Amanda had two boys ask to her to be their Valentine this year. She likes both of them. One dropped by last night with a candy bouquet and a teddy bear. He did it the old fashioned way of leave it on the doorstep and ring the bell. I love that! No one in our neighborhood does that. The kids don't exchange valentines with the neighbors-only in their school classes. I miss the old way, so that boy won some points with me right there!
She got straight A's again on her report card. She never wants to miss a minute of school. She gets in trouble for talking in class. She is still dancing and spends at least 10 hours a week in dance practices in addition to soccer. She is funny and loves to talk late at night. Her goal is to get taller than me. She's close, but not taller yet. She LOVES snowboarding and has gotten super good at it. She has been boarding with a couple of guy friends that like that she can keep up and they teach her tricks...like riding the rails. Not sure I love that idea. She beat Mike down the mountain when they went skiing/boarding last weekend in a race. He will deny it. She is anxious to start driving and asks all the time to practice. She can get her learner's permit in October. I'm in denial. She has been a super fun teen-ager and we love her to pieces!
She LOVES her cheer class. She has her back handspring, but is working on confidence while springing. She has been working hard on this. She loves to sing, but not so much in front of people except us. She loves clothes and shopping, but likes to leave her clothes all over the floor even when she gets reminded daily to pick them up and put them away.
She is dying to have her own room (in the works as we speak!) and has a million plans for it. She likes to go to sleep with the ceiling fan on. She is never without her iPod and holds it close to her heart when she walks around. Cute little habit. She babysits a lot and is good with her money. Sydney is still doing ballet and is a graceful dancer.
She won't leave the house unless her hair is done, so Mom spends almost every morning either curling or straightening Sydney's hair. She has great fingernails. They remind me of my Grandma Gib's nails and Sydney always has them painted. She is a good cook and is always the one child to help me with baking or making dinner. She got braces a few weeks ago. She hasn't had much of a growth spurt yet and likes being a little shorter. She is a 50's dancer in her school program....a coveted spot. Sydney is responsible and we love her to pieces, too!
Sometimes his leg reminds him that it was broken last September. On days where he works hard at soccer practice he can still feel soreness right by the break. He loves indoor soccer, but isn't excited about outdoor starting again because the ball is out of bounds too much.
He got straight A's again, is always on the 2nd spelling list since he gets all words on the 1st spelling list correct the first time and is enjoying reading again because of the books Grandma Gib and her friend, Holly hooked him up with recently.
He LOVES basketball and loves going to the gym with Dad to practice basketball. He likes his sisters most of the time although they like to tease him. He LOVES our dog, Max. He lets Max in the house all the time because he doesn't want him to be cold. Believe me, with the amount of hair that dog has (and sheds in my house), he is not cold. But, Brandon likes having Max around.
He is a little scared of going anywhere in the house by himself and checks around corners when walking by them. Probably because his sisters scared him one day.....He has to have someone near him at all times. He gives the BEST hugs and still loves to snuggle with Dad and watch sports. He knows everything about football and basketball and sounds like a sports announcer when he's watching a game. Mike can't keep up with all the stats Brandon knows. B is constantly teaching his Dad new info about various teams and players. He's a great kid and we love him to pieces, three!
He loves to ski, but doesn't get to do it enough. He loves to play basketball with Brandon. He loves to keep the cars clean. He is good at Just Dance 4. He just got released from his favorite church calling (financial clerk) and was called into the 11 year old Scouts. He's not much of a scouter, so this will be a new learning experience for him (and me). He still loves sushi and would eat it daily.
He is an amazing support to me when I need it and is an amazing husband and my best friend. We are coming up on our 21 year anniversary and I'm lucky to have had him by my side. We still learn new things about each other, (I just learned how he likes his pancakes cooked) and he's incredibly patient with me. I couldn't be happier that he is my Valentine!
So on this day of gushy feelings and appreciation for those I love, I have to include my parents, in-laws, brothers, their wives and families and our close friends. Love you all!
