My Boys and Me

So, we discovered that although we LOVE the Flip Video camera that Mike’s Mom got us for Christmas, it does not flash when taking regular pictures. Mike didn’t bring the other camera with him to the game last week, so these 3 pictures were the only ones that turned out from the flip camera. I thought for memories sake, I should post them. The guys had a GREAT time at the game. Mike said it was a full house and that we were lucky to have gotten tickets.

HE (Dwight Howard) is who Braeden went to the game to see!

THAT is the question. As soon as I list everything Braeden got for his Birthday, most will go with SPOILED boy, so I am inserting my disclaimer now ****

A- He has 5 sets of Grandparents
B- He has MANY aunts and uncles (including my sister and brother-in-law who do not have kids; my brother and his girlfriend who also don’t have kids; and Aaron’s brother and wife who have no kids, adore children and have desperately been trying and struggling with infertility, but will someday make the most wonderful parents.
C- ALL of the big presents we buy for Braeden, Aaron and Nancy split the cost with us.
D- We have some awesome friends who are so thoughtful and never miss a Birthday
E- Even if none of the above were the case, Braeden deserves EVERYTHING! He never asks for anything (and only tells us what he wants as gifts when we ask). When we go to the store, he may point something cool out, but never asks if he can get it; he is so helpful to Mike and I (sometimes I wonder if he feels like my slave); He does everything we ask of him the first time. Many times when I need his help with something, it is not necessarily the most convenient time for him and means pausing a video game, TV show or movie. Some of his “chores” include taking the trash out to the dumpster, bringing the cans to the front on Monday and Wednesday for trash day and back to the back yard after the trash has come, carrying a HEAVY laundry basket up 2 flights of stairs for me (and sometimes more than once daily); just last night he got Mikey out of the bath, dried him off, lotioned him up and got him into his pjs. He makes his own breakfast almost every morning (unless he requests something like eggs that involve using the stove)….oh, there are too many things to list…..he is just such an awesome helper. I must add that when asked to do any of these things, he does so without any whines, sighs or hesitation. A couple weeks ago I said, “We can start giving you an allowance, but I think it works more in your favor for us not to because you usually end up with “prizes” or fun outings that equate to more than the allowance would.” His response was, “you are right Mommy, but you know, you don’t have to pay me or reward me for helping you.” What a HEART MELTING MOMENT and a statement that justifies all I’ve said completely. A few more things to add…..we can trust this little boy 100 percent (not sure I can say that about many other people, much less children, to whom “stretching the truth” comes natural. He makes all A’s and doesn’t even need to study or practice. He has shown us responsibility that some adults still lack, and most of all, he has a heart filled with goodness. When he makes a mistake he owns up to it and I can see in his eyes and hear in his voice, true, genuine, from his soul, remorse (again something even many adults lack).

SO, the answer to the question of this blog is….. “Lucky MAMA!” 9 years ago today, God gave me the greatest gift. My first baby boy was born and my world was forever changed. Suddenly, I knew what love was, what true joy, happiness and perfection meant. He continues to be the most wonderful reminder of all of these things when I have moments of doubt in life.

K, no more sappiness…..I just can’t help it sometimes…..emotions can get the best of us Moms

Here’s the scoop on Braeden’s day. We woke him up to candles (in a doughnut) and “Happy Birthday.” He opened a few gifts and then Mommy and Mikey had to head out. Mike took Braeden to school with a cookie cake. He had a great day at school. Mike picked him up a few minutes early and after picking up Mikey the 3 of them met me at a restaurant called Champs. We wanted to get a quick dinner before giving Braeden his BIG surprise. At this point in the day, he thought he had opened all his gifts and he pretty much had, but we had one more “present” for him. Earlier in the morning he opened the following:

-His big gift from Mike, Aaron, Nancy and I was a mini HP laptop. We thought this would be a great gift because he can get online and look up answers to the MANY questions he has. Plus, the older he gets, the more he will need a computer for projects etc. We can “tap into” (someone in the neighborhood’s) wi fi so it won’t cost us anything extra for internet.
-Playstation 3 Move from my brother and his girlfriend
-An awesome little Spy Video camera remote control car from my sister and brother-in-law
-Cash, walkie talkies and a package with lots of other goodies from my parents
-Phillies shirt, Game Stop gift card and baseball cards from Nana and Roy
-Ripstix, Tech Deck display box, Tech Deck skate park, NBA Live 10′ for PS3 from Mike’s parents
-Penn State Cookie Bouquet from Aaron and Nancy
-New basketball; Basketball movie- “Rebound”; Orlando Magic (his favorite basketball team) shirt; Orlando Magic pajama bottoms (notice a theme going on here) from Mike, Mikey and I…..

SO, after eating dinner, he had NO reason to think there were any more surprises or gifts coming his way. But, SURPRISE him we did…..The last gift he opened while eating dinner was a Dwight Howard (his favorite basketball player who plays for the Orlando Magic) jersey and tickets for Washington basketball game. Take a look at WHO they are playing and WHEN the game is……

He was beyond excited. At one point he looked a bit pale. I thought be might pass out. It was PRICELESS and a moment that will be etched into my heart (and hopefully Braeden’s) forever. Braeden and Mike had an awesome time at the game. They are headed home as I type this. Here are the pictures of Braeden’s 9th Birthday, minus the basketball game. I will get those off Mike’s camera and post tomorrow-

Happy 9th Birthday Braeden. We LOVE you!!!!