Happy Valentine's Day!

I have to say, I'm one lucky lady!! I am having an amazing Valentine's Day with four boys! What else could a girl ask for?

My sweet, 11 month old!, baby.

To make things even better, I got the best gift of all! A picture, that is almost perfect, of all three boys!! I might get those change of address cards done yet!

The boys got to open a few little gifts and then we all went out to lunch together and then went and piddled around at Market Street for a while. It has been a perfect day!

Matt and the big boys!

Daddy and all of his boys...

Opening presents...how cute is Cade in this picture?

The boys had their Valentine's Day parties at school yesterday.

Big fun! Cade's class dipped fruit and pretzels in chocolate.

Carson's class had a scavenger hunt! They ran all over the school hunting for stuff.I have to share this little thing that Cade did. He HATES princesses. The worst put-down that the boys can call one another is "princess". Those are fighting words! Well, the top valentine in his can had a princess on it. HE FREAKED. Screaming, crying, the whole bit!! "I don't like princesses!! WHY would they give me a princess valentine??" He wouldn't even touch the sucker that was attached to it! Carson wasn't scared...he ate it right up!

And some pictures of the boys being silly last night after bath in their new jammies from PJ and Pops.

We hope that everyone is having a great Valentine's Day with their sweeties!!

February Fun

Well, first off in the line of fun, I took Cade in for a new round of allergy testing yesterday. This poor little guy is having a tough time! We have got to get to the bottom of what is causing this and making him so sick, so that we can avoid it. Anyway, they did the back prick test where they stuck him with four pannels of needles and waited to see how he reacted. Well, see for yourself: AWFUL. Dogs and Cats are off the chart with him. Everything is ranked from 0 - 4. Those where well above the 4...so big that they were running together. No pets for the Mitchell house anytime soon!! Ragweed was another huge one, as well as Oak, Ash and Pecan trees (yeah, we just moved to The Woodlands...great). We also have a new food allergy: Corn. I didn't know that he had that food allergy, so we're now learning how to avoid corn and it, like egg, is in everything. The corn was his lowest registered allergy - 3. The grasses all registered in the 4 range too. So, we know why he has been so miserable. We obviously, can't keep him away from trees and grass, all of the time, but we are doing all that we can to avoid the pets and food allergies. I am meeting back with the allergist next week to come up with a game plan and to see if we need to do more testing.

In other news, T-Ball is gearing up here at ORWALL. Matt and I were going to try to skate this year, since we are new to the area, have 3 boys under 5, it is tax season for me, Matt volunteers at the rodeo non stop in Feb/March, Aunt Jen is getting married, and well, we're freakin' busy! NO such luck. Apparently, there were too many kids, they formed more teams and now Matt is the official coach. I tried to pawn off this team mom job, but there were no takers, so GUESS WHO is in charge? I had to go to a meeting last night to get the low-down on it all and Carson said to me, "Why do you have to go to a team mom meeting? To learn how to pass out snacks?". That's going down in the history books for him! Snacks, my A$$! I just spent almost an hour and a half drafting an email to send out with forms, dates, and everything else you can imagine. NUTTY. On top of that, I had to take Cannon to the doctor on Monday...double ear infection. Carson played sick yesterday and I took him to the pediatrician, only to feel like a fool. He's fine! Then Cade's allergy test. Oh, and I have a "real" job too, that is kind of demanding this time of year. STRESS.

Today, we worked on making some valentine's gifts for the boys' teachers...nothing big, but something to show that we aren't slackers. I kept hearing all of my friends talking about these great crafts they were making, so I had to do something! We made these chocolate dipped spoons for coffee and wrapped them up nice and cute. Here is a work in progress:

And my two cute helpers, yes, we moved on to dipping pretzels (okay, and strawberries too.).Here is Cannon in Matt's cowboy hat the other night.And a couple of pictures of my little stinkers before putting all three of them to bed at 7:00 tonight! They were being downright awful after no naps today (and maybe a tad bit too much sugar) and I had that team mom thing to deal with (and Matt has a rodeo meeting and Nilza is sick).This picture makes me smile! Cannon loves to crawl on the bottom trundle bed and lay on the pillow whenever it is out. He SO wants to be a big boy!! Not much longer...

