2023 Quarter 4 Update

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !  

So it has come to this...quarterly updates. What started as weekly updates has now been reduced to this.  It is what it is, so I will just take it. 

The last post left off around Halloween, so we will pick up from then. Grandma and Grandpa came into town to visit, so we went to check out a fall festival at Dripping Springs. They had lots of fun activities for the kids to do. Hannah didn't go because she had her Lego Robotics meeting. 

A giant corn pit was a highlight for Hailey. 

And throwing balls is always appealing to Nathan. 

On the Saturday before Halloween, we went to our school's fall carnival and also had a blast there. Hannah loves animals of all kinds. 

I remember last time Hailey got into one of these petting ponds, she asked for a rabbit or chick, but instead got a lizard and was not happy at all. You were also like 3 years old. 

There were a lot of fun trunks decorated for the trunk or treat. 

We also carved pumpkins, but for some reason I only got a picture of Hailey's. I have videos of Nathan and Hannah's pumpkin, but for some reason, videos don't show up sometimes on the blog. 

This year was the coldest Halloween on record for our family. Usually we are parading around dripping sweat, but this year started out a bit cold, but once we got our blood flowing, it felt quite nice. Our theme was Greek Gods, Goddesses, and Medusa. 

Amphitrite

Flora

Apollo

Medusa

Poseidon

Hannah really wants a pet dog. You beg for one almost each week. But when I bring home a bunch of balloons, you decorated them all like a pack of puppies and drag them around the house like you are taking them on a walk, but then you hang them off the banister...so, still no dog for you. 

We were at our favorite hamburger place and we decided to try out their pumpkin pie shake. It was fun to watch you guys all slurp from the same cup. 

Sometimes I go into witch mode and brew up a batch of potion. This especially happens after I receive my special ingredients by delivery and they usually pack the cold items with dry ice. 

We had another round of belt promotions right before Thanksgiving. Hailey is now a solid orange belt! Nathan is a 7th level red belt. 

For Thanksgiving, we made lots of pecan pies for teachers and for us to eat. Hailey did a great job decorating the one for us. 

We went to watch the 5th grade musical. Nathan was a Narrator who started the whole show. We had a lot of fun watching the play and seeing how big these kids have grown up since they were in Kindergarten may have squeezed a few tears out of me. 

One day we met up with Hannah's godmother and kids. We went roller skating at a rink for the first time. (Although Hailey swears she's been skating at this place before). 

Bedhead is still a thing for Hailey. Very much a thing. 

For Thanksgiving, Dad flew us to Dallas in a 6 seater airplane. It was surprisingly a smooth ride, except when we flew over Towne Lake and it got a little bumpy for a bit. 

Before Take-off, kids getting cozy. 

While in the DFW area, we went to Meow Wolf and had fun exploring the art/fun house. 

Auntie Momo also had you guys make your own signature essential oil scents. 

We took a walk one afternoon and came across some gorgeous fall colors. 

The flight back home, we avoided the lake, so it was much smoother. Steve tried flying a bit higher and faster than he did on the way to the Dallas area, but that made us a little bit uncomfortable. 

At one point, Hailey fell asleep and so we checked her blook oxygen levels to make sure she fell asleep and didn't just pass out because of the altitude. 

When we came home, the kids put up the Christmas decorations and our elf, Bubby, came back. 

One evening, we went to go visit the Maywald family lights. This is an amazing light display put on by a kid who wanted to make a difference. Every year for the past like 10 years, he sets up these lights and collects donations for Make a wish foundation. Last year they were able to fulfill 9 wishes and over the years, I think he's fulfilled like almost 30 wishes! I get teary eyed every time. 

Hailey, you were just entranced with the lights. Twirling and enjoying yourself as we walked through the light displays. I tried to capture you dancing. 

We didn't get to decorate gingerbread houses with the usual gang, but we did invite one of our favorite families over to decorate gingerbread houses. You all came up with drawings and prototypes of your dream gingerbread [insert structure] and I made cookie versions of them for you. 

Hailey had a Christmas party at school and I was able to join in to help build a mini gingerbread house. 

You all got to attend Texas Rollergirls' 20th anniversary party. There was dancing, food, skating and even live karaoke. Hailey you were not afraid to strut your stuff and got out and started to dance with some of the O.G.s!

