Proud of Our 2 Turtle Monkeys

I keep forgetting to write about this... Just like every parent, we are always proud of our 2 Turtle Monkeys, but recently just a little more. :)  Primarily, I want to document this on the blog for them to read when they are big.

About 2 months ago, we received 2 letters from a GT Placement Counselor from Cole's elementary school regarding Reading and Math. They felt that he "has shown an exceptional affinity for math and reading...We are looking at moving ahead into the 2nd grade curriculum. In the fall, you may choose for your child to test out of 2nd grade math and reading and move ahead into 3rd grade classes".

Reid's pre-school tests each child with the "Brackens School Readiness Assessment-3" twice during the year. This test is supposed to assess academic readiness by evaluating their understanding of foundational concepts.  Well, our little Turtle fell in the 90th percentile, which falls in the "Advanced" classification. Of course, we made a big deal and our little one just smiled. We could feel how proud he felt. He is ready for Kinder and he cant' wait to go "where Cole goes to school". I'm not ready for him to move into big boy school, but I'm happy because he is!

Weekend Fun!

What a great weekend! Friday night, we went to a Rangers game. The night ended with a cool fireworks show! On Saturday morning, we had a Dentist appointment and the boys made it out without a cavity again. Later, Cole and Reid had their first slumber party with school buds. We've had about a hundred with the Simmons' and Knott's- but those don't really count. They are like family. Today, the boys each had their closest school friend spend the night. They came over, played soccer, swam, ate some pizza and watched a movie. They were so cute. I love (and hate) to sit back and watch them be little people. They are growing up so fast and it's definitely bittersweet.


We are getting REALLY excited about this weekend. We are heading to the Hill Country (Boerne/Comfort area) to visit Tara, Mike and the boys. We will be there for Memorial Weekend and will get to relax poolside with them for a couple of days. We'll even get to see the Simmons' for a day!

I feel so thankful lately. I have the best family and friends!

Ringing the bell at the Dentist's office

Reid, photo bombing Cole and Cale

Reid and John

Posers

Chill time

Back to the Medieval Times.

Every year, we let the boys pick what they want to do for their birthday. We allow them to chose between having a party at home, having a party at a location of their choice or just going somewhere to celebrate. Reid's #1 (and only) choice of what to do for his 5th Birthday?? Go back to Medieval Times for dinner (AGAIN). We tried to persuade him to pick something else since that is what he chose for his 4th Birthday- but there was NO CHANGING this 5 year old's mind.  After his Birthday last year, he told us he wanted to have his 5th Birthday there again. I just knew he would change his mind, but I was wrong. I love how assertive, determined, intelligent and sweet my little artist boy is! 

Nana and Pops came up to visit him the weekend before his birthday and then Mama and Papi came up  the weekend of his birthday! I think he thinks his birthday celebration is still in full effect, today. :)

Happy Birthday song to a Belgian waffle the morning of his birthday. 

I ADORE THIS FACE WITH ALL OF  MY BEING!

Where Did February, March and April Go?

Where have the months gone? They are all a blur. As always, we continue to stay too busy.
We spent the week of Spring Break in March in Cloudcroft, New Mexico with the Knotts. We knew we would have fun and that the sites would be pretty. But we definitely didn't expect it to be as pretty or as fun! The boys got a taste of a 10 hour road trip. Joe and I agree that they handled the car ride as well as adults. They were so good!  It was so neat to see the changes in terrain and temperature. When we left, it was warm, sunny and as always- no snow. By the time we got to New Mexico, we had cool temps, sun and snow. The locals told us they were surprised at the weather because it had been 80 the day before. We got lucky in getting to experience snow with kids because we certainly weren't expecting it that late in the year.
We stayed in our cabin in Cloudcroft for 6 nights and we headed to Ski Apache for skiing. Lisa, Kevin and Joe skied while I stuck around the bunny slopes. The 4 kids attended ski school all day and I think they enjoyed it! I must have looked funny hiding behind trees watching them. I just think that babies in ski clothes are adorable, especially when they are ours!
All of our time was spent out doors sledding, skiing, exploring. It was such a FUN little break! Hoping our kids don't think it's the norm to go on week long vacations like Disney and New Mexico in less than a 4 month span!!!

Our view with a glass of vino = perfect evening!

These next two pictures explain EXACTLY why I love to watch my boys experience new things! Their faces. It was so AWESOME to see these little faces smile and laugh like this the entire time!!!

Hopefully, the Knotts never get tired of vacationing with us. We love it and so do our boys! :)

They LOVED the snow!

Serious business. The look on Cooper's face, should tell you how fast they are going. 

I wish I had caught the wipe-out!

My little "Bay Watch" boy. :)

Cole at Ski school.

Reid caught me spying on them!

On the gondola at Ski Apache, New Mexico. Breathtaking, even for the boys!

Making s'mores!

Check out the colors of the sky after sunset!

Sweetest pic of Coop eating a s'more!

These were in White Sands,  New Mexico. This place is used as a MISSILE RANGE! Yes, we could FEEL the missiles as they launched them. Very cool! Another unexpectedly FUN FUN place! 

I think the kids were a little scared before the Daddies jumped over them!

Here are 2 videos of the boys sledding. The videos make it seem like they are going slow and the hill doesn't look steep, but they are hauling butt! We did this for hours and hours 3 of the days. Hooked, forever!

Here is a video of Reid sledding: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLpaezfDHUM

Cole sledding:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1DwvKMhs9s

I will post pictures of Reid's birthday sometime this week.  Hopefully you aren't too annoyed at the fact that I *ALMOST* posted the hundreds of pictures that we have from the trip. Have a great week!