Jacob's birthday & Memorial Day weekend

We expected to celebrate Jacob's 12th birthday at home with friends from San Antonio. However, as they started driving out of town, it was clear that the record-setting rainfalls and dangerous flooding in SA, meant they would be safer at home and waiting out the storm. This is a golf course near the Quarry on 281. Just out of frame to the right, the water crested over the highway and traffic was blocked in both directions. 

Here in Dallas, we let Jacob choose the restaurant for dinner and he selected Logan's Roadhouse. I think because you can throw peanut shells on the floor. 

Our friends from SA made it the following day and we started with a brunch at Esparza's in Grapevine. Tonya has two other friends in town who met us there, and we got photo-bombed by you-know-you.

Later in the day, after a Nault vs. Joergensen basketball tournament and BBQ at home, we celebrated with Jacob's Oreo cake.

Happy birthday sweet Jacob. 

Lucas' Hard Cast

Lucas got his hard cast today. He chose light blue which is one of his school colors. We were instructed that he should not ride his bike, play on the playground, go to PE, run, or jump for the next four weeks. Are you kidding me? He's a five-year-old boy! All he does is run and jump!

We stopped at home for a Sharpie before heading to school. All his classmates were on the playground for recess. Word got out and suddenly, Lucas had a line up of kids waiting to sign his cast!

 It was a lot of excitement for one day!

Bonus: we were able to purchase a DryPro cast cover from the orthopedist so Lucas can bathe and swim! He can only wear it for about 45 minutes at a time, but at least our trip to the Great Wolf Lodge water park when school gets out is saved! 

Cub Scout Bridging Campout

Ethan bridged from a Wolf Scout to a Bear Scout this weekend. The Pack held their campout at Camp Wisdom, a BSA camp in Dallas. It was hot, hot, hot, but fun for everyone. The skits and songs made everyone laugh. 

The s'mores were tasty. It was Sarah and Lucas' first "real" campout (other than the backyard) and they handled it beautifully!

Fame

My kids are getting famous ... or least getting their pictures on the school district website.

You can see Lucas in this video about the Spanish Immersion program he participates in at school. His teacher is Mrs. Giraldo, and he's wearing a gray shirt with navy sleeves.

Spanish Immersion Video

Sarah participates in the Save the Planet Club that received the LISD Environmental Participation Award for their efforts in helping care for our planet!

Let's hope they get more than 15 minutes outta this! 

Mother's Day Roller Coaster

UP: 

Ethan's First Communion in the morning. Mark made a nice brunch for the family. We got the house ready for our SA friends who were flying in that afternoon. Then Mark and the boys went on a bike ride. Lucas learned to ride without training wheels about two weeks ago. He's been practicing up and down the street and doing great. So Mark takes them on a longer ride towards Jacob's school.

Then I get the phone call. "He's alright, BUT..."

DOWN:

An hour later, we know that Lucas has a fractured ulna (small arm bone) near the wrist. Luckily, children's bones are still pliable (compared to an adult) and it is not a bad break. He's in a soft cast now and we have an appointment with an orthopedist on Monday - likely for more x-rays and a hard cast.

It's his right arm, and he is right-handed, but can still hold a pencil with the temp cast. We'll see what they can do about his grip when they put the hard cast on. I hear there may be some waterproof options too, which would be nice as we head into summer and spending lots of time at the pool. Oh crap. I just remembered we have reservations at the Great Wolf Lodge the week after school gets out! I'll have to ask about that too!

UP:

We got back from the ER at the same time our friends arrived. John is an amateur golfer and was in town for one night to try to qualify for the Byron Nelson Tournament. Carrie and I became fast friends after meeting at a party (now that's a funny story!). They have two sweet boys - Cameron (almost 2) and Carter (7 mos). We had a chaotic night and next day, but fun nonetheless. Always good to see friends!

Ethan's First Communion

Ethan's First Communion was on Mother's Day. A beautiful sunshine-y day and nice service at church about mothers. Ethan received his first communion and we had to giggle when he took a long drink from the communal chalice. First timer! What can you say? 

Field trips and more

In all my years as an elementary school mom, I have never chaperoned a field trip. There's always so many other people willing to do it, and I was usually at home with a baby anyways. Even when Lucas went to preschool, most field trips occurred on Fridays - the one day he didn't have school. 

Imagine my surprise when Ethan's teacher wrote me a personalized email asking if I would chaperone a trip to the Fort Worth Zoo. And by the way, I would have to ride the bus. How could I say no? So I chased these four kiddos around the zoo a couple hours and found another couple reasons to let others do the chaperoning! LOL. (Megan, Logan, Payton and Ethan)

Sarah and I attended the Mother/Daughter International Fashion Show at her school. The native outfits from China, Nepal, Finland, India, and more, were gorgeous to look at. We met a Japanese family whose young daughter got to wear a kimono for the very first time. And heard from many other mothers how excited they were about this event because their Westernized daughters aren't all that into wearing their traditional cultural clothing.

Sarah walked the runway with some girlfriends in a very American red/white/blue striped dress that was actually purchased in London and handed down to her by a friend!

Jacob has been using my camera to capture plants and wildlife for scouts. Some of his pictures have turned out amazing! Like this one: