Last Week

*Thanks so much for all of your kind words and birthday wishes to Brady on my previous post...I really do have the BEST blog friends in all of blogland!  I appreciate each and every one of you taking the time to comment on my blog.  :)

Last week we celebrated Brady's 9th birthday. 
He asked if it could be a "low key" birthday.
He didn't want a party and only wanted a couple of presents.
He didn't have any ideas as far as gifts go...he really didn't care.
Such an easy going kid.

It has become a tradition in our house to have a treasure hunt with clues...and sometimes a map for Brady to find one of his birthday gifts.  We always hide the gift outside.

Brady was thrilled when he put the first letter of each clue together and figured out he was getting an ipod.

We gave Brady a list of options of things we could do on his birthday (none of them being tennis!).  He decided instead of going to his favorite restaurant for his birthday meal, he wanted me to cook steak, potatoes and broccoli.  And the only thing he wanted so badly to do...was the thing he does just about everyday.

Last week....Brady took some of his birthday money and bought  goldfish.  We tried to talk him out of it...but it was no use.  He named them after two people on his favorite tv show.

Don't worry...the water is clear now!

Last week my sister Meghan sent Brady this awesome birthday gift...and he LOVES it!  Thanks Aunt Meghan!

Last week Eric and I tried this 7 day diet....and we only made it a day and a half.  (A mom I know lost 10lbs in one week on this diet) It left us wondering why we are always willing to go to extremes to lose weight...but never willing to do what we know works???  Sometimes I don't know what's the matter with us!

Last week the tennis team was given their warm up jackets for the season...Brady got one too.  Today, he wore it to school...which suprised me.  Usually he likes to keep tennis on the down low at school.  I guess he's pretty proud to have a jacket like the high school boys and be a part of the team.

He is long overdue for a haircut!

Last week I helped served the teacher's dinner on the night of conferences.  We do the dinner on the evening where the school has early dismisal and the teachers start their conferences shortly thereafter.  The teachers stop into the teacher lounge to eat as they have openings in their schedule.  They always seem to enjoy their dinner and are always so appreciative.  We do a meal in the fall and one in the spring.  In the spring we always do a soup and salad bar.  We had 3 different soups and also pulled pork sandwiches.  We had a dessert bar too.  I made 35 mini butterfinger parfaits...but forgot to get a picture.   I think I posted that recipe before...but I couldn't find it.  Brady had a great conference and grade card...I'll just say we're kinda proud. :) 

Brady & Mr. B



Last week, our trees were in full bloom.  It was a beautiful week...we even hit 80 degrees a couple of days.  Our grass is so green.   Brady wore shorts to school all week....in March!  Crazy crazy weather we're having....and I LOVE it!

And in other exciting news....last week, Brady finally learned how to blow a bubble!

Hope you're all having a great week!

~Kerri

To My Son

Dear Brady Todd,

I can't believe you are 9 years old today.    It's hard for me to remember "me" before you were born.  I had no idea when you were growing inside my belly how much you would change my life.  You have made me want to be a better person...and I strive to do so everyday.  The joy you have brought to my life is immeasurable.    I love being your mom and I thank God everyday for letting me do so.   And, even though I would love to freeze time and keep you at the age your are right now...I can't help but be proud of the young boy you are turning into.

I thought today I would tell you a few things I love about YOU.

* that you are quick to pat someone on their back to lift their spirits.  I see you do this often...and there's nothing that makes me more proud of you than that gentle kindness you have for others.

* your sense of humor.  You always are able to make me laugh (even when I try not to!) at your silliness.  I love all the "inside" jokes we share.  I think these little things are what make our family (or any family) special. 

*  that you care about my feelings and never want to disappoint me.

*  that you wake up every morning with a smile on your face.  Unless you are sick, you have never waken up on the wrong side of the bed.  Since day one, Dad and I have always been amazed by this.

*  that you would give all of the money in your wallet to someone that needed it without hesitation.  Whenever we are out and about and you see somewhere to donate...you always ask if you can.

* you never mind me taking pictures of you.  I think this shows that you are sensitive to what's important to me.

* that you often express your gratitude.  You always seem thankful and appreciative for what you have.  You often say, "thanks for taking me here, or thanks for making _____ for dinner."  Sometimes at the end of the day, you thank us for a great day.  So sweet.  

* that you are naive.  Dad and I do our best to keep you from growing up too fast.

