Brandon Love

When I posted those pictures of Kyra's love words and I looked at them, it made me think "Hey, what about Brandon?". He is a boy and he does not write those mushy feelings cards. He does say "Me too" when I say I love him and occasionally says it by himself but it must be a boy thing. He still loves snuggling with me before bed. I Love Him Some Me!

More Love From My Daughter

 I guess I am :)

School Time - Notes and Grades

I love reading kids' notes that they wrote about themselves because this is how they see themselves in this world. This note is all Kyra from top to bottom.

 Brandon is being true to being a boy - short and to the point.

 This is definitely is a great accomlishment!

I have to admit, I was worried if kids' grades would be affected by their parents' separation and so far.. Not. Both - excellent grades for both of them.
Kyra's:

 Brandon's:

School Visit

I came to Kyra's class for their fall party. Kids had snacks, they drew, here on this picture Dave King is reading a book to the kids. Kyra is behind her favorite boy ever besides Brandon (Brady). I think this time it was just a coincidence. (Emma Stephens is behind her, with Carter and Cara Burton on her right following by Brayden)

 One of Kyra's good friends - Emma Stephens.

WHO SAID PUMPKIN???

NO, I AM NOT OBSESSED!

 REALLY. I AM NOT.

Halloween, Yay!

Who does not like this holiday, raise your hand! I do! As much as I like candy, no, it is not what makes the trick (no pun intended). May is my favorite month but I love October and all that comes with it - leaves turning different colors, approaching holiday season, I do not know how to explain it, some kind of magic in the air. Costumes, PUMPKINS... I love it all.

Here are the costumes for this year. I almost can hear Kyra zebrameow :) Brandon did not need any costumes to buy because he was who he really was.

We are not masters of carving but we did the best we could.

 And did not have to use yellow cleaning gloves for it :)

My Birthday

Kyra got excited way ahead of the game - she made a box for me long time ago. I have to admit that I was upset that a night before Brandon asked if he could go and sleep at Non and Pop and I let him. What he did - he totally forgot that the next morning was my birthday. To say I was not upset means to lie. I was. I still let him go where he wanted to. Should I have not?

 Presents from Monique.

 She could not wait for me to open it for a couple of weeks.

 I did have rainbowlicious day :)

 Brandon did apologize. I give him credit for that.

My Lovely Gymnast

No secret how much Kyra likes gymnastics. If I had to put numbers down.. I am pretty sure I would say half of her time she spends on her hands or head and doing cartwheels. This fall she aquired one of many skills but one she really wanted to learn - backflip on her own. She was scared to do them for a long time. Heck, I am! But if she concentrates, she can make it happen like it is a piece of cake!

Try doing it on the beam 10 cm wide!

 Training core and upperbody strength.

The Very First One

The one but, hopefully, not only grand slam. I am pretty sure it was the first one in how many years of playing baseball. 

So Much Love Around

Love this picture! It was taken in Sunset park during baseball game. 

Another flower for Mom at the baseball field.

 What other words needed?

She looooooves drawing rainbows. Why not? They have color and they make us happy :)

Blessing And Challenge

Biggest blessing came from deciding to give kids each of their own room. Challenge was.. From Brandon not wanting his own. What? Are you out of your mind, boy?? Who does not want his/her own room?? Kyra did. She was pretty specific on the requirements to enter her own space. 

With that said, Brandon begged me to sleep with him. I know. He was 9. And I did because guess what. They grow up way too fast. And do not come back to snuggle when they are adults. I took what I could.

Beds And Such

This I remember so clearly. We were in the furniture store and kids were just so silly, playing around. I loved it. 

Kyra bed finally came and Dave put it together for her. All those draws could be take out and moved out.

 Brandon's bed got foam mattress - so so so comfy!

 Why not celebrate whichever day it was with fancy glasses??

New Place And New Routine

Very slowly, we were getting into new routine. By no means it was not easy. It was not. Brandon, a master of habit, had the hardest time. We drove to couple stores and kids each picked beds for themselves and I picked mattresses. Here Brandon spent his night here on the sleeping bag. All three of us camped and slept together. 

 Yip, lots of boxes to play with.

 Oh, and brother too :)

Couches, courtesy of Mike and Tracy Stephens, are still here. Never can tell they have been used. Love them, they are so comfy!
Snuggling and reading to my girl!

Dining table is in place. Bare windows yet but hey, it is a beginning.
Doing homework.

Fall Ball

Yay! It was the first year Brandon played it. Usually it was spring only but now it involved spring too. It was fun when nights were getting colder, by the end of October I was almost pleading for season to end. Brandon had fun and certainly, improved. 

Catcher:

Pitcher

 Batter:

 And while her brother was getting baseball better, this girl was working on her gymnastics skills:

 Work, work, work.

Just for memories - Brandon had on his team: Ryan, Tyce, Elijah Speck, Brady Hofsass, Avery, Wyatt Yakle, Griffin (Barilla?), Devon.