Summer is here!

This week marked Gavin's start of Summer. . .for the first time today Gavin yelled "Schools Out"!!

To refresh your memory, Gavin goes to a Mother's Morning Out on Tuesday at a local Church and on Thursday he's enrolled in our My Morning Out program at our Church--Mommy is Director there. May not be "real school" but try convincing him of that! When we wake up and I announce "we're going to school today" he starts looking out the window for the big yellow bus!

Well we finished up both "schools" this week and we are officially on Summer break. How fun! We celebrated tonight by going and purchasing one of those cheap little plastic pools that every Two year old must have to decorate (or tacky up) their yard. You would have thought we bought him his first car! Pics of that are sure to follow!

Meanwhile, here's some pics of him on his last day of school on Tuesday:

Going into the school with Ms. Carolyn:

Yippee!! 1 Year down, only 19 more to go!!

Best part of today: Teaching my Two year old to yell "Schools Out for Summer" when we left school today!! Too funny!!

Fun with Kids

We had a delightful lunch with Carson & Parker the other day. . .and their parents of course!

We decided afterwards we really needed a recent pic of all the boys together, since this was their last. . .

But as you can see from our attempts we didn't get one of them all looking at us.

It was quite a site too. . .four adults yelling all kinds of funny things to get their attention, standing outside the Restaurant looking like "tourists" as Marshall put it!

Good times, good times. . . .

More Sickness and Favorites

Ha! What a title. . .

Well I was really looking forward to summer so all the sickness and germs would go away. So far the opposite has proven to be true at our home. Now Mommy & Daddy BOTH have strep throat.

Gavin is spending the night with Nanny & PawPaw tonight so that we can hopefully avoid passing anything on to him and so we can both get some much needed rest.

A group of online friends did "surveys" on their kids' favorites and I thought it'd be fun to share here. . .

Some of Gavin's Current Favorites

Food: Pizza--loves it
Drink: Milk or V8 Fusion
Fruit: apples & oranges
Veggie: green beans
TV Show: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Jay-Jay the Jet Plane
Movie: Elmo visits the Firestation
Music: Ms. PattyCake and Laurie Berkner
Book: Train Song and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Inside Toy: His Train Table and his Tonka Firetruck
Outside Toy: Sandbox and his Tractor
Bath Toy: any cup!
Fictional Character: Mickey Mouse
New thing to say: No Mommy, I do it!
Thing to do in the car: Watch for Firetrucks, School Buses or Dump Trucks
(and yell frantically if he sees one!)

Other interesting fact about your little one?
He is obsessed with washing his hands and brushing his teeth. Wants to wash his hands or brush his teeth all the time now!

My Disappearing Act

I know, Sunday I have a roll with multiple posts, then go all week with nothing! What a disappointment. Let me explain. . .

I have a sick baby AGAIN!

If you will remember back almost 2 weeks ago Gavin was diagnosed with an ear infection and strep throat. So we were on Omnicef for 10 days. Finished that up on Monday. Tuesday morning he woke all stuffy and just very yucky feeling. He kept going on and on that his ear hurt. Great. . .call and back to the Dr.

Saw a Nurse Practitioner and she said ears were clear, just allergies and start him on Claritin. Gavin's taken this before. . .no prob. Deal with LOTS of congestion, especially in his nose and TOTALLY NO SLEEP on Tuesday day and night. He can't breathe at all laying down. Just plain miserable.

Wednesday morning we get up and change his diaper. . .he has blisters all over his bottom. Not a typical diaper rash at all. I call the Dr. . .they want to see him. . back we go.
Saw the DR this time and he said it's just a reaction to the Omnicef (called a POST antibiotic reaction--never heard of it!) just to treat it like diaper rash. Also prescribed Singulair for his allergies to maybe give some relief from all this congestion and keep his allergies under control for summer.

So as Wednesday goes on he gets no better. Last night was horrible. Again, absolutely no sleep. Go on to school today because it is allergies (two Doctors say so). Ended up coming home early because he was just so miserable. Not home long and the fever starts.

