The Newlywed game and more!

Over the weekend, we had lots of social engagements. We are oh, so popular! :)

Friday night, was a play at Churchill High School featuring 3 of the youth from our church. It was very well done even though we had to leave at intermission. L just could.not.make.it.all.the.way.thru. Possible reason why? It was not High School Musical, which is now her favorite! Is she 4 or 12?

Saturday, after I did my early 6am breakfast making and bathroom helping with the 4 y.o., I went back to bed and slept until 10! Then I woke up and read in bed until 11! It was nice!!

Saturday night, we had fun at a friends house with guys vs. girls pictionary and The Newlywed game. Lance and I were the 2nd longest married couple there and it's hard to believe, but had forgotten some of the details from our dating days. We didn't come in last place, but definitely not first either! It was a great time complete with homemade sushi from our Korean friends and lots of French goodies from our French friends. It's amazing how international our group is -- although, there are also plenty of good ole Texans! It's fun to have new friends and learn crazy things about them!

And of course, Sunday! The Saints finally win! What an awesome thing for the Saints' fans who never gave up! We celebrated with our youth and college and it was fun to see how little some of them knew about football. And how MUCH some of them cared.

All in all, a great weekend of fun!

Goodbye Friends

Last night a group of my friends treated me to a fun evening! We went to Wings N More, a College Station favorite and enjoyed good food and GREAT company! After I left, I began to feel like this move is really going to happen and it made me sad. I know San Antonio is where we are supposed to be and I know we will make new friends, but it's hard to say goodbye to good friends here! Fortunately we aren't that far away and I already have a trip to Canton planned with a couple of them in October!

So, thank you, Debi, Emily, Jeannie, Jennifer, Kristin, Lacey, and Tracy for one fun last evening on the town! I will miss you gals so much!

The Love of Friends

This beautiful note of friendship was on our doorstep today. We aren't home alot right now since we are trying to sell our house and HELLO we have young children who like to make messes and what not. So, this note from a friend of N, was friendship from the 6-7 year old set.

In case you aren't familiar with reading things written by kindergarten and 1st graders (which I wasn't until 2 years ago myself and I now consider myself somewhat of an expert) :) I will translate:

To N:
From: Kai

I knocked on your door today and nobody answered and I just wanted to play with you.
Bye N

I am sooo glad N is still in the innocent stage of friends where being real and true is still what is happening. They aren't trying to be cool yet or playing games with one another that are cruel. They just love.

May we, the grown-ups, be as tender and real with our friends.

Today, I am Wise

Today, I am Wise...Tomorrow, who knows?

When we got home from school today, N had a friend waiting to play with him. But after about 10 minutes outside, he came in and said his friend didn't want to play anymore. Then, he started crying, telling me that his friends at school did the same thing. Hmmm...friends at school and home behaving the same way?!? What is the common link? N.

So, the wise momma that I am today, gave what I thought (hoped) would be good advice and prayed that the boys on the street would respond well to it. You never know if they will be co-conspirators or not! On his way out the door to play again and give it another shot, N said, "Thanks for the advice, Mom" Wow! That made me feel great!

And the best part? It's been over 30 minutes and he hasn't come back! I just peeked out the window and the bike-riding adventures continue. There is homework still to be done, but for today, the playing takes priority for a little boy who needed his friends. We all have days like that don't we?! I'll take friends over housework too!

Crafty, Crafty!

Last night was a rainy night here. Edouard was making his self known and there was definitely no swimming going on at our house. So....what better thing to do than CRAFT NIGHT! I was actually somewhat intelligent and had brand new crafts for my kiddos to work on while I pulled out my....Stamping Stuff. I know some of you are going into shock now and I do want you to sit down and take in some deep breaths. I simply will not be held responsible for you fainting or knocking yourselves unconscious.

So, I made 2 cards last night while the kiddos made their projects and it worked out pretty well. They did want to use my stuff, but I had to let them know I was working on a momma project that kids aren't allowed to do!!

Speaking of cute cards...my friend Emily sent me the cutest card ever in the mail yesterday. Of course being the technological wizard that I am, I can't show it to you, but if you will hop on over to Lacey's blog you can see the cuteness that it is! Thanks Emily for brightening my day! And Lance's too!

Weekend fun

We had another fun and relaxing weekend at the casa de Mayes.

Friday night, we went to the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion in The Woodlands and saw: Mercy Me, Natalie Grant, The Afters, and Addison Road. It was great. We took some of our youth and our family and even though it was 9000 degrees outside, it was great to be outside and listening to great music! N and L had great fun dancing to the songs and commenting on the light show.

Saturday morning, L had a playdate with Emma, the little girl of my friend Tracy. They didn't really have too much interest in one another while Emma was over, but after they left, L asked when Emma was going to come back. Kids are so funny!

Saturday afternoon and evening, we were truly lazy, lazy - we don't have many days like this and we really enjoyed it - just playing games, laying around, etc. It's so hot right now, nothing outside sounds even remotely fun.

