2021, You Were Fun But Now You're Done.

Twenty twenty one, you sure were fun.

We made memories that I'll cherish dear.  

You afforded me time with loved ones far and near.

We took adventures - some by plane, some by car.

Some miles away and some not far {from our couch}. 😂

The days held Legos, drawing, playing, laughter, tears, encouragement, reading, fort building, battling of fears.

We held onto what we know to be true: God's amazing Word and His unending love for me and you.

Wrapping up the latest three sixty five, I find myself grateful to be in this time, to be alive. 💙

2021 One Second from Sara Cozad on Vimeo.

Third Grade Planet Project: Out of This World!

This year Winston had what I consider his first big school project - a planet project!  He was tasked with researching and presenting on an assigned planet.  He received a list of questions he had to answer and include in his final presentation.  The teachers also provided a list of ways that the students could showcase the information.  

Have you heard? Winston is in Third!

A new school year is upon us with Winston starting third grade!!  He has grown in inches and in maturity and I'm not sure that my heart is ready for it.  I told as friend the other day, there are times I miss the sweet little baby moments but it really is a joy and a hoot to have a front row in seeing their personalities, likes and dislikes and dreams take shape.

{kinda} Back to School!

When registration for school became available, Benjamin and I decided {after a chat with Winston} that he would attend in-school sessions.  I gotta tell ya, honestly I was torn. I truly have loved having my buddies at home with me and selfishly, I don't want routines to start back up. I know deep down though that the best thing is for them to see their friends, properly learn from folks who have a passion for teaching and Lulu and I could use a day of just the two of us in the house!

After choosing the in-person option, our district came back and stated that the first three weeks of instruction would be on-line regardless of which option chosen. There have been a few amendments and now they are doing a staggered start.  For one day, in a few weeks, Winston will be able physically be  in the school to find his class and experience what the day will look like with the safety modifications.

So here we are and it's time to go back to school. But we're not really going back to school so it just feels a little anti-climactic.  We did take our first day of school pictures, get up and dressed with a snack packed and a water bottle ready. He made the treacherous commute across the living room floor to my desk {his chosen spot for the day} and settled into the morning! 

After the first Zoom meeting and one activity he was ready to call it a day! 😂

Benjamin had the day off which was a help with keeping Truman occupied while we sorted out log-ins, SeeSaw activities and how to submit completed work.  As a special treat, and because we could!, we ate lunch at Uncle Julio's!

While the day didn't look like most previous first days of school, it was still a great start to a new season. I'm so thankful we have access to a school who has a solid infrastructure to support our teachers and students. I'm thankful for technology and the internets. I'm thankful for this extra time we are afforded to spend time together.

I'm thankful for this kid and how flexible he is. Winston has been such a trooper during this crazy time.  Sure he's had his moments of being sad and a little angry, but who hasn't?  He has remained positive and we've tried to have fun and make the best of all the things because really, let's hope this is a once in a lifetime thing! 😂

How old are you?

Seven!

What is your favorite color?

Red, Blue and Green.

What is your favorite food?

Cheeseburgers and French fries from Whataburger and McDonald's.

Me: Whataburger and McDonald's?!

WAC: Well, the fries from Whataburger and the burgers from McDonald's!

What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas. Jingle bells, jingles bells, jingle all the way!

What is your favorite thing to do with Mom?

Be crazy with her. Run around the house screaming.

Me: Gives him a look.

WAC: giggles

What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy?

Build Legos with him.

What is your favorite thing to do with Truman?

Play Statues with him.

What was your favorite thing you did this summer?

Go to Watercolor so that we could visit the beach.

What are you most excited about this year in school?  

Seeing my teachers in person!  Dude, in three weeks I'm going to be in school and I'm going to stop by to see Mrs. Gaska, Mrs. Herbein and Ms. Willard!

What do you want to be when you grow up?

An archer. 

{Poses like he's shooting a bow and arrow.}

What is your favorite movie?

Good question. There's so many options! Gimme some options.

Me: You have all minion movies, Sonic, Trolls, 101 Dalmatians, Sword and the Stone....

WAC: I take Sonic!

