Byson is 11

Bryson loves:
Electronics
Hanging out with friends
Baseball
Rocks
Cooking
Building

Bryson is turning into a wonderful young man.  He struggles sometimes to make right choices (don't we all) but owns up to them and is honest with himself about his short comings.  He doesn't love doing chores, but he will.  He also is very thoughtful and observant of others needs and helps a lot around the house. 

Cute Things

Today I came up to see what Kayla was doing in her room. She was changing her babies diaper. She had out the wipes and everything. Girls are so different than boys.

Don made me a CD for Valentine's because he is awesome like that. One of the song talks about Superman. The first time Landon heard it he was really excited about Superman being mentioned in a song. I just briefly told him what the song was saying and that Daddy is our Superman. Now every time he hears the song he says, "It's talking about Dad!" and then proceeds to sing at the top of his lungs. He now requests Superman in addition to Melynda's favorite song (Human). It's nice to have some variety.

Eldon's cute thing? If I only choose one it would be his dancing. He has done awesome moves, and I don't mean that sarcastically. When asked a question he sometimes will answer me with a side step and jazz hands.

Bryson is the most tender hearted of the boys towards me. He is always trying hard to help me with cooking, deep cleaning, or just by being empathetic when I talk.

I think it is really cute when a brother tells a story about something that made them feel sad and he responds, "I know just how you feel," he then continues to tell how he can relate to them. He is growing up too much. He can carry on adult conversations and while that is awesome it makes me a little sad.

Don is the cutest of them all. He always kisses me before he leaves in the morning, if it wakes me I even get an I love you. It's the little things that make life great.

Bryson's baptism

Bryson's baptism was scheduled in the stake baptisms for Oct. 10 at 10am.  That time would just not be possible for Don.  After several conversations with the Primary president and one with the bishop 1 pm for the same day was settled on.

As much as Don and I tried to prepare him he just wasn't really listening to our lessons.  We asked him to pray and make sure that this was the right choice for him.  Which he did and felt good about his choice. True understanding will come through time, but he has such a great heart and tried hard to do what is right. I am sure he will be a good member of the church.

So preparations began. He asked cousins Jack and Max to pray.  He asked Jaron and Uncle Scott to talk. Aunt Melynda and Gram did a musical number.  Papa and Grandpa Barlow were witnesses to the baptism.  It was a beautiful baptism and confirmation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jaron did a great job on his talk, here is what he said:

Bryson do you remember when one of your best Pokemon cards got ripped? Many things that we get in this life won’t last, they will get broken, old, or worn out.  But today you are going to get the gift of the Holy Ghost and that won’t just last but it will get even better as you learn to hear Him and use what he says.

Dale E. Miller of the Seventy told a story in the Friend magazine.

When I was five years old, I had the job of taking out the trash. In those days, a garbage truck didn’t come to pick up the trash. We had to burn it in the backyard in a cement box. My chores included burning the trash.

One day, I decided that I didn’t need to take the trash all the way outside to burn it, as my parents had taught me to do. I put it all into the kitchen wastebasket and burned it right there in the kitchen. Before I knew it, the kitchen cabinets were on fire! Fortunately my older brother came into the kitchen and yelled for my mother. The fire was quickly put out, with little damage to our house. That experience taught me to follow the guidance of my parents because they knew about dangers that I did not understand.

 A lot like our parents the Holy Ghost will help us know what to do and make good choices. In 2 Ne. 32:5, “If ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.”

The Holy Ghost can do many things to help us but we have to practice listening for him and do what he says when he tells us something. Sometimes when we are at the Zoo the family goes up ahead and I can’t see them any more.  But the Holy Ghost tells me where to look so I know where the family is.

I remember the time we prayed to find Smallie, my little stuffed bear, and when we were done praying I knew right where to look for him.  That was the Holy Ghost.  We did it again several time with little things.  But then Kayla fell and broke her head and that was something big.  We were all really scared that she wouldn’t be okay.  When Grandma and Grandpa Barlow came we prayed and the Holy Ghost told me that everything would be all right.

The Holy Ghost can help us know something is true. When you hear things at church and have a happy feeling, that is the Holy Ghost telling you it is true. I hope you can feel him today telling you that your choice is a good one.

Bryson I know that the Holy Ghost is a great gift and can help you make good choices and help you when you need it.  I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

Bryson is 8

Bryson wanted a Panda birthday party this year.  We ended up with a jungle theme, highlighting pandas.  19 kids were at the party a few too many in my opinion, but you live and learn.

We stared off with a matching baby animal names to their parents name worksheet.  I thought the kids wouldn't really be interested in it, but they actually really had fun trying to match up things.

Next was pin the nose on the panda.  With so many kids waiting your turn in line that long was a little too long.

We had a bean bad toss, which was feed the monkey the bannana.  Super fun.

We had a jungle obstacle course.  The first part you couldn't touch the water (blue tarp) second section the vines were poisonous.  The third second you had to climb under the mesh net and not knock off the baby leopards or the mom would get mad. The record time was actually Landon for the the first round. This was a crowd favorite.
The other favorite was becoming an elephant and racing another elephant to see who could knock three cups over the quickest.  I used tights with a tennis ball in the end as the trunk and the kids had to put their hands behind their backs while doing it.

We did presents, cake, and rainbow fruit kabobs which went well. The panda cupcakes told me they hated me and didn't really turn out, but everything else made up for it.

Our last game was jungle bingo.  I looked for runts and couldn't find any so we had to settle for skittles.  This was a great way to end the party.
Bryson really loved the party and I had fun getting it all together. 

Sunday Stories

The boys are loving computers and loving learning to type.  They wanted to practice typing Sunday and this is what they wrote.

Story

by Jaron Hughes

As dad ran away he got attacked by a cougar. Dad got killed by the cougar. Then mom came to see why dad was not coming back. Then mom discovered why dad was not coming back. Dad was dead. The cougar came out and attacked mom. Luckily mom had a soared. Mom cut the cougar in the heart. She got a car that was red. Then she dragged it back to the car. Then mom drove the cougar to the house. Then mom cooked the cougar and we ate the cougar.

                                  THE    END     

Story

by Bryson Hughes

Mom had 5 kids 1 was named jaron  2 was named Bryson 3 was named eldon  4 was named landon  5 was named Kayla .dad and mom both  care for us. We help our friends. Our family is a group of God.  I never will hit or kick.  We never drink alcohol.  My family loves everybody in the world.  We make people happy. 

Bryson is 7

I really can't believe Bryson is 7.  For some reason I expect Jaron to keep getting older but not the others kids.
Bryson chose to have a quit birthday.  We bought a new Wii game that he could play as much as he wanted on his birthday.  He took treats to school and had a great day there.  We went to McDonalds for dinner and then ate cake and opened presents.  He asked for his own set of Lego's so we got him Ninja Turtle Lego's so that they were easy to tell apart from all of Jaron's City Lego's.  This stayed with the theme of the cake too.  I used the modeling chocolate left from Eldon's cake and made Ninja Turtles.  They were super awesome if I say so myself. He also wanted brownie and cookie for his cake.  So it all around was a really good cake I thought.

Bryson is almost 4'3" his favorite things are:
Food ~ Taco Soup
Color ~ Red
Song ~ "I'm Coming Home"- Skylar Grey, because he likes her voice
Subject ~ P.E.
Things he likes ~ recess, Wii, build Lego's, play with action figures, play with friends

What a fun and unique kid he is.  He sure like to try to do new things and be funny. 

Busy Toothfairy

 Bryson had his first two teeth extracted on April 3rd!  He whined a tiny bit when they numbed it, but that is all.  He wanted to go to school right after so that he could show all his friends. 

Eldon's top tooth finally gave up the fight when he hit it on March 31st.  This was the third time he had hit it and the dentist told us that it most likely would come out.

Bryson is 6!

 Just realized concession is spelled wrong, HA!

Bryson Scott Hughes turned six on October 2^nd.  Bryson adds so much to our family.

He is still extra caring and compassionate. 

Bryson is our family clown.  He feels the need to make everything a joke or funny.  We are working on when it is appropriate to be funny and when it is time to be serious. 

Bryson is just over four feet tall and weighs about 50 lbs. 

He really enjoys playing in the yard with his brothers and riding his scooter.  Just the other day he learned to ride a bike without training wheels.

The Wii is also a favorite past time.

School is going well and he really likes his teacher, he is learning to love learning and is beginning to catch on better to reading.

Bryson is not a very picky eater.  He really likes taco soup, but often picks things to eat he knows his brothers will like too.  He does not like jam or peanut butter.  He will eat them, but really would rather not.

Bryson is still into science.  He likes volcanoes the best, mostly because they explode.

Bryson is such a great little kid, and we love him so much!

His birthday was full of fun!  He had lunch with Dad and then we went to The Red Barn for our evening activity; hayrides, pumpkin patch, and ice cream included.

