Rangers game

We took the boys to their first professional baseball game. They were so excited to get see the Rangers play!

We snapped a few pictures and watched the game. The boys loved reading the player stats on the big screen and doing all the cheers with the crowd.

Of course we all had a hot dog because it is pretty much a crime to go to a baseball game and not eat a hot dog.

The game got off to a slow start but the ending was as good as it gets.  The Rangers were losing the entire game.  In the bottom of the 9th, they were down by 1.  There were two outs and two runners on base.  The batter hit a double to win the game! It was awesome!!! After the game they had a fireworks show and then it was time to head home.

 It was such a fun night they we definitely all needed!

Piano Battles

Vance is great at piano but he hates lessons. HATES them! He doesn't really mind practicing but could not despise me more when it is time for lessons. 

I feel strongly that he continues for a few reasons.  

1 - It's one of the few things that is challenging for him.  School is so easy for him. Piano is something I can teach at his level which means sometimes it is a struggle at the beginning.  He gives up when he thinks it is too hard. I want him to know that he can do things he doesn't think he is capable of if he is willing to put in a little extra effort.  It's a life skill that I think way too many people lack. 

2 - He's good! I used to teach piano and I have never had a student as good as Vance.  With just a small amount of practice he can play the songs almost perfect.

3 - God wants us to grow and use our talents.  I don't really use my piano skills for much besides my own enjoyment.  I think part of what my talent is meant to be used for is to expose my children to music.  

What we have decided is that you can take piano lessons from kindergarten through 6th grade (those are the elementary grades in our school district.  In middle school, the kids can choose to quit piano if they choose a musical elective (band, choir, orchestra). If they don't want a musical elective they have to continue piano at home.  In high school they can make the decision to quit pursuing anything in music.  

I thoroughly explained this to Vance a few times because I think he thought if he threw a big enough fit I would let him quit.  Well, he almost had me on his most recent tantrum.  

What started it is when I asked him to try a song again but much slower.  He was sure he could only play it fast.  He "just can't play slow." I explained that's like saying you could run but not walk so let's try again playing slowly to see if you can fix the mistakes.  He played it slow...and perfect...but was pissed.  I walked away to let him cool down and told him to come get me when he was ready to finish his lesson.

He decided to up the intensity of his aggression and threw his iPad. It completely shattered. He threw it so hard the screen and the LCD behind the screen broke.  I think it just may be the best natural consequence ever.  When he eventually cooled down, he asked if I was going to fix it. I told him it would be $175 to fix it. My response was, "I'm sorry you got so upset and broke it. The only way it's getting fixed is if you earn $175 to pay for it."

I then told him he needed to write me a one page letter about how he is sorry and won't be disrespectful.  I gave him a few other ideas of what he could write about to fill up the page.  He came back with this and a devilish smirk on his face...

That is when I was ready to come unhinged!!! He is usually such a good boy but man alive he was testing my patience!!! 

At the end of the day he did write me a better letter and we were able to sit down and talk about piano.  We talked about why it is important to me, how we can change things to make it better for him, and reviewed the ages he would be able to quit.  We also talked about the other consequences for his actions.

 In retrospect the whole iPad thing has been a blessing.  Vance has decided he doesn't care anymore if he has an iPad.  He has filled his free time with other things.  We always monitored electronics but he would always prefer his iPad to anything else.  Now he'll play the occasional PS3 game or get on the computer but he has been playing outside more, doing art projects, and other random activities.  It was definitely a blessing in disguise.

Wish us luck with our future piano endeavors!

Labor Day Weekend

For Labor Day weekend we went camping in Oklahoma.  Vance had a football game he didn't want to miss so Keller got to drive up with just Grandpa and Grandma.  He was pretty excited!

Unfortunately Chad had to work so he couldn't come with :( I got to share a bed with Sutton instead.  It was actually kind of a treat because I never have him sleep with us.  Funny story though...in the middle of the night I heard a ripping sound so I sat up to check on him.  Well the canvas part of the beds was coming unvelcroed because Sutton had moved around and was sleeping up against it.  As I went to go grab him it came undone a little more and Sutton's leg and arm started falling out.  It's only funny because he didn't actually fall out and get hurt.  Gotta love escaping baby limbs!  The rest of the night I slept like crap because I was worried about him.  I even put pillows all along the bed so it wouldn't happen again.

Vance had a blast hanging out with Zachary and Mason.

Sutton hasn't been on many camping trips yet.  He had fun most of the time and loved just being able to explore.

It was WARM during the day.  We brought the boat with us so we headed to the lake to cool off and play in the water.

Nothing beats a day at the lake ;)

Everyone was ready to chill when we got back to camp. Keller and Mason took a "nap" in the hammock ;)

My favorite picture of the weekend is my three fellas with their kites.  There was not a breeze in the air but they were sure their kites would fly.  Plus I love this picture because it is rare to capture all three smiling at once!

