It's the last day of 2107.  I've had a good year.  I've made good grades.  My reading has really gotten better and so have my baseball skills.

For the new year I resolved to be more helpful.  I pray for peace on Earth.

I spent the first part of the day with my dad.  He brought me home around 2:30pm.  Mommy came outside and played baseball with me until I found friends to play with. 

Mostly Alyssa, Julian, Xavier and I played flag football and or baseball.

Before 5pm we were on the road headed to Andy's to watch football and ring in the New Year.  

At 10pm Anna Kate and I were laying on the sofa watching our iPhones...

 ...

...at 10:40pm I was asleep.  AK was trying to make it to midnight.
Andy helped me shoot off fireworks.

I spend the day with Daddy.

I read some of a Henry and Mudge book to Mimz.  She and I talked about my not being a willing helper sometimes.  I promised next time Barbara asks me to help her with anything, I will gladly do it.  I did help my dad in the garage some today.

Mommy got up at 7:30am and so did Alyssa and I .  Why are we up so early?  Habit for me, I guess.
Barbara fixed us chocolate chip oatmeal and apple-cinnamon oatmeal which we ate while watching some more of the U of T football game.

Alyssa and I decided to play the same fun game we played last night:  We checked to make sure GGM was awake... if she were sleeping we would have to wait to play this game.  We closed all the doors around the kitchen, put the trash can in the pantry, covered the garbage disposal.  then we threw small hard rubber balls at a door and tried our best to catch them.  They would bounce wildly everywhere and we laughed a bunch and we made a bunch of noise.  We must have played this for 15 minutes until we lost one of the balls.  It will show up.

I taught Alyssa how to play the card game Trash.  I won the practice game.  The second game I won the gold medal, Barbara earned the silver medal, and Alyssa took Bronze.

Alyssa and I rode her hoverboard all over my upstairs.  Alyssa can work it thru the small bathroom door.  I can't.  I'll need to practice that.

We were going to do Chapter 2 of my church workbook with Alyssa's help.  I read the prayer.  Then we looked at the worksheet.  Uh... it was different.  All we had to do was match four pictures to four titles.  None of us knew the answers.  We will have to ask Mommy or Mimz to help us with that chapter.

We answers a bunch of Brain Quest questions.  We are pretty good... we miss some that we should know, but we get in a hurry and don't always think it out.

At 10am we were going to see if Julian and Xavier could play.  Instead we found Cain and Henry on their bikes.  We all rode our bikes to the pond.  After an hour I came inside and announced I was home.  I went back out to play football with three boys in my front yard.  We played until 6pm when Daddy picked me up.

I was surprised when Barbara woke me up at 6:30am saying I had to get dressed and go with her to take GGM to a 7:15am doctor's appointment.   After I was dressed and had on my shoes, I laid back down for ten minutes.

The appointment was in Tomball and I recognized every place we drove.  Then I remembered I had been to that doctor's office before.  Barbara and I waited in the waiting room while GGM got her blood pressure taken and got a new prescription for her high blood presure medicine.  That is the only medicine she takes...pretty good for an 88-year-old.  She will be 89 in May.  It was a very short appointment, the kind we like.

As a treat we had decided to eat breakfast at the Nook.  Well, the Nook was closed, so we decided to get a big breakfast with pancakes at McDonalds.  GGM had already eaten at home, so we went thru the drive-thru and took our breakfast home.

We arrived home at 8am, just as Mommy was leaving for work.  We had to wait for her car to get off the driveway so we could pull into the garage.  She rolled down her window and told us all to have a good day.   I wanted hot sauce on my eggs and syrup on my pancakes.  Barbara ate the biscuit and most of the sausage.  It was good we shared one breakfast since it filled us both up.

Because I didn't work a Eucharist chapter last night, I had to work Chapter One before I could play. Barbara had never helped me with a chapter, so I showed her how it is done.  We read the prayer first, then found the Bible Chapters we were to read. I put an I Found It sticker on that page.  I read the four verses, then I answered the questions on my worksheet.  And the last thing was to put a sticker on my Treasure Map.  The point of the reading was: Our body is not just one part, like an eye or a hand.  Our body is all the parts put together.  Just as Christ is not just me or another person.  Christ (or the church) is all people put together.