What is your favorite toy or stuffed animal?

My favorite stuffed animal is Peep!

Here's to a fabulous year of Second Grade sweet Winston.  You are kind, comical and I love how you are confident in your own skin!  We love you to pieces!

Winston's Interviews

First Grade

Kindergarten

How to Draw Rowlet

These days it is rare for Winston to be seen without his Rowlet cuddled up with him. Rowlet is his favorite Pokemon character.  It's not uncommon to hear him say "Don't you think he's just so cute?!" 😂 

Flying into First!

Here we are, the start of another school year!  It means new backpacks, new shoes and a rude awakening to early starts to the day filled with good things such as PE, recess and lunch! 😂 Winston is in first grade this year!  He is at the same school as last year which makes it nice that he is familiar with the layout of where things are.  

We went to meet the teacher and found out that she before coming to teach in our area, she taught in the northeast at a school where for six years she had all boys!  Her classroom is full of flexible seating.  This means there are stand desks with tiny trampolines, regular desks with bouncy ball chairs, and sitting desks where the kids can kneel or sit on a fluffy pillow.  During every subject change there is a mini break time and the kiddos can pick a different seat if they like.  It's been fun to ask Winston where he sits each day  His favorite chairs are the bouncy ball and the wobble chair.  😍

Before school started I took Winston shopping and he picked out a big kid backpack and some new kicks.  I love watching him come into his own.  He knows exactly what he wants and once his mind is set, there's no changing it!

We rode bikes again for the first day and he knew exactly how to go!

After a few first day pictures with Mom and Dad, we gave big hugs and left our little guy to take on his first day of First Grade!

A few hours into the day his sweet teacher sent an email to the parents.  💙

That night Truman curled up in Winston's bed with him and asked him to read him some Piggie & Elephant books.  Truman missed his big buddy.  It's still so sweet to see them share these precious moments together.

In continuing with tradition {that was started last year!} here are Winston's answers to a few questions.  He is just so comical!

How old are you?
Six!

What is your favorite color?

Red, blue, green.

What is your favorite food?

Chicken.  I mean, cheeseburgers.  But only if they're from McDonald's.
😂🍔🍟

What is your favorite holiday?

Haaalloowweeeeen!

What is your favorite thing to do with Mom?

Hug her.
Me:  Not reading books or shopping together or snuggling?
WAC: Ugh, fine.  Snuggle with me.

What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy?

Build Legos.

What is your favorite thing to do with Truman?

Boss him around. {starts giggling}
Me: What?  No!  Pick something different.
WAC: Stare at his beautiful eyes. {more giggling}
Me: Oh my.
WAC: Well, I do like to play with him on the avocado.  {A blow up pool toy}

What was your favorite thing you did this summer?

Visiting Legoland in London!  My favorite ride was the Ninjago ride.

What are you most excited about this year in school?  

Meeting new friends.
Me: And?
 WAC: Having fun!
Me: And?
WAC: Playing soccer!
Me: And?
WAC: Please stop saying and!

What do you want to be when you grow up?

An astronaut who studies space rocks

What is your favorite movie?

Despicable Me 3

What is your favorite toy or stuffed animal?

Fuzzbert my Porg!

Here's to a fabulous year of First Grade my buddy.  You are brave, kind and courageous!  We love you to pieces and look forward to watching you grow this year!

Winston in Kindergarten

Monster Jam 2019

Saturday morning the first thing Truman said when he woke up was, "Is it time to go to Monster Jam?" 😍 He had been counting down the days!

Friday Favorites

Whew!  I am glad that the weekend is here.  This week has been a bit out of sorts with Truman not feeling the best and missing a day of school.  We were pretty much hermits for most of the week, which I really didn't mind one bit.  We had to get him feeling better because this weekend is one of his favorite weekends of the year: Monster Jam!!  He already has his shirt picked out and is ready to go!

100 Days of Kindergarten

Around here schools make a big to-do for the 100th day of Kindergarten.  I think it's because they have a goal to teach each student how to count to 100, but don't quote me on that! 😂  Winston came home with the task of making a shirt that contained one hundred items on it.  It could be anything he wanted just not anything too heavy as he would be wearing the shirt all day at school.  

