The Hoffman Family Chronicles: August 2007

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Monday, August 27, 2007

Rise and Shine, It's a school day! Hooray!

Daddy hit the snooze button, the sun isn't up yet!

Luke with his "Game Face".

Let's get this party started!

Luke gets right to work while a classmate admires him.

Grant has been so excited for kindergarten to start, ever since his preschool days in Monmouth where we sent him 3 hours a day three days a week just so he wouldn't feel left out with Luke going to school. Grant was the teacher's pet in Oregon and did very well in class. But last school year he did not go to pre-school after we moved to Texas but instead stayed home and assumed the role of “mommy’s best helper” while Luke went to first grade. In fact with Luke away at school Grant is/was quite a chatter box, he’ll talk your ear off and mommy likes the company. So this morning the big day arrived. Grant was the readiest kid ever for kindergarten. I woke the boys up and they ate their preplanned breakfast of their favorite cereals, mommy had their lunches packed and their names embroidered on their backpacks and their brand new never-worn shoes were ready by the door. Even though Grant loved his pre-K in Oregon he was very nervous about going and clung to me each morning as I left. Not this morning. Grant dutifully posed for a picture at his table and when the teacher told the students to get a book and sit on the carpet I had to grab him to get a kiss before he took off. In Luke’s classroom the teacher had a word search puzzle taped to the desks and Luke sat down & went straight work, he loves puzzles and word games. I snapped my photo and just like that we have 2 kids in school. After that I had to sneak back to Grant’s class and look in one more time, it’s the only “first day of school” he will ever have. I snapped one more pic of him sitting on the carpet, he didn’t see me. Just like Luke’s first day of class, daddy must have got something in his eye! Now Sara wonders what she will do at home with all her spare time with just 2 preschoolers at home!

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Karsten the Party Animal

I took a little nap. Am I too late for the party?

I didn't bring any presents...oh wait!

I hope they don't have one of those scary clowns at this party!

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

More of Samuel's Party....

Samuel Parties In His Second Year

The Birthday King Himself!

His royal jesters

Help!! Daddy's trying to take over my party!

Does anyone notice this cake is on fire???

Luke pouting when he realizes there are no gifts for him.

Yea!! A choo choo train. Just what I wanted!

What a difference a year makes. One year ago we had Sammy's first birthday party at Wallerby's pizza in West Salem. When we sat down we told Grammy Pat that we had brought pictures of all the children. We showed her a picture of Luke, Grant and Sammy. Grammy Pat smiled approvingly. Then we showed her an ultra sound picture of one of her grandchildren. She smiled again. She wasn't sure which one it was, it's hard to tell when they are that small! So I gave her one more chance and told her "There is a picture of EACH of our children". She smiled again. Then Daren leaned over looking at the ultrasound date and said "Mom, she's pregnant!" Back then we thought we might even have a girl, but either way we were sure it would be born in Oregon.

Friday, August 17, 2007

Tails of Courage...Felix saves the day!

There are cats, and then there are Cats. Felix is a cat like no other. I do not need to recount Felix's strength of will, stamina and courage as he went 10 weeks with almost no food and water and then was pronounced all but dead by the vet that examined him. Reaching into his bag of tricks Felix quickly returned to full health, but he most certainly used up a good number of his 9 lives in the process. The other evening after we returned from a walk in the neighborhood I put Luke, Grant and Samuel in the shower and Sara headed into our bathroom for a shower too. I then proceeded straight for the fridge for some quick hydration...yes, the King of Beers...Budweiser! On my way back to check on the boys I saw Felix crouched down looking and swatting at something in a corner by some bookshelves. I walked over to check it out, usually it's nothing more than a rubber band but sure enough this time it was a scorpion! Without regard for his own personal safety Felix had cornered the little arachnid and was keeping him at bay, not doubt waiting for back-up to arrive. So I grabbed a nearby game board and pushed it right on its back, which did not cut it in half or even seem to injure it, more like enrage it as its tail repeatedly stung the game board. So I yelled for Sara to come help, no answer, I yelled again...same results. So I yelled for Luke who came out of the shower and got me a Tupperware sandwich container and lid. I deftly captured the intruder to Luke's amazement. Luke and Grant wanted to keep it as a pet which mommy was not in favor of. I then took the opportunity to discuss with the boys what they should do if they come face to face with the pure evil that is the scorpion...this is about the 5th scorpion that we have caught in this house. Not to mention the 5 black widow spiders I have killed outside our house and in the garage.But it was Felix who was our first line of defense against the sting of the scorpion. Armed with nothing but 2 paws (clawless at that!), his mouth and a fierce protective instinct Felix risked the scorpion's scorn to save his masters!Felix, the bravest cat in the world!