Racing through January

We recently celebrated our 100th day of school. Aaron was such a good sport and posed for this picture. What am I going to do when I don't have any little ones to do these cute things for me? His sign states that he is 100 days smarter, and he truly is. I love it when he reads me books and figures out Kaleb's math facts. Kaleb doesn't love that so much. I think it's funny that he wanted to bring 100 cheese balls to school for his 100 day party. Too bad I didn't have any cheese balls that day. His second choice? 100 rubber bands. Silly boy! After plucking 100 rubber bands out of my junk drawer in the kitchen, there were still some left over. Imagine that. :) I never knew I hoarded rubber bands. After finding a huge container of cheese balls the other day, Aaron now has all the cheese balls he wants.

The Pinewood Derby was on Monday. Grandpa was able to come and watch this year! Of course Grandma came too, and Derek's brother and family made it in time for Kaleb's races. It was a fun, fast night. Kaleb ended up in second place for his den, and he was happy with that. Braylen placed third in his den...out of 3. But he had such an incredible attitude and was happy for the other boys. Even Kaleb. That says a lot about his heart. Next time he chooses to be a "not very nice brother," I'll have to remember when he was a nice brother. :) Aaron raced his car before and after the official Cub Scout race, and he LOVED doing that. Next year he will be an official Cub Scout, while Braylen will be a Boy Scout in less than a month from now. I remember when he was a cute little Tiger Cub.

Do you know what A and B the C of D means? Braylen says it frequently. If you're not familiar with 11 year old boy-speak it means, "Above and Beyond the Call of Duty." I don't know where he got that from. I love it that he's maturing but he still lets me give him hugs and kisses. His favorite times to talk to me are at bedtime. Lots of times I'm tired by then and just want him to go to sleep. But the mom in me tells me to grab onto these opportunities when I can.

Today I'm thankful it's Friday. I'm thankful we have our new homeowners and auto insurance policies figured out. That was a month-long headache that is finally settled. I had lots of fun in Braylen's classroom again today. :) Every January 28th I remember a friend of mine whose birthday is today. I haven't seen her in many many years, but I'm thinking of her today. Dates stick in my mind. It's so strange, but I remember lots of things I don't need to remember. I used to think it made me kind of nerdy, but I've decided that it's God's way of using me. An example? January 28th, many years ago, I witnessed a baby's delivery for the first time. I was in college, and I was the student nurse assigned to this particular mother. I "coached" her through her delivery and I've never forgotten it. She had a baby girl and every January 28th I think of this "baby." She's a teenager now, and I even found her on facebook. Not that I friended her. That would be weird I'm sure. But I can say a little prayer for her on her birthday. How many other people can say their student nurse from the 90's prays for them on their birthdays? I'm not a stalker, I promise. :)

Wrapping up, can you tell from this picture what Aaron will be getting for Valentine's Day? When the snowmen at our house start wearing pink boots and hats, it's time for some new paints. :)