What the kids are up to August 2006

Matthew:
Life as a first grader is treating Matthew very well. Anyone who read my blog last year can remember that I adored kindergarten. I loved the parent involvement in the classroom. I loved the little projects they did. I was dreading the "serious business--lack of parent involvement" of first grade. So far, I have really liked this year! I love Matthew's teacher. She freely gives me "Matthew stories" which I love to hear and seems to love Matthew. I love doing homework with him every afternoon. It gives me tangible things to talk to him about. He is king of forgetting to tell me everything he is working on, so I love the homework. He seems to have really grown up recently, and I love our talks. We are usually the only ones around in the early morning and I love this time with him. His 2nd year of piano started yesterday and flag football begins in the next week or two. Yes, we are off to a running start!

Thomas:
Thomas has been on top of the world lately. Why, you ask? Could it be the circus is coming to town? A new toy? A trip to Disneyland? No. His favorite restaurant just opened a branch a mile from our house! We have been counting down for weeks for the grand opening of Taco Bueno. Last night, it finally arrived. At 10 in the morning, he asked if we could go. At 10:30 in the morning, he asked if they were opened yet. It took a lot of patience on his part, but I was able to hold him off until 5:30. He was in heaven! He was lamenting last night that we moved away from our old house because it was 1/2 mile closer to Taco Bueno.

Thomas also seems to really be enjoying school and having Lauren as his teacher. He has been talking a lot about the letter of the week and finding words that start with the letters. Lauren measured the kids the other day and Thomas was the tallest in the class. He is my gentle giant! I couldn't love his personality any more. He just seems happy to be alive and it is rare to find him without a smile on his face.

Mary Elizabeth:
Well after two years of smoothe sailing, we have hit some rough waters. She is still her funny, sunny self, but she is developing some bad habits. I have already mentioned the no napping thing. I feel bad that in MDO, she is one of two kids who won't sleep. The teacher says that she will look at the other little girl and say, "Lay DOWN, Tatum!" If only she would take her own advise!

She has also developed a fascination with cleansing products. A week ago, she came into the kitchen with a handful of conditioner in her dry hair. What a pain that is to get out! Saturday, I was putting groceries away, and I hear the death scream coming from my bedroom. She had found the Johnson and Johnson, dumped half of it on my carpet and the other half all over her face. Bless her heart, she cried so hard that she threw up. It took me hours to get the shampoo out of the carpet.

The other little messy habit is that she will take her pullup off in the morning and pee in her bed so as not to mess up her pullup! Yesterday morning, I walked into her room and there on the floor, several inches from her crib, was a perfectly round puddle of pee. Now, I look at my little girl, then down at the puddle and wonder, "How in the world did that happen?" Did she jump out of the crib, do her business, then jump back in? Did she climb onto the railing, thrust her body out, then do her business? Perhaps we will never know!

Other than that, she is still my sweet baby who delights in making us smile. I am enjoying watching the unique relationships that she is building with her brothers. She loves her mornings with Thomas. This often consists of her laying on top of him while watching Sesame Street (or as I like to call it, my hour to clean!). She loves bossing him around and he usually lets her. One of the first things she says every morning is, "I want THOMAS!" Matthew loves to baby her and she loves to be babied by him. It is so much fun to watch it unfold!

I love weeks like this one. Things are going very smoothly and I am loving the mommy business! Maybe I just jinxed myself! I'll keep my fingers crossed!

Book Tag

Tagged by Amy!

1. One book that changed your life: Gone With The Wind. I read it my sophomore year in high school. It was the first really really long book I ever read and it gave me the confidence to try another really long book. I credit that one with the start of my love for reading.

2. One book that you've read more than once: To Kill a Mockingbird and Tale of Two Cities. I moved my junior year in high school. Both of these books were in the freshman curriculum at my old school and the senior curriculum in my new school!

3. One book you'd want on a desert island: The Bible Also War and Peace. It would take me a while to read and I won't have anything but time on my hands!

