Lincoln's First Sunday School Class

For some amazing reason, we were all ready early for church this morning.  (Perhaps Mommy getting up a few minutes earlier really is helpful!)  I got a picture of Beau looking cute in Daddy's favorite outfit.  Preppy but chill at the same time, I guess.  Beau was a happy guy this morning.

Oh  my goodness - Lincoln looks like he is 12 in this picture!  He'll probably still have that sweet smile and skinny body at 12, so I'll need to do a comparison then.   

This is what I get when I ask for them to take a picture together . . .  a silly face from Lincoln and a fierce cheese with a mouthful from Beau.  I can't think of another picture that sums them up more perfectly!!   

This was my first week as Sunday School teacher in the 4 year old room, and Lincoln was so excited!  He's been talking about it for weeks, and he couldn't wait to get to our room.  He told everyone he saw that his Mommy was going to be the best teacher.  So sweet!!  We were happy to meet Ms. Mary (my teaching partner), her twin boys, and several other new friends.  We were a class of all boys today, and they were all so well-mannered and polite!  We shared the lesson and talked about the story and the verse.  We also got to know each other a little bit during circle time.  Next was craft time, and the boys did some drawing and coloring and then glued colored shapes on Samuel's robe.  We had a little snack break and had one more talk about the lesson. 

 

Since these sweet boys (who each said please and thank you without being prompted and shared sooooo well) had been calm and patient through the learning activities, we had a little fun time at the end of the hour and played Duck Duck Goose, Simon Says and Choo Choo Train.  I just caught the back end of the train!

Before everyone left, I asked who had fun today and was met with all hands in the hair and screams of ME!!!  Next I asked who was going to come back to Sunday School next week and was met with all hands in the air and screams of ME!!!  The loudest screamer was Lincoln, and I'm so glad he loved it.   

I had so much fun teaching my big guy, and I hear Beau and Daddy had fun in big church.  Beau got a new backpack to take his "Beau only" church things in, and it was filled with markers, a notebook, stickers, race cars, books and a snack.  He also had fun giving his offering and going down front for Children's Time.  We started off the day and the fall semester with a successful morning at church.  So thankful for these blessings!

Friday and Saturday Fun

What else is better than a "home day" on a Friday . . . not much!  Beau asks me each morning if it's a home day or a school day, and he loves when I answer that it's a home day.  Who doesn't love to eat breakfast in their pjs while watching Mickey?  After the required waffles and Disney time, I took the boys to one of their favorite places - Big Lou's Car Wash.  Seriously, they love to go there and ride through the car wash and request a trip there every single day!  You would think my car would be super clean, right?  We make it a bi-weekly thing.  I mean, I want to get my money's worth and make sure there are plenty of graham cracker/cereal bar/pringles/cheez-it crumbs for them to clean up.  After all of that fun, we went home to play in the backyard before it got too hot.  We are still enjoying (really?) 100 degree temps, so outside playing in the morning is best.  Lots of swinging, sliding, and climbing were first.

 

A little cleaning was next on the agenda.  We cleaned the table and chairs, watered the plants, sprayed down the playhouse slide and swings, and made sure all of the grass had a good soak.  I might have sprayed the boys a few times, and they really really really don't like that!

We worked up quite an appetite after all of that activity, so we dined on our newly cleaned table.  The boys requested a lunchable with ham, cheddar cheese, waffle pretzels, and apple slices.  That was one yummy lunch! ( I love the new lunchable containers I found recently.  That was an especially difficult task, as I had several requirements.  I had measurement restrictions so it would fit in Linc's lunchbox and it needed to have four separate sections.  So glad I found these.) 

