Camden's 6th Birthday

Today is Camden's 6th Birthday, and as with every year, he could not be any more excited! It was going to be a busy day, since he had school and then basketball practice, so he knew we were going to have to spread out his birthday celebrations.

At the school Camden goes to, the kids are able to bring something to lunch to share with their classmates to celebrate their birthday. Camden wanted a cookie cake with Leonardo on it (imagine that!). I was surprised that he wanted a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle theme again this year, but according to him, "I just really like them!" So $37.99 later, I got a cookie cake from The Great American Cookie Company for him to take - what happened to those things being like $20??? But since this is a 'non-birthday party year' (per Shane) I figured $37.99 was a deal compared to the hundreds I normally spend on a party! And of course, after seeing it, he was beyond thrilled!

When he got home from school, he was playing with some toys and Shane asked me to look at his tooth that seemed very loose. I looked at it and it indeed seemed very loose, so I told Camden to just twist it. Well, he did just that and the tooth came right out. Honestly, I think that was the best birthday present he could have received. He was so excited that he FINALLY lost a tooth!!!

After basketball practice, we came home and Camden decided he just wanted to open one gift and then he would open another tomorrow, and then another the next day until they were all opened. After he opened his first gift, he decided he wanted to open another, and then another, and then he had two left and decided he would open one of them and Casen could open the other. Guess his original plan went right out the window! Of course, he got more Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle stuff, 

namely another Leonardo guy (which makes about 6 or so Leonardo's we have) and some Legos - all of his favorites!

And what is more exciting for Camden is that his birthday celebration will continue tomorrow and next weekend when we celebrate with family.

The Croup

It amazes me that a child can go to bed perfectly fine, no sniffles, no cough, no nothing and by 11:45 pm wake up coughing and crying uncontrollably. My boys have had 'croupy' coughs in the past, but the way Casen woke up late Monday night honestly scared this momma (and nurse ) to death. He sounded absolutely horrible, had stridor (which is a sound that is made when the airways are swollen and it is harder to breathe), and of course said it hurt when he coughed. He did not have fever at that time, but I got him calmed down and turned the cool mist humidifier on him. I laid next to him, wide awake, just listening to him breathe, praying it would not get worse. Around 3:00 am he woke up screaming crying and coughing again saying his head hurt. My first thought was fever, and sure enough he had 102.7. So I got him medicated and finally after his fever broke we finally both fell asleep around 4:00 am. Luckily, the cool mist humidifier was making his breathing easier.

We both stayed home yesterday and of course he was good, except for the croupy cough. He no longer had stridor, thank goodness. I did not take him to the doctor, knowing there is not really anything they can do. We laid low all day and he remained fever free. He again slept with the humidifier last night and luckily had a much better night. We both went back to school today and when I picked him up from school, she said he did great! Thank goodness!!!

I am hoping this will not happen again in either of my boys. They say that the age of three is the magic age when they will no longer get these horrible symptoms from the croup because their airway is maturing. That is a blessing, because I can honestly say this is one of the scariest nights I have had with either of my boys!

Casen's 100th Day of School

Today was Casen's 100th day of school and they had all sorts of fun things planned for them. Of course, he got to wear his awesome cape all day - and good news for us, none of his stickers fell off!

Kerrville Fun

Since the boys and I had a three day weekend, we decided to go to Kerrville to see Grandma and Grandpa Key. So after Camden's basketball game, we packed up in the car and headed west. As always, we had a great time playing, shopping, visiting Great Grandma Key and just relaxing.

Luckily Mom helped me with Casen's 100 day of school project. They gave us a cape and we were to decorate it with 100 items. Casen chose sports theme stickers which mom and I strategically placed and glued on his cape.

 And what do you do with the extra stickers? Make pasties of course!!!

Dad took the boys and me to the local FFA livestock show. We got to watch some of the pigs as well as angora sheep. We all found it very interesting and educational.

Watching the angora sheep

The boys wanted to pose with a pig

Grandpa and the boys set up the trap to try and get a nutria rat that has been getting in his neighbors pond - and don't you know the carrots they left must have been just what the nutria wanted! I tell you, those animals just are not very pretty!!

And of course after church on Sunday, we stopped to visit great Grandma. She is looking great as usual, for her 98 year old self. 

We had a great time and hated to leave, but look forward to our next visit!

Basketball Season Has Begun

Today marked the first basketball game for Camden. He was really excited to play basketball this year so we started him in Upward basketball at the local Methodist church. After his first practice he told Shane that it was really fun, despite his team having to run horses for some not paying attention.

The game starts with each player being announced as they come running out of a blow up tunnel with smoke billowing out of it. Talk about cool!

Some dribbling action

He shoots . . . but unfortunately does not score.

Afterwards, each team member is acknowledged with a
star for something great they did during the game.

Casen's First Trip to the Dentist

Today both boys had a dentist appointment. This was Casen's first trip to the dentist and he was very excited about it. Once we got there, the boys decided amongst themselves that Camden would go first so he could show Casen what to do. I love that he is such a good big brother! Of course Camden did awesome. He got some unexpected, wonderful news while getting his teeth cleaned - he has two loose teeth! He could not have gotten better news since he has been asking for probably a year when he is going to loose teeth. The hygienist told him it would probably be a month or two before he looses them, which he was thrilled with!

I thought since this was Casen's first time that it was going to be a 'happy' visit where they just count his teeth and let him get used to things, however he ended up getting a full cleaning, minus the x-rays. The hygienist didn't want to overwhelm him all on one day! He chose to wear    sunglasses to keep the bright light out of his eyes. He did everything the hygienist asked him to do and got a very good report! I was so proud of how well he did!

Getting Ready!

Big brother looking on

Christmas 2015

Merry Christmas from the Hood Family!

The boys had a great day today - it started with them seeing their gifts from Santa and then opening gifts from Shane and me. Camden LOVED his Secret Sewer Lair that Santa brought and Casen was so excited he got a yellow bike!

 

Love that smile!

Casen was excited to get a dancing game.

Imagine that - Alabama!

This picture pretty much sums up his
excitement for Christmas. 

Shane's parents stopped by mid morning so they could see what the boys received for Christmas.

My parents arrived around noon and mom and I spent the later part of the afternoon preparing the Christmas meal while Dad and Shane were outside with the boys riding their bikes. Casen did awesome with his new bike and just took right off on it.

Shawn, Melissa, Mason, Kelsi and Braden arrived in the evening for supper and more gift opening. Let me just say, I did a horrible job of taking pictures this evening and really don't have any of my parents or sisters family, much less the four boys together!

Camden with his Scrabble ornament

Casen with a Santa ornament 

Braden got a cool soccer ball

Grandma and Grandpa Key
with the boys

As well as it being Christmas Day, today is my grandmother's 98th birthday. Happy Birthday Grandma Key!!! My mom took this picture last night after they took Grandma to the Christmas Eve service at church. I know I say this all the time, but she truly is one of my favorite people on earth!