My Crone Champion II

My Braxton is a special kid. He tries so hard to do what's right and please everyone. In the last few weeks, we have received 4 different notices from teachers at school telling us (Steve and I) what a great kid he is. It's reassuring to see others find his effort noteworthy. Two emails and postcards came from teachers praising him for his citizenship and integrity. He was also named a Crone champion yet again. This is an honor where the school recognizes a boy and girl from each "team" in each grade who exemplifies positive accomplishments. The students and parents are invited to a breakfast, where they are recognized by their teachers and administrative staff.

Another recognition was for his integrity. Braxton found a dollar bill on the floor as he was walking down the hall in between classes. He handed it in to the office. After 4 weeks, they gave it back to him along with a letter commending his honesty and also gave him a gift certificate for a free meal!

He comes home with candy bars almost weekly from helping others in his classes and being a positive role model.

I love this kid!

Since I went last year to the Crone Champion Breakfast, I allowed Steve to accompany Braxton so that he could see his son honored in front of his peers.

(This is something we never thought possible when Braxton was young. We are amazed by the kind, gentle giant Braxton has become.)

Of course, I'm choked up as I am writing this, but I honestly am in awe of the spirit inside this young man. He is an example of purity not seen often in 13 year old boys. His faith in God and in others is rare. He sees the good in everything. He has no guile. He is definitely sheltered and naive, but I appreciate it. He couldn't be a better role model for his younger brothers and sisters. Steve and I are so blessed to have him as our oldest child.

Oh the weather outside is...confusing.

Despite what my father-in-law thinks... our weather has been quite mild. We did have one day, however, with a freak snow fall. We had snow for 5 minutes. Emma was the only one quick enough to get dressed and run outside to play in it.

A week later, they're back outside without coats on...able to jump on the trampoline.

Don't you love static electricity?! :)

We tried to clean up the yard and rake some leaves. Of course, Emma was looking beautiful while jumping in our piles. Sometimes I wish I were small and young enough to run and jump in leaves...and not get hurt.

Lizzie wasn't into the running and jumping, just the falling.
They are too cute! I love seeing them enjoy Fall weather. It's the best!

Build a Bear

Lizzie received some birthday money and knew right away how she wanted to spend it. We decided to wait until the giver of the gift (Grandma and Grandpa Bird) moved here so that they could share in the experience with her.

Lizzie chose a Dairy Queen Blizzard Bear that smells like chocolate.

She gave her a bath.

And is still giving her lots of love and attention.
We got to join our cousins at the mall and have some fun climbing at the play areas and riding on the carousel.

Straight No Chaser-part 1

Last Spring, Steve was let in on one of his new favorite music group's touring schedule. They were coming to Chicago! He was so excited! The day the priority tickets were made available to those in the fan club, Steve was online ready to order. In the time it took for him to walk out of his office and clear the date with me and my schedule, the concert was sold out. He tried other venues and decided to go for it when he was able to get tickets for a concert in Milwaukee. He also wanted to take the boys with us.

We made good time and had very little traffic, so we decided to go to a "sit-down" restaurant...Benihana's. Steve was the only one who had ever eaten there before. So fun! Braxton was very hesitant, but quickly realized that he had a choice of more than just sashimi. :) As usual, he cleaned his plates...as well as his brothers.

We were the 8th or 9th row back in the dead center. They were spectacular seats!

Carter wanted a turn with my phone and proof that I was there.

What a great, memorable night! The boys had smiles on their faces the whole time. My favorite numbers were the mash-ups. They are brilliant!

Locks of Love

Emma did it! She donated 12 inches of her hair to Locks of Love.

For months, she has known that she was going to be Rapunzel for Halloween and then she wanted to donate her hair to Locks of Love. She was a little disappointed when I wasn't prepared to take her Tuesday, November 1st to get it cut. I made her wait until Friday.

