Mommas, {Don’t} Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys

While Husband was traveling a couple of weeks ago, the kids and I went home for a visit. We got to do all kinds of fun things, but I think Caedmon’s favorite was riding a horse.

He knew he was going to get to ride at horse at Cini and Papa Duke’s, and we hadn’t been there very long before he was asking to get on a horse.

Levi saw him riding and came down to have a chat on horseback.

Mom and Honor were supervising.

Honor got to sit on Honey for just a minute. She was too busy to sit still somewhere, even if the horse could move.

While we were there, Caedmon got to ride several more times.

He rode with Aunt Squirt on her barrel horse, Kai.

We went to a playday that some friends of Mom and Dad hosted, and Caedmon got to ride in the arena with Dad. He ate. it. up.

Caedmon finally got an official riding lesson from Aunt Squirt.

And then he was riding on his own! And so excited!

It did my heart good to see Caedmon on a horse and loving every second of it. I grew up riding horses and I’m so excited that Caedmon not only got to ride, but that he loves it. Riding horses is so much more than just a “fun thing”. It teaches so many principles, consideration of others, and reinforces a good work ethic. Caedmon won’t be able to ride all the time, but I’m thankful he has the opportunity.

Though Honor didn’t ride a horse, she was ready. Before we left for our trip, Husband bought her these babies.

To say she loves them would be an understatement, don’t you think?

We had a lot more fun while we were – including meeting our brand new Cousin C! But that will have to wait for another time.

Photo Catch-Up

I’ve been such a blogging slacker lately. Mainly because I have been so overwhelmed with everything. And I’ve hardly picked up the (real) camera in the past month.

Here are a few things we did:

Honor figured out how to eat an apple (whole).

Caedmon helped me make football cupcakes for our own little Super Bowl watch party.

That may or may not be chocolate at the corner of his mouth. We will never really know.

Our Valentine’s surprises included some special items Daddy picked out just for the kids. Caedmon got a Darth Vader book…

…and Honor got a Prayer Purse book. That she promptly tore the pages out of and carries as a purse. The pages are waiting for me to re-attach, but I might wait a bit longer until she decides it can be a purse and a book.

During that week was the time we were preparing to move – the kids and I were spending our days at the house cleaning, hanging blinds, etc. So it’s no surprise that after we got our things moved, their “spot” ended up staying for a little while.

And since we were so busy during Valentine’s, we made Valentine cookies the week after.

Mom came to help us unpack and get things in order. But we had to pause for some fun. It was Caedmon’s first time to play Jenga and I think he enjoyed it.

Except for when he thought the tower might topple. Then, he prepared himself for the noise.

We even managed a (rare) photo of Mom and me together!

Basketball is about to wrap up. But we’ve had fun, that’s for sure. Here was a little pre-game gaming/cartoons.

Honor loved her little spirit shirt I made for her to wear to the games. She’d put it on and start shouting, “Defense!” Not that she knows what that means, but at least she was yelling for the team.

Caedmon so did not want to put the game down to pose for a picture. This is certain to be blackmail material one day. He looks like he’s in pain, doesn’t he?

Here’s my guy, guarding his player. That boy loves action away from the ball.

But don’t think he won’t go after it.  I think his favorite thing to do is tie it up, causing the refs to call a jump ball. Our last game was pretty rough. It was more like a rugby match than basketball game. But he played hard and the coaches awarded everyone on the team with the “Christ-like” star because of how they handled themselves in an unfair situation. I don’t even know if they realized that the other team wasn’t quite playing fair and the refs were letting it go. The parents and coaches sure knew. It was a great test of everyone’s character. And I’d like to say that everyone did well. At least, I think they did. I know it could’ve been much, much worse.

This week is our last game. Then we’ll be sport-less for a little while, until baseball season comes around. His age plays later in the year, here. So we’ll get to sit out in the heat in June and July for practices and games. But since baseball is outside, I’m not complaining. I’d rather sweat than freeze. Unless it’s for football. Then freezing is worth it.

Fun Visit with Family

We had a fun and busy week last week! Mom, Dad, and Meemom came for a visit. Well, they came to town to do some fun stuff, and let us tag along for some of it.

We met them at the mall for some shopping and dinner.

Proof that my parents are grandparents: Mom suggested letting Caedmon ride the carousel. And then Dad rode with him!

Honor found a cool place to ride – Meemom’s lap!

We ate at a really cool restaurant with a HUGE aquarium in the middle of it. The kids loved it. When we arrived, there was a scuba diver feeding the fish. It was pretty cool to watch.

Mom, Dad, and Meemom hung out at the house with us some, too. You know it’s fun if you need a helmet to play.

Honor discovered Meemom’s purse. And proceeded to take everything out and put it back in at least once.

We went to the zoo one day, too. The weather was perfect!

Caedmon checked out the elephant skull pretty closely.

We looked at the giraffes for a long time. They ended up coming pretty close.

Dad and Honor “hid” behind some greenery so they wouldn’t bother the elephants.

We stopped for a snack break.

Caedmon and Mom at the zebras.

Caedmon’s favorite – flamingos. He took this picture!

The kids got to pet the goats at the petting zoo. Honor called them all “Oz”.

Honor’s favorite thing at the zoo was the noisy monkeys. I’ll have to post that video sometime.

We are glad we got to spend some time with Mom, Dad, and Meemom. And we hope we get to see them all again soon!

Photo Catch-Up

It’s been a while, so get ready…here they come!

This is how we spent many days while we were waiting on our stuff to arrive.

Fourteen things or four hundred, they seem to be spread all over the place.

Our high class dining arrangements.

Ugliest sconce ever? Quite possibly.

(It was a light fixture – one of a pair. Neither were wired into the wall, and barely screwed in. They’re currently being stored.)

Sprinkler system and a styrofoam plate…free fun!

Empty cabinets…more free entertainment!

A swing borrowed from the church made this girl happy until ours arrived.

Our first houseguest in the new house…M3. He loves us enough to come visit even when we have no furniture.

These three hung out together a lot – I think they missed each other!

And Caedmon had his first Skype session with a buddy from home.

Playing with a new friend at Monkey Joe’s.

Finally…moving in!

A visit from Cini to help us get unpacked.

That’s not all we’ve been up to – there are more to come this week!