Shout Out To Trent

I still have so much to catch up on and my last post was all about Trent, but he deserves another round of praise since today was his 5th birthday.  It was a fairly simple day - we had crepes for breakfast at Trent's request and then opened presents.  We broke down and got him a wii and it was definitely the highlight of his day.  Trent loves video games.  And when I say loves, I mean LOVES them.  Brian and I have put off buying a gaming system for a long time (for fear of addictions), but we knew Trent would be over the moon excited, so we buckled.  There will be all sorts of not-until-after-you-have-done-your-homework-and-chores restrictions involved, but for today I let him be a super mario bros junkie and play as long as his little heart desired. 

Tonight we celebrated with dinner at Spaghetti Factory (it really is the only restaurant we risk taking our kids to) and then Baskin Robbins ice cream cake.  He gets two birthday parties this year - a family party on Friday night and his first ever friend party on Saturday. Combine the upcoming parties with yesterdays birthday celebration at preschool and today's festivities, and this lucky boy gets a whole weeks worth of celebrations.  He deserves it :o)

What can I say that I haven't said before?  Trent is awesome.  I feel so lucky to have him.  He has been a joy to raise.  He is sweet and sensitive and yet a rough-tough, all-boy kind of kid at the same time. I love how happy he is when he wakes up every morning.  This kid hasn't woken up on the wrong side of the bed even one time in five years.  He is a peacemaker and generally lets Ashlyn have her way.  He wants other people to be happy and he makes me happy every day.  I wouldn't trade him for the world.  Happy Birthday buddy!
 

Trenters

Trent is doing double duty this year for preschool.  He started his second year at Imagine preschool down the street (two days a week) and he also began the online Rusty & Rosy preschool program. His cousin Maya has the same schedule, so Mindy and I took our kids out for an afternoon of shopping, lunch and the Rusty & Rosy orientation.  We ended with a double scoop treat at  Baskin Robbins.  

Maya turned five in September and Trent turns five next month.  I think they were both ready to start kindergarten this year, but one more year at home is good too.  I actually hate thinking about the fact that this is my last year to have Trent at home with me. I love my boy so much.

Trent was so excited to start preschool again.  He learned so much last year and I know will grow leaps and bounds this year.  He is a smart boy and will be more than prepared to start kindergarten next year.

Trent is so cute.  95% of the time when I comb his hair in the morning, he requests "handsome boy hair".  And I love doing his hair this way.  It just adds to his sweetness and innocence.

I love hearing all about his day (2 1/2 hours really) when he walks in the door.  He loves showing off his projects and is so proud of the work he does.

Thursdays are show-and-tell days and there is usually an assigned theme - something yellow, or something round, or something that starts with the letter 'A'.  Last Thursday was children's choice and I told Trent he could take whatever he wanted, a favorite toy or book, etc.  He thought for a second and then said, "I know what's my favorite!" and he ran and grabbed a picture of me that sits on Brian's nightstand. 

Yep, he is one sweet kid and has a big piece of my heart.

40 Glorious Years!

My parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on August 4th.  Because of their super busy schedules and multiple vacations, we couldn't celebrate with them until August 31st. They were given an invitation to attend a romantic dinner for two at the Fire Pit.  We kicked them out of their house an hour and a half before so we could get everything ready and then made them enter through the gate so they wouldn't get a peek at anything in the kitchen.

After they were seated, the grandkids started off the night by singing "I Love To See The Temple".

There were four courses: appetizer, salad, main course, and dessert.  They were given menus with different options for the salad and main courses.  My parents said it was the best meal they had ever eaten.  Success!

We started off the evening with an empty vase and each time the grandkids delivered something to the table, they took a yellow rose (the flowers used at their wedding) to put in the vase.  They ended the night with 40 yellow roses.

 The grandkids also provided entertainment throughout the night with poetry, singing and artwork.

 

After dinner and a delectable dessert tray, the entire group joined them at the Fire Pit and presented them with a book - 40 years 40 pictures.

I love these two so much.  They have an amazing marriage.  In forty years they have only spent a handful of nights apart.  They love each other dearly, and it shows.  They love being together.  They laugh together, they cry together, they support each other, and they complete each other.  I aspire to be more like them and I feel extremely blessed to call them 'Mom' and 'Dad'.