Rodeo Grace

This year we took the kids to the Houston Rodeo for the first time.  I was definitely nervous about taking two non-compliant toddlers into the huge crowd.  Here is how we fared.

We started in the exhibit area with the newly-hatched chickens.  I think Little Pope loved it because they were eye level.

I tried educating him about what the little ones turn into, but he just kept laughing at the big chickens running around crazy.

Little Pope is obsessed with selfies!  We had to pause so he could say cheese and be silly!

At least one of us was focused on the task at hand.  The other was captivated by who knows what.  Clearly I need to take them out more!

Little Pope LOVED this ride, which was one of three he was big enough to ride.

He rode it several times and did not want to leave!

Another obsession of his is tractors.  I know he was in heaven because he got to climb all over this one.

A little fun playing in the corn.  This walk-through exhibit outside was really cute because it taught the kids about farming and spending/saving money.

The Nutrition Nazi and I got to go to the actual rodeo part a couple of times.  I was trying to get a pic of the mutton bustin, but my phone did not want to cooperate on zooming in.  I think Camo will love this event when he turns 5.  He will be the one the sheep talk about afterwards!

The pic is grainy, but we got to see Tim McGraw one night.  Even with the so-so sound system he still puts on a great concert.

I saved this pic for last, because the biggest lesson we received at the rodeo was a reminder to always act with grace.  So Little Pope wanted to ride the zebra, but started to freak out before the carousel started moving.  I took him off and moved to another lower animal, but still no luck.  A gentleman came up beside the zebra with the man sitting on the zebra in front of us the pic and asked if Little Pope was going to ride it.  I told him I didn't think so and asked if he had someone who would like to ride it.  He very politely told me that his special guy would really like to ride it.  He handled the situation so calmly and walked behind the fence to stand with his wife.  

They watched their child go around with all of the other children, but treated him with the respect of an adult.  I am not certain I could ever handle this situation as gracefully if the roles were reversed.  I spent the whole ride playing with Little Pope, but wondering if I handled the situation well.  I was given the answer when the same gentleman handed me the remaining unused tickets on his ticket card as we exited the ride.  And so grace bought Little Pope another ride on the beloved tractor ride!

I hope through my actions my wild, but sweet boys learn to handle situations like that with grace and dignity and reciprocate the same to others.

Happy 1st Birthday Camo

It's hard to believe that we just celebrated this sweet little baby's first birthday about a week ago.  If only weight came off as quickly a baby's first year passes!

I was able to snap a few pics of the setup before the party began.  I am proud of myself for keeping true to my simple approach to this party.  It may have had something to do with the Team Leader partially tearing one ACL and then fully blowing out the other ACL, but that is a completely separate post.

In the words of the Nutrition Nazi, "Who's handsome and has four thumbs?  These two guys."  Camo looks A LOT like his dad, but is finally starting to look like his mom.

I might have mentioned before that this baby LOVES food.  I can't believe we actually got this pic because he kept trying to grab a cupcake!  Yesterday he actually walked over to the fridge and pointed because he was hungry.  He does not mess around!

Little Popes playing with the great-grandparents - so sweet!

Time for dessert and a song!

Little Pope and I practiced for a few days on blowing out the candle so he could feel like he was part of the party too.  I would sing the song and then he would blow with a little spit at the candle.  As you can see he was not wanting to wait so I had to protect the candle until the right time.

Ok show time finally for Little Pope as Camo is trying to help out as well.  This is why the gray hair I have is growing exponentially. 

Good job!  Now he wants to blow out candles every day!

Camo's favorite part - eating!  He walked right up and took a chunk out, and then in true Pope form wandered off to go socialize with someone else.  God help me there are three Pope males under one roof!

Then it was time for the gifts!  He received way more than he needed, but luckily his memory is short so I was able to put most of them away.

Happy Birthday to my sweet, wild child.  You are going to give me, and my grocery bill, a run for my money, but you are truly my heart!  The best is yet to be!

Hello 2015

It's been a very interesting past couple of months for our house!  Since my last post we have had several sicknesses including flu, sinus infections/ upper respiratory, and an ear infection.  The biggest delay in my post is that we have been having internet issues.  I think I had dial up internet in the 1990s that was quicker than our slow-to-non-existent internet.  Finally everyone seems to be on the mend and the internet is finally fixed just in time to ring in 2015.   So here is a recap of the last few months.

These two are becoming partners in crime.  Little Pope thinks that I don't see him trying to act innocent over to the side.

