Serene Sunday
Our church offers three (actually four) services these days. A Saturday night service, two Sunday morning services and most recently a Sunday afternoon Spanish service. Terry teaches in the 11:00am service and now also teaches in the Spanish service. He loves teaching the kids and has great fun - but it makes for a long day for him.
I decided to attend the 9:00am service today and then take our four younger kids, and a neighburhood kid, Amanda, to the
San Antonio Zoo. My in-laws kindly bought us the family membership as a Christmas gift last year, and we generally make good use of it. Today was the perfect day to go - the crowds were down, the weather was fine, 93 was the high, but there was no or little humidity. The animals were out in full force, and the kids were filled with energy. San Antonio Zoo is very pretty, with many points of interesting architecture, and is surrounded by a park, with the
Witte Museum and the
Japanese Tea Gardens nearby.
The kids did have a good time - we go so often these days that they know exactly when a new animal is on exhibit, and if something is out of place!
Garrick and Teagan
Carson
Amanda and Hayley
Labels: Amanda, Carson, Garrick, Hayley Teagan, Japanese Tea Garde, Witte, Zoo
School Days or is that Daze?
By now most of the nation's school kids have started school. Our kids actually started back on August 25th, the week before Labor Day. I think the Texas school system is slowly working towards starting after Labor Day and ending the school year closer to the middle of June, rather than the beginning of June. Perhaps one reason they like to end the year a little earlier is the heat - our summer here starts in April and ends in November, with the hottest months between May and August. If they extend school through June, the cooling bill must be astronomical - especially when one looks at the June we just experienced.
Anyway, the kids started school. This year I had to spend big bucks to kit the kids - not so much in school supplies, but in clothes. Teagan has grown 8 inches since last year and now is only 1.5 inches shorter than me. I noticed most of her clothes were too short, so we held an impromptu fashion show a month ago and at the end of it she had two pairs of jeans, one shirt, and two t-shirts that fit her! Hayley inherited many of her clothes as a result. Garrick was in the same boat - he'd outgrown all of his pants, and quite a few of his shirts. Unfortunately, unlike the girls who can share many of the same things, Garrick and Carson are built completely differently. Garrick is in Slim, Carson in Regular. So we hied ourselves off to Ross, WalMart, Kohls and Marshalls, and $700 later all four kids were outfitted. I have never spent that much in one season on clothes! It was insane - but they needed everything from underwear out. I haven't even got around to the shoes yet - I know that is coming though. Teagan and I are wearing the same size shoe (for now) which is fun for both of us. I teased her and told her that if she grew any more, I wanted her shoes.
So, here are the first day of school photos - Garrick has peanut butter on his cheek, and the mark between his eyes was a spider bite that was just subsiding.
Garrick and Carson
Teagan and Hayley
Labels: Carson, clothes, first day, Garrick, Hayley Teagan, Kohls, Marshalls, Photo, Ross, school, WalMart
Swimming, bowling, and kittens, oh my!
The summer league swim season is done and Hayley and Carson were both happy to receive their trophies. This is Carson's first ever trophy and I know, despite some whining during the course of the short swim season, he was happy to finally have a trophy with his name on it!
We have been spending many hours a week at the pool - this has been a dry, long and HOT summer, with most days hovering around 95-100 degrees, so the water comes as a welcome relief for us all.
Terry and I have had a long-standing tradition with our kids, dating back to when Warrick was young where we have a Mommy/Daddy and Me day. For a long time it was a Daddy and Me day because Terry worked so many hours, and we wanted to ensure he developed a great relationship with them. As they have matured, the kids now choose either he or I to go and do something with. This week Carson asked me if we could have a day. He asked to go bowling and then to watch a movie. It was such fun bowling with him, and he is quite the chatterbox when he is by himself!
Our new kitten, Thandi, has made herself completely at home and it's apparent the other cats are enamoured with her as well, especially Drake, our large ginger male. I have dubbed him "Daddy Drake" because he has taken every kitten under his wing, and little Thandi is no exception, as you can see here!
So, we are in the full swing of summer and loving every moment of it!
Labels: bowling, Carson, Drake, movies, swim team, Thandi
Of watermelons and Fireworks
I love holidays!! I love knowing that my family can spend the day together and we get to do something fun, even if it is low-key. This year we decided to spend the afternoon at
Northern Hills Pool. Our kids were/are on their swim team, and we spend most days there. And seeing this has been a hot and dry summer we have been there almost every day!
