Life with my boys
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Paws to Read
Our library participates in the Paws to Read program where special volunteers bring in their dog or cat to the library's meeting room to listen to children read books. Each child signs up to have a turn reading aloud to the animals. Southern read to Tazzy this past Monday.
Monday, November 30, 2015
Thankful
This Thanksgiving was bittersweet. It was nice to see loved ones, but we missed those who are no longer with us.
Dustin, the boys and I did our usual Yoakum whirlwind. We started the morning off with a stop at Granny Ehlers' house. We got to visit with all of the many families from the Brandl side of the family. The boys played with a couple young cousins, Weston and Greta. We ate a little bit there and then headed to our next stop. We went to Poppy and DeDe's house next. We visited with the Wyatt and Hitchcock relatives, and the boys played with 3rd cousin Victoria. We then made one quick detour to the nursing home to see Granny Hahn on our way to our last stop of the night, for the Perez family Thanksgiving. The boys had a blast with cousin Isaiah, and we had our second turkey meal of the day. We bathed the boys and headed home after 9pm. It was a very full day!
During the car ride, we all took turns saying what we were thankful for. I of course said Dustin and the boys. I am thankful for so much, but they are my life. What are you thankful for this season?
Here is what Southern wrote at school
Dustin, the boys and I did our usual Yoakum whirlwind. We started the morning off with a stop at Granny Ehlers' house. We got to visit with all of the many families from the Brandl side of the family. The boys played with a couple young cousins, Weston and Greta. We ate a little bit there and then headed to our next stop. We went to Poppy and DeDe's house next. We visited with the Wyatt and Hitchcock relatives, and the boys played with 3rd cousin Victoria. We then made one quick detour to the nursing home to see Granny Hahn on our way to our last stop of the night, for the Perez family Thanksgiving. The boys had a blast with cousin Isaiah, and we had our second turkey meal of the day. We bathed the boys and headed home after 9pm. It was a very full day!
During the car ride, we all took turns saying what we were thankful for. I of course said Dustin and the boys. I am thankful for so much, but they are my life. What are you thankful for this season?
Here is what Southern wrote at school
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Grandpa
Antonio "Tony" Perez
July 5, 1932 - November 1, 2015
Grandpa, we will miss you dearly.
I have so many good memories from sitting on your kitchen counter as a baby and you teasing me by sticking a piece of paper between my toes, watching me laugh, pulling it out and doing it again... to you watching my babies play and wrestle and laugh around you in your living room.
You were always taking pictures, and one of my most treasured things today, a video tape of my 1st birthday party, was filmed by you. You took our extended family to the beach every year. You always had awesome speeches. You were so full of wisdom, and I loved it when you shared your advice with us. You always had great jokes. My favorite:
A Mexican was trying to cross the border into the U.S. An officer stopped him, and the guy told the officer that he was an American so he should let him pass. The officer said, "Okay, if you are an American, make a sentence in English using these words - green, pink, and yellow." The Mexican said, "That's easy. The phone green. I pink it up and say yellow."
And you said it with the perfect accent and with a big grin on your face.
You taught me how to fold a dollar bill into a shirt. You taught me how to draw the perfect Nativity star.
When I was away at college and visiting Yoakum, you would ask how my "Cadillac" was running. You always gave me a big hug and a kiss when you greeted me.
My youngest son is named after you.
You were a really special person. I have so much respect for you. You gave me many cherished memories, and I know you touched so many lives with your positive impact. I am honored to be your granddaughter.
July 5, 1932 - November 1, 2015
Grandpa, we will miss you dearly.
I have so many good memories from sitting on your kitchen counter as a baby and you teasing me by sticking a piece of paper between my toes, watching me laugh, pulling it out and doing it again... to you watching my babies play and wrestle and laugh around you in your living room.
You were always taking pictures, and one of my most treasured things today, a video tape of my 1st birthday party, was filmed by you. You took our extended family to the beach every year. You always had awesome speeches. You were so full of wisdom, and I loved it when you shared your advice with us. You always had great jokes. My favorite:
A Mexican was trying to cross the border into the U.S. An officer stopped him, and the guy told the officer that he was an American so he should let him pass. The officer said, "Okay, if you are an American, make a sentence in English using these words - green, pink, and yellow." The Mexican said, "That's easy. The phone green. I pink it up and say yellow."
And you said it with the perfect accent and with a big grin on your face.
You taught me how to fold a dollar bill into a shirt. You taught me how to draw the perfect Nativity star.
When I was away at college and visiting Yoakum, you would ask how my "Cadillac" was running. You always gave me a big hug and a kiss when you greeted me.