4. One book that made you laugh: I Don't Know How She Does It. A hilarious book about a woman who juggles work and young children.
The Number One Ladies Detective Agency.

5. One book that made you cry: Marley and Me. I am a sucker for a good dog book. Also, The Last Coach: The Story of Bear Bryant. I am a suck for a good Bama book.

6. One book you wish had been written: Harry Potter.

7. One book you wish had never been written: Most all motivational books. Who Moved My Cheese, et. al.

8. One book you're currently reading: Love In the Time of Cholera.

9. One book you've been meaning to read: Blue Like Jazz. I have it on the shelf ready to go! Anna Karenina. I have also had that ready to go (even before Oprah put it on her list). The Corrections, John Adams, Two Years Before the Mast.

10. Books I am incredible glad that I read that also had a huge impact on my life: Undaunted Courage, Fly Boys, Mark of the Lion series, Centennial, Come to the Table, Roots . Plus many more!

Thank you to everyone who loves my kids

Yesterday afternoon, a package arrived at our doorstep. It was for Thomas. Much to Thomas's sheer delight, my cousin had sent him an official Shawn Alexander jersey, hat, and fan finger (is that what you call them?). His eyes were wide as saucers. "You mean I get my OWN jersey?" Colleen lives in Seattle and knows how much Thomas adores the team. She couldn't help herself. Colleen just inched past his mother as Thomas's favorite female.

The same day, JoAnna's daughter, Hannah, Matthew's cousin in law, sent him a Georgia Bulldog keychain which plays the Georgia fight song, a personal favorite of Matthew's.

I woke up this morning and poured ME some milk. "Uh, uh. I want COFFEE milk!" I reached for the coffee syrup, a Rhode Island specialty that my aunt, who lives in Providence, sent to me for the kids. ME drank two huge glasses.

After breakfast, I dressed ME in her new adorable outfit from my mother-in-law for her birthday. She LOVES getting new outfits! She goes in her closet and says, "I want an outfit!" What a female.

I am just feeling really grateful today for everyone who chooses to be a part of my kids lives. You bless me. You bless my kids.

*Kristen never forgets their birthdays by sending a card and present.
*Lauren is always available to play with them and brag on them.
*Mom and Dad take them on great vacations and are always looking for special things for them.
*My inlaws sent Matthew "official" car insurance (they are in the business) for his plastic Hummer. He was thrilled. They also have quarters for the boys who love state quarters.
*My brother and sister-in-law have the boys spend the night and do lots of fun things with them (like meet Dirk Nowitzki!). They always remember them when they are on vacation.
*My aunts ALWAYS send cards for EVERY holiday for them. Even St. Patrick's Day!

I feel so blessed to have so many friends and family who love my kids! Thank you!

Great day!

OK, I'm just really having a great day. Maybe I shouldn't jinx it, but I am loving life right now.

I just walked outside to a cool, 86 degree afternoon. It is amazing how cool that feels after 106 degrees days all August! A breeze was coming in from the north. Heaven.

IT SMELLED LIKE RAIN! Wet spots were on the ground and not from my sprinkler system. I have seen rain twice since we moved in 2 months ago. My plants are even in a good mood.

My kids are just too stinking cute today. They make my world a great place to live.

5.95 pizza night! No messing up the kitchen.

No where to be on a Monday. The day gets such a bad rap. I adore Mondays!

Another quiet weekend, the end of an era, and Sloppy Joes.

Bryon had his annual football draft in Dallas which he always attends. He decided last minutes to do the draft at home so we didn't have to go out of town. I usually love to go to Dallas, but the thought of dragging sleeping children out of bed and being on the road by 7 seemed very unappealing on a sacred Saturday morning!

I loved watching both the boys participate in the draft with Bryon. Bryon had first pick (because he came in last place this year) and deciding who would be the number one pick was the dinnertime topic all week. Since Shawn Alexander is Thomas's favorite player, they decided that it would be more fun to root for him than someone who we didn't care about.