This July 4th the pool had fun, games, a silent auction and a raffle. This was our first year participating and we had a blast! The kids took part in an egg toss, and then Teagan and I swam in a watermelon relay. Watermelons were greased up and you had to swim and push them from one side of the pool to the other. We came in third, but had fun doing it! By far the best contest was the watermelon eating one. Warrick took part in it, and won! Here he is enjoying a watermelon slice. All the contestants had to eat it with their hands behind their backs. Carson participated as well, but didn't win. He was a little bummed until he realised he was allowed to finish off his large watermelon slice.
Warrick and Carson - Carson is on the right hand side:
The finale for us was meeting up with some friends and then driving up to a little town in the Hill Country called
Kerrville to watch their fireworks. Our friends, Chris and Autumn have been making the drive for about four years and extolled the virtues of this particular fireworks display. Kerrville isn't a large town (it does have a good tourist trade), but their fireworks truly were magnificent. And the drive there was gorgeous too - they don't call this area of Texas Hill Country for nothing! The limestone hills are beautiful and in many cases the road is cut right into the hills.
Labels: Carson, fireworks, hill country, July 4th, Kerrville, Northern Hills, pool, swimming, Teagan, Warrick, watermelon
Summer's Here, and the Livin's easy
Well the Smelker kids finished school last week and already we are in the full swing of swim meets, swim practice, piano practice, and the like. Actually swim practice started two weeks before school let out. Our team had its first swim meet on Saturday. Hayley and Carson are on the swim team this year. A professional photographer happens to have kids on the team, so he spent Saturday shooting photo after photo. He got a great shot of Hayley as she swam in her breast-stroke race.
She took 3rd, out of 16 - so not bad at all! Carson did not place this week, but he surprised all of us with his turn of speed. He had not been doing well in practices, and I wondered whether he would even finish his race. But he came in 3rd in his heat, and I think took 8th overall (again out of 16 swimmers).
Father's Day is approaching and last week I asked Terry what he wanted for his day. Now, I had just bought him Tom Servo so was unsure of what else to get him. He asked for a lightsaber - one of the ones from The Sharper Image. Part of me thought, "Well, if that's what he wants..." But it seemed so, well, lame.
On Friday (June 6th) Warrick called me and asked if I wanted to go in on a Father's Day gift with him. "What do you want to get?" I asked.
"A Wii," he responded. We had tried to buy one at Christmas but found it impossible. But Warrick knew a local store that got shipments in once a week. He called the store when the shipment came in, and drove over immediately and bought the system. He called me again to let me know he had it. "Do we have to wait until Father's Day to give it to him?" I took pity on him, I think he was more excited than anyone to give the Wii to Terry, so last week Terry his early Father's Day gift. Let me tell you, boxing on the Wii gives you quite the work-out!
Next weekend we are on our way to Houston as the girls will take part in a pageant. We will spend a day at the
Space Center, and on the way home spend some time at the
Houston Aquarium. We had to buy evening gowns for the girls and I got a great deal from a place here in town. When the dresses are altered, and the girls put them on, I will put up some photos - they look stunning!
So, all in all, a busy June, and July is shaping up to be just as busy!
Labels: Carson, Father's Day, Hayley, practice, swim team, Wii
Carson Lee Smelker
Our 'baby' is all growed up! Well, not quite, but almost. I was talking to a client this morning and mentioned that my baby was eight years old today and although I didn't get misty-eyed I came to the realisation that all my kids are truly growing up. Eight sounds so old, you know?
Carson woke up first thing this morning and raced down the stairs. He knew there would be a couple of gifts for him and he was not disappointed. He has been 'jonesing' for two lego sets - one an Indiana Jones set, where Indiana is chased by the giant ball. The other one was a Y-wing Star Fighter from Star Wars. Although he was allowed to open them this morning he wasn't able to play with them until returning from school. As Terry said, "I pity his poor teacher today. I am not sure he will be able to focus on anything!"
The minute he and his older brother Garrick arrived home they ran upstairs. Here it is 7:30pm and they are STILL building and playing! They took a short break for dinner and a bath, then they were back at it.
Here is the Indiana Jones set:
And here is the Y Wing Fighter:
Labels: birth, Birthday, Carson, Garrick, Indiana Jones, legos, Star Wars
FINALLY - Piano lessons
Last March a dear friend of ours from church gave us a piano. She and her husband had two and she figured they'd only play one at a time! It is an older piano and needed about $400 worth of work before it was entirely playable. The kids have been plunking around on it, and surprisingly enough, one of them, Teagan, is remarkably melodious. Her 'plunking' was actually restful. Although we wanted to get them lessons I struggled to find a teacher. So the piano sat mostly idle once it was completely restored back in the summer.
