Happy Birthday Bretty!

So I know I mentioned Brett's birthday in closing to our Summer events, but I had to share a bit about it! 

I'm sure Brett loves it when I make it do more then just open his present (haha) but we sent him on a scavenger hunt. My clues might have been a bit hard... or he just didn't get my sense of humor. None the less, he found his birthday present in the basement...

A new bike! 

Now this one ended up having a couple of issues, so his bike is now red, but he was excited! 

Isaac has been thrilled to give Brett this bike. That meant he had a buddy to go biking with. It was so cute to watch them hop on their bikes together and go for rides. Brett also gives the dog a good run making him chase him. (Or making Brett chase the dog when it's up hill!) It takes time getting used to riding a bike again, but it has been so fun!

Brett is such a great dad and husband. He's funny. He makes us all happy. The boys adore him. He does so much for us, I really don't know what we would do without him. He is a great example of being Christlike. He is such an amazing guy, we couldn't ask for anyone better! Happy 32nd Brett! Here's to a great year!

"Look Mom! No Hands!"

Since Isaac has learned to ride a 2-wheeler, he's become quite the little "stunt man." I tried to fight it and beg him to "PLEASE not do such dangerous things on his bike." But what I have learned thus far about raising boys is the good old staying stands true, "boys will be boys." (And it doesn't help that his father is encouraging his stunts and telling him how cool they are come to find out.) Helpful. Very helpful.

Anyways, I've learned to squint my eyes and hold my breath watching him do his "tricks" and when he looks up at me with his big smile of accomplishment I smile really big back at him and tell him how proud I am of him! The picture above is not as scary to me as other tricks. This one he learned to do at Grandpa LaMonte's house. Apparently he had his bike there and told grandpa he wanted to learn all the cool jumps his dad used to do. So they started with the block. Later, they moved it over by the path, so he could zoom down and jump off. It's when he hit's the edge of the wood and I can see his tire slipping off is what makes me gasp!

At home, he has learned to "pop a wheely" I'm pretty sure he got this from the Jaussi boys up the street. (Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if he picked up most of these tricks from them, because he admires those boys!) He also turns his handle bars around and rides that way... really safe. Not. And I can't forget him zooming down Jakes steep driveway, making my heart stop every time he takes the sharp turn to then proceed down the hill at full speed with his legs flaring around to the side. "Look mom! Pretty cool, no feet!" He's 4 and he gives me small heart attacks all the time! I hope I can survive raising this boy! Now I'm just waiting for him to notice how his friend, Gage rides his bike along the curb. (Yes, Jason and Nicole... I am a overly paranoid! Brett thinks so too!)

I Am SPEEEED!

Isaac has been begging Brett to take off his training wheels, but we didn't have a helmet so I wouldn't let him. We finally went to the store, Isaac picked out a helmet and the minute Brett got home, he said, "k dad! I have a helmet, take off my training wheels!" I wasn't home but Brett said he expected to run after him, holding onto him or awaiting a crash... but non of that happened. Brett gave him a little push and off he went! As I was driving down the street I saw Isaac at the top of the hill, wobbly getting on his bike. With a smile he said, "Mom! Watch this!" And off he went. Yes, I'm a sap, I couldn't believe my baby boy was riding a bike! His little legs would pump so fast as he would turn corners, go over bumps, and go up hill... I was so proud of him. 

Like father, like son I am told. When Brett's sister was learning to ride a bike, Brett jumped on and started riding it. (Much to his sisters frustration.) Isaac was very much the same way. I still can't believe my new little 4 year old is riding a 2-wheeler. He even peddled his little bike up hill to the park! 

Here is a clip of him the first day. He was still pretty wobbly and he wasn't sure about slowing down to a stop, so crashing on the grass was a good option that day. He now can start on his own, zoom wherever he wants and can slow to a stop. Way to go Isaac! We are so proud of you!