I've had a few people request this information so I thought I'd post it.

If you would like to donate to the fund for Peyton's memorial at his school, donations can be sent to:

Peyton's Memorial
c/o Bess Brannen Elementary PTO
802 That Way Street
Lake Jackson, TX 77566

Or you can still contact Priscilla (see below post)

Thanks!

A while back I sat in the gym of a local church. We were there for basketball evaluations. Tyler went first. He was timed on his dribbling and his shots from various points on the court were recorded. This is all done in the attempt to balance teams.

Next it was Peyton's turn. He was nervous. He'd played the previous season which began while he was still on chemo. It was tough, but he really enjoyed it. He never made a basket.

First he did his timed dribbling. He did alright. Well enough to not feel embarrassed. Next was shooting. I could tell by the look on his face he was a bit worried. He shot a few balls and didn't even come close. Then a ball hit the rim. His eyes widened, he grabbed the ball, and shot. It went in. He immediately looked over at me with a stifled grin. I could tell he was about to explode. Heck, I was about to explode. I remember the quiet little thanks I gave right then to my Heavenly Father. I was SO happy for Peyton. He had been so healthy for so long and we were so excited that he would get to play another season of basketball.

That was just 5 months ago.

I'm not sure why but I've thought about this so much lately. His beautiful little body running on the court and the serene look on his round little face. We had no idea that just weeks later he would be unable to walk.

5 months ago

The more I look back on the events of the last year and a half, the more I'm able to see the miracles we witnessed. I am truly grateful for the knowledge I have that my little boy is safe and well. I know he was blessed beyond measure as he endured his illness. I realize more each day what an honor and blessing it is to be his family. I am so grateful that our separation is only temporary.

Every spring our school holds it's big PTO fundraising event, the Rowdy Round Up. Money raised from this benefits the students and faculty in many ways.

Disclaimer: I am NOT a member of PTO and have tried very hard to stay out of the decision that I'm about to mention. I would honestly be very appreciative of anything done by the school to honor my little Peyton. However, I've seen the pictures and can't help but rally for this thing.

During Peyton's last few weeks of life I'd take him up to school to spend a little time with his friends and teachers. He loved it. Our visits usually turned into complete chaos. It was great. On the way home from one of these visits Peyton chuckled and in his soft, sweet, little broken voice said "Today was fun. It was a laughing day". He told me everyone had made him laugh.

Peyton loved to be active and play and have fun. His classmates still talk of how silly he was on the monkey bars at recess.

As a memorial to Peyton, the school would like to update their playground equipment with the addition of a beautiful fire truck play structure. This would be something that every student at Brannen, and every member of the community would get to enjoy. A permanent reminder of the little firefighter who loved to make people happy.

If you're interested in coming to the Rowdy Round Up, you're officially invited.
If you're interested in donating to the PTO specifically for the memorial for Peyton, you can contact:

Priscilla Bailes
bailespr@gmail.com

Brannen PTO is a non-profit organization and therefore donations to it are tax-deductible.

I'll post pictures once it happens!

Trey

I am willing to bet that there isn't anything this kid couldn't talk someone into or his way out of.

Yep. He's that good.

I'm fairly confident he won't make it through kindergarten without his "first kiss".

Yep. He's that smooth.

I've been told he's gotten what he's wanted because of his big blue Bambi eyes.

Yep. He's that cute.

I've watched him stand up to his own Goliaths without batting an eyelash.

Yep. He's that confident.

I've felt his little arms around my neck and his tiny hands pat me softly on the back.

Yep. He's that sweet.

6 years ago this ray of sunshine we call Trey joined our family.

Yep. We're that lucky.

Happy Birthday my Trey!!!

Double, Double, Toil and Trouble...

... paths of chaos, rooms of rubble.

These spritely imps inhabit our home.

Within these walls they freely roam.

They're quick, these two. Partners in crime.

Their teamwork skills are quite sublime.

They're pals for sure, through thick and thin.

He loves her, and she loves him.

Some stealthy plans these two contrive,

Oh the fun of being 5.

(3 weeks of being the same age gets funner every year. For them. It's still insane for the rest of us.)

100

Rumor has it that the 100th blog post should be 100 things about the author.

Quite honestly, I'm just not that interesting.


I will, however, oblige. Thems the rules.

So, 100 things you may or may not know about me.

