Spencer in the Month of May

Spencer's big event for the month of May was his birthday.  On Mother's Day Spencer turned two, and he didn't even know it.  We kept things simple, went and got his pictures taken and 

he didn't cry-wouldn't smile for the picture lady but would smile for me, but the big thing is he didn't cry that is progress.  Afterwards we took him to the toy store to pick out a gift.  He was more interested in the singing and dancing Elmo that Mommy was not going to buy so while he was playing Mommy went and picked out a gift with a more reasonable price tag that does not require batteries.  Afterwards all the kids played on the bikes at the toy store.  We had outdoor plans, but mother nature got in the way, but Spencer was content with what we did.

On his actual birthday we had cake.  I put individual cakes in ice cream bowls and baked them in the bowls and when they were cooked they came out like individual pies.  The kids were able to decorate their own cake and then enjoy it, and the best part was I didn't have any cake leftover to try to finish up.  Spencer sure enjoyed his cake unlike last year when he didn't want anything to do with his cake.  While we were singing Happy Birthday to Spencer he was screaming because he could see his cake and he wanted it, but Mommy and Daddy were keeping it from him for a silly birthday song.

That was about Spencer's month.  He was a good sport tagging along to all of Madeline's doctors appointments that she had, as well as tagging along to all of Anthony's events.  He behaved himself quite well and sat through the awards ceremonies without making a peep-believe me I am shocked!!!

Update on Madeline

On May 1st Madeline had her scheduled heart cath.  We weren't surprised when the doctor said that the numbers were okay to move ahead with her heart surgery.  I was able to schedule her heart surgery right away for the June 2nd.  I wanted her to be able to finish the rest of the year out and have it soon enough that by the time her birthday rolls around on June 23rd that she would hopefully being feeling well enough to enjoy her day.  During her routine recovery stay at the hospital Madeline developed a fever of 102 range.  Well the doctors and nurses were scrambling to figure out where the fever was coming from.  To be safe Madeline stayed an extra night.  They were able to determine that the fever had nothing to do with her heart cath.  While taking Madeline to the restroom, I noticed that her urine smelled bad like it usually does when she has an Urinary Tract Infection.  I told the nurse practitioner and she was tested for an UTI and the results came back just as I had predicted.  After a few days of being on antibiotics Madeline's fever disappeared and she was just fine.  Madeline does have an unique talent of developing fevers for no apparent reason.  Meaning there are no outside indicators of what is causing her fever.  She gets sluggish during the spike of her fever, we give her medicine, the fever goes away and Madeline is just fine and dandy until the fever comes back.  The fever will last for three days and she usually repeats this pattern about once month Only Madeline can pull off a mystery like this.

Next in Madeline's eventful month of May was field day.  Madeline's class did not participate in the schools field day, but her teachers did have some fun outdoor games and activities for the kids' to play with in a separate area.  I was able to go and watch and help out with Madeline's field day experience.

Madeline was award her second gator great award at school this year, making three total since she started attending school.  I was able to go with Madeline to her gator great breakfast award ceremony and enjoy a cinnamon roll and milk with her.  Way to go Madeline!

At the end of the month Madeline was able to go to "The Purple People" party.  It wasn't because she drank some purple juice and turned people, but instead she completed the reading bingo black out game at school.  The librarian put together a bingo sheet for each color of the rainbow with different subjects/ideas for the kids to find books on and read about.  The object was to fill out each bingo sheet (Bingo blackout), the kids would receive a charm for that color and those that completed them all were invited to an specially party just for them held at a huge play place for kids (that have money) to got to after school.  Madeline sure had fun with her dad playing on and enjoying all the activities they had there.  Good job Madeline!

Update on Anthony

On May 4, Anthony had is first grade music program at school.  The boys were to dress like weeds and the girls were to dress like flowers.  Anthony went as a dandelion weed.

On May 8, Anthony participated in his field day.  Daddy was able to take off from work and watch and participate with Anthony in his field day, Anthony was pretty excited to spend the time with his daddy.

On May 21, Anthony graduate from being a Tiger Scout to a Wolf Scout.  He was pretty excited to be getting his awards.  We joined late in the season and so Anthony had a matter of a few weeks to get his bobcat and tiger award.  Anthony charged in at full speed and we accomplished all his requirements, and now he is ready to get started working on his wolf- sounds like we will have some fun summer activities.

On May 22, Anthony had is award ceremony for first grade.  Each child read what they liked most about first grade and along with that each child was awards at T.Q. (Top Quality child) award where the teacher listed why that specific child was considered a Top Quality child. Anthony's teacher wrote that Anthony has a thirst for learning everything around him and has knowledge beyond his years.  Anthony also was awards for having straight A's all year long! Way to go Anthony, Mommy and Daddy are very proud of you!

On May 23, Anthony had is first piano recital.  He played three songs.  "How Firm a Foundation" and "Christ the Lord is risen Today" from the simplify hymnal and a duet with his daddy for "When the Saints go Marching in."  Anthony definitely rocked the house.  Good job

Anthony!!

I am a Weed

Mother Nature's version of a weed

Mine version of a dandelion weed

For Anthony's first grade play at school, the girls were to be dressed as flowers and the boys as weeds.  I scratched my head for a minute and then looked out my window to look at my weeds and saw a lovely dandelion weed and that is what we made.  I think it is a pretty good rendition of a weed.  I didn't want to spend the money to find green pants or make green pants when he had brown ones, so the pants represent the roots or the dirt.  We are looking forward to seeing Anthony in action.

Take me out to the Ballpark!

Anthony's den participated in Scout night with the Texas Rangers.  The plan was for Anthony and Grant to go to the Rangers game, but after Madeline's heart cath she developed a fever while she was in the hospital (it turned out to be an UTI) and so they kept her one more night in the hospital.  This left Grant with Spencer and Anthony and so being the brave father that he is, Grant took both kids to the baseball game.  Well the weather wasn't exactly behaving and the parade was canceled due to rain.  Prior to the game all the scouts were allowed to go out onto the field and play around and enjoy themselves.  

Grant bought a big bucket of popcorn as a way to help entertain Spencer and it work!  Because of the rain there were not many people that came to the game, which made it easier for Grant taking a two year old to a baseball game.  

Anthony enjoyed himself, Spencer behaved and watched the game and ate his popcorn, Grant survived taking two kids to a baseball game and cubscout service project that morning, and Madeline and mom had a quiet weekend away from the boys.  All-in-all everything went great!

How Firm A Foundation

My Little Tiger

We recently signed Anthony up for Cub Scouts.  Anthony is excited to be a cub scout and so far has enjoyed a trip to Cabellas, Texas Rangers Game, and a canned food service project.  In a matter of three weeks (that is all we had until the end of the pack's calendar year) Anthony has finished requirements for his Bobcat and Tiger.  At the end of this month he will receive his awards.