His party was a blast.  We did a drive in movie complete with a concession stand.  Jaron and Bryson ate a little too much candy and ended up not feeling too great, but that aside is was a big hit.

With all the birthday hoopla I think they come away feeling loved and appreciated and that is why we always make such a big deal about it.

Bryson's 5th Birthday

Bryson Scott Hughes turned 5 on October 2^nd.  We were so excited that we were close to family to celebrate the event with us.  On Sep. 30^th we did a three person party at the Barlow/our house.  Carlie (18), Eldon (3), and Bryson (5) were the people being celebrated.  I decorated cupcakes for each person.  Bryson wanted Toy Story cupcakes.  I failed to do exactly what he wanted, but this year mom’s best was just going to have to be good enough.  He had a great party doing the games that he wanted and getting some wonderful gifts.  He has had lots of fun this week playing with his new toys. 

On his actual birthday Dad was able to get off in time that we could to to McDonald’s for dinner and then miniature golf at Trafalga.  We invited my side of the family to that and were so happy to have a few of my siblings and their families come on such short notice.  Bryson had a great birthday!

This little boy isn’t little anymore.  He has really started to help me with a lot of things.  With Jaron off to school most of the day he has taken the role as lead brother and doing a fabulous job.  He is the first to do his chores in the morning and very often doesn’t complain.  Bryson loves to play baseball, watch movies, and play computer.  He has really taken to riding his scooter now that there is a place he can ride it.  Bryson is so companionate.  He is the first to respond to an injury or hurt feelings.  He is right there to solve anyone’s problem.  He is very brave although he does not like to do dare devil type stuff.  He doesn’t cry when getting shots and lots of times holds the tears back until he just can’t anymore.  He is developing his love for learning.  He really likes science which is fun for me.  He is continuing to grow big and strong and is my least picky eater. He used to not like meat much but now that isn’t even a problem. 

Bryson has been referring to a cut on his knee as a "vanilla"  this is in comparison to a "raspberry."  We often call a little scrape just a raspberry and tell them not to worry about it.  I tried to correct him by saying, "Don't you mean a raspberry?" To which he replied, "No mom. This one is white, so it isn't a raspberry it is a vanilla."

Also on the 4th Landon decided to take several steps.  He took his first steps about two weeks ago and Saturday he made his big move by taking several steps.

I'd Like to Bear My Testimony?

As a mother I felt the importance of my children knowing FOR THEMSELVES that the church is true. We have been talking about gaining a testimony and how to do that. I realize that they might be too young for this sort of thing in many peoples eyes. But I really believe anything that goes into their little minds before the age of 5 stays there. This is something that I learned in my psychology class. So I think that teaching them how to know for themselves is really a good idea while they are young. As they get older they will be able to reflect back and know what to do when they need to figure out something. Going along with this we have been letting them practice their testimonies at the end of FHE.
Bryson wanted to bear his testimony this past fast Sunday. He was so excited all morning to do it. Sacrament started and he just couldn't wait for it to be time to bear his testimony. When it came time for testimonies several people rushed right up to wait on the stand to have their turn. We waited for the line to die down and then went up. He was really brave and stepped right up when it came his turn. But what came out of his little mouth wasn't so confident. As I sat behind him I noticed his voice was on the verge of tears. But my little man didn't back down. He said, "I'd like to bear my testimony. I know this Church is true. I know Thomas Monson is a prophet. [Long Pause] In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." He was scared out of his mind, but I was so proud of him. He did it all by himself and . . . wants to do it again next month.
I hope this is the start of my boys KNOWING, because knowing what is true and where you stand is so important in an ever changing world.

Bryson is 4!

His birthday fell on Sunday this year. So we did balloons in the morning, and cake in the evening with a few close friends. The cake was decided a day before his birthday. He first wanted a Tangled cake, then a bat, and finally landed on the car cake.
Then Monday he chose to go bowling. It was lots of fun! Thanks Grandma Barlow.

These precious years pass so fast. Bryson is starting to be a really independent helper. Bryson sees and need and finds a way to meet it. Which sometimes means I can't leave him alone for very long. If he is hungry, or anyone else for that matter, he gets food. If he is board, he gets something out. This is very good at times and he is getting much better at asking before he does things that require permission.
He is getting good at the chores I have given him to do, and even wanted to help vacuum the other day. He does not like to do things when asked, but on his own time. He also has a very sarcastic way of talking. We are working on him expressing himself positively and focusing on the fact that he can do hard things.
He loves to dance, sing, play Wii, play baseball, jump, and play pretend. Legos are his most favorite toy right now.

