Eight!!

My goodness Bryson is EIGHT YEARS OLD!!! Let me just tell you a little about this crazy kid. For the past 3 weeks he got up every morning at 5:45 - set his own alarm, got dressed and his clubs ready - woke his dad up to hit some balls or play a practice round before school. Then he would come home from school and practice sometimes too! All in preparation for the Monterey Challenge. He got invited and spent his birthday weekend in Monterey with his dad and grandparents (and his aunt and Don and Don's parents went too!) and got to play all kinds of golf and eat all kinds of seafood (his favorite- the kid ordered mussels(!) what? ) and play with his new bey blades and basically have an awesome time.

His birthday celebrations actually lasted almost a week starting last Wednesday at Farmer's Market with our other November baby friends - cupcakes and snacks and plenty of friends to kick soccer balls around with, or hunt for crabs on the rocks with - we live in a pretty amazing little community and what a special time it ws to be with other awesome November babies!

Then on Thursday I took my baby out to (his pick) Sushi for a birthday lunch. I was feeling a little sad that I would not be with him on his actual birthday (first time EVER) and wanted to have a little alone time with him. I gave him an Angry Birds watch and he was sooooo excited. he tells me what time it is now approximately every 10 minutes.

Then he left early Friday morning to drive up to Monterey to play a practice round before the big tournament. He played really well - placed 10th (out of 16), which earned him an invite to Pinehurst, which before Monterey Bryson told us was his "life's dream" to be invited to Pinehurst. I think a lot of people may think my husband is driving this crazy golf train, but let me just point to exhibit A - his bedroom wall. The boy is obsessed. He is so self motivated and has worked so hard - I am beyond proud...I know I complain a lot about golf, but really - what a great sport for Bryson - it teaches integrity, patience, self-composure, good sportsmanship...really just a good fit for his temperament I believe. 

The party didn't stop there - since Bryson had a party last year, this year he got to go somewhere special with a friend, so on Monday Bryan took Asher and Bryson deep sea fishing! Again - bryson's idea. He caught a big surf perch and ate it up as soon as they got home. I had a bite and it was delicious! So fresh - not fishy at all! And now...exhale...and listen to the boys fight over the bey blades...I overheard Bryan saying something anti-bey blades and I just reminded him, "This too shall pass"...hopefully sooner rather than later! 

Happy Eighth Birthday Bryson! I have big hopes for you this year! And I can't wait to see what new thing you dive head first into next! Your spirit is contagious and your ambition is inspiring - we love you to pieces!
Love, Mom and Dad

Bryson's Second Golf Tournament

Bryson's second golf tournament was last month in Downey...I forget the name of the course...I will need to ask Bryan and edit this...I was able to go to this one and was so impressed. I haven't seen Bryson play on the course for a while now...over a year I am sure. He is like a mini-pro! i was so amazed. My dad came to this tournament and when I told Bryson his Grandpa Craig was going to come, he said, "Mom, I am going to blow Grandpa Craig's mind" - well if he didnt blow his mind, he certainly blew mine!

my favorite moment though was when the little Asian boy from the first picture hit this amazing chip shot from below the green up to a couple feet from the pin...all the adults watching clapped and he just raised one hand up like a little PGA player. so cute!

Bryson played awesome and showed such restraint when he hit a couple putts too long, etc. I was also exceptionally impressed with his caddy (Bryan) who also showed restraint and was such an encouragement. Bryson came in 6th place, with only 3 strokes off of first. there was a three way tie for first. It showed him how important his short game (that is putting for you non-golf folks) is. He was a little disappointed that he didn't get a medal (they are given to the top 4 players) but not disappointed enough to keep him from wanting to sign up for the championships (which are this Sunday, eeek!). Wish him luck!

Bryson's Swing

bryson is still taking lessons...he is not over the moon about golf and for now prefers t-ball, but he is improving quite a bit...as you can see!

you knew this was coming...

bobby's new favorite toy in the backyard...he gets very upset when bodie tries to take it from him...would you believe he scootches over to the net and hits balls with it already? its true...he more waves it around rapidly looking to hit anything...but still...looks like daddy has his foursome he has dreamt about!

The Golfers and How to Cool Up Hand Me Downs!

my husband is little bit brilliant...although he is the only boy among his siblings and did not have to share his boyish toys to the extent these three will have to, he knows how to make hand-me-downs seem cooler than they are.

bryson just turned 5 this week and for his birthday he received a big boy set of golf clubs...a VERY nice set of clubs...like when bryan told me how much he spent on them i was a little taken aback... but its an "investment" he assured me...ummm..mmm...hmmm...okay...if you say so, honey! bryan also took him to the "big boy" course (a local par 3 - they only did the front 9) and he started his next level of golf classes. so this has all been very exciting (for them) of course. 

Part of our dilemma in our household right now is how to encourage sharing, but also how to keep the "bigger boy" toys separate from the "little boy" toys. bodie should not in any way be playing with bryson's clubs - bryson also needs to learn how to care for *very* nice things/property. so bryan was very intentional with this...

first he took bryson's old clubs and had them shortened at the golf shop...then he spray painted the club part white to appear new and he got them re-gripped and lastly, he got Bodie his very own new standing bag. 

to help show Bodie the difference of ownership, Bryan had me print out some pictures of the boys and attach them to their bags to show "this is Bryson's!" and "this is Bodie's"

and it worked so well! i was so blown away! we all made a very big deal of bodie's clubs and you could tell he felt pretty dern cool...

i love that bryan's brain thinks this way - i would have just given him the old clubs and be all like, deal...these boys are very lucky to have such a creative and thoughtful daddy!