I Believe In...

My kids love this song.
Ever since Sister Hayward taught them this song at church, it has turned into their anthem.  (When I say kids, I mean Evan and Anna.  Tyler and Jared don't sing, so they say.  But Sister Hayward has some kind of magic power and they'll sing for her, but only at church).
They'd sing it from the roof tops if we'd let them.
Instead, Rob let them sing it to his iphone video camera.
Way better then a rooftop.

First, Miss Anna...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id1I4aJ8Rlc  <--you have to click on this link to view it.

Not too shabby.  She really gets into her singing--shaking those shoulders and all.

BUT Evan, he's a whole other story.  I can't stop laughing when I watch this.  Nope, not because of the silly voice or karate chopping moves.  Nope, you have to watch until the very last second.  Very last, I tell you.  (No child was injured in the making of this video.  A direct quote from Evan, "That didn't hurt!")

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3BSmflW9Zo  <--you have to click on this link to view it.

It's all in good fun, right?!  But seriously, I'm so glad my children love this song!

11

I was due on February 4th, 2000.  Eleven days later, Tyler was born.

Was that really 11 years ago?  It seems like just yesterday, but also forever ago!

So to celebrate this February 15th, here are 11 things about Tyler...

1. He knows who he is.  This has been a hard year for Tyler, but he is aware of that.  He seeks guidance from his parents and knows that he is in control of his feelings and actions. For an 11 year old to be self-aware amazes me.

2. He doesn't care too much for Santa, or the Tooth Fairy or the Easter Bunny--but he's not ready to give up the perks, so he plays along.


3. I am in awe of his maturity.  The poor child has to wear headgear at night and he hates it, but he chose it over a retainer.  One, he didn't want the burden of possibly loosing a retainer and two, his younger brother also has to wear headgear and he didn't want him to have to do it alone.  Sweet.

4. On another maturity note--Tyler recently had to decide which language to study in middle school next year.  Spanish or French?  With minimal coaxing from his parents (Rob voted Spanish.  I voted French), he came up with a decision on his own.  I know he didn't want to hurt one of his parents feelings, so he looked at the facts and made a decision that didn't involve us.  (He chose French!!!!!!!!)

5. When Tyler was much younger he used to be afraid of...EVERYTHING.  Not so much anymore.  He is still hesitant about things, but that doesn't stop him from trying.  Like being a pitcher for his baseball team or going off jumps while snowboarding or eating Japanese food.

6. Tyler does NOT like to be the center of attention.  He shies away from the camera, large noisy groups, even a kiss from Daisy Duck sends him into hysterics.  And if we were to ever even mention the name of a cute girl in his class--that would be the end of us!  See, I mentioned that I wrote this and now he is MAD.


7. He's an over achiever.  Over, over achiever.  His goal last year (and this year) was to receive a 600 on all of his school SOLs.  And he did it!  Along with straight A's as an added bonus.

8. He's not a fan of piano lessons.  Cello lessons at school are ok.  But the recorder--now that's cool because it's easy! And I'm quick to point out that the reason the recorder is so easy is because he has his piano and cello background to help him out.

9. Tyler is looked up to by his younger siblings.  If Tyler does it, then it must be ok.  If Tyler is playing video games then we all should do that.  If he is outside then we should all go outside.  If Tyler does a science fair project about pinewood derbies then so should I.  Etc., etc,. etc,. I know this bothers him, but he tries to be patient!

10. Legos, reading and baseball are still his favorite pastimes.  He's starting the Lord of the Rings series, collecting Lego Star Wars sets and gearing up for baseball season.

11.  He loves vacation just as much as his mom!  Myrtle Beach, camping, and Disney were some of his favorites this past year.  He has high hopes of going to Alaska to see Denali, cruising the seas, visiting Rome and seeing more of Utah's National Parks.  The last one seems to have the highest probability.

Why must they grow up?

Yesterday as I walked around Target I got a little teary eyed.

I no longer need to shop in the baby/toddler/preschooler section of the store.

We've grown out of diapers and sippy cups.  No more little socks and onesies.

It's all XS 4/5 and bigger.

Why can't these silly kiddos...

...stay so sweet and young?