Little update!

I have been a bad blogger. Sorry. We have been super busy with work, house stuff, company and just life.

We have had a couple of sets of visitors, which has been fun! Thorsen and Scott came up one weekend and we did some wedding planning. Then, Katy, Tere and Ridgely came up the following weekend, which was fun! The boys did great together...ummm, if you leave out the part where my boys were the "police officers" and poor Ridgely was the "bad guy" which they were trying to cuff and stuff under the mini slide. Poor kid didn't know what hit him! Yikes. We're sorry Ridgely!

Here is a picture of them playing quite peacefully. Notice my boys were still in their jammies. At least they had on coats and boots!

The weather has been nutty...some days cold, others, awesome. We have had lots of picnics out on the patio.

They also found this lovely lizard. They tortured it for a full afternoon. I sort of felt bad at first, but then, they were so entertained by it and I was able to cook dinner in peace. Sorry, little fellow! Any creatures that want to enter our yard are at their own risk! By the following day, it was totally dead and dried out, so they got even more entertainment out of it by pretending to grill it. Nice.

Carson is getting too smart! He has been writing down random letters. Sometimes, he spells words, other times, they are just jibberish that he likes to pretend are words. Well, today, he brought me a piece of paper and it actually said something! I was glancing at it, took a second look and read, "SECRETS OF A WHITE HOUSE MOM". Ummmm, maybe leaving the US Magazine on the coffee table isn't the most educational! I'm just glad that he chose that headline over "Jumbo Jessica". Leave the poor girl alone!

As you can see from this picture, some things never change. Cade is still obsessed with peeing outside. As long as they do it in the back, I'm pretty much looking the other way. I'm sick of battling over that!

Cade's teacher stopped me in the hall today to ask me to have a talk with him about "listening and following directions". She obviously doesn't know him well at all since we're new. He doesn't listen or follow directions from anyone unless he feels like it, you bribe him, or you beat him (and that still doesn't always work...)! I told her I would and then I called Matt and we had a good laugh about it. Carson and Cade are sharing a room now and EVERY night, I come out here and get on my computer and can hear Cade jibber jabbering on and on and on. Carson keeps begging him to stop talking, but he keeps on going. "Hey Carson! I'm talking to you! I'm asking you a question! Why you not answering me?". It's quite comical, but I kind of feel bad for my do-gooding Carson who just wants to follow the rules and go to sleep.

Thanks to my friend, Sarah, we've got gates! I can't believe we made it a month without them. It was miserable...everytime we would turn around, we were having to grab Cannon away from them. Well, they are up now and he hates them! He's been griping at them for the past few days.

Cannon is actually a little under the weather at the moment. He has had fever for a couple of days. Other than that, he's good. He still isn't officially walking, but he's getting too close for comfort! He's not scared to let go and try!

Until next time!

Lots of excitement!

I guess that I will start this one off with a picture of the boys with their BFF, Ryan. He came by for a visit the other day and the boys just LOVE playing with him. They rarely fight, like to do the same things and even have the "pack" mentality...to a fault. Some poor girl at Chick-Fil-A was on the receiving end of that (okay, she was a brat, so I didn't feel TOO sorry for her...). They wouldn't let her go down the slide or anywhere near it. We did get onto the boys and remedy the situation, but she had it comin' to her!

Cade and Cannon were both REALLY sick last week. Cade was having a major upper respiratory infection and scared the hell out of me. We almost took him to the ER, but luckily, Dr. Wilber had sent me packing with some emergency meds, and was I ever thankful for those. We tested out the new pediatrician up here the next day. Cannon had the same mess (was probably RSV she said, GREAT.). Anyway, both boys were getting breathing treatments on the nebulizer at the doctors office at the same time. It just doesn't get any better than that! Poor Cannon had a double ear infection as well (and I had NO idea...I'm usually a pro at diagnosing those too, but he is a trooper and never let on that he had one). I took Cannon back today and he still has a slight infection in one ear. Nice. Other than that, we are all on the mend!

