanted a helicopter, but instead, he ultimately chose a green, flying, remote-controlled dragonfly.

Although he has a little trouble with the remote (it's a two-handed process), he has fun trying, and Christopher has been more than happy to help. Maybe a little too happy, actually. I had to remind him tonight that the dragonfly can't sleep in his bedroom, since it belongs to Nate. I think Christopher has already started saving his money to purchase one of his own.

Not the Birthday Gift I Wanted

We had a wonderful weekend with our family! Nate had so much fun with his cousins, we enjoyed eating out and eating in, and there has been much shopping and celebrating.

Monday was my birthday. We decided to all go to Dallas to find the gigantic, warehouse-sized Tuesday Morning, and pay a visit to the Crate and Barrel outlet, which is my favorite place. The kids were so good in the car and carts all day that we decided to reward them with a visit to the neighbors' trampoline.

Now, we don't have a tramp. I have always been scared of them since I fractured my ankle on one in fifth grade. But you should know this: if you don't have one of your own, but let your kids jump on the neighbors', it doesn't make trampolines any safer.

Nate was just walking across the tramp when he fell straight on his elbow, and when he started crying, I knew there was a problem, because he usually just hops up and brushes himself off and keeps on going. When Nancy and I felt his arm and saw it swelling, we rushed to the ER at Baylor.

We thought we'd just get a cast and move on, but alas, his humerus bone was fractured right at the bottom, which required surgery and pins. Nate and I spent the rest of my birthday night at the hospital, and came home the next day.

Luckily, Mom and Nancy were able to stay an extra day, and they cleaned up the house, did mucho laundry, and cooked for us all. Nate was very happy to have Elliott here to keep him company, and he cried when everyone went home this morning. Nate will be in a splint for about a month, which should slow him down for the first time ever.

Well, Look Who's Here!

My brother, Sam, arrived last night, and we have all today to hang out. And then ...

Tonight, my mom, my sister, Nancy, and her two kids, Harper and Elliott, fly in.

It's going to be a fun weekend!

Joyous Relocation

I have great news! Brent Hall, one of my most favorite friends of all time, is moving to Dallas!

He is going to work at the new Ritz-Carlton hotel, buy a fabulous (yet surprisingly affordable) loft in the Oak Lawn neighborhood, and spend every weekend shopping with me.

How-dee!



(I should add that it is slightly possible that I'm sort of counting my Hall chickens before they've hatched.)

In Just -- Spring

It's barely March, but spring seems to be sticking here in Texas! The pear trees are in bloom, the daffodils are showing their faces, and, most importantly for my kids, the ice cream truck is once again making its rounds.

And when they hear the ice cream truck's music in the neighborhood, you would think they'd never had ice cream before! There are mad screams of "Ice creeeeam truuuuuck!" and the dog always gets out and the kids are begging for cash. And then, they stand in front of the truck for far too long, unable to choose among all the delicacies.

In the top picture, that's Adam, Christopher's best friend, and that's Skyler, Nate's best friend, in the bottom picture. And that's right: Christopher and Adam are shoeless, because they couldn't be bothered to find shoes when the ice cream truck is here!