Mommy had two excited participants to join her afternoon workout.  They loved the jumping jacks, squat jumps, pushups, and all the activities really.  Linc counted along and constantly asked me how many more.  Beau tried to wiggle under us as we did pushups.  At least they kept me entertained!  Swimming was next, and they both did great!  Lincoln has been working on his kick line, and it getting more consistent.  His arms are also improving so much, and he can go so far and fast in the water.  I think they may begin learning the backstroke next week.  Doesn't that sound so professional?!?!  Beau switched to a new teacher last week, and it didn't go so well.  The boys have only had Ms. Kerin for swimming because we always change up the day and time we can go depending on her class schedule.  Well, it just didn't work for Beau to have her this session.  Ms. Molly was recommended to us and the timing worked out.  He met her the week before and was so excited even as the class was beginning.  The other two students in his class were a bit younger and less confident, and they were crying.  The four students in a nearby class were extremely less confident and were crying too.  Crying is contagious, and Beau caught the bug!  He sobbed all through the class, the deck manager had to come hold one of the kids the whole time, another teacher came to help the class next to us.  It was just a disaster!  We decided to give it another chance before changing classes, but Beau was so great at this lesson.  Ms. Molly was ready with a plan . . . lots of M&Ms for Beau as he completed his swims and skills work, and keep him away from the crying kids.  He loved it and had so much fun!  Thanks to Ms. Molly for working hard to give Beau a great class!  A yummy dinner was in order after a long day, so we met Nana and Pops, Marte and Scooter,  and the Robisons at Anamia's.  Beau had my phone, and Linc had Pop Pops phone.  They called each other and everyone at the table to chat.  It was hilarious!!!  When Beau asked Linc, "Whachoo doin' Lincoln?", Linc responded with, "I'm sitting right beside you, Beau.  You know what I'm doing!"  So much fun!

Baseball baseball baseball is almost all anyone can thing about right now.  Since Lincoln has been practicing so hard for his first game, Daddy requested his old baseball equipment from storage.  Beau loved trying on his old catchers mask!

Even though Lincoln is WAY better at throwing than catching, he took the catchers mask for a spin too.  If anyone that played for RHS in the mid to late 90s is looking for their glove, we might have it.  Daddy pulled so many gloves out of that bag that were not his! 

A session of catch was necessary . . . with superhero shirts/capes.  Maybe it helps with the throwing or catching! 

Lincoln has been obsessed with Hide and Seek.  It's actually funny that he is finally coming up with unique hiding places.  That little brain never stops!  I found him behind a chair, under the little trampoline, squeezed between a shelf, under his bed, under the picnic table, and behind a pillow on his bed.  Of course, his giggling gives away his location, but he is way better at hide and seek than he used to be.  Beau really had fun with it too.  He liked to seek, but he really liked to hide exactly where Linc had just hidden. 

We finished off Saturday with a marvelous burger at the Katy Trail Outpost with Nana, Pops, Marte and Scooter.  Best burgers ever . . . I convinced Nana to share one with me, like I asked Minnie to do last weekend.  So much yumminess without the guilt!  The boys loved their burgers, fries and fruit, and Scooter and Pop Pop agreed with Bubbles that the Jalapeno Burger was the best!  I'm ready to officially make this our Saturday night dinner place.  Sunday brings a few new adventures for all.  This Mommy hopes everyone has a good night's sleep! 

T-Ball Practice Game

Lincoln's T-Ball team had their second practice, and he was super ready to get into the action.  The first practice was just working on skills, but this one was a mock game.  They had a short team meeting to discuss the goals of the practice, and then they got down to business!  Lincoln chose to be in the field first.  When asked what position he wanted to play, he responded third quickly!  He got lots of action at third base.  It was amazing that he went for every ground ball hit in his direction (and maybe even a few that weren't hit in his direction!), and he concentrated on stopping the ball from going past him then stood up to decide what to do with it.  Twice he tagged a runner out before getting to third base, and once he attempted a throw to first.  We were all cheering for Linc's great fielding, and he got several high fives from the field coach!  He was doing jumping jacks and singing and dancing while waiting for the next batter to hit.  He definitely had fun at third base!  They gave another kid a turn at third and Linc moved over to kind of short stop/outfield (they have a lot of kind of positions in T-Ball!), and he ran all over the place stopping balls!  So proud of my little baseball player!

