Carter the Regulator

Carter's bible class teacher told them they would be watching a video in class last night. Carter raised his hand and said, "Why are we watching a movie at church instead of reading the bible and learning about it?" She told them they were going to apply what they learned in the video. She emailed me because she thought it was very intuitive! I thought it was halarious!

Eli's First Birthday Party

ELI had a FABULOUS 1st Birthday!! It meant so much for all of you to be there. We have some priceless pictures of him with Will and ALL his cousins. Thanks Holly for a lot of those. Hugs & Kisses...

Halloween 2008

Okay, okay. I know. It's way too early to be thinking about Halloween, but this was, in fact, one of our conversation topics on the way to school Thursday morning.
When you're conversing with an 8-year-old and a 7-year-old, with occasional inserts from a 4-year-old, the conversation is bound to be scattered and, well, ... odd. Hence, our discussion of Halloween costumes.
Hannah Kay and I were desperately trying to convince Hattie that dressing up like her principal would be a great idea. Mrs. McWhorter is a stylish, feminine-business kind of dresser, so we thought Hattie would make a fine-looking "Mini-Me" version of her. Hannah Kay and I were making all kinds of suggestions and plans as Hattie emphatically turned down every one of our ideas. She obviously had no interest in being the principal.
As we were just beginning to relinquish and forget the whole idea, Hattie piped up. "Well, actually, I DO know who I want to be for Halloween this year...," lingering that last syllable as Hannah Kay and I eagerly awaited the name of the mysterious costume inspiration. "I'd really like to be... DOLLY PARTON!"
I burst out laughing as Hannah Kay leaked out a sheepish giggle in the back seat. "WHAT?!?" Hattie cried. "I just love her hair... don't you???"
Needless to say, it wasn't Dolly's hair that had me stumped in my costume-designer mode. It was... well, you figure it out!

The Bronc Rider

The 4 of us got to go to the FW Livestock Show and Rodeo on Monday. Will looks forward to it every January when he starts seeing ads on T.V. This was his 3rd year to go and definitely the most exciting for him so far. We are still playing pretend rodeo in our living room! He gets on his rocking horse, all dressed up in his chaps, vest, hat and spurs, and uses his belt to rope a bear rug on the floor. It is pretty funny!! Charlie and I realized after his reenactment of Monday night, how much he was really paying attention(with cotton candy in one hand most of the time). Now, this was actually Eli's 2nd rodeo...only last year it was the night before he was born, so he was in my tummy! I have to say it was a lot easier last year!! He got pretty tired of sitting there so we had to cut the night a little short. It was still a lot of fun and thought i'd share a couple pictures. Notice how thrilled Eli is..ha ha.

Here's a picture of Mr. E on the go. He's cruising more and more each day.... usually with a ball in one hand!

Eli's First Steps

Today, our baby boy finally got the courage to take those first steps all by himself. We knew it would be real soon since he has been standing up by himself and keeping balance for quite a while.... just not brave enough to move the feet. This morning while in the kitchen, I heard W yell "Mommy, Come look at Eli". I realized what he was doing and then ran for the video camera. I did get him taking a few steps, thank goodness, before the crazy thing ran out of battery. Hopefully I'll get a picture or even video to post soon but for now just the Newest News at the CJWEsnead household.

Will's Addiction

A few weeks ago Will went with me over to the land to work on the house and the old guy (Mr T) that is leasing our place for cattle came to feed. Mr T is about 70 and smokes like a freight train. I never noticed Will watching him or asking questions. A few days later we noticed Will carrying a play shotgun shell around in his front pocket and even noticed that he took it to church with him one night. When we got home from church that night we asked him why he thought he had to have the shell with him. Holding the shell between his middle and index fingers, he raised the shell to his mouth and exhaled. He began to explain that "old people have to get the air out." After trying to ignore his recent addiction (Ha!) and avoiding an antismoking discussion with a 4 year old, we decided it was time to tell him that was not good for his body and how it could really make him sick without using the words "smoking" or "cigarrette". Yesterday as Will was drawing on his chalk board, he casually put the chalk up to his mouth as Jen was taking a picture. Charlie says we have nothing to worry about because by the time Will would be able to buy cigs they'll be outlawed everywhere. Lets hope so!