Barbara then told me Mommy recorded the Texas football game that was on TV last night.  So I watched some of it before going to see if any kid could come out and play.  They didn't answer their door or there were no lights on so I didn't knock.

Barbara came outside (40 degrees) and threw whiffle balls to me. We threw three buckets of balls and I hit lots of home runs and very few foul balls.  We don't know why I had so few foul balls.

Barbara and GGM wanted to start taking down our outside Christmas lights but I wouldn't help, so they decided to wait to get my mom to help them.

We started making a list of my Christmas gifts and who gave them to me.  I hope to get thank you notes written before I go back to school.

We played three games of Shoots and Ladders.  I won the first two games.  I lost the third game and I got mad.  Boy what is my problem?  Hopefully I will learn that that is not being a good sport.

 Barbara and GGM ate the last of their Christmas dinner leftovers.  Actually while I waited for my soup to cool down I ate at least 6 or 7 bites off Barbara's plate.  It was all very good.  (pork chops, mashed potatoes, gravy, and dressing.)  I fixed my lunch all by myself.  I fixed a package of Top Ramen noodles.  I did it all.   I now know why Barbara puts my soup in a small bowl and refills it several times.  I used one large bowl and it took a long time for it to get cool enough for me to eat.  I ended up putting several ice cubes in the bowl to cool if off.  I ate the entire bowlful.

We threw three more buckets of balls.  I am doing really well today at not hitting foul balls.  Barbara raked up the pine needles in the street.  I would not help.

Finally at 1:30 Alyssa got home and I went over there to play.  GGM and Barbara took a nap.  They both love their afternoon naps. 

I am enjoying riding Alyssa's hoverboard.  I am really good at it  When Mommy got home she took Alyssa and me to Target and one other store to look for hoverboards.   They are sold out.  If I do get one, we will have to order it on-line.  Barbara thinks we need to read about the fire hazard that they are before we make a decision.

Alyssa stayed over here all evening and she ended up spending the night.  We played with my Christmas gifts.  We started working a Lego City kit I got.  We played Brain Quest with Barbara.  We talked a lot about the Titanic and cruise ships with Mommy.

At 9:15pm Barbara said good night.  We are going to sleep in Mommy's room.  Alyssa slept on the love seat, I got the big sofa, and Mommy got her bed.  The plan was for lights out at 10pm.

I woke up at 7:45am and asked Barbara if she would fix my oatmeal.  She said she would, but I didn't have to go to school so I could sleep longer if I wanted to.  I said I was hungry and ready to get up.

While I ate breakfast I told Barbara a little bit about my holiday in San Antonio.  Sometimes I eagerly tell what I've done, some times you have to pull my teeth to get me to share my life.  This morning I was half and half.

I wanted my Christmas gifts but they are all still in Mommy's car and she was already at work.

Barbara told me I must read 20 minutes every day for the rest of my holiday.  She also said I must work four chapters in my Eucharist folder by January 7th so I will be on schedule.  I didn't want her to help me.  I want Mommy or Mimz to help me with them.

After breakfast I played a little Texas Stride.  I'm still in tenth place for the second grade.  I didn't play long before I decided I wanted to see if my friends could play.  First stop Xavier and Julian's.  They have family over so they can't play today.  Second stop Austin's.  He is going to Austin, Texas. Back home and then over to Alyssa's.  She was still sleeping.

Back home I read I Survived the Chicago Fire for ten minutes, then Barbara and I read the instructions for the game Battleship.  We played and it was a hard fought battle, but in the end, I won by one ship.

At 11am, I went back over to Alyssa's home.  She was ready to play.  She got a hoverboard from Santa.  With just two days to practice, Alyssa has gotten better each day.  I tried to ride it and it was hard.   Alyssa gave me some pointers and I improved with each tip.  I bet I will be asking for one of these.   We've heard that they can be a fire hazard, so we will have to do some research before we consider getting me one.  I can just practice with Alyssa's.

