kind words

We (aka Boston) were struggling with using kind words in our home.  I was getting extremely frustrated and decided to have an FHE to help put us back on track.

After making a list of things that we should and should not say to each other, I told the boys that once we filled up a jar with cotton balls, they could choose a fun reward. 

They chose bowling.

So after 2 weeks of working hard to keep cotton balls in the jar and getting new ones at the end of each day, the boys finally earned their reward.

So the night before girl's camp, we headed to the bowling alley.

Everything is a competition in this household.  With that said, as much as I hate to admit, Kent came out on top---but only because he got FIVE strikes in a ROW...WITH bumpers. 

Whatever. 

B.O.O.T. camp

For MONTHS, we have been planning our ward girl's camp.  For as much time planning, preparation and stress that goes into it, the week really flies by. 

Our girls tend to enjoy ward camp a little better which seems to add pressure in making it a really great week.

This year our theme was decided on by our YCL's.  

 B.O.O.T. Camp--Building On Our Testimonies.

This brought on a lot of fun ideas for the whole week.

 Everything from a spiritual aspect like the pillow treats, military mail, Faith Walk, devotionals, and workshops to everything on a more fun aspect like building their own boats, crafts, Battle of Bastrop flour bomb war, skits, Mission challenge, "The Ambush" (unexpected water fight), broom hockey and more made for such a fun week.  There were a few unexpected attacks (we may or may not have woken some girls up at 2 am by spraying them in the face with water guns after thinking they were the ones who rolled our cabin and put shaving cream bombs on our pillows--lets just say they were somewhat innocent...whoops).  We really did have a fantastic week.  We may have come out running on VERY little sleep BUT we survived a week of HOT weather, wonderful food, amazing girls and most importantly helped the girls build stronger testimonies. 

And just like that it's over.  Then you come home hoping and praying the girls really did get something out of the week...hoping they grew closer and grew stronger.

I love these girls.

school's out for summer

The end of the school year has FINALLY come.

We've been counting down the days for the last 2 months. 

On the last week of school, Boston came home telling me how they did a spelling test that day to see who would represent their class in the 1st grade spelling bee.  I was surprised at how much he wanted to do this.  He said he messed up on one word & didn't think he would get picked. 

A few days later, I got this picture sent to me from a friend who teaches 1st grade at his school.

Boston was one of three from his class who participated. 

We are SO proud of this boy!

Then, on the second to last day of school, it was Awards Day.  The kids showed off how much their reading had progressed during the year

And then Mrs. Voelkel presented the awards.

Boston got an award for "Super Reader" and "Creative Writer"

We heard a few mixed reviews on Boston's teacher before the school year started but I can say NOTHING but WONDERFUL things about her.  Boston loved her, she had great communication with parents, Boston excelled, and she always wrote positive notes home. 

We love Mrs. Voelkel.

Can you tell Boston and his friends are MORE than excited to be OUT of school?

Mrs. Voelkel is officially retiring.  The kids all wrote/drew sweet pictures for her and compiled it into a book and gave it to her.  She will definitely be missed.

We are so proud of Boston's accomplishments this year.  It's crazy to see how much he's learned and grown in just a short year. 

SO LONG 1ST GRADE!!!!! 

Now on to 2nd grade....gosh that just sounds SO bizarre.

 Boston woke up on the last day of school and I surprised him and told him he was DONE!  We weren't going the last day and instead we were going to swim it up with friends. 

Talk about cool mom award. 

We spent practically the WHOLE day swimming and eating Bahama Bucks.  I don't think there's a better way to kick off summer.

 These boys are all such good friends!  We are sad that this was one of the last times we would see Kyle since they have moved but we made the most of their last days together!

Now summer OFFICIALLY begins!

I.can.not.wait.

28 weeks

28 weeks.

Still growing.

Large.  Very large.

Last week, I went to my yummy glucose test.  I actually don't terribly hate the drink, I just hate that I have to sit and wait an hour around unfriendly, blood sucking people.

When I went in for my doctor's appointment, he told me I BARELY passed my glucose.  I've never failed before so I wasn't completely surprised. 
We set my scheduled c-section date:

AUGUST 18

There's an end in sight.

