Cornelius Chronicles

It was in the low to mid 70s for most of this week.  We are in heaven with this cool, beautiful weather.  We even pulled out our jackets so we can get some use out of them before the kids out grow them.  :)  I love October in Southeast Texas.  It is a glorious time of year! Yesterday was quite warm, in the mid 80s or so and Rebekah was out washing her bike.  Maeve just couldn't help herself but play in the hose water.  She thought it was so fun.  So, we thought, "Hey, why not?  Let's play in the water!"  There were lots of giggles and puddle splashes and spraying of helpless siblings.  Such a fun afternoon.  :D

Halloween Loot from Trooper School Trick-or-Treating Day 1. Xavier has been feeling left out since Rebekah and Loyd have both been sick and got to drink all sorts of medicine last week.  As a result he has been doing a pretty good fake cough and he informed me that he is sick now because he drank, "apple juice, fire ants, and poky germs."   I gave him a vitamin C drop and he seems to be recovering at a miraculous rate.  :)

Yesterday was the annual CCISD Imagination Celebration where the school district provides tons of fun free art crafts and musical performances for elementary ages children and their families.  We had a wonderful time exploring art and doing some fun crafts.  We also spent some quality time in the "Musical Instruments Petting Zoo," hosted by the Houston Symphony.  Xavier was enthralled with the violins and played with those nearly the whole time.  Rebekah wasn't overly interested in anything, but noted that she wished they had a piano to play.  Loyd tried his hand at every instrument he saw.  After his failed attempt to play the flute, one of the Symphony volunteers thought he should try the Brass instruments because he, "has the lips for it."  So, over to the trumpets and trombones we went.  Low and behold, that little kid can belt out some great tones on a trombone and a trumpet.  Even the volunteers from the symphony were impressed with his efforts.  I'm

Mom:   Loyd, are you getting too excited for the birthday party? Dad:  Do you know what happens when you get too excited about something, Loyd? Rebekah:   Yea, sometimes you throw up. :)

Can you guess how old our little Mr. X is now?  That's right!  He's reached the ripe old age of 4.  According to him, "I bigger now," and he can do everything.  We are so excited to have this special Spirit in our family.  His near constant cheerful grin is contagious, his giggles peel through the home at all times of day, and he gives out some of the best hugs and kisses around.  He is my example of Christlike love and happiness.  I am so grateful for his uplifting influence on our family and for the privilege of receiving all sorts of compliments on his adorableness from strangers whenever we go out.  Happy birthday, Xavier!  We all love you so much! Upon request, we had a Wall-E themed birthday party for Mr X.  He was super jazzed about playing with his new Wall-E robots. We had friends come over and play Wall-E themed games like, "Pick up the Trash for Wall-E," "Pin the Plant on Wall-E," and "Space Parachute."  We also ate som

Parents:   "Xavier, go get your PJs on.  It's time to get ready for bed." Xavier:  "I can't, there's a Dalek in my room!"

Xavier on his first day of Preschool, 2013. Monday night was "Meet the Teacher" for Xavier's preschool, and it took Loyd about 1 minute to find some of his teachers from last year and get all those pretty teenage girls to carry him around.  Everywhere I turned another cute teenager was asking, "Where's Loyd?"  Man, I'm so in trouble with that handsome little boy.  He needs to be less exciting.  :)  Tuesday was Xavier's first day of Trooper School Preschool.  The whole house was in an excited commotion that morning.  Rebekah and Loyd were super excited for him to go to Trooper School and have a wonderful, fun time there.  They gave him all sorts of tips and things to look forward too.  We eventually got lunches made, kids dressed, and everyone in the car on time.  Xavier was literally bouncing around the living room in happy anticipating.  Xavier loved Trooper School.  He climbed out of the van without a second look back and greeted m