Graduation

It's a fact, every parent thinks their kid is great. The best. The smartest. The coolest. The hippest. The MOST awesome. Every parent is right, their kid is all of those things. Forgive me in advance, BUT, I have to brag about Tyler in this post. If you are one of those people who doesn't like to hear other parents brag (and yes, I know you exist), no worries, stop reading here. I will not have my feelings hurt. Infact, I will never know, lol!

Now that's out of the way...here we go.

Tyler has been in the Salem-Keizer preschool program for the past 2 years. It has been an OUTSTANDING program and I cannot say enough good things about it. The teachers, the schools, the curriculum, the list goes on. The only thing that was not perfect was that it was about a half hour from our house. Since I work in Salem 3 days a week, really, it was the best option for preschool for our family. And in the end, I could not be happier about it. No regrets!

Well, the two years have come and gone just like that (can you hear me snap my fingers?). It has been a honor and a privilege to help Tyler in his early years of education. We are looking forward to many, many, more years of supporting him and encouraging him in his academic journey.

Last Thursday night was his graduation from preschool. I know, it might sound corny to all of those who don't have kids. But for those of you who do, you understand how incredibly AWESOME it is to have your child graduate! To see your child up on that little stage, singing their heart out, chatting w/their friends, and being part of something so cool...well, lets just say it melts the old parents heart.

Tyler's graduation was at 7pm. I'm sorry to report that Eric was out of town and had to miss it, darn it. But we have plenty of pictures to share with him. His Aunt Krista came down from Portland on a work night to attend. Both sets of Grandparents came. What a great family we have. Thanks to all who supported him.

And here's how it goes...

A quick pic as we were leaving the house One in front of the school before graduation

Singing a song "I'm so glad that you are here."

Singing the same song...

Tyler shaking Mrs. Moss's hand (his teacher). She said, "Congratulations Tyler, you are now in kindergarten."

A big smile with his diploma (upside down and backwards of course)

Singing a song about the earth...

A group pic of the family w/the young graduate

And another...

Celebrating with some ice cream at Baskin Robins after...

Tyler, you deserved every bite of that delicious sundae you had that evening. You worked very hard in school for the past 2 years. We are so proud of you and your accomplishments! You have grown so much and we look forward to many more years of "academic" ice cream celebrations with you!

Say Cheese

Brace Face. Tinsel teeth. Full medal mouth. Yep, I heard them all when I was twelve and had braces the first time. As MY LUCK would have it, I had to get them again, at age 36. Not because my teeth were crooked - well, I do have one on the bottom that could use some straightening out, but it's not too bad...I had to get them because I was having some, well, shall we say, issues with my jaw, tongue and bite. I didn't qualify for the invisaline - you know, the ones you cannot see. Urgh. So, they went on Wednesday. This is a picture before...

And this is the picture after...
I'm into these suckers 4 days now. It already seems like a life time. Hard to smile, impossible to eat anything, I sound funny when I talk, and overall, just isn't that fun. Okay, I know there's a flip side. My mouth will be corrected when it's done. I just have to keep the big picture in mind. No more jaw & neck pain :) That alone will be worth it. And hey, it's hard to eat much of anything, so if I drop a few pounds along the way, it's a bonus.

As you can (or maybe can't tell) from the picture, I chose to have pink rubber bands put on. You wouldn't believe all the colors the orthodontist had to pick from. I was sort of lost - so I went to my old standby, pink :)

Chloe and I were lamenting about our braces this weekend. She has had hers on for 10 months. She gets them off in September. Making her grand total of wearing braces 14 months. My suckers are estimated to be on for 18 months to 2 years. Oh how I was jealous of Chloe when she told me that, lol. And you should see her eat with them on - nothing slows her down. It's like the braces don't even exist. I hope I can get to that stage much sooner, rather than later. One good thing, she's teaching me how to eat the "cheating foods." You know, you can't have popcorn, chips, gummy type foods. She has it all down & mastered. She said the only thing she has stayed away from is Carmel and biting into a whole apple. Not that she couldn't do it, but she said it's just too risky. I'm thinking when her braces come off it's a trip to Rocky Mountain Chocolate factory for a Carmel, chocolate apple...ahhhhh, sounds so good right now.

So yes, if you want to whip out the braces names, or get a few laughs at my expense, I'm ok with it. I've heard it all before. Yes, age brings maturity, (so they say) and 24 years later, I have an entire new outlook on it - this time, I say"bring it on." Really, it won't phase me a bit :)

249 weeks

The t-shirt says it all...

248 weeks

Fresh outta the tub...sportin' some spikey hair!

Mom's day

To the little boy who changed my life...Thank you for making me a Mother....I will forever enjoy life because of you. You are the sprinkles on top of my cupcake :)

247 weeks

Tearing it up on his motorcycle...