1. I'm a Scorpio and tend to fit the description.
2. I was born in Indiana...
3. ...although being a Navy brat,...
4. ...I've lived everywhere. Texas is home.
5. When I grow up, I want to be an archaeologist.
6. If I could be anything, I'd be a museum curator.
7. Since 8 PhDs are not likely in my future, If I am ever employed full time, I could quite contently be a high school history teacher.
8. I am painfully close to my undergrad degree in history and anthropology...
9. ...and will have earned it with courses from 7 schools.
10. I will always claim to be an Aggie, though.
11. I have diagnosed myself with ADD. Really.
12. Emptying the dishwasher is my least favorite chore...
13. ...and one of the first ones I've taught my kids to do completely independently.
14. I don't have a favorite color. Not even a few. I really like 'em all. (Except burnt orange)
15. I am quite fond of lists.
16. I can quote Billy Maddison from start to finish...
17. ...and even do the stair dance.
18. I love that my kids quote lines from movies they've never seen.
19. Other than a brief stint as a preschool teacher...
20. ...my only employment has been as a gymnastics coach/dance and cheer instructor for several gyms and the school district. Marketable, I know.
21. I learned to juggle when I got tired of cleaning up my kids toys. Fisher Price little people are the perfect size.
22. I play the piano well enough to provide my kids some fun dancing music (although I am NOT a pianist)
23. I play the violin well enough to impress the neighbor kids (although I am NOT a violinist)
24. I love to cook but hate the time it takes.
25. I am a huge fan of sleep.
26. Cold pizza is my weakness.
27. I hate to read although I read quite a bit.
28. I really wish I liked it more.
29. 4 years of honors English in High school and I read one book. "To Kill a Mockingbird".
30. I loved it.
31. I want my pilot's license, but not until I get a plane.
32. I am much more patient then I used to be.
33. Aside from the fish that swim around people at the beach, I don't know that there is anything I'm really, really afraid of.
34. I will one day have horses...
35. ...and teach my children to ride English even if it invokes the wrath of die hard rodeoers (not a word, I know.)
36. I loathe dogs.
37. I love the music of Aaron Copeland.
38. I played with the Corpus Christi Youth Philharmonic...
39. ...and that's why the "Can Can" will always be near and dear to my heart.
40. I'm a sucker for neat quotes.
41. I can memorize almost anything. It's kind of creepy.
42. I like anything with berries.
43. "The Promise" by Tracy Chapman is my all time favorite song...
44. ...followed closely by Clint Black's "Something that we do." (our wedding dance song)
45. I love the way my house is silent at night when I'm the only one awake.
46. I see obvious bits of my character and personality in each of my children and although occasionally a horrifying realization, it usually makes me laugh and take pity.
47. I am stubborn. Fine. I said it.
48. I hate asking for help.
49. Pins hold my knees together and look super cool on x-rays.
50. Rome is the most amazing place I've ever been.
51. Hungary, the coolest place I've ever lived (although I was really little).
52. Soccer is my favorite sport.
53. I love going on dates with my husband.
54. If I could be defined by one word, I hope one day it will be "loyal".
55. Currently, it's probably "unpredictable". I've got some work to do.
56. I appreciate good friends.
57. If I could be a mutant, I'd be Jean Gray (that's for Peyt).
58. I love the beach at night.
59. I am always up for a road trip to just about anywhere.
60. Nothing makes me happier then seeing my kids all playing nicely together.
61. I really like being right...
62. ...but am getting better at admitting defeat.
63. The ability to keep it all together is immensely important to me...
64. ...and when it all falls apart I feel overwhelming failure.
65. I'm not a perfectionist...
66. ...although I am often disappointed if I come up short of it.
67. I would much rather be cold than hot.
68. I could live in comfy jeans and a tee shirt...
69. ...but love having excuses to dress up.
70. I need a creative outlet.
71. I'm a big fan of roller coasters...
72. ...musicals...
73. ...and museums.
74. I'm quite observant...
75. ...but have learned to stifle opinions of my observations.
76. It drives me nuts to not have my toe nails painted. Weird, I know.
77. Soy Cubana...
78. ...y entiendo mas espanol que puedo hablar.
79. I have a very high pain tolerance.
80. I'm often tempted to run away. Just for a few hours or so, nothing drastic. No, no, I haven't. Just tempted occasionally.
81. I'm allergic to bananas. Nothing else.
82. I really like power tools.
83. I'm the oldest of four kids. Can't you tell?
84. At 31 I still haven't figured myself out all the way. I've got some time.
85. I really, really, really dislike being doubted...
86. ...which is why I try harder than anything else (although sometimes in vain) to be honest, reliable and uncomplicated.
87. I love the art of Jack Vettriano. It's so idealistically romantic...
88. ...although I'm not particularly romantic.
89. Quality time is my "love language" (says Gary Chapman's book).
90. My most valuable possession is my Faith. Everything important to me exists because of it. Without it, nothing makes sense or has purpose.
91. I would love to meet Ben Franklin...
92. ... and Rasputin (although I really hope I don't end up where he's likely at. We could do lunch though).
93. I'm pretty sure I'm completely unoffendable. Peyton has really mellowed me out. Something about perspective, I think.
94. I love going to the movies...
95. ...and love even more that my kids are always willing companions.
96. Ty and I are reading "Tuck Everlasting", my most favorite elementary school book.
97. I pick my battles. The rest of the time I'm indifferent.
98. I adore my kids teachers...
99. ... and have learned that most of what l I dislike about formal schooling can easily be overlooked when I know at least my kids are loved.
100. And finally, the last thing to know about me? Probably that I'm grateful. Grateful for everything. Grateful for my family, friends, and everything else, good and bad, that makes me better then I am on my own. Better is the only thing that'll get me back to my Peyt and I want that more than anything.