I think we have come to the end of an era with ME. My beautiful little napper has suddenly decided that she doesn't like naps. Most days last week she didn't take one or didn't go down the first time. Now, Matthew was 25 months when he stopped napping, and I was 2 when I stopped, so this wouldn't be unusual, but how is it that I wound up with nap haters? To be fair, Thomas loved his naps until he was 3 1/2. I am hoping that this is just a phase. If it is over, it wouldn't be the end of the world. We would have much more freedom during the day. I have to pick Matthew up at 3 anyway. We'll see.

Here is another recipe that I double up and freeze. It is a Sloppy Joe recipe from the Women of ACU cookbook. I don't know what it is about this recipe, but I love it! Bryon and I usually eat 2 "Joes" a piece. Of course it is very kid friendly as well.

Sloppy Joes:
1 pound ground beef
1 C ketchup
1 Tablespoon mustard
2 Tablespoon vinegar (I usually use Apple Cider vinegar, but I am sure any will do.)
2 Tablespoon sugar
S and P to taste
1/4 C water

Brown meat. Add remaining ingredients. Cook slowly for 20 minutes.
Serve on toasted buns.

Phase 1 of the garden project completed!

Well, after a backbreaking day in the garden, phase 1 is now complete! I went to my favorite nursey yesterday to pick up a few extras. What is usually a full parking lot and not a worker to talk to b/c of busyness was just the opposite yesterday. I spent a lot of time with the owner of the nursery and she ended up giving me drastically reduced prices because most everything looks so pitiful this time of year! I planted over 40 plants yesterday. Toward the end, Bryon helped with the shoveling. I am feeling the effects this morning and am having trouble straightening my legs out! I was so happy yesterday working in the yard and getting back into it. I look forward to phase 2 coming up this fall!

BEFORE





















A good look at one of the two beds that were made. This one houses most of my roses that I brought from the other house. I also have some perennials in there such as black and blue salvia and some sages.














This picture shows my arbor and the flower bed on one side. Phase 1 of this project is complete! The next step is to get someone out to put up a short fence on either side of the arbor to divide my backyard in half. I will put rambling roses on the fence.













Not the best picture, but this is where the majority of my KnockOut Roses are. I put Agapanthus around the border because I like this combination.

Thursday

Last night, I started the new Beth Moore bible study on Daniel. I am really excited about starting this one up! I haven't taken one of her studies since I was pregnant with ME and took some time off while she was really little b/c they take up a lot of time. I am also excited because Bryon is taking it with me! This is the first year it has been opened up to guys so it should make for great discussions!

Matthew was thrilled to find out that his teacher is taking the class as well! She doesn't go to our church but enjoys coming on Wednesday nights for Beth Moore. She told me that that morning she had asked the kids to write down things about themselves. Matthew wrote that he was an Exurver (his way of saying "observer"---too cute to correct! ;), a Scientist, and a Daydreamer! I asked him later what he meant by daydreamer. He said sometimes he likes to just sit down and think!

My new big project that has started this week is that I get to start planting! My new backyard didn't have a single flower bed in it when we bought it. My landscape guy came over yesterday and used his sodcutter to shape some beds for me and now I have 30 plus plants to put in the ground. Despite the 100 heat, I am going to try to put a few in before I pick up the kids from MDO. I am stalling, because I am a baby about the heat, to write this post! OK, enough stalling...

This and that

*We had Matthew's parent/teacher night last night. This was the teacher's chance to share policys and procedures with the class, get to know her personality, as well as meet other parents in the class. I really like Matthew's teacher and feel comfortable with her teaching style.

Bryon and I had a chance to talk to her for a while last night. She told us a funny story about Matthew that occurred that morning. They were in circle talking about letters and the teacher asked what word began with the letter "q". Matthew raised his hand and said, "quill". The kids didn't know what that meant so Matthew explained how people used quills during the American Revolution time. Some kid raised his hand and said, "Couldn't we just used 'quilt'?" Matthew popped his head back to the teacher and said, "What's wrong with these people? Don't they care about American history?" Matthew's teacher got a big kick out of that!