Sutton was having quite the meltdown Sunday night and this mama was done. I decided to head home and sleep in my own bed with Chad.  Vance got to stay with Grandpa and Grandma and Keller chose to come home with me.  I know I wasn't away from Chad for long but I missed him.  I think we will definitely save camping trips for when Daddy can come with us.

Sutton 1st Day

Sutton started preschool! The look on his face in this picture pretty much sums up how he felt about it at the beginning.  He goes to school Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00-2:00.  The longer he goes the more he is liking it. However he is always excited at pick up time!  

 It seems crazy to make 3 lunches on the days he goes to school.  I love their lunch boxes though.  Planetboxes are the best!

 On the days Sutton is home we have fun with just the two of us.  It seems quiet and kinda weird still but we are adjusting.

 I wasn't sure he would eat out of his lunch box.  His usual mode is just to dump everything out immediately.  I though it might be a good idea to try it at home one day before just sending him to school.  I put on Netflix so he would have something to take his focus off dumping the food out. It worked and he did great.  So far no reports of him dumping out his food at school either ;)

 I let Sutton watch Netflix for some of the time I work. I have to admit it I love it. I know it may not be parenting at its finest but those moments where toddlers will sit still and occupy themselves are few and far between.  It is nice to be able to get at least a little work done while he watches a show.

 To switch focus a little, the older boys are doing great at school.  The are getting into a routine in the morning and after school.  Keller's teacher sent home a sweet note and it made me so happy! 

 He is the "coolest little guy" in my book too!  That cool little guy is very particular about what he wears to school.  He is pretty much a one look wonder. He wants to wear a red shirt every single day. I finally gave in and bought enough shirts for him to wear red polos five days a week.  The uniform policy is that he can wear any solid color polo, but Keller doesn't care.  Since he is so committed to red I decided to buy him some red Converses.  Now he wears those everyday too. This is what he looks like Monday-Friday now!

With Vance and Keller at school all day and Sutton in school a few days a week, I feel like I have time to myself for the first time in what feels like forever.  I have to admit the first few weeks I felt like a wanderer and wasn't really sure what to do with my newfound freedom.  I am getting in more of a groove and it feels amazing. I have time to work, exercise, grocery shop, cook, relax, etc. and still have energy to be a mom when everyone gets home. 

It is going to be a good year!

Pool Time

We have loved our pool this summer.  I think we would like to use it even more than we do but sometimes we just get busy with life and forget how simple it is to just jump in for a little bit.  As summer is coming to an end we have been using it more frequently and loving every minute of it. It's something the whole family enjoys!

Keller has made lots of progress swimming.  He can now officially swim without me having to worry! He still wears a life jacket if we can't be right there but overall he is really doing great.

 Vance wanted me to take a picture of him doing a trick.  Apparently the trick was mooning me.  Boys love a good butt joke!

 Everyone loves jumping in to Daddy, especially Sutton.  It is so fun to watch him get so excited!

 How handsome is Chad with our baby boy?!

 He still loves Mommy best though ;)

 Sometimes I wish our pool was a little bigger, but I don't think it would matter.  The kids like to be right next to Chad or me ;)

 How funny is this picture of Sutton?!

 One of our favorite things to do in the pool together is play volleyball.  All the boys love to work on their setting and serving, but their favorite thing to do is hitting of course ;)

Before you know it summer will be over :(

This & That

Chad and a buddy made a mustache bet. How gross and creepy is his stache?

His friend's wife just had a baby so Chad delivered inner in his new short swim trunks and mustache. Hahaha!

I have thrown away my diaper bags and got a new purse and wallet. It is a good day!!!

Sutton loves his big boy bed.  Apparently it is made for three.

There is a new McDonald's by us. It has electronics. Now taking them to a play place doesn't look much like playing but they love it.

We've been trying to eat healthy. This is one of our new favorites: spaghetti squash with chicken and veggies in a lemon greek yogurt sauce. So yummy and so healthy!

Keller had fun spending his birthday money. He got these adorable Lightning McQueen and Mater's with trailers!

My nephew Logan came to visit. It's hard to tell in this picture but he loves me ;)

 The boys are still playing lots of Pokemon Go! I still don't get it but they were very excited to catch a Poliwrath...so excited they had to take a picture of it.

 For the most part I'm adjusted to small town living but some things still make me laugh...like a guy and his John Deere pumping gas next to me. Haha!

Twins: Zach & Vance

Vance looks so much like a Waldron, specifically like Chad's brother Zach. While we were in Vegas I dug through a few old scrapbooks to find pictures of Zach around Vance's current age. In the ones I found, Zach was probably a year or possibly two younger than Vance so he hadn't hit the snaggle tooth phase.  Besides the teeth these two look almost identical! Even as Vance's mom I have to look close to figure out who is who.

 Yes.  He's definitely a Waldron! 

It's a good thing we think Uncle Zach is a handsome dude. Haha. Also Vance thinks Uncle Zach is pretty dang awesome. Probably because he is still in that crazy, single, 20s stage. As you can tell from the pictures below, Vance would be more than happy to turn out like Zach ;)