Thursday, February 25, 2010

16 years with this boy.


(photo of Christian and Gabe taken this summer)


16 years old. 16 reasons I adore this boy:

16. He is one determined kid. Try telling him he can't have a dog.
15. He know how to work. He is the first one to get his jobs done, had a thriving lawn business and has worked construction two summers in a row.
14. He is a gentleman. He opens the doors for people, gives up his seat for others and says "thank you" for everything.
13. He is funny. Really. He wont let me take myself too seriously.
12. He never whines. He takes matters into his own hands.
11. He looks people in the eyes when he talks to them. He addresses people by name and asks about their lives.
10. Because of reason 11, he lets me hide behind him.
9. He writes the sweetest notes. His was my only valentine.
8. He is a good brother. He has a tender heart that makes him nice.
7. He is dang handy. He can fix things.
6. He has a beautiful voice (but he is careful not to let anyone hear it :( )
5. I have never seen a dog so loved as ours (Christian's). And that love is returned to Christian 10 fold.
4. He is always home by or before his curfew and is a master at finding a ride.
3. He accepts his dad's bribes to cut his hair.
2. He sets goals for himself. He will get his Eagle.
1. He never leaves the house or goes anywhere without telling me he loves me.
Man, I love this kid!


presenting...breakfast in bed.

But could you turn off the light? (BTW Britt..Your birthday present to Christian has been to let him sleep in your bed every night you are away at college.)

Christian's friends who are girls (not girlfriends) made him this birthday cake. One more thing I got to cross off my list.
Happy Birthday, Christian. I love you.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Overindulgencee in the name of Christian's birthday...

Cheesecake Factory. Birthday dinner. So full. Feel sick. Love this kid!

Monday, February 22, 2010

I just liked her outfit...

I've decided I'm going to take at least a picture a day. We'll see how it goes. This one is of Hailee doing her Saturday jobs. Her comment when she saw me taking the picture...? "Not cool, mom. Not cool."


She did it!



Friday, February 12, 2010

Seeing (more) Red!

I love Valentine's! I love love. I love pink. More than red. This month though, I am loving red.

Candy jar secret...fill with candy nobody really loves. Then it's not a huge temptation. Now if these were filled with chocolate...there would be nothing to see here.I *heart* this tree.
Hailee sewed these hearts together last year to make a heart garland.
The wall of love. Each person addressed hearts to each member of the family telling something they love about that family member. (Minus Brittney and Jordan who are not around)
This is one of my favorites.... [I love my dad because when he knows I am going to beat him at ping pong he still plays with me.]
Valentine mail baskets... I have tried to put something in every day this week.

Gabe's {last} class Valentine party..... We served them heart shaped waffles with strawberries, whipped cream and syrup. Mmmm...

Played Valentine bingo...




Gave out awards for Valentine mailboxes...

...and exchanged "heartfelt" Valentine wishes. Okay...that was a little sarcastic. I don't think they even look at who they are from. They just look for the treat. A friend's son's class had to write something they liked or admired about that person on each Valentine. I imagine that that would inspire them to read them. Maybe if my husband had had to do something like that in his class when he was younger it would be easier for him to send me a Valentine today.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Happy Chinese New Year!

I have been a little out of sorts lately. Feeling a little sorry for my sorry self. Lucky for me, Sophie invited me to her Chinese New Year program at her school. Sophie is in the Chinese immersion program at her kindergarten. The other day Jodi (her mom) went with Sophie to her parent/teacher conference. The Chinese teacher sat down with the two of them and began speaking to Sophie in Chinese. Sophie responded (in English). Then she had Sophie read to her from their beginner reader in Chinese. Jodi was more than a little surprised because Sophie had never really shared much of what she was learning in the way of language. Apparently Jodi wasn't nearly as surprised as Sophie herself. When they got out in the hallway, Sophie turned to Jodi and exclaimed, "I didn't know I could speak Chinese!"

Man, I love this girl! (every time I tried to take her picture, that boy would wave his dumb flag in front of her face)

Sophie's teacher (I would tell you her name, but I have no idea how to pronounce it let alone spell it.)

Part of Sophie's fan club...grandpa and grandma
the traditional New Year gift
Sophie's teacher planned a feast for those in attendance. Dumplings, wontons and fried rice...


And as a special treat in honor of Sophie and Chinese New Year, I thought I'd give you all an opportunity to learn a little Chinese yourselves...