Braison

Today, Braison started the 1st grade.  He was just born last month, I swear.

Braison attends Victory Charter School.
His teacher is Mrs. Stockett.
A note to our baby boy:

You are so spirited!
We can't wait to see what this year brings for you.
You love to learn and explore, never stop that.
Get out there and become your own person.
Make a lot of friends.
Have a lot of fun.
It's ok to get into a little mischief sometimes.
Keep loving and laughing and smiling all of the time, especially now that you are our toothless wonder.
We love you! 

Changes

Braison started his new school today.  Mom was more apprehensive than he was.  Things went great!  He likes his teacher, and told me he made 5 new friends!  They are only identified, right now, by the color of shirt that they were wearing..he'll get it soon.

Super excited!

Waiting in line to go in

How Do You Make a Kleenex Dance?

You put a little boogie in it!

This is Braison's favorite joke to tell.  He laughs hysterically every time he tells it too.  Typical 6 year old joke.

Typical 6 year old spelling words; bay, it, and, dust, pool, mow, cook.  Braison handed me his schoolwork the other day and I noticed something written on the back.  Normally, this is a picture that he has drawn of himself and his teacher, Mrs. Deming, with "I love you Mrs. Deming" written along the bottom.  Anyway, this was not the case this time.  This is what I found:

When I asked him what they were, he stated that after he finished his work, he just wanted to write some words for extra credit.  Little smarty pants.

Ron said it best; What a stud!!

We Made It...

...6 years 2 months and 20 days.  I thought maybe, just maybe, we were out of the woods.  But, alas, it happened. Braison cut his own hair.

It's hard to see in the photo with the light.  He cut a chunk out of the front of his hair.  He said he was just cutting his hair so that mommy wouldn't have to.  

Celebrating

Thanks to everyone who helped make Braison and Lilian's birthday so special.  We didn't have a party this year, instead opted to have the kids surrounded by family.  They sure are spoiled.

Birthday Boy

Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.

20 Questions for Braison on his 6th birthday:
 - What is your favorite color? Blue and red
 - What is your favorite toy?  Cars
 - What is your favorite fruit?  Apples and oranges 
 - What is your favorite TV show?  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
 - What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?  Peanut butter and jelly sandwich and cheese sticks
 - What is your favorite outfit?  I like how new clothes feel
 - What is your favorite game?  Where's my water? 
 - What is your favorite snack?  Peanut butter crackers
 - What is your favorite animal?  Tigers
 - What is your favorite song?  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle theme song
 - What is your favorite book?  Go Dog Go
 - Who is your best friend?  Mommy
 - What is your favorite cereal?  Cocoa Puffs
 - What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Pick flowers for mommy 
- What is your favorite drink?  Chocolate milk
 - What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas
 - What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Car blanket
 - What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?  Waffles
 - What do you want for dinner on your birthday?  Mac and cheese
 - What do you want to be when you grow up?  A teenage mutant ninja turtle
               **I sense a theme here**

Braison,
I wish I could put you into words.  You are the most pensive child and you retain so much of the information you are given.  You are off the charts as far as school goes, you kid, are smart beyond your years.  Your generosity is unmatched, you are more than willing to help anyone with anything they might need.  Sometimes you get a little carried away, whether it be emotionally or physically, but you are quick to recover or apologize (should you need to).  You aren't afraid to be vocal and you love to please people around you.  Watching you grow and learn continues to be the highlight of my life.  Pancake, you are loved beyond measure.

Happy Birthday!

Two Wheels. Happy Boy.

Braison has finally mastered riding a two wheel bicycle!  He is so excited.  We are so excited.

Kindergarten. WHAT?!

Today marked a huge milestone.  The first day of Kindergarten.  Yes, you read that correctly.  Kindergarten.

Getting ready to leave the house

They were so very excited.  And, in kindergarten, you sign yourself in (none of this, make the parents do all the work nonsense).

I was so proud that both Braison and Lilian knew their last name and how to spell it...they may have been the only ones.

They are in the same class, but sit across the room from each other.  We'll see how this goes.
It is so hard to believe that our babies are growing up so fast.  Braison is even done giving good-bye kisses when his friends are around. Don't worry, I only cried for about an hour after dropping them off.  Well, and right now, typing this and thinking about it.
I believe it was Robert Fulghum who famously said, "Everything I need to know, I learned in kindergarten." So, here's to a year of Braison and Lilian learning everything they need to know!

Grandparents...

...are there to help children get into mischief they haven't thought of yet.  What fun it is to spend a long weekend with Grandpa and Grandma.  Camping.

Collecting firewood

Hunting for bugs

Catching more bugs

Playing with their new friend, Skylar (she hails from Hailey)

Again with the heart attack

Crazy kids

The kids went on and on about the awesome weekend they had camping with Grandpa and Grandma.  They love being out and about.  And...two s'mores each...how do they rate?!?!  Lucky dogs.  Thanks to my dad and Sue for making memories with the kids.

S-O-C-C-E-R

Finally!  The photos from Braison's soccer season that I have been promising.

First game. First goal.

Strategy planning. 

Part of Braison's cheering squad.

 

I think it was Uncle Kenny who called it "Chase Ball" at this age...

Very concentrated. 

Sometimes, you just get kicked in the face. Unavoidable. 

Class of 2026

Is that right?  It hardly seems possible that Braison and Lilian will be starting kindergarten this year.  Or that they graduated from pre-kindergarten today.  Bittersweet.
Since they are in different classes, they were also in different graduations.  Lilian graduated this morning.

The whole class

Patiently waiting

Starting the program

She had a hard time keeping her hat on with all that jumping around!

Dino Dig Day

Wedding of "Q" & "U"

Lilian was the only lefty

Dancing fool

The only mom that didn't get a hug with her flower :o(

With her teachers, Miss Jan and Miss Kristi

Proud of our little girl!

Lilian did so well this year, her teachers said that she will have no problems next year in kindergarten.  Her social skills are unmatched, imagine that :o)  We are so very proud of her!

Braison's graduation was held a little later in the day.

With his class

Dancing

Being a monster

Being a ham

Alphabet song

I got a hug :o)

Applauding other graduates

With his teachers, Miss Kim and Miss Mikaila

Braison is reading at an advanced level, he is advanced in math, and everything else.  So, no worries that he won't be ready for kindergarten.  We are so proud of our little man!