Right now, N has two friends over and L and I are doing "girl stuff" which right now consists of making pretend b-day cakes with purple sprinkles (cause we're girls) out of playdoh and pretending to be rockstars. (L's latest career aspiration!!)

Nothing earth shattering here, but I'm grateful for our quiet little life we lead. We have much to be thankful for.

Sleepover?

N was scheduled for his first sleepover Friday night at our house. And it all started out well.

We ordered pizza for dinner, the boys played in N's room, we went swimming in the backyard we made smores. And then, it happened. N's friend A said, "I need to go ask my mom something" and since he lives next door, no big deal. Only, he didn't come back. I was headed over to check on him when his mom showed up at the front door. A got nervous and wanted to be home! So, N was EXTREMELY disappointed, but what can you do? They are still very young, so....as a special treat to our two kiddos, we let them start a movie at 9pm and stay up to watch it. This NEVER happens in our house, so it was a big treat!

Saturday I was able to go to a wonderful bridal shower from one of our former students who is all grown up - it was a great time of celebrating their love for one another and starting their lives together. After the shower, we all went to Adamson Lagoon to swim.

Then Saturday night, Lance and I had DATE NIGHT! We went to see Get Smart and then to dinner at Texas Roadhouse (Lance's favorite!)

Today was a day of church and swimming.

And A, the neighbor boy? He ended up spending almost all waking hours with us this weekend. So even though he didn't spend the night, N got lots of friend time, which is really what it's all about!

All in all, a great weekend!!

Sleepover

Well, we've done it. We've caved in to months of pressure from the boy. He has worn us down. We are letting him have a friend spend the night Friday night for the 1st time.

It happens to be our next-door neighbor's youngest son. We did this on purpose. If it doesn't work out, it's easy to walk him back home! We told N this is a test to see how he handles all the overwhelming excitement that is sure to descend on our house Friday night. If he handles it with all the maturity of a 6 1/2 year old, then maybe, just maybe we'll let him do it again before he graduates from high school!!!

Just kidding, we know we'll let him again, but the frequency will depend on his behavior.

I've sought advice on this subject for about a year now and have received a wide variety of responses. Some parents refuse to ever allow sleepovers for their children. Some only allow their child to invite a friend over to their house for a sleepover and yet others don't mind sleepovers at all. I think I'm a middle of the road kinda gal. I want sleepovers to be a special treat, not a weekly occurence. I also will carefully monitor whose home my kiddos will be allowed to spend the night in. So many issues have come up that I never really thought of before: guns (do they have them in the house? and if so, are they locked up?); what kind of movies/TV they allow their children to watch?, etc.

I want my kids to experience life and not grow up completely sheltered and naive about the world, but I also want to do everything in my power to protect them as well.

Any advice out there from any of you more experienced parents?!?

My boy

My boy, his heart is a breakin'. Really. At the age of 6 1/2. Yesterday, we were talking about some friends and he asked me if they broke up. "Broke up?" where did he hear that? Then he tells me....

his girlfriend broke up with him yesterday! His girlfriend?!?!?

He had briefly mentioned to me over the weekend that he had a girlfriend, but then got very shy about it and didn't want to talk to me. I didn't think anything else about it.

I was sad for him, because he was sad. But, he couldn't even remember her name, so I'm not thinking it was too major! He's way too young for this - but I know he is such an outgoing and loving person that he is bound to have many, many friendships in his life with both girls and boys. And I also know, that some (most) of those will end at some point. I can't imagine the teenage years with him and his sister. Oh boy, those will be rough, I'm sure.

So, last night, we sat on his bed and hugged and talked about his day - the good and the not so good. He's beginning to grow up - he's noticing things he hasn't before. And that's a good thing, but a little piece of my heart is breaking knowing he won't be "little" much longer.

Fantabulous Fourth!

We've had lots of fun the last few days!

It all started Thursday with the dentist visit for the kiddos. I was very nervous about how L would do, but I was worried for nothing. The dentist said she was a little sweetheart - I was so proud of her!! N did great too, but he's an old pro!!

The kids and I headed to Plano for a few days of relaxation with Nana and Gpa. L experienced another first - fireworks! After crying to go home most of the evening (hey, it's hard for a 3 y.o. to wait for 9:30 fireworks!) she LOVED it once they started. She wanted to do it again as soon as they were over. She kept telling me that she wasn't scared at all. N made lots of new friends during the fireworks and had fun capturing grasshoppers and scaring Nana and I with them!

Saturday, mom and I went to the Southern Living House in Ft. Worth while Gpa and the kids went to the National Cowgirl Museum. It was a good day.

Sunday, I got the chance to catch up with Mary my high school friend whom I haven't seen in too many years! It was great to catch up and the time flew by! Now, we only have to figure out a way to get Kathryn to Texas!

Last night Lance made it home after 10 days away - the kiddos and I were very happy to see him home safe and sound!

Great weekend - hope yours was good as well!!

Friends

Aren't friends great? I've been down in the dumps the last week. I've had several frustrating things happen at work that have seriously impaired my ability to do my job IN THE BUSIEST TIME OF YEAR for us! No, I'm not bitter or anything!!!! Well, my friends have noticed that tone in my voice and have given me extra grace and patience this week. I'm so thankful for that!

