Hopkins Happenings » Dean Thomas

All in a Days Work

winz — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:25:04 +0000

Dean helped me in the yard this morning. He worked hard sweeping the water, analyzing the plants, and putting out the sprinkler. Such a big helper to his Mama!

Dean is also working on manners. He uses his fork, spoon and napkin. He still throws treats on the floor for Jiff but one thing at a time right?

Eating like a big boy! from Matt Hopkins on Vimeo.

Take Off and Touch Down

winz — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 01:02:03 +0000

Dean has become fascinated with airplanes. With the airport so close there is always a plane flying and Dean is quick to point it out to us. Dean typically waives at the plane saying, “bye, bye” and then says, “uh oh” when it’s out of sight.

I thought it would be fun to take him to the Dallas equivalent of Houston’s Lee Road – in the daylight, minus all the parking and making out. Matt did a little research and learned that DFW has Founders Plaza, a special designated area for watching planes take off and touch down.

Dean was mesmerized by the planes and enjoyed watching each one pass right in front of us as it made it’s decent upon the runway. He also loved the high pitched squeal of the engines as they geared up for take off. I look forward to taking him on another plane ride so that he can have the insiders experience. Until then!

No Mine!

winz — Tue, 25 May 2010 11:13:49 +0000

Dean has been adding to his vocabulary daily. Yesterday we were getting ready for school and Dean was feasting on a breakfast of bananas and pancakes. We were running late, as usual, and I tried to help Dean along by eating a bite of his banana (nothing like eating your kids food so they will hurry up and finish). After popping the piece into my mouth and walking away Dean yelled, “No Mine!”. It was a great moment. Not that I want Dean to declare ownership of all things he considers his but because he used a sentence that I could understand at the appropriate time! Matt and I are realizing that we no longer have a baby but a big boy. My heart breaks to think that he’s grown past the baby stage but I eagerly look forward to what the future holds. Until Then!

Dear Dean 18 months

winz — Tue, 11 May 2010 17:55:40 +0000

Dear Dean,

You are 18 months old! I can’t believe it! One and a half years ago you completely changed our lives and I’m still struck by the impact. You are the most awesome thing, your Daddy and I talk constantly about how much you amazing us. You have changed so much since your 1st birthday. For starters you are now a walker! Towards the end of February/beginning of March you decided to give up on crawling and commit to walking. It began with a few steps across the study and quickly pick up from there.

Because you started walking you were able to move from the infant room to the toddler room at the ECDC. We were so excited for you to get out of the baby room and into the big boy room. At the beginning of March you started to get bored and began hitting and scratching your classmates. We were all sad about your choices but I knew that you were ready to see what those big kids were doing! Since you have changed classrooms we have seen you grow by leaps and bounds. Each day you come home with new words, abilities and skills. It’s amazing. You love the outside time your new class has and look forward to art projects and story time.

You have become very interested in books. Every night we read 2 or 3 books before bed. You especially love the “lift the flap” books. Where is Spot? and Where is baby’s bellybutton? are two of your favorites. You like to pick a book, walk over to us and say book? book?. When we take the book you sit down, cross your legs and wait patiently for us to read it.

Dean, you are a fruit-a-holic! You LOVE berries – strawberries, blackberries, blueberries… We always hear the request for more after you finish a bowl of berries. All of our friends keep watch for berry sales so that we can keep a fully stocked fridge.

During your 18th month of life we moved from Bedford to our new home in TC. You had a hard time with the move. The minute we packed the first box you stopped sleeping. You didn’t want to take a nap or go to bed at night. It was a rough few weeks for your Daddy and me. We tried everything to comfort you and make you feel better. I finally resorted to letting you stay up as late as you wanted. There were many 9 and 10 o’clock nights those few weeks. Thankfully, after the first week in the new house you began to feel comfortable and started getting back into your routine. Life was much better.

You are a super talker! You love to tell people “hi” and have started to use words to express frustration, ask for help, or food items. You love to talk to people in the store and have been labeled as a very friendly baby! In addition to words you have become more independent. You like to feed yourself with a spoon or fork, climb into and out of chairs, walk – but you don’t want anyone to hold your hand, you also like to take your snack out of the box or bag on your own and peel your own banana.

Dean Thomas, we can’t believe that one and a half years have flown by. You melt our hearts with your smiles and hugs. Your Daddy and I can’t wait to see what the next 6 months are going to bring us. Until then!

Christ has Risen Indeed

winz — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 20:40:55 +0000

On East Sunday morning we were a bit rushed trying to get everyone ready for church. Matt and I had decided to attend The Village church but were sorely disappointed when we arrived and learned that the service was full and we had to be turned away. We drove the 30 minutes back home and along the way we decided to attend FUMC Grapevine and stopped for a bagel to kill some time. Dean enjoyed his bagel breakfast while Matt and I sipped some coffee. It was finally time for us to try our hand at church for a second time! We enjoyed the experience and were able to snap a few Easter pictures with Glenda and Bill on our way out of the service.

Since Matt and I were staying in DFW for Easter this year we decided to steal and idea from our friends Patrick and Myra and host an Easter lunch. We invited our friends the McLarens as well as Leslie and Wayne Walden to join us for lunch. Everyone brought food to share, we enjoyed a wonderful lunch and a time of great conversation afterward. After we ate we even initiated our guests into the tradition of Carrot Pictures. We abstained from the traditional carrot fight thinking that the carrot picture might be a stretch for these friends. We’ll keep working on them and maybe in a few years (when Gavin and Dean are older) we will get the carrot fighting going! I enjoyed spending the holiday with some of our Ft. Worth friends, it helped us not miss home too much!

*** Pictures coming soon!!!**

Scouting Out the Eggs

winz — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 20:36:44 +0000

We had a great time with Dean during Easter this year. The celebration began on Thursday with an egg hunt at the ECDC. Miranda, Glenda and I walked over to the school to witness the fun and watch our boys “hunt” eggs. Gavin’s infant class enjoyed sitting in the grass, touching the eggs, and pretty much being outside. It was nice, low key fun until the toddler class came to join them. Dean’s class was eager to find the eggs and fill their baskets. DT did a great job locating eggs, shaking them, placing them in his bag and scouting out another. I was amazed. I had no idea my little guy even knew the first thing about hunting eggs. It was so much fun for me to be a part of something that Dean does at school and for me to see his classmates, meet their moms and enjoy the moment. I look forward to his next school activity.

My Little Elf!

mathagat — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 03:03:36 +0000

While home this past weekend, Dean became a BIG fan of the broom. That’s more than I can say about myself.

Could a kid have a bigger smile?

My Little Elf

Check My Walking Chops!

mathagat — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 04:50:14 +0000

Check My Walking Chops! from Matt Hopkins on Vimeo.

Dean rings in a Happy New Year with an overabundance of innocent cheer!

mathagat — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 01:34:32 +0000

Giggle Giggle! from Matt Hopkins on Vimeo.

A Christmas Tribute to SNL

winz — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 18:31:27 +0000

Step 1: Put your Dean in a box

Step 2: Open the box

Dean in a box…Dean in a box…

Christmas, Dean in a box
Hanukkah, Dean in a box
Kwanzaa, Dean in a box
Every single holiday Dean in a box

Dean in a box
Dean in a box
Dean in a box

Now that you’ll have this catchy tune in your head all day…have a Happy Holiday!!!!