Homework

After a nice long break (9 days off) it was back to school and homework today. I just had to take a picture of the boys BOTH doing homework together. They usually don't do it at the same time since they distract each other, but this was a rare and wonderful moment. Homework seems to go on forever- probably because there can be so many distractions (noises, hungry tummies, nothing in particular).

Game Fun

Our last day with Ryan before he went back to school was spent together. We went and saw Harry Potter: Deathly Hollows- great fun! After a late lunch at Elephant Bar, we all came back to our house and played Monopoly for 2 plus hours.

I personally love to play games. I grew up playing them and they are something I love doing with the kids. However, Dan is not to keen on playing them. This weekend was special since Ryan and Grandma Mary were with us. The little boys watched on as the 4 adults went round and round- buying property, paying taxes, gaining and losing money. Mary was the big winner of the night. She bankrupted us all and ended up with everything!! What fun we had!

Dan and Mary were head to head until she won!!

Mary- the BIG winner!!

Thanksgiving 2010

I have so much to be thankful for this year. Although we have this day set aside each year to say what we are thankful for- My goal is to be grateful and express it each day!!

This year we had the privilege of joining dear friends, Coutts Family, at their rented beach house in Capo Beach. It was the most beautiful day to be at the beach. While there were groups of families represented at this gathering- they were all connected through friendships. I think that is one of the things I like most about the Thanksgiving holiday- it is about people coming together- with or without family or a place to go-gathering to eat great food and have fellowship!
The best thing about this day was that Ryan was home to celebrate with us. He walked in last night after flying in from Arizona and he looked so great. The boys just jumped into his arms and immediately started wrestling him. There were lots of hugs all around. Having him with us, sleeping in his room, being in the car with him- makes our family complete again!!
I am most thankful for my wonderful husband, Dan. He is so amazing and I am so blessed to get to share my life- this crazy adventure- with him. He is an awesome dad, a wonderful provider, a great friend and the love of my life.

Family Day

After a rainy start, Sunday turned into a beautiful and sunny day (albeit cold). We took the boys to one of our favorite walking areas- around the lakes of Woodbridge. In the middle of our walk we always stop at the park and feed the ducks- ah, heaven!

A Few of My Favorite Things

There are so many things that I love, but I thought it would be fun to narrow it down a bit- Here are my top 7 things TODAY!

My Favorite Things:
1. Jesus-He changed my life forever. I am free in him and my burden has been lifted.
2. My Husband- He loves me so much and I love him too. I love sharing my life with him. He makes me laugh, dance, sing and just be silly!
3. My sons- I love Nathan and Jason so much and am so honored to be their mom. I also love Ryan so much. Although I didn't give birth to him- he is so much a part of me and our family!
4. My mom- She is awesome. Not only does she love me unconditionally, she is my best friend! She is an amazing mom and grandmother- my kids are so lucky!!
5. My friends- I have been blessed with a wonderful group of friends. I have some from high school, from camp (yeah YSSC), from church and from my kid's schools (both preschool and elementary). Ladies, I love you so much and thank you for being in my life.
6. My Job- I have loved my "job" as a stay at home mom these past 7 years and I am glad to still get to be there for my kids and husband. I do, however, love my new job as a Kindergarten aid. I love the kids, I love going to the school and seeing what I am going to be doing that day. The paycheck doesn't hurt either- Hawaii, here we come!!
7. Today- Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is out of my hands. All I can do is live today to the best of my ability and to love others how I want to be loved.

Build and Grow

We have the pleasure of having our three favorite girls over for the weekend. We started our time with a trip to Lowe's for their monthly kid's craft. Today the kids got to build a working periscope- so cool!!

Fun with Friends

Girls night out at Taco Rosa

After attending a friend's Pampered Chef party, a few gals went to Taco Rosa to celebrate Tricia's birthday- what fun we had!! I love hanging with my friends. I met these lovely ladies through Irvine Community Nursery School where our children attended preschool. Some of our kids still hang out, but us girls we be friends forever!!

Melissa and Tricia "Birthday Girl"

Jen and Talat

Janice and Tracy

Update on Nathan

Nathan & Ms. Garmon

Nathan has been doing really well at school- Praise the Lord. I have shared my frustrations and sadness over my poor boy struggling to stay focused at school and it makes me so happy to say that he is really doing great. We have found a medicine and dose that works (for now) and has very minimal side effects (if any). He still struggles to eat lunch and says it is because he is too distracted by all that is going on around him. I can understand and yet he really needs that brain and body food to help him through the afternoon. If not eaten, he eats his lunch as soon as I pick him up from school. Homework after school is still a challenge at times, but we make it through and have minimal tears or complaining. As in life, some days are better then others. On the whole though, we (his parents, teacher and Nathan) are very happy with how things are going right now for him. This is a huge answer to prayer!!

Kinder Kids- Fall Fun!

Jason with baby in papoose with headband!

I have been at my job for 4 weeks and am still loving it. Each day brings new challenges and unexpected joys. This past week the kids were busy cutting, gluing and writing about Fall, turkeys, Indians and Thanksgiving.

Some of the kid's in their handmade headbands.

playtime out in the "backyard"

Jason with the "stompers"

Giving Back

Today instead of church we went out and did service projects. There were beach and park clean-ups, passing water out at the dino-dash, E-Waste collection and collecting food for Families Forward.
The boys and I were out at the Woodbury Trader Joe's from 9 to 11am collecting needed items for Thanksgiving meals plus other essential items. We did this earlier in the year at Albertson's.

Each time a person handed me a bag of food, a canned good or even a gift card- I would get tears in my eyes. The human spirit of kindness is alive and kicking. I would thank people after they had given us a donation and they in-turn would thank us for being there to collect it in the first - what a small way to give back and yet there aren't enough people doing.

A bit of the bounty!

Mommy's little helpers!

A Year in Blogging

Last summer I saw Julie and Julia and it pushed me to start a blog (she made it look so easy- and it was). I have followed some blogs faithfully for years and have enjoyed the deeper look into my friend's lives whom I don't get to see as often as I would like.

It has been by invitation only to a few people who I thought would be interested in it, but I have decided to open it up to all so that it is easier to get to and maybe it will touch someone new and unexpected.

I won't promise excitement or even great stories, but I can tell you that it will be from my heart. If you have happened upon "The Crazy Crouts" I hope you enjoy!!

Melissa Crout

PS- Look back at older blog posts- there are some good ones!!

Trick or Treat?

We went to the Baxter's 5th Annual Halloween Bash. I love this party because most everyone is in costume!! After yummy food and drink, we hit the streets in their neighborhood for some great trick or treating. This was the boys 2nd year of really getting into it and they had so much fun. Dan and I enjoyed watching them experience this fun tradition and had our own memories of childhood trick or treating to reminisce about.

Tracy, Melissa, Tricia-or is it?Melissa &"pickle" (17 months)

Claire & Nathan- so cute!

Hippie and Space Cowboy!

Jen, Melissa and Tricia