She was SO excited! My mom was devastated, since Emma's hair is one of her defining features. I was anxious not knowing if she was going to be happy after she cut it. She never regretted her decision for one second.

Lizzie was going to try to donate her hair as well, but it was one inch too short. The hairstylist felt that the remaining hair would not be long enough to make her look cute and girly. Lizzie will wait and get her own special day to donate hers in a few months. This news was supposed to help her feel better, but the tears never stopped. I was grateful Grandma was there to comfort Lizzie, since she needed someone to herself.

Here's Emma with the final product! She looks darling! In fact, Carter's teacher has a daughter who did the exact thing--was Rapunzel for Halloween then donated her hair the next day. In talking with her, she said she feels Emma's new hairstyle actually fits her bubbly personality better. Probably true. It's definitely easier to take care of, but I miss the styles that I now cannot do on her hair. Oh, well. Emma is so happy and can hardly keep her hands out of it!

HaPpY HaLlOwEeN!

This is extremely overdue, but I still have to share all that is going on in our lives over the last few weeks...
First of all, Steve's parents moved in to an apartment 5 minutes away from us on Saturday, October 29th. My children are already spoiled with the extra attention they are receiving. We are squeezing 9 people at our dinner table every night and I am getting a break from dishes, which I LOVE! I hope they don't regret their decision come sub-zero temperatures in February. They are getting to see the good and bad in their grandchildren, but they keep coming over for more, so I think it's going to work out. :)

Halloween was a little more chaotic than usual because of the schedule we were keeping. October 29th brought a move, but also the final football and soccer games AND an entertaining concert in Milwaukee by one of Steve's favorite acapella groups, Straight No Chaser. We are so grateful that Grandma and Grandpa Bird were here because they took the girls to our church's Trunk or Treat for us. Everyone had a great time that night and arrived home safely.

Sunday was our Primary Sacrament Meeting Program. The kids were wonderful!!! It is one of my favorite Sundays of the year. Their sweet voices make me smile from the inside out. Emma had a solo this year to Search, Ponder, and Pray with the rest of the primary joining her on the chorus. I couldn't be prouder! My counselor did a spectacular job putting the program together. I then did a special sharing time/party called "Faith Factor" with trivia, games, and treats. We had a blast! I was exhausted when it was over, but it was worth it!

Monday morning came...no pumpkins were carved and not even all of the costumes were done! Lizzie was a beautiful, blushing bride. She was beautiful in her parade.

Carter was Jimmer. Somehow he got his teacher to allow him to dribble outside in the parade.

CRAZY!

Emma, aka. Rapunzel, led her class in her parade. I got to work her class's party and ran the relay races. I don't know what it is, but I'm always the one running around with the kids at the parties. The other moms always get the sit-down crafts and activities.

Emma and Lizzie drew what they wanted on their pumpkin so that I could speedily cut it out after school.

This year, I tried something new...I allowed the boys to design and CUT their own. They did it! No one was injured either! Win-Win!

Here they are ready to collect some loot. I normally don't allow children over 12 to go, but decided to let B & E take Carter while I walked with the girls who were too slow for the boys' patience level.

Braxton - Percy Jackson (I made his shirt with Freezer paper stencils--AWESOME!)

Evan - Jason from The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

Jimmer, Rapunzel, and Bride

Don't you love Emma's "Can we just go" look?

Fall activities

What have we been doing lately?

2 kids on swim team

1 playing on the most wonderful, friendly, and UNDEFEATED football team EVER

1 child playing soccer

1 child taking ballet and in swimming lessons

4 children in their own scout troops

5 kids with homework--seriously, homework in preschool!

1 husband trying to support a family, be cubmaster, teach primary, and be an assistant scout master to an 11 year old scout troop

2 kids in honors chorus meeting at 6:45 AM!!!!

3 children in their school's chorus

1 child in Orchestra & Swingin' Strings

4 children taking piano lessons

1 Mom driving these 5 kids to all their activities!

Whew!

Fall is anything but boring!