It is so fun to watch them grow and learn. We love you Bryson!

First Day of Kindergarten

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Jaron hanging out after school with Landon.

Bryson playing outside on Jaron's first day of school.

I can't believe our little boy is already going to school. The first week was really rough for both him and me. On the first day of school I walked him to class. When we got to his classroom I told him to go on in. He looks at me with panic in his eyes and said "But mom I just want you to come with me." I told him I couldn't and opened his hand and gave him a kiss to keep with him all day. The wait to be picked up also upset him. He would get in crying and say, "Mom it just takes too long." He would say he just wanted to stay home with me all day. By day 5 of school Jaron was totally fine with going and waiting to be picked up, but I still am having a hard time letting him be gone for so long. It will just take time for me to adjust to him being away all day. I look forward to weekends when my little boy can stay home with me.

Bryson had a rough first week too. He didn't have his best friend around to play with all day. Jaron and Bryson really are so close and fight very little. After school it is like a party every day, they just play until dinner. It is hard to get them to do their chores.
The second week of school I started school with Bryson and that has been helping a lot with him being so lonely. We do things most days to keep busy.

Eldon is doing okay with the change. He does ask where Jaron is a lot, but is not upset that he is gone.

Nothing is constant as change, too bad I don't deal with it too great.

Chucky Cheese (the birthday)

For his actual birthday we went to Chucky Cheese as a family, courtesy of Grandma & Grandpa Barlow. That is their gift, going somewhere special on your birthday.
Bryson just ate it up and had lots of fun being the "birthday boy" as he called himself all day.
He loved all the gifts he got this year: his monster truck (which he slept with for a few days), rescue garage, more trio blocks, dino coloring book, dino book, puzzles (he is SO good at puzzles), Diego jeep, Avitar, Pet book and "pet" animals, active learing TV game.
Thanks to all the our family/friends that love us and bless our lives with their love!

Bryson is so cute and becoming mom's biggest helper.
He is a good eater not turning away any food except tomatoes.
His heart is so tender and he always tells me thank you for every meal I make him, every place I take him, and every book I read.
He is still the most cuddly of all the bunch loves hugs and to just sit with you.
He talks really well for his age and know a lot of stuff as we have been finding out lately. He is just more quiet about it. He knows his colors, 1-3 articles of faith, the whole name for what church he belongs to, pledge of allegiance, ABC, how to spell his name. We are working on letter recognition . . . an the list goes on.
In short we love this little boy!

THE birthday party

Bugs
Swamp Water w/ flies
Alligator eyes & hide
Worms & dirt
The invites

Bryson Scott Hughes is 3 years old!! I was not going to do a party, but I really have fun planning and doing creative fun kid stuff so . . . The cake was always back and forth, "I want a lion cake, no I want a zebra cake, no I want a snake cake." Snake cake was the cake of choice for his birthday week so that was the large cake. Just in case he changed his mind the day of, I did cupcakes that were all different animal prints, leopard, tiger, zebra, giraffe, and the brown hairy one is a lion (or whatever you want it to be). I did large cupcakes and mini ones for the littler kids. We only invited a few friends so it was not a huge party. Which was good.
Don told me not to do a "Pam" birthday party this year with a craft and planned games, they are only three and need to just play. So the "Pam" party came in the form of the dinner I feed everyone. I am sad to say I did not take a picture of the pizzas before we ate them, but they were all animal prints too, I just used the olives to makes spots for a leopard and pepperoni to make the spots for the giraffe. All the others I took pictures of. I had lots of fun and Bryson really loved it I think. He has such a creative mind, he loves pretend so this was right up his ally.

School Graduation

Just for the record, I realize neither of them are graduating from anything. Don thinks that this is the most ridiculous thing ever. I just think it is cute and fun. The boys had such a good time at "school" if you even want to call it that. It was more just getting together and learning to love learning. We focused mostly on letters and their sound, adding in themes and numbers. But beyond that they learned turns, listening, and those sort of things. Jaron learned the pledge, which I will try to record and get on the blog.

Besides school I have been working on teaching the boys scripture stories, and the articles of faith. Here in Texas not many people know what our church teaches or believes. I want my boys to know what they believe and be able to tell others. We are perfecting Article of Faith #4 right now. Bryson also can recite them. We will see what I can do about getting those recorded too.