Brandon's Birthday

I am behind on doing this. Time just keeps getting away from me. We took Brandon to Manhattan's Pizza Parlor for lunch because he wanted the giant Pizza. Chris went with us, taking advantage of not working right now. Then we came home and watched movies. It wasn't the most exciting but he had fun. He always gets his birthday stretched out because his aunts come one day, we do something on his actual birthday, and then we have the family party on Sat. He is such a good sport. He was willing to wait until the Saturday after his birthday so we wouldn't be doing parties two weekends in a row since we had fourth of July and GG's the Sat before. I can't believe he is already twelve.

 He wanted a fire picture for his room

We finally got the go cart up and running for his birthday

4th of July

This was the first year in a long time that we were able to set off fireworks. Aunt Pat and Uncle Jim came for a visit so it was a real family affair. We had GG's birthday party as usual. During the day, every one came out for lunch and we played baseball and some games. The kids were hot so we moved to the backyard and everyone watched them swim for a while. Pat and Jim took GG home to rest for a few hours before coming back over and the wind and clouds moved in. We ended up having GG's party and dinner inside and were able to go outside for the rest of the fourth of July fun.  I wasn't sure how the dogs were going to react with fireworks because we haven't been able to have them since we got these two. Goldie stayed in her crate the whole time but that isn't unusual. BJ was a little nervous with the closer bangs but he stayed outside with us the whole time. We still didn't buy too many fireworks because we found it more fun to play instead but we thought we had more fountains and found out that they were giant confetti poppers instead. The two pinwheel fountains we had messed up and we only had one fountain that worked so that was kind of a bummer. We also had smoke bombs and snakes. Scott and Chris set all of the snakes off at once so it looked like a bonfire instead of snakes and lasted about a minute. Never let those two play with fire. All the children (that means the grown up boys) played with silly string. We also had bubbles and glow stuff for night. We tried making a giant bubble wand this year and it went over pretty good but I will have to make two of the wands next time and we are tweaking the bubble recipe. The wind wasn't completely cooperating with us either. On Saturday, we went to Chris' for dinner, this time we got to eat outside. Chris and I were playing with the kids, we tried the bubbles again and then when it got dark we played with glow sticks. It was a great weekend and we were sorry to see Aunt Pat and Uncle Jim leave. There are more pics posted on shutterfly. Don't forget GG's 100th birthday party is next July!

                                       GG's cake, fancy on the outside, red white and blue on the inside

                                         giant bubbles

                                          smoke bombs

                                        Scott looks like he is using Brandon for a plow

                                            smoked out

                                          My little fireman

                                            silly string wars

                                            the snake bonfire

                                        playing at chris'

This was on a burn but I thought it was cute, Scott was teaching Brandon

Last day of school

Today was the last day of school. Brandon is officially a sixth grader and Jessie in third. They had a graduation ceremony for the fifth grade with a slide show. It was very sad but at the same time I am so proud of him and I love watching him grow up. He received perfect attendance all year, most improved in reading, spelling and science and DARE completion. Jessie received super speller, amazing math, awesome acts of kindness, pledge of allegiance award, student of the month for December, and roaring reader award. I wasn't sure they were going to make it to the end because first Brandon was sick over Memorial weekend and now Jessie has it. They both managed to push through and now they can be sick if they want to. We are taking them to Country Buffet tonight to celebrate. I can't believe how fast they grow up. It seems like as soon as they start school, the time speeds up. I am so proud of them both. They are what gets me through the stressful times. I am making Brandon a slide show of his school years but it is not done yet because I didn't get the idea until last night. If I can figure out how to post it when it is done I will.

                                       Jessie getting her awards with her teacher and the principal

                                 Brandon's graduation certificate

 

                          Brandon getting his awards

End of year comings and goings

So I am behind yet again. This time of year is so busy and I am in denial of Brandon ending his elementary school career. He made his AR reading goal but did not want to go up to the Rockies yet again so we took him out of school and he had a me day. Scott, Mom and I took him to Angelo's pizza on the Riverwalk for lunch and then we came home and watched a fire movie and then he just played and enjoyed a day without Jessie. He also had his fifth grade field trip to Cave of the Winds and ITZ which is kind of like Chuck E Cheese but more expensive. I couldn't afford to go with him as it was $26 just to send him. He had fun but more at Cave of the Winds. I wish I could have gone on his final trip but I haven't been able to go on any of his since third grade because they are all out of town so I should be used to it. Scott went to career day at school and had Brandon's class. They all had fun playing with the fire stuff. Scott let the kids play with the hoses and try on the packs and helmets. They really enjoy hands on stuff. Scott got a bunch of thank you letters from the students. I was reelected as secretary for the PTO again, mainly because no one wants to help the PTO. It is always the same parents. Jessie had her AR reading trip. They went bowling and then had an ice cream party. Scott and I went to the bowling part. I am surprised that some of the balls actually made it down the lane. Jessie could barely drop the ball, they were either heavy balls or a lot of the kids are not very strong. They had the bumpers which helped.

The kids had field day on Thursday. The PE coach who heads up field day asked Scott if he would bring the fire truck to help with one of the games. They have a giant beach ball that they wanted to spray water on and try to keep it in the middle. Scott brought a couple of the other firefighters to help out. It was a big hit and everyone including the firefighters got soaked. The fifth graders have the annual fifth grade versus teachers kickball game and the coach wanted them to spray the fifth graders to give the teachers an advantage. Like they needed one since the teachers win every year. They hosed down everyone including the kids on the sidelines. I guess it was a big hit because they want them back next year.

                                          Brandon getting ready to do the 50 yard dash

                                          Brandon doing the buddy walker race

                                          egg toss

                                          egg toss

                                          bean bag toss

                                          super soccer with Scott's firetruck

Only two weeks left of school

Easter

We had a good Easter. The kid's Aunts brought stuff over on Friday and on Sunday the kids looked for eggs then had a treasure hunt for their baskets. GG came over for lunch and Chris was there helping hide. This year the boys made it more difficult for the kids so they had to work harder. It was a good day. We also put dog treats in a few eggs and had the dogs find them. They started to get the idea towards the end.

Jessie's play

Jessie had her second grade play last night. The play was about Pueblo. She was supposed to be an 80's girl but since all the styles are coming back she doesn't look much different. She loves the jean jacket and wears it every where. If she didn't get so shy singing in public, she probably would have got a solo part because she sings much better than the kids chosen. She had fun and the play went well so that is all that matters.

Her hair was in a side ponytail but it didn't come out in the picture very well.

 They did a traditional Mexican dance

Jess saying her lines

Science Fair

The kids had their science fair at school. Brandon had to do an earth science project so he chose how oil spills affect the environment. He made an ocean habitat and then spilled oil in it to see how it affected the plants. It didn't work out quite as we hoped because the plants didn't die as fast as we thought they would. He also saw which worked to soak up the oil better. Jessie's class did a project together so she didn't get a board. Her group did which type of soil lets water run through faster. I am proud of both of them.

On a different note, Brandon decided to do the pack test with the other fireman Scott was testing this weekend. The pack test is a 3 mile hike in 45 minutes with a 45 pound pack. Brandon didn't do it with any weight but he did the test twice, once on Sat and again on Sun. He apparently chattered the whole way and wasn't even winded. The other firefighters said he motivated them because they weren't about to be beat by an 11 year old. One of the guys said he was impressed by how Brandon has his whole career planned out.  I am so proud of him, it's like all of a sudden everything is starting to click at least physically now if we can just get his schoolwork under control we will be set.