Christmas Vacation

well, it's officially break time for us!
The boys and I had a half day today and have been lazy the rest of the afternoon!
We were going to go for a walk around the lake, but my BOB has 2 flat tires :( so bummed about that!
Craig is gone until Monday. It's just me and my precious boys.
We have very little planned for the next 2 weeks and that's how we like it!
I'm very excited to have my Grandma here next week and I'm really excited to see Dylan with all the presents!
Hopefully I can blog a lot over the next 2 weeks, but I'm not making any promises!
I hope you get to spend a lot of quality time with your family this holiday season!

Wordless Wednesday: Kindred Spirits

Drew & Momo

Thanksgiving in Waco

we did it! we finally had a Thanksgiving like the old days! you know, before my brother and I both got married and had our own families and new traditions. my grandma was tickled to have us all at her house, she wouldn't even let us help her cook. Her sister Lena barely got to help her!

We headed there Wed. and stayed at my Grandma's house and then had a great Thanksgiving at her house the next day. Just our little family! me and my family and my mom and my brother and his little family! it was...PERFECT!

I love my Grandma's house! it's small and warm and always smells of homecooking!

then we headed to my brother's house for some Aggie/Longhorn football. The girls (except Grandma!) were in Aggie maroon and the boys (except Drew) were in Longhorn orange! fun times!

here are a few pics of our wonderful trip!

Lucy and Lena

My Grandma (momo) is on the left.

handful of momo's mashed potatoes!

boys in momo's backyard

at Uncle Pete and Aunt Devin's house making mini pizzas. (Drew wanted to wear maroon with the girls! :) that's where he's going to college!)

In Rememberance....

10 years ago today was a horrible day for Texas A&M University. Our beloved BONFIRE was changed forever and 12 wonderful people lost their lives helping build that wonderful tradition. I loved being at A&M and being part of the traditions, especially this one. I did not know anyone who died on stack that night and it didn't matter that I didn't know them. They were fellow Aggies. Only Aggies understand that comradery that comes with being an Aggie. I was on the phone with my now husband (a Longhorn to the core!) and started hearing all the sirens. My first thought was an apartment fire or wreck. NEVER would I have thought that bonfire had fallen. But then my phone started ringing and neighbors were knocking on my door. Word spread quickly and by morning there was a huge vigil at stack. I remember sitting on the ground with my friends and we were just in shock that it happened.

I was there the night before. Walking around the huge stack, talking with the guys building it, absorbing all that excitement that surrounded the campus this time of year. Loving every minute of it.

I can honestly sit here and tell you that I still miss that place, Aggieland! I miss the smell, the sounds, the campus, the huge buildings, the restuarants, the people, The Chicken ;). I miss it all.

That was the place I was when my dad died. He was so proud to have an Aggie daughter and a Longhorn son! It brought lots of fun to our house this time of year!

I love the spirit of Aggieland, and I can only hope and pray for the families that lost their loved ones that day. 10 years to some of us, seems like a long time, and we have all moved on. But those familes' wounds are re-opened every year on this day. I hope that they too have been able to get beyond this tragedy.

None of us will ever forget.....

Wordless Wednesday:Gymnastics

Red Holiday Cup

So, one of my dearest girlfriends surprised me this morning at school with a pumpkin spice latte! So sweet of my Ms. Brenda! Thanks girl!
It came in the beautiful Starbucks Red Holiday Cup. I love these cups! I love the Holiday Season. I have been in the Holiday Spirit so much lately! Craig refuses to get my Christmas stuff out of the attic because he won't let me decorate this early, and he knows I would if he got that stuff down!
Anyway, so the red cups have a nice little holiday message and I was just reading mine and wanted to share: "We invite you to listen to your desires and to renew your Hope. To see the world not as it is, but as it could be. Go ahead, WISH. It's what makes the holidays the HOLIDAYS."
I LOVE this!

HaPpY HaLlOwEeN!

