Our family is growing....

....our extended family, that is. 

Uncle Steve and Aunt Candice broke the big news to us this past weekend.  They are expecting!  We are SO excited for them and know that they will be amazing parents.  I'm sure they have taken a few "what not to do" notes when they have been around our crew.  One thing is for sure, this new addition to the family will get LOTS of love from their cousins.  Avery already wants to pick up every child she sees under the age of 3.  We will have to review the concept of "gentle" before BABY KEMPER gets here in March.  I will note that the vote in our house is that it will be a girl.  Austin's reasoning is that then there will be 2 boys and 2 girls at Toppe's house.  Congrats Steve & Candice!!!!  Here is to an amazing new chapter in your lives!

Future Cub

We weren't quite sure if we were going to sign up Austin for 'Future Cubs' this year.  It is the first year he can be a part of this cool program that assigns kids to a Cub varsity football player.  The boys (and some girls) get a special shirt with their name and their player's number on the back to wear to the games.  Before home games, Future Cubs walk out with their player onto the field and get to stand on the track during the National Anthem and kickoff.  If still around, Future Cubs can go back out after the game to join their player in the alma mater.  Austin assured us that he wanted to sign up so we were very excited when Wes took him to "Meet the Cubs"  to meet his player and found out he had none other than #90 -Malcom "Shuga" Brown... future Texas Longhorn.  Austin tells everyone that he is the biggest player on the team, that is why he has the  biggest number.  He is excited to know someone that will play for his two favorite teams - the Brenham Cubs & the Texas Longhorns!

Are you ready for some football!?!?

Last night Wes had his Fantasy Football draft at the house so Grandpa Otto and I took the kids to the Cubs first home football game.  Wow, football in Brenham, TX has taken on a whole new meaning since we were in high school!!  The Cubs ran over the Huntsville Hornets....literally, and I had enough patience to make it until half time.  I forsee us spending many more Friday nights under the lights at Cub Stadium!

A new set of wheels

Toppe and Grandpa got A&A their first official bikes for their birthday.  Every kid has to learn to ride a bike, right?  I am realizing the challenge that we have to make that happen since we live in the country.  Besides a parking slab, there's not much concrete around here and I refuse to let them get out on the country road with all the crazies driving over speed limit.  We will have to rely on a taking our trips to Toppe's to ride around the same "block" that my own bike rode for hours at a time. 

1st Day of School

 I had a great 1st day of Kindergarten.  I got to move my stick to GOLD today for listening and being on task.  I showed mom the gold star on my behavior calendar when we got home.  I'm excited to be with some of my good buddies in class but I am not so excited about my homework.  Mom already made me sit with her and practice site words.  It wouldn't be so bad except that mom said we have to do these every night.  When am I supposed to watch cartoons and hunt with daddy? 

 I loved my first day of Kindergarten.  I got to move my stick to GOLD for good behavior.  I love the new centers in my class and I thought it was pretty cool that we have a smart board, just like the touch screen on the iPod.  I got my homework done pretty quick when I got home.  I like reviewing my site words and trying to spell out new words.  I can't wait to go back tomorrow.

 I had a great first day as a Bouncing Bear.  I got to see Jase & Ethan, my two best buddies.  Since I am 3 now, I get to eat lunch in the fellowship hall and today I made a happy plate.  Even I had homework tonight!  Tomorrow is my travel day at school- chapel, music & gross motor!  I can't wait. 

We love school!

First Day of School 2011-2012!!!

It is official, we have 2 Kindergarteners and a Bouncing Bear at St. Paul's CDS this year!!  This morning was day 1 and they were so excited.  Daddy got up super early and made each of them a special plate of pancakes so they were extra strong and had lots of energy for their first day.  We double checked backpacks, took a few pictures and were out the door so that we weren't late on our first day.  I can't wait to pick them up and get a report about their day. 

Back to school paperwork....

3 student info forms - check
3 student t-shirt order forms - check
1 Bouncing Bear class form - check
2 Kindergarten Kingdom class forms - check
1 parent volunteer duties sheet- check
1 fundraiser worker sheet - check
1 Bouncing Bear tactile center sheet  - check
1 income info for meals sheet - check
1 book order form - check
3 lunch cards filled out - check

Tags on back packs, blankets labled, school supplies purchased - check, check, check....

Yep, it's back to school time for the Maurer Party of Five!!!

Cheers to 33!

It's birthday week at the Maurer's!!!  Tuesday was Wes's birthday and he was able to celebrate with a day at work, Bouncing Bear (3-yr old) orientation and a church council meeting.  Supper consisted of leftover Shoguns and leftover cupcakes from the kids school birthday snack.  At least we sang "Happy Birthday" and let him blow out the candles.  It is a hectic week for all of us so we are postponing a real birthday celebration until Friday when we will be sure to give him all the love he deserves AND we'll have a great homecooked meal.... thanks to Mimi.  Love ya Wes!!!  CHEERS!

Birthday supper



We had the perfect spot to take the A&A for their "real" birthday - Shoguns in Cypress.  We knew they'd get a kick out of having the food cooked right in front of them on the hibachi grill and with it being a Monday night, waiting wouldn't be an issue.  We invited the grandparents to come along and we had a blast.  The kids loved the onion volcano, "egg roll", kid-friendly chopsticks & fried rice toss.  I will note that out of everyone, Wes and I were the only ones to catch the rice ball in our mouth.  They enjoyed a special "Happy Birthday - cha cha cha" song and filled their bellies.  It was a great way to celebrate the "big 5". 