* that you love music.  I love to hear your sweet voice happy and singing.

* talking on the phone with you.  You sound so little on the phone!

*  your determination...not just in tennis, but in everything you do.  Even if it frustrates me sometimes...I know that you are just trying to do your best and are determined to do so.

* that you are a rule follower.  This frustrates me too sometimes, but you teach me that rules are rules for a reason.

* that you have zero tolerance for smoking....and if you were president you would make it against the law.

* that you still like to hold my hand.  Sometimes you reach for my hand when we are in the store or a parking lot.  I will enjoy this while it lasts!

* that you are my go to tech guy!  You show me things on my phone and computer that I could never figure out on my own!

* that you make me feel like I'm the BEST mom in the world...and you tell me often that I am.

* that sometimes when our eyes meet I can tell in that moment that you know how much you are loved.

I love you bigger than the universe!

Mom



This and That

 I feel like I have lost my blogging mojo!  I am still enjoying everyone else's blogs...just have nothing really for my own.

 

The last couple of weeks have been so busy.  Our calendar is filled...and it drives me crazy.  Hopefully by the end of April things will start to slow down.  Last week was the first week of tennis practice.  I pick Brady up everyday from school and drop him off at the high school.  He is loving his new job...and just as we thought, he is taking it quite seriously.  We had a good laugh at the dinner table on Monday evening after the first practice.  Brady said he told one of the boys on the team that he needed to "pick up the pace."  Can you imagine what this high school kid thought of Brady saying that to him?!  Eric told Brady that he needed to leave the "coaching" to him. 


   I'm trying to adjust to the change in our schedule.  Eric and Brady don't get home until after 6pm...some evenings closer to 7pm.  When matches start next week I'm sure we won't get home until after 8pm.   Once we have dinner, get showered and do homework, it doesn't leave much family time in the evening.  :(

Our weather has been in the 60's and 70's these last two weeks...just gorgeous!  I even wore sandals today to my dentist appointment.  Sandals in March?! 

I bought these wedges at the end of last summer for ten bucks!

They are so comfy.
I can't believe I'm posting pictures of my feet and shoes...see, I told you I don't have much to blog about these days!



Speaking of cheap....I bought this purse last week at JCPenney's for $5.00.  Eric and I were out shopping on his birthday...and he was just as excited as I was about my purse. I love that about him. We spent the morning shopping and then went out to lunch.  I love that we can sometimes work in a date while Brady's at school.

   

Lets see...what else....

Brady went to his first sleepover Saturday night!

Brady, Jack & Colin

These three met at preschool when they were 3 yrs. old....and have remained friends even though Brady is in another school district.  Us moms might have something to do with that too because we have become great friends. :)

 

 

Brady wasn't nervous at all about spending the night at Colin's house.  Jack spent the night too.  I on the otherhand felt sick to my stomach all evening.  Everything went fine...and he had a great time.  Next time I will probably drop him off with just a sleeping bag because he didn't bother to change his clothes or brush his teeth.  I'm not sure why I packed a bag for him?

 

 

I can't believe these boys have known each other for almost 6 years now.  It seems like just a couple of years ago we were nervous to leave our babies at preschool all by themselves!

 

 

Whew!  That was a lot of pictures...I could of posted lots more...but I will stop.  They're just so darn cute.

I love this quote...

Friendship isn't a big thing...it's a million little things.

~author unknown

 

Ten on Ten: March 2012

Ten pictures in ten hours on the tenth of the month...

finding the beauty in the everyday moments.



You can check out all the other ten on tens here!

Happy tenth everyone!



1st Day On The New Job

Today is the first official day of the boys tennis season.

Brady has been looking forward to this day for a couple of weeks now.  Eric asked him if he would like to be a manager for the boys tennis team.  Brady was thrilled...he thinks it's very official.  He will work with another boy who is middle school and will play on the high school team next year.    They will be in charge of the first aid kit, filling the water jugs, jumping in when needed with drills, and keeping stats at the matches.  I have a feeling he will take this new responsibility of his very seriously.

Brady said yesterday that he is looking forward to today's practice more so than his birthday in a couple of weeks!  Such a funny kid. 

Last night Brady made Eric this note.

Practice is until 5:30...so I'm anxiously waiting for them to get home.

I hope Brady's first day on the job is everything he was hoping it would be! 



What Is It.....

....about a boy and a puddle?

They just can't seem to avoid them!