graduation pics

Hello everyone,
Donovan's graduation from pre-K is friday night. I have to admit, I find the whole thing a little frivolous but I will still enjoy it! At least Donovan is smiling in the pics they took in school! We love you all, Tamiko

"I like my nature in HD"

Today was a Super Saturday in the Porter House. We decided to try to wear Donovan out this morning in the hopes that he would take a nap before today's 1:30pm soccer game. The last time we had a 1:30 game (his usual nap time), he was alternating between whining and bodychecking the other kids.

Our plan didn't work completely because Donovan didn't sleep before we left the house for the game, but he did rest for a good hour and a half. Our morning seemed to set the tone for the rest of the day because we kept the little man pretty busy! Here's how his day went: up at 7am, breakfast, watched one episode of Spongebob, bike ride around the lake, washed two cars and one bike, went for walk on the nature trail in Bridgeland, rested, lunch, power nap in the car, soccer game, swimming, shower, dinner, movie, bed at 8 pm, WHEW!!

The pics above are of D helping wash the cars. Check the slideshow for today's soccer game pictures. D's behavior was great at the game as you might have guessed from the mention of swimming and movie in the list above!

The title of this post comes from Christopher. The nature trail in our neighborhood is the real deal. Its very wooded with lots of signs and sounds of wildlife. My citified husband had his nose turned up during most of our walk and especially when he saw the plaque about copperhead snakes! That was when he made the statement of "I definitely prefer my nature in HD on tv". Funny!

We love you all, Tamiko

Good days, bad days

Nothing much new. Just figured I'd follow up on the previous post about Donovan's behavior at soccer and his earning the ability to go swimming.

Well, he did great at soccer last Saturday! He was running and kicking and having a good time. (No, I don't have video of that...was too busy cheering!) After the game, we came home, ate a late lunch, then got our suits on and headed to the pool. Unfortunately, when we were getting in the car it was sprinkling. By the time we got to the pool (2 mi. from our house), it was POURING. Donovan was disappointed, but he rebounded pretty fast after clarification that he was going to get to go another day. Unfortunately, Sunday was a cool day so we still haven't taken him yet. Unfortunately, at Tuesday's practice, the bad behavior was back. So, we'll see how this Saturday's game goes.

As for Nickolas, he's doing okay. We have some things to work on with him as well. His teachers report that his focus and anxiety levels are still not where they need to be. He doesn't like getting alot of homework. But, who does? He'll hear "work hard, play hard" all summer (again). He actually responds really well to our mottos. Grandma Cathy started the "practice, practice, practice" and "can do attitude" mantras, and Nickolas will be heard repeating those from time to time.

Love you all, Tamiko

This was last Sunday. He and Christopher were hanging out "watching" a movie.

We Will We Will Rock You!

Hello Everyone!

We are all doing well and hope you are too! It is hot and humid in Texas. It seems that we are getting weather in the 90's earlier than usual this year, but maybe its just me! We have had some issues with Donovan's behavior at soccer so as soon as he works that out, we've promised to take him to the swimming pool. He assured me that he will be better at this week's game so maybe this will be the weekend that he gets to officially start his summer fun!

If you call to talk to D, you might want to ask him to sing the "We will Rock you" song. You know the one they play at sporting events? He has been watching Rocket basketball with his dad so I think that's where he got it from. But, it might have been from last year's Texans games. Who knows? I think his version is hilarious because of the sound effects. Let me know if you agree....

To update on Nickolas, he went to a field trip to Angel Island last Friday. Christopher and I had never heard of it before so we looked it up....its a state park in the San Francisco Bay area. Christopher called him that Friday night (not his usual call night) to ask all about it because Nickolas was so excited that whole week leading up to the field trip. He said he had a good time. It sounds like the kids had to hike quite a bit though. Nickolas says he was the first one up but the last one down due to tired feet. Happens to the best of us, huh?

Nickolas has been talking alot about exercising and getting muscles lately. He wants to work out with his Dad this summer. I have to really watch what I say when I talk about him since he's 11 (can't embarass tweens, right?) so I won't say too much about this. But, I will take pictures and videos! :)

We love you all! T

PS I am not sure if you can tell from the video, but Donovan is now sporting a summer mohawk!

This is while Christopher was cutting his hair.

Front view!

Side view!

Must read article....for my guys

http://dmc-news.tamu.edu/templates/?a=7680&z=38

I sent it to Nickolas and Christopher asking if they wanted my to find the recipes. My guys love these kind of things. Nickolas has already had similar delicacies before (chocolate covered crickets is one of them I think). He is a brave boy!

Anyway, to give you all an update we are all doing well. My semester is pretty much done. Just trying to get motivated to do my grading. My husband likes to remind me that he is more industrious than I am because he has already done his (with the exception of final exams). My problem is I'd rather blog, read blogs, watch movies, be outside with D and anything else besides grading homework and take-home exams. Oh well, I'll get it done!

Love you all, Tamiko

Woo Hoo!

My last class is tomorrow! Woo Hoo! Christopher's last one was today. We are both pretty happy to be almost done with this LONG semester.

Nickolas is doing well. He does seem excited for summer. We have been engaged in serious summer activity planning. We've got Discovery College at Lone Star Community College lined up where he'll take weeklong classes like Cooking for kids and Robotics. We are also trying to figure out a sport in addition to golf and swimming lessons. I think basketball might be the one.

Donovan will continue to go to daycare before we pull him out to get ready for Kindergarten! He knows all about "Big Kid School" and tells me that he can't wait! First up is Graduation from pre-K at the end of the month. They took their graduation pictures last week. They were supposed to wear cap and gowns for the photos, so as soon as I get those I will be sure to share.

Cinco De Mayo is Grandaddy's birthday so Happy Birthday to him tomorrow! I leave you with a little soccer video below (new slideshow up in right corner as well). I labelled the vid "Silas scoring and D trying!" We love you all, Tamiko