In November I was talking to a newbie at church. She is an Australian who met and married one of our church members. Through idle chit-chat I discovered she is a piano teacher! She was getting settled into her new home and her new routine, and called me in January to tell me she was ready to start lessons. She has even offered to come to the house and teach here - that is HUGE!! It is so hard to sometimes transport and then keep occupied, four kids. I told her we'd come to her house initially and see how it turns out, but if necessary, she will come to our house.
The two girls took to it right away. Garrick said he didn't want to do lessons but I think he will change his mind because he is definitely interested in what the girls did today. Carson is under the weather (he was off school for two days with a bad cough, fevers and the chills) and so did not fare as well in the lesson as he could have. He might be our early drop-out.
Now I am listening to the piano being played with purpose, and it is the best sound in the world!
Labels: Carson, Garrick, Hayley Teagan, lessons, piano, teacher
Smelker Smalls Start School
Backpacks are packed, lunches made and kids sent off to school. I drove the three younger ones to school this morning, and unloaded their scooters from the van. This afternoon I will walk down to the school (with the dog) and fetch them. It's good excerise and we look forward to the walks home. I then returned and picked up Teagan for her first day. From tomorrow she will take the bus to school but for this first day we wanted to drive her, especially since she missed the orientation on Saturday because of Hayley's birthday party.
Carson came blearily downstairs this morning and whined, "But it's still night-time outside." No more sleeping in until 7:30 or 8:00 for this boy - 6:15 came all too soon for them. By the time they finished breakfast and brushed their teeth it was daylight outside though.
So begins another year of homework, plays, safety patrol duty (for Hayley) choir, parent-teacher conferences, school trips and volunteering (I am on the PTA this year, ostensibly just to do the newsletter, but we'll see how many more things I am 'volunteered' to do!) Each season is bitter-sweet; I have looked forward to having the house to myself again, to enjoy the solitude and silence, but I also miss the hurly-burly of my four, plus all the neighborhood kids.
Here's to a great year for all my friends and kids!
Labels: Carson, Garrick, Hayley, PTA, school, Teagan
The Countdown Is Almost Done
The Smelker Seven are getting ready to go somewhere we haven't been in almost 9 years. And that somewhere is
Walt Disney World, the Wonderful House of Mouse, and as far as Terry is concerned, the
only place on earth to vacation.
According to the calendar we have upstairs in the game room we have 20 days until we pack up the conversion van and make the 16 hour drive to Florida. Thank God for a third driver (Warrick). The kids are excited although really the four little ones have nothing to compare it to; the last time we went Teagan was two and a half and Hayley only 11 months old. I was 7 months pregnant with Garrick and Carson was not even a glimmer in anyone's eye.
The vacation is already paid for, completely paid in cash so all we had to do was save for gas, food and souvenirs, and even that has been done. All that's left is to wait, patiently, (hard for Terry) and plan our days at the parks to maximize our time there.
Labels: Carson, Disney, Garrick, Hayley, Teagan, Warrick
Empty Nest?
On Wednesday March 7th Teagan and Hayley flew into
Gatwick Airport to spend two weeks with my parents.
This past weekend they took the
Chunnel to
Paris, for a visit of all the famous sites.
They will also tour parts of
London, including a personal tour of
The Houses of Parliament. They will spend some time in a local school and all in all just have a great time.
The girls are also getting to meet my side of the family for the first time. My sister in law, Jenny, took the girls along with her son Michael to a local Mickey D's where they enjoyed ice cream. As you can see, Michael loves his!
On Friday night, March 9th my mother-in-law, Star, drove in from
Carrollton, to take the little boys to spend a week with her and Richard. On Saturday they spent some time at a
PT Cruiser show. They have a busy week ahead of them as well.
This leaves the house empty all day until Terry and Warrick return in the evening from their respective jobs. I believe this is the first time in almost three years that we have had this amount of time away from the kids! Yesterday after church Terry and I went out for lunch and our bill was tiny in comparison to what it would normally be!
i guess in a way this is a harbinger of days yet to come when all the kids move out. Feels weird, but it was nice to have Terry all to myself again - even if it is just for a few days.
Labels: Carson, Garrick, Hayley, Teagan, Warrick
He's Seven Today!
My 'baby' is seven today! Where does the time go? Nine short years before he starts driving, and wanting to chat up girls, and...
