The Holiday Season

Getting into the spirit of opening presents

Meaggy, Uncle Tom, and Tia Baba

Sisters!

Jason showing off his gift.

Jude is ready to find out what he got.

Merry Christmas, Jude!

My niece showing off her “mustache”

My sister, my brother, and me

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

‘Twas the night before Christmas, as quiet as can be

And Mama made me pose in front of the tree

“Hurry up, Mama! I’ve been here a while.

I’ll take your picture, but you can’t make me smile.”

The cookies were baked and the milk’s in the glass

I sure hope Santa gets here real fast.

Setting out treats for the big man in red

Who will leave me some goodies while I rest my head.

Get ready for bed? I know that I should.

But just let me make sure these cookies are good.

Cousins

This Thanksgiving was the first time Jude and his two cousins on my side were all together for Thanksgiving. The girls were instant best friends and Jude wanted to do whatever they were doing. Of course, when it came to picture time, the girls loved having their picture taken, while Jude pouted.

Bowling

Jude loves bowling. He’s only been to the bowling alley twice, but he talks about it and asks to go all the time. We play bowling every night at home with the set he got for Christmas. This year we went on Christmas Eve. It so sweet to see Jude and his cousins, who helped him roll the ball. Watch the video to see how excited my boy gets. “Fist bump!”

Nightmare After Christmas

The day after Christmas, we ended up in the emergency room in Waco. Jude got into my mom’s medication in her room while my mom was at church. We didn’t know what the drugs were or how many he took so poison control advised us to go the emergency room. When I found Jude, I tried to fish-hook one out of his mouth, but I may have pushed it back further. So, I knew he had at least one in his system.

We were finally able to figure out what type of drug he took (a muscle relaxer) but there was concern about the side effects. So, poor baby got charcoal. That was the worst part of the whole experience. Having to hold down my own child and while they forced him to drink it. The crying and the thrashing was enough to bring the tears. Once we successfully finished a whole syringe, Jude, of course vomited. Then the nurse informed us he had to take a whole half a cup, not just one syringe. After some crazy theories (putting it in milk or pudding) the doctor told us we didn’t have to force anymore because of the possibility of him aspirating the charcoal.

So, the compromise was that they needed to monitor him for the next three hours, in which the symptoms/side effects would peak. My child was in surprisingly good spirits. He watched Spongebob and we all entertained him with latex glove balloon animals. He finally crashed at the very end when it was time to go home. We were lucky…another child came in after consuming rat poison! We went back to mom’s to crash after the whole ordeal. Jude is fine and we are fine, but my dad said it wouldn’t be a Schier Christmas without some sort of disaster. About 6 years ago, I was in the same emergency room the day after Christmas to check on my brother who had a kidney stone.

Thank you to the friends and family that checked on us and prayed for Jude. It all worked out in the end.

Christmas Eve Bowling

We started a new tradition this year, Christmas Eve bowling. Joe’s aunts and cousins met us at the bowling alley for some 10-pin fun. You wouldn’t believe how much Jude loved it. He is still talking about going bowling. I hope we go again next year.

Pumpkin Patch

We were all set to go to Sweetberry Farms for our annual pumpkin patch trip. However, the forecast predicted rain most of the morning in Marble Falls.  So, we headed in the opposite direction to Evergreen Farm in Elgin. There weren’t as many cute pumpkin picture opportunities, but it was less crowded and there were more free/cheap activities for the kids, so it was a win in my book.

Riding the wagon to the “Pumpkin Hunt,” which is basically small pumpkins hidden among the growing Christmas trees. Each kid get to take two home.

The thrill of the hunt.

Riding the train.

Jason and Joshua got to actually pick their own pumpkin. They found the best looking one in the bunch.

Joe helped Jude shoot a pumpkin slingshot. He was totally tickled.

Daddy’s boy.

The Roaming Gnome

Fueled by lollipops in order to make his journey across the lawns.

     

    

How embarrassing! Someone else has on the same costume.

    

Posing with Joshua and Jason.

Mayborn Museum

I like to say the Mayborn Museum is the only good thing about Waco. (Sorry, Dr. Pepper Museum doesn’t make my list). The first Sunday of the month is Community Day at the Mayborn Museum, which means admission is free. So, we planned a trip to Waco in order to take advantage of this cool opportunity.

My mom came along with us that afternoon to let Jude explore the museum. He loved it. I wish I had taken some cool pictures of the Lego Castle Exhibit, but we were so busy playing with everything and chasing after Jude that I hardly got to take any pictures. Here are a few pictures that I did take.

Daddy & Jude in the fire truck.

Playing blocks with Mimi.

Mimi & Jude tap into the Native American spirit.

San Anonio Zoo

Since we aren’t taking an extended vacation this summer to any destination, we took a day-cation with Joe’s aunt and her two boys to the San Antonio Zoo. It was pretty warm, but there was plenty of shade and a breeze so it wasn’t too bad. I really thought I took more pictures, but I must have been busy experiencing the zoo.

Jude, Jason, Joshua, and Joe. We get tongue-tied sometimes when these cousins are together.

Jude wanted to spend time with his cousins instead of his parents. He’s only two and we are already not cool.

Feeding popcorn to the birds outside the reptile house.

We got to watch the elephants do some “tricks.” But, it was incredibly hot because the exhibit it newer with little shade. We felt like we were in Africa!

The rhino. I thought I was closer. Oh, well.

Joe and Jude feed a lory.

Jude finally crashed towards the end of the day, so we skipped the train ride through Brackenridge Park. We went to have lunch at Mexican Manhattan, which is an old family tradition. Then we drove around San Antonio and visited Joe & Margarita’s elementary school in downtown San Antonio. We even happened to drive by the Dallas Cowboys’ hotel, and their bus…but we didn’t see any cowboys. It was a perfect day!