Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

I went with Evan and his class to a very pretty pumpkin patch today. I drove four little boys in my van. It's pretty funny listening to 5-year-old conversations. They talk about all sorts of funny and boyish things.


While we waited for the rest of the class to arrive, the kids hung around the tractor and played in the dirt.


Our tour guide led us through a maze of corn and down into a clearing where she told a funny story about a squirrel and a rabbit and how the pumpkin patch came to be. She was quite the dramatic character. She told us that she has a soft spot in her heart for OLPH, because her husband went to our school when he was a boy! Evan is seated at the bottom of the picture far left.


The funny lady picked Evan to go up to help her with part of the story. I don't remember now what he had to do, but he enjoyed it.


The kids getting situated in the back of the hay wagon waiting to go on a ride.


Don't worry Evan. They'll eventually bring you back!


Carson, Skylar, and Evan posing with the pumpkins they picked to take home.

We made it back to school just in time for pizza lunch. Fun field trip. I have to say, it's the best being able to go with Evan on his trips. I'm not missing out on all that fun stuff. Tomorrow will be a BUSY day with Mass, a teachers vs. kids football game, and the Halloween carnival. It's been a fun and busy week.

Camera Shy

Lately Stinker #2 has been camera shy. I'm not really sure why, but he just hasn't been in much of a mood to have his picture taken. Usually he's a little ham. This shot may also have been the result of him being mad at me. Shortly before I took his picture I was letting him play with the camera and take pictures of me. He wasn't too happy when I took the camera away. He's definitely got an independent streak.

Happy Birthday Tiffy!

It's the 10th anniversary of Tiffy's 21st birthday! Happy Birthday little sister!


I hope this year is all that you can possibly hope for!

Broke 40 Minutes Baby!

Holy smokes! I just found out my official time for the 5K race from Saturday. My goal was to break 45 minutes, and I knew I did that. However, I wasn't sure what my time was because my watch was acting goofy.

I just saw the results online. Oh my goodness...I broke 40 minutes!!! My official time was 39:24! That excites me beyond belief! That means I ran faster than 14-minute miles. Whoo Hoo! There is definitely something to be said for adrenaline!

Fresno State Soccer

A little over a week ago when Eric was still recovering from his surgery, I decided to get out of the house with the boys for a few hours. Evan is completely into soccer at the moment, so I thought he might enjoy seeing a game at Fresno State.

It was pretty neat to see the women play. It was also surreal to be in the stadium with so few people. I'm only used to seeing it packed during football games.


Just arriving at the stadium. We aren't looking so hot with our uncombed hair and sloppy clothes. But hey, it had been a long two weeks by this point. I wasn't caring too much how we looked.


Overlooking the empty stadium. Don't get me wrong. There were people there. It's just not the crowds like it is on Saturday night.


We finally found a seat. You would think with thousands of options it would have been easy. But that was exactly the problem. We had a thousand options!


The game gets underway.


Hudson getting a better view of the players.

We ended up leaving shortly before the game ended, but we were up 1-0. I think the boys enjoyed the game, but who could tell. They may have just enjoyed running up and down the empty row of seats. Or the red whips may have been the hit for the day. Hey, I tried. In any case, I enjoyed the game. Cheap entertainment for a few hours.

Field Trip

Evan's kindergarten class took a field trip to Storyland a few weeks ago. It is a bit surreal taking Evan to places that I went myself as a kid. Every year the city has to bail this place out, but I sure hope it never closes. It's a Fresno icon. The memories of the Magic Keys, stories come to life, and a magical forest are all too important to ever lose.


Evan and his best friend Carson.


This child is forever climbing on something. They were supposed to be going through the tunnel, not over it!


I'm a sucker for this face.


The boys sitting in the chapel at Storyland.


We got to ride the train around the park. I had never been on the train before. It was pretty fun to ride around the Playland area, around the lake, and back to Storyland. Evan and Carson snagged the first seat on the train.


Then we all gathered in the theater area for Mother Goose to tell us a story. And yes, she referred to herself as Mother Goose. It was a rather hot morning and she was wearing a full on velvet green dress complete with a purple crown veil. Evan got to go up on stage to help out with one part of the story!


Sorry Mother Goose. I know this is not the most flattering picture of you, but the kids all look cute!

It was a fun field trip. We have also been to the Fresno Fair this year, and we are going to the pumpkin patch on Thursday. Fun times in kindergarten!

Race for the Cure

I did something today I have never done before in my life. I ran a 5K which is 3.1 miles. I ran the entire way, I finished in under 45 minutes, and I wasn't in last place! Those were my three goals. Did it! The picture above was just before leaving the house.


At Fresno State at the starting line waiting for the race to start.


Off I go. The last time I remember being in a race was around 4th grade or so. The coach had me run the 2 mile, and I thought I was going to die. Running has never come easy to me.


Heading for the home stretch!


I just spotted my sister taking my picture!


And this is why I did this! I came across the finish line, saw my mom, and burst into tears! I wasn't expecting to do that! It was just so emotional to be there, run the race, and know it was for a purpose other than myself.

It was amazing to be a part of something so large. It didn't matter that I am pokey slow. It didn't matter that I've never done this before. I was proud that I finished something I said I'd do. It really was a neat experience that I'll be sure to repeat.

Now onto the next race. I plan to run the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. Should be fun!

This lasted one night

This adorable photo of my sleeping boys was taken a few weeks ago. Don't you just love pictures of sleeping babies? It doesn't matter what a child does to make you crazy during the day, your heart just melts at the sight of them asleep and peaceful.

