Thanksgiving in the Valley

We traveled to Brownsville, TX (aka The Valley) for Thanksgiving. There are few places where you can celebrate Thanksgiving and go to the beach in the same vacation. The kids had a lot of fun with their cousins. They played a lot of soccer both in the driveway and at the park. Then a funny thing happened at the park (well, funny depending on who you are in the story, sorry Daddy). We all learned that a nearly 40 year old body is not meant to race a 14 year old. The loser is the almost 40 year old hamstring. Daddy ended up on the ground and Mommy quickly learned that he did not pretend to fall and lose the race (anybody seen Mr. Mom?), but he really was hurt. We now are big fans of Icy Hot patches and are grateful he is returning to a computer job rather than one where he’s on his feet all day.

Birthday Time

Both Ketchup and Bounce have November birthdays. Both Bounce’s birthday and their original party date were interrupted by the flu. The good news is that Daddy and Bounce were able to have a fun day out on his birthday and we were able to easily switch the date of their combined birthday party. Here are a few pics from their Hello Kitty/Transformer party.

Now a few pics of the last 7 years with Ketchup and the past 5 with Bounce. They are beautiful, sweet kids who make me very proud to say God has blessed me to be their mother.

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

Swine Flu – a different perspective

Ketchup started a fever on November 1^st and thus began our families’ journey with the swine flu. God protected us from the worst of it, so I can lightheartedly look back at it. Here’s our take

Days 1 & 2 – spent in bed either asleep or watching TV. Mommy got some good facebook time in while Ketchup watched her shows.

Days 3 & 4 – We progressed to playing board games or Webkinz. Ketchup also enjoyed playing hairstylist/makeup artist to Mommy.

Days 5 – 7 – spent by the window staring at the other kids play. In between coughing fits, she would beg to join them.

Finally we were able to venture out of the house for a couple of days before Mommy had her turn. My bout with the flu was cut in half thanks to the God-given drug Tamiflu. The doctor was also kind enough to prescribe it as a preventative for Daddy and Bounce.

I progressed in the same order as Ketchup just with fewer days. I thought it was funny that I was playing hairstylist for their crazy hair day at AWANA just as Ketchup had done for me the week prior.

Although life was interrupted for a short while, we were able to have a little fun with H1N1.

October Pics

Bounce showing off his muscles. He is convinced by a smart Tata (grandpa) that with each green bean that he eats, his muscles grow automatically!
This was a lego house built to celebrate our study of the poem "The Little House." This is Ketchup's house.
Our homeschool group had a historical figure day. Ketchup and Bounce acted out a play about Christopher Columbus. Ketchup was the Queen of Spain who sent Columbus out on his voyages. I attempted to record their play, but you can't hear anything they say, so I'll spare you those eight minutes of your day.
A homeschool fun field trip day allowed the kids to roller skate for the first time. We were all exhausted after an hour and a half. Maybe when we're feeling up to it, we'll try again. They did very well and were able to go around the rink without falling by the end.

We ended the month at our church's Fall Festival. Our Ladybug and Wolverine had fun and we're still enjoying their candy!!