Tornado Season Approaches

As we got ready for school this morning, Glenn commented that there could be some "crazy" weather this afternoon. I agreed and knew that there was a good chance (70%) of rain during the day. We decided NOT to ride our bikes in the AM. At about 10am, the rains began to fall (just as Glenn had said) but they were done within 10 minutes.

The afternoon came and we decided to ride our bikes at 2:45pm to get the boys from school. Then we decided not to because of all the wind. Wind is very very normal for around here. I have begun to wear ponytails daily... it's just part of the wardrobe!

As we pulled into the garage, the clouds started gathering and we came inside. THEN the rains fell and fell and fell and fell and poured and poured and poured so hard you could hardly see anything outside! The kids were AMAZED! So was I. Then Ben commented, "Man, I wish Grandma lived close by. We could go get some cinnamon rolls." (Grandma Thomas always makes cinnamon rolls whenever it really rains.) Then the hail began to fall. Christopher was really amazed by this sight and commented, "Mom, look at the ice balls. Do you think it will snow next? Mom, what is that stuff anyway?" I commented that it was hail. It hailed for about 7 minutes and then within 3 seconds, it just stopped. IT WAS DEAD SILENT! (It was so so noticeable.)

We began doing homework and Christopher stated, "I'm putting on my rainboots to go collect ice balls." I told him to have a great time! Then I remember hearing a siren, but I didn't think much of it. (I believe this siren rings the 1st Tuesday of every month at noon.) I'll give you just one guess what that siren was trying to tell us... duh. Duh Duh Duh... WHAT KIND OF MOTHER WOULD SEND HER CHILD OUTSIDE TO GATHER ICE BALLS WHEN YOU'RE IN A TORNADO WATCH! Tornado Watch means that a tornado has been sighted and is near! Duh Duh Duh! I called Glenn on the cell and he said that the "red squares" on the map are right on top of us! (Glenn always always always has his trusty map out. He really should have been a meteorologist.) He then states, "You need to get the kids and go under the steps." Like a dummy I said to him, "Do you think I should tell Chris to come in?" What the ##*$ was I thinking? "Of course," he said!


So hear we are, sitting under the stairs and I'm talking on the cell to Glenn and Ben and Zach are very very serious now. Chris is complaining because he can't be outside picking up ice balls. Emma has no clue what's going on - just complaining because she forgot her baby and fancy shoes. Nicholas was our GREAT example and he was praying.

Well, the tornado was 8 miles away and going in the opposite direction of us! Phew! It never did hit the ground but was sighted in the air near Dr. Pepper Ballpark which is 7 miles away. On the way home, Glenn stopped at Radio Shack and bought one of these:

Busy Weekend

Last night was the Western Hoe Down at Pink Elementary School (named after a famous doctor in the area-Dr. Pink). It featured games, petting zoo, cowboy magician, bounce houses, velcro wall, rock climbing wall, cake walk, old time photos - do you get the picture?



So, we set out for an evening of fun and had exactly that. Here are a few pictures of the gang!

Here's a shot of Ben AT THE TOP of the Rock Climbing Wall! Nice job Ben! (None of his other brothers made it to the top - very surprising! It was tough and TALL!)

After a long wait in line, Zach is ready to go through the maze! It ended with one of those BIG TALL SLIDES!


Here's Glenn on the mechanical bull. He lasted an awfully long time (compared to others) - and really lost it once the bull started spinning and spinning and spinning...


This is Nicholas going through another bouncy-thingy.


We went inside the school to eat our burger dinners, but we were tooooooo late! AUGH! Glenn had mentioned when we first got there that we should eat our dinner. Well, we were all so excited to do the activities that when we finally got really really hungry, there was no food left (somebody miscounted BIG TIME)! So, we went out to eat instead! Not a bad deal really!

Today we're busy with baseball and projects. I was the lucky one to do the baseball games. (Glenn's busy working on THE PROJECT.) Ben's started at 10:30am and they lost to the #1 team in their division - the VOLCANOES! (Zach and Emma went along to play at the park.) Final score: 5 to 13. We actually played this team in the pre-season tournament where they ended up 1st and we were 2nd. When we played them in the pre-season tournament we were not able to score. This time - we scored! (I didn't get any pictures; I forgot the camera.) Ben has been playing 2nd base and has been doing a GREAT job of course!

After his game was over around noon we headed home to pick up Christopher. His t-ball game was at 2pm. At t-ball level one plays ALL the positions! This was Christopher's week to be catcher and pitcher.


The opposing team's coach kept picking up the ball and putting it on the t-ball tee. After the coach did this for the 3rd time, Christopher went up to him (this coach was the size of Uncle Brent - 6'7") and kindly but firmly said to him, "Um hey, that's my job!" The coach acknowledged him and GOT OUT OF HIS WAY! He did great!


Now for THE PROJECT: We have a new screen door on our back door (off the kitchen). I will no longer have the kitchen door open, letting all the snakes come in! Thank you honey! (BTW - he really knows what he's doing, he just checks the instructions from time to time.)

