AND HERE'S THE PROOF

I told you the kids started back to school. We had a pretty good first week. Colson never seemed super excited about anything but told everyone he really liked it. At home every night he was very moody! He gets that from his daddy FOR SURE!! One minute he would say he had an ok day. The next hour he would comment that it was the worst day of his life followed an hour later by he had such a great day because he loves to learn. By Thursday I was just laughing at every comment instead of trying to figure him out. He did catch a cold the first day so I'm thinking he's not feeling his usual self although he's still acting like a maniac at home.

Everything went great in Calli's classes but here's the real proof that school is back in session and we did nothing thought provoking over the summer.....Calli had 8 multiplication problems for homework today and she missed 5 of them. So let the school year begin.....

And while Calli is in "la la" land and in denial of knowing her math facts, Colson is Mr. Studious. I asked him tonight if he got to hang out with Karson (his buddy) during class any. He looked at me funny and said "No". I then prodded further asking if he even talked to Karson during class. "No mom, you get your chart marked if you talk. You can't even whisper. I am focused on my work mom." So I then said, "Oh, well you must really like recess then so you can play and run and catch up with all your friends?" To which he replied, "Yea...recess is ok. I just really like to be focused on my work." WHO IS THIS KID?

IT'S OFFICIAL

We made it official today as we entered AR Turner to start our 2010-2011 school year....I now have a FIRST and FIFTH grader. This is the only year that I will have both kids in the same school. So I'm counting on this being an easy logistical year.

Both slept good. Colson had his normal routine of climbing into our bed somewhere in the middle of the night and kicking me through the early morning as he was laughing hysterically in his sleep. Wish I had that dream! He did a few jumping jacks to wake himself up and he was ready! Ready for school that is...not to take silly pictures of him. Of course he was ready first so I tried to take pictures of him in front of the door. It was there he informed me that I didn't have to walk him in this morning. I assured him that I didn't mind doing it and I would like to. He in return assured me that he knew where he was going and he didn't need me to walk him in. I told him too bad because I was walking Calli in and then I snapped this shot.

And it's the best I got at the house. Of course Calli was super model for me. We curled her hair this morning and she was all smiles.

When we got to school Colson tried to walk ahead of us but we caught up to him. I got a few shots of Colson where he had gotten over the whole "I don't want my mom with me" and was all smiles.

We headed to Calli's class and snapped a first day picture with her teacher (she has 4 but this is her main one). Conroe peeps...recognize the teacher in this picture? It's Season B. (I don't know how to spell her maiden name but it sounds like Boobiare). Anyways...Calli is super excited to have her.

I left them all smiles and I picked them up all smiles and a hole in Colson's shirt....random I know.  I was so excited to hear about their day. Colson said "it was goood. Can you turn on the movie?" Of course I made him tell me more than just that. He said it was the best day of his life because it's so fun to learn. I'm pretty sure they just learned the rules today so I'm not sure how long this enthusiasm will last. With a teacher like Mrs. Hurst though....he'll have many more greatest days of his life. Calli had a great day too but is even more excited for tomorrow when they get to rotate classes. She's already asked for a new binder though...ugh!  

Here's the picture of Mrs. Hurst and Calli when she started 1st grade in 2006. Colson was just 2.

And here they are today....

Wow time flies!

SOME DAYS ARE JUST HARD

And today was one of those days for Colson. I think he was a little anxious about tomorrow...our first day of school. It's no more PDS, we are headed to BIG school. He tried to run away twice. And I let him...kinda.I was warned last night that this might happen. He told me of his plan when I asked him about his packed suitcase and backpack. I told him that he couldn't leave because I needed him. I went through all the reasons I needed him and he gave me a blank stare. So today when he started out the door I let him.  The first time I let him get to the neighbors yard where he paused under a tree and I went after him on the Rhino. He said I would have to pick him up and put him in because he was headed to England. And so I did. The second time I think he was headed back when I came out the front door so he started running the other way. I told him the cops would come after him and take him to jail as a runaway and then they'd come find me and I really don't feel like going to jail today. I captured the picture above as he headed out the door on his first run away attempt. I told him I needed a last picture to remember him by and he kindly paused for a picture with a smile. Notice he has no shoes on.