Drew did awesome this year! He tagged along with our neighbors boys and we kinda hung back and let him do his thing. Dylan loved going up to the houses and tried to go inside all of them! Mimi joined us and dressed up for the first time since I can remember!

We went for a little over an hour and they were tired. After baths, Drew and I handed out candy. I honestly don't know what he enjoyed more! Then they got their Halloween pj's on that Cousin

Lindsey sent to them. Hope ya'll had as much fun as we did!

Soccer player & Lion

Mommy (soccer coach) and her little lion

all done and ready for bed! Good night!

Pumpkin Patch

I'm going to let the pics speak for themselves!

We had a great time with our boys!

Sibling Rivalry?

So, Dylan is 17 months and Drew still does not like him. This makes me extremely sad and I just can't figure out what to do. We have Mommy and Drew time every week! We get home from school/work everyday and they are both screaming for me and will not play in the same room together....HELP!!!!! I don't know what to do! Drew has resorted to needing me for everything. I know he's jealous of the time that we have to give Dylan, but shouldn't he be over it by now since Dylan is a lot more independent now?! Every single toy that Dylan plays with Drew wants that instant. It drives me crazy. Drew will hit, kick, yell at Dylan. I'm worried to leave the room because Drew does this. I feel like all I do is referee them. Is this sibling rivalry? Or something worse? Drew will come straight out and say that he does not like Dylan. Is something wrong with Drew? I can't even get a picture of them together and you know this makes me so sad!
any suggestions?

sickness

well, if it's not one, it's the other. Or it's one that has multiple things wrong. ARGH!
Dylan has had the double ear infection/really bad cold thing. Got over that and a week later had a weird red throat with very high fever...not strep, not flu!
So everything was good in the Hebbe house until this morning. Drew woke up and just didn't seem right. He layed around this morning while I was getting ready and kept saying how tired he was. We got ready and out the door at normal time. As we were driving to school, he started to kinda whimper. I looked back to see him and ask him if he was alright, and he was throwing up. YEP. In the car. On himself. All his milk from the morning! OK Moms, you know how nasty that is! Luckily I have a husband that helps in the mornings and had just dropped of Dylan at daycare by school and was able to come get Drew and take him home. We cleaned out my car and changed his clothes. They went home and I went to my classroom.
I hate when my babies are sick. Luckily we have a long weekend this weekend and will be able to have plenty of rest and time at home.
I always dread this time of the year. Lots of sickness going around. :(

Livestrong

Livestrong Day is Friday, October 2nd. This was the day that Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with his cancer diagnosis. I love Lance and all that he has done for cancer and have thought numerous times about trying to go and work for him. You also know how cancer has changed my life and literally turned it upside down. I wear a Livestrong bracelet in memory of my dad everyday. Drew even has one!

I encourage you to wear yellow on Friday. We all know someone who has had cancer and unfortunately we all know someone who has died from it.

Wear yellow in memory of someone lost or in honor of those who kicked cancer's ass!

Rattlesnake

So, the other night Craig and Drew went dove hunting on my in-laws land. Drew has been a few times and loves his daddy time and really enjoys watching the dogs get the birds.
Well, this week they came home and Drew had a rattle in his hand to show me. Of course, I freaked out at first! All I could think of was this mean snake by my baby! Craig assured me that the snake was very far away from my 2 boys. Uncle Willard shot it (his 3rd or 4th this summer I believe) and then took it to Drew to show him what a rattler looks like. I was very proud of the men...they completely used it as a teachable moment. They "coiled" the (headless) snake up and told Drew that is what they look like right before they strike. They shook the rattle so he could hear what it sounds like. Our dogs would not go near the dead snake. Then Grandpa cut the rattle off for Drew.
Drew was pretty excited about his new rattle and wanted to take it to school the next day. He told his teachers and friends about it for the morning news. All the kids got to shake the rattle. It was exciting for all. Except it gave his teachers the chills! And Mommy too!

soccer boy

Drew started soccer! We had our first practice last Thursday. Craig and I are coaching together (still not sure that was a good idea!). He is loving it so far and we have our first game this weekend. At first he was saying that he didn't want to play, but after we got all the "stuff" for him he was ready!