When it was time to come in from the field and hit, Linc was ready!  He and Coach Andrew talked about the proper batting stance, and then he hit a line drive off the tee!  Luckily, he knew to toss the bat and run to first base.  In T-Ball you stop at first no matter if anyone catches the ball, and he was so proud for getting on base before anyone could catch his hit!  Great swing! 

I can't leave out the funniest story of the practice . . . When Lincoln was on first, the next batter hit the ball in play.  Lincoln took off running to second, but the ball came rolling right in front of him and he couldn't help but pick it up and throw it to first!!!  No, no, no!  It was hilarious, and he made it second shouting that he ran and caught the ball!  We talked about the situation later on and decided that if you are running, you don't stop to get the ball.  We'll see if that lesson sticks.  I guess I'm more excited that he has some super hustle skills about grabbing the ball to get an out!  After the practice game, the kids worked on running the bases.  Linc loved that!! 

While Lincoln was having a blast on the field, little brother was having fun as close as he could get to the field!!  Mommy told him that Coach Andrew said that no little brothers could be past the fence, it was only for 4 year olds.  He taunted me several times by hugging the fence and assuring me that he wasn't breaking the rules!!!  Such a little devil!  He played a few games on my iPhone then we played chase in the grass for long enough to work up a sweat.  Back to hugging the fence and begging to run the bases after practice! 

Such a fun baseball practice!  Linc and his teammates did great at fielding and hitting.  I'm sure they will all have fun at our first game on Sunday.  Beau was happy that he did get to run the bases a few times when practice ended.  Lincoln hasn't stopped talking about his awesome hit and super fielding skills since we left practice.  I noticed a few cars driving by the field slowly and checking us out during practice . . . I remember before I was a Mom, and when the boys were babies, driving slowly by a baseball practice and thinking that I couldn't wait for it to be my boys out there.  The time is finally here, and we are loving it!! 

End of Labor Day Weekend

After a busy start to our long Labor Day weekend at the Arboretum and the Farmers Market, we had so much fun on Sunday and Monday.  Minnie and Bubble came to visit from Arkansas!  The boys were so excited to have different people to play endless games of Candyland, Chutes and Ladders, and Goodnight Moon Matching.  They also begged Minnie and Bubbles to read them a million books and stack a million blocks and give a million tickles!  We all had such a great time. 

Mommy is the new teacher in the 4 year old Sunday School room at church, and Lincoln so excited!  He's been really hesitant to go to Sunday School because he doesn't know anyone in the class, but Mommy will be there to help him make some friends and get used to the habit of class on Sundays.  I practiced a lesson on the boys after dinner, and they were thrilled to do the crafts, hear the story, and repeat the memory verse.  After their baths, they grabbed their story books and piled up in Linc's big bed for me to read it to them one more time. 

Nothing is sweeter than clean kiddos ready for a bedtime story!  Reading a bedtime story together in Linc's bed is a new thing, but everyone is enjoying it.  They are getting to be so big before my own eyes, and sometimes I want to freeze time right now!  Other times when they are having less-than-cute-and-sweet-moments, I'm ok with getting just a bit older to a more "minding" stage!  Either way, they are the best Lincoln and Beau that I know.  I'm a lucky Mommy to tuck these two into bed each night!

Super Fun Saturday

Saturday was set to be a record breaking day of heat for August 31, so we did our outdoor activities in the morning before it got too hot.  We went to the Fairview Farmers Market and loved looking at all of the goodies.  The boys made their selections from the fruit/veggie stand after lots of consideration . . . Linc picked corn on the cob, Beau picked blueberries, and Mommy picked peaches.  Lincoln has never had corn on the cob but assured me it would be really fun to eat.  I love corn on the cob and never get to eat it, so I was happy with his choice.  Beau's choice of blueberries was a little confusing because one of the only foods that Beau doesn't like is blueberries (the only other food he doesn't like is meatloaf).  I was thinking maybe he was turning the corner on the super fruit and ready to snack on some blueberries!  We also sampled some cookies from a nice lady/vendor and purchased the sample that Lincoln liked the best - lemon blueberry shortbread cookies!  Weird, right?  No one liked the iced cookies!  After all that shopping we stopped at the baseball field at Bowie to practice.  Linc spent a few minutes warming the bench then got ready to play!

