Jack Ranger is 6!

We had a very small party with a firetruck theme planned for our house. Until, Jack Ranger decided to announce to his class that certain people were not invited to his party. I was so sad at this behavior and I prayed about the right consequence. I decided to take away Jack Ranger's birthday party and I sent the following note to all the parents in his class. I got a few really kind email reply's from parents and I pray for God to soften Jack Ranger's heart towards others.

Hello  fellow kindergarten parents -

I understand from Mrs. Taylor that Ranger was unkind at school today. Ranger apparently told a few students in a loud voice that they were not invited to his birthday party. We sincerely apologize for any sadness that Ranger caused your children. We had planned a very small party and Ranger had invited one friend from his class last year and another friend from our neighborhood. Ranger does better in small groups and we thought a party in our home with just two friends wouldn't be too overwhelming for him. However, we did not mean for him to make others feel left out! Because he was not kind to his friends at school, Ranger's birthday party has been cancelled as a consequence for his behavior. Please assure your sweet children that they have not been excluded and that Ranger is not having a birthday party. We hope this is memorable for him and we will continue to work on Ranger's heart so that he shows others the kindness and love that God shows us every day.

Thank you for your understanding. 

Sincerely,

Erin and Grant Walsh

Despite the rough birthday start, Jack Ranger ended up being really happy with his birthday celebration. On Monday, we made a great parenting move and went to the fair in the evening and stayed until it closed at 10pm. It wasn't very crowded and the kids had awesome behavior. The main thing JR wanted to see was Big Tex and the #1 ride that the kids wanted to do was all the fun houses. We also watched the fireworks show and sat together on the grass and ate lots of cotton candy. Because we were going to the fair to celebrate JR, Grant bought tons of tickets and the kids had a blast. My favorite memory was riding the gondola with the kids and watching Grant run through the crowds with our food and drinks to meet us at the other end. They didn't allow food or drinks on the gondola so Grant was a good sport and the kids and I had fun tracking him running through the crowds.

On his birthday, Peyton made a cake for JR and we sang to him and had dinner together as a family. Grant put together his birthday present which was a super cool tent that broke almost immediately. Sweet Grant returned the tent after the kids had gone to bed and he setup a new tent to surprise JR the next morning.

I think JR felt loved and special - because he is!!! And, honestly not having a party was easier on me. Everyone won! We love you Jack Ranger. You are sensitive, smart, funny and loving and our family would not be complete without you.

Art everywhere

I am not sure that Grant and I are destined to win a bunch of parenting awards. However, one thing I think we do right is very limited screen time. We don't own a gaming system, no TVs in any bedrooms and very limited TV time. Thus, creativity abounds! The kids have pop-up "art walls" everywhere in the house and there are little crafts and trinkets all over the place. I sometimes get annoyed with all the little things around the house, but I think i will miss them someday. I love how the kids create so many things, although I sometimes wish they wouldn't dig so many art "supplies" out of the trash cans.

A McDonald's box man in the kitchen.

Sand art in the kitchen window.

Lego creations are everywhere upstairs.

Pop-up art wall in the boys bedroom.

Pop-up art wall in Cadie's room.

Pop-up art wall in my office.

Family drawing by Ranger.

Card from Cadie. I love that she drew me with curly hair.

Cadie is 8!

Cadie turned 8 on Wed., Oct. 5 and Grant and Peyton did an amazing job celebrating Cadie during the week. Cadie did a spend-the-night with Peyton on Tuesday evening complete with a cake breakfast on her birthday morning. Then, Grant took Cadie, Sutton, JR and Colton to Chuck-E-Cheese for dinner. Cadie's request!

On Saturday we had Cadie's first ever slumber party! Grant helped Cadie do some great streamer decorations in our living room for the party. She invited 6 friends and ever single one came! Sutton, Taylor, Margot, Sophia, Avery and Elise. I loved getting to spend time with the girls and get to know Cadie's closest friends. The girls arrived at 5pm and we headed straight to a 5:30 nail appointment where all the girls got mani/pedi's and I indulged in a pedi for myself. After nails, we went to La Madeline for dinner. Then, we came home and did presents and cupcakes. After cupcakes the girls all put on Cadie's swimsuits and got in the hot tub. It was a full hot tub, but they had fun. They took showers afterwards and then got in their jammies for popcorn and The Princess Bride. They  fell asleep around 11pm after the movie. They pulled out the mattresses and slept all together in the playroom. They were up around 7am on Sunday for pancakes and cowboy toast.

I asked Cadie what her favorite part of the party was and she said, "All of it!"

Over the summer

What an amazing summer! Here are some headlines...

Cadie is growing her hair out and it is getting so long and golden. Her imagination continues to grow and she loves exploring her own capabilities. She still isn't too keen on team sports, but she loves to swim, rock climb and test her independence. Recently we had a Sat. morning park playdate get rained out so I decided to get the kids donuts for a special treat instead. I couldn't find anywhere to park around the donut shop so I gave Cadie $10, told her what to get and sent her in to buy the donuts while I circled the block. It took me a long time to circle and Cadie was standing on the sidewalk with the donuts when I can back around. She did an awesome job and was so proud of herself.

Jack Ranger accepted Jesus into his heart in Colorado! Grant, Cadie and Jack Ranger were on a hike and Grant was taking them through the daily Sky Ranch family devotion. Jack Ranger wanted to know more about asking Jesus into your heart and what that meant. Grant drew the valley of sin in the dirt with a stick and then drew the cross that bridges us over our sin to God. Then Grant knelt and prayed with Jack Ranger. I am so proud of Jack Ranger for answering the call and for Grant taking the time to instruct JR. Please pray that JR continues to grow in love, patience and kindness as Jesus works in his hear.

Colton is potty trained! I was able to throw away the changing table right before we left for Colorado in July. Swimming in the big pool was Colton's biggest motivator and he has been doing an amazing job. He hasn't had an accident in weeks and I don't generally carry a diaper bag anymore. I feel so light and free! Colton loves playing with Jack Ranger and he yells, "Ranger, come here!!" constantly. He still loves to snuggle Mom and Dad and he ends up at least half the time in our bed or on the floor on a blanket by our bed.

Sic Em Bears

It was special to celebrate my parents 43rd wedding anniversary going down to Waco for the first Baylor football game of the season. My Dad did a great job driving and we all saw friends at the game. Thanks Grant for getting us great seats!

Back to School

The kids have done great this week! I was happy that I got to take Jack Ranger and Colton to their meet-the-teacher on Friday morning and then I also took all the kids for their first day of school on Monday. Cadie has Miss Noonan, Jack Ranger has Miss Taylor, and Colton has Miss Lansch and Miss Smith. All their teachers are so sweet and Cadie was especially happy because Miss Noonan was the librarian last year and Cadie really liked her.

Cadie was nervous because she didn't know many kids in her class and I was so proud that she worked out to make friends and she came home with a positive attitude every day. Cadie even played with a little girl who was on the buddy bench.

A great start to a great year!

Colton wouldn't sit still for me to take a picture with his teacher. But he would sit still for a picture with the bear in the playroom.

Rugid Maniac Mud Run

It was so much muddier than I expected! But I made it and was so proud to get to the end. It was especially fun to spend Friday night with the Chapman family in Athens. The obstacles were pretty fun and we had a great time representing Grant's firm.