Shadow

This is how the boys found Shadow this morning. With a lollipop and a Pixie Stick. The boys thought it was pretty funny. Thanks for the idea Amy! ;-)

Gobble. Gobble.

Happy Thanksgiving! I was off all week so it was great to spend the time with my babies. On Thanksgiving Day, we had a nice dinner at Mama and Papi's house. The boys begged us to let them wear "what Daddy wears to work". We let them, but then they asked my dad and my brother to do the same. Cole was SO excited to see them in their ties.  On Friday, we went to Pointe West in Galveston for 2 nights. Nana and Pops had rented a beach house for the week. It has become a fun tradition to do that every Thanksgiving. It's nice to get away and have a change of scenery, especially a beach. The boys had a ton of fun! I love watching how much fun the 4 cousins have when they are together.  Cole and Reid also went fishing with Joe and Pops for about 4 hours. Joe said they were awesome and they actually caught fish. The boys were so excited to tell me that they saw tons of dolphins swimming by the boat. Cole told me "they were so close that I could even see their eye!!!".

Up until a couple of years ago, I used to get a little stressed over the holidays. I think I got overwhelmed at all the going and doing, the shopping and craziness of the holidays. The past 2-3 years I haven't felt the least bit of stress. It's only been relaxing and fun and I hope it stays that way. It may have to do with the fact that the boys are getting so much easier and their schedules are actually flexible now.  

So, the countdown has begun; 27 days until Christmas Eve (when we begin our Christmas celebration). Shadow (our Elf on the Shelf) arrives from the North Pole tomorrow. His flight was a little delayed due to holiday travel... ;-) The boys are excited to see him for the 3rd year. 

Have a great week!

I posted this one on Facebook, but I had to post it on here for Mamina and anyone else that doesn't have a Facebook account!! :)

Too much food for Papi on Thanksgiving Day? His tie only lasted through dinner. :)

Daddy and Reid caught Flounder.

Joe caught a 21 inch Flounder and Reid caught one that was 16 inches.  He reeled it in all by himself, too! I wish we had a video of it! 

Proud. :)

The 4 cousins. I love this picture. 

Turtle Thursday

On my sister's boyfriends Harley.

I'm Sorry.

Will you please accept these as an apology for not writing or posting pictures????

My baby always brings me flowers.

I’m back! I’ve had some issues with my laptop and honestly, been so busy that even if my laptop had been working I would not have been able to post an entry. Cole has been doing really well in Kindergarten. We recieved his first Report Card and his course grades are all E's and E+. We are very proud of his grades. His conduct grade, on the other hand is an S.............He talks too much in class. I hope we can fix that very soon! A couple of months ago, he began reading very short, level 1 sentences. He is now reading *almost* everything. It's incredible. Joe and I are simply amazed at how well he is doing in that department! Reid is loving his new school, friends and his teacher. I think it’s so cute that he calls her Miss “BeFany”, not Miss Bethany. :) He came home the other day and said “Listen. Listen. Elllleephhannt”. He was showing us that he could say “elephant” instead of “ephelant”. Funny that with Cole we worked to teach him how to say a word properly because we were “worried” about his speech (first time parents sort of thing). With Reid, we just think it’s adorable and know that they will learn how to say words properly in their time. For now, I just LOVE hearing him say his funny little words.

Reid started and ended his first season of soccer after 2 games and 3 practices. He loves the sport and is exceptionally good at it, but the minute the team arrived at the field, he would just shut down. We encouraged him to play and Joe spent 2 games out on the field with him, but he refuses to play. We’ll try again next year. Cole’s soccer season has been great. He has scored several awesome goals, including one to tie the game with 1 minute remaining. It’s so fun to watch his games!

Reid and I flew to Peru with my mom to visit my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins for a week. Joe stayed with Cole in order to keep him in school. We were sad that they didn’t get to go, but Reid and I had a WONDERFUL time! My grandpa isn’t doing well, so I felt I needed to see him and wanted to be there for my mom. It’s so hard to watch those you love, age. :( I hate it. Reid fell in love with Peru. The fact that he was spoiled ROTTEN by everyone *may* have something to do with it. The kid was getting candy, cakes, donuts and toys every 2 hours (I’m not kidding either). The earliest he went to bed was 11pm (normal bed time is 7:30pm!!). He had a blast. On several occasions, he told me “I like Peru. Can we come back?”. One night, when laying in bed with him, he told me “mommy, you are my best friend”. My heart melted and then I realized that he just thought I was cool for allowing him to stay up late and get spoiled.  :) Oh and let me mention one thing about flying with a child. I felt like I received red carpet treatment. I would compare it to when one is pregnant; everyone opens your door, gives up chairs, allows you to cut in line etc… I got wine in the plane for free, in customs we got to cut in line and Reid got extra food in the plane. One of the flight attendants kept checking in on him and talking to him. Reid thought he was the pilot. :)


The holidays are coming up (can’t wait!), which means our lives won’t be getting less busy any time soon. This won’t help me keep my promise to update more often, but I will try. If anything, I will at least post pictures.