Cade has been self medicating with LOTS of oatmeal. He starts the day off with a bowl or two and normally has another bowl at some point. Whatever keeps him happy and eating! It could be a lot worse (like Cannon...).

Some nice checker lady at Kroger gave Cade these stickers when we were checking out today. Note, she was NOT the same checker in which Carson and Cade got into a loud debate over whether she was a "BOY OR A GIRL, Mommy? IS that Girl a BOY???". OMG. I wanted to die. When you look at this next picture, it is hard to imagine him being a little monster, but trust me, he is.Carson is just growing up WAY too fast! He is officially signed up for t-ball up here on the North side and we are hoping it goes as well as it did back in Pearland.

Here he is riding on his scooter...he loves to go down this driveway to pick up speed and the cruise down into the cul de sac.And, as promised, some pictures of him on his BIG BOY bike, cruising around the cul de sac. Carson has some EXCITING news! He's going to be a BIG part of Aunt Jen and Uncle Scott's wedding! I don't know who is more excited, me or him? His first ring bearer job! Tonight, when I was putting him to bed, he asked if he would be singing? How cute is that? No, fortunately, he won't be singing (he would never do that in front of crowd, anyway...). I told him he just has to stand there and look handsome...he'll have that mastered!

And on to Cannon. Okay, where is my BABY?? He's quickly turning into a toddler...a very busy, wild toddler. He is standing up without holding on to things and actually has taken a step here and there. He just turned 10 months old and he has NO business walking yet. He will do ANYTHING to get a laugh out of Carson and Cade. Unfortunately, the worse he is, the harder they laugh and you can just imagine where that leads. Bathtime has turned into a three ring circus. He is B.A.D. in there. He won't sit, he splashes more than the others ever have and at 10 mos old, thinks it is funny to fall back and put his head under the water. I'm afraid that I've got my hands full here. He wants nothing to do with baby food...in fact, we packed it all up today and gave it one of our good friends. He shakes his head and says, "No, no, no!" if you come at him with a spoon. He has to feed himself. He prefers cookies and yogurt melts (or as Matt and I call them, "baby crack"). Tonight, when I was trying to download pictures, he emptied out a cabinet on our built in desk upstairs and crawled on in there. He was so proud of himself!

Really, this is just flying by! I can't believe that it is time to plan his 1st Birthday Party! I haven't done anything because I think that I am totally in denial! SNIFF.

New Year, New School

Well, we rang in 2009 at home, like we always do! We just like to be here, safe and sound, with the kiddos on that night. You know, New Years Eve is for amateurs....we like to save our big nights out for those times when the crazies aren't there with us! The Louks came up and spent the night, so that was fun for all of us. Carson made it until midnight...watching the "party" on TV. I was falling asleep and finally gave up at 12 and made him go down too. He's a party animal! Apparently, our new neighbors all like fireworks. Yippee. I hate them, but the boys loved them (all them...Doug and Matt included!).

I didn't get hardly any pictures, but here is one with Cade and cupcake all over his face. He had

a good time!

The next morning, the boys found a mess outside to get into. This was fun to clean off of them!

We squeezed in one more super quick visit with Koen before they had to fly back to Germany. One more attempt at the card photo...no luck, really.And some of all of the cousins. These are just comical to me.

Cannon and Koen, doing what else? Snacking! Fatties.

In other news, the boys started at their new preschool and LOVE it! Carson is going 5 days a week and Cade is going 3 days. Their school days are only 9 - 2 on Mon - Thur and 9 - 12 on Friday. I'm sure that is going to get really challenging as my work picks up this spring! Anyway, all is good for now.