After his first attempt he told me he was worried that noone would like him. I assured him that he would be a class favorite just as he always is and if he would just act himself, he'd gain lots of friends.

I snuck his suitcase away to see what was inside and had to hold back the laughter so he wouldn't hear me from the other room. He packed 4 pair of plaid shorts, 3 shirts and 2 pair of cleets. No underwear. And only one shirt matched any of the shorts but hey he's a boy.

In the front pocket he had tucked away the picture of him, Calli and Hudson along with his glove and three pair of socks, one of which was a pair of baseball knee socks. Maybe he thought he could make it big as an England baseball player. Do they even have baseball?

He also had a backpack on his back that housed his bank full of money...or the little he had. A little of his fear was subsided when he went to meet the teacher tonight and found out he has Mrs. Hurst who we LOOOOOVVVVEEEEE! (Although we had two great options this year and either one would have put a smile on our face). And his buddy Karson is in his class. YEA!!!

Calli got the homeroom teacher she wanted with all of her clowns in there. What an interesting year this will be. So it's off to school in the morning and off to a routine. Oh how I love routines!

BACK TO REALITY

Last week was party week at my house. I guess it was in good timing since beginning tomorrow, my lazy days as I've known them will come to a screeching halt as we head back to school. So Monday we had Bunco at my house. Yes I'm in a Bunco group and to be honest, I really don't like Bunco. I mean it's not the worst game in the world, but I have others that rank higher in the "like" list. But it's not about the game of Bunco...it's about GREAT prizes! Just Kidding...it's about the cool group of dice rolling fools that play the game with me. I love this group of gals and it's fun getting together with them once a month.

And then Tuesday was my mom's birthday. No celebrating on that day though. Wednesday Shellie, Robyn, Stephanie and Lisa (Bardwell...a fun addition to this get together) came over for one last Hoorah! with all our kids. No pictures of the moms...as promised, but I did capture some of the kids all playing nicely.

All together now...Awwww. Isn't John so sweet?

In previous get togethers Calli has always been outnumbered so this time she had her own friend. Michaela was all smiles!

I'm not sure that mechanical engineering will be in any of their futures.

Steele and Jordan hanging out on the float

Something was a little off this day for Colson. I don't know what it was but he spent very little time in the pool hanging with the big boys. Instead he would coerce a few at a time inside to play with him. Jay must have had a weak moment and cratered into Colson's plea to come play. Next thing you know they are trampsing across the next lot over hoping to not be spotted. Colson was decked out in his camo...head to foot. Long sleeve, heavy pants, backpack that looked like it weighed 20 pounds and flip flops! And they weren't even matching at that.  

I guess Colson didn't have any camo to share with Jay but convinced them he still wouldn't be seen in his bright yellow shirt because he was creeping behind Colson on their secret mission.

Thursday Colson celebrated his best bud Karson's birthday during the day and then we all joined them that night for dinner. We love this kid!

Friday was my sister's birthday and the day we celebrated Scott's, my moms and Stina's. All in one party. We enjoyed an evening hanging out in the pool, shooting bows (the boys), a yummy dinner and of course the cake eating festivities. Calli and I made the cakes and Calli decorated them. This one was for Stina and Scott and she left no room for Happy Birthday. She didn't know I wanted that on there.

For Grammies present from Calli and Colson, they made her the longest picture in the world. Straight from the movie Ramona and Beezus (which by the way is one of the cutest movies I've seen in a LONG time). They drew and wrote things that Grammie liked. Colson started adding things that he liked which in turn irritated his sister but it was darling none the less. I thought it was very creative. The funny part is that my mom can't throw anything away. So where will she put this 20+ foot long picture?

TO US SHE'S STINA!