 YUMMMM OOO

 Avery & Austin opted for steak while Caleb chose chicken.  We all enjoyed the delicious fried rice.

 Austin was pretty good (and patient) with his chop sticks

Caleb did not like the fire!

 Avery's Mickey Mouse style fried rice

Our whole crew!

Austin James - 5 yrs old

I am a soft hearted, independent 5 yr old.  I love watching cartoons, playing wii, and listening to music.  I wish I could go hunting or fishing with my daddy every day.  I love my Popo, Grandpa, and playing soccer and baseball.  I am a handsome, amazing 5 yr old and I am going to have a great year! 

Avery Grace - 5 yr old

I am a girl with my own mind who knows what I want.  I am smart, a little bossy and don't mind playing mind games with my brothers.  I am strong, going to be great in gymnast and love having all eyes on me.  I love candy (all kinds), playing baby dolls and painting.  I love my Toppe, my Mimi and shopping online.  I am a beautiful, amazing girl who is going to have a great year as a 5 yr old!

No longer babies....

5 years ago today, I had just been admitted into the hospital and Wes and I were both on the phone calling everyone that needed to be contacted to let them know that when we returned home, we would be a family of 4.  It wasn't quite what we were planning that day!  I won't bore you all with the details, but Austin and Avery weren't quite ready to be born on the August 14th so we had a long night of waiting and they made their arrival on August 15th, 2006, a little after 5am. 
What an amazing journey it has been these first 5 years!  I remember the anxiety of bringing them home from the hospital and having our world turn upside down over night.  It was amazing, exhausting, exciting and overwhelming all at the same time.  I can't imagine having it any other way.  I can't believe that when they wake up tomorrow morning they will be able to say that they are 5 years old.  Happy early Birthday, Avery & Austin!!!  We love you.

Party like a 5-year old

Can't say we could have had things turn out much better for A&A's 5th birthday party at the Blue Bell Aquatic Center.  We opted for a private party which meant the only time available was 7:30pm - 9:30pm.  That's a bit late in the world of Pre-K birthdays, but it wound up being a pleasant warm summer night with a cool (questionable) breeze.  The kids splished, spashed and wore themselves out.  We took a short break for Chick fil A nuggets, fruit, and birthday cookie cake.  At 9:30pm, the whistle blew and we thanked everyone for coming with a party favor of "Austin & Avery's Favorite 5-Year Old Songs".  It was a fantastic way to celebrate another year for two amazing 5-yr olds who I love to the moon and back.

 You wouldn't know it by the looks on their faces, but these 3 were in "pool time out" because they couldn't stay away from the water before the party started.

 Caleb shooting baskets.

 Avery& Mallory

 Austin got to go down the "Big Yellow Slide"

 Austin & Dalton on the popscicle walk

 Avery giving the popscicle walk a try.

 Blowing out the candles - Caleb is trying to help!

 Avery and her "boyfriend" Barrett

 Avery& Emma Kate

Avery, Austin, & Hadlee, Harper & Hays Wilson - we're going to miss the Wilson triplets, but we know they will do great things in their new town of Seguin

Austin & Avery

Swimming party.... whooo hooo

To celebrate A&A's 5 yr old milestone, we are taking it to the pool.  It is incredibly too hot to think of doing anything else.  We rented out the Blue Bell Aquatic Center for 2 hours on Friday evening and have combined friends and family into one party.  This is GREAT on so many levels for me.  There is no stress about having a big group of people and having the house in tip top shape.  We have two hours to swim, sing Happy Birthday, grub on some goodies and then everyone goes home.  Prep work and clean up are minimal.... now that is my kind of party!  The kids are super excited!!!  Can't wait to share pics.

Our modern day juke box...

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This is the hotest item in our house right now and it's not for Angry Birds or Doodle Jump.  A&A&C LOVE listening to music on the Ipod app of our iPhones.  The minute we get in the car I get asked "Mama can I have your phone" and then a song comes blaring on louder than the one that's already playing in the car.  At home, they will grab it and start belting out a song and at times all three will join in.  They know the songs by the album picture covers and can maneuver throught the playlists pretty good.  We aren't quite ready for them to have their iPod touches yet, but if we keep hearing the same songs over and over and over, we may give it a second thought.
A few favorites:
Austin: "I Want Candy" - HOP soundtrack & "Dirt Road Anthem" - Jason Aldean
Avery: "Who Says" - Selena Gomez & anything Taylor Swift
Caleb:  "Honey Bee" - Blake Shelton & "Barefoot Blue Jean Night" - Jake Owen 

If I could stop time....

I would.  I'm not ready for these kids to grow up.

Inside entertainment

I'm not telling anyone anything new when I say it is HOT around here....  miserable is more like it.  That is a pretty rare statement for me to say because I like the heat over cold any day, but this is ridiculous.  Spending the afternoons outside after school has come to a temporary hault thanks to the scorching sun and we seek entertainment indoors in the AC.  If Austin had his way we'd spend the evening in front of the tv watching cartoons, but we try not to make that the case.  Thanks to Fuse Beads (they have several other names), the kids can be busy, creative, and we have great homeade treasures for family.  They can work on one pattern for hours.  Once I iron their colorful creations, we stick on a magnet have colorful ways to display school art work.