Taking a moment...

Travis Hodges

Jan 22, 1974 -Aug 26, 2009

It's a busy and crazy time for us, but it is time to slow down and remember what is most important in our lives.

Twas the night before Kindergarten

And all through the house, mouse were not stirring but Mommy and Daddy were.
School Supplies were bought and ready.Backpack was packed with more school supplies. Lunch was packed in his new lunch box he keeps calling "X box" for some reason.

Clothes were laid out. Yea, new shoes too! And a gift for his teacher, cause his mom, is "that" mom!

And believe it or not, he was asleep by 9:15!!!

First Day

So many first today. So much to share, but also so very tired.

For now, these will have to tide you over until I find more time.

Meet the teacher

This week, we have been counting down the days to "big school". The 'happy face" on the 4 meant we would be meeting his new teacher.

And here he is, ready to go meet her!

Now, there are 3 more days!

Cake time again!

Trevor has been in the kitchen again.....

A beautiful baby shower cake. See the cute booties? Edible... white chocolate with pink pearl dust. See, we do get some pink in this house. Then a really cool birthday cake for an 11 year we know!

We work hard for our money....

Big news this summer is I am no longer a commuter! With all the budget cuts in education it wasn't easy, but I finally got a job in Elgin. It has been quite a roller coaster for me this summer. I interviewed with 2 elementary principals (Elgin only has 3 elementary schools) and they both said, "I'd hire you today if I could" Nice to hear, but not what I was hoping for. Then I interviewed with the middle school principal and she kind of said the same thing. I was getting very discouraged. But, with one week to go, I got the call and I was hired to teach 6th grade math at the middle school.

I am going from driving 38 miles one way, to driving 1.7 miles one way!!! I don't really have to express how elated we are here about that news do I?

And... CJ got his first job! He is bagging school supplies for a company in Belton. It's a 4 week summer gig!

And in more work news.... Kendrick now has a full time job at Samsung. He is still working at Little Cesar's on the weekend for now and yes, school as well. I project one sleepy boy for a while.

Summer Wrap Up

Summer is over for me... I am back to work.. but I am also behind on this blog....
Check out these sweet brothers. Hollister is such a good big brother. One day we went to pick up his plate from the ceramic store and they weren't open quite yet. So, we walked around the shopping center. They have a park, sprinkler area, etc... We only had to kill about 6-7 minutes, but I turn around and this is what I see. We also attended several birthday pool parties recently. One had a slide... check him out. Thank goodness CJ was there to take him. He LOVED it. He'd go down and then turn to CJ and say, "moe" which means more...
I also squeezed in a dental appt for Hollister and myself. Seriously, I have had 10 weeks and I wait until the day before I start back? How cute are those tiger glasses?

Ceramic Fun

For our anniversary, Trevor and I went here. We loved it and knew Hollister would too.

Every Wednesday they host a children's story time and the kids get to make a plate to go with the story that includes their hand print.
We chose not to have Hamilton make a plate this time, man was he anxious though. He loves when we paint at home.
Story time: This week's book was Puddle Pail about two crocodile brothers.
Painting time!

Hollister learned how to make polka-dots using the end of the paintbrush

Hand print time: The "teacher" helped him create a "crocodile" with his hands.
A week later:

They drew the crocodile for him and added his name.

He loves it and can't wait to eat off it.

A Rare Event

All four of them together... this is close as they'd get... and trying to get more than one shot was NOT going to happen.

We actually had all six of us in the house at one time for 2 meals in a row... that NEVER happens anymore. It sure makes for a lot of dishes.

A hodgepodge of fun....

Riding the horse outside of HEB here in Elgin Mommy's favorite place... CHUY'S with my boys! A visit to a candy store downtown... Austinites call this area "SOCO"...

we call it South Congress...
Another Austin favorite... Amy's Ice Cream.... This location actually had a play area and you can see they know they are pretty special with this photo display



And a nap is good anytime, anywhere when you are with the ones you love!