Little Pope was 'helping' Camo eat blackberries!  Luckily I have become a savant at getting stains out of most types fabrics, and was able to get this disaster out of the rug.

Holy cow Little Pope is growing so fast!

Since the Nutrition Nazi and Little Pope had the flu over Thanksgiving this is the only picture that I took at our 'celebration.' 

Such a ham, and yes he'll have a side of ham too!  NN said to me one day that Camo liked eggs, and I said he does not discriminate that he loves food in general!

More shenanigans!  These two are always up to no good when it gets quiet!  On this particular day I believe they broke our umpteenth projector by turning it on and off repeatedly.

I don't feel that I really need to explain this one.  Monkeys!

This year I really wanted a pic of both the boys in their matching pajamas in front of the tree.  Let me show you how that went.

Not so bad, except you can't see Little Pope's face too well.  We did have presents, but I didn't trust the kids so I left them in a safer place.

Uh oh we lost one.  Apparently someone yelled free buffet, and like my former co-worker Brad, Camo trampled everyone to get free mediocre food.

Cute, but still not the pic I was envisioning.

Ok so now we lost the other one.  I am guessing something was not perfectly lined up and his OCD was not having that.

I think we all shared this sentiment by the end!

And then a few days later Camo re-decorated the tree, no doubt, to mess with those of us in this house that like order.  I don't think this one will be an accountant or engineer like Little Pope.

Yes they all look like they need coffee, but they were all super excited about what Santa brought them. 'Santa' earned her woodworking and assembly badges this Christmas with all the toys that needed to be put together.  Did I mention NN has an engineering degree from Rice?  Apparently it does not translate to anything practical, other than complaining about how the City of Houston can't pour concrete.

And no to be out done Camo received a BB gun, just like his brother did at his first Christmas.  Grandpa Pat says that they should not have to share.  Yep now they can just shoot each other.  Luckily their memories are short and I have hidden these in a good, safe spot.

Someone was so worn out that they fell asleep where they landed!  I am sure he is dreaming of all the wonderful things that lie ahead for himself, and his biggest passion…food!

From our family to yours we wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2015!

Fall Fun

Fall is my favorite time of year.   The weather starts to cool down and everyone comes outside to enjoy the new season and colors.  We have certainly been enjoying our share of all the fall events as you can see below.

Camo is lucky and gets to go every where with his mama, including lunch and a little shopping.  He scored this little lamb when the Nutrition Nazi told him he couldn't have it and he proceeded to stick it in his mouth.  I love his style!

Out mixing it up at the pumpkin patch at Little Pope's school.  He had a fun time and supported the school.

Little Pope is getting so big!  I can't believe what a mini adult, and old soul, he is becoming.

Sweet Little Popes!

Camo had a little lamb, and everywhere that Camo went the lamb was sure to go, including his favorite activity of eating.  

Taking a good family pic is like herding wet cats!

Little Pope's school had a Harvest Festival and the local fire truck stopped by.  My misguided husband mentioned that I picked out the best looking fireman (in the picture) to talk to and ask questions.  Settle down NN it's not like I am hanging out at the fire station asking them to 'double check' the car seat installation!  And we all know that I am marrying for money next time and he does not fit that bill!

The firemen were nice enough to let a VERY curious masked toddler sit in the driver's seat and drive drive in his words!

 He seriously wakes up this happy.  For those of you who have seen me in the morning you know that does not come from me.  Not a morning person does not even begin to cover it!

Slowly but surely they are starting to play together.

The week of Halloween we went to the Children's Museum for their Halloween party.  The boys had all kinds of fun and I was lucky enough to pick up a virus that made my throat feel like it was on fire and swelling shut.

Hanging with Grandma waiting for the Harvest Parade and Trunk or Treat to begin and Little Pope to come out with his class.

From the back…too cute!

Here they come on their way to lineup.  Little Pope is the firefighter.

They are all so cute and Little Pope is hanging out by his favorite teacher in this picture.  The two ladies who teach his class do an amazing job with the kids.  No way would I want to hang out with that many two year-olds on a regular basis!

The day before Halloween I finally gave in and went to the Urgent Care place to gets meds for the wonderful virus I picked up earlier in the week.  My mom was sweet enough to come get the boys early Halloween morning and take care of them so I did not get them sick and could rest.  I missed them Halloween night, but they loved being at Grandma and Granddad's house and getting all kinds of extra attention.

Love his happy face!