My youngest son is named after you.
You were a really special person. I have so much respect for you. You gave me many cherished memories, and I know you touched so many lives with your positive impact. I am honored to be your granddaughter.
ANTONIO 'TONY' PEREZ
YOAKUM - Antonio 'Tony' Perez, age 83, passed away Sunday, November 1, 2015.
He was born July 5, 1932 in Wharton to Thomas and Maria Hernandez Ochoa Perez.
He was retired from TX Dot after 39 years of service. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and was a former city council member. His family knew him for being a jokester and loved their annual family vacations at Port Aransas.
Survivors are his wife of 62 years, Eva Perez; daughters, Elizabeth Perez of Round Rock, Teresa Faust (Josh) of Yoakum, Susan Elizondo (Sammy) of Yoakum and Patricia Grahmann (Michael Munguia) of Yoakum; son, Michael Perez of Yoakum; 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren; sisters, Angie Perez of Stafford and Rosa Villarreal of Houston; brother Jesse Perez of Houston.
Preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Thomas Perez II, Pete Perez and Viviano Perez.
Rosary 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at Thiele Cooper Funeral Home.
Funeral Mass at 10 a.m., Thursday, November 5, 2015 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Rev. Matthew Huehlefeld officiating. Burial at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetary.
Memorials may be given to St. Joseph Catholic Church.
On-line guestbook may be signed at www.thielecooper.com
Arrangements by Thiele Cooper Funeral Home, 361-293-5656.
Turn off the lights... the party's over.
Sunday, August 16, 2015
Southern's 1st day of 1st grade
SOUTHERN'S FIRST DAY OF 1ST GRADE
Monday, August 17, 2015
Teacher: Ms. Aurora
School: Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School in New Braunfels, TX
Age: 6 years old
Weight: 69.5 lbs
Height: 4 feet, 1 inch
What I want to be when I grow up: Baseball Player
I am most excited about: learning more
My favorite book: In A People House by Dr Seuss
My favorite color: lavender
My favorite thing to eat for lunch: pizza
My favorite thing about school: that we get to have recess
Southern before his first day of first grade
Purple card means Southern's behavior today was "outstanding", the highest color rank.
Monday, August 17, 2015
Teacher: Ms. Aurora
School: Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School in New Braunfels, TX
Age: 6 years old
Weight: 69.5 lbs
Height: 4 feet, 1 inch
What I want to be when I grow up: Baseball Player
I am most excited about: learning more
My favorite book: In A People House by Dr Seuss
My favorite color: lavender
My favorite thing to eat for lunch: pizza
My favorite thing about school: that we get to have recess
100 Days of Summer - July
Our summer is speeding by way too quickly. Here is some of what we did during July...
Water gun play with friends, Landa Park wade pool, 4th of July art for kids at the library, shopping at Cabela's, 4th of July parade in Seguin, golfing with Daddy, tennis in New Braunfels, Grandpa's birthday in Yoakum, storytime at the library, Lucas Miller at the Bulverde/Spring Branch library, reptiles from Austin at the NB library, BAYLOR'S 2ND BIRTHDAY at the NB Railroad Museum, The Jumpy Place, scooter riding on County Memorial Trail, playground fun at Jesse Garcia Park, Herbert's lunch and sandbox fun with friends, playground fun at Ernest Eikel Park, swimming and boating in the river at Cypress Bend park, swimming lessons, Dinosaur George at Fischer Park, Kindermoms Blowout, and the boys had camps the last week in July. Southern was in Nature Camp - Worlds Under Water, and Remington was in Symphony of the Senses.
During the month of July, we also completed the 10 Parks in 31 Days Challenge put on by the New Braunfels Parks Department. The boys' picture is featured once again in their Fun Things in Life catalog.
We also starting working on the flooring in our house during July. Our goal was to rip up all of the carpet downstairs and replace it with vinyl "wood" plank flooring. The dining room was first. This was a HUGE task. I estimated that it would take us about a week to do both rooms. It ended up taking two. Part of it was that we did most of the work at night (and early morning) while the kids were asleep since we could accomplish more when they were out of the way, another part was that scraping the adhesive from the concrete took a long time, and the other part was that moving all of the furniture and decor out of each room and back again took even more time.
And pictures! We took a ton of pictures. Here is a sampling of some of our Days of Summer postings.