11 years

How do you explain to a 4 year old where their "Pops" is and why he will never meet him? How do you explain cancer? What it is, what is does, who gets it?
How do you handle all those milestones in your children's lives knowing your father is missing out on all of them. Each of my boys' birthdays are hard, every holiday, and literally every milestone, whether it is walking, talking, playing sports, sleepovers, everything and anything they do my dad is in the back of my mind.
I'm constantly thinking about how our lives would be different, better, if he were here with us. Would he have put a pool in our childhood home for them? Added space for a playroom? How often would we go to Waco and let them spend the night? I know that my dad would have been an amazing, wonderful, fun, loving, giving grandfather. We would have called him "Pops" because he was just fun that way!
I remember when I was going off to college, moving to College Station, and how proud of me he was...even though I was going to Texas A&M! I was so scared to leave home because he had already been diagnosed, and I knew it wasn't good. He told me that he was going to live long enough to put green jello in my kids' hair. He of course did not live that long, and I can't tell you how many times I have thought of that conversation, and I just have to smile because I know he would have been that kind of "Pops"!
My boys will always be aware of him. They will always say "goodnight to Pops up in Heaven." We will celebrate his birthday with cupcakes. His memory will stay alive in my heart and in theirs. He truly was the best man I have and will ever know. No one will ever compare to the man he was. He left behind a legacy and I'm so proud that he was my Daddy. After 11 years, it is not easier on this day. Well, I guess I can't say that. I guess it is easier, I just stay very busy.
Don't tell me that he is in a better place and he is not in pain anymore. I know that, but I still want him here. I want him here. I want him healthy. I want him to know my kids, my niece, my husband, my sister in law. He has 2 grandsons, 1 granddaughter, and I'm sure more to come. They are all missing out on a wonderful man. It is sad. We deal with it. It is hard, but we deal with it.
So, on this day I ask you. Hug, call, email, text, whatever, your dads. Tell them you love them and are lucky to have them. I can't do that. I still want to pick up the phone and talk to him. I absolutely hate cancer and it makes me sick to think of all the families and lives this dreaded disease has destroyed. Where is the cure? Why haven't we found it? Please join the fight against cancer. Go to www.livestrong.com or www.standup2cancer.org if you wanna help.

1st day

The boys and I had our first day back to school yesterday. It was a good morning and overall a good day for both of them. We are very sad to say goodbye to summer but are looking forward to another great school year. Mommy has to save the world at work and that is the only reason I leave them.

How was your day?

Did you.....
wake up at 6:30 with a huge headache and sore throat along with two snotty, grumpy kids?!
Then after breakfast, had to go to HEB, but had 1 fit throwing 4 year old and a crying 1 year old because big brother was crying. Get to HEB, and guess what, we forgot Drew's shoes! I asked him to get them, but above the crying, I guess he didn't hear me! OK! No shoes. Turn around, go back home, grab shoes, head back to HEB. Get a car cart! YAY Mommy! well, today they decided to fight the whole time we were at the store. Not even kidding you. They do this car cart once a week and never has it been a problem, until today. Got all groceries in under an hour and headed back home. By the time we got home, Dylan was crying because he was just starving! Got lunch in the oven and unloaded car and put all the groceries away. After lunch, we were all happy again. SO I decided to BAKE! mini muffins and homemade chocolate chip cookies. Dylan took a nap while Drew and I baked. Then it was time for Drew and I to lay down. We fell asleep and Dylan woke up less than 1 hour later. So much for my nap!
Cooked dinner, played, Drew and Craig went to Round Rock Express game. Dylan and I stayed home and had some time together. He was asleep before 8pm.
Now, my house is quiet and I'm getting ready to leave for 3 days alone. After today, I feel like I deserve my girl's trip!
Next week is school again :(

The End is Near

Well folks, our summer is coming to an end way too quickly. I have been in my classroom just twice for a few hours each and it's looking good, but I still have a lot of work to do. The boys' backpacks are hung in the entryway. We have gone to Costco for "after school snacks and drinks". We have been waking up early to get used to the school days. Going to bed early really sucks since it's still light and technically still summer! We are going to live it up this week. Going to the pool everyday and having playdates. And going to some baseball games. Yay summer. We will miss you terribly.