So, that's me in a nutshell of a blog post.

PJ Pants/Pharaohic Headpiece

Nice Trey. Real nice.

"Mrs. Ricker I have something for you. I just know Peyton Ricker would want me to give this to you."

He lives down the street. I adore him.

His mom said he really wanted to mail it.

My very own magic set. Just what I always wanted.

Thanks little pal. I'm sure Peyton appreciates me being looked after.

Nickel Noodles

We had struggled for a while with how we wanted our kids to earn money. We didn't like the idea of allowance but we felt they were ready to earn a little bit. We started nickel noodles.

Here's how it works.

On my counter is a small bowl of macaroni noodles and a bud vase.
Whenever the kids do anything we want to acknowledge and reward we ask them to "put a noodle in". They earn a noodle for anything good. Good grades, good manners, kind speaking, being helpful, making good choices, really, anything good. One noodle. That's all.


The first Sunday of every month the noodles in the bud vase are counted and divided equally amongst the kids. It's collective. This way they encourage each other to make good choices and are excited for each others good achievements.


They earn a nickel for every noodle. The noodles go back in the bowl and they start over.


What's nice? The pay out is never huge but it's always enough to please even my 9 year old.

They like trying to earn more noodles then they had in the previous month. They are always proud of themselves as the number of noodles directly reflects their actions and behavior.


There are times when Bailey comes to me and says "I love you mom. Noodle?" To which I always reply "of course". Hey, I'm not going to question the motives behind niceness, goodness, and helpfulness. I just need them to happen.

Child Labor

This chore chart of ours has come up more and more so for anyone who stumbles across it via random blogs and facebook pages and wants to know the hows and whys of it all, here it goes...

We needed a way for our kids (between the ages of 1 and 9) to earn a little extra money (past nickel noodles. I'll fill you in on that next).

They do chores around the house because, quite frankly, we let them live here. Those are non-negotiable and are done whenever they need to be. They include stuff like taking out trash, dishes, laundry and vacuuming. They are NOT paid for those.

If they so choose, our kids can volunteer for extra chores that we are willing to pay them for doing. They are things that I normally get around to doing if I get a chance but that aren't tragic if they go a few weeks between getting done.

Here's the chart:

Each pocket has a label with the job title, a picture (for my non-reader), and the amount we'll pay.
In each pocket there's a clipped badge with the job title and picture on the front and the job requirements on the back. Then there is no question of expectations. The kids can clip it to themselves and follow the steps on the back.
The bottom pocket on the chart holds colored index cards. Each kid has their own color. They place their color card in the pocket(s) of the jobs they are committing to do.

Some of the jobs require two people (like washing the van) so their tags are orange and there are two van washing pockets.

Individual jobs have red tags.

Only one index card can be in a job pocket. I only need one kid to wash the back door so there is only one pocket for back door washing.

Because I can have multiple weed pullers, there are four separate pockets for weed pulling.

Get it?

It works for us and fulfills our need to teach required work, optional work, and all the principles of money management.