Kindergarten, Ready or Not

This past week Dawson had his Kindergarten evaluation. He met with his teacher and got to show off his special skills and great intellect. I was a beaming mom as he walked into his class room. Why shouldn't I be. After all, I was his preschool teacher last year so I know how much he knows and how smart he his.
As the evaluation began, his teacher asked him the usual questions, his name, how many brothers and sisters he has, what's his mom's name. Then she went into the academic portion. She showed him random letters of the alphabet (upper case and lower case) and asked him to name the letters.
As he went on they came to a letter and Dawson says to her, "Uhmm, I don't know. Let's skip it." Luckily his teacher has a great sense of humor and laughed.
Then then moved onto numbers. Once again, she showed him a number and asked him to tell her what number it is. He did great at this. Then she had him count. He went up to 12 and stopped. The teacher asked him if he knew what number came next. In true Dawson fashion he replies, "Nope, that's as far as I go."

I sat there trying to hold back my laughter when I glanced at his teacher and noticed she wasn't holding back hers. At that moment I knew Dawson had the perfect teacher. Mrs. LaBaron and Dawson were a match made in heaven.

Daddy's Little Dude.

Sawyer has always been a daddy's boy. All day long I constantly hear, "dada, dada. Where go?" And then Sawyer holds his hands up in the air, like, uh oh where'd he go? It seems that little boys are never too young to idolize they're dad.

It doesn't get any more Tyler than this.

Let the Games Begin

Another gymnastic competition season is fast approaching. I just got the schedule for the meets. Kenz has her first meet September 24. I can't believe we're already at this point in our lives again. I just paid for the first 3 meets. And I found out the team is getting new leo's and warm-ups this season. Add another $150-$200 on top of the comp fees. Oh the joys of being in a sport. Kenz said to me, "Be glad I'm not in beauty pageants. They pay $1,000 for a frilly, silly dress." I said, "That's true, but I pay $110 for a bathing suit." We both laughed at that one. I did tell her that she is worth every penny we spend. And that I do it because she loves her sport and is so stinkin' good at it.
I had to throw in one more joke when I told her that I just expect her to take care of me when she's an gold medalist and sponsors are throwing money at her. She quickly replied, "How about I go to college on a scholarship and have gymnastics pay for that." I smiled and said, "sounds good to me.
Here's to another start of hopefully whats to be an awesome competition season.
Fall 2011!

School Days, School Days.

Gone are the days of laziness and relaxation. Back are the days of schedules, routines, and homework. And yes, I am excited. Today I sent my 2 oldest off to school to begin their 5th and 3rd grade classes. In another week I'll send another kiddo off to kindergarten. Then it will just be mommy and Sawyer for 1/2 the day. What oh what will I do. I'll do laundry, mopping, sweeping, scrubbing, and mowing. Oh wait, that's what I did all summer long. I will actually/hopefully start walking again. Taking a kindergartner to school does has it's benefits. It's an additional 2 miles of walking every day.

Mackenzie heading off to 5th grade.

Mrs. Varner is Kenz's teacher this year.

Kenzie is looking forward to the 5th grade Clear Creek over night.

and the Hope of America program.

Xander is in 3rd grade.

His teacher is Thorstrom.

He is so excited to learn multiplication and cursive this year.

It's hard to believe my babies are growing up so fast.

Kenz has one more year left in elementary school.

And before I know it Sawyer will be heading off to kindergarten.

They were ready by 7:15. I was made them wait till 7:30 before they could leave.

So mean. I know, but school didn't start until 8:00.

And away they go!

Good luck guys on all the new adventures awaiting you.

Sawyer's Randomness.

I was searching through my folders of pictures and found a couple random fun pictures to post.
So, here's a couple random acts of Sawyer
Enjoy.

Sawyer decided he wanted to help with the dishes.

There are no dishes in the sink,

 but he was determined to help with something,

Then he became determined to get in the sink.

I love how his little toes balance him just enough for him to get leverage to climb up.

He made it!

What a great helper.

When Sawyer was done playing in the sink,

he decided it was time for a bike ride.

He got it on.

And he's ready to go.

Bruderer Reunion 2011

Another first weekend in August has come and gone. Which also means; another annual Conrad and Anna Bruderer reunion has come and gone. But don't fret, we'll all be back again next August. Kendall Canyon in Idaho will be filled with Bruderer's of all ages. Gathering together to celebrate the heritage and prosperity of 2 amazing individuals that have been together in this life and the next for 96 yrs. Since the joining of Conrad and Anna there are currently 680 direct prosperity of these 2 amazing people. Add in all the in-laws and step children and adopted children and our numbers reach over 1,000. I am honored to be able to be counted in that huge Bruderer number.
Here are some (OK A LOT) fun pictures from our wonderful weekend together.

Daddy and Sawyer cuddling before bed.

Dawson peeking out from 'the boy' side of the tent.

Kenzie saying 'hi' from her side.

Xander passed out.

Ty and I bought this tent for our 2nd anniversary.

I don't think we realized back then that we'd ever fill it.

Mackenzie's beautiful wild flowers she gathered for me.

As part of the reunion's tradition there was the medal detector game.

Every kid, paid a quarter and had a chance to search for a number buried in the ground. When they found a number they turned it in for a coordinating prize.

Kenz won this toy vacuum. Sawyer loves it!

Dawson and Great Grandpa Bruderer were on a team together.

Dawson won a silver dollar his first time and a compass his 2nd.

Daddy took Sawyer and Xander.

Here is Xander digging up his number.

He got an awesome truck.

Melissa and her beautiful Family.

(Ivan, Curtis, and Trinity)

Kate, deep in thought.

Darin, deep in shhhh.

Another tradition is the train (4-wheeler train cars) ride.

The kids all love riding the train over and over.

Sawyer's first train ride.

Sawyer was happy to wounder around and try out all the different camp chairs.

Mackenzie riding the 50.

Dawson having a ride with Uncle Curtis.

(left) Kenz didn't listen to Curtis so well.

She jumped one bank of a road, across the road, down the other side and stalled out.

(Right) Calin and Kenz following Curtis on a new ride.

Xander, why aren't you riding the 50?

He wiped out and wouldn't get back on.

Sawyer enjoyed his own version of ladder ball.

He was entertained for quite awhile.

Brothers

Sawyer's first 4-wheeler ride with daddy.

Mackenzie and Calin decided to wounder off on their own.

Here is the result.

Kenz dared Calin to jump a river bank and he dared her back.

Unfortunately, on the other side wasn't long grass, but more water hidden under long grass.

Calin came running back for help. Kenz was stuck. Tyler and she were there over an hour trying to get her and her shoes unstuck.

We brought up a hammock for some cool enjoyment.

Dawson doesn't have a chip on his shoulder. It's a Cheerio.

Packing up and heading out.

Ty rolling up an air mattress.

Sawyer and Eli enjoy some bonding time together. And a sandwich.

All of the Ivan Bruderer clan together.

We represented 17 of G&G's 31 family members.

The reunion was a huge success. We all came home a little more stinkier, with a few more bug bites, a whole lot dirtier, and filled with memories to last our life time.