Ben's Christmas Program at Parkhills Preschool

Ben's preschool performed a cute Christmas program on Dec. 10th: "The Lowly Beasts". Ben was a camel, and sang a duet in one of the songs. Ben did great and we were so proud of him! Here are a few pictures of the special event.

Updates

Well, I quickly learned, after starting my new job, that there are somethings that fall to the wayside, in order to stay healthy and sane. Unfortunately, my blog was that "thing" that gets neglected. So let me update you on the events of the last few weeks with the Hoods:
1. I started my new job as school nurse at Thousand Oaks Elementary---and I love it! I have always known that I wanted to be a school nurse, at some point in time, however I always envisioned it being a little later in life when all my kids were in school. But when I learned of a school nurse opening close to home (and at a great school!), I jumped on the opportunity. And I am so glad that I did. The job is not stressful (but have sent 2 kids to the hospital via EMS for respiratory distress!), but in no way boring either! Every day is new and different, and I have learned a lot in the 7 weeks that I have worked! I have a wonderful clinic assistant, who has taught me a lot about the processes and logistics of the way the school setting works. She is phenomenal at managing and "triaging" the students as they come in---and has been instrumental in making me feel welcome in this new environment.
2. I hired a nanny, Paty, to stay with the boys while I work. She has been so loving and dependable---the boys just love her! She is wonderful at keeping up with the boys, offering craft activities, encouraging healthy eating, and just giving them love when their mom isn't home. Randy and I feel so blessed to have found Paty. Paty works with Ben and Logan Monday-Wednesday and Fridays. She will occasionally work Thursdays, but has another family she works with too. My mom (Mimi) helps with the boys on Thursdays, taking them and picking them up from preschool.
3. Logan has really started talking! On average, Logan has had about 2-3 new words every week since I started working. (Funny how that has happened!) We have been very happy with his speech progress, but also knows he has a long way to go to catch-up with his age-level. Occasionally when Logan says a new word for the first time, his eyes pop open wide, almost in surprise, that he actually said a word! He is so funny; we have been having a good time watching his speech develop.
4. Ben continues to do well and is medically stable. This is always a good thing during the cold/flu season. In fact, the last time we were in the doctor for a blood draw and port flush, we learned his port is no longer working properly. Ben's port was surgically implanted when he was 2, and since then he has grown tremendously. His port has manuevered its way out of his subclavian vein, and is no longer functional. Ben will be having surgery on Dec. 27th to have his port removed. We will not be replacing it at this time. We decided with his doctor, that since Ben is considered medically stable, and with his psychological trauma from his previous hospitalizations, that we will not replace his port at this time. We hope this decision will allow for more healing in Ben's psychological world.
5. Both boys have adjusted beautifully to me going back to work full-time. They love their nanny, Paty. Most days, I get home around the time Logan is waking up from his nap, and I love being able to get him up from his bed. It makes me feel I haven't missed too much of his day. My hours are (officially) 7:30am-3:30pm, and usually get home between 4-4:15pm.
6. Randy is still working hard at E E Hood and Sons. The down-turned economy has hit family-owned businesses hard, and he is working hard to survive the hard times. He is doing a great job and we are so proud of the work he is doing. E.E. Hood and Sons is a 4th generation family-owned business. It has been around for 94 years---and Randy is convinced and dedicated to the knowledge that it will be around for years to come. We love him so much and are so proud.

As I continue to adjust and grow into my new role of "full-time working mom", I hope that my blog will not be quite as neglected. In the meantime, keep checking in!---you never know when I may have had a few moments to update you with the Hood happenings! :-)

Riding bikes together!

Halloween Trick or Treating!