At 1pm Barbara came over to Alyssa's to check on me.  She told me my dad was ready to come get me whenever I was ready.  I wanted to play longer so I called my dad and we agreed that he would pick me up around 3:30pm.  I showed Barbara I had improved on the hovercraft.  She was really impressed with how quickly I had made a great improvement.  I can turn any which way and go backwards.  I'm good.

Barbara wanted me to put on long pants and wear a sweatshirt to the movie but I would not do it.  Barbara had offered me leftover Christmas dinner and other things, but I didn't want to eat.  Daddy picked me up at 3:30pm as we agreed.  We went over to Mimz home, and between Mimz and Daddy they told me I was going to wear long pants.  They did not want me to get sick.

Daddy and I went to the new movie Star Wars: Return of the Last Jedi.  I think I have seen all of the Star Wars movies.  We both enjoyed it.

Daddy brought me home around 8pm.  I got my new Pokemon cards and my binder and took them over to Alyssa's so we could put them in my binder.  I was back home by 8:30pm but was not ready for bed.  I started watching the Longhorns play Missouri.

Mommy said she looked over at me and I was asleep just a few minutes after I wrapped up in a blanket on her sofa to watch the football game.  So I was asleep by 9pm.

I was supposed to work a chapter in my church book but it didn't happen.

December 26, 2017

Mommy and I drove back from San Antonio and we dropped me off at Mimz' home.

Daddy brought me home late at night. 

Merry Christmas to all my family and to everyone everywhere!

Christmas card from Lisa's family.

 Christmas card from cousin Julie's family...

and page 2.

Christmas card from Julian and Xavier's family.


Mommy woke up first, but she just laid there waiting for me to wake up.  When I did wake up, I said, "Get up, it's Christmas!"  I wouldn't wait for Mommy to get dressed before I went downstairs to see what Santa brought me.  I just sat looking and waited for Mommy to get downstairs before I touched my Santa gifts. 

I got a small football, a Madden football game, some candy, and a book with 20 one dollar bills in it.  It was fun finding all the money in the books pages.  I was very pleased with all of my Santa gifts.

Bridget fixed our traditional Monkey Bread.  Grandma has made it every Christmas and Thanksgiving for all of her married life.  I wish she and all of my Laplante family could be here.  Maybe we will all be together next year for Christmas.

The people at Bridget and Chris' home were:  Chris' mom and dad (Carol and Fred) and Chris' sister Alyssa.... and Mommy and me.

Bridget and Chris gave me a U of T basketball, a NFL camo hoodie that they wear to represent breast cancer, our military, and something else.  I told Bridget and Chris twice that I really really like it.

Chris, Fred, and I played baseball all day.  I got a gift that had small baseball bases in it and we used those.

We had Italian Christmas dinner around 3:30pm.  Chris's family is Italian.  I liked it and so did Mommy.

We watched Houston Texas' lose and we also watched the Eagles.  Chris' family are big Eagles fans.

 Bradley and Anna Kate Christmas morning at Kristan's parents home.

Santa brought Bradley a John Deere tractor.

Santa Claus brought Anna Kate a pink kitchen.

Andy and Kristan came to Bridget's home for a couple of hours without their babies.
We played catch with the football.

When I was getting ready for church, we couldn't find my good shirt.  It was not anyplace in my bag or Mommy's bag.  We called Barbara and she checked the love seat that all of my clothes were laid out on.  There was nothing on the love seat.  Barbara couldn't find it any place in Mommy's room, or my room, or my closet.  Now that is strange!  They think it will show up but of course it didn't show up in time for church.  I had a nice red shirt that I could wear with my coat, so I was just fine.

We went to the 4pm Children's Christmas mass.  I went up to the front for about five minutes with the other children.  They had given us a Christmas word search puzzle, so I had something to do during the service.