*My blog friends are dropping like flies. I miss you, Meredith and Kelley!

*Thomas and ME started Mother's Day Out yesterday. Thomas, woke up and started bouncing around because he was so excited about the first day of school! The most exciting part? Aunt Lauren was his teacher! He had a great time and stayed on green all day. This means he had good behavior. Thomas heard, "I got a green today in school" all year last year because Matthew's teacher used the same color coding. Thomas felt very big having a discipline chart! He probably talked about it 20 times yesterday! I loved picking the kids up and seeing Lauren. I am so glad she is Thomas's teacher this year!

*There were some comments about my double up and freeze recipes on my last post. There are several tried and true recipes I use for this and I will share some over the next few posts. Here is perhaps the easiest double up and freeze, Taco Soup. I am pretty sure that you can't be a member of my church without knowing this recipe! We eat our weight in it during the fall and winter. When I was making it on Saturday, Bryon had some football game on and I was daydreaming that it was October! I can't stress enough how good it is, easy, and kidfriendly. Here is goes:

Taco Soup
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 onion
1 package Taco Seasoning
1 package ranch dressing (powder)
2 cans pinto beans
1 can kidney beans
1 can corn
1 large can tomatoes (I like progresso crushed)
1 can green chilis

Brown meat and onion together. Follow directions on taco seasoning package to mix in with the meat. Mix the rest of the ingredients together in a large pot and simmer 1 hour.
Serve with either corn bread, cheese, and/or chips.

Again, since this recipe is just mainly dumping cans into a pot, I double it and freeze the massive pot into family portions. My favorite way to eat it is to put cornbread on the bottom of a bowl and spoon the soup over it. Yum!

This weekend

Well, this one was very quiet and wonderfully boring! Since we spent well over one thousand dollars this past month between electric bill, water bill, and gas, we decided to have as close to a spend free weekend as possible! It was very enjoyable actually.

I cooked and froze about 8 meals. I am finishing the rest today. I just do much better with a stocked freezer! I also spent some time at my hair salon. I usually let my hair grow out for the summer so I can put it in a pony tail. Now, it is chopped above my shoulders and looks a little better.

I am enjoying the school year so far. I woke Matthew up at 7 on Friday morning and he said, "But I just went to sleep!" It is hard getting used to waking up early again! I feel like I can start over each school year and am making a list of "School Year Resolutions". So far I have better doing pretty well.

Thomas and ME start back to school tomorrow. I am going to start going up to work and reorienting myself to the paperwork/therapy techniques.

This is a recipe for our family's breakfast casserole. It is delicious anytime of year, but for some reason, we usually only eat it on Christmas morning. I made some for a church event recently and it was eaten up.

Breakfast (Holiday) Casserole:
Assemble the night before:

1 lb. ground sausage, cooked
4 1/2 C stale bread, cubed
2 C cheddar cheese
10 eggs, beaten
4 C milk
1 t. salt
1 t. dry mustard
1/2 t. onion powder

Optional additions: red or green peppers, basil, green onions, rosemary, ham, etc. You are only limited by your imagination!

Combine in 9X13 greased pan.
325 for 1 hour or until set.

What is a positive thing about it being 106 degrees outside?

When my grill has to be 375 degrees to cook pork, and it registers 150 degrees before I even turn it on, it doesn't take nearly as long to preheat! Whoopee!

Yeah, I know your jealous....

Today

Well, we had a successful day of 1st grade. Matthew told me they talked a lot about germs today and how to really make them mad (I guess kill them!). Then he proceeded to tell me all the places that germs live.

"You know, Mommy, germs are all over your purse. You shouldn't put your purse down on a table because you might put germs on the table!"

He reported that he loved everything about today, but if he had to say his favorite thing, it would be that you don't have to take a nap in first grade. It is funny that he picked this perk, because I remember the only thing I hated about kindergarten was naptime. It was the only time I ever got in trouble, because I couldn't settle down for this torturous half hour!

