Advice Please

Today when I picked up Hogan from school, he got sent home with a yellow note. When they get a yellow note, it means that the did something wrong in class that day and that their clip was moved up the stop light from green to yellow. Hogan has only had is clip moved one time before. It was last year and his teacher said that the music teacher has moved it and that she thought it was unfair and for me not to worry about it. So I didn't do much. However, this time the note said that he was doing something bad. It said that while the teacher was reprimanding the class for being chatty he put his fingers in his ears. When I asked him about it, he said that she was getting on to the class and he didn't like it so he plugged his ears. (I did not feel like he did it smartelicly but more like I don't like this make it stop) It has always been BIG trouble if the kids get their clips moved. I have always told the kids that they would get a big spanking if they were bad at school. But in this moment as I read this note I felt for the dude. There have been so many times that I have wanted to plug my ears when some one was gripping at me. I did think it was disrespectful for him to do that but I understood why he did. So to keep my word I did give him a spanking when he got home. I explained to him that what he did was rude and disrespectful. I told him that when a grown up was talking to him he had to listen and obey. I also made him write an apology to his teacher. However, something about spanking him seemed wrong. It did not feel like it was the right thing to do. I mostly did it to keep my word that if he ever got in trouble in shool that it meant big trouble when he got home. Was I wrong? Should I have not spanked him?

Eventful Weekend

We had a crazy weekend. I don't know what we are going to do when the little boys start soccer. Elisabeth played the purple team at 8:00 am. Here's a little of her fancy footwork.
She scored two goals in the first game.
Then, Hogan played the orange team at 10:00 am.
Here's a little of Hogan's fancy footwork.
Check out his sweaty hair curling up.
Score!
...and we can't forget that he lost his first tooth Friday night. It was a great addition to his already fabulous 6th birthday!
Then Elisabeth played an orange team at 10:30.
Double headers wear them out.

At 11:30 we went to the ACA football game. Go Warriors!

(ACA is the school the kids go to.)

Sunday, after church and naps, the kids had a great time playing outside in the back yard while daddy cleaned the garage. This is Gates and Elisabeth doing the spider on the swing.
Shear JOY!
Hogan made this flag for his club house out of PVC pipe and a piece of plywood.
It says GOD. I am not sure why he chose that for his flag, but I'm glad he did.


Whew! It was fun!

Happy Birthday Hogan!

The pupcakes were a hit...and in true Aggie fashion my boy picked 'ol Rev. to be his.

I couldn't help but be proud.

...and sweet little Harley picked the Yorkie. It was almost as cute as her.
My BIG six year old.
...and he got one of these. Which I secretly have been wanting to try out. YIPPEE!

Happy Birthday sweet Hogan! I can't believe he is already six! That seems so crazy to me. Hogan is the sweetest and most thoughtful little boy. If one of the other kids is sad about not getting something he is always the first one to give up his. Hogan is all boy. I am always impressed when Josh tells Hogan how to do something athletic because he can always do it. He has been able to do a head stand since he was little bitty. Hogan holding his baby brother.
Hogan at the pumpkin patch.
Bubbles!
Noses!

Lord, thank you so much for Hogan. Help him to always love and serve you with all his heart! Keep him safe and healthy. Grow him big and strong. In Jesus name, Amen.

I love you sweet Hogan!

Pupcakes

Tonight our family is coming over to celebrate Hogan and Harley's birthdays.

They have been saying that they wanted to do their birthdays together so...

we let them.

We were trying to think of a gender neutral party theme....

and dogs seemed to fit the bill.

I bought a book called Hello, Cupcake.

It had the directions to make these cute little pupcakes.

Holley and I had tons of fun making these cute little guys.

In order by breed top row...chihuahua (I am spelling this wrong I think), beagle, sheep dog, schnauzer, chihuahua

bottom row...collie, bulldog, dalmation, Yorkie and chocolate lab.

Here are a few more!

