Jackson's Interview

Jackson has been working on a family histories project in PACE, and one of his assignments was to do an interview with a family member on a personal story, like favorite birthday, first car, etc. Jackson chose to interview me about the scariest thing that ever happened to me. Here is his finished product:

Look Ma, No Training Wheels!

A few days ago, I mentioned to Cody that he was getting a little big for his bike but that we would wait to get him a new one until he was riding without training wheels. It was kind of an offhand comment, so I didn't expect anything to come of it. But with the idea in his head, he couldn't think about anything else. So we decided to take the leap and took off the training wheels.

With Cody's balance issues, I anticipated that this might be a lengthy process. But I'm telling you, the kid was ready!


And after just a few runs up and down with me, he was doing this:


By the way, the Michael Jordan-esque tongue face in the first picture? Cody says sticking his tongue out helps him go faster. :)

I asked him how he felt about being able to ride on his own with no training wheels, and he said, "This is the BEST day!"


Daddy and I are just so proud of our Codes!


I just can't get over it. The little man who had a brain tumor at 20 months and who was diagnosed with "gravitational insecurity" at his last occupational therapy evaluation just up and decided he wanted to ride his bike without training wheels....and HE DID IT. He's almost a year younger than Jacks was. And he was scared, but he said it felt great. He loves it, and he can't wait to go out again tomorrow!

We are continually awed by how incredible this kiddo is! WTG Cody!

A Dog and her Boys

We welcomed a new canine member of our family a couple of weeks ago. Adopted from the Plano Animal Shelter, Sugar is a 1 year-old yellow lab who weighs 50 lbs but thinks she's a lap dog. She has such a sweet temperament (hence her name), and she and her "sister" Spice get along famously. In fact, they wrestle in the backyard in a most UNlady-like fashion until Sugar looks more like brown sugar. :P

The boys are completely enamored of both of the pups, but Sugar is actually capable of being mellow at times when she's not passed out asleep (ha!), so I was able to get a couple shots of Luke and Cody playing outside with her today after school.

Think this little big love likes her new boys?

Luke's Class Picture

He doesn't look terribly happy, does he? He really seems to enjoy school now, though, despite his "Go ahead...make my day" expression. :)

Mohawk Madness

The boys were in desperate need of haircuts so we made a stop at Cool Cuts yesterday. Cody went first and got a wicked cool mohawk. Well, after seeing how totally awesome Cody looked, there was just no way that Luke was getting his hair done any other way!


This is my favorite shot of Luke. Clearly, he found the whole experience hair-raising! :)


Brothers being silly!


Cody had some fun making goofy faces. There is so much of Anthony in this little boy!


But take a look at this next picture...you can really see it here. One of Anthony's friends from middle school joked that she used to know a kid who looked just like this, only with less hair. :)


You can see the man he'll be in that last picture. How can he be so grown-up already?

Hoppy Easter! (2 weeks late)

Well, obviously I'm a bit behind! But the day before Easter, we enjoyed a nice egg hunt at Gramma and Grandad's house. They worked with Aunt Polly to decorate some beautiful eggs for the boys, and they planned a fun scavenger hunt, too. The only kiddo moving slowly enough for any pictures mid-hunt, though, was Luke. :)


Gramma and Grandad have this wonderful bench and a cool brick wall, perfect backdrops for some close-ups!


Then we hunted eggs at our house on Easter!


Cody had already enjoyed a ring pop which the Easter Bunny delivered in his basket earlier that morning, so that's what he's wearing on his face. And I think it's funny that he's wearing his Halloween shirt on Easter. :)


As always, the Easter Bunny brought waaaaaaaaay to much candy. Better luck controlling that sweet tooth next year, EB! ;)

Look Ma, No Teeth!

Cody lost his second tooth last night! It has been wiggly ever since the other one fell out, and we tried to "help it along" a few times, to no avail. What a stubborn boy tooth!

Anyway, last night Anthony was helping Cody floss, and out it came! The tooth fairy brought him another gold dollar, which apparently isn't as good as a "real" dollar (who knew?) so Cody offered me a trade. We will be sending the tooth fairy a letter with instructions for next time!

And now Cody's got a big 'ole gap on the bottom! Perfect for sticking a straw through all sneaky-like. :)