The Arnold Weekly

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The Arnold Weekly

Issue Date 9/11/11

We're back from the dead!  We continue to keep up the crazy two kid schedule, and I haven't had the time to devote to blogging over the past couple weeks.  Here's what the Arnolds have been up to this week.

BREAKING NEWS:  I received a very exciting package in the mail on Wednesday... My ring!!  This was my 30th birthday gift that we hadn't ordered until Tuesday.  I was so excited to pick it up this week, and I was pleasantly surprised when I opened it!  It's absolutely radiant!  This ring has a couple special meanings:  First of all, it is both of the boys' birthstones.  Hudson is sapphire and Luke is diamond.  Secondly, it is a replica of Princess Diana's engagement ring, which is now Princess Kate's ring.  Well, Prince William and Kate wed on Luke's 1st birthday!  So all of these little facts give this ring a lot of significance to me!  I just love it!

Here's the internet picture of the one I ordered:

This week in ENTERTAINMENT
Monday, September 5th- Sea World was a full day of fun entertainment (refer to previous post)!

Friday, September 9th-  We have made it somewhat of a tradition to hold a play date with the Carlsons on Fridays.  This works out perfect since Hudson is in school on Tuesdays.  This Friday, we went to their house where the kids jumped in the bounce house, we walked to the nearby playground and enjoyed the outdoors with bubbles and slides.

Saturday, September 10th-  Last night, we went back over to the Carlson's for dinner joined by our friend, Todd.  We enjoyed catching up with Todd.  After dinner, we went outside to enjoy the nice weather.  The boys and kids threw around the football, while Jill and I visited.  Once it started getting dark, we went inside where the guys watched football, and us girls played with the kids.  Hudson and Kelsey thought it would be fun to hide out in the closet with a flashlight, so we had a blast scaring them by opening the door... "BOO!".  Soon, Luke and Trevor joined in on the fun!

This week in SPORTS
Tuesday, September 6th- The parent's meeting for Hudson's soccer team was on Tuesday night.  Matthew went and met the coach and a few of the other parents.  The coach is a fellow Red Raider, which is where he went to law school.  So, of course, I had to give him a hard time since he named our team the "Horned Frogs"!  Really??  He explained that the colors assigned to our team were purple, black and white, so he naturally came up with Horned Frogs.  Personally, I can think of several other names that would be better, but I'll go with it.  I have to admit that it's kinda nice since we have lots of Horned Frog items right at our fingertips in this city.  I found Luke a cute little Horned Frogs shirt on sale for $3, so he can support his big brother!  Jill and I are team moms, so the coach gave me the roster on Tuesday, and I emailed the other moms to schedule everyone to bring snacks and drinks to the games.  This is going to be so much fun!

Saturday, September 10th- Yesterday morning, we piled on the soccer gear and practiced at the park.  Last weekend, we got Hudson's new cleats and shin guards, so Daddy wanted to practice with him in his new gear.  He did great but got tired quickly as the weather started getting warm again yesterday.  His first official team practice is on Tuesday with his new coach Eric.  He has practice on Tuesday and Thursday, and his first game is Saturday!  I can't wait watch those kids run around together on the field having no clue what to do!  The weather is supposed to creep back up tomorrow and Tuesday, so practice will be hot.  Luckily, it's supposed to get back down to bearable weather for the game on Saturday.  Also, the game is at 8:30, so it should be nice outside.

Daddy got some cones to practice dribbling

 Luke enjoyed running around out there as well

 Good practice!

This week in RELATIONSHIPS
Thursday, September 8th-  Matthew had the boys on Thursday evening, so I met up with my friend, Jessica.  We went shopping and to dinner.  Our goal was to get lots of "steps", and what better way than walking the mall, right?  Last week, we signed up for a health program at work - Virgin Health Miles.  We can earn up to $800 over the next year, which shouldn't be too difficult.  This first month, we were "challenged" by our team manager, and whoever earns the most health points will get an extra day off work- SCORE!  Well, I kinda feel like I have an unfair advantage because I only work 3 days a week.  I get so many more steps and points on the days I'm off rather than sitting at my desk.  So those days I'm off work, I am earning way more steps chasing two boys around than those in the office.  On the other hand, I am much more exhausted at the end of the day to do any excessive running opposed to many of my co-workers who are single, so that might kill me!  It would be nice to earn an extra day off!  Jessica and I also challenged each other, and the winner treats the other to happy hour!

This week in  EDUCATION
Tuesday, September 6th- Miss Maureen informed me today that Hudson is doing much better in class with regard to missing Mommy!  Both days last week he asked for me quite a bit, but this week she said he's been adapting much better.  Bragging moment:  Miss Maureen also told me that Hudson has outstanding hand coordination.  She showed me his drawings and tracing practice and then showed me what is typical of others in that class.  This made me one proud Mommy!  Especially since he's the youngest in his class!

This week in TRAVEL
Sunday, September 4th- We began our week with a two day getaway to Sea World, which was a nice little vacation!

This week in TODDLER MELTDOWNS
Sibling rivalry continues to be the main conflict in the Arnold household, and from what I hear this will continue until we have an empty nest! Tuesdays are quite nice since I have Luke all to myself. It's nice to experience the one on one time with him! He seems to enjoy this time as well, not having to compete with his brother for a toy or attention. Also, we've been working with Luke on his screaming, and he is doing much better. You can tell that he is consciously trying to use other ways to ask for something or get our attention instead of screaming. Before, he used screaming as a way to tell us he wanted something or didn't like something. This gets quite difficult, so I'm working to teach him that he doesn't need to do this in order to be heard. I can totally see how it can be frustrating for a second child (especially with a chatterbox of an older brother) to be "heard" in a family.

This week in REVIEWS
Heaven is for Real - I finished this book a couple weeks ago.  It was a sweet, refreshing story that gets you really thinking!
The Help- I started this book on our San Antonio trip but didn't get too far into it with a bouncing toddler in our bed during our "reading time".  I look forward to getting back into it next week.