Here is Carson modeling the first day. Notice, no dress code!! Good times, kind of! I'm glad that they can wear whatever, but the dress code sure was easy.

And a back view of his cool backpack (can use whatever bag now too!! Whoo hoo!!). Thanks Blanchard family for the cool backpacks!Cade seeing Carson off on his first day of school (he started the following day). I am totally regretting not putting him in 5 days a week. He's a terror here for Nilza.Cade going to school today. On Friday, they have "ooey gooey Fridays" They said to put them in old clothes because they will be dirty. Sure enough, he came home with paint all over him. I was warned!

Back view on him!

More fun in the tub! I just bathe them assembly line style these days. I line up all the pj's, put them in the tub, take them out and dress them one by one. It works pretty well, most days!Sometimes, I have a naked baby take off! Cannon LOVES to look down from the top of the stairs!Here is one of Cannon eating lunch today. This kid is not even 10 months old and has sworn off baby food. Not good, since he only has 4 (and a half, I guess) teeth. I'm all for self feeding, and I agree that the baby food is NASTY, but he only wants to eat cookies and yogurt. He totally turns his nose up at all protein, fruits and veggies, and most pasta. I'm not sure how this is going to turn out! We're in a bit of a mexican stand off at the moment. I'm holding out on snacks, other than at restaurants and when I'm desperate to bribe him to stay in a highchair.I guess that I knew this was coming with him. He has just been way too easy from the get go and I've been waiting for him to turn into a little toot! I was just hoping to make it another 9 months or so before that happened!

We're BAAAACCCCK!

Oh my, it has been a while since I have posted and boy do I have a lot to catch up on. We've been a little busy.....moving, Christmas, family in town, to name a few things!

We survived the move, barely. OMG. That was awful. I would really be fine if we NEVER have to do that again. We moved into the new house at about 8:00PM on the 22nd. We had new hardwood floors going in on the 23rd and 24th and then the big day on the 25th. Matt and I were seriously exhausted by the time that Christmas came. Really, I love it! It is my favorite holiday and if you have ever been to my house around mid November....you know what I mean. This is the first year that I can ever recall being glad that it was over. Sad, very sad, but I promise to do it up big time next year! Just wait!

My sister Jill, brother in law Ryan and my adorable nephew Koen were all here for the holidays! It was wonderful to see them, but it went way too fast!! At least we were able to get a few pics of the boys together. Koen is 7 weeks younger than Cannon, but you sure can't tell it from the pictures! That little chunk isn't missing a meal! Here the cousins are, after my Dad's on Christmas Eve...taking a stroll.

Taking a bath...We have a tradition of opening one gift on Christmas Eve. We always did this growing up and Matt and I have continued it for the boys...we all get new Jammies. Well, I didn't have time for it this year, so luckily my mom took care of that (along with decorating our tree, wrapping all the presents, with Poppy's help, and about a million other things to help me prepare for Christmas in a pinch). Anyway, here is Cannon in his new jammies, posing with Koen. He was pooped and in no mood to sit by the tree and take pics for me.Carson and Cade "loving" on each other in their new jammies.Santa did indeed find us at our new address! The boys were all spoiled rotten, as usual. They must have been super good this year, for all of the loot that they got! Both big boys got new bikes. Here is Cade on his, I'll have to post one of Carson's big kid bike later (he looks about 12 on it and loves riding on the "hills" we have in our new neighborhood).And, they got iPods too, and iDogs and about a million other small things.Opening madness on Christmas morning...Cade did most of the opening for everyone, and for whatever reason, Carson was totally fine with that! Cannon was just happy, as usual.I have tried on three different occasions to get a cute pic of all three boys smiling for our "we moved" cards since I didn't get Christmas cards out this year. Well, this as good as it got!Most of the pictures look like this (notice Cannon eating a rock, nice.)With any luck, we'll get a picture out with our new info by Valentine's day! I think that I have missed the "Happy New Year" window at this point!