Speech

Last December Logan was evaluated for speech.  He was only talking in vowel sounds, with mom and dad being the only true words he was saying.  When he was evaluated they said his speech is at an 18 month level.  He is 2 1/2.  Thats a whole year that he is behind.

Fortunately we have a good program through the state and we've been having a speech therapist coming to our home once a week since January to work with Logan.  Logan is loving having Ms. Amanda come play with him for an hour.  He loves working on puzzles with her, although sometimes he gets frustrated when she withholds a toy to try to get him to speak, I have noticed that he is trying a lot harder to talk.  Don't get me wrong, he talks a lot, it's just a lot of babble or only words I understand.  Now he is trying harder to make consonants sounds and attach those to his vowels.

This program goes until he turns 3.  Then they will test him again to see if he qualifies for preschool through the school district.  Tanner did this program as well and graduated when he turned 3.  I have a feeling though that Logan will most likely continue on to preschool.

I have to admit that by not really talking, it makes Logan seem like he is still my baby.  Which since he is most likely my last child I secretly love, because talking makes them seem that much older. But I'm proud of how hard he is trying and I know it won't be long till he's talking like the rest of them!

Mardi Gras IV

Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez! 

Let the Good Times Roll! It's Mardi Gras!

It's our annual neighborhood Mardi Gras party complete with a parade, beads, gumbo, crawfish etouffe,   red beans & rice, and of course king cake. 

 Getting lined up!

 Mmm that red beans and rice, my fav!  Its fun trying a bit of everything.

Oh Canada

Brad went to Alberta, Calgary for a business trip and decided to spend an extra day to go skiing in Banff National Park.

Brad arrived at Banff on Friday and was able to tour around the national park before his ski day on Saturday.  Lake Louise:

Ice Skating Rink on Lake Louise behind the iconic Fairmont Chateau hotel

So beautiful!

Fairmont Chateau (picture taken from hotel.com)

Inside Fairmont Chateau

Ice sculptures 

Banff celebrated 150 years this year and so the Nationalpark let everyone in free.

Horse carriage sleigh ride

It's not as fun skiing by yourself, but at least Brad got in a ski trip this season!

With 5 degree weather, it was extremely cold for this Texan.  So he bought a balaclava (face shield) which helped, but still left his nose cold! 

 On the flight home.  An empty airport in Calgary in the middle of the day.  

Brad flew into Houston on the day that Houston hosted the 2017 Superbowl.  Luckily the game was about to start when Brad landed so the airport was also quiet, and no traffic on the roads!

My Valentine

Us.  Without us, there would be no them.  I wouldn't want anyone else by my side.  He is there through it all, my rock.  He lifts me when I'm down and is my greatest supporter.  Thanks for being mine Brad.  I sure hope you know how loved you are!

Logan

My baby.  He's full of energy and can be hard to keep up with.  He tries to be one of the big boys and everyone comments as such, that and his super blonde hair.

Logan is very particular when it comes to certain things.  He has to have a blanket on when he watches tv.  Not only that, but the blanket has to be straightened, not wrinkled, and has to cover his feet.  He likes to get dirty, but not be dirty.

Logan only talks in vowel sounds.  He started speech therapy in January and I can already tell he is trying harder to talk correctly.  Even though he doesn't say words others can understand, he loves to sing along with me, only when I put him to bed.  If I try to sing to him during the day he gets mad.  Probably because he thinks I'm going to put him to sleep.

He loves to get kisses and give them.  Recently he started kissing my nose, and every time I get frustrated with him he will come over and give me a kiss on the nose as a way to apologize.  He loves to run and give Tanner and Carson hugs when they come home from school.  Loves going to the bus stop and playing tag with the kids.  He likes doing puzzles and having me read him books.

Love my baby and wouldn't trade him for the world.

Tanner

My middle.  We are definitely the cliche family in terms of birth order.  You've got Carson the oldest who aims to please, Tanner the middle who is our goofball and likes to be silly, and then Logan the baby, who well is the baby.

Tanner is always wanting to be doing something fun.  He doesn't like sitting at home, he wants to be out and doing something.  He loves playing with friends and is always asking to go to someone's house.  

Although Tanner can be a goof he is the sweetest thing to younger kids, he is always making sure they are included and is very patient with them.  He also likes to do whatever his big brother is doing.  So just like Carson, he is very into Pokemon.  He's my little buddy and is very helpful around the house (most of the time).  Sure love this funny boy

Carson

My oldest. This soon to be 8 year old is smart, inquisitive, and a social butterfly.  He's a good mix of Brad and I. He's also a giggle monster who loves to have a good time.

He loves riding his new bike, especially riding around the lake by himself (3.5 miles) or riding alongside his dad while he runs (7 miles).  He's into all things Pokemon and Harry Potter.  He could eat popcorn and ice cream every day.  He likes reading and is currently reading 5 books at once.

Carson is so helpful when it comes to his brothers.  He loves his brothers and is a good friend to everyone.  I'm so proud of this boy and the man he is becoming.

The Clarks

"Family isn't an important thing, it's Everything" -Micheal J. Fox

Sometimes I feel overwhelmed, like all moms do. I get discouraged and tired when I think of all the things that I need to do, how I can be better.  But when I stop and look around, my life is pretty darn amazing. My family is pretty darn amazing!  Life can be a bit crazy with three boys, but boy do I sure love each of them to pieces.  My family is and always will be my greatest blessing.