We went to the Melting Pot for dinner.  It is a fondue place.  I cooked chicken and steak, then dipped them in different sauces.  Mommy had the same plus shrimp.  Then we had chocolate fondue and I used all the different things they had like marshmallow, pineapple, and all kinds of fruit.  That was really good.

Then we went home and waited for bedtime and Santa's arrival.

Mommy and I slept on a air mattress in the room that will be the nursery.  Bridget wanted us to go to Tacos and Salsa for breakfast, but I wanted McDonald's.  They stopped to get me a McDonald's breakfast with pancakes, then we went to Tacos and Salsa.  Mommy got two egg, cheese, and bean tacos.  I ate a bite and really liked it, so I ate both of her tacos.  She loves me.

Bridget, Mommy, and I ran some errands and returned some items to Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

Around 3pm Chris' parents arrived.  I showed them how I can do one side of the Rubic's Cube and how I can even look away for the last few turns before I get a side finished.

For dinner we ordered fahetas.  Bridget fixed Texas Cavier,  and a peanut, chocolate dessert.

Mommy and Chris' mom were tired so they went to bed, but Bridget, Chris, Chris' dad, and I played Left, Right, Center.  I won one game. 

It was "Christmas morning" at Mimz' home today.

Mimz gave me an Astro's baseball jacket and other things.  Daddy gave me a real bow and arrow.  I can't wait to wear my jacket and learn to use my bow and arrow.

I gave my dad a Dallas Cowboy logo sign.  It was wrapped before we realized we had not taken a picture of it.

Daddy brought me home around 12:30pm so I would be home when Mommy arrived home from work so we could head to Bridget and Chris' home in San Antonio.

Barbara showed me a little article in the newspaper about the great Chicago Fire.  I have a book named I Survived the Chicago Fire.   This article said 21 fireman died in the barn where the fire started and that the fire lasted 26 hours.  On Dec 7th, there was an article in the newspaper about the attack on Pearl Harbor and we had read and discussed that article.  I have a book named I Survived the Attack on Pearl Harbor.   We talked about how the more I read the more subjects I will know something about.  Then I will understand when I read other things about that subject and I will enjoy reading more and more.

Barbara threw 3 buckets of whiffle balls to me.  Mommy got off work at noon.  When she got home we packed the car and hit the road by 1:15pm.

I had my Charlotte's Web book with me in case I needed something to do but I actually slept almost the entire trip.

Bridget was already home when we arrived at her new home.  We went to Hooter's for dinner.  I had chicken wings and other things off other people's plates.   We, meaning Mommy, Bridget, Chris, and me, went bowling.  I scored over 50 each of the two games we played.  I had bumpers in the gutters to help my balls stay on the lane.   It was fun.

 We received this two sided Christmas card from Andy and Kristan. 

The pictures were taken at The Pond.  They had arranged for a photographer to come take their pictures and it turned cold.  Everyone was cold and they rushed through the pictures.  The pictures turned out great.

Today was a really fun day.  Everyone wore pajamas!  I wore my reindeer pjs.  Only Julian and I were at the bus stop to get our picture taken.

We got to play outside on the track.  I always like that because I am getting to be a good runner.

School dismissal was at 12:35pm today and the gang of five were all on the bus coming home, so Barbara snapped a picture of all of us.

I called my dad to see if I could play with my friends and he could pick my up later.  He said for me to call him, when I was ready for him to come. 

Julian and Xavier couldn't play, so I ran down to Austin's to play.  I did stop at home, to tell Barbara where I was going.  I am very good about letting my adults know where I am going to be.

I got home around 4:15 from playing and my reindeer pajamas were really dirty especially at the knees.  I sure hope Mimz can get them clean.  I changed into clean clothes before my dad picked me up around 5pm.

Daddy grilled steak and Mimz prepared mashed potatoes and green beans.  I ate big boy portions.  I examined every gift under the tree.  I was so excited for tomorrow morning when we will open presents.

Wednesday December 20, 2017

I carried my yearbook downstairs to look at while I waited for time to go outside for the bus.  I didn't even ask for an iPhone or iPad.  I remembered so I knew not to ask.