I call back to Ped's office and guess what. . they want to see him!! So again, for the THIRD time this week we go back to the Dr. His ears are clear still (to the surprise of me & the DR), but it's evident from the 102.5 temp that he has a sinus infection. So he got a shot of antibiotic and a prescription for Zithromax.

I'm so ready for a healthy child!!! Now let's get these allergies under control come on Summer! Unfortunately he got his Mama's allergies and I know from YEARS of experience they are no fun!!

Best part of today: If there really CAN be a best part it was this. In the Doctor's office, the nurse comes in with the dreaded needle for Gavin's shot. She says "Gavin, let's give you something to make you feel better buddy!" to which he so innocently replies "No Pank You" (No Thank you). It was precious. . . She was very impressed with his politeness!!

Happy Mothers Day

Whew. . .I'm on a "post overload" tonight!

I had a great Mothers Day today. . .I hope all of you Mothers did as well!

We had a great day yesterday, started out super early headed to visit Dave's Mom and have some fun. We visited a local Book Fair. That's always a HUGE hit with me, I absolutely love it!

Then came back for Ashton's Party--which was lots of fun! Happy Birthday Ashton! I can't believe you are SEVEN!! And to think, 7 years old and already a Hero! Gavin thinks the sun rises and sets on Ashton!!

We had dinner last night with my Parents and "BoBo" (Brandon). Yummy Mexican food! We sat outside the weather was so nice. . .it was lovely. Literally as soon as the waiter brought our check the BIG raindrops started falling. Ended up leaving kinda quickly because of the rain. . but it was a nice dinner.

Then today had a great morning at Church, a lovely Sunday afternoon nap, some fun "outside play" time with my boys and another Mother's Day dinner with my Parents and Grandmother. This time we visited the Cracker Barrel for some yummy food and Gavin loved every minute of it.

From checkers with Dad

And checking out EVERY rocker in the place

And lots of spoiling from the Grandparents

It was a dream come true for a Two year old little boy!

My sweet hubby did some yard work for me for Mothers Day today. What a man, working in the flower beds!

And just a few pics of my little guy running around outside today. He is an outside kind-of boy for sure!

Best part of today: Realizing the most incredible name to be called is. . .Mommy

Houston. . .we have foilage

Here's an update to Gavin little "Garden Project". He's been checking it everyday and is so excited to see some progress. It's amazing this is working, considering he wants to drown the flowers daily when watering them. . .these are some tough little plants!
April 26 (when we started)

And today-May 13


Previous posts: http://gavinsnews.blogspot.com/2007/04/wow-where-has-this-week-gone.html

Stay tuned for more results. . .

No Mother was seriously hurt during this event

I was enjoying my leisurely Mother's Day Afternoon by sitting my swing reading. Quiet, blissful sounds around me, my two year old happily playing independently, sun shining on my face when. . ."BANG" Something literally fell from the sky and HIT ME!! (And it hurt!)

This tree limb just fell out of the tree right above where I was sitting and landed RIGHT on top of me. Talk about waking you up! Wow!

Too much "Kitty" Influence

Yea, I think my child has been spending too much time with our cats. This is how we found him this afternoon. When I asked him what he was doing he said "I drink water Mama"!! Oh my. . .

Happy Mothers Day!

It's Finally Friday!!

Yippee! I know you are all excited as I am that the weekend is here!
I love the weekends, having Daddy at home with us and all being together is just so much fun! We have an action packed weekend planned this weekend. . . so no resting will occur!!

First, let me tell you about Gavin & the cats. Boy do my poor cats have a rough life ahead of them. Don't get me wrong. . .Gavin LOVES the cats. Too much some times. And Gavin is so bossy with the cats (not sure where he gets that from!) He loves to fuss at them "Luke, get down!" Except Luke comes out as "Uuuuttt get down!" It's hysterical.