As for tomorrow - I'm sure glad it's Sunday! There is not much to do besides go to church and STAY HOME!

Snakes!

Yesterday was a busy day! I wanted to get some muffins made and decided to do it later in the day.

After school, we got Nicholas off to gymnastics at 3:45p. We then swung by the school to pick-up Ben and Zach from chess club. We came home for a moment (30 min) and ate a few muffins and changed into baseball clothes. We got back into the van and took Christopher to his first t-ball game of the season. Glenn met us at the ballpark and took Zach over to another ball field for his practice. Ben stayed with Emma and I. After the t-ball game was over we swung by to pick-up Nick at gymnastics (now 7:15p). We proceeded home and Glenn and Zach followed home also (about 20 min later - now 8p). I'm so grateful we all made it home and no one got left anywhere!

So, as we ate a really late dinner (now 8:15p) and got the kids to bed I noticed that there were still a few muffins on the cooling rack that hadn't been eaten. I went over to the lower cupboard where I keep all the plasticware and opened the cupboard. I immediately froze! This is what I saw on the floor in front of the cupboard:



I about freaked out! My mind began racing, "Were the kids playing with plastic animals lately? Is this a prank? Is it April Fool's Day already? It's fake I bet! Man, I don't remember ever seeing that kind of a snake in the box of animals we have." I began whispering "Glenn" "Glenn" "Glenn, please come RIGHT NOW!" I remained calm and Glenn came to my rescue. He told me to just go and sit down. His words were, "If I don't trap him in the bowl the first time, he made slither around and you'll panic!" I told him that he needed to show his Scouting ability RIGHT AT THIS MOMENT and catch it on the first try!

He did! BUT - the darn snake slithered out the bowl and took a nose dive on the hard wood floor. Glenn scooped him up one more time and placed the lid (more accurately) onto the bowl! Out he went!

As I walked off to bed, I carefully checked each step I made... gotta' love TEXAS!

Spring Break 2008

Our Spring Break was an easy one - IT WAS FUN! Zach participated in a golf clinic at the golf club next door. They met each morning and on Friday they hit the course! He really enjoyed himself and has found a new love! :)

We decorated our front trees (but for some reason the shutter stayed part shut/part open...) OOPS! Over the past 10 years my Mom & Dad have sent these plastic eggs with yarn attached (filled with candy). We have a pretty good stash and had fun decorating our trees!



Nicholas continued his gymnastics practice twice this week. Chris and Emma also had gymnastics. Ben and Zach had baseball practice and Christopher had t-ball practice. Emma and I had fun at the parks while the brothers played ball! There was also piano lessons and a few doctor's appointments and haircuts. Nothing new.

On Saturday we colored eggs...



Ben had more of a blast mixing the colors AFTER we were all done!


And Sunday we went to church dressed in our Sunday best... I am so grateful for happy healthy children! They do argue and fight like all the rest - they truly do love each other and I was able to see many kind acts of kindness done this past week. I am also grateful for a loving husband who works way too hard at his new job. But the job is going well!



Happy Easter To All!

Tooth Fairy is Back in Business

Christopher has been talking about his tooth being loose for the past couple weeks. Well, tonight after eating a popsicle he commented, "Look at me and my tooth. I CAN TWIST IT MOM!" Being a bit queezy about things like this, I told him to STOP IT and then I saw him just bend the whole tooth down and it POPPED OUT! He was so excited!!! Can you tell?

It's Back!

Dang - I need to go buy a shovel I guess.

After a day of the 70s (riding bikes to school, playing on the swingset) we are back to a winter wonderland! And, this time we're hoping for NO SCHOOL on Friday!

Sleddin' with what ya' got

Well, the older boys went to school this morning. There wasn't much snowfall after midnight... :(



BUT... the rest of us are puttin' our CALIFORNIA BOOGIE BOARD through a good Midwestern Workout!

Frosty FALLS

Frisco Texas - 7:35am (CST) - First Known Casualty Of The Texas Winds

Update On The Ark

Change of plans - we will no longer be building an ark! We are now in plans for a TOBOGGAN! After a full day of rain showers (midnight till 8pm)... the temperatures also continued to drop and drop and drop and drop all day long... we now have SNOW!

You can only imagine the excitement! We will be praying that the snow will continue to FALL all night long - it's a hope and the forecast looks promising!

Build The Ark

It's been raining for the past few days... nothing too much, just on and off. The mornings have been chilly and sunny. Then warm (high 60s) in the afternoon and then a few showers in the evening. The boys had baseball practice on Saturday, so it hasn't been much accumulation.

But then yesterday after church... the rains began once again... and it rained and it poured. It even rained dogs and cats! :) The thunder and lightning sounded all night. (No kids were afraid either. Hurray! The rain on the roof sounded GREAT!)

We awoke to find our backyard... flooded. Well, I should say that the golf course is flooded!

Now, straight out from the fence there is suppose to be a stream. I just don't think the golfers are going to appreciate Hole 2 - it's nearly an island!