Britt's Poetry Cafe

Last night Britt's class held their Poetry Cafe, and it was, of course, SPECTACULAR! The turnout was huge, and every kid did a wonderful job of reciting their poems, "en espanol," into a microphone in front of everyone. They all wore black and white clothes, and Britt posed for his Big Mama before we left. Isn't he a handsome one? I love that precious face of his... You can see his sweet heart right through those big blue eyes.

 Britt  and his best friend, Daniel - two peas in a pod!

Sra. Downes is the best teacher I have ever seen. She is the whole package, and I felt like crying when the evening was coming to a close. When she was Brailey's teacher, I still had hope that she would be Britt's second grade teacher, as well. Thank goodness she was! Now, we have to move on to the higher grades, and we will miss her so much. She is the perfect teacher, truly - kind, fun, organized, sweet and strict. I am grateful beyond words that both of my B's were able to experience her teaching.

Britt and Brady as we were leaving - Brady had to meet us at the school and change in the pickup due to his working late. And he still looks handsome as ever! I so love these B boys of mine...

Alvin's World

Sadly, Alvin's foot has still not healed all the way. It is almost there! But not quite strong enough to be used. And so he's been set out into the pasture for more time off. Another summer! And frankly, he couldn't be happier. I wanted to cry when our favorite vet, Chris Camp, gave us the news, but Alvin is enjoying every second of his pasture time. Doesn't he have the sweetest face ever?! Somehow, over the course of his recovery, he's become "my" horse. And now Brady has his perfectly sound horse, Maggie. How did this happen? Seriously, I wouldn't trade Alvin for a million-zillion sound horses. Maybe a million-zillion dollars, but don't tell my Alvie... That's just between you and I. As far as Alvin knows, he's a keeper for life. I do so love this horse!

More Fuel for the Great Titanic Obsession

Britt is a lucky boy! Brailey's beloved best friend, Carrie, got him this gynormous model of the Titanic at a garage sale her church held. She knew he would love it! Not only that, but she wrapped it up - Carrie's a special and sweet girl, and we couldn't be happier she and Brailey are besties. So Britt found the wrapped box in the car, right where he sits, when he got out of school. He pestered Brailey the entire ride home about what it might be... To say he was happy when he opened it would the greatest understatement ever made. He loves it! It has never been put together, and all the pieces and directions are still in plastic wrapping. It is an amazing find! Now he has a project to work on this summer. A lucky, lucky boy, indeed!

Brailey's Discovery Girl Presentation

Brailey's teachers were so supportive of her experience as an Oregon Discovery Girl, and they asked her if she would like to give a little presentation on it, which she was thrilled to do. We made up a PowerPoint slide show for her, and she got to present it three different times, one for each class (4th, 4/5 split and 5th), which gave her some good experience for the future. She was nervous, but she did well, and I'm grateful for the opportunity it provided her to practice her public speaking (don't want her to turn out like her mother, terrified of speaking in front of people!). Next, she does a presentation on Princess Diana, where she gets to dress up like the princess. Wait until you see her costume... I must say, it is quite fabulous! Stay tuned...

Britt's First Communion Retreat

He's almost ready! On Sunday, we spent the afternoon with Britt's classmates and their families at a retreat to prepare for their First Holy Communion. It was a great experience, and after Monday's class, Britt and Brady are down to only one more Monday evening class to attend. And then it will be time to celebrate Britt's First Communion, which he has been so excited for, ever since Brailey's First Communion two years ago. Celebration time! We're pretty sure the "big day" is going to be the 23rd of June. He's had his guest list for this party made since January!

This, my friends, is what a true-blue (eyed, that is) Mama's Boy looks like! Oh yah! He's  so precious! He even let me help him with his banner (hence the felt in my hands). And when I say "help," I mean he surrendered and let me do most of it. Which is what the other moms were doing, too. (I learned that little lesson from Brailey's retreat...)

Jog-a-Thon 2012 - The Year of 12 Laps

Yes, both of my B's made TWELVE LAPS around the Sheldon track for the Jog-a-Thon this year. That was Britt's goal, since he went eleven last year, and Brailey's long legs just carried her farther this year, I think - last year she did ten. The weather was absolutely perfect, not too hot, not too cold and no rain! And although they didn't have the festive balloons at the start line like they have in the past, every kid received their own water bottle with their name on it, and that was a big hit! And I'm so proud of my B's for going 3 miles - WOWZA! They were both really tired when they got home from school, and Britt said, in his Britt-speak, "I'm not made for Jog-a-Thons!" And yet he still managed twelve laps...

 Brailey, Carrie and Camille on their way to the track - ready to jog!

Britt and Daniel are still in Fiesta-mode, perfecting their 50's moves... SO CUTE!

The Queen B

The Queen B of The 4 B's - that's me! Not "Bee," but "B," which stands for... Bobbi Jo, Bo or Byatch, depending on my frequency, right? My sweet twin, Kimmy, gave me the awesome "QUEEN" sign for Mother's Day, and it looks perfect on my office wall that has been bare for the past year or so, waiting for the right piece of art to adorn it. I love my new sign! The "Queen B" is on my office door. I don't really think I am a queen, by any stretch of the imagination. As my boss laughingly pointed out, even though Brady and I call Brailey and Britt our worker B's, the real worker B's are Big Mama and Big Daddy. Still, it is fun to have a name for our family, which Dr. Phil says is very important in establishing a "phenomenal family," in his book I read a few years ago. And my Grandma Bert is actually the one who named us The 4 B's. And no, we didn't plan it the way you might think. We were originally going to name Brailey "Macy," after my maiden name, but then my friend Sammy Jo said, "I kind of like Brailey," and both Brady and I loved the name and the rest is history, as they say. And then when Britt came along, we couldn't be The 3 B's and a different letter of the alphabet... And thus, The 4 B's were born! And eventually, I became The Queen B.