Beware of Quack Quack

The boys keep setting traps for Coker. He was summoned into the living room where a piece of candy was waiting. When he stood on the target marked with an "X," TJ called, "quack quack," and Paul dropped a pillow on Coker's head. He's worried he may be killed like Piggy in Lord of the Flies.

Color Run

Paul and I walked in the Color Run this morning. It's a 5k in which volunteers throw colored powder on the runners every 1k. Here's cool dude before the race.

And here's the after.Close up. Isn't he cute?And the two of us. Sunglasses kept the powder out of my eyes and hid my un-made face.

Not even our shoes were missed. I'm washing now. We'll see how it all comes out.

Never did find our friends, but Paul and I had fun!

TJ's 5th Birthday Party

TJ wanted a party at Chuck E. Cheese with a Mario Kart theme. I think he really had fun.

Here's the cake, and here are his friends. We had a great turn out. Parker G, Paul, Parker O, Marshall, Alec, Zach, Susanna, Mia, Owen, Ty, Parker V, and Easton are around the table.

Of course Chuck E came out.

TJ got to catch tickets in the ticket blaster. He could take a friend in with him, so he and Parker grabbed as many as they could.

He's flanked by Parkers as he opens presents. Zach got in there, too.

Paul and TJ are wearing their "Mario mustaches" with papa, who doesn't need a stick-on version.

Stickers and a mustache. What a cute five-year-old!

TJ is 5!

TJ is now 5 years old, and he says he feels bigger and stronger. His birthday wish was for a pet. A dog or a cat or even a hamster would do. He was so happy to see his guinea pig when he woke. He baby talked to it and sang to it and held it. Paul liked it, too. They decided the cage should be in Paul's room since that's where they both sleep. When Amina came upstairs to meet GG that evening, the guinea pig was deceased. Poor TJ. He cried and cried, until I suggested he open his other presents while we waited for the pizza to be delivered.

Luckily, his other presents were all winners. Scott & Cissy gave him a great Hot Wheels launcher. Every Hot Wheels car the boys could find had to go through the loop.

Aunt Nise and Uncle David sent a game we all had fun playing.

Aunt Sharon gave him Spy supplies. He'll spy on Paul, I'm sure.

Amina brought Veggie Tales DVDs and a Kindergarden prep book.

I didn't get a picture of the amazing coin bank Papa brought. It's a huge railroad crossing sign that whistles and makes the crossing chimes when a coin is deposited. I didn't get a picture of the whole party, either. Well, here are the cupcakes...

Stock Show

We met some friends after church at the Fort Worth Stock Show. Paul loved the rides, Coker loved the food, I loved the exhibit hall and TJ loved everything. Paul, Coker and I were worn out and ready to go, but little TJ was sad to leave. Coker teased Paul telling him we were going back to the exhibit hall ("the most boring place ever" according to Paul) and TJ was disappointed when he realized we were outside the show. TJ watched the pigs, determining which ones were sad. He patted cows and was riveted by the milking demonstration. He wanted to see the llamas, but it was Paul's turn to choose where to go next, so to the midway we went.

Both boys loved the rides and happily shared my funnel cake. Paul's favorite thing was the swing ride in the midway. TJ's favorite was the milking demonstration, or "How to make milk," as he puts it. Coker's favorite was the gumbo he ate, and mine was the cows. They were so well groomed they looked soft and pretty with their fluffy fur and big eyes. The exhibit hall was fun, too. I love to shop, but I didn't get to buy anything.

We had to promise a trip back to see the rodeo. I hope we get back this year.

TJ's Dream Truck

Coker has a favorite website. TJ especially likes browsing this one with Coker. He found his dream truck:

Goalie

Paul's coach is really good about letting the kids try different positions. Paul asked to play goalie tonight. I did a very poor job with pictures, but here's the best one I took. I used my flash, so it came out dark at the 6:30 game. After halftime, I realized I was on the "portrait" setting, and I THOUGHT I went back to "auto," but my pictures didn't get any better. Maybe it was too dark.

Alas! I don't think goalie is Paul's position anyway. Here he is after one save...

After the game, I suggested that if he plays goalie again, maybe he should throw the ball to someone on HIS team after making a save. He said that wouldn't be as much fun, but I suggested maybe the other team would be less likely to score before he could get back to the goal. He agreed that might be a good idea.