A lot of catching up

Somethings to remember and write down before we forget....

We planted 7 apple trees for family home evening this last week. You could say we miss them from Syracuse. The boys were so excited. Oliver had the lesson for Family Home Evening. He asked, "Can we work and plant the trees?" What does a parent say to that? The boys were great and worked until every tree was planted. We had to pull out a flashlight to finish the last ones. The scripture for the night-- paraphrasing, You reap what you sow, but not always for a couple of years.

The boys all got their report cards and did great. Oliver got into the gifted program for next year. Bryant wrote a poem form a contest. I love his poetry. Seth won a math contest at school with the first graders. (Bry's 4th grade team came in second). It is great to see their motivation. Alex and Dane are also learning in leaps and bounds-- phone number, letter, sounds and colors.

A lot of hot air

Oliver and Bryant had their rain gutter regatta race for cub scouts. I was happy that the boats were put together. They were very simple. But it appears that simple is best because Bry took first place in the Bear pack and Oliver took second place in the Webelos. Both boys got trophies and were thrilled. They push the boat by blowing through a straw. I always knew my boys had a lot of hot air, now I have proof.

My little writer

Bryant is a fabulous writer. I love this poem he brought home from school. I am sure that he will be embarrassed, but here it is.

BALD AGAIN

GOING BALD FOR A CAUSE

OLIVER, BRYANT & SETH
ARE SHAVING THEIR HEADS FOR ST. BALDRICK’S AND CHILDREN’S CANCER RESEARCH. THIS IS TO HONOR THE MEMORY OF THEIR COUSIN CONNER.

YOU CAN SPONSOR THEM & HELP REACH THEIR GOAL OF $1000 TOGETHER. GO TO WWW.STBALDRICKS.ORG AND SEARCH FOR THE BALD BROTHERS TEAM IN SYRACUSE, NY. YOU CAN ALSO DONATE ONLINE OR DIRECTLY TO US.

FEEL FREE TO PASS THIS INFORMATION ALONG.
THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT.

Simon #1-- Bryant

Bryant is my serious guy who also enjoys a good laugh. He loves to tell jokes. This particular Sunday morning he got dressed for church, then asked me how he should do his hair-- Spikey or a bum part? We went with a bum part. I think it is too cute.

boys will be BOYS!!!!!

Okay it finally happened. Our basement walls are pretty much hammered. That is where we tell the boys to play. They can rough house down there to their hearts content. So when Bry came to me and told me there was a hole in the wall, I replied that I knew it already. (There is a ding in the wall about the size of a .50 piece.) However Bry was like, "NO. There is a WHOLE in the wall." I am sure you can see the difference in what he was trying to get across. All I can say it that it's a good thing I know how to fix this. Thanks Dad. And now Oliver know how to fix it too.

Cherry Road Concert

Each year the third and fourth grades give a choral concert for Christmas. It is very sweet to hear all the kids singing together. The clips below show Bryant singing "Peace Like a River". You can't really see him in the clip-- Sorry.
Oliver's grade sang in Spanish, "Ay Ay Ay Ay" Both boys did great. The younger boys were very good but wiggly listeners. That is why the clips are a bit wiggly.

Bryant's Niagara pics

Bryant is quite a photographer. He has a very good eye. He took these two pictures of the river. I am very impressed.

Rocket Race

Oliver and Bryant participated in the Rocket Race for cub scouts early in November. I was a little bit nervous because it was me who helped with the rubber band engine. Jeff was on his Upstate rotation. We were glad when Jeff was able to make it to the event in time to see at least Oliver's races. I was glad that even though the boys didn't win, the rockets moved and didn't take last place every time. Bryant actually took second 3 different times. Oliver didn't fare quite as well, but had fun anyway. A good time was had by everyone even without winning.

A little end zone celebration

Oliver, Bryant and Seth had tons of fun playing football with Grandpa Bruce. I love the sequence of pictures here. The celebration at the end by Bry is especially fun.

I'll never hear this again.....

Each of my boys, except Dane, have said something I thought never to hear from them. It just so happened that it was all in a few days time-- (a week or so ago). I just kind of laughed at each of the boys and said, 'What are the odds?!?'