We have some news to share and will do so very soon! No, I'm not pregnant. :-)

Taking Papapa for a walk. Spring time in Peru was perfect.

My mom and Mamama at the Regata's Club for lunch by the beach.

With my Mamina.  

 e

Marice and Reid looking for crabs.

With my baby. We ate the BEST seafood everyday. I gained 4lbs....

   

Reid's first dinosaur exhibit.

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GRRRRRRR



Salud! Dinner at my grandparent's house, the night Reid and I flew back.

 

2 Ninja's and 2 Percy's.

My cute little nephews and the Ninja's (Will, Reid, Cole and Matt).

Felicity and Cole. They are in the same soccer team.



Reid, his girlfriend Charleze, her sister Felicity and Cole.



New Beginings

We took one more little trip to the beach (Matagorda Bay) two weekends before school started. Our friends the Hastings' invited us and the Knott's for a weekend getaway. It was hot, even for the beach, but we had a great time! The boys reeeeaaaallly do love the sand and ocean like their mommy and daddy. I love to watch them have so much fun.


My babies.





Cooper and Reid. They are such good buds, that they almost treat each other like siblings!





Helping Cole fly a kite.



The 2 Cole's. Cole Hastings and Cole Rentfro.

 Today, Cole started Kindergarten and Reid started a new Pre-K school. Last Friday, we had Cole's "Meet the Teacher". As we walked into the school, I could feel Cole become increasingly anxious and very clingy (something he has never been!). His Teacher's name is Mrs. Shea. She seems like the sweetest person. As she knelt down to greet Cole, I thought Cole was going to cry. His voice was cracking and he kept rubbing his eye, but he didn't cry. He responded to all of her questions like a big boy but seemed very nervous.  Later, Cole asked me "where is my cubbie? Oh wait- I don't have to take a nap now, right?" I said, "No, you don't. You are a big boy now". He had a look of shock in his eyes and said "I don't have to nap even when I get to high school???" :) Within seconds, he became friends with a little boy in his class. Before we left, he walked up to his teacher, tapped her on the back and said "Bye Mrs Shae. See you on Monday". As we were walking out of the class he told me "I make friends very easy". I thought it was cute that he used "easy" instead of "easily", but regardless, the confidence in this boy amazes me. Today, Cole was not the least bit nervous. When we left him in the classroom, he didn't even look back at us. I lingered and watched from the door, took pictures and even got teary eyed- but he never looked for us. I felt such mixed feelings. 99% of me was SO happy to see him grow, gain his independence and watch him feel proud of his accomplishments. Buttttttttttt, there was this itsy itsy itsy bitsy selfish part of me, that wants him to still need me. :-) School ends at 3:15pm, so I arrived at the school at 2:45pm in order to get in front of the car pool line (so much for the "front of the line). Reid and I sat in this line for an 1 hour and 3 minutes from the moment we arrived until I buckled him in and drove away. I will never forget the little look in his face as he walked up to the car. He looked proud and sheepish all at the same time. SO CUTE! We hugged and kissed like we hadn't seen each other in days.

Reid started his new Pre-K today as well. My little boy has been so happy and ready to start "big boy school". He woke up in a great mood and was ready to leave from the moment he woke up. He was cheesing for all of the pictures I took this morning. Joe, Cole and I took Reid to drop him off first. As we walked into the school, Reid walked around like he owned the place. The minute we walked into his class, things changed. He went from happy and confident to concerned and very reserved. He cried a lot when we left. :( As soon as we got in the car, Joe called the school and luckily he was done crying- but still! I really hope it's not as hard tomorrow. It made us so sad. I picked him up at 2:30pm and he was happy as can be. Miss Bethany said he was wonderful. She seems very nice and Reid really likes her already. She said that the first hour, he stayed close to her but then ventured on his own. He told me about his friends Parker and Mathew. There are only 7 kids in his class on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and Miss Bethany has an assistant so I'm certain he will get plenty of one on one time. This school even has a Hand/Finger scanner (used for identification purposes) that you have to use in order to enter the school. So far, we are very pleased with his new school.

After their first day, I asked Tara, Matt and Will to meet us at Tutti Frutti for yogurt (and a million toppings). It was a perfect ending to a great day!


Reid's first day of Pre-K



Walking to Reid's class (when he still owned the place....) :)

Daddy walking me into my elementary school.



Cole on his first day of Kindergarten.



Hugs. :)



Before entering the Kindergarten section of the school.

The 4 couisins at Tutti Frutti.

I hope all of our baby friends that have started school, have a great school year! May all of the memories you make this year, make you happy and I hope they last a lifetime!
xoxo~