ME had her 2 year appointment today. She is in the 35% for height and 40% for weight. At least she is a well proportioned peanut! I asked the doctor what she projected ME's mature height to be, and she said that you can do a parental height average to guesstimate. (Mother's height and father height minus 5 inches. For boys it is father's height and mother's height plus 5 inches). This would put her at 5'8". Hard to imagine now!

The doctor said that she is talking and putting words together like a 3 year old. That girl LOVES to talk! Here are a few of her favorite sentences:
"Whatcha doing, Mommy?"
"Who's that?"
"No, No. I don't want to."
"Leave me alone, brother!"
"Daddy at work."
"I love you SO MUCH!"

Yes, today was a great day. I love being back on schedule!

First Day of First Grade

Well, Matthew is in school! Although not less exciting, this year seemed a bit less dramatic. Matthew and I both knew what to expect. He really loved talking to Mrs. L at Blast Off on Monday night so he was very excited to get to see her again today. I gave Matthew a hug this morning and he said, "Aahhhh. I still remember that last kindergarten hug..." ME seemed sad to say goodbye to Matthew. As we were walking out, she looked at me and said, "Matthew leavin'?"

We have ME's 2 year appointment this morning and I am anxious to see how she "measures up"!





Looking forward to a calm day of cleaning house and playing with my little two!

What a way to say goodbye to summer!

Today was an absolute blast! Bryon and I were lamenting this weekend that we never took the kids to Schlitterbahn this summer like we wanted to. Bryon got to thinking about it and realized that he could move some court around to give him today off. The icing on the cake was when Lauren offered to watch ME for us. Taking a 2 year old to a water park was less than ideal. What a great sister! She took some cute pictures of ME today on my Flickr page.

We left shortly after 7 this morning and headed down to New Braunfels. This is my favorite area of Texas and I was so happy even to get to drive down there! Schlitterbahn was great. There was a tiny crowd today as many of the schools around here were already in session. We were able to ride all the rides with relatively short lines. We told the boys that they were the "bosses" today. Anything they wanted to do, we would go along with. Thomas said, "Well, if I am the boss, I say we go to Taco Bueno!" I am sorry Thomas. You will just have to settle for a water park with the top rated water ride in the country. Poor, poor child!

Both the boys were incredible. No complaints. No fear. Just good ole' family fun. The experience was a glimpse into the short future where we can start going to fun places without lots of baby equipment, worrying about naps, not being able to swim, etc. I adore the baby phase, but this was great today!

I tucked the boys into bed early as school starts in the morning. I will have a full report and pictures shortly thereafter!

Oh, and we made it home just in time to enjoy a meal at Taco Bueno! ;)

Last day of summer!

What are we doing the last day of summer?

Going to Schlitterbahn!!!!

Bryon took the day off and my saintly sister is watching ME. I can't wait to have a day with my favorite guys at my favorite water park!

Ann Miller

I heard the news this morning that my favorite professor at Baylor passed away on Saturday.

Ann Miller was a legend at Baylor. She had the reputation for being tough as nails but an inspiration to her students. I felt like I couldn't leave Baylor without taking her literature class. I have always had a passion for history and literature and her class seemed the perfect fit for me.

She was a spitfire! She demanded respect. No one dared to show up late for her class. You have never seen someone who adored poetry like Professor Miller. If something in class reminded her of a poem, she would break out in a recitation! She was very demanding. I still have the syllabus from her class (which says a lot since I throw everything away!) that shows the amount of work that was required. The class grade would hinge on 3 tests.

The first test was disastrous for me. I made a 68. I had always prided myself on my high GPA and I knew this was going to sink me. There was something about Professor Miller that inspired me. I wanted to do well on the next two tests to not only make myself proud, but to make her proud of me as well.

As the time approached to take the second test, I made it my top priority to do well on the test. Top priority was difficult this semester as it was the semester I got engaged! When the time came for her to pass back the second test, she pointed at me in front of the whole class and she said how proud she was of me. I made an A+! I was on top of the world!

