After 3 Practices & 1 Jamboree.....

he already looks like this:




It's hard to see in this picture, but Braden has a nice lumpy bruise just above his wrist. Another lesson in correct blocking technique!

Separation Issues

Braden rode his bike to school today!

This is a big deal for me. --And I'll just say up front that I did follow him in my car! -- He asked yesterday after school if he could start riding his bike. "A.J. and Braydon are going to ride their bikes tomorrow."
I said I didn't think so, but we'd talk to Daddy about it. How does Daddy respond? "Sure!"
I know it's only 3 blocks or so, but he is my baby and what if ............ (you can fill in your choice of scenario) This morning we went over crossing the streets and watching for cars. He was able to tell me just how careful he needed to be when crossing Shannon St.
So, he took off after watching a little SportsCenter. I watched him cross Shannon -- from the kitchen! -- Then I got around and drove by the school on my way to the store. He was on school property and walking his bike around back when I drove by.

Keep us both in your prayers. Me for the peace of mind needed to let him grow up. Braden for safety to and from school.

First Day of Fourth Grade

So sorry, Amanda! I was enjoying my first day of school & no football practice and decided to wait until bedtime to post pictures!
Here you go............... Ready for school and watching SportsCenter before we leave. (The face is a combination of not wanting to have his picture taken and actually getting up before 8am)

Finally smiling! You'll notice we are starting Year 4 for our Underarmor backpack. A good $40-$45 investment, I'd say!..... New Reebok tennis shoes Of course he had to have mostly black ones!..... Braden picked out the shorts the night before and told me to find something that matched them..... This meant I got to pick the nice white polo!...... And despite him telling me that he would be playing football at recess and that it WOULD NOT be nice and white when he got home, it was :)



He had a great first day! And after school walked to Grammy's to get measured. He has grown 2" since the first day of school last year. He grew 2" from April '07-August '07. And he has grown 1 foot since June 2004. Any guesses as to how long before he grows the 3" needed to be the same height as his mom?

Bees

Just a quick post before lunch......

Yesterday, Braden and Jon went to a Rib Cook-off here in town. About one hour later they were back home. Braden had gotten stung by not one, but two bees while walking around at the Fair Grounds. One stung him on the ear and the other on the back of his hand.

He's fine! Since we don't have tobacco laying around to put on it, Jon mixed up baking soda and water. -- Later I asked him what happened. Why did the bees go after him and not Daddy? I love his response: "I had my MP3 player in my hand. It's black and yellow. Bees are black and yellow. Maybe the bees thought I was trying to capture their queen and were trying to save her."

Maybe, Braden. Maybe.

Back Home & Beat Up

So Braden came home from a week (5 days) at camp. He got back after lunch last Friday and boy was he gross!!! The second half of the week they spent in "miners' tents." Obviously they didn't have plumbing back then, so the boys had Port-o-Pots near the tents, but no full bathrooms. Therefore, during the second half of the week, showers and teeth brushing had to be done during free time. Now, if a 9 yrs old boy was given the choice between swimming or showering, which do you think he would pick?
I am so glad I was not the one in the van with the 5 of them on the way home from camp!! Braden was filthy....... and he had a mild rash, due to the filth! I sent him straight to the shower and then to brush when he got home. Then I washed EVERYTHING, even though there were several outfits still clean because "I forgot to change somedays." (Gag!) He said he felt so good after brushing his teeth. -- And the rash was gone the next morning!

After he was clean I noticed this:
It looked a lot worse in person. What happened? He has no idea. But at least he's back home and smells fresh!

Michindoh Drop Off

Braden went to Camp Michindoh on Sunday afternoon, but I'm just getting around to posting a few pictures today.
Sunday morning, before church, Jon fixed eggs, toast, and sausage for our little camper. And to top it off, he got to drink his milk with the new Fruit Loops cereal straws we got. Yum?!?!


Here he is trying out his bunk at camp. (I think they are in a cabin for half of the week and then head off to "western camp" where they will sleep in miners' tents.)


Braden and Micheal, his bunk-mate.

Keep them in your prayers this week. They are due back in VW shortly after lunch on Friday.

Random Update

Just letting everyone know that we are alive and well! I haven't taken any pictures this past week - thus, nothing to post.
Braden's had football camp 3 days last week.
We spent Thursday afternoon at the Celina Pool. Braden and Nick had a great time and were exhausted!! I got some color, though my shoulders saw a bit too much.
Thursday night, we went to see "Hancock." Great movie, but why can't movies be great without the profanity? Should I have to talk to my son about NEVER using words like that? Can't we just have a clean, funny family movie that's not animated?
Anyway, then Friday we hit a few garage sales in the morning, bought Turtle some crickets (which he chased down and gobbled up!), and bought Braden the supplies he needs for camp. That's right, Sunday afternoon, Braden leaves for a camp in Michigan! He'll be back home on Friday! Keep him and the rest of the kiddos in your prayers please!
Jon's back so I better go help put food away. Have a great weekend, All!