I know, I know ...

I know it's been forever since my last post.  Summer has been crazy!  I have been so busy working 5 part-time jobs and just having fun.  I will get back into the swing of thing once the school years begins, but until then here is are some pictures of my favorite little man enjoying the beach!

Mother's Day 2012

This Mother's Day I spent some time just me and B.  We went for a ride and ended up in a little fishing town called Shell Pile.  It lived up to it's name.  There were really piles of shells everywhere.  It was such a beautiful day. and I was glad to spend it doing what I love the best ... being a mom!

Happy Mother's Day!

Taking a Peek

I was going through some old photos and came across this one of "B" on the USS North Carolina that is docked in Wilmington, NC.  We were on our way to my nephew's Marine graduation and this was one of the road trip destination. 

I love how he's peaking down at me. We were trying to stay dry during a sudden down pour and he was hiding in a gun turret.  He's so darn cute!

Me & My Little Man

Just wanted to share a photo I took of me and my recently turned 12 year-old little man!  I just love this kid!

The Birthday Boy

I can't believe that 12 years ago this sweet and amazing bundle of joy came into my life.

He is such an wonderful young man.  He is kind and loving and oh so talented.  I love the boy he was and the young man he is becoming.  I am so blessed that God gave me the chance to be his mom. My life would be so empty without him. 

Happy Birthday "B"!

Sunday's Adventure

Today I went on a 9.5 mile bike ride with my son.  He loves to ride his bike and I do too, but there never seems to be enough time in the weekend to go.  Well today I decided that enough was enough and I dropped everything else on my plate to go for a ride with my son and we had a blast.  We brought a friend along, but that didn't take away from the joy of riding with my cool kid.  I can't wait to do it more and more this year.  I will say that my legs are hurting right now, but it's worth it.  I'm getting in shape and this will definitely help that! 

So I say to all of you on this beautiful sunny Sunday ... go riding with your kid.  They grow up to fast.  Happy riding!

B & B

This is a mosaic print I created at Big Huge Labs that encompasses pictures of my son "B" and his best friend "B".  I gave it to the boys along with a video for Christmas.  They have been friends since birth and have such an amazing friendship.  They can agree to disagree, and it never gets to the point where they won't talk to each other.  The best part about their friendship is that I've been able to see how it has grown and strengthened over the years.  The past 11 years have been an amazing journey to watch.  I can't wait to see what the future has in store for them! 

B's First Christmas

I can't believe that 12 years ago Aaron and I celebrated our first Christmas with "B".  He was so tiny!  It's amazing how time has just flown.  "B" loves Christmas and as he gets older, he wants to participate more.  This year he put up the tree and the few outside lights that we do.  However, he's already planning on taking over the light decorating outside next year and I am trying with all my might to give in.  Who knows what he may have in store.  Well, at least I have 11 months to get ready for it.  

"Elf"

My son is dressing up like an elf tonight to help me with a holiday party we're having at my work.  I will be taking pictures of all the children with Santa and "B" is going to be, well ... very cool looking elf!

Christmas Elves

Today's picture is of two awesome Christmas elves.  Well, actually it's my son and nephew, but their still awesome.  Today they were such big helps to me.  They put up the lights out front, put up my tree and decorated it!  One less thing I have to do.  I think what is more amazing is that they get along so well.  Their best friends and really love to be around each other.  Sure they disagree, but it's usually over something small, and they get over it quickly.  One bonus of them being together, is that you almost always can count on a laugh or two ... or three!

One Amazing Kid

Can I just say that I have the most amazing and patient son.  I have been wanting for a while to take some photos of him.  Well, today was his lucky day.  We had off from school so I took the opportunity to get the job done.

I let him pick out what he wanted to wear, but he had to let me go where I wanted to to take the photos.  We had a deal, until he said, "I'm only smiling the way I want to."  I agreed, so off we went.  He listened to my directions as we climbed over logs and through sticker bushed and mounds of leaves.  Never once did I hear a complaint.  Awesome!