This inspired me to do whatever I could to bring up my grade. Her class remained top priority to me and I made another A+ on the final. I ended up with an A in the class even after my disastrous first test. This was my hardest earned A in my time at Baylor both undergraduate and graduate.

I learned so much about poetry from Professor Miller. She was a truly unique teacher in that she demanded the best from me and I wanted desperately to show her my best.

I will never forget you, Professor Miller.

A big weekend!

Lots going on this weekend!

Friday night started out with finding out who Matthew's teacher would be this year. We had been in prayer all summer that Matthew be placed with a teacher who is best suited for his personality and interests. I have heard that first grade really kicks in with difficult and plentiful work. It isn't kindergarten anymore. We just felt like having a strong teacher in first grade was so important, although even as I write this I realize that I am going to want my kids to have strong teachers every year! I had heard that first grade had one of the strongest teams in the school and we couldn't go wrong with any teacher.

I knew who his teacher was but wasn't as familiar with her. After spending much of the weekend on the phone with mother's whose children had been in her class, I am thrilled with the placement! From what I hear, she is a 40ish teacher with a passion for first graders. She is very structured and extremely challenging, but kind and loving to the kids. I think my son, who is already asking me when he can start taking quizzes, will thrive in her classroom! She called Matthew yesterday and we both were able to have a nice conversation with her. We are both excited! Tomorrow night is Blast Off for school where we get to tour the classroom. It should be fun.

I know this sounds crazy, but it is really hitting me that I only have one more year left with Thomas at home. If I could have sent Matthew to school at 3, I would have. He was ready even then! Thomas has just quietly grown up in the shadow of his big brother. He has such a gentle and easy going personality, that these years at home with him have flown by. I really want to make the most of this year with him and savor every moment. Life as the mother of a school aged child is so wonderful but so different. All the sudden, another woman, who I don't even get to choose spends more daytime with my child than I do. But not this year with Thomas. He's all mine.

Saturday was ME's big birthday! We all rushed in to sing her Happy Birthday and she said, "Thank you!!!" I had the family over for a meal and cake. The theme was Disney Princesses. She loves Princesses! ME has my speech impediment of choice, the lisp. All of her other sounds, even r and t are perfect, but she says things like "Thomath" and "Thockth". We love hearing her say, "Printheth". Too cute! She loved her dolls and toys. Our big present to her was her Barbie Hot Wheel. We can't pry her off!

This morning was Promotion Sunday at church. This was a big year for Matthew because he moved to the classroom upstairs. Woohoo! He was thrilled. Tonight, we had a party in recognition of our preschool director's 14 years of service. She is starting a job at a local public school. All the kids were on a video thanking "Miss Jan". Matthew thanked her for "molding young people's minds". What a hoot.

This should be a fun and busy week! Three more days until school!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Mary Elizabeth!

Tomorrow, my little girl turns 2. I am so excited to have a 2 year old again although she has been developing her 2 year oldness for a while!

ME is sweet and funny. She is quiet and a spitfire. She is affectionate but always on the go. She is beautiful in fluffy dresses with her curls up in a bow, she is adorable with a T-shirt on and birds nest hair! She loves to laugh and make us laugh. She loves her family, she loves her teachers, she loves life. She has been a blessing to us since the moment she was born.

Thank you, God for your beautiful gift to us. You knew the deepest desires of my heart and chose to bless us with a daughter. What an overflow of blessings that she is everything I ever imagined a daughter to be and more. Thank you.

Kicking off!

Tonight is P.T.A. kickoff and I am so excited! There are a lot of positives to summertime and having no schedule with three kids home all day with little to do at night. I LOVE having quiet summer nights not having to scarf down dinner to get to sporting events and piano. I love sleeping in and not being in a rush to put the kids down at night. I love not having to wake ME up from a nap to pick up Matthew. I love more time with Matthew.

However, I absolutely love kicking off the school year and all the excitement that brings.