N is a lover of people - I can't wait to see how God uses this quality in him as he grows. I pray he will use it to love others in a way that some of us find challenging. I pray that he uses it unselfishly, not just in a way to be "popular". Of all the exciting things he's gotten to do so far this summer (and he's already done quite a few), he is most excited about time spent with friends. Even more than going to the movies or going swimming. I'm so proud of him! He has made a new "best friend" at summer day camp although he can't remember the child's name yet - oh, those details!!! Us gals would know her name and her entire life history, but those boys....as long as they are playing and doing guy stuff, who cares about details?!?

L is beginning to have some little friendships. So far, she is much shyer than N - she still hides behind me when people talk to her, but she does talk about one little friend, Steed, all the time! She tells me about Steed's daddy spanking him and about how Steed didn't listen to her talking! It cracks me up!

Weekend Update!

We had a fantabulous weekend! It all started Thursday afternoon when my parents arrived for a visit! We decided to take them to the local hibachi grill for a fun family dinner! Little did we know, that little L would be terrified - she started crying and soon even N was fearful. I mistakenly thought they would love it! Maybe in a few years!

Friday, we had N's end of the year school music program. It was a 50's theme and super cute. N was dressed in his plain white T with his rolled up jeans. He did a good job singing and doing motions. The only problem - it was hard to see him - lots and lots of kids, teachers, and parents in the way!

Saturday was soccer day. It was extremely cold and windy and we had the 8:30 game, so we were all huddled together in our coats. Our friend, Miss Amy came and watched along with Nana and Grandpa.

Nana and Gpa headed back to the big D after lunch and later that afternoon, Miss Amy came over - we spent a wonderful weekend of going to the park, riding bikes, and just hanging out! After she left Sunday afternoon, it was time for the children's choir program at church. N did very well with his songs and even bowed after each one as the congregation clapped! It was cute.

I love weekends like this - it was so enjoyable with our company. N and L LOVE having people come stay with us and I'm so thankful that they do enjoy it! Guests are always welcome at the Mayes Hotel!

Life in a Box

Lance bought a new grill over the weekend. It's great - he cooked shrimp and pork chops for us Saturday night - delicious!

The grill came in a box - a GREAT BIG box!



This box sat on our back patio until Monday afternoon. Then, genius struck! N and his friend Aaron transformed the box into....a PLAYHOUSE! It's awesome - complete with a cut-out window, front door and a sign...a flip-sign at that - one side says..."Grand Opening of the Play Hose" and the other says, "Play Hose Closed" - spelling courtesy of N. The flip-sign is creatively attached to the box using one of my dangle earrings. Fortunately, I'd lost the mate to this earring, so it's found it's new destiny as play house sign holder!

The fun continued when L and Madeline and Brookelyn decided to "paint" the playhouse. Our version of painting is sidewalk chalk mixed with water. The house is now "decorated". Hours of fun have been had by our kids and the neighbors - love it!

sleepover?

photo courtesy of Flickr - not mine!

N wants to have a sleepover. He is 6 yo and is full of energy (as most of you know!). In theory, this sounds like a great idea, but in reality....I'm not yet sure. I'm pondering the idea. N gets excited when one friend comes over, but more than one AND for ALL NIGHT?!? Will any sleep occur?

Have any of you braved this world yet? Any advice? How many boys would you recommend? If N had his way, he would invite 10-12. I'm thinking 1-2 would be perfect.

I want him to have fun experiences with his friends and I'm so glad that he makes friends so easily - I'm much more reserved than he and it takes me awhile to develop friendships - but a sleepover!?!

Weekend Recap

We had a fun, relaxing weekend with family and friends!

Friday we had Rachel, L's birthsister, with us for the day. It was a fun time. The kids played in L's room, we went out to eat lunch, and then spent the afternoon at the park. For the first time, N (big brother) was not included in the relationship. Rachel and L are beginning to develop their own special time. It's wonderful to see.

Saturday morning, we went to the egg hunt at our church. It was fun to see all the kiddos excited about hunting eggs and playing with their friends. Saturday afternoon, I took N to play glow-in-the-dark PutPut while Lance took L for some special daddy/daughter time. It was fun to have some one on one time with N - we got to have some more indepth conversations that usually occur when little sister is around!

Saturday afternoon, we met our adult SS class at the Nantucket lake for a time of fishing/picnicing. N has LOTS of fun fishing with Lance and the "Big Kids" - he is a good patient, fisherman, which really surprises me since his personality is usually so active! But this is something special that he and Lance enjoy doing together. I chased L around to make sure she didn't end up in the lake! We followed the "big girls" around and L tried to do what they were doing. It was fun to enjoy the time of fellowship with other families from our church.

Today was a day of worship and Bible Study followed by lunch out. Then Lance and I took the kids to see "Horton Hears a Who". After the movie, Lance and N headed out to our Castlegate lake for more fishing!

All in all a great time of celebration of God's love and mercy on our lives.

This week, we are back to soccer practice for soccer season and on the road to the end of the school year!