Here are just a few.  I don't want to post to many, just in case I use some for my Christmas cards.  Wait a minute, who and I kidding.  Of course I'm going to use some in my cards!  Let's be serious, that was one of the reasons for taking the pictures.  The other reason is that he's growing up so fast and I just want to preserve this moment in time.  Enjoy!





Snow Day

Well we're having quite a winter with several snow stormes. Most have been uneventful, but a few have had an impact, like delayed school opening and closings. We are now on our third school closing day, which is nice except for the fact that we have to make them up at the end of the school year. Yuck!

Here are a few pictures I took this mornng before 8:30.

What a morning!

Cinnamon Ornaments

What do you do when you over plan and make 3 batches of cinnamon ornament dough for your class and only used a batch and a half? You bring home the extra and let your son go to town. It actually worked out well, cause we (Brent and I) always make ornaments for friends and family. Brent had a great time rolling and cutting out the ornaments. The up side is that the house smells great. The down side is that it takes 3 to 5 days for them to dry and your supposed to turn them every half hour so they dry right.

Oh the trials of ornament making!

Wheelie Boy

Here are some photos of Brent trying and succeeding in pulling a wheelie on his ATV today. He's really getting good!

Lawn Mowing

I had to share this picture of Brent mowing the lawn this weekend. Aaron was away and wanted Brent to mow the lawn. That's all well and good, except that the wind was so bad and everything was blowing in his face.

So what's the remedy ... a motorcycle helmet! Yup, you heard right. He put on his motorcycle helmet and finished the yard in no time.

Quite the smart one! Isn't he?

Brent

I can't believe that your 10! Where has the time gone? It just seems like yesterday that you were born and now ~ you just amaze me with all that you have accomplished and overcome these past ten years!

Happy birthday my sweet and wonderful boy! I love you with all my heart!

A Day at Work

Today was "Take Your Child To Work Day". I don't know if this is done nationally, but I do know that the area where I live does it. This was the second year the Brent came to work with me. He doesn't go to work with Aaron on this day because he is always there helping after school and on the weekends.
I think he had a good time, but I also know that my class is very demanding, difficult, and has "Energy" to spare. I have never had an easy day with my class and that was so evident today, so I can probably say that he did and didn't have a good day. I know he was exhausted when the day ended. He said, "Can we go home now!" My poor boy.

Here he is playing with the salt dough that we made today with the kids. This was definitely the highlight for the whole class including Brent. As soon as we made the dough, there was a mass exodus from all the other learning labs to see what we were doing. Soon all 13 students that were there wanting to play with the dough.

They all had so much fun playing and watching Brent make his creations.

What's Up?

Wow, I can't believe that March is half over and I've only made done one post. So let's see, what's been up!

Things have been better at work lately. I've came up with a few new strategies for myself and my assistant to help us better manage some of our more difficult children. They seem to be working, but we did just start them this week. Brent was also in the emergency room right after Aaron.s birthday. Luck for us, it turned out to be nothing!

All the snow we had melted and then we had those torrential rains. Needless to say, the pond behind our house crested as well and the irrigation run-off pond. Can you say muddy waters? Brent is loving it though. We bought him new boots and he can't stay out of the water!

Brent's best friend Brandon turned 10! I can't believe Brent is going to be 10 next month. No more single digits! I told him this will be the last time that your going to be a single digit. He didn't seem to mind either way.

Brent and Brandon found a new way to fly a kite! They attached it to the back of Brent's quad and Brent drove it around the backyard. They were having fun until is got caught in a tree. It's still there today! Oh well.

Lastly I have to say that Brent has been such an amazing kid lately. He's always been a great kid, but lately he's been helping out more around the house and not complaining about doing things that he's asked, so I couldn't resist letting him buy some songs for his iTouch. He even found a great place to chill out and listen to them ... my bed!

Well, I think that about wraps up the past few weeks! This coming weekend looks crazy with a party for my neice Cory and nephew Jake who are turning 12, a birthday movie for Brent's friend Brandon, and I'm hosting a purse party ... so I'll try to post before then.