My concern is now for the cats safety. Already this morning (and it's only 9:00) Gavin has brushed "Uuut's" hair (the wrong way of course), put a curler on Leah, poured cat food on Luke's head because he wasn't eating fast enough (wonder why, with a two year old WATCHING you??). Then of course he shut them in the bathroom AGAIN. I heard both cats crying at the door and knew exactly what crime had taken place. So I opened the door and like always Luke sprints out faster than he has in years. But no Leah. Hum. . .that's interesting. So I leave and go back to my cleaning project in the kitchen. When I come back down the hall I still hear Leah crying. . . this can't be good. When investigating further I find that Gavin has locked Leah in the vanity cabinet. Poor cat. We probably won't see her the rest of the day. And who can blame her? (here's a couple pics, first one is Uuut (Luke) and Gavin chilling on the bed this morning while Mommy did laundry--the second is Gavin actually being NICE to Leah and rubbing her head.)

Here's a pic of Gavin with one of his surprise and wonderful packages from Aunt Teresa. She's so good to him (& me). This time he got a Life is Good shirt, that adorable hat and a set of Cars Books! Yippee! It was like Christmas at our house!

Funny Parenting Moment to share. . .

OK, for various reasons my Son has been cracking me up this week. This child has come out with some of the funniest responses to me this week and I have laughed at him several times. But I have to say. . .today takes the cake, by far!

After Gavin's preschool this morning we had to run to the DMV (Dept of Motor vehicles) because when going to my van this morning I noticed my tags expired the end of APRIL!

So, we head out to the DMV. Me & a Two year old. . .YIKES! We get there and the line is SO LONG. And this is the line JUST to get a number and wait! Seriously, like at least 20 people in line in front of us.

Now I don't have to tell you that you see "all kinds" of people at the DMV. It seems like when I am there the "winners" just come out from everywhere! Well today was no exception. Several people in front of us was a lady with PINK hair. Now I am talking BRIGHTER than Doodlebops DeeDee Pink!

It was a sight. . .but onto the story.

So we are standing in line and two "classy" women come up behind us. They started "fussing" about the wait. One of them in particular was quite "mouthy" about it and kept using words that I don't feel is appropriate for a public place such as DMV. Curse words that I haven't heard since high school were escaping from this woman's mouth and she wasn't trying to be quiet AT ALL. I was really getting aggravated. Not at the wait as much as this woman and her LOUD and NASTY mouth behind me. And the fact that my two year old was hearing this as well. And I was really fretting because Gavin repeats EVERYTHING he hears these days.

So before I knew it she started "calling" Jesus. "Well Jesus this" and "Jesus that" "Jesus, why can't they have someone else work the counter. . ." You get the picture. Well. . .it happened. My son heard her. Suddenly, from his stillness in his stroller he jumps when he hears it. Gavin says (none too quietly) "JESUS??", "Oh Mommy", "Jesus loves me, Bible tells me so" and goes on to sing "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so". And no, it wasn't in a quiet little angelic voice. This woman was loud and heard and Gavin WOULD NOT be outdone. He was almost SCREAMING as he sang.

The woman in front of me joined me in laughing hysterically. We were both in tears we were laughing so hard. I have to say, the "Loud" woman heard too and commented that it was precious. Oh we can only hope it truly meant something to her. . .

What do you appreciate?

An "online group" that I am a part of has a "Tuesday Tell All" each week. We kinda spill our guts about a certain topic each week.

This week it was about "what we appreciate in life". I thought I'd share my post here. . .Just in case you are part of it and I hadn't told you lately how much I appreciate you!

Dave is so wonderful to me and works so hard for us. He works so hard all day and then comes home to a "hunny do" list and gives us the attention we need. He loves me unconditionally and shows me that everyday. The love and patience he has with me are immeasurable.

Gavin is the light of my life. He has added so much to my life and I look forward to each new day with him. I never imagined how much I could love someone and what joy life truly brings until I had a child. Wow--what an incredible honor to be a Mom.

My parents--they have given us so much. I don't know where we would be without them. They love me unconditionally, through all my flaws and all my failures in my life. They always support me through everything. Their love is incredible.

My Grandmother. She is very special to me. Especially since losing my other Grandmother this year it has reminded me how much I need to appreciate her. All she has been through in her life and she still values my opinion and my love more than anything. She thinks of me so much and shows her love for me constantly.