Carson was born early on a Sunday morning, the only one of our children not to arrive on a Wednesday. He was also my heaviest and longest child, weighing in at a respectable 8lbs 8 oz; and measuring 23 inches in length. Where he'd been hiding those extra inches is anyone's guess, because I carried 'small' with him - compared to some of my other pregnancies where I looked 9 months pregnant from 6 months on!
This morning he took his cupcakes to school, excited because although he has already had his party, he is officially seven today. Knowing him he will milk the birthday for all it's worth, telling the teacher he won't need to do work because it's his birthday.
Carson has come a long way. There are moments when I look at this child who cracks jokes, reads "Calvin & Hobbes", plays with Star Wars toys and loves the movie "Cars" and I am in awe of what he has become. From a diagnosis of autism to this...I am forever grateful to God for the miracle He brought about in Carson's life.
Labels: Carson
We Have A Tiger In The House
Back in 1993 Terry introduced me to what I think are some of the best cartoon strips since "Peanuts" and that is the genius of Watterson's character Calvin and his sidekick Hobbes. Initially Warrick fell in love with Calvin & Hobbes and read all of the books that we bought or borrowed. Then for a while I was the only one who really read the books.
However about 6 months ago the younger 4 kids discovered the wonders of Calvin and his tiger, Hobbes and since then the comic books have become even more dog-eared, and I ordered some new ones when the elementary school held one of their fundraisers. Just last week at the library I found a 600-page hardcover copy of several of the books compiled into one copy. I have to admit to sitting on the couch for 2 hours last night reading cartoons that are brand-new to me. And the kids all fight about whose turn it is to read the book next - gotta love something that will get the kids reading.
I understand why Watterson stopped drawing his cartoons, all good things must come to an end; but he really did capture the essence of a six-year old boy and his imagination.
If I was a poet I would write an ode to Watterson, but seeing I am not, I will just give my heartfelt thanks for bringing so many hours of entertainment into the Smelker household.
Labels: Calvin, Carson, Garrick, Hayley, Hobbes, Teagan
Back to School 2006
As is our custom, we took a photo of the kids as they prepared for their first day of school. Although we bought them new clothes, they really can't wear a lot of them right now, today's high was 101 before the heat index was added! Carson was most upset that he couldn't wear his new two piece 'Cars' outfit.
Today was a great success, and all the kids say they like their teachers, we'll see whether they still say that in a couple of weeks. Hayley got Teagan's teacher from last year, so I know she will have a great year with her!
Labels: Carson, Hayley, Longs Creek, Teagan
Fiesta Texas (Six Flags)
'Summer time and the livin's easy...'
This summer has been one of sun, fun and rollercoasters! This year for the first time all of our kids are big enough to do at least half of the rollercoasters found at Fiesta Texas - a Mexican themed amusement park 15 minutes from the house. The biggest hit by far for the kids has been 'Tornado' a water ride that has you spinning in the middle of a tornado and then spitting you out at the end. Hayley also tried, and liked 'Scream' the straight up in the air for however many feet and then back down again! Carson has been a little timid, and refuses to do much more than the 'Lazy River' and the children's play area, but has a blast. We bought season passes and they were one of the best investments this summer. We can go for a few hours or all day if we choose. Last weekend we went on Sunday evening just to see the fireworks. On Saturday we went just for the waterpark. As summer draws to a close (well as much as it will here in San Antonio) we will spend more time on the rollercoasters and as the season winds down in October, we will peruse the stores and get the last minute close out bargains.
Have I mentioned before that I LOVE San Antonio??
Labels: Carson, Fiesta Texas, Hayley
Like Some Water?
Visitors to the Smelker house beware! Tonight Terry poured a glass of water for himself, and then went upstairs to help Carson with a game. I came into the kitchen and looked over into the living room to see Chloe, our Calico dipping her paw into the glass and licking the water off her pads. I grabbed the camera from the office and took several shots until I got the one where her paw was in the glass.
I called her name and she looked up at me with this expression that clearly said, "What?? I am busy here!" No guilt, no, "Oops! Busted, better get off the table!" Nope she was a cool cat and just looked at me with this affronted expression on her face because I dared to disturb her.
Well, I was tempted to let Terry return downstairs and drink from the glass, but I took pity on him - this time at least...
Labels: Carson, Chloe, Terry
Back To School
Spring Break is over and it ended with a BANG - literally. Last night San Antonio was placed under a tornado watch and we had severe thunderstorms, and boy, that thunder was loud! The kids mostly slept through it, although Teagan crept into Hayley's bed where we found them both this morning.