Water gun play with friends, Landa Park wade pool, 4th of July art for kids at the library, shopping at Cabela's, 4th of July parade in Seguin, golfing with Daddy, tennis in New Braunfels, Grandpa's birthday in Yoakum, storytime at the library, Lucas Miller at the Bulverde/Spring Branch library, reptiles from Austin at the NB library, BAYLOR'S 2ND BIRTHDAY at the NB Railroad Museum, The Jumpy Place, scooter riding on County Memorial Trail, playground fun at Jesse Garcia Park, Herbert's lunch and sandbox fun with friends, playground fun at Ernest Eikel Park, swimming and boating in the river at Cypress Bend park, swimming lessons, Dinosaur George at Fischer Park, Kindermoms Blowout, and the boys had camps the last week in July. Southern was in Nature Camp - Worlds Under Water, and Remington was in Symphony of the Senses.
During the month of July, we also completed the 10 Parks in 31 Days Challenge put on by the New Braunfels Parks Department. The boys' picture is featured once again in their Fun Things in Life catalog.
We also starting working on the flooring in our house during July. Our goal was to rip up all of the carpet downstairs and replace it with vinyl "wood" plank flooring. The dining room was first. This was a HUGE task. I estimated that it would take us about a week to do both rooms. It ended up taking two. Part of it was that we did most of the work at night (and early morning) while the kids were asleep since we could accomplish more when they were out of the way, another part was that scraping the adhesive from the concrete took a long time, and the other part was that moving all of the furniture and decor out of each room and back again took even more time.
And pictures! We took a ton of pictures. Here is a sampling of some of our Days of Summer postings.
Friday, July 31, 2015
Dinosaur George
We are a big fan of Dinosaur George. We first saw him at the New Braunfels Library one summer, and I now follow him on Facebook. So if he ever is nearby, we like to take in a show. Each time is a little bit different. But this latest one was by far the best - it was practically a private show just for us!
Dinosaur George was coming to Fischer Park here in New Braunfels this summer, so I had it marked down on the calendar for at least a month. He was doing three shows - 2pm, 3pm, and 4pm. I decided that we would try the last one with the hopes that it wouldn't be as crowded. Boy, was I right! It was just US. Two other families (with one kid each) happened to walk by, and Dinosaur George asked if they could stay. So the audience grew! And the show went on. It was a little shorter than normal, but it was very personalized, and the kids were able to participate often. And then after the show, the other two families left, and our family had a nice talk with Dinosaur George. We mostly talked about dinosaurs, but the conversation ended up evolving. He even disclosed his favorite fishing spot to Dustin. And he remembered us from the last show that we had attended of his, which was in Canyon Lake. Very cool.
During this show, Dustin snapped this picture of Southern interacting with "Jurassic Chip". Dinosaur George's assistant, and it reminded me of our first Dinosaur George show. So I got out the pictures, and sure enough. Same size claw... bigger boys...
Dinosaur George was coming to Fischer Park here in New Braunfels this summer, so I had it marked down on the calendar for at least a month. He was doing three shows - 2pm, 3pm, and 4pm. I decided that we would try the last one with the hopes that it wouldn't be as crowded. Boy, was I right! It was just US. Two other families (with one kid each) happened to walk by, and Dinosaur George asked if they could stay. So the audience grew! And the show went on. It was a little shorter than normal, but it was very personalized, and the kids were able to participate often. And then after the show, the other two families left, and our family had a nice talk with Dinosaur George. We mostly talked about dinosaurs, but the conversation ended up evolving. He even disclosed his favorite fishing spot to Dustin. And he remembered us from the last show that we had attended of his, which was in Canyon Lake. Very cool.
During this show, Dustin snapped this picture of Southern interacting with "Jurassic Chip". Dinosaur George's assistant, and it reminded me of our first Dinosaur George show. So I got out the pictures, and sure enough. Same size claw... bigger boys...
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Baylor's 2nd Birthday
Baylor turned two this past weekend. I know I say this a lot, but the time is passing too quickly! It feels like it is going by even faster for Baylor since we are so much more busy now with three than we were with just one during Southern's first two years of life.
Baylor weighs 28 lbs and is in size 5 diapers. He wears size 7 shoes, size 18 mo - 24 mo - 2t shorts, and size 2t shirts. He is full of growls, howls, smiles, and laughter. He can be very expressive and loves playing with his older brothers. He will hunch over with his little arms out like a T-rex to "get" you.