Daddy bought him a real bat after T-Ball practice, and he's adjusting to the weight of it.  After a few swings and hands turned the wrong way, we figured out that Linc was standing on the wrong side of the tee.  He did get off a good hit before we moved him to the other side!  Beau loved running the bases and swinging the bat too!  

We got pretty hot and sweaty at our little practice, so we got cooled off and cleaned up for lunch.  Everyone wanted to play games after lunch, and we started with Candyland.  Lincoln loves Candyland and plays it with his school friends sometimes.  Beau is new to the game and doesn't have all the patience necessary to play a real board game yet.  He tried his best and enjoyed it!   

One round of Candyland was good enough for Beau, and he went to find a game he could play on his own.  Linc and I played Candyland two more times then played Chutes and Ladders.  So excited about game time! 

Beau's solitaire game of choice was the Goodnight Moon game.  He matches the cards with the pictures on the game board, and he loves it.  Goodnight Moon is one of his favorites books, and he knows every word by heart.  So glad he can play on his own a bit!

After a rest, we headed out for a few errands like picking up a dress at the alterations place, shopping for a few groceries, and grabbing a pound of smoked turkey from Spring Creek BBQ for dinner!  The boys couldn't wait for me to cook the ears of corn to add to our smoked turkey dinner.  I'll just say that the excitement was way higher at the idea of the corn on the cob than the actual eating of the corn on the cob.  They just weren't comfortable biting into it hard enough to get any corn kernels in their mouths.  I tried to demonstrate with my ear of corn . . . I hope we'll try this one again soon! 

While we were eating dinner, a surprise appeared on the front porch!  The boys were so excited to see that Nana and Pops had left them a movie and snack basket . . . Movie Night!  We never saw Despicable Me (released in 2010), but they like the iPhone game that came out when Despicable Me 2 came out this summer.  They have been asking to watch the movie, so it was the perfect gift! 

Sleeping bags and couch pillows were requested, and the boys enjoyed their popcorn and M&Ms while they watched the movie.  Linc didn't really like it at first because he thought there were too many bad guys.  I took a little time to lay with them and explain the characters to make them less scary, and luckily it lightened up significantly at the end.  He was dancing with them as the movie closed!   

Super fun Saturday!  We really had a great time today just doing low-key family stuff.  This Labor Day weekend has been full of fun so far, and we still have two days left!  Church and a visit from Minnie and Bubbles on Sunday means more fun!

Friday Morning at the Dallas Arborteum

We haven't been to the Dallas Arboretum in a while (maybe because it's been so hot!), but we thought it would be fun to go in the morning before it got too hot.  The boys were already excited about the water feature at the entrance!  It's the little things, I guess!  Admission was only $1 each for the month of August (I guess they are willing to slash their prices in when it's crazy hot around here), so it was a cheap adventure!  Let the fun begin . . .

We went to the old timey Texas section first, and the log cabins were fun to explore.  I tried to explain that this one room hut with a chair, wooden bed and fireplace/kitchen area was someone's home once, and Lincoln told me there was no way someone lived in there.  Mommy might have screamed extremely (and embarrassingly) loudly about a bug, and we went to check out the next thing!  Apparently living in a teepee was way too crazy of a concept for these two because they couldn't even comprehend that someone would live in a tent!  They thought it was cool though!

We climbed in the covered wagon and talked about how this was one family's car that horses pulled to carry them around.  Again, two little brains were blown!!   

Back to the real world and there are fountains and pools to check out!  Beau was not interested in posing, as he was trying to follow the splashing water.  Linc gamely gave me a cheese! 

