Last Day Of Fourth Grade

{First day of 4th grade}

It rained all day so we were not able to get an outside picture.

I think it's the first time since Brady started school that it rained on the last day of school.

Brady's teacher was asked to move up from 3rd grade to 4th grade this year....

so Brady was fortunate to have him for two years.

I was fretting about what to give him.

And then, I remembered THIS post that I wrote a few years ago.

Brady and I made him hamburger cookies and got him a gift card.

A few of you asked about those cookies.  I posted about them HERE.

But more importantly, Eric and I wrote Mr. B. a thank you letter.

And in true Mr. B. fashion, he gave Brady a thank you card for his gift...

and he sent an email to us about Brady that made me cry.

I was emotional all day.  I know...suprise, suprise.

I do much better with beginnings than endings.

I was able to attend the 5th grade graduation in the morning.

The 4th graders have the privelage of attending the graduation ceremonies too.

I couldn't believe how teary I kept getting during the program....because that will be my

child graduating from elementary school next year.  Moving on....

I wanted to briefly mention that my first year back to work exceeded my expectations.

It was a wonderful year.  I loved working with the kindergarteners and first graders.  I loved

my co-workers.  I think for the most part the transition went pretty smoothly. 

I sometimes felt overwhelmed at home trying to do it all...but I had help from

my husband...and I had weekends to catch up.

Even though I didn't see Brady often, I loved knowing he was in the same building.

I also loved that he chose to ride with me to and from school.

Brady enjoyed it too...he told me often he was proud of me.

(I jokingly told him I had to work to help pay for all his tennis shoes!)

We listened to this song and this song everyday on our way to school.

I often worried about not doing enough.

For example, I did not have the time to pull off this like last year.

Instead, I gave Brady a bag of swedish fish when we got into the van after

school and he was thrilled.

It was definitely harder to do the little extra things that make me feel like a good mom.

But in the end, I was the only one who noticed.

Brady is just a happy easy going boy who doesn't need all the extras

all the time.  He knows he is loved. 

When Brady walked into my room after school yesterday I knew

immediately that he had good news. 

He was so proud to show me this-

I am excited for him.  He has worked hard and made good choices since

kindergarten in hopes of getting to be on the safety committee.  I think he will be

a good one.

I often tell Brady to stop getting taller, or to not grow up so fast.  I give him way

more hugs and kisses a day than is probably normal for a kid his age.  I remind him

periodically that he will always be my little boy.  But, lately I have had a shift in

thinking.  And yesterday,  I asked him if he knew what age I liked best.  He

probably thought I would say when he was 3!  I told him right now is my

favorite age.  I love that we can have good conversations, he can express

his feelings, he can enjoy a little freedom once in awhile, we do fun things together,

and that I really like the boy he is becoming.  You should have seen his smile!

He said, "I just love you Mom."

He is growing up....

and I am going to enjoy every bit of this journey that I am so lucky to be on.

Happy summer everyone!



#2

Brady played in a tennis tournament on Memorial Day.

 

He won his first round 6-0, 6-0.

And, he won his second round 6-0, 6-0.

 

 

I thought this was funny....the boy Brady played in the second round told him before

they started, "good luck, you're gonna need it!"  That boy didn't win a single game!

He did look cute though in his white fancy duds.

 



The final was played at Franklin and Marshall University here in Lancaster.

Brady played the #1 ranked player in the central pennsylavania/middle states. 

(Brady is ranked #3)

Brady has met up with Dylan in two other tournaments- one last summer and once in the fall.

Brady lost both times.

 

I asked Brady if he was nervous to play Dylan and he said he was excited.

Brady said, "It is time.  It is time."

Ahhhh....to be young and have that much belief in yourself.

 

 

Brady played the entire match like a champion.

He was so focused.

I'm most proud of the way he handles himself on the court.

For example- if you were to walk by and see him playing...you might not be able to

tell if he was winning or losing.  He has the same demeanor regardless.

People notice that.  I've always told Brady that people will forget that he's a good

tennis player...but never the kind of boy he was to play against.  At least I hope that's true!
 

 

He was right...it was time.

Brady beat Dylan 6-1, 6-3.

I'm glad I had my sunglasses on because I was a little teary a couple of points

before it was over.  Brady works so unbelievably hard and I knew how badly he wanted

this win.  I wanted it for him.

 

The new rankings come out next Thursday and Brady has a feeling he will move

up to the #2 player in the central pennsylvania.  We will have to wait and see!

 

 

Brady took his trophy to school on Wednesday to show his teacher.

He has always been quiet about tennis at school...but I think his

teacher has taken an interest and encouraged him to share his passion with his class.

Brady is the only one in his entire school that plays tennis. :(

 

In other news....

