Cornelius Chronicles

 Another year has sped past at impossible speed and it is time for the annal holiday update again.  A friend recently pointed out to me that we are always going to be busy, so we might as well be busy doing things we enjoy.  I thought I would take this opportunity to share with you a few of the fun things we have been enjoying to keep us busy this past year. Dustin and the kids in front of a holiday flamingo at the Dickinson Festival of Lights this year.  Dustin:   Dustin recently finished his program for National Board Teaching Certification.  We are all very proud of him.  He completed the process and testing in half the time of most applicants, and passed with very high marks his first time through.  He has also been busy with teaching at the high school, mentoring two robotics teams, and teaching a robotics summer camp for the school district.  He has worked really hard this year to earn his Christmas break.  :) Audrey and the kids at anot

With temperatures in the upper 70s F, it has been hard for Dustin and I to wrap our heads around Christmas this year.  We keep wanting to get ready for the beach instead of wrap presents.  Don't worry, the kids aren't going to let us forget that Santa is on his way.  They have kept us moving at a steady pace toward December 25th. We've had a bit of everything to keep us busy the past few weeks, so here is just a sampling of our holiday fun.  :) Rebekah posing with her friend after the 1st Grade Holiday Musical Program.  All the first graders sang fun holiday songs for their friends and family in the school cafeteria on Thursday evening.  It was alot of fun for everyone.  Bekah did a great job and sang beautifully.  She loves a show! Xavier loves to hold his sweet baby sister, Maeve.  He is so gentle.  Uh oh, it looks like we found out what happens if you take the binky out! I know that looks like dirt on the sidewalk, but I can assure that it is in realit

Loyd's preschool went on their annual field trip to the Moody Gardens Aquarium in Galveston.  Their teacher generously extended an invitation to the parents and brothers and sister of the trooper kids to come along.  Bekah took the day off of school and we all went on our under sea adventure together!  Loyd with his preschool class and his preschool teachers.  Yea for Trooper School! Xavier, Loyd, and Rebekah with two of their friends ready to begin their exciting Aquarium adventure.  Rebekah was fearless about exploring all corners of the aquarium.  She really enjoyed the touch pool. She felt and analyzed every starfish, crab, and sea urchin she could lay a finger on in it.  She is my little naturalist.  She soaking in every once of information she could about under sea life while were were there.  I was impressed by her already large store of knowledge regarding the subject of marine animals.  I was asking her to tell me what the different kinds of fish were inste

 I am thankful for curiosity.        I am thankful for nature walks in beautiful parks just minutes from my home.  I am thankful for my family.  I am thankful for my steady husband.  He is the even keel to my sometimes stormy seas.  I am thankful for my Xavier and his sweet grins.  He certainly knows how to brighten up a room and make his mom feel special.   I am thankful I can wonder what is in there,  Or what is up there; I am thankful for imagination.  I am thankful for Rebekah and the richness she brings to  my life.  I am thankful she gracefully navigates all of our shortcomings as parents and still manages to turn out pretty amazing.   I am thankful for little Miss Maeve and the joy she brings to our family.  She seems to exude love and contentment.   I am thankful for Loyd and the many, many, many great ideas he comes up with each day.  He keeps my mind nimble.  I am thankful for pictures taken out of context and the big laugh that see

Loyd to Maeve this week, "I love you so much I have to tickle you!"

With school and having a baby the Fall got away from me this year.  I just got a weekly play group set up at the beginning of this month, and I didn't manage to start up my weekly story time preschool group until this week.  For story time a few other moms and I meet together once a week to let our kids sing songs, learn some fun things, make a cute craft, eat a yummy snack, and play.  I am glad to be getting back into a schedule with story time, preschool, play group, and regular trips to the library.  The kids and I are much happier when they are busily engaged.  I've got my hands full with four busy kids and my course work, but I sure am having fun while I'm doing it.  As one dear friend shared, "You're going to be busy anyway; you might as well be busy doing what you enjoy."  Well, for me I guess being happily busy means having fun with my kids, spending time with Dustin, enjoying my friends, and working toward my goal of earning my MLS.  :) Loyd sho

Halloween came and went and we're still trying to recover.  Here are a few pictures of our post Halloween activities.  :) Xavier was the Yellow Angry Bird.  He didn't get into character very effectively.  He's a bit too happy to be an Angry Bird.  :) Loyd was the Purple Bird from Angry Bird Space.  He has the super Angry Bird power of invisibility.  This comes in quite handy when doing mischievous activities.  Rebekah was the girl Red Angry Bird.  I think she mistook crazy for angry when we took this picture.  :) Maeve was the star of the show as the Bag Piggie.  I guess life is pretty sweet when you're bad.  The whole flock.  Does anyone have a sling shot?  Thanks Grandma P for making such wonderful costumes!  It was a Halloween to remember.  After Halloween candy extravaganza.  Don't worry.  We still have TONS of candy left to eat.  Random precious sleeping baby Maeve picture.    Can you guess what Xavier's dress-up costume is