We began having crazy thoughts that Hudson might be ready to sleep in the big bed with Evan. I started getting giddy at the thought of being able to get rid of the crib.

It took a bit of time to get Hudson settled and asleep, but it wasn't too bad. And the best part was they both stayed in bed all night! Hudson was quite pleased with himself for being in the "ed."

Since things went so swimmingly the first night, we thought we'd try it again. Well, that was the last try for big bed time. Hudson did all the things a typical 2-year-old would do. He was up and out of bed wandering out to the family room every 10 minutes. He just didn't understand the concept of staying in bed and going to sleep.

The final straw was when things were very quiet for some time, and I thought they were both asleep. Then I heard some faint noises. I walked down the hall at 11 at night to find Hudson sitting in the doorway playing with toys. He smiled at me. I plucked him up and deposited him in his crib.

And that ends the saga of project "get rid of the crib." I think Eric and I must have been under a weird spell for thinking it was a good idea to take the 2-year-old out of his crib. Especially since he sleeps VERY WELL in his crib. We rarely have a fight putting him down, and for the most part he sleeps all night. What were we thinking?

We'll try again when Hudson is 10!

Fall Evenings

Last week Wednesday was a pleasant evening. We got home at a decent hour, and I let the kids play out front riding bikes and running around.

The neighbor's gardener was there gardening, and there was a little boy hanging out waiting for his parents to be done working. Before you could clap three times, Evan and Hudson had befriended this little boy.

Pretty soon Evan and this little guy (I think his name is Reuben) took turns writing on paper, running around, and finally settling in on the driveway for a little chalk drawing.

Unfortunately, right as I got the camera out of the car to snap the picture, Reuben's parents finished their gardening and called him to go home. So I just missed getting the shot of the two of them lying on the cement, enjoying being in the company of a new friend.

I wish it was still that easy. How wonderful to meet someone new and to be drawing together in minutes. I wish adulthood could be so carefree.

Fall

Here are a few photos dating back to the first week of school which was Aug. 24th! Yikes! I know, I know. I am behind in my blogging.


I am guessing this is the 4th day of school since the first three days were minimum days and the kids went home before lunch. Since Evan is eating at the kindergarten tables, we are going to say this was his first lunch at school!


Evan is the ball boy for the varsity flag football team at our school. He loves being able to wear an official jersey and hang out with 7th and 8th grade boys.


Evan's job is to stand by Coach Dodd and run as fast as he can to retrieve the ball or the tee whenever Coach tells him to do so. Evan absolutely idolizes Coach Dodd's 8th grade son, C.J.


The 7th and 8th grade boys (who are the kids I teach) are fantastic with Evan. They make him feel like Little Big Man. C.J. is the blond on the far left.


The kids are twice Evan's size, but he hangs right in there with him. They genuinely seem to like having him around.


Sweet baby love of mine. And while his big brother runs around acting like a teenager, this one spends his time looking adorable and mischievous all at the same time. Can eyes get much prettier than this? I doubt it.


Oh that face!


A rare moment of Hudson snuggling in my arms. No wiggling. No squealing. No flailing of the limbs. Just sweet contentment for about 14 1/2 seconds. Precious.

Okay. That's enough for now. I don't want to shock anyone by too much content in any one day! I'll try to be here tomorrow. Have a wonderful day all!

Bed time rules

Evan has been having a problem coming into our room every night lately. He doesn't seem to understand just how grumpy this can make his mother to have interrupted sleep.

When I put him to bed last night, he requested that we "talk." That is code for, "Mom, stay here and talk to me so I don't have to go to sleep right away." I indulged him.

We talked about soccer, my 5K race, breast cancer, his cousins, the fact that his daddy is tired, Grandma, and STAYING IN BED! I told him that he was NOT allowed to come in our room until he hears the shower. And if he did come in our room and saw that Mom and Dad were still in bed, he was to turn his butt right around and go back to his own room.

I then asked him, "What are you going to do if you come in our room and Mom and Dad are sleeping?

Evan said in his little 5-year-old sing-song voice, "I turn my butt around and go back to my room."

It was one thing for me to say it, but another to hear him say it! Made me laugh.

Sorry

Here I am again apologizing for not keeping up with the blog. I have no excuse, and I have every excuse. Things are still a little crazy getting past Eric having his kidney removed, Evan playing soccer, and me trying to keep it all together (and sometimes I manage to do just that). And Hudson? He's still here running around terrorizing the neighborhood! Or at least he's just terrorizing me. But what would we do without that little face looking up at us demanding an "opsicle?"

I have many pictures stored on the camera that need to be released and immortalized. For now, this apology will have to do. Hopefully I'll be better about keeping up with the daily Forcey happenings, but I make no promises until vacations roll around!

Happy Birthday 5-year-old Soccer Stud!

My first-born turned five today. It's hard to believe five years has passed by in the blink of an eye. Evan has become a very hard working, athletic, intelligent, and compassionate young man. I am excited to watch him grow up to see all the things he will accomplish.

I don't have pictures of him as a baby to upload at the moment, so I'll post one of him today.


Happy Birthday sweet boy!

Small update, more to come

Hello Faithful Readers,
Many of you already know that Eric had his right kidney removed on Monday. Life sort of came to a halt while he was in the hospital. He came home last night and spent a restful day at home today. I stayed home with him today and took a much needed nap as well. The doctor thinks the mass on his kidney was indeed cancer, but he also thinks they got all of it. There is no indication that it has spread to any other part of his body. We have been very blessed.

I have much to update on the blog, but it is simply going to have to wait. I am just happy to have my husband home, recovering, and healthy. He better stay that way!