Brady qualified to play in a regional tournament in Illinois...so we will be heading there

in July!  Win or lose....I'm sure it will be the highlight of his summer!







 

 

 

 

 



What 10 Looks Like...

I asked Brady last week on his birthday if I could take a few pictures of him in the backyard.

Of course, he said,"sure."  He's nice like that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh, how I love being Brady's mom.

These past 10 yrs. have truly been the best years of my life.

 

 

I have learned so much from him as I continue to work at being the best mom he needs

and could ever hope for.

Things are not always perfect around here...but we sure do love each other.

 

My hope for the next 10 years is that they will not go by as quickly as the first 10 years have gone!

 

 

Our Snow Day

We were excited to have a SNOW DAY yesterday!

 

It was kind of strange that school was being cancelled yesterday morning because we didn't have any snow on the ground.  But, the weatherman was sure we were going to get a large amount of snow all day long and so the schools all across the county made the decision to close for the day.

 

Do you Facebook?  I usually don't post anything on there except an occasional picture.  I'm not really a fan...although I do try and check it at least once a day...so I don't miss anything! ;) Anyway, I read a lot of negative things on there about school being cancelled.  And so, I felt the need to say something.  I told Brady there would probably be some people not very happy with me!  This was my post:

 

I cannot believe how many facebook friends are complaining about the snow day today. I always think it's better to be safe than sorry. If the kids went to school and we ended up having an early dismissal and had to get the kids home safely...there would also be complaining. I guess you can't please everybody. Anyway, I'm enjoying the snow day in my pajamas hanging out with my son...if we end up getting some snow...that will be an added bonus. :)

 

 

We never did get any snow. :)

 

 

Brady and I played Monopoly Deal.  It's much quicker than real Monopoly.  Games take  about 15 or 20 minutes.  We played a few games while having lunch...I love playing games with him...we laugh a lot.

 

Brady did a fair share of lounging on the couch and he may have played a few too many games on his ipod...but I was getting too much done around the house...so I let it go.

 

 

I taught Brady how to make lasagna...one of his favorites.

He did all of the work.  I think if we made it together one more time he would be able to do it all on his own the next time.  I would love if he spent more time with me in the kitchen and learned to enjoy cooking.  It's not something he asks to do very often...so I will have to be the one to keep bugging him! 

 

 

Eric has slept on the couch the last two nights because of his annoying cough.  I sure hope he starts to feel better....Brady and I are excited to celebrate his birthday on Saturday!

 

 

Have a great weekend friends!

Kerri



4th Grade



 

I figured I better get these first day of school pictures posted before Thanksgiving!  Geez!  I sure have neglected this little blog of mine.  I'm not home during the day anymore, and our evenings are usually busy.  I'm sure I'll figure it all out and fall into a routine that works eventually.  Until then, all I have is old news, but things I don't want to forget...like the first day of 4th grade!

 

 

Brady was so excited that first morning.  He kept reminding me to "hurry up" because we needed to get first day of school pictures.   I love it.  I wonder if he'll remind me about pictures when he's in high school?  As we were driving to school he told me that I didn't need to worry about having brownies for him after school since I was now busy working.  I honestly didn't even think of making brownies like I usually do because it was my first day of school too!  (I hadn't even started working yet and I was already slacking in the mom department!)  So, after school I dropped Brady off at the high school for tennis practice and I hurried straight to the grocery store to buy a brownie mix! 

 

 

 

 

Brady had a great first day.  There's a new boy in his class who told him that he kinda likes tennis too.  They have been pals ever since!

 

My first day of school was great too.  Thank you so much for all of your emails asking how my job is going.  That has meant so much to me.  I'm sorry it has taken me so long to fill you in.  I am loving my job more than I could have imagined.  I have kindergarten and first grade math and reading. (Boy are they ever cute!)  I love creating fun lessons to keep the kids interested and learning.  I'm busy and challenged and my day goes by so quickly.  So far, it's been a really smooth transition.  I get up a little earlier than I probably need to, but I like getting things done at home before leaving for work.  The only things I miss about being home all day is talking to friends on the phone and meeting my husband for lunch.  Eric and I now have a Sunday afternoon grocery date....his idea!  It works out perfectly since Brady hates going to the grocery store!  Anyway, so far so good on working full time.  I am excited to go into work in the morning and I leave school at the end of the day with a smile on my face.  My fire is fueled.   

 

Even though going back to work has been a pretty smooth transition, I am still getting use to only having evening to get things done around here.  Blogging has taken a backseat to other priorities.  Please know though that I am checking in on your blogs every morning....I just don't always have time to comment.  And hopefully soon, I will get back into the blogging groove!

 

Happy a great weekend!

Kerri