So I was a few minutes late in celebrating my mom's birthday (blog style) so I'll be a few minutes early in celebrating my sister's birthday (blog style). Yep...we have lots of big days these last 2 weeks because we also had my brother in laws birthday last week. And I didn't even celebrate it at all (blog style) because it came and went without me knowing. I blame it all on facebook. If he was on facebook I would have known...just kidding! I should have known I know.

But that's not really what this post is about! My sister turns 28 tomorrow (Friday) and she deserves the greatest day ever! She's a great sister! An amazing friend! An unbelievable mom and wife! If I had a wish to change one thing about her....I don't know of one thing I would change. She's the smarter, nicer more talented Murdock for sure!

My kids ADORE her and I acuse Wes of liking her more than me at times. I am so blessed to have her live so close to me and so thankful that we get to see her regularly.

Happy Birthday Stina! We love you!

SHE'S A POET

Written by Calli Grace Schubert, Age 10

God's Creations
Sprakling dew scattered across the grass
Sun goes up, sun goes down
I wish time never passed
People who are friends
Friends who run and jump and play
These are some of the things God gives us every day.
Rain or snow, happy or sad
God is with you to keep you glad
God loves you with all his heart
and I hope you love him to
So let your light shine for Jesus
Since He did all that for you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

Ok so I'm 14 minutes late in posting this but better late than never right? Today (or yesterday since it's past midnight) my mother celebrates her 59th birthday. And thanks to Facebook I know that she's 59 (insert gasp from Shellie that I wouldn't have known my mother's age if it weren't for facebook). She looks delightfully young and if I didn't know my own age, I would have totally thought that facebook had it wrong.

If you are a mother, you know how much you sacrifice. If you are a mother you know how much you do with very little appreciation. If you are a mother you know how much you want the very best for your children. And my mother is no different from any other...except she's a lot better!

Mom....for all the blood, sweat and tears you poured into my life (and all those around you), a million thank you's could never show enough appreciation. Happy Birthday! I love you and hope you had a great day!

THIS IS PURE PLAGERISM

My sister posted this cute little post on her blog the other day and I just stole it. I would normally just put a link to her blog but then when I go to print mine in book format, this post would be left out because it wouldn't copy the story from her blog to print in my book...got it?

Anyways, last Friday night Colson was ELATED to spend the evening with Hudson and even more excited to be so close to Scott and Christina that he could kick them all night. Here's her post....

Last Friday, after we had recovered by our Fun Friday Adventure, we went and picked Colson up for a summertime sleepover. I really only took 3 pictures because keeping up with these two boys wore me out!!


We started out our evening with some pizza...

Show me some MUSCLES!!

Then after lots of chasing (one on the plasma car, one on foot), and LOTS of laughing, it was time for Hudson to head off to bed. We tried to convince him to snuggle with us while we settled in for a movie, but we quickly learned that as long as Hudson was out of his bed, he wanted to be running! So off to bed he went!

We popped some popcorn and settled in for the movie (FYI - when you buy a Pay-Per-View movie, unlike a Dish on Demand movie, the movie starts whereever it happens to be at as it plays throughout the day.) Because of this annoying fact, we watched the last 3rd of the movie, and then watched the movie from start to finish. When the movie was over, I was already asleep, but Colson whispered to Scott, "Scott, I'm so comfortable, I could fall asleep here if I had to..." (We had planned on him sleeping in the guest room, but I had been warned that he might meander his way back into our room by the end of the night). Long story short, he ended up just staying in our bed, which meant that halfway thru the night, I ended up headed off to the guest room! Our queen just isn't big enough for two adults and one very active 7 year old!

The next day, Colson and Scott woke up at the crack of dawn (7!!), and Hudson very quickly followed suit (so unlike him on a Saturday!) - he was just too excited knowing that Colson was here! Scott and Colson went fishing for a few hours while Hudson and I hung out at home. Then there was lots more laughing and chasing and eating of home smoked ribs, and then it was time to take Colson back home.