Hannah also performed at a gymnastics Christmas show. This is a practice run for the upcoming competition season. Your form looks great and you are feeling pretty confident during your events. 

After all these years of avoiding Austin's Trail of Lights, we finally bit the bullet and decided to take you guys downtown to view one of Austin's oldest holiday traditions. We went on a weeknight, and arrived right when the parking lot opened. We had to wait in line for about 45 minutes before the gate opened, but it ended up being a good choice because we walked through the lights with very little crowds around us. I know sometimes it can be extremely crowded. Dad and the girls went on the Ferris wheel and Nathan, you and I went to go buy kettle corn. We also got an order of fried oreos, which were a much better deal than the state fair and just as yummy. 

Nathan's team competed in the first qualifier lego league event of the season. Since we had to sign up for that particular one, we ended up having 3 less weeks than we had last year to prepare. You guys placed this year and earned 2nd place in the robotics design category. 

 

Hailey was student of the week and got to take home Corduroy for a week. 

Dad went to Hannah's class party because I had to work. 

Our church also had a winter festival with a live Nativity, camels, blow up slides and more! 

We are off to Chicago to spend the holidays with family, so we will make a quick update afterwards! 

Until next year, 

Love, 

Mom (though I prefer, Mommy) 

Hailey Turns 6 and the Last Kid is off to Big Kid School

Dear Hailey,

Your presence lights up a room. You bring joy and laughter to people, but in your worst times, you are a hurricane, a vengeful force that is fierce. 

The big news is that you have outgrown your dairy allergy and this has definitely been a life changer. I'm excited to experience with you a whole new world of foods laden with dairy. We are not limited to certain foods or cuisines. The world is our buffet tables now! 

You love all things beautiful, flowy, flowery and you are very particular about the ensembles that you wear each day. You, on the other hand, have no problem making your mind up on any sort of matter and will get annoyed at someone if they try to change your mind. "I said already..." is a common phrase that comes out of you mouth. 

So, nonetheless, you are definitely sassy. I took you in to a research study where they ask you similar questions repeatedly and so many times under your breath, you would say, "I already told you that." but you kept it under your breath since the interviewer was a complete stranger. 

When your top front teeth was loose.
You would stick it out and show  everyone your silly face. 

As the youngest child, you often get frustrated about the things that you can't or are not allowed to do because of your age. In times of frustration, sometimes you ask me if I could "just love " you "a little bit more than" I "love the others." I usually just chuckle and say, not possible, because my love is divided equally already. On the flip side, Nathan and Hannah are always saying how I let you do things earlier than when I let them. I just can never win. 

You also had specific desires for your cake. You wanted a rectangle cake with cream layers with strawberries and oreos. You also love to watch baking shows with Hannah and are often inspired to just go in the kitchen and create something great randomly. I've been more of a buzz kill lately, because I am literally stretches as much as I can be stretched and the thought of taking time out to clean up a kitchen after you guys just sounds draining. Maybe I will find more balance soon and will go back to being a bit more of a cooler mom. 

Hailey, you continue to love martial arts and have even been taking part in the monthly sit up challenge, to complete 500 sit ups in one month. 

You love school and at some point even had a boyfriend. Your teacher actually told me about this and since you are not dating any more, I  think I can share this story. 

So, one day we were in the car going somewhere and the dialogue went something like this: 

    " Hailey, does anyone in your class have a boyfriend or girlfriend?" 

    "Nope." 
    "Oh, ok, cool. Nathan had a girlfriend in pre-school, so I was wondering if kids had boyfriends in kindergarten." 
    "Oh, well, I have a boyfriend."

    "I thought you said no one in your class has a boyfriend." 

    "No one else in my class has one, but I have one." 

    "So, how did it happen?" 
    "He came over and asked me if I would marry him."

    "Well, what did you say?"

    "Of course, no!" 

    "Ok, and then what happened?"

    " Well, he then said that if I wouldn't marry him, that maybe I would be his girlfriend." 

    "What did you say to that?"

    "I said, 'yes.'" 

    "Ok, cool. So what is his name?"

    "_____" 

    "What does he like, his favorite color?"

    "Um...I don't know." 

    "How about his favorite food?"

    "I don't know that either."