Each afternoon Dane goes down for his nap after lunch. On Wednesday and Fridays the little guy I watch takes a nap too. Trey loves his naps and as soon as lunch is over he asks, "Can I take my nap now?" Well of course I take him up and let him take his nap-- usually 3 hours long. On this particular day Alex was walking upstairs with us and said, "I want to take a nap too." I didn't really take him seriously and tucked in Trey. Alex got in Oliver's bed, pulled up the covers and said, "Good night mom." I laughed said good night and went downstairs checking on him about 20 minutes later. He had switched to Bryant's bed. Then came down a few minutes later. Thanks Trey for helping Alex take a little rest.

Seth just started taking piano lessons with me. We sit together at the piano as he practices each day. About one week into this he asked, "Mom can I practice now. I am really good." I know that this sentiment of wanting to practice will not last long. We will enjoy it while it lasts.

Bryant is my studious thoughtful guy. He will lay out his clothes and is thoughtful about getting everything he is asked done. All the boys know that they don't get screen time or to play with friends if their jobs aren't done. That includes about 8 or 9 things they need to do each day-- get dressed, make your bed, eat and clear your dishes, practice piano, homework-- you get the idea. Not really a lot from my point of view but a lot to growing boys who are learning to take care of themselves, their stuff and responsibilities. Finally I get to what Bryant says. He gets out of bed calls me to the bottom of the stairs and says, "Mom get me up at 6:45. It really isn't that early." You heard right that was 6:45am. He wanted both Oliver and himself to practice the piano before school. I told Jeff the wake them up in the morning, but not to try very hard. Those two boys got mad and kept requesting the early wake up call. They even went so far as to say what we could do to they to wake them up. "Twisting noses, water, yelling" were some of then suggestions. I am waiting to see how long this lasts.

Oliver and Bryant just got new carpet in their bedroom. We rearranged the furniture leaving the room, clean and open. One night we sat in the room ready to read scriptures. Oliver was putting away the last few legos on the ground. As he finished he look at Bryant and said, "Bryant let's clean up our room every night." I have to say that their room has stayed clean for over a week and a half. Here is to another 10 days.

First day of School

I am finally getting around to posting the first day of school pictures. (I don't have Alex's pictures of his first day at pre-school. I must be a horrible mom.)

Bryant-- 3rd grade

Oliver-- 4th grade

best buds

getting on the bus with a smile

seth's first day of kindergarten

so excited to ride the bus

getting home

coming home with a smile-- the most important sign to mom

Baltimore Woods

In Marcellus NY is a fabulous nature preserve called Baltimore Woods. Oliver, Bryant, Seth went to day camp for a week this summer. They all had a fabulous time. They could not have gotten dirtier or been happier. I think that children who are allowed to get dirty are happier and more adjusted in life. They each had a day to go in the mud pit and in they did. I didn't recognize Seth at first. You can tell by the pictures. I don't have any pictures of Oliver-- Sorry bud. They found tons of frogs, crayfish, build animal habitats, played games, had a tug of war, made candles and hiked and hiked and hiked. They slept great that week. While the three big boys were playing so did Alex, Dane and I. Marcellus park was a hit. So to anyone who lives near Syracuse I highly recommend heading to Baltimore Woods. The day camps are a bit pricey, but well worth it. They also have other activities as well. We went to the star party and were able to check out the stars, planets and milky way. Very cool!!

July 4th

We had a great 4th of July!! We started out at Pratt Falls for the church picnic. It was beautiful and fun with lots of friends and good food. Towards the end Oliver, Bryant and I took off on our bikes to ride home. Jeff stayed behind with the other boys to hike to the waterfall, then come pick up Oliver and Bry. We didn't think they would make it the entire way. They did great and went about 3 or 4 miles. Bryant was ready to be done when Jeff caught up to us. He had to work the hardest having the smallest wheels and no gears. Oliver wanted to go on despite a spill and road rash on his knee. He made it about half mile more until his pedal fell off. I guess it got hit on the wipe out. Jeff was still hanging around so it wasn't too big a deal. He picked up Oliver and took the boys home, while I continued on. It was a great ride.

That evening we headed over to our friends the Riddels for more food, good times & company. Debbie makes some awesome baked beans. The boys played ball and in the hammock having a blast. In the end we headed out to put the two littlest in bed and watch the fireworks at the fairgrounds from the backyard. Too bad the trees had grown over the last two years and our view isn't quite as good as it once was.

Oliver and Bryant-- two rights of passage.