Gymnastics

hanging...

Bear crawling on the parallel bars

forward rolls on the air track--his fave!

Drew asked to do gymnastics again this summer and I was more than happy to sign him up! He had a class on Fridays and every week after class we would meet Daddy for lunch at a place of Drew's choice! He did really well. I was super impressed with him. He had class full of girls! Only a few times would there by 1 or 2 other boys!
We are trying soccer in the fall and taking a break from gymnastics. That should be interesting! 4 year olds playing soccer....

sprinkler pad

So we got this little sprinkler pad when Drew was a little over a year old and it has been in the attic since that summer. until now! I got it down one day and after lunch we got in our swimsuits and headed to the backyard for some fun sprinkler time. Dylan had fun trying to catch the water! Drew was running around the backyard between this and his slides on his playscape. I sprayed his slides down and made "waterslides". I had to put the dogs in the house because 1. they were trying to catch the water with their mouths, and 2. it was making the yard muddy.


We have played in this sprinkler a few more times since this particular day. However, now that Dylan is walking, sitting in one spot playing just doesn't last very long these days! Anyone want this cool pad? You hook a waterhose to it and let it go! I know by next summer they will have no desire to play with this! I'm glad that I can give my boys these summer memories. More memories to come....

Anniversary Dinner

Yesterday, July 26th, was our 6th wedding anniversary. We went to dinner at Roy's and had a little piece of Hawaii here at least for dinner! We started with edamame and then had the best sushi I have ever eaten! Our entrees were amazing as well. When we arrived, there was a card from the staff on our table. Then we opened up our menus and there was a paper with a beautiful poem and it said "Happy 6th wedding anniversary Craig and Kelly" at the top!

We got the famous chocolate souffle for dessert (which takes 20 minutes to prepare!) that is hot and delicious. They wrote Happy Anniversary in chocolate on the plate and brought us champagne! It was just like being back in Maui where they treat you right! It was hard for me not to talk about going back to Hawaii! Especially with the Hawaiian music and cocktails! We had a fabulous time and everytime we do something like this we always say we need more date nights! Now, finding the time is the problem!

Happy Anniversary Craig! My best friend, my true love, my soulmate. I love you! Always and Forever!

4th of July

4th of July was a blast! We went to The Hebbe's house for their annual party! Great food, close friends and family! The boys had a great time swimming all afternoon and eating treats! Drew and I made some rice crispie treats with patriotic sprinkles! Some family was there that we hardly get to see, so that was fun too.
Dylan swam in his boat and out of it, and we discovered that he absolutely LOVES being thrown up and caught in the water!!!! Going under is no problem for him!

Drew swam with a floatie, and he was great with that. We had our own personal fireworks show right in the back yard! Drew got to do sparklers too. It was super late when we left and I was thankful that we live so close to the Grandparents yet again! The boys didn't really have time to fall asleep in the car! They would have if we had a longer drive! We went back to Grandma and Grandpa Hebbe's house the next day for more swimming!

watching the fireworks! The flash was super bright, so that's why we are all squinting!

BE CAREFUL!!!!!!!!!

Baby Girl!

I have a NIECE! I finally have my baby girl that I can buy pink for and spoil the heck out of ! My brother and his wife had a beautiful baby girl, MEREDITH ROSE MEJIA on June 25th.

