Dallas Arboretum fun

Oh man, if I only knew my settings on my camera... *SIGH*

I stole a few cute moments, enjoy!

T and my first trip to the Texas State Fair

We hopped on the train and headed to the State Fair

Once we arrived we played all sorts of games...

and a few rides to boot

thanks to Bebah and Grandma we had lots and lots of tickets

we had so much fun with Daddy and Grandma....

Grandma even got in some trouble!!  Tee, hee, hee

Thanks for the fun everyone!

Bad Mommy and her hard dilemma

So, I made the decision a while back to not keep all of Tristan's homework and artwork.  It's sad but I have a small house with limited storage.

Every Monday we take his work from his bag and then some makes it ON the fridge the rest we discuss, praise him on and then I secretly toss in the trash.  *SIGH* I feel SO bad BUT I don't want to be a pack rat.

So to capture the moment, I save some of the stuff here - so we'll have it forever vs. keeping boxes of stuff I most likely will never look through.

A little Moses and the burning bush

Look at all of those stars!

Way to go T!

So, while I feel bad, this at least feels like a step in the right direction...

Preserving some memories so I/we will have them forever.

**PS - he read his first few words at dinner the other night.  AWESOME!!!!

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip 2014

Grandma and I arrived just in time for some pumpkin patch fun!

They even got to pick out their own to take home

(I think we now have 7!!)

Sweet Hartley

And Tristan's... well, special friend... Harper

and of course, Noah!

Little posers!

G kickin' it with Mia!

These kids are all trained so well!

Dapper dog Sutton

The boys in the class...

TOOOO BRIGHT MS. JULIE

The girls did a tad better!

We even convinced Mrs. Galimore to join in!

Then we surprised Ms. Tracy with some singing for her 40th birthday!

I think she liked it...

Then G gave her flowers :)

And, icing on the cake... we saw Lindsay and Cohen!!!

Beautiful weather, beautiful day...

Just mad at myself for not getting a pic of me and my mom!!!!

She's baaaaaack

We went and surprised Gramma at the airport and boy was she surprised!!

Then we got home and the craziness began!  Someone is happy that Grandma is back!!

 

 

I even stole a sweet moment for of those two!!

 

 

Then Sunday, we went to see the McCoys who we miss SO much!!!

 

Only picture I took, too busy petting two new puppies!

 

More fun to come, we've just started!

 

HURRAAAAAAAAAAAY for my mommy being here!!!

 

Pumpkin patch time!!

My friend Leslee told us about her church's Fall Festival so T and I decided to go.

There was a petting zoo... um, yes please!

Music, food, and plenty of fun!

Tristan must have played the carnival games 50 times.  He enjoyed getting candy... BUT ... Mr. Competitive was really it in to win it.

Although, there IS joy in winning vampire teeth!  

Here is Les and her son Nate.  

T and Nate didn't remember each other but they were both sweet and posed for me!!

    

Tristan is SUCH my child.  We got there and he did NOT want to be there.  Too many people, ugh.... I felt the same way immediately BUT we both stuck it out and stayed and were glad we did.

I love getting special time with my munchkin!!!

My little giver

For years, I have tried to teach Tristan to be aware of the world around him.  Not to be afraid if people look different.  To not be intimidated by those that have more or to look down on those that have less.

Thankfully, that has sunk in.  When we see anyone with "less" ... he wants to give.  He is constantly asking me if someone is homeless... "Mama, is that guy a homeless person?" "No honey, that's a man waiting for the bus"... then we discuss why not everyone has a car.  "Mama, is that lady a homeless person?" "Not sure buddy, they may just be sitting there resting."  "Mama, is that guy a homeless person?" "yes, they are homeless" and BOOM - "MAMA WE HAVE TO HELP THEM!!!!"

I constantly explain to him that I don't give the homeless money because they don't always make good choices, they may buy something that makes them sick.  But I WILL always give them food.  So - we buy food and drive it on back.

Recently we've been in an area (about to get on a highway; late for practice, etc.) and I'm not able to drive somewhere for food... so I thought of this.  BAGS IN THE CAR!!

So we discussed and then two nights ago - sat down and colored these.

Then we stuffed 'em!

We filled them with breakfast bars, healthy snacks and a few pieces of Halloween Candy. Now, they are in our car for when we see someone we can hand it out.

I was going to put gift cards for McDonald's in there and as I was driving up to buy them he said "But Mama, Old McDonald (cute, right!?) is not real food.  If we don't eat that food, why would we want them to?"  BOOM... punch in the gut for me!

So, for now, no gift cards but our next set of bags maybe I'll do bus passes.

I always struggle with whether or not to post this stuff.  I share a lot of his "stuff" on Facebook and in email... not for praise but to remind all of my friends and family to DO FOR OTHERS.  This world is not meant just for our happiness and we have a responsibility to care for each other.  But alas, I know there are people out there that think I'm "showing off or trying to make myself look great" and I'm not.

People deserve our compassion, people deserve our kindness, people (even me and you) deserve someone to tell us YOU MATTER.

You make me proud to be your Mom Tristan.  I love you!!!