I wore my Santa Claus hat most of the day at school.  I would say less than half the kids wore hats.

Today was my school's Christmas party.  Mommy came to it from 1:15pm to 2pm.  I got early dismissal so Mommy dropped me off at home, then she returned to work.
The party was held in the cafeteria and we moved from station to station playing different games.

 There was a lot of noise and laughter.

 All of the games were fun...

...I especially liked the ones that let us be up and moving around.  Moving is my thing!

A thank you note from Mrs. Havemann.

A thank you note from Mrs. Moody.

My two teachers gave me Charlotte's Web and some Christmas trinkets.  (I now have three copies of Charlotte's Web and I have read it.  This is why Barbara doesn't like gifts like this.)

I played at Austin's until 5:30pm.  When Mommy got home and we loaded up the car with presents, GGM, and Barbara and headed to Andy's.   At Andy's we ate Popeye's fried chicken and the fix'un.  It was quick and easy with almost no leftovers and easy cleanup.

We then opened up Christmas presents.  Anna Kate was the happiest little girl. Mommy and I gave her four pair of princess dress-up shoes and four princes dresses.   Anna Kate put on a pair of the shoes and would not take them off until she got into bed.

She also got princess plates, glasses, and bowls.  She carried those around everywhere she went.

Bradley mostly got cars, planes, boats, and trains stuff.   Bridget and Chris gave him a set of three riding toys for boys his age.  I had a small green motorcycle like these toys when I was little.

 Andy and Kristan gave me this bow and arrow.  I couldn't play with it in the house.  I'll give it a try tomorrow.

Bradley didn't know what was going on, but he was having fun getting into the big middle of it all.

Grammie and Bubba gave me a Texans water bottle and a Lego City to build.

I'm excited to learn how to use a virtual reality motocross thing I got.  Andy and I started to figure it out, but we really didn't have much time.  We left his house soon after 8pm.  I helped empty the car, then I headed upstairs and I was asleep before 9pm. 

I'm counting the days:  Only 2 /2 days of school left before Christmas break, including today.  We were not supposed to wear anything special to school today.

 I was the first child at the bus stop...

 ...then Julian arrived....

...and Cold and Alyssa both arrived before the bus was there.  Barbara shares these pictures with the parents. 

I gave my two teachers their Christmas gifts: a large Hersey's chocolate bar and a $25 gift card to Walmart.  They both opened them and they both were very pleased.  I think they like the little cute gifts but I think they really can use the gift cards.

I jumped off the bus with my four friends.  We generally huddle up for a minute or two to discuss who can play and where we will play.  Generally Xavier, Julian, and I go to Austin's or my house to play football or baseball.  And Generally Cole and Alyssa play together.

Barbara had me sit on GGM's bed while she told GGM and me the plan for the next few days.  I thought it was a good plan.  I was surprised that I will get to open gifts before Christmas day but that is okay with me.   Mommy's family will have dinner and open presents at Andy's house on Wednesday evening.  We will open gifts at Mimz' home on Friday morning.  And then on Christmas morning we will open gifts at Bridget's home.  And I hope Santa comes to see me at Mimz and at my home and those gifts will be there for me when Mommy and I come home from San Antonio.  Or I wonder if he will know I am at Bridget's and leave my present there.  I'll be surprised whatever happens.

Well, I got into big trouble at 7:30pm.... with a BIG consequence:  no iPad or iPad use in my home until February 1st!  Originally the date was Jan 1st, but I decided I would back talk and say I wanted it to be longer.. .   Last night I didn't take a shower but I agreed to happily take one tonight.... well, at 7:30pm (shower time) I decided I was not going to keep my bargain.  I ran outside and said I was not going to come inside and take a shower.  I threw a hard baseball that hit the concrete before it hit Mommy's car.  Barbara told me "oh yes I was going to take a shower but I had also earned a consequence ...no iPad or iPhone at home until Jan 1st."  That is when I talked back....  Mommy convinced me to take a shower.  If I hadn't I would stay home tomorrow with Barbara while Mommy went to Andy's for the Laplante family Christmas.  I sure didn't want to stay home with Barbara!  She is mean.