In both of my pregnancies I only wanted boys, and believe me I thank God everyday that I have my two boys. God knew what he was doing not giving me a girl. I don't think I would be a good girly mommy! Being the only girl in my house lately I have taken a liking to pink! I know...weird huh? (those that know me, know how funny this is!)

I call Meredith my baby girl because she is my only baby girl. I can just see her in the years to come wearing her cute little dresses and bows, running around, with my 2 boys there protecting her!

I got to meet her the day she was born and let me tell you it is the coolest thing seeing my big brother as a daddy! That girl has him wrapped around her finger just like I did with our daddy! They have that bond that I had with my dad and I just know he will be the most important man in her life as well! We went to visit them at home last weekend and Dylan said "baby" for the first time! Holding her was weird for me. She's so small and sweet and just sleeps on you. Those days for me are long gone!

welcome to the world Ms. Meredith. We LOVE you and can't wait to make all the holidays better with you around!

trip to the dentist

Drew had his 6 month check up with Dr. Jenny the first week of summer break. He did AWESOME!

He of course took "Buddy and Blankie" with him and that was just fine. I had Dylan there too, so whatever made Drew happy and ok I was fine with. We love Dr. Jenny and her staff. They are amazing. He got in the chair with no stalling and sat there and was just so good.

He wore the sunglasses too this time. And he did great taking the x-rays! He got a great check-up. We are doing good with the brushing and flossing! Dylan even got his teeth looked at and brushed too! I didn't get a picture of that because I was holding him while they looked in his mouth!

ugh...

I have not had time to do a good blog. Or maybe I'm just not good at blogging anymore! :(
I have a ton of pictures on my cameras and need to get them to the computer.
We have been busy with camps and vacays. I need some blogging motivation. Or maybe a break? who knows. we'll see.....

The way I see it #21

So, My friend Katrina does this on her blog and I hope she doesn't mind me doing this one today!
I went to Starbucks and got a nonfat zebra mocha...delish...anyway, here's what the side of my cup said and I love it!

The Way I See it #21
People need to see that,
far from being an obstacle,
the world's diversity of languages, religions and traditions is a great treasure,
affording us precious opportunities to recognize ourselves in others.
--Youssou N'Dour

I sure hope I raise my boys to not see prejudices in others and to see the diversities as a wonderful thing.

recycle plant

Pflugerville opened their first ever recycle center last night with a tour and ribbon cutting. Of course we took our little recycle loving boy! He wanted to look in every bin and when it came time to cut the ribbon he got a front row spot and got to stand by the mayor. He was even offered a job!

Our city trash stopped taking glass and cardboard boxes, but this new place takes both! Now we will be recycling everything and making frequent visits to the Pflugerville Recycling Center!

no computer

Well, I have not had a computer in about 3 weeks now! so sad. We lost everything! ALL pictures too! :( so not happy about that. Luckily Craig backed them all up through this past March. The rest are still on the memory card!
But, that still means that we have to go in and re-create all the folders and download everything!
The boys and I have been very busy this summer and I have tried my best to take lots of pics! I'm working on all of this slowly! I just can't seem to find that much time to get it all redone!
I'll get to blogging again soon!

Weekend Away

Craig and I went to Riviera Maya, Mexico last weekend for our dear friends' wedding! We had a wonderful time and I especially loved being on the beach.

My mom "moved in" to our house for the 4 days and the boys got lots of Mimi time and Grandma time too. Drew is still talking about the things that he did with each of them. I didn't like being that far away for so long, and I don't know when that will happen again! I missed my babies so much. I wore a bikini for the first time since our honeymoon (6 yrs ago), and I looked pretty good if I may say so myself! Now, if I can just keep my tan going all summer!

pre-wedding beverages! :)

Is it Monday afternoon??

so, this is what the boys did after we got home from school/daycare today!

Dylan actually said "nigh-nigh" and Drew was barely talking at all! Now, if only Mommy could just lay down and be lazy!

Wordless Wednesday

Birthday cake....