My Aunt Teresa. She lives in SC and even though we don't get to see each other very often, she is so special to me. She is someone I have always looked up to and I love her dearly. She spoils me & my child with periodic surprise gifts through the mail. She is a very busy lady and when she thinks of us like that it just amazes me. I appreciate her love and thoughtfulness.

I appreciate My Friends. I am NOT always the friend I would like to be, but you accept me and love me anyway. You are always there for me and I SO appreciate you. Some of you & I have been through so much together. You are my strength.

My Church. I could write a book about the hardships our Church has been through in the last 3+ years, but we are still going strong. My Church has renewed my Faith. They are a loving and supportive group of people. They have given me opportunities with my job there that I would have never found anywhere else. I am so thankful to them for that and so many other things.

Last but not least, My Lord. God has been so good to me and I appreciate him and his love more than I can explain here in this post. He has forgiven me for SO many sins and continues to do so everyday. He loves me more than anyone and I know he is always there for me. He has blessed me beyond measure, how can I ever thank him enough?

I was also very appreciative of that "post". It really made me realize how very blessed I am.

Oh boy Oh boy!

We went to Chuck E. Cheese last night! Yippee!

We had our dear friend Shereen with us and the kiddos had a GRAND time!

Gavin just loves that place!

Here's Gavin & Shereen riding the Barney Tractor

And hugging the Wonderful Chuck E.

And sliding. . .

It's all worth it when you get smiles like this

We had a great time with our sweet friend "Reen" (as Gavin calls her--isn't she beautiful??)

Just for fun I thought I'd include a pic from Music Class this week

And a pic from wearing his new raincoat on one of our rainy days this week. (Also note he's standing on new patio!)

On a much sadder note. . my little guy is home sick this weekend with Strep Throat and an Ear Infection. So the fun has temporarily ended at our house. . .

I cook too!

This was the response I got when I announced to my little man that I was going to cook dinner. Everything these days he "does" too. "Mommy's tired". . ."I tired too", "Mommy needs to go potty". . ."I go potty too", "Mommy needs to cook dinner". . . "I cook too"!

So today I decided to make a memory. . we "cooked" Pumpkin bread together. It was fun!

(Yes, you really CAN take this many pictures of making Pumpkin Bread)

First stop: Wash our hands! Of course this Pumpkin bread was from a mix!
He helped mix it really good

So proud of himself

Pour it in the pan!

It had to bake for 45 minutes and EVERY 5 minutes he would say "Done yet??"

The finished product. . .Daddy said it was yummy!

And just a quick pic of Gavin's favorite time of the day. . when Daddy comes home to play!

Best part of today: Baking bread with my little chef. He loves to help! These are fun times. . .

I'm here, I'm here. . .but I forgot my homework!

I'm here and I apologize for the lag in posts. Just been busy! And the homework. . .well, would you believe I haven't taken a SINGLE picture since last Thursday!!??

To tell you of a couple of the "photo opportunities" that I have missed. . .

Saturday David's parents came to visit and help out. David & his Dad built our patio! Yippee! I promise to post pics soon. It's almost complete. Dave's Mom (MeeMee) watched Gavin for us so Mommy could go to a painting class with a friend that morning and Daddy could build said Patio. We had a nice visit!

Then Sunday Gavin got to go home with his Nana & PawPaw (while Mommy worked and Daddy helped). Plenty of lovin' & spoilin' there too--he had a whole weekend of Grandparents and that's the best to him!

Yesterday was Music class again--fun as always!

Today was school and Gavin had a great day. But before school a grand event happened at our house. Bo Bo (Brandon-my brother) came by on a BACKHOE!! Yes, a real "live" backhoe was parked in front of our house and Gavin got to "ride" in it and lift the bucket up and down and . . .
well, that's ALL we have heard about all day long. BoBo & the Backhoe was the HIT today! Too bad BoBo was in a hurry and I didn't have time to get my camera--but he promises to have some more fun one day soon.

Tonight we're off to see our friend's new baby boy. . .I'm sure I'll get the "baby itch". . .but don't worry, after a little time with a two year old and a baby in the same room I will be CURED!

Best part of today: Without a doubt it has to be our Backhoe experience this morning, that and hearing my little man talk about it with such excitement all day. So much fun. . .