Computer

James really likes to play games on the computer. He is very good and can even find them on his own. We are constantly amazed at his computer literacy(he is newly 5).
Today he really wants ot play although he has already played his v smile games and watched TV.
He has been bargaining:

James: Mommy can I please play a game on the computer.
Me: No, James. You've already played games.
James sits quetly for minute the says: If you let me play a game on the computer you can make me eat any vegetable. You can make me eat Broccoli. I don't like Broccoli.
Me: James you are so cute.(laughing)
James: Will you let me play a game because I'm so cute?
Me: No James, but you are very cute and funny.
James:Please. I'll promise to help you clean up. Will you let play a game if I help you clean up. Ugh, I'm trying everything I can think of!~(frustrated now)

The begging did not end here. No game for James tonight but he is very creative.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yesterday James turned 5! My sweet 5 year old requested McDonalds for his birthday meal. Try as I might, he could not be dissauded! Mmmm....nothing like McDonalds for a special meal. WE will have his party in two weeks...bowling.

Today is Thanksgiving. We are home alone as a family minus 1. Michael flew to Alabama to meet his girlfrineds family. It's sad he isn't here because I really miss him lately...he is busy being 21 and making his way through life. He was excited about meeting her family and they will go to the college game today.
Andrew is working until 7 so we are having a late Thanksgiving dinner. I made eggs benedict for brunch(think this might be a fun new family tradition?) and will start cooking at 2.
We had planned to go to my Dad's, then my Mom's. Mom is really ill. She has been hospitalized twice this month. She has a blockage caused by a recurrance of ovarian cancer. She started chemo last week. I went down alone and planned to take everyone down for the holiday. Our plans changed when I came down with a nasty cold:( We are here now, having our own little day.

Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy the day wherever it may take you. I am thankful for those in my life that teach me, love me, guide me, challenge me and hold me dear. You are all important to me and I hold each of you dear.

That must be hard...

James and I were watching a tv show and there was a pregnant woman. On it. WE've had many discussions about living in Mommies tummy over the year and my boys are quite familiar with he fact that babies grow for many months in their Mommies before coming into the world. This must have been something on James mind for a while...

James: "Mommy, we watched a show and it said babies are dropped off by birds. Isn't that silly? Babies live in Mommies tummies, right?"

Me: "Right, James. That is silly."

James giggles.He is clearly thinking something over. James is very serious about getting all the correct info.

James: "But Mommy... How do babies get out of Mommies tummies?"

Me: Thinking quickly about how I want to handle this... "They come out of Mommies Vagina's." Hoping that he takes it at that without much more info for the time being!

James: After looking perplexed for a few seconds "That must be hard"

Me: "Yes, it is"

That was that:)

Another illness and other cute things

Gavin has a terribly illness today.
Gavin: I am very sick, I need medicine(for some reason both of my children love pills and liquids:(, James loves Flax seed oil and vitamin E)
Mommy: I don't think you're sick. What is wrong with you?
Gavin: A bunny jumped in my tummy.


Later today Gavin brought me one lady bug slipper. James had taken both pair of fuzzy slippers out to the living room last night. Surprisingly(or not) they were left in the living room.
Gavin: Mommy I found one of your ladybug slippers.(he really does have great sentance structure and has since he was under 2)
Mommy: Oh you did? Where is the other one?
Gavin: I ablieve it is lost.
(I just think it's really cute he said "ablieve":))

A couple cute conversations

We took the boys to dinner at our FAV Mexican food restraunt(Marianno's)...mmmm. On the way to dinner Gavin said: "James, How many times have I told you not to spit?" (We must say this alot because he's been saying "How many times have I told you..." alot:))
James is very logical and frequently corrects his 3 year old brother.
James said: "Gavin you have never told me that"
While at dinner Gavin said he had to go potty. I decided to save myself a trip and take them both. Chances are good that they will both go and I'll be done with that adventure. About 5 minutes after we got back to the table Gavin says: " Mommy, I have to poo."
Mommy: "WE just went"
Gavin: "I really have to POOOOP(loud enough for several tables to hear)"
Mommy: "What will happen if you don't go?"
Gavin: "I will explode"
Needless to say we made a trip to the potty. Can't have any babies exploding.

Vacation

The boys made it through VBS. They had a great time w/ Noni and at school. I went down and got them, came back, worked a few days, and we went on...
VACATION! We left Tuesday night and spent the night with my Mom in Austin.
We went to Sea World and the River Walk in San Antonio for 3 glorious days. I say glorious b/c it was not BURNING H.O.T. Hurricane Dolly blew some rain in.
The rain didn't arrive until late afternoon of day 1. WE were at Sea World waiting in line for James first water slide~when lightning struck. We'd had a couple drizzles throughout the day, but this closed up shop. We were able to feed the dolphins, ride some rides(James rode his first big boy roller coaster), play in the kids area, sea a "piggy" sea lion, and ride the rafting ride...but no water slide. We saw Shamu's big show after it cleared off.It was only about 75 in the late afternoon and remained in the high 70's until day 3.
Day 2 we explored the whole river walk. Our hotel was right on the riverwalk...so we trekked down to the major area, ate, explored and then did some shopping after being stuck under the bridge next to St. Anthony(San Antonio's namesake) during a huge downpour. We got stuck for 30 minutes, but the rest of the day was wonderful, even finished the day with a swim.
DAy 3 we had lunch on the riverwalk again and then took the River Cruise. It was fun and the kids enjoyed the boat.
We headed to DeLeon on Friday afternoon. My siblings and I were throwing a "surprise Bday party", I use the term surprise loosely. It was a great weekend and we came home late Sunday night.

Solitude

My house is kid free tonight. James and Gavin are in Austin for VBS w/ my Mom until Friday. I'll go down to Austin Thursday morning and spend the night and we'll come home Friday evening.It is soooo quiet!
This morning Gavin told me "I will miss you" when he woke up. I'll miss them, too but will enjoy the adult time!
They both helped pack their bags. They each decided to take a backpack and stuffed a couple tings in them. James put an apple in his, but decided to take it out and eat it 5 minutes later. I need to tell my Mom to take the grapes out~they might get a little yucky.
I had dinner with Michael and his girlfriend, Erica. They picked me up from work and we went to Taco Diner. They decided to take me by Andrews girlfriend's(Zoia) new place on the way home. It was a nice visit w/ all.