Mommy helped me with my shower and bed time routine.  I was in bed by 8:30 and asleep pretty quickly.  I want to tell Barbara I'm sorry,  and I may do that, but I know that will not get my sentence (I mean my consequence) shortened.  Barbara has posted a large sign in her room to make sure she doesn't forget.

The first thing I asked for this morning was an iPhone so I could check the score of the Cowboy's football game.  We won 20 to 17!

Mommy had my clothes laid out.  I got dressed while Barbara made my oatmeal.

I went off to school happily knowing that I have just 3 1/2 days of school before Christmas break.  My school break lasts for 17 days!  I've been told I need to read every day and also work on my chapters for to get ready for my first communion.  That will still leave me lots of time to play.

I don't have any more baseball or church school or activities until after Christmas break.

I played football with friends and then baseball at my house with Julian and Xavier.  I played Texas Stride.

Mommy wrapped my gifts for me teachers.  (Hersey's chocolate bar and $25 gift certificate from Walmart for each teacher.)  I wouldn't let Barbara take my picture with my gifts so she took a picture of my back!

 Pictures of me in my new pajamas that I will wear on Christmas Eve...

...and that I will wear to open presents.

I ate Pringles while we watched Monday night football.  That is a tradition Barbara and I started a few years ago.  I was asleep before 9pm. 

At 8am I told Mommy I was going to sleep in this morning, but I was up and out of bed by 8:15am.  I asked Barbara to text Maribel to see if Xavier and Julian could play but she said we had to wait until at least 9am.  When we did text the answer back was that they were going to church then Christmas shopping but after that they could play.

I went to see if Alyssa or Anthony could play.  Alyssa wanted to play so I was happy.  I played outside with different friends all day.  I was pretty dirty when I came in at the end of the day.  There was no way I was going to talk my way into taking a shower before school instead of this evening.

 Barbara drove me to Faith Formation.   This is what my classroom looks like.

We were early.  Barbara always likes to be early.  Mommy came to pick me up.

At home I played Texas Stride while I waited for the Cowboys to play football.  I was asleep long before the game was over.

I spent the day with my dad until he brought me home around 6pm.  Barbara, Mommy, and I went to Walmart to get me some socks ( I have no idea what happens to my socks???)

I always quickly spot my Elf, no matter where he lands. 

I've been told I must wear long pants to church on Christmas Eve and I'm not happy about that.  I guess I don't have any choice.

Mommy and I drove up to Andy's to visit for a couple of hours.  I played nicely with Anna Kate.  No one thought to take our picture...of course Barbara asked if we had when we got home.  And she said her usual thing:  The only thing I ask of you all is to take pictures especially of the children.

I fell asleep at Andy's and slept in the car on the way home also.

My spelling words need to be harder.  I can spell them on Monday when I bring them home from school.  I practice spelling them every day and so, of course, I can still spell them for the test on Friday.

I ate breakfast at home and then I realized this was Friday and I always eat a cinnamon roll at school on Friday.  Well, guess what.... I still ate a cinnamon roll at school this morning.

I wore Santa Claus antlers today.  Well, I started out wearing them but they were bothersome, so I put them in my backpack to take to school.  I put them on for a short time when school started but not for long.  Really none of the kids wore antlers like they were supposed to.

Today was our Reindeer Run.  I ran 17 laps which was the most of any child in my class.  Being in the running club has really helped my running ability.

Anthony goes to the intermediate school so we don't get to see him before school.  Barbara saw him waiting for his bus.  She went outside to talk to him and snapped this picture of him to share with his parents.  They get pictures of Alyssa every time she is in a picture Barbara takes.


At home I played with Alyssa and Cole... the other boys couldn't play.  Daddy came to pick me up around 5pm.  We used my air pump to air up my football that I play with at Daddy's home.