Happy 12th!

It's really hard to believe our "baby" turned 12 in March!  Not to sound cliché...but really...where has the time gone??  

Thursday morning, before school, he opened his presents!

The Superdry backpack was not a surprise.  He picked it out during the sales in January, but I told him he had to wait until his birthday to use it.  Meanie...I know!

I was able to bring his "big gift" back from the US!  Let's be honest.  He just wanted the dragon.  You don't even want to know how much I paid for him to just want the dragon....

Hey!  It's hair gel!  Doesn't everyone want gel for their birthday?

Just another game to warp his brain.

He can officially ride in the front seat.  What I should have posted was his very annoyed 13 year old sister who was demoted to the back seat.  How do I deal with this?  They alternate weeks riding in the front. 

We celebrated turning 12 at Hard Rock Cafe with Lisa and Adam.

We were celebrating Adam too.  His birthday was the next day.

The following evening, Thomas had his birthday party at the American Women's Club.  It's really a great place for a party.  There is plenty of space, it's reasonably priced, and Roger does all the cleaning.  Awesome!  There was no way we could host 21 kids at our house, so this worked out perfectly!

On the menu...walking tacos!  Add taco meat to a bag of Fritos or Doritos.  Add cheese, sour cream, lettuce, etc. to the bag and eat.  Yum!

This is new!  Thomas wanted to invite the girls this year.  They eat lunch together each day, and he didn't want to leave them out.  It was really a lot of fun having them at the party and added a whole new dynamic.

The usual suspects

Cake time!  I love that happy face.

Clean up time.  I have never seen so much popcorn on the floor before.  Thank God for Roger!

What an awesome group of kids!
We love you too, Roger...back there cleaning up popcorn.

Thomas had a sleepover birthday party on Saturday.  From the sleepover, he went to a paintball party on Sunday.  So, this is what Monday morning, on the way to school, looked like.  One tired boy!

Happy Birthday, Thomas William!  You will always be my baby.  Even though you are almost as tall as me and you wear shoes that are four sizes bigger than mine, you'll never be too big to give me big hugs and kisses.  Love you Bud. xoxo

Until next time,

Wendy

Back to School

August 27th, the kids were back to school starting their fourth school year at ISB.  Yes, we've only been here 2.5 years, but we arrived mid-year when Allison was in 5th grade and Thomas in 3rd grade.  And this year they started grades 8 and 6.  So hard to believe.

Flashback….Their first day at ISB, and they look so little!

And…now this school year.

Thomas - Grade 6

Allison - Grade 8

 Here's one shot, at school, at the end of day one.  But, we had to hurry before anyone noticed I was taking their picture.  Gasp!

Both school pictures have now been received (just today!)  They are looking too old!

Conferences were already held last week.  We are off to a great start and looking forward to another terrific year as ISB Raiders!

Until next time,

Wendy

How Did Our Baby Turn 11???

Once upon a time, a beautiful boy was born.  It was a Wednesday night, just like tonight, and we had been anxiously awaiting his arrival.  This was an arrival we thought would happen much earlier.  I had been dilated to a three for twenty-one days! Would he ever get here??  On March 26, 2003, the day had finally come!  After just ten minutes, he was here!

Our first picture together.  

He was a big boy at 9 lbs. and 21 inches long.

Allison was just 21 months old.  It was a little like having two babies at home.  Would we ever sleep again?

Someday, he will really hate us for this….

So content in the middle of the family room.

This photo hung in the Kroger photo lab for quite some time.  The ladies that worked there loved him!

On the move!

And, eleven years later…here we are.  A boy who loves soccer and basketball, horseback riding, and playing the baritone and piano.  The iPad is never far from his fingertips, and the only thing he really wanted for his birthday was a YouTube account (which he didn't get.)  He is smart and funny and loving (asks for a hugs everyday.)  I just wish I could bottle it up and keep him this way forever.

I found him a Goonies card….Hey You Guys!!!

He received the scooter he has been wanting (not as much as the YouTube account.)  We will also help him pick out a bike this weekend.

No time for a cake.  We have places to be…. (oh Allison)

It's off to Dublin for a few days.  As I write, he is snuggled in bed playing on his iPad in the hotel.  It's a perfect end to a birthday for him.

 Happy Birthday, Thomas!  We love you so very much.  Thank you for being you!

Love,

Mom

Track and Field with Thomas

Earlier in the spring, Thomas participated in the fourth grade pentathlon.  He placed 1st in his class in many of the events (very proud Mom), but his best event was the ball throw.  He threw for 32 meters!  The first week of June, he was invited to participate in the Interscholastic Track and Field competition with other schools in the Brussels area.  He was asked to represent the fourth grade boys from ISB in the ball throw.  He did a really super job.  The farthest he was able to throw that day was 28 meters, and the winner threw 29+ meters.  Oh, was he ever disappointed.  But, I told him he should be very proud of his accomplishment.  In his eyes though....he still lost. :(

Please don't bite your tongue off.  He gets it honestly.  My whole family does this! 

The fourth grade team

 This track event has a very happy ending.  ISB won the meet.  Here they are finding out the GREAT news!  

Can you see Thomas's reaction on the far left side?

 Team ISB!!!

A pic with the trophy he REALLY wanted to take home.

Way to go Thomas.  We are so proud of you!  We suspect there will be more great things to come in track and field.  We can't wait to see what the future holds.

Until next time,
Wendy