First Day of School

Miller had his first day of Pre-K 1. We are calling it Pre-K 1 since he's going to do two years of Pre-K. His birthday is 2 days shy of the Sept. 1 cut-off and we don't feel like there is any reason to make him grow up any faster than needed. Plus, who couldn't use an extra year.

Miller was super excited for school this year. He is at the same school he has been at since he was one (our church) and is going Tuesday-Friday from 9am-2pm. This year he has Mrs. Pam and Mrs. Kay and is in the Shining Stars class. He has lots of old and new friends in his class and loves it so far. Here he is ready for his first day.

Miles started Mother's Day Out this year but had a delayed start. He still wasn't quite over the stomach bug he had so we decided not to send him on the first day. Then we left for a long Labor Day Weekend trip to Durango (post to come soon) so he missed day two. He is going Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am-2pm. He is in the Muppets class with Ms. Joan and Ms. Amy. I'm super happy with the boys schedule as I have two almost full days to get stuff done.

Here is Miles before his first day. He wasn't quite as excited as Miller. Actually, he didn't like that I sat him on the fireplace. His legs didn't touch the floor and he couldn't figure out how to get off. He basically was stuck. Poor guy.

Note: his first three days have gone good. He screams bloody murder when I drop him off, but the teachers say he gets over it pretty quickly. He's been happy when I pick him and I've been greeted with the biggest hugs.

Miller is 4!

Miller's actual birthday was the day after his party. Jud got up early and got doughnuts. Yep, Miller chose a chocolate one with sprinkles and we put a candle in it.

Miller had his 4 year check-up at the doctor. He is 3' 7 1/4" (96%) and 44 lbs. (94%). He also got five shots. Yes, five. One was a flu shot. Last year he got one shot, didn't cry and said it didn't even hurt. This year was a whole different story. It was horrible. I had to hold him down as he was kicking, screaming, crying and hitting me. He changed into a completely different child. It took me about 10 minutes to even calm him down. Poor guy.

Miller's 4th Birthday Party

Miller wanted a Buzz Lightyear party at Pump It Up this year. We had his party there last year too and I tried to talk him into another place, but he was set on Pump It Up. At least it's easy.

On the invitation we said to "come dressed as your favorite super hero". Miller had planned to wear his cape and mask, but we surprised him with a early birthday gift...a Buzz Lightyear costume. He was so excited to wear it to the party.

With Aunt Evan and Uncle Blake.
Miles was still sick and wasn't able to come to Miller's party. Such a bummer. Noni was so nice to stay home with him and not go to the party. I don't know what we would do without her. JoJo did come and brought Miller a really cool Buzz balloon.
Love this picture, but wish that Miller would stop this fake smile stuff.
I searched long and hard for someone to make a Buzz cake. I didn't really want the normal plastic figurine grocery store cake and I didn't want to spend $100 either. I thought the best thing would be to find someone who bakes out of their home. After asking lots of friends and trying several home bakers, I found Connie. She did this fabulous cake for $50 delivered. Miller loved it and it was delicious! Let me know if you want her info. Getting ready to blow out the candles in the big blow-up chair.

Yep, he had 2 big pieces - a vanilla and a chocolate. He did not eat them all.

Goofing around with his friends Hannah and Katelyn.

Hannah and Miller playing with the balloon Noni and JoJo gave him.
We gave everyone super hero masks as part of their party favors. Here's Miller with some of his friends from the party with their masks on. Yep, he's a ladies man.

Butterflies

I had a big week planned for the last week of summer. We were going to do all sorts of fun things. Then Miles got a horrible stomach bug lasted about 2 weeks. Yep, the doctor said his little tummy just couldn't get kick started back to normal. The last week consisted of him throwing up about once every 24 hours. That's just enough to keep him from doing anything.

We were able to have a fun Monday before he got sick. Jud took a few hours off work and we went to lunch and to the Butterfly Exhibit at the Museum of Natural Science. None of us had been there before and we all loved it. Here are the boys on the caterpillar at the entrance. Miller can barely hold wiggle worm (no pun intended) Miles.

Miles just loved all the butterflies. He kept trying to touch them.
Miller was jealous that a butterfly landed on Miles and not him. He kept trying to stand really still to get one to land on him.
This is the best picture I got of the three of them.
So beautiful!

Miles' First Astros Game

Before school started, my dad gave us Astros tickets to a weekday day game. Jud got away from work for a few hours and we decided to take both boys. It went surprisingly well and we made it to the 7th inning.

Boys posing on the Astros Mickey.

Miles just took everything in. So much to look at. He would even clap when the crowd would cheer.They have a great kids area with all sorts of stuff to do. Here is Miller "trying to catch a home run ball." Miller "in the dugout next to Biggio."

