CureSerch Walk for Children's Cancer

I decided to participate in the CureSearch Walk for Children's Cancer this year. Here is the reason why we walked-

Miss Sassy Pants

Miss Sassy Pants (Izzy) is a little girl just a bit younger than Hayden who was diagnosed with cancer. You can read her story here. I went to school with Jennie aka Miss Sassy Pants Mom but weren't friends at that time, it was just within the past 3 or so years that we actually started talking. She is one of the most positive most caring people I know and that's why I chose to participate in this great cause, on behalf of Miss Sassy Pants. Reading her blog updates has really got me thinking and I really can't imagine going through something like this with one of my own kids or someone close to me. I think that there is no way that I would make it through something so difficult but as I have heard before, people that actually do go through things like this don't think they are strong enough to make it through either but some how some way they find the strength.

I thought it would be a great thing to have the kids participate in so that maybe Hayden would understand more helping out and supporting others and maybe realizing how fortunate he is to have his health. My Parents and Aunt Debbie and Uncle Curtis also came to support the cause. When we arrived I couldn't help to feel very sad but then I realized that this was something very good and positive that we were doing for all of the sick cancer kids and that I should be happy that we were able to help. Then I try to explain this to Hayden while he is having a melt down about a stupid balloon.

Before the walk began, they had all sorts of things for the kids at the park. Face painting, Clowns doing balloon tying, the Fire Dept. was there with their big trucks, and some yummy breakfast treats. Hayden and Landen went to the Clowns and they each got a balloon sword. Well, Landen's ended up popping so my Mom went and got him another one made. That made Landen happy but Hayden was beside himself because the sword was Landen's sword was not the same as his was. That's when I realized that we have a problem, a BIG problem! Not only was Hayden throwing this big fit about this dumb balloon but I was ready to come unglued myself. I am sure everyone was looking at us because Hayden would not quit crying and I kept bending down trying to get him to quit but I was not about to give into his spoiledness and get him another balloon. Finally, my Mom stepped in and took care of it and yes, she got him another balloon. Which I wasn't really upset about because at this point he needed to stop the crying and whining. It was ridiculous!

We are all fine and dandy now and the walk begins. As we are trucking along Hayden decides he wants out of the wagon. He gets out and ends up falling and popping the damn balloon. Oh lord, another melt down! At this point I was done!! I told him to get into the stroller because Grandpa was holding Bryn and I pushed him the rest of the way. As we are moving along to finish the walk, a little boy that was walking with his Mom witnessed the entire ordeal with Hayden and this little boy had one those balloon swords. He kept talking to Hayden but Hayden didn't want much to do with him as he was pouting and I guess this little boy could see how sad Hayden was and he handed him his balloon sword. I told the little boy he didn't have to give Hayden his sword and that he would be OK. As we kept walking I told Hayden how nice that little boy was to want to give him his sword and told him that he would have never done the same to someone else.

I understand that Hayden is only 5 and it's all part of learning and growing but this day really put things in perspective. We cut the walk a little short and headed back the car. On our way home, I completely lost it. I was trying to explain to Hayden again why we were there at the park that day and how disappointed I was that he was acting the way he was over a balloon. I was so upset to think how selfish and ungrateful he seemed to be. Oh boy, hopefully Nate and I can help Hayden see how fortunate he is and we all are as a family.

Parenting....It's the hardest thing I have ever had to do and most certain will ever be.

Here is a pic that I took from Miss Sassy Pants blog of Izzy, Her Momma Jennie, and her big brother Tommy all there supporting this great cause in honor of Izzy.

Grandpa and Brynlee

Landen, Brynlee, and Hayden with their balloon "swords"....

Happy Birthday America

This year for the 4th of July we spent the day doing our usual fun festivities which consists of the Magna parade at Grandpa Rock's house followed by a yummy BBQ with family and friends. This year we were thrown a cute Cyprus Pirates football t shirt during the parade and it's the perfect size for Hayden. So cute! He is our future little Cyprus Pirate just like his Mommy was!!