After he measured me, I asked if I was measuring large because I feel that way.  And, yes of course I was.  He is a tad concerned only because I barely passed the glucose test.  I'm going back in a few weeks for an ultra sound to see JUST how big baby is.  If he's too large, he said he won't call me a diabetic but he will have me visit the dietitian.  He did tell me to take it easy on the carbs for now, which is sadly what I crave. 

All of my pregnancy aches and pains seem to be coming much earlier this go around.  I do NOT remember retaining so much water in my legs and ankles.  Those ankles of mine like to swell up like you wouldn't believe!  My lower back pains which are almost unbearable have arrived and sadly, I've got 11 more weeks to put up with them.  I also had some sort of pains on my right side the other day (cramping possibly?) which were completely unbearable.  Now, I'm no wimp so when I say it hurt, it hurt.  I was running errands with the boys and at our last stop, I could barely even walk out of the door to the car.  Once I got home, I laid right down and asked Boston to get lunch for the boys (he's never done this before but stepped up and completely surprised me---probably won't be the last time he's asked to make lunch).  It was probably a good 45 minutes of me laying down that it finally somewhat subsided that is until I stood up to walk around then it would come back.  Thankfully, it finally went away and I'm hoping that doesn't happen again!  Oh the joys of pregnancy. 

In the meantime, baby boy is kicking constantly.  I feel him 24/7.  Literally. 

The boys are very excited to meet him.  It took Hudson awhile to feel comfortable to touch my belly but now he gives it loves and hugs all the time saying, "I lub you baby broder! Come out and play!"

Followed by, "Mom, can he talk yet?"  He'll even sing "You are my Sunshine" to him sometimes.  I'm anxious to see him as a big brother.

My latest cravings include:

ICE water (I love crunching on the ice)

PBJ

 Potato Chips

Watermelon

We are anxiously counting down the weeks to meet this little boy (or as Hudson calls him, RED).

 

the birthday boy

On May 24, Boston turned 7!

Since it's an odd year, we don't do birthday parties (so much easier especially when you are pregnant).  We plan something else fun to do as a family.  Boston requested to go to an Astro's game since sports are this boy's LOVE.  The Astros weren't playing on his birthday so we decided to get tickets for the weekend before his birthday. 

Surprisingly enough, my parents ended up coming in town too!  They have both been so busy and traveling like nobody's business, so even though they could only come for 24 hours (because they needed to be gone traveling again the next day), we took what we could and were thrilled they got to come visit and help celebrate.

We took them for our favorite BBQ (Rudy's) before the baseball game.

Then headed to Minute Maid Park.

The boys LOVED the kids park.

Not to mention all the popcorn, cotton candy and peanuts they ate. 

Astros really aren't that great of a team....so they lost pretty badly.  But on the up, Boston caught a fly ball......

The next morning Boston had a baseball game.  He was thrilled to have Mimi and Papa come watch and had a great game.  He almost caught a pop fly (he's working on covering his mitt) and made some great hits.  He was even given the game ball afterwards. 

We quickly went and ate some brunch before my parents had to hit the road.  Sad to see them leave but so grateful they were able to take some time for us.

The next Saturday was Boston's actual birthday.  That morning, Kent took the boys on a hike.  He's been so anxious to do this with the boys.  I think they faired okay but I'm pretty sure Kent was a little worn out after the carrying Hudson on his shoulders most of the way.  Let's just say they didn't make the full three miles....

Once the boys got home, it was present time! 

 

 This kid makes you feel great about what you give him with his reactions when he opens his gifts.

 Hudson picked this lovely bow at the store for Boston.  Pretty sure it's going to end up breaking a window soon.

 Hudson showed off his planking skills.

 Boston had a baseball game that afternoon (which was SO hot). 

He requested Panera for dinner which we jumped on before he changed his mind and remembered his first request was McDonald's. 

This kid LOVES a cookie cake which again made for a super easy birthday.

 Happy Birthday sweet Bubba! 

We love you and are so glad that you are our first born! 

And I seriously can't believe you are SEVEN! 

Pretty sure I say that each year he gets older but really, 7?!?!