Summer Favs

Here are a few of my summer favorite random photos:

Miller swimming at a birthday party at Noah's Ark Pool. I really want to blow this up and get is put on a canvas.

Miller and Daddy enjoying popsicles.

Car cart at the grocery store.

Popsicle reward for helping daddy wash the car.
Miller posing on the red ball outside Target just like he does on the baseballs at the Astros game.

Another Lake Weekend

We had nothing going on the last weekend in July so we decided to go up to the lake for a long weekend. We went up on Friday afternoon and came back on Monday morning. It's really nice that Jud's job is so flexible. What fun to just get away with us four.

Here is Miles playing. I can't wait until he just takes off and walks. He takes several steps by himself, but he's just not quite stable enough to completely walk yet.

If you haven't heard, we are in a drought in most of Texas so lake Conroe is super low. It is also being drained thousands of gallons a day to cover Houston's water supply. God, please send some rain this way. We'd also take some weather that is not greater than 100 degrees.

Jud and Miller spent quite a bit of time in the lake. The water height was actually perfect for Miller to stand in. They decided to walk out to the middle of the cove the house is on and I just had to take a picture to show how low the lake is. Can you see them?

They also found a bunch of clams in the lake right off the dock. Miller is holding a live one that they broke apart. He thought it was super cool...and slimy.

Miller thought it was so funny that he got in Miles' walker. I can't believe it didn't break.

Our good friends Matt and Laura Dorman (with their kiddos Kate and Grant) came up and spent the night on Saturday. It was so nice to just hang out and visit. Here are Miles and Kate looking out the front doors. Miles is almost exactly one year younger than her. Yep, he's tall.
We attempted to get a picture of the four kiddos and this was the best shot we got.

Miller Swimming

Miller took swim lessons from April-August with Miss Devon at Lifetime. When we started, he didn't even really want to put his face in the water. Here is a video from one of our last lessons. He can actually swim using his arms and kicking his feet. In order to breathe, he turns over to his back and floats and then turns back over to swim. At his last lesson, he swam the entire length of the pool. What a big boy. Will he be ready for swim team next summer?



We are taking a break from swimming until next spring and he is starting soccer this week!

Jud's Plays Cypress Point

Jud had a great opportunity to go to California in early August and play some of the top golf courses in the nation, including Cypress Point. He set up the trip and was able to invite two guys to go with him and he chose his dad (Max) and my dad (Joe). Three lucky guys...

Here is Jud teeing off on number 9 (par 3) of the Shore Course at Monterey Peninsula Country Club, the first course they played. Breathtaking views and even better weather.

The first morning they were there, Jud took a romatic walk on the beach with his dad. Here he is posing in front of the famous cypress tree at Pebble Beach.

That day they played the Dunes Course at Monterey Peninsula Country Club. Here is a picture of the three of them on the signature hole overlooking the ocean.
This is their host Merrell taking a shot with four bucks looking on. Can you believe how close they are?

The Lone Cypress along 17-Mile Drive. It's over 250 years old.Of course, Jud would meet a total stranger walking on the streets of Carmel by the Sea. This guy ended up inviting them to have lunch at the Beach and Tennis Club at Pebble Beach. Here are Max and Joe enjoying the view of the 17th green.


Cypress Point Club
Jud teeing off with a wedge on the famous Cypress Point hole 15.
The guys with their host Gary at the signature 16 (233 yard par 3 over the ocean).
Hole 17 (par 4)
The last day they played early in the morning at Poppy Hills. This is Jud walking up the 502 yard par 5 fairway looking for his ball. I would say there was a little bit of fog. He finally found it on the green and made a four foot put for an Eagle to end the trip.

They had an amazing trip that will be remembered for a lifetime. Jud's favorite part was getting to share this trip with the two guys that have done so much for us. Also, thanks to Gary and Merrell for hosting!

Big Birthday Gift for the Boys

We went in with Noni & JoJo and GraMary & Grandpa Max for a big gift to the boys for both their birthdays.

We ordered it online from Sams. We had decided on this one and then noticed it was on sale ($200 off) so we bit the bullet and ordered it. We hired a company to put it together and it took one guy over 17 hours in 100 degree heat. He does this for a living - I wonder how long it would have taken Jud. Paying for assembly was well worth the money.Miller just loves the standing swing. That's basically all he does. He will do it straight for 20 min in the heat.Miles loves swinging. He will stand at the patio door and just look out and laugh. I'm trying to teach him the word swing.

Miller also likes the bouncy tube thing.I see lots of play dates in our future once the weather cools off.