Brynlee was infatuated with all the excitment the parade brought. She didn't move off my lap the entire parade. And she figured out fast what was being thrown out to us by the people walking by us, CANDY!!!!

After Grandpa Rock's, we went to my parents where we had our good friends, the Starley Family, over for a BBQ and fireworks. We had a little pool set up and Hayden's bounce house for the kids to play. Fun times were had by all!!

I have to say there is nothing like a good ol' fashion Magna 4th of July! That is the way I remember things as I was growing up and I hope that it is what my kids also remember as they get older.

Our three little fire crackers!

Grandma and Grandpa


Uncle Shaun and Brynee Boo

Landen & Hayden waiting for the parade

Grandma Darlene with Doug in his cute little 1950 Ford (I think)

Mommy and Brynee eating some yummy candy!

Daddy's friend Dave rode his horse in the parade and came over to Grandpa Rock's afterward so the kids could take a ride. Landen loved it! Hayden wouldn't try it and Brynlee.......

was SCARED to death of it!

Goofy Grapes!

There is never a dull moment at the Peterson House! We are always up to something!! Well...at the least the kiddos are!

Sayin cheese in style with Daddy's sungalsses on!

Playing dress up in all of his old Halloween costumes. He is dressed up as a pirate cowboy turtle.

Silly Boy!! Hayden can't wait for Halloween!

Baseball, Baseball, and more Baseball

GO DIAMONDBAKCS!

Hayden started his 2nd year of t-ball early spring. We decided to put him into the Hunter/Cyprus league rather than just at the Magna Rec. The Rec was good for his first year of t-ball but thought that it would be better to put him in something a little more "advanced" if you will. Boy, we as parents sure had it easy just being at the Rec center because this year we are running and a gunning all the time. We had raffle tickets to sell and practices and now games two to three times per week. Hayden loves it though and Nate and I enjoy watching Hayden having fun and growing to love such a good sport.

We are kind of sad now that the season has ended. What will we do with all of our time?! I am sure Hayden will keep us busy and m our toes!

This is pretty serious business! As serious aw it can be for a 5 year old!

Hayden was pretty famous boy on his team. Once the parents found out who this Hayden boiy was that their kids came home talking about they would say, "so this is the infomous Hayden we always hear about!". This cute girl Hayley was one of those kids that went home talking about Hayden and funny he was. Oh boy, I think I may have a class clown on my hands! She just loved Hayden. She was such a tiny little thing. They always sat right next to each other while waiting for their turn to bat.

How cute is this?!



Even Sister loved spending time at the baseball park watching Bubba!

When baseball season ended we decided to have a little party at our house for the team. The kids had a great time playing in the bounce house, eating hot dogs, and batting at a baseball pinata.

Hayden & Hayley! Oh so cute!!

Preschool Graduation

Our little Bubba is growing so fast! He has graduated from preschool! It is such a bitter sweet moment in my life. I am super excited for him to be growing and learning but at the same time I am sad that how fast the time is going. Hayden on the other hand, thinks he is already grown and a big boy. He seems to be excited to start "big boy school" (kindergarten) this fall. I keep trying to talk about it often because I have a feeling once it really is time to go to school he is going to have a hard time. And that will make it a double hard time for his mommy.

For the year end graduation they had a program that the teachers and kids worked so long and hard on. Hayden would come home from school and tell me that all they did is sing and dance and sing and dance. He would constantly be singing around the house the songs he was learning so I did get a little sneak peak of what was in store for all of the parents. Although I wasn't sure what to expect on how well Hayden would do up on a stage in front of a bunch of people. But to my surprise he did a great job! Wasn't shy and he played his parts very well! Hayden had several parts, he was a Pirate which he had a solo part in, he danced with a sweet little girl in Disney's Little Mermaid "Kiss the Girl" (my favorite) and another solo as the Huntsman in Snow White.