Winston threw out so many options: dinosaurs, air planes, pom poms, Lego bricks.  We finally landed on monsters with 100 googly eyes!  I went to Hobby Lobby where I bought a shirts in a few different colors {including one for Truman!}, googly eyes in all shapes, sizes and colors, a 20 pack of puff paint and a tube of E6000 glue.  

To set up, I sliced one of our many Amazon boxes in pieces and put a piece in each shirt to prevent the two sides sticking together once we decorating started!

Weekend Recap: One on One Time with The Buddies

This weekend we had nothing on the calendar and it was glorious!

Both Friday and Saturday nights the buddies were in bed so that when the clock turned 8 PM, Benjamin and I were already snuggled down.  I think I was asleep by 9:15 both evenings!  #oldladystatus

Here We Come, Santa Claus!

Every November I get very excited because I know that Christmas is right around the corner.  I start I shopping the holiday sections on H&M, Boden, Hanna Anderson and Tom's for coordinating outfits for the buddies.  I live for all the themed clothing!  I also start planning out some of our favorite Christmas activities.  On the top of that list is visiting Santa Claus!  Each year since Winston's first visit, we always go to Market Street so that we can visit the Man in Red.  

Weekend Top 8

Last week Truman's school hosted Donuts with Dad!  Benjamin spent the morning with Truman in his classroom.  Truman gave Benjamin a gift that he made, they chowed down on donuts and played together for a little while too! 

Winston starts Kindergarten!

This year Winston started Kindergarten at an elementary school about a mile away from us.  He was super excited!  Our school did an excellent job at ensuring the students were ready to find their way to their class on the first day by hosting a Meet the Teacher night as well as a Kindergarten Round-Up the next day.  This extra meeting provided an hour for the students to be in their classes while we were inundated with all sorts of information about the front office, clinic, drop off/pick up and lunches.

A sweet friend made this shirt for WAC and it seemed like the most appropriate thing to wear on Round Up morning!

On the morning of the big day, he we eager to get on the road to his new class!  Benjamin had the day off making the drop off that much more special!  Winston led the way to his classroom without any hesitation.   I am proud to say that I held it together {for the most part!} and all of us, even Truman, counted down to when we would go and pick up him in the afternoon.

When we were on the bike when we saw a rainbow in the sky!  Winston in all of his sweetness said, "That's God saying He'll always be with me.  I am going to be strong and courageous!"  {Cue all the tears but not too many tears because I was driving the bike!}  That moment was exactly what I needed to know that we were sending a pretty cool little human into the next chapter of his life prepared with the knowledge that God was always near him.

When we picked him up that afternoon, he was all smiles and buzzing about his amazing day with two recesses and lots of new friends.  The phrase, "...because I'm in Kindergarten now" comes up a lot reinforcing to me just how grown up he is.  And then there are moments when he still wants to curl up in my lap and suck his thumb and I cherish those times because I know they won't last forever.

In order to revive this space as a way to document life in our family, I asked Winston a series of questions that I hope to continue asking him each year before the beginning of school.  Some of his answers were so comical!  

How old are you?
Five!

What is your favorite color?

Green.  No blue, definitely blue!

What is your favorite food?

My favorite chicken!

Me:  What is your favorite chicken?

WAC: You know, the chicken with the sauce and the brown.  Oh, just say rolls!

Me:  Whaaaat?! 😂

What is your favorite holiday?

My favorite holiday is Halloween!  oooOooOo!!!

What is your favorite thing to do with Mom?

I like it when I snuggle up with her and she reads me books.

WAC: I didn't say read me books!

Me:  I know, I put that in there! 😜

What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy?

Build Legos.

What is your favorite thing to do with Truman?

My favorite thing to do with Truman is building forts together.  Usually, I do all the forts and he helps a little.

What was your favorite thing you did this summer?

Spend time with Dharma on our vacation to the Ford City House!  Love it when we play water balloons!

What are you most excited about this year in school?  

Making new friends and running in fast races.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Hmmmm.  A race car driver!

What is your favorite movie?

My favorite movie is Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer!  