Sweet kisses

We had a great time with our favorite boy cousin! Can't wait to do it again!

Note from Stephanie: Can you tell that they adore one another. Colson really digs this kid and he can't wait to show him how to shoot a gun (his words)...uh oh!

NOT MY KIND OF COMPANY

"Mama, we've got visitors!"

IT'S ON!

So cheer is in full swing. We tried out at the end of March and started practices 2 weeks later based  on the "work out" teams they qualified for. While the two practices a week weren't mandatory through the end of July and while I thought we would only go once a week, Calli wanted to go....she loves it! So we only missed the few times we were out of town. They finalized the teams in mid July and NOW we've hit mandatory. Coreography started a couple of weeks ago which calls for extra practices. And last weekend we had a 5 hour team bonding activity with a 4 hour practice before that. It was encouraged for parents (or psycho cheer moms) to attend the team bonding activity. I don't know about you but I don't need 5 hours to bond with people. And in this case I only needed about 15 minutes to figure out that I didn't need to bond with any of them. I'm being harsh, there were some really nice moms and only one that really annoyed me.

But here's what I learned about our team. We have one girl who came from Prodigy, a competitor of ours and resided in Cypress. "Oh great, what brought you over here?" I asked. "Cheer" she replied. She said she got tired of watching Woodlands Elite kick their rear ends so she got her husband to come look at the gym and she talked him into it. I was kinda chuckling not quite knowing what to say so I asked "so you drive from Cypress? How far is that?" "Oh no," she said, "we moved here to The Woodlands. And next week we are moving our business offices." And if that isn't bad enough, she has an 8th grade son that she uprooted to come along with them. He thinks his life is over and is NOT happy and she was laughing as she told us. Well of course he's NOT happy! I laughed under my breath, "I hope we do good this year."

And then there is a team of sisters on the team who are two of our fliers. They are also double teaming. Which means they are a flier for our team as well as another team (this is sometimes done with fliers). They come from Katy. And because they are on two teams and their other team is not the same team, they are there every night from Sunday-Thursday. Did I mention they come from Katy? That's like an hour drive one way. They were on Cheer Nation last year, another competitor. For the sake of these 3 girls, I really hope it's a good year.

Calli loves her routine so far but they aren't through with it yet. In the part they have coreographed so far, she's front and center...that's my girl! It's fun to see her excel at something she really likes.

THIS IS A SILLY BAND

They come in all shapes and sizes and you buy them by the package. You can buy beach themed, sports themed, princess themed, animals....anything imaginable. If you know anyone from age 3 to 16 that you just want to make smile, buy them a package of silly bands.

This is what they look like on. Calli has seen girls with them all the way to their elbows. I put them on for this picture (don't laugh) and they were quite restricting. But then again, my wrist is probably a little bigger than your average sillly band wearer.

Now, if you want to buy a gift for Colson that will make him smile, you need to buy him a video camera. He asked for one yesterday. Why? SO HE CAN CATCH THE PERSON WHO IS STEALING HIS SILLY BANDS. Colson, I would bet it is a girl who's wrist their intended to be on.

SPLISH SPLASH IT WAS A HUDSON BASH

The day before we packed up our belongings for the much cooler (in all senses of the word) parts of California, we had to watch Hudson blow out his birthday candles and celebrate at his big party. Hudson's 2nd birthday was celebrated with all things water. And Hudson loved everything but the water! He enjoyed watching everyone else splish and splash and act like a fool as they tried to talk him into doing it. I love the way he just stares at you like he's trying to telepath his thoughts to you. He was telepathing to me that he didn't care to get in any water and it was his party so he could do what he wanted.

He spent most of his time eating pizza and he was quite content with that. He enjoyed the bubbles too but not near as much as Colson.

Instead of saying cheese it looks like they were all saying Boo or Bye or Belly or Brain. I know this isn't the best picture but I think it's so sweet of Hudson.

And as typical two year olds do....he didn't dig the present thing but he was totally into the cake.