We had a long talk in the car about staying with Mommy and holding hands and minding, and I'm so proud that they were on their best behavior.  They mostly held onto my hands, but they ran ahead of me together and I love that they got to explore the small flower garden together.  Sweet brothers!! 

Forced pose with forced cheeses! 

We took a water/potty break and then headed to the Alice In Wonderland exhibit.  They thought the rabbit and mushrooms were so cool.   

There were several flower houses to visit, but Lincoln was a little disappointed by them.  Apparently I oversold the flower houses. He told me that they were mostly leaves and plants and not enough flowers . . . picky, much?!?! 

They did love the Mad Hatter Tea Party in one of the flower houses, and they laughed that a rabbit had on a hat that big!   

Beau seemed especially like a big boy today.  He was so good as we walked over the entire grounds, and he found so many things to talk about . . . birds, squirrels, flower colors, acorns to kick (that was his favorite!).  Love my sweet Beau! 

One of my favorite places at the Arboretum is the walkway with the tree canopy.  They had fun running down the sidewalk hand in hand.  Melt my heart! 

Lincoln was our guide for the day, and he loved to check his map and tell us where to go next.  Occasionally we wandered down a path that he deemed was on the map but secret to other visitors.  He was so proud when he actually (accidentally) led us where we wanted to go! 

Beau spotted a little yellow butterfly dancing above the flowers that lined the walkway, and he was determined to catch it.  Poor little guy chased that butterfly forever!  Each time he would get close, he would turn and snap his hands and just miss the innocent butterfly.   

We finished off our morning at the Arboretum with a picnic in the shade.  The boys told me they wanted a lunchable of turkey, cheese, pretzels and apple slices, so that's what I packed in the cooler.  We got settled in the shade and I fixed their plates, then Beau decided that my turkey sandwich looked yummy and stole it from me!!!   Still, I loved my lunch dates!

It was a warm morning, but we got cooled down as we ate lunch.  I so loved to spend this special time with them.  We didn't hurry, we walked at their pace, and we looked at whatever they wanted to look at . . . that is a lesson in patience for a Mom used to being in on-the-go mode!  Their pace is way more fun!  I told them on the way home that I was so proud that they behaved like such big boys at the Arboretum, and Linc responded that they are definitely big boys and they are the best!  I agree!!! 

Lincoln's First T-Ball Practice!

This baseball loving family has a player ready to hit the field!  Lincoln is signed up to play SVAA T-Ball this fall, and he's so excited!  We have watched so many little teams play at our neighborhood park, and Lincoln has been waiting for the day that he is old enough to participate.  We got our list of uniform requirements and have been shopping to gather the appropriate items.  We were having a problem finding navy uniform socks in his size, and Lincoln told Kevin in Academy one evening, "Just tell Mom to look online and order them."  The lady and her daughter standing next to them busted out laughing that Lincoln suggested that!  And look online and order them I did indeed . . . they'll be here next week.  Wednesday evening was the first practice for the Yankees team (Kevin is not thrilled about the team name!), and we got our new glove and cleats on with so much excitement.  The boys gathered for a team meeting with Coach Andrew first.  Paying close attention and cheesing out!

After a warm-up run, the boys were split into groups of 4 to work on drills.  Linc's group began with throwing, and the Coach worked with them on the proper throwing and catching techniques.  We'll be working on the 'W' move to perfect our throws. 

Water break then hitting practice!  Linc has a bat and tee that we use in the yard, but the bat is a lightweight plastic.  This was a real bat and quite heavy, according to Linc!  Kevin is getting him a real bat tomorrow to practice with at home and build some muscle!  Once he got comfortable with the feel of the bat, he got a few good hits off the tee! 

Running the bases finished off the practice.  Linc was eager to point out each base by name and was comfortable running the bases in order.  That seems like a given, right?  Not so much!  It's hilarious to watch a kid who has never been instructed about the base order and base path run around like crazy.  (I remember thinking that was crazy when Linc was in Little Sluggers.)  They ran a lot and got pretty sweaty!