Today is the first day at Longs Creek Elementary for Teagan, Hayley, Garrick and Carson. Warrick stayed at Marshall because he will graduate from there in about 10 weeks so it was pointless moving him over to Madison. The 4 younger kids were excited, although apprehensive, about starting a new school. We had made the move as easy as possible though. Terry and I went in two weeks ago with all the paper work and the prinicipal assigned teachers ahead of time so the teachers were already prepared for the Smelker invasion! The elementary school is relatively new, built in 1997 and has over 900 students, one of the largest schools our kids have ever attended, but knowing our kids they will stand out even in a big school!
Another plus is because we moved to a sub-division close to the church, there are other families from the church whose kids attend the same school. In fact, while we waited in the halls this morning Teagan and Hayley recognised two or three kids from church and the neighborhood.
Labels: Carson, Garrick, Hayley, Longs Creek, Marshall, Teagan, Turnstone Lane House, Warrick
Our 'Baby' is 6!
On Sunday, March 5th, 2000 in the wee hours of the morning my first contraction came. I called the midwife right away and then woke Terry up. This was our fifth child and our second home birth and we had everything ready because the baby was already a couple of days late. Although we (actually I!) had chosen not to discover the gender of the baby, I just knew it was a boy.
Two and a half hours after my first contraction, Carson Lee Smelker made his entrance into this world. The dawn was breaking and he was welcomed by his oldest brother, and two sisters (his other brother was still sleeping), his grandmother, Daddy and an exhausted Mommy. Carson weighed in at a respectable 8lbs 8 ounces, but his length is what got us - 24 inches!
Today Carson is 6, attends Kindergarten and loves all things Thomas, and Buzz. He is a bright, happy-go-lucky boy with a smile to melt all hearts, and a hearty laugh.
We love you Carson!
Labels: birth, Birthday, Carson, God, Terry
Daughter Dad Dance and Silliness Prevails
Last night (February 10th) Teagan and Hayley dressed up, I did their hair and their Daddy took them to a dance. Apparently there was a sign on the door, "No Mom Zone" and an evening of fun was had by all. Terry treated the girls as though this was a real date - he gave them each a rose, opened the door to the van for them, and basically showed them how a man is to treat a lady.
Last week the kids had a theme week at school and Friday was wearing sunglasses day - so of course our kids had to pose!
Labels: Carson, Garrick, Hayley, sunglasses, Teagan, Terry
The Smelker Kids Together
Last night was my parent's final night in San Antonio and I asked my father to take some shots of the kids in front of the Christmas tree. I can't remember when we last had all 5 kids together - no I remember, it was 4 years ago back in Michigan - pretty sad isn't it that it has been so long since they all stood together for a photo!
Garrick is on the left, Hayley is next to him, Teagan is next to Hayley and Carson is on the right. Warrick, obviously, is in the back.
We also managed to capure one with Warrick and his girlfriend Natalie. She didn't want to have a picture taken, so he is hanging onto her to make sure she didn't get away! Natalie is a wonderful girl and we love her and her family dearly.
Labels: Carson, Christmas, Garrick, Hayley, Teagan, Warrick
Miracles DO Happen
Ok, in order for people to get the full impact of this story, I need to give some background.
When our youngest son Carson was 2 years old, he was diagnosed with Autism. At the time he showed all the classic symptoms including no language, living for long periods of time in his own world, getting upset when his schedule was changed even a bit. It was a hard time for our family, but Terry and I resolved that he would get better, and we signed up for several programmes offered through the school districts, and we prayed over him daily.
Jump ahead to this school year. Carson is in a regular Kindergarten classs, he has no special interventions, he gets no special help and although he still gets speech therapy, you would never know this child had received a devastating diagnosis three years ago this week. You'd think this would be enough - right? And don't get me wrong, Terry and I are thrilled, we weren't sure he'd ever get to this stage.
But, it gets even better! Carson has shown little interest in books, if I read to the other kids he sits on the periphery playing. He would bypass the books on the shelves to play with trains. I noticed this summer though that he pulled books from the shelves, mostly to count the page numbers. However, this afternoon I realised that he was reading a book, and not just an easy primer either! Carson taught himself to read! Terry and I have not sat down with him to teach him, his teachers have not got to the point of teaching the kids - he did this all by himself!
I can only come to the obvious conclusion that prayer works! Granted, Terry and I worked hard with him, but I don't believe Carson would be where he is today without the prayers of our family and many friends. And to those who have prayed for our son, we say 'Thank you'.
Labels: Carson, Jesus