This Halloween was a new experience for us as a family. This was the first year that Ben has wanted to wear a costume for Halloween. If you have followed Ben's story with us for awhile, you know that Ben has had a phobia of costumes; in the past he hasn't liked anyone to wear them and he has never wanted to wear a costume either. BUT this year, I asked him what he wanted to be for Halloween---and he said a "dinosaur"!! I was excited about the potential that he would wear a costume, so we looked online and found a costume that would be perfect for him. Wearing a costume is a very big step for Ben, and Randy and I were so proud of him. So, here are our sweet boys dressed and ready to go Trick or Treating!

Ben, as a Dinosaur
Logan, as Buzz Lightyear We packed them into the wagon and started walking down the street for some treats!

At our first house...Ben was a little shy to say "Trick or Treat" very loud, but as we went along he started feeling more comfortable.

This is the best side-shot of Ben; can you see the dinosaur tail behind him and the dinosaur feet on top of his shoes? :-)

We went to Ben's "buddy" Colonel Green across the street...

...and he surprised Ben with his own costume: a baseball hat with a wig underneath! He looked like someone out of Wayne's World movie, and Ben just wasn't too sure about his "buddy" in a costume. He told me as we were walking away that "Colonel was so weird dressed up as a rockstar!"

Cutest Buzz Lightyear you've ever seen!

Of course we stopped at Mimi and Gran's for some yummy treats too!

And at the end of our trick or treating, the kids dumped out their pumpkin baskets and started counting their loot. Look at the excitement on their faces!

We hope everyone had a safe and Happy Halloween!

Logan's 2nd Birthday Party

We celebrated Logan's birthday yesterday, October 30th, with a pumpkin painting birthday party at home. The weather was gorgeous and absolutely perfect for an outdoor birthday party.

This was the first year that I made the birthday cake/cupcakes for my kids. (I'm almost embarressed to admit that, but I have always opted for professionally decorated cakes because I didn't think I could make the cake taste as good, or look as cute.) But!, I am proud to say that Logan's cupcakes turned out really cute! Maybe I will try this for Ben's birthday in December too... ;-) Logan's cute cupcakes! (I found the cute cupcake toppers on Etsy; they were personalized for him; and very reasonably priced! I am a new-found Etsy lover!)

Logan's party was over lunch; so we set up a nacho bar! Everyone seemed to love the idea and there weren't many left-overs!

The pumpkin painting tables...

A cute bat balloon...

The pumpkin painting was a hit! The kids really had fun decorating their pumpkins to take home.

The littlest of the party, Logan and his friend Piper, getting some assistance from their Daddies with their painting.

Logan, working really hard at making a "masterpiece".

Ben was very proud of his painted pumpkin!

The kids had lots of playtime...on the trampoline...

...and on the swings.

The Moake boys their pretty mama, Tiffany.

Ben and Logan, searching for fossils...

Me, with Carly Reed. Carly is the daughter of my very good friend Jaime. She was decked out in her Halloween outfit with matching bow---adorable!

We all sang "Happy Birthday" to Logan and he loved blowing out his candle!

After eating cake and ice cream, we all went back outside so Logan could open his presents. He didn't need much help opening them this year! He knew what to do!

We appreciate everyone coming out and helping us celebrate Logan's 2nd birthday! It is always so nice to have good friends and family join around us for special celebrations. Randy and I can hardly believe our "baby" is 2 years old! I never truly understood or appreciated the old saying that "time flies when you're having fun", until I had children. And now sometimes, I wish time would just slow down a little bit, because our babies are growing up so fast...

It's Official!

Well, it's official! I am a Northeast ISD employee! I sat through employee orientation today---wow, was that boring; haven't had to sit through an orientation for nearly 6 years! And boy, do they waste a LOT of paper for that orientation! I report to work on Monday, November 1st---Logan's 2nd birthday. I'll let you know how it goes. :-)

Smores in a Jar

I found this simple, cute, and cheap Halloween gift idea for the boys preschool teachers and decided I couldn't pass up the opportunity! In total, each jar cost less than $4.00 to make and they turned out really cute! If you'd would like to know just how easy these "Smores in a Jar" are to make---let me know! I'd love to pass on the recipe. :-)