Shake it like you mean it baby!

My Nathan is a born entertainer. He loves to perform and last night he gave the performance of a lifetime. I laughed so hard my ribs hurt, I smiled so much my cheeks were sore and of course, I cried because my baby is growing up and I still haven't figured out how to make him stop.

Last night was his first ever school program.

After the introductions were done, the lights went dark and the kids sang Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" while pictures they drew were projected onto a large screen. I'm so thankful the lights were out because I cried so hard. I love that song and hearing little voices sing it tugs at the heart strings. Then they "juggled" scarfs to circus music. Nathan was so serious. And after he caught each one he would look up to see if we were watching. They twirled ribbons to some an Asian themed music which was really pretty. And then, the best was saved for the very last. The kids put on cowboy hats and danced to "Cotton Eye Joe." Oh my goodness, that whole gymnasium erupted into laughter. Those little bodies shimmy shakin' to the music was so hilarious. Hula hoops were brought out to swing around necks and waist. I've never seen Nathan's little hips move so fast in my life. I've never seen any one's hips move that fast, not even hula dancers! They even got to do some free style dancing of their very own. Nathan has been waiting for that all week. He loves to dance so he made up some break dancing/West side Story snapping fingers/river dance routine. Oh my. I can't even describe how funny it was. Brian and I laughed so hard we both had tears streaming down our faces. All my mom could do was say "that's my boy!" And my dad had the hardest time taking picture's because he was laughing so hard he was shaking the camera. After they were finished and the applause died down, Brandon yells out "Yea Bubba!" Nathan had the biggest smile on his face I've ever seen. That was the best night ever!

How do you feel today?

A little silly?

Or do you have an attitude?

Ice cream as big as your head

Nana and Papaw treated the boys and I to a wonderful afternoon a few days ago. To celebrate a whole week of good school behavior we spent the afternoon eating, playing and going out for ice cream. Nathan got a root beer float that was seriously as big as his head and he inhaled it faster than I could tell him to slow down. I looked at it when he first got it, turned my head to get Brandon settled with his ice cream, looked back at Nathan and it was gone. His eyes were glazed over from all the sugar and a big smile was smeared across his face. Brandon took a little longer to eat his but he finished every single bite. He got one scoop of strawberry ice cream in a dish. He used his spoon, a straw and then decided it was best to just pick up the dish and slurp it up. It was way too much ice cream for one little boy, but he was determined and finished it all. After he was done he rubbed his belly, moaned and smiled like he was in heaven. After the ice cream was devoured we headed over to the other side of the parlor, looked at Christmas decorations, the boys talked us into getting them some rock candy and little wooden tops. It was a great time. My parents and I laughed so hard watching the kids eat/inhale their treats. I don't know who had more fun, the boys or us.

Here again

Our computer is acting up again, that's why I haven't been able to post anything lately. So, while it's working (for the moment) this is what we've been up to.

Halloween was a blast. Nathan was a special ops Army soldier and Brandon was a magician. Nathan was so serious and Brandon wouldn't smile because of his painted on mustache.

Nathan has had some trouble at school. His little motor mouth is the trouble. Talking and laughing and joking around seems to be more important than learning right now. So, he's been grounded and almost didn't get to go trick-or-treating. Oh the horror!

Brandon had the croup a couple of weeks ago. He woke up one night with a cough that sounded like a seal barking and he was clawing at his mouth because he couldn't breath. I wrapped him up and was going to take him to the ER but once the cool night air hit him, he was just fine. We went to the dr's office the next day for some medicine and he's right as rain now.

Brian has completely healed from having his appendix taken out and is back to work putting all those bad guys in jail.

And I'm the proud owner of a few more gray hairs. Lucky me.

That's been our life.

Oct 7th, D-day for Daddy

Brian turned 37 today.
No balloons or fancy parties. Just cinnamon rolls and handmade cards from the boys.
Brian doesn't like any fuss or attention directed toward him. If he could sleep all day long and not have anyone mention his birthday, that would be just fine.
But the boys could not let that happen. Brandon sang Happy Birthday over and over. Nathan kissed him and told him that he doesn't look old. He received phone calls and cards. His mom made him a great dinner and Kelila flashed her gorgeous smile at him. The guys that he works with even decided to have "man night" tonight in his honor.
Turning 37 isn't so bad, now is it honey? At least you don't look old!

I Spy

Nathan has always loved to play I Spy. He has some I Spy books, he has watched the cartoon and we play it in the car, at home or on our walks around the neighborhood. It's how I taught Nathan his colors, shapes, numbers and letters. Now Brandon is starting to fall in love with the game. He hasn't quite grasped the concept of it though. He understands when I ask him to find something blue, he looks for something blue. But when it is his turn to ask me to find something, he blurts out what the object actually is. He'll say "I spy my white socks" or "I spy my red cup." It cracks me up. At least he knows his colors and shapes. Now if he could just identify his letters and numbers we'd be golden. I spy with my little eye future geniuses!

Finally, the weekend!

This week has been a little hectic. Tuesday Brian woke up and didn't feel that great. He went to work anyway but a few hours later he was on his way to the hospital. Now, if Brian goes to the doctor for anything, it's because he thinks he may be dying. So when he called and said he was going to the hospital I was sure he was a goner. He told me he thought it was his appendix but wasn't sure so he was going to go get checked out. Four hours later it was confirmed that his appendix was the cause of his tummy ache and surgery was scheduled for sometime the next morning. I hate when they say "sometime" the next morning. That's a twelve hour period! At 6am the next morning Brian called to tell me they would be taking him back for surgery within the hour. The boys and I were out the door 15mins later (everyone dressed, hair combed, toys and snacks packed, and waffles in hand) and on our way the hospital. We get there, race up to his floor just to find out we missed him by two minutes. But the lovey nurse called the other lovey nurse and told her to wait so we could see him for a few minutes. We got to see Brian before surgery, kissed him, hugged him and told him we love, love, love him. 45 minutes later the doctor came out to the waiting room and told us Brian was just fine. He appendix did not burst, it was just a little inflamed and he should be able to go home the next day. Sigh of relief and a hallelujah was heard around the room.
While Brian was in recovery, the boys and I raced back home. I got Nathan ready for school, fed the dogs and let them out, took Nathan to school, then Brandon and I went back to the hospital to welcome Brian back from la-la land.
A day later with a few stitches and pain medicine in hand, we were bringing Brian back home. He's a little slow on his feet and a little cranky (that's pretty normal for him anyway!) but feeling better.
Brian has some of the greatest friends and family on this earth. They called me to make sure the boys and I were ok, the guys he works with sat with him at the hospital when I had to go home to take care of the boys, my parents and our neighbors offered to watch the boys or take Nathan to school for me if needed. I can't tell you how wonderful it feels to know that we have such amazing people in our lives. Thank you all!