McLane Stadium Opens for 2014 Football Season

This was a day we had waited for!  Charles was like a kid on Christmas morning and we spent the afternoon just walking around and taking in the beauty of the campus, walkways, bridges, bricked paths, tailgating areas, and the Brazos River of course!  The beauty far exceeded our expectations and we were loving how Baylor Nation rose for the occasion.  It was nice to see such crowds and LOTS of Green and GOLD!  We got humor out of the first game being on a Sunday between us Baptist and the Methodist (SMU).  The opening prayer was conducted by Robert Griffin III, Dedication of stadium by Governor Rick Perry, and the coin toss by President George W. Bush!  Seriously could not have been a better line up to represent Baylor Nation!  It was all in all just a perfect day and one we will never forget.

Meet the Teacher at CFBC

Today we had meet the teacher at CFBC where Cade/Caelin will be at school this next year.  Here is all the fun stuff for each.

Cade, Pre-Kindergarten:
Bumblebee Class 4 days per week (Mon-Thurs)
Teachers: Mrs. Gale Urban and Sarah Medley
*I am excited for Cade to start learning sight words and hoping we don't get on yellow/red for the behavior chart.
**Cade is excited to have friends in the class and looking forward to playing with Fernando!

Caelin, Preschool:
Orange Caterpillar Class 3 days per week (Tues-Thurs)
Teachers: Kelly Hassler and Laurie Rowan
*I am excited for Caelin to start this chapter with learning her letters and taking turns.
**Caelin is excited that she has new friends and did not want to leave the class today!

Annual check-ups

With summer birthdays, our insurance changing, and school starting, it was that time of year for annual check-ups with Dr. Kravitz.  I was so excited to hear that neither of them had to get shots!  Woot Woot!  I cannot believe how time flies and my kids are growing up.  Here are the office summaries for each.  Cade went first to show Caelin how it was done!

Cade's 5 yr summary:
- Weighs 60.6 lbs (99%) and is 46 inches (96%) tall (Charles was 65lbs and 47 inches tall at 5yrs)
- tested and passed with 20/20 vision and perfect hearing
- Blood Pressure: 84/52

Caelin's 3 yr summary:
- Weighs 34.8lbs (80%) and is 38.5 inches (78%) tall (Stacy was 26lbs and 33.5 inches at 2.5 years)
- NO ear infection currently, but had to get right ear cleaned out for wax

5 years of celebration

5 years ago today, I went to work not knowing that this day would forever change my life.  On August 10, 2009 at 7:37pm, I became a Mommy.  Cade Beatty Hall came into our lives and made us a family.  I cannot sum up my emotions or what I am feeling in this moment, but the word LOVE keeps coming into my mind.  Charles and I had quite a roller coaster of years trying to get to the point of having a child, and God knew exactly what timing was needed and it was well worth every second waiting and tear shed.  Cade is one of the most compassionate children I know.  He wants everyone to always get along (except sometimes that doesn't happen with Caelin) and will stop to make sure his friends are ok if someone is crying.  He is strong willed and determined and is not afraid to speak his mind.  He is very vocal and loves to ask questions or tell you how things work.  Cade can easily focus for hours on Legos and put together almost 400pc sets.  He is very smart indeed and continues to amaze us.  As one may have noticed from his party, he currently loves Transformers, Legos, movies, books, computers, being with friends, and swimming.  For some reason, he loves to say the word "bacon" and "underwear", and laughs at himself every time.  He gives the best hugs and makes the silliest faces.  He has truly given us more joy than I could ever say.  I was so sad that directly after his BD party yesterday he got sick and not only went to the doctor, but had to stay home from church which he was sad about.  He was looking forward to wearing his BD ribbon and telling his friends.  So, to make up for it, we cooked breakfast together with bacon (told you he loves it), eggs, and waffles.  He was able to eat a bit and then decided we should open some presents to cheer him up!  He was most excited about the Batman Lego set from Nana/Papa.  So, we decided to build that first.  We spent the day in our pajamas putting together 3 large Lego sets, playing transformers, and laughing.  It was a pretty great day after all.  That evening, we surprised Cade with a new bike.  He was so excited and I loved watching his face.  Now we just need to keep practicing to get better at peddling without stopping.  I was blessed that the day turned out to be a perfect one for Cade, even if it was not what we had planned.

Dearest Cade,
You have truly been one of the best things we have ever been blessed with.  God knew we needed your spirit and energy for life.  You light up those around you and have the ability to be a leader of your friends.  We are proud of your growth this year and all the many things you have done.  You are such a great big brother and watch out for Caelin when others are around.  We enjoy reading to you at bedtime, listening to your prayers, and snuggling.  Your personality is a daring one and there are only a few things you will not try (veggies is one!).  We laugh at your competitive nature, and this will serve you well in life.  Your life will bring you surprises, both good and bad.  But, remember every day that God WILL provide.  When not so good times hit, rest assure that rainbows always come after the rain.  When the good times hit, raise your hands and enjoy the ride.  We love you so much and could not be prouder of the young man you are becoming.  Thanks for making us your proud parents and know we love you more than you will ever know...all the way around the world and back again!
Love you forever,
Mommy and Daddy

Cade's Transformer BD Party

Cade decided on a Transformer theme party this year for his 5th BD.  I can't imagine how my "baby" is now 5 years, but I will save that crying for his actual BD blog post.  We started the party day with opening a present from Nana/Papa, which was a Skylanders Wii game.  Cade could not have been more excited and it was fun to have Nana/Papa on the phone listening while he opened his present.  It didn't take long before everyone was on the couch and the competition had began!  After lunch, we headed out to start the party.  Months ago, when we thought about where would be the best place to host 15 kids, we quickly decided it was DEFINITELY NOT our house this year.  So, we decided on Bouncin' Bears which is a bounce place where they could run and play on lots of equipment and blow up houses/obstacles.  It worked out really good with our own party room (although the AC was not working and we almost all sweat to death).  The kids played for about an hour and then we enjoyed cake/ice cream.  Gamee of course made an incredible cake that even had light up eyes.  Cade was mesmerized at first and then grabbed his friends hands and brought them to come see it.  I know I say it every time, but Gamee is so talented with her cakes and I am honored by the time and love in each cake!  After cake, we opened presents and then played some more.  Cade got a variety of cool presents including (I like to list them so when the kids read this in 20 years they can get a good laugh at the toys they loved!): Skylanders Wii Game with Portal and Batman Lego Set (Nana & Papa), Chima Legos with mat/Transformers bolts/Games (Gamee/Grampee), iTunes giftcard (Mackenzie and Jax), Skylanders figures/Transformers/Dr. Seuss book (Stephen), remote control helicopter (Daniel), Transformers (Luke/Logan), Construct Bolts Transformers (Holly), Ninja Turtle and splash toys (Janae), Lego Creator Set (Fernando), Switch-n-go Dino (Jack/Dixie), Flip-n-change Transformer (Andrew), Lego Airplane Creator Set (Abby), Lego City Set/2 Hot wheels (Nonnie and Poppie), and a Target gift card to pick out his own Skylander men for the Wii game (Robb/RB).  Needless to say, did I mention my little boy is SPOILED!  We are so blessed and will be having fun for MONTHS to come.  Thanks to everyone who"rolled out" to celebrate and bounce around with us.  I guess the transformation is complete!