Spirit week

The kids school main focus in learning is History. Everything they do is usually tied to History and culture. So spirit week this year was no different. They had a 50's, 70's & 80's day. The boys started the week not really caring or into it. Kaylee dressed up for 50's day with the classic polka dot dress and flipped out hair, but we didn't get a pic. By day two the boys wanted to participate. We had absolutely nothing 70's so we decided to spend family night making tie dye shirts.  We had limited time and neither Mike or I have done tie dye before. Thanks to Pinterest for this awesome idea. The kids absolutely loved it! They were so creative and could have spent hours designing.

Finished product 

 Third day was 80's day

Brayden turns 12

Brayden turned 12 this year!

This is a birthday I have been anticipating for quite a while. I feel like age 12 is huge because it signifies so much and carries so much responsibility. He is on the road to being a teenager, he started in the young men's program, he received the priesthood, and he will start middle school this coming year. I'm sure this coming year he will start getting acne, BO and a deeper voice...oh the joys of puberty!  For so long I have dreaded this day, because I hate watching my babies grow up. But truly, it has been so fun watching him grow into such a fabulous human being. I love watching him take on more responsibility. I love seeing him learn and grow from his decisions and mistakes. He truly has amazed me with his growth and maturity. But at the end of the day he still loves hugs and cuddles. He is so sensitive and compassionate to those around him. I get nothing but compliments and praise  from his teachers and leaders. He is the kind of kid that you always enjoy being around. He can read me like nobody else. He knows when I'm stressed, happy, worried, sad, excited, you name it. If I'm having a bad day, he will do anything to fix it and make sure I'm ok.  I love this boy more than anything and so proud to be his mommy.

 

Mike was out of town for Brayden's birthday so we celebrated the weekend before by going out to dinner. The day of his birthday we opened a few presents, got some dinner and went to soccer practice.

 

He got a perplexus,

some money,

and some t-shirts. 

A few days before his birthday we took him to pick out some new church clothes. Since he was going to be passing the sacrament and receiving the priesthood, we thought he needed some "nicer" clothes. He was SO not diggin the suit coat, but settled on some slacks, white shirt and tie. Dad made him try on these men's shoes (it was all that was around) so he could check the length. He looked a little doofy with his duck bill hat and very large shoes.  

This is the day he got to pass the sacrament for the first time. He looked so nice and so grown up.  

It made me smile when Kade came out of his room dressed in white shirt and tie also. Just like his big brother. If you know Kade at all, he hates getting dressed for church and looking nice. We're usually lucky to get him in some khaki pants and polo shirt. But since this week it's been different. He loves wearing his tie and being like Bray. Brayden truly is such a great example to this little boy and he is so lucky to have him as a big brother.  

 

Geography Bee

Brayden came home from school one day and announced he had made the school Geography Bee. What!?! Academics has not been a strong suite in our family. I thought he was joking at first, but alas, he was not! He studied hard(ish)  with his new map and globe to prepare for this day.

 

I can learn so much from his laid back demeanor. He did not seem nervous for this day at all. I walked into the gym, and if it were possible for my heart to burst, it would have done so! It was such a fun, nerve racking, proudful moment for me as I watched Brayden kill it!   

 

He seemed so little sitting there among the middle school kids. 

 

All ten students that advanced to the school round.

First question...I think this is where he started to feel a little nervous. But he and only one other kid got the first question right.



He hung in there for about 5 rounds. On his last question he got confused and didn't realize he could ask to have the question repeated. So unfortunately he got out that round. Had he answered that question right, he would have been in the top two! So, he didn't end up winning but he did SOOOO good! I was definitely a very proud mama.

 

Each kid received a certificate and the principal bought each of them the Guinness Book.



 

Timon Burns (5th grade) Jackson Brown, Eli Bastain, Brayden Davis (6th grade), Samantha McKay, Kai Peterson, Geoff Beckstrand, Logan Glather, Alexa Shields (7th grade,) Mitchell Kirkham (8th grade)

 

Brayden and his buddy Jackson

 

Brayden and Mr. Burns

Me and my little buddy