The first practice was definitely a success!  He was eager to participate and learn in each area, really talked with the coaches (probably too much about his new glove, shoes, favorite baseball team, little brother, and on and on!), and made a few new friends.  A kid on the team is also named Lincoln, and Kevin did a double take when he saw a mom that clearly wasn't me carrying a navy backpack with turquoise trim with a turquoise monogrammed Lincoln on the front!  Yes, that little boy has the EXACT same backpack and monogram as my Lincoln.   How crazy is that?!?!  Beau was very excited about this practice as well, mostly because he thought he got to be on the team and practice too.  I carefully explained that he wasn't, but he insisted on his hat, glove and ball too.  He watched the practice for a minute or two then he told me he wanted to play on the playground instead.  We will have another practice next week then our first game!  The fun is just beginning!

The Boys' Weekend

While Mommy and Daddy were having kid-free fun in KS, the boys were having a great time with Nana and Pops at home.  They had lots of fun activities planned and got started right away.  Before it got too hot they headed to the playground (at Bowie!) to play.  Beau especially loves to play Whataburger at the little order window under the slide.  He makes everyone order Whataburger food, types on the fake computer, and even requests a pretend credit card swipe!  (Full disclosure:  He has lots of experience with credit card swipes, but only eats Whataburger every other Thursday.  He's just obsessed with it!)  Beau's order includes a "burger with cheese, plain and dry (so like his Daddy), French fries and lots of ketchup".  I'm wondering if his Whataburger job application in 15 years should reflect this early show of employee spirit?!?!

Swimming lessons with Ms. Kerin were fun in the afternoon, followed by dinner at Anamia's with Marte and Scooter.  Saturday morning brought a trip to the Children's Aquarium, and they boys were so excited!  They had never been to this one, and were excited to see the sea creatures.  (Linc's class is studying sea creatures, and he's fond of that phrase for any fish-type animal.)  The jelly fish were their favorite!  I've seen their impression of how the jellyfish go up and down, and it's pretty hilarious.    

There were lots of cool fish to check out, and they took their time examining each one.  They also watched sharks, an octopus, and some turtles.  Very interesting stuff! 

Another look at the fishies before hitting up the souvenir shop.  Linc selected a shark that he named Sharkey, and Beau picked a turtle that he named Sharkey the Turtle.  Whatever!  So much fun at the Aquarium.  Linc's teacher was thrilled that he could tell her about all of the sea creatures that he knew about from their studies.   

What weekend is complete without a fort?  The Kuhlman Boys Fort was a popular hangout then and now . . . I don't have the heart to take it down yet.   

After Lincoln's afternoon rest, he got busy with homework books.  His favorite pages were the mazes, and he was really serious.  

The days at the pool are quickly coming to an end for the summer, so they got ready for a swim in the afternoon.  Beau was insistent that he wear flip flops like Pop Pop.  Warning:  Beau walk EXTREMELY slow in flip flops.  It probably took him 10 minutes to walk down the sidewalk to the gate!  He sure looked cute though! 

Everyone had fun swimming.  Lincoln made a few new friends, and Beau spent some time flirting with Miss Francis.  Typical!!   We are going to miss the pool this fall and winter.  The boys really get to work on the skills from swimming lessons each week, and they have gotten so good this summer.

Sunday was filled with plenty of games, books, songs, and good times.  I hear brunch at The House Café was super good, and a Target run was necessary.  I was prepared for a few tears when we got home . . . because that meant Nana and Pops had to go home!  Luckily, they handled it well.  The boys were pretty chill for the rest of the evening.  After so many activities, they were quiet in their rooms reading books and playing with Legos for the evening.  I'm glad everyone had a great weekend.  Thanks to Nana and Pops for taking care of them so we could take a quick getaway.  I bet Nana and Pops had a quiet Sunday evening too . . . it can be pretty exhausting to take care of these two wild boys!