For all you Aggie lovers...here is a close up of the collie. Gig 'em!
The sheepdog was my favorite along with the Yorkie. For some reason I didn't get a close up of the Yorkie.
Close ups of the chocolate lab and the bull dog. I highly recommend the book and cant wait for our next party to try and make some of the other fabulous ideas the book has.

FedEx

Many of you know, that Josh and I are bad about calling our children names other than the ones we gave them. These little pet names are sometimes sweet, sometime funny and sometimes out of shear frustration. However, they are all out of love. For some reason, Gates has more of these unique little names than the other children. It is not that we love him more or anything but that he is a unique little dude. I mean this in a very cute loving way. So...on with my story. One of the names that we call Gates is FedEx. Gasp...I know it sounds terrible. I used to call him this also but have since quit since he does not like it. Josh however, is still getting into some trouble. We never let the other children call him that or make fun of him. It was just something that Josh and I did. Some of you might be asking where we got FedEx from and it is from the movie cheaper by the dozen. (As I am typing this, I am realizing that this story sounds really aweful and that we must sound like terrible parents.) Did I mention the fact that I do not do this any more and that it was all out of love. So...yesterday Gates and Beck and I were driving to have lunch with Harley for her birthday and we pulled up next to a FedEx truck. It is on my right side and Beck is also sitting on the right side of the van. He looks up at it and I hear him say to Gates "That's your name."

I couldn't believe it. Beck just turned three the last day in July. He is a stinker.

Game Day

Saturday was the start of our soccer season. We woke up early and got all four children dressed and fed. Made the trip to the soccer field in time to be there a little bit early since Josh is the coach. All the little team mates made it there. Oh...but wait...where's the other team. They were a no show. Josh called the other coach as soon as we got back home and the other coach said he let the league coordinator know that he would be unable to make the game but the league coordinator failed to let us know. So...the rest of us missed out on a good saturday morning sleep in. We did...however, get to scrimmage each other. The girls did awesome playing each other. It was good practice for the girls and lots of fun. JUMP!
Elisabeth is the smallest girl on the team but she tries really hard.
She gets in there and gets the ball.
FaNcY FeeT!
Here is her sweet little team. Some of these girls have been able to play together for a couple of years now. It has been so fun to see how they have improved.
Kick!
This sun is too bright!
Daddy I'm tired!
Wish'en he was playing, too.
Josh lets Hogan practice with the girls. It is good practice for him and the girls.
...and these two...well lets just say...Boys will be boys. They are two peas in a pod. The best of friends. I love it!

God's Word

I have been meaning to share this one for a while now but keep forgetting. This little voice just warms my heart. He knows sign language to go with it, but for some reason, he doesn't like to do it. His teacher is AwEsoMe!

Back on the Bus...

We've been gone so long I feel like I haven't blogged in forever. Then yesterday was my mom's birthday and I had all our family over to the house. So I spent the day cleaning, straightening and cooking. Today I am catching up and relaxing a bit.

So here are some pictures from our "hurrication".

Grammy always has lots of dress up clothes at her house. She usually has only girl clothes thus the post of Hogan as a two year old in the purple tutu a few posts back. This time she went out and got some dress up clothes just for the boys. They loved them. It kind of made me sad to see them in their army clothes. I don't want them to ever go fight in a war.

Hogan standing on their wall that starts their back yard. He really is so BIG.
Gates and Beck making a plan. They really are the same size.

I have a feeling this isn't going to sit well with Gates when he realizes his little brother is as big as him.
Gates says "see over there."
Check out that sweet face. Oh how I love this boy!
Another sweet face! Oh...how I love this boy!
Don't you ever wonder what they are thinking about. Loven this one, too!
Grammy and papa have a flag in their front yard. The boys were trying to straighten it up. It made me laugh because it looked like a reenactment of an old photo. Can you guess which one?


Ready, aim, FIRE!

Have a blessed Tuesday! Here's to accomplishing everything God would have you accomplish today!