Oliver and Bryant had two rights of passage-- Their first piano recital and pinewood derby. They did great with both. The recital is with a teacher they just started with about 2 months ago, Mrs. Dauer. Up until now it has just been me teaching them with more informal recitals with friends.

The pinewood derby just had 4 boys so it was pretty low key, but all the boys were excited to race. In the end Oliver came in first, then Bry.

soccer season finished

Oliver, Bryant and Seth finished their soccer seasons. They all had great seasons and played well. Their last game was in the pouring rain. I mean POURING. I really wished I could have filmed the boys running on the field. They were having a grand time. The parent on the sidelines did not look quite as content. I actually was fine. I love the rain. Everyone had to change when we got home and I was under an umbrella. Anyway great job boys!!!

Birthday

It was my birthday this last week. I had a great day. I was cleaning out closets. I know not your typical birthday activity, but it felt very good to finally have it off my to do list. Plus we are planning on having a garage sale next week.

Thanks everyone who called with birthday wishes and tokens. Everyone asked, "What are you doing for your birthday?" As a point of principle I don't plan my birthday celebrations. I don't bake my cake. I will however make dinner. So I didn't exactly know what we were doing that night. Plus we weren't sure when Jeff would get home. We were hoping for between 6 and 6:30. He made it at 8. To try and keep this short. Oliver and Bryant made my cake. Oliver, during the prayer that night, asked for a splendid day and blessed the cake that it would be good so he wouldn't be embarrassed. Oliver and Alex decorated the cake words and all. Seth had a present he got from our friends garage sale. Don't worry it wasn't bad. It is a cute little candle holder for when we have homemade pizza at the 'Nelson Pizzeria'. He was very excited. Alex told me I was princess. He was looking at my bridal shot. I was still in my sweaty running clothes when he said it. I didn't look like a princess, but my picture did. It was cute.

The most tender part of my birthday was my friend Cathy. She is trying to quit smoking. She saved her cigarette money for two weeks when she didn't smoke and bought me a very nice pair of pearl earrings-- my birth stone. Now I know that she didn't have to do this. But I also know what a sacrifice it was for her. Quitting smoking is a difficult thing to do and I am sure their are many other things she could do with the money saved. That is the part that made it so special to me.

I haven't uploaded my pictures to the computer, but I'll add some pictures when I do.

Flag Day

The boys' schools do a Flag Day Parade each year. All the kids are in the parade and are followed by firetrucks. After the parade they meet in front of Cherry Road School for a sing along. It is very fun and patriotic to go to. The last song anyone can bring an instrument and play along as well. Bryant and Oliver thought I should bring my flute and join in. So I got to actively participate. It was a much better view of all the kids and I would do it again just for that. Anyway I wanted to give everyone a little taste with a few pictures and videos. Hope you all enjoy it.

Bryant and some of his classmates.

Oliver and Company

funny stories

Seth was saying the prayer for lunch the other day. I reminded him to say thank you. So during the prayer he said "... Thank you for Jesus and that he made it so we could come here. Please help us go back to you, if we are wicked good...." I did maintain during the prayer and not laugh. Seth didn't bat a eyelash about what he said. To him wick is the same as cool or awesome-- for today's up and coming generation-- sick, wicked, phat. So be wicked good.


We were sitting at dinner and a fly was between the window and blind. It was totally white. I don't know if it was a different kind of bug I'd never seen, but to me it looked like an albino fly. I said to everyone, "Look it is an albino fly" Everyone was mildly interested. Alex came over and said, "I killed it." Indeed he had-- gross. Now the funny part of the story is that Bryant said, "Now it is a dead Obama Fly." I guess albino and Obama sound the same.


Next we were eating hard boiled eggs for lunch and the boys started asking where the chicken was. I said that these eggs weren't fertilized. I got some funny looks. So I reminded the boys of the Bee movie. The flowers needed to have the pollen so they could bloom. Oliver then said, "So the chicken's eggs have to get crapped on?!?!" Nothing like the birds and bees to teach life's lessons.

another baptism picture

Here are a few more pictures from Bryant's baptism. I love them all. I am just sad that I don't have a picture of Bryant and I. Some have sad to recreate-- but it is just not the same. So I will have to enjoy the pictures of Jeff and Bryant.

This is my favorite picture of the whole day. You can't really see Bry's smile, but it is priceless.