    "What color are his eyes?" 

    "He always wears sunglasses outside so I can't see"

    "Ok, well, sounds like you need to get to know him more to see if you have much in common." 

    "Yeah, I guess I can ask him." 

    "So why do you even like him?"

    "He's handsome and he says that I am pretty." 

    "Ok, so what is more important, handsome, or being nice." 

    "Mom, I know, being nice, of course. He's a nice boy. He doesn't really get in trouble." 

So last week we had a field trip and I met your boyfriend's mom. She tells me that he's already had several girlfriends in school already. 😁😂 A red flag immediately went up when I asked you the next day if you found out what his favorite color was and you said that he just ran away from you. But anyways, you guys are just friends now, and I'm ok with that. 

When you had originally told me about your boyfriend, you told me not to tell Nathan or Hannah because it was a bit embarrassing, but one day during dinner, you just announced it. Both Nathan and Hannah's jaws dropped as they couldn't believe that their little sister snagged a boyfriend before they ever did. Technically, Nathan has a fiancé, but she's been ghosting him since they graduated preschool. 

Stay cool and work your cuteness as long as you can. 

Love, 

Mommy 

 

Nathan turns 11

Dear Nathan, 

You are a quirky, smart-Alek-y, self proclaimed nerd who loves to play DnD, but you can't find anyone to play with so you spend hours and hours playing by yourself--creating stories, and characters. You love all things chocolate and not too sweet. You are still the pickiest eater, keeping to your known favorites, but you are still my best veggie eater. 

You will talk to anyone who lets you talk about DnD, Pokemon, or Zelda. Often you start talking about things and I have to remind you, "context please." Because when it all comes down to battling and picking up treasures, all of these things have that in common. 

You are an avid reader, as avid as they come because often, I actually have to tell you to stop reading and take a break. You love Brandon Mull, Rick Riordan and continue to love the Pilkey series, Dogman. 

I also often have to remind you to eat your dessert and we often joke how I'm the worst mom ever because I tell you to stop reading and eat more sweets. 

You partook in your first communion earlier this month. You are not a huge fan of the wine, so during communion, you opt for the grape juice. 

You are a kid who really has a big heart, but your desire for justice and tendency to follow the rules limits that quality (big heart) somewhat. I pray that God puts the right people in your lives to help you figure this out. 

You continue to be a great leader in martial arts class. Your tornado kicks are pretty impressive and you are nimble, agile, quick. You also show great discipline, but can be a little absent minded sometimes. I love you so much and am proud to be your mom. 

Love, 

Mom

 

Hannah turns 9

Dear Hannah, 

My dear middle child. You are curious, a little sassy, a little caring, and you still have a tough time making decisions. It's so crazy how much of myself I see in you. Dad makes comments like, "of course you would like/do..." all the time. 

Hannah, Kinder                                                        Hannah, 4th grade

I've talked to other parents and they can confirm hormones are coming in at 4th grade and you are definitely more sensitive to emotions than you were before. You still love creating things with your hands and you have passed that love on to your little sister. Dad and I sometimes have to secretly throw away trash to prevent it from being a potential craft project. 

You still love to explore and try all different types of food. So, for your birthday we went to Le Madeline's for some French cuisine. 

You are quickly growing out of your clothes, so we went on a small shopping spree to restock your wardrobe. 

You wanted to make your own cake, so that was easy enough and it ended up being absolutely delicious. 

You continue to practice gymnastics and it is crazy to see you continue to get strong. You also are a part of a lego robotics team this year and you are enjoying it a lot. You continue to play viola and your tone is starting to feel a bit warmer and fuller -- less like large screeching cats. It's cool to see you get excited when you nail a piece that you've been working on line by line. You also say "wait" after you mess up, before looking closely at the music...something I used to catch myself doing as I practiced flute. 

According to Ms. Maldonado, you are her favorite Havlir kid and you definitely don't let Nathan forget it. 

I feel like I've finally gotten your schedule balanced out a bit so that you have time to be a kid. We paused martial arts for now. You miss it, but I think you definitely appreciate the free time. 

When I'm home at night, you always still ask me if I would sing you a lullaby before bed and you always tell me you love me when I drop you off at gymnastics. I love you much! 

Love, 

Mom