It was so cute to watch all the kids belt out their parts through the microphone and dance their little hearts out shaking their little booty's!

Hayden and Landen-Best Cousins.....sometimes!

Tevor, Hayden, and Landen
Best Buds

Hayden receives his preschool graduation certificate from Teacher.

Hayden as the Huntsman in Snow White

This was the Aladdin production and I had to throw in this picture because of the funny faces the kids were making. It's kind of hard to tell but their faces were hilarious.

Hayden singing his solo part in the Pirates Life For Me song.

And my favorite....Hayden with his cute little partner in Kiss the Girl from the Little Mermaid.
Oh it was so cute!

We were so lucky to have Hayden attend Aunt Sand's Preschool for the past two years with his two best buds Landen and Trevor. It has been a great experience for Hayden and he has grown and learned a lot from these wonderful Teachers.

Class of 2011! A note from Teachers! How Sweet!

Good Job Bubba!! We are so proud of you!

Now on to the next stages in life with lots of more growing and learning to do! Watch out big boy school because here comes Hayden Peterson!!

Busy Bryn!

Here is just a little bit of what Brynlee is up while her Mommy and Daddy are at work! She loves her Auntie Debbie!!

She swims....Her Auntie bought Bryn her very own swimming pool for her house. That girl LOVES the water!

Brynlee can cook! Ok, not really but she sure loves to wear her apron like Auntie while she is cooking. She doesn't really help but she helps make a mess by pulling everything out of the drawers and cupboards!

And she simply walks around being the best little Princess ever! She can do no wrong in Auntie's and Uncle Curtis's eyes! She has them wrapped around her little finger!

This photo is Bryn with her favorite blankey that Grandma Deni made for her. She has become quite attached to this beat of hers! (Beat is what Hayden calls his blankets that Grandma Deni made for him, they have always been his favorite!)

Happy Father's Day Daddy!

In honor of Father's Day I thought I would ask Hayden some questions about his Daddy. Now that he is getting bigger he says the funniest things and it would be nice to know what his little mind will come up with to answer these questions. He is such a silly boy that I hope I can get him to concentrate on this little project without saying some crazy things, but then again that will be through the eyes of our our little Bubba! Even though Bryn wasn't able to participate in answering these questions she is still your little Bahooka and I am sure she would give us an ear full if we could only understand her.

So this is for you Babe! We Love You! Happy Father's day!

1. What is something dad always says to you?
I Love You

2. What makes dad happy?
When we are both being nice

3. What makes dad sad?
When I be mean.


4. How does your dad make you laugh?
He just tricks me.
He asks me to hold his pillow. (Nate says this as he is hitting Hayden with his pillow to wake him up)

5. What was your dad like as a child?
I bet he was like me but in the olden days.

6. How old is your dad?
50 years, I think?!


7. How tall is your dad?
Like, 5 feet tall.


8. What is his favorite thing to do?
Ride four wheelers with me.


9. What does your dad do when you are not home?
Sit and wait until I come home. He told me that one time.

10. If your dad becomes famous, what will it be for?
Because he would be nice to everybody. Because he is too much nice.


11. What is your dad really good at?
Making me happy.


12. What is your dad not good at?
Playing games


13. What does your dad do for a job?
He turns stuff into books.


14. What is your dad's favorite food?
Pizza


15. What makes you proud of your dad?
He tries to be nice, but he's not always.


16. If your dad were a cartoon character, who would he be?
Goofy


17. What do you and your dad do together?
Ride four wheelers


18. How are you and your dad the same?
When we be mean


19. How are you and your dad different?
I be nice and he only be's good.


20. How do you know your dad loves you?
Cause he tells me.


21. What does your dad like most about your mom?
I think her eyes cause that's what I like.


22. Where is your dad's favorite place to go?
Texas Roadhouse like me