Me: Really?

WAC: Yes, really!

Me: Not any of the other movies we watch all the time?

WAC: Well, I do like Lego Ninjago too.

What is your favorite toy or stuffed animal?

My favorite toy is Legos and my favorite stuffed animal is Leafy.  {Who is the Canadian Beanie Baby}  And we can't forget Lego blankie!  

Here's to a great year full of new firsts, big adventures, lots of learning and growing.  We love you Winston Ace; you are going to rock Kindergarten!

Kids Behind the Blog: January 2017

Another new year and another round of my favorite link up, Kids Behind the Blog!  This was one of my favorite things last year and I think the only thing I consistently blogged!  I was super pumped when the ladies who host this link up announced they were going to continue for 2017.  So without further ado:

1.  What is your favorite thing to do or play when inside?
Play with Play-doh, Monster Trucks and my brother.  I also love to do crafts.  Doing crafts is probably my favorite!

2.  Have you ever seen or played in snow?
No, not yet.  But we are going to visit my friend Jackson in Denver and there will be snow!  I want to make snowballs to throw them at somebody like Buddy the Elf.  

3.  What was your favorite gift you received for Christmas?
The little car thingy.  {The Ultimate Car Garage from Santa!}

4.  What's your favorite winter vacation you have ever been on?
We haven't been on a winter vacation yet, have we Mommy?

5.  Would you rather live where it's warm or have all four seasons?
I like Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.  Four seasons is better than one season.

Since we live in Houston, we don't see a ton of winter weather.  Especially this year.  It was an unusually warm winter... we had two days of what I would consider good, cold, stay inside and snuggle up weather!  I still have my fingers crossed that we'll get another burst of cold to come through.  These 75 degree "winter" days are crazy to me!  But then, I digress.  Winston has experienced snow one time - when we went to visit family in Pennsylvania over Thanksgiving.  He was just over one so he doesn't remember too much of it.  He had been asking quite a bit to see snow this year, thanks to snowball throwing scene in Buddy the Elf!  In a few weeks time, we'll be taking our little family to visit some sweet friends in Denver and fingers crossed, get to build a snowman!  

2016 One Second Everyday

Somewhere around the end of May, I gal I follow on Instagram posted the coolest video of her family.  It was one second of video captured everyday mashed into a thirty second montage.  I found the app, 1 Second Everyday and started June 1st.  This has been one of my most favorite things that I did in the way of memory keeping for 2016!

There were a few days where I forgot to take a video but had taken photos.  The app is smart {and cool} enough to allow the use of daily photos in the montage as well!  Benjamin even joined in on helping remember to capture video on the adventures we took.

The app also allows for the creation of a freestyle video.  I used this feature to create mashups for a trip to the zoo and one of our family vacations.  I am looking forward to challenging myself to create more freestyle videos in 2017!

More than anything I love this video because it captures the growth of our sweet boys.  It's amazing how much they've grown this year.  It is precious to this mama's heart to see their sweet relationship and love for each other.

Cozads 2016 1 Second Everyday from Sara Cozad on Vimeo.

And there it is - from June to December of 2016!  Bring on 2017 and all of the entertainment it will have to offer!

How do you capture and store your family memories?  I would love to know!

Kid Behind the Blog: December Interview

1.  Which Reindeer is your favorite?

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer!

2.  What do you want for Christmas?

Some new cars.... and that's it!

3.  What would you do if you caught Santa in your house?

I would want him to give presents to me and I would give him a hug.

4.  What if Santa got stuck in your chimney?

Well Santa might get a boo boo.  I would get him a bandaid and then try to push him out!

5.  Have you been naughty or nice this year?  Why?

NIIIIICE!  I've played with my Mom.  I'm a great big brother to Truman!

6. What is your favorite Christmas movie?

Frosty!

I just love Christmastime!  Everything about it is magical and special.  And this little human has caught my love for everything to do with it!  I was sorta surprised when he said his favorite movie was Frosty as we have been watching Elf and The Grinch on repeat for a few days now.  However I love that he still adores Frosty and his friend Karen.  :)  We visiting Santa last week and he told him that he wants a house full of people.... If anyone has any idea what that might mean, please let me know!  