His favorites include:
- taking off his socks and shoes in the car
- cheese sticks
- yogurt
- his red shoes
- trains (when he is picking out books to read, it's almost always a Thomas the Train book)
- toy cars/trucks
- balls
- kitties (especially Dracky)
- dancing
- popcorn
- crackers
- grapes
He runs a lot, and he always want to be doing what his brothers are doing. He has this great rolling laugh when he gets going that is just precious to hear. He hit his first tennis ball yesterday. He has his own racquet and loves being a part of the action when we go out to the tennis courts, but yesterday was the first time one of his swings actually made contact when I bounced a ball to him. He will sometimes cry and struggle when it's naptime or bedtime, but he almost always gives in once you lay him down in his crib. He turns over to his tummy, tucks his knees under him (his bottom is sticking up in the air), and sticks two fingers in his mouth to suck. He will then be fine all night or for about two hours during naptime. He loves to sit on my lap and for me to hold/carry him.
All of their second birthday parties were memorable and had a great turnout, but it's bittersweet as the parties become more filled with friends and less family attends. I remember at Southern's second birthday party, DeDe, who was sitting by Southern as he ate his cake, asked him how old he was. He looked at her and said, "old". She really got a kick out of that. And then Remington's second birthday party happened during a crazy morning of rains. I remember walking through rain and standing water in the parking lot to carry things from the car to the train museum. Dustin was on umbrella duty helping family from their cars to the dining car. Grandma sat by Remington while he was eating his birthday cake. Baylor had only one great grandparent who was well enough to attend his second birthday party, but we were really thankful that Granny Ehlers was able to join in his special day.
Baylor weighs 28 lbs and is in size 5 diapers. He wears size 7 shoes, size 18 mo - 24 mo - 2t shorts, and size 2t shirts. He is full of growls, howls, smiles, and laughter. He can be very expressive and loves playing with his older brothers. He will hunch over with his little arms out like a T-rex to "get" you.
His favorites include:
- taking off his socks and shoes in the car
- cheese sticks
- yogurt
- his red shoes
- trains (when he is picking out books to read, it's almost always a Thomas the Train book)
- toy cars/trucks
- balls
- kitties (especially Dracky)
- dancing
- popcorn
- crackers
- grapes
He runs a lot, and he always want to be doing what his brothers are doing. He has this great rolling laugh when he gets going that is just precious to hear. He hit his first tennis ball yesterday. He has his own racquet and loves being a part of the action when we go out to the tennis courts, but yesterday was the first time one of his swings actually made contact when I bounced a ball to him. He will sometimes cry and struggle when it's naptime or bedtime, but he almost always gives in once you lay him down in his crib. He turns over to his tummy, tucks his knees under him (his bottom is sticking up in the air), and sticks two fingers in his mouth to suck. He will then be fine all night or for about two hours during naptime. He loves to sit on my lap and for me to hold/carry him.
We celebrated his second birthday with a party at the New Braunfels Railroad Museum. We had Southern's second birthday party there back before they had a dining car, so it was held in the breezeway outside under the roof. We then had Remington's second birthday party there not long after the restoration was completed on the dining car. I think she said his was the third or fourth party in the dining car. So Baylor's second birthday party of course had to be held there as well. And it worked out perfectly that he is loving Thomas the Train right now.
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| Southern at his 2nd birthday party |
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| Remington at his 2nd birthday party |
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| Baylor at his 2nd birthday party |
All of their second birthday parties were memorable and had a great turnout, but it's bittersweet as the parties become more filled with friends and less family attends. I remember at Southern's second birthday party, DeDe, who was sitting by Southern as he ate his cake, asked him how old he was. He looked at her and said, "old". She really got a kick out of that. And then Remington's second birthday party happened during a crazy morning of rains. I remember walking through rain and standing water in the parking lot to carry things from the car to the train museum. Dustin was on umbrella duty helping family from their cars to the dining car. Grandma sat by Remington while he was eating his birthday cake. Baylor had only one great grandparent who was well enough to attend his second birthday party, but we were really thankful that Granny Ehlers was able to join in his special day.
His party was from 10am-noon at the train museum. Then we headed back home so that Baylor could take his nap. Some of our family were able to swing by our house and visit for a little while before heading back home. Baylor took his nap, and then he was ready to open presents. After he (and big brothers) played with new toys for a couple hours, we headed to our backyard for swimming and playing outside. Dustin grilled fajita meat, and we had that for supper. It was a great day. Here are some pictures from July 11, 2015.
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| Baylor eating lunch during his birthday party. We had two 6 foot long sub sandwiches for the party |
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| Mommy and Daddy with the birthday boy |
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| He was ready for cake time |
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| I think he enjoyed it! |
And since I get a lot of people that say they think Baylor looks like me more than he looks like Dustin, I glanced through my old photo album and found these. What do y'all think?
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