My Trumpet Player

5th grade is the year for band to start

my kid plays the trumpet

He really likes band,

but hates, really hates to practice

 

Eleven

Eleven years ago, I became a mom for the first time. 

Scary but exciting.  

Some many unknown

Lots of trial and error.

 Over those 11 years, I have grown to love this young man

yes, we have had many conflicts.

we don't always see eye to eye

but I love him every moment of every day.

Happy Birthday Brendan!!!  

His birthday this year, was celebrated quite differently.  We went over for supper on the night before his bday with G & G Geerlings.  He pick Braun Steakhouse because that particular night there was a fundraiser for the YAK team that's going to Guatemala in the Spring and he wanted to help them out.   He was quite surprised when he got a ipod touch for his gift...He was super excited!!!

On his actual birthday, we celebrated with cinnamon rolls for breakfast and a Oreo ice cream pie for dessert instead of cake. A boy after his dad's own heart.  

Then the celebration continued the following Saturday when he spent the day with G & G VanDam.  They took him to Crazy Horse for lunch and then shopping for his gift.  He spent the rest of the afternoon with grandpa out in the woods.  Ending the day with dinner with us at Logan's

5th grade Scarecrow

Brendan had to make a scarecrow for school this year.  The scarecrow was design after a story he wrote of the Invasion of the Mice.  (see below for the story)

Back to School

Another year has started.  

The boys are getting older and now I am a stay at home mom with no kids at home....CRAZY!!!!  

Praying that we all have a great year.

Team Mrs. Bird's Friends on the Road

The maps were studied,

The teams were formed,

The directions are planned out,

The t-shirts were designed with pink and teal,

The team spents hours decorating the truck

and the day had finally come...

It was Road Rally day!!!!

and what a fun day it was.  The fourth graders at DCS did a unit in social studies about Kent County...it's roads, natural landmarks, and more.  The boys had to map out a route through out the county and we(the parents) had to follow their directions for the different places.  At each place the boys and I got out and took a picture of the landmark.  Of course we had to make a couple of unplanned detours to the donut shop and to Speedway for a slushie. 

Brendan, Andrew and Austin by the truck before hitting the road. 

 The truck was even plastered with pictures of Mrs. Bird's Friends AKA the boys' moms plus Mrs. Bird

 Andrew and Brendan going over the map in the truck.

 Stopping along the way to observe a "Natural Beauty Road"

 Donuts...can't go on a road trip without some snacks!!!

at one of the stops the boys had to take a video.  They orginally wanted to video someone else hitting a golf ball, but no one was playing golf that day, so the boys asked the golf pro for a putter and a ball and headed out to the putting green to capture a video of each other hitting the ball.

 another detoured pitstop...SPeedway for slushies. 

after a long hot trip we stopped once again for some more fuel for the body...ice cream at Houseman's  Ice Cream in Bryon Center. 

What a day is was!!!! 

 Full of fun and food!!!! 

Can't wait for the next road rally in a couple years.

Way Back Wednesday

double digital

Can I really be this old????  I mean where the past 10 years go?  I can't believe I already have a child in the double digitals...that's right Brendan is now 10!!!  

This past Friday was his birthday and he was so excited to celebrate his day.  Here are some of the highlights from the day.

1. cinnamon rolls for a birthday treat.

2. being at school (he was sick for 2 days before the big day)

3.  having the grandparents over for a party

4.  getting ninjago legos

5.  having the ninjago legos built within 10 minutes of ripping open the gift.

6.  the $20 in one of his birthday cards.

7.  Pokemon cards from his friend

8.  new books to read.

9.  a new Jeopardy DS game

10.  cake

one posed pictures with all the gifts before they're open.

 opening his gifts with  his jack knife.

 the opened gifts

 the cake

Happy Birthday Brendan!!!!

I  pray that you will continue to be the young man that you are growing up to be.  Someone who loves life, your family and the LORD.  I pray that you will continue to grow in your relationship with God.  I love you more today than the day you were born...so does your dad. :)    Thanks for being who you are

Brendan's recap of Summer 2011

Brendan made this video in computer class at school...I thought he did a great job.

Made my Day

Happy Tuesday Everyone!!!!

Days of Thanksgiving: Day 2

Today I am grateful God allowed me to be a mom to this guy.  

There are so many things that I love about him; he's

caring, 

willing to work for money, 

knows when I need to be complimented, 

has a great sense of humor,

 athletic and loves to run, 

has an amazing love for God, 

kind to other... 

the list goes on and on.  

There are plenty of times when we butt heads...but I love him with all my heart and my life would be missing something if he wasn't around.