Cornelius Chronicles

This has been a magic filled week at our house.  Rebekah read The Vanishing Coin by Kate Egan, Mike Lane, and Eric Wight for Bluebonnet Book Club last week.  After a fun author chat via Skype and an invitation to learn a little magic on their own, Rebekah's school librarian set-up a magic show for the kids.  Rebekah signed up to show off her incredible card bending mind control magic skills.  We got to go and watch the show and cheer Rebekah and her friends on.  She did a great job.  :) Of course, the magic enthusiasm didn't stay at school.  All of the children caught the magic bug and I spent an interesting week of YouTube trick tutorials, mini magic shows, and cards scattered all over the house.  Maeve was even carrying around a stack of A-B-C flash cards telling us to "Pick a Card!" with her eyes squished shut and her hand thrust out.  (That was her whole trick.  She was just excited that you picked a card.) :D In fact, there w...

Help, Aunt Liz!  Owen is in dire need of a hair cut!  You don't want to see what happens when I give it a try on my own.  Dun, dun, dun (menacing sound effect) ***** Mom's failed hair cut.  Help, Aunt Liz!  I inadvertently gave my baby a mullet!

This last week was Teacher Appreciation Week at Dustin's high school where he teaches.  During Teacher Appreciation Week the football team has a tradition of asking the Senior football players to pick their favorite teacher.  The selected teachers are then invited to wear a team jersey and stand in the Spirit Tunnel at the beginning of the Saturday night game while the players run out onto the field. There is a lot of cheering and excitement and school spirit happening during that moment.  It's pretty fun. One of Dustin's students selected him as his favorite teacher this year.  While Dustin tried to play it down and act cool, I think he was totally excited to be picked and get to wear a football jersey with 8,000 folks cheering him and the football team on. Go Dustin! You're the most handsome teacher I know.  Besides, you are always my favorite teacher, even if I don't have a cool jersey you can wear to prove it.  Love you always! ~ Audrey

Xavier turned 6 years old this week, and boy what a birthday week it has been for him. On Wednesday they celebrated his birthday with his Kindergarten class. On Thursday they celebrated his birthday on the elementary school announcements. On Friday we celebrated his special day with the family. On Saturday we had a ton of fun inviting all of his friends from Primary to join us for a backyard water party. And on Sunday they celebrated his birthday in Primary. It's great to have a birthday and know so many wonderful people love you. I am deeply blessed by this little boy in our home. Xavier has a shining, bright glow inside of him that cannot be kept inside. To me he is the embodiment of the Light of Christ. He is so happy to be alive and to experience this mortal life and you can see that love from the Savior shine out of him. It is no surprise that his favorite color is yellow because he is so bright. Xavier is nearly always cheerful (we must allow for th...

   Winter is Upon Us! It was 86 degrees Ferenheit and sunny when I took the kids to the new splash pad on Tuesday.  Apparently that was a bit too chilly for these Southeast Texas kids.  :) We had a lot of fun despite the "chilly" temperature at the newest splash pad in town and wanted to post some pictures of our Fall fun.  Enjoy!