Goodbye, Training Wheels

We've known for quite some time that Alex was capable of riding on two wheels, but he was scared of falling and Matt and I didn't want to sweat out in the heat making him learn.  Now that fall has come to Houston (so the afternoon highs are pleasant 80's), Matt decided it was high time to get the little guy riding his bike.

It took lots of talking and a few pushes, and then Alex was off.  He was hesitant at first but quickly gained speed and started attempting tricks.  No waiting around for this guy. 

 

We were so proud of him!  And I prayed that he wouldn't fall on the first day or we'd never get him back on his bike.  Luckily, he didn't fall until the second day when he was racing the 7 and 8-year olds down the street (and winning) when he skinned a knee.  By then, he'd had a taste of speed and we could talk him back onto his bike...but maybe just a bit slower this time.  I love this guy's passion and determination

Check out my handsome boys on "Dress for Success" day.  Outfit input not accepted from Mom.  (Yes, those are Ben's corduroy pants tucked into cowboy boots)  It was also class picture day so it should make for some pretty awesome pictures.

After Ranger Science (a hands-on experience with parent volunteers), I got a picture of Ben's class and teacher before they had to leave.  It's a great group of kids and a wonderful teacher this year.

We were so fortunate to have our beloved Dulaneys come visit over the weekend.  I bet Mr. Scott had no idea we were going to put him to work!

Crazy picture!

And sweet smiles.  We love Miss Lou Anne and Mr. Scott!!  It was a quick visit but so wonderful to catch up with them.

The spy game has been very popular around here lately.  Just don't tell the boys that their spy glasses are supposed to help them see what's going on behind them, not in front.  They love to sneak around the house and count how many times they see me without getting caught.  Let's just say that number would be very small if I wasn't playing along!

You ever get the feeling that someone is watching you?

Butterflies

We had been watching our butterfly-to-be buddies very closely last week looking for any indication that they were ready to emerge.  On Friday morning, each chrysalis had gone from bright green to clear and we could see the detail of the monarch wings, so we knew they were ready. 

 

Sometime during breakfast, Ben shouted that we had a butterfly!  Our first friend appeared quickly and quietly and totally surprised us.

While we were checking out the first one, suddenly the second chrysalis popped open right before our eyes.  He was out in just over a minute, so no wonder we missed the first one.

We all watched as the second butterfly emerged and I've got to tell you, it totally made my day!  So amazing that these guys were caterpillars just a few weeks ago.

We were so caught up in the excitement and beauty that the kids totally missed the bus, but it was worth every minute.  I'm so glad the kids were home to see it happen.  (and how much do I love this picture?  Ben's big, gaping smile still warms my heart but it's quickly disappearing)

Our new friends spent the rest of the day drying their wings and crawling around the cage.  The kids thoughtfully left several fresh flowers in there in case the butterflies were hungry.

That afternoon we took our lovely friends outside and said goodbye to them as they fluttered away.  We saw two monarchs in the yard over the weekend, so maybe it was them coming back to say hello!

Latest Pictures

Alex came home thrilled last Friday because it was his turn to bring home the class mascot, Tex.  He hung out with his stuffed buddy for the weekend, slept with him, then wrote about his visit in Tex's journal.  This boy still loves all things kindergarten!

We took advantage of a gorgeous, warm October Saturday and headed to Galveston on the spur of the moment.   A tropical storm out in the gulf kicked up some waves for Matt to surf and as always, the boys only needed some sand and water to stay entertained all day.

They drove some cars in the sand for hours.

We also dug our big hole/castle/pool and played out in the waves.  We enjoyed a nice dinner of fresh seafood and then headed home!  I love that a 90 degree day in Houston's "fall" can be spent with toes in the sand.

I loved the wardrobe choices on this particular day.  But if they get dressed first thing in the morning, I'm not going to argue!

 

We went outside to enjoy a spectacular sunset one evening.

The tooth fairy has visited again!  Ben's bubba tooth met with Matt's pliers and Ben now has the most adorable smile.  It's impossible not to smile back at him right now.

 

We met some friends at the local high school stadium for some Friday night lights.  They boys said they had a great time, but oddly, they didn't face the field that often. They love all the activities at a high school football game but don't seem to care much about the actual football yet.

 

We picked up a few new friends last time we visited Grammy and Grumpy's house.  These two caterpillars will be turning into monarch butterflies soon.

On their second day here, they both took to the top of the container and began making tiny webs to hang from.

Soon, they were both hanging in place and I kept watching and watching, hoping to see them make their cocoons.

 In less than an hour, each of them had already morphed into its cocoon!  Now we just hang out and await the arrival of our lovely friends in about 10 days.  This has been a really fun process to watch!

Bubba

Ben finally lost a top tooth!  I use the word "lost" loosely because this one had to be pulled again.  It had been loose for months and began to push forward enough for me to see his permanent tooth once again coming in behind, but not enough to force the baby tooth out.  Matt did some quick work with his pliers and Ben was a tough boy again, and we got another visit from the tooth fairy.

 

What's really making me laugh is how quickly the other (very loose) tooth moved over into the empty space so now Ben has a big, snaggle-toothed grin.  I've been calling him Bubba for days.  It's even better because he just learned how to whistle so he walks around the house with a song coming from all those holes in his mouth.

Alex is turning into a budding writer, although no one is quite sure yet what he's saying.  It made perfect sense when he wrote the story but even he can't remember what was written.  No matter what, we're all proud of his efforts.  He printed this page himself off starfall.com (along with several dozen others), colored it, and created the story all on his own.