I have had such a great time participating in this link up this year.  I have enjoyed hearing Winston's answers and being intentional about capturing them.  The days fly by in the blink of an eye.  I am amazed at how much he has grown and matured this year.  Makes my mama heart burst with all sorts of emotions!

Kid Behind the Blog: November Interview

1.  What are three things you are thankful for?

I am thankful for my Mom, Dad and Truman.  I am thankful for food, for running, for music and race cars!

2.  What is your favorite food served at Thanksgiving dinner?

Stuffing balls are my favorite!

3.  If you could be President for one day, what would you do?

4.  How many feathers does a turkey have?

WAC: Six. Wait, Mommy... do they have five feathers?

Me: Their entire bodies are covered in feathers!

WAC: Well that would be one hundred feeeaaaathers! 

5.  Who is your favorite person to spend time with during the holidays?

My family!

Kids Behind the Blog: October Interview

1.  What do you want to be for Halloween?

A glow in the dark skeleton!!

2.  Do you like handing out candy or collecting it?

I like going up to the neighbors houses and taking my bag and saying, "Trick or Treat! Yay! Thank you!" 

3.  What should Mommy & Daddy be for Halloween?

Halloween skeletons!

4.  Do you like to make a scary or happy faced Jack-o-latern?

Scary faces!!  Aaararrrg!

5.  What is the best part of Halloween?

Eating all the candy!!

From the first time I asked Winston what he wanted to be for Halloween, he was set on a skeleton!  We ordered glow in the dark skeleton jammies for everyone in the family and he was in heaven!  On Halloween, he wasn't really keen on going trick or treating - he was much more interested in handing out the candy and seeing all of the costumes that came to the front door.  He would say, "Oh, I love your costume!" or "I see you Batman!"  He is such a sweet soul to engage in conversation and make people feel special.  Truman was content to sit in a lap and coo at people as they walked by.  These are the days, these are the days!

Kids Behind the Blog: September Interview

1.  What is your favorite sport?  Why?

Swimming!  Because I can dive to find the squid and swim and swim.

2.  If someone gave you a million dollars, what would you buy?
I would buy a lot of toys!  A race car that I could drive all by myself!

3.  Tell me 3 things that kids do better than mommies and daddies?
Play with Truman, sleep in my bed and give Winston hugs and hugs!

4.  What is your favorite thing to do in the fall?
Dressing up for Halloween and going to the pumpkin patch at my school.

5.  Share with me three things you like about yourself.
Jesus is in my heart, my silly and my laugh.  That's it Mommy, that's it!

I wasn't sure how Winston would do answering this series of questions - but he aced it!  I am so thankful that I have done this series.  It's so fun to be able to hear what he thinks is important, fun and memorable to him!  

One of my favorite things that Winston has been aware of for a while now is that Jesus lives in his heart.  He says it out of the blue, when we are singing Bible songs, when we are driving around town.  My heart just melted when that was the first thing he responded to what does he like about himself.  I am just in awe of how aware he is of that.  My prayer is that he would continue to be sensitive to the calling of the Lord on His life.  

Next month's questions are all about Halloween and the link up is on October 12th!  Click here for the list!

Kids Behind the Blog: August Interview

1.  What was your favorite thing that you did over the summer?

I loved going swimming!  And going to San Antonio and Dallas.  And flying on Chewy.  {note: All planes are named Chewy... why?  I do not know!}

2.  What's your favorite thing to learn at school?

New songs!!

3.  Who is your best friend from school?

Devin and Taylor and Hudson and Reagan and everyone from my class.

4.  What do you want to be when you grow up?

A big brother and an Olympian.  I will swim super fast with my long arms!

5.  What is your least favorite thing about school?

I don't not like anything, Mommy.  I just love all of school!

We start school in September, but I just love his little answers to these questions.  My favorite answer is the one to what he wants to be when he grows up!  He is a little swim machine and can tread water like a frog!  Plus, it is true that watching the swimming events in the Olympics helped Winston to decide that he wanted to learn how to swim on his back.  {Thanks Michael Phelps!}