*I love finding out who Matthew's teacher will be along with friends that might be in his class.
*I love school shopping for supplies and clothes.
*I love P.T.A. projects and reconnecting with school mom friends.
*I love the Fall.
*I love football and fall carnivals.
*I love the first cool day (granted this is months away!).
*I love quiet mornings and afternoons with my younger two.
*I love school projects.
*I love a clean house.
*I love when my shows start back again.

While this part of the year is my least favorite weatherwise, I feel like cooler temperatures and excitement are coming! I am just a schedule person and 10 weeks of summer is enough for me. Tonight is P.T.A. stuff. Tomorrow, we find out who Matthew's teacher is. Monday, we meet Matthew's teacher and see his classroom. Wednesday, we start school! Yippee!

Matthew's home!

When my parent's and Matthew were getting screened to get on the plane last week, the security guard asked Matthew, "Are you travelling for business or pleasure?" Matthew looked at him with a straight face and said, "Business."! Boy did that threesome get down to business!

Mom reported that they went from sunup to sundown seeing everything they possible could see. This melts my heart about my parents. It was just that important to them that Matthew got to witness as much as time allowed. To Matthew's credit, he never uttered a peep of complaint of being tired, hot, hungry, bored, etc. Matthew said he was on his "BEST BEHAVIOR and it hasn't even been that hard"! Of course, how hard could this be when the president and CEO of the Matthew Fan Club were giving him their full attention and bowing to his every whim? ;)

It is my hope that he will remember this trip for the rest of his life and go back to Washington someday with his grandson! Many of the pictures from the trip are in my photostream to the right of the screen. I wished they had taken a picture of Matthew's huge plate of crabs that he devoured the first night of the trip!

On the last night of the trip, Matthew asked my parents, "So, where are we going next year?" Don't press your luck, pal!

My weekend and news from Washington.

I had a tiring but exciting weekend in Houston. I took the best continuing education course I have ever taken. There is a lot of new technology out there to help patients who cannot swallow because of a stroke, progressive disease, or cancer. These patients are told that they cannot eat certain consistencies or nothing at all. For a lot of patients, this is the last pleasure that they have and taking it away can be devastating. I was telling Bryon, when my grandmother was told she couldn't drive anymore, she took it well. If the doctor told her she couldn't eat ice cream anymore, she would lose her will to live! I am thrilled to have been certified in this technique and extend a patient's ability to eat.

While in Houston, Bryon and I were able to go on a date to celebrate our anniversary. We ate at one of our favorite restaurants while Bryon's parents watched the kids. We also went and saw Talledega Nights. Highly overrated and highly stupid. I just didn't find it all that funny.

Meanwhile in Washington, Matthew is having the time of his life. My mother was concerned that Matthew might not be able to keep up with the Robinson-style vacation. That is, wake at the crack of dawn and see as much as possible until bedtime. I laughed at this knowing that Matthew doesn't slow down until his head hits the pillow! He has called several times telling me all that he has seen. Mount Vernon, a 6 hour walking/riding tour of Washington D.C., the tomb of the unknown soldier and Arlington National Cemetary, Smithsonian, Air and Space Museum, National Archives, as well as the inside of a taxi (very exciting) and a train! This is all that I can remember. He has been rattling off everything he has seen talking 90 miles an hour!

He also called me this morning to say there was a fire alarm in his hotel last night and he got to exit the hotel at 2 in the morning ("IN MY UNDERWEAR!!!!!") and couldn't go back until 3 a.m. Now, Matthew is fairly fearless, but he has had a fire phobia since the house around the corner from us burned to the ground when he was 5. I told Matthew that a little boy was playing with matches which burned the house down. God forgive me, I was lying through me teeth, but he is such a curious child that I have always been afraid of him being curious with matches. This experience might have been an Oprah moment for him to rid him of his fear!

I have enjoyed a lot of peace and tranquility with just the little two at home. The noise and activity level decreases 10 fold without my oldest little ball of energy around!