Brett’s Birthday Gazette

May 23, 2011 FREE

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Brett is Four!

Brian, Brett & Jonathan Brett Becomes a Big Brother On November 11, 2010, Jonathan Mark Feldman was born and Brett became a big brother. We really weren’t sure how Brett would react to having a little baby brother around the house. However, since Jonathan was born, Brett has been nothing short of obsessed with his baby brother. He likes to get very, very close to Jonathan’s face when he talks to his “buddy.” It starts out with something like this…. “Hi buuuuuuuudddddddyyyyyyy.” Brett loves to hug him, kiss him, give him toys, and do just about anything in which he is allowed to get up close. If I indicate that I am going to change Jonathan’s diaper, Brett beats me to the nursery to get the diaper and wipes ready! He absolutely adores Jonathan in every way. At bedtime, he always asks me to bring Jonathan in his room for one more kiss! Back to School Brett started PK-3 at Eden Christian Academy in August. His teacher’s name is Mrs. Vuich and the aide is Mrs. McDonnell. (I absolutely love the way that Brett pronounces “Mrs. McDonnell!”) From the first day of school, Brett was quick to run into the classroom. Mrs. Vuich often has to remind him to give “Mommy a big hug bye-bye! He absolutely loves his teachers as evidenced by the art work that he makes for them at home! If you ask Brett what his favorite part about school is, he will usually say, “building with Eli.” We have been extremely impressed with the Preschool curriculum at Eden. Brett has made progress with his handwriting. He is writing both uppercase and lowercase letters. He has reading lessons and loves when his fourth grade “Reading Buddy” comes to read with him in the hallway! Brett was so excited when he got in the car on the day that they did “Jelly Bean Math!” He had his little bag of colored jelly beans, and he showed me how to add the various colors together. Brett enjoys his bible lessons, especially the story of the Good Samaritan, when he learned about the importance of being a good neighbor and discovered that even small children can extend kindness in many different ways. Brett has been diligent about learning his monthly bible verses. I especially enjoyed his enthusiasm when he practiced April’s verse from Matthew 28:6 – He is not here. He is risen. (Hand motions and all!)

Oh the Things Brett Will Say! “The bases are juiced!” – “Do you like pasketti (spaghetti)?’ “For my birthday, I would like a fox in a cage.” The things that especially aggravate Brian are when Brett calls the Tampa Bay Lightning the “Lightnings,” and when he calls Wilmer, our sponsored child from Guatemala, “Wilmert.“ His prayers are especially heartwarming…never rote! Our Little Host with the Most Brett loves to have company (or at least pretend we are having company!). He is always willing to set the table, and he is the first to the door to greet guests when they do arrive. When Brett is expecting friends, he likes to set out the drinks andsnacks. (Sometimes he likes to set-up imaginary playdates with lots of snacks at the kitchen table.) When it is time to leave, Brett always remembers to walk guests either to the door or to their cars. His exit greeting is always the same--- “Don’t smell skunks and drive carefully!” Brett truly goes out of his way to be helpful around the house even when we aren’t having company. If he hears me say that I need butter from the refrigerator, he is quick to run over to the fridge, open the door and look for the butter. He also likes to clean, and he can often be found on his hands and knees scrubbing the kitchen floor.

4th Year - In Review May 21st – 23rd – Niagara Falls trip for his B-Day June 21st-24th – 1st KIDZ GIG June 20th – Brett got “called up” to play for Red Sox June 26th – 1st movie theatre experience (Toy Store 3) June 28th – 1st Swim Lesson August 14th – Wildwood 50th Anniversary Carnival August 16th – Cousin Jack Matthew was born! August 26th - 1st Day of PK-3 at Eden September 27th – Started serving at Food Pantry September 29th – School Picture Day October 21st – Duck for President performance by Pgh International Children’s Theatre November 11th – Jonathan was born March 27th – Suessical the Musical at the Bynam Theatre April 10th – Ran the bases at PNC Park April 23rd – 1st Penguin play-off game May 5th – Mother’s Day Tea Party at PK-3 Tailgating before the Pens game. If at First You Don’t Succeed, Try and Try Again Perseverance, as defined by the dictionary, is commitment, hard work, andendurance; being able to bear difficulties calmly and without complaint.Okay….so Brett isn’t always calm and without complaint, but he sure does work hard at a task. For example it is not uncommon for Brett to insist that he can tie his own shoes and then sit for several minutes and work on it!(Then I sit for several minutes to un-tie them!) He has been getting dressed independently for some time and refuses any assistance. That is why you might see Brett with his pants on backwards. He is quite resourceful, too. Brett displays his determination in sports and school, too. When he is playing basketball with Brian, he will not give up until he makes the shot. While he has been learning to write his upper and lowercase letters, he has sat at the kitchen table for quite some time trying to get his letter formation just right. I specifically remember working on the letter “N.” Along with being determined, Brett is also pretty resourceful. Recently, I asked Brett to turn the lights on in Jonathan’s room for me. He couldn’t reach the light switch, so he created a little stool out of a stack of books. We absolutely love these qualities in Brett and can’t wait to see what God has planned for our little “Brettster! “For I know the plans I have for you,” Declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.” -Jeremiah 29:11	These are a Few of My Favorite Things Brett is passionate about many different things. When we asked him what sport he would like to play, he answered, “Soccer!” He also loves to play basketball, hockey, golf,baseball, and football with Brian. (He seems like quite the little natural at most sports that he tries!) However, Brett definitely has many other interests, some of which are: Coloring, “markering” (if he is using markers) and painting. He especially likes to make pictures for Grandma, Papa, Neenee, Jerry, Mrs. Vuich and Mrs. McDonnell. “Puzzling,” especially with Grandma. It is not uncommon for Brett to cover the entryway of the house with puzzles which he has put together. Music. Brett enjoys music and can often be heard singing in the car or tapping his foot to the beat of the music if he is in a public setting like church. His favorite songs include “Feliz Navidad” by Jose Feliciano, “The Cars Song” (Real Gone by Sheryl Crow) and “House Upon a Rock” from the KIDZ Gig soundtrack. Reading. Brett would let you read to him for hours. He has been incredibly patient listening to Brian as Brian has learned to read this year. Recently Brett “read” the book “It is Not Easy Being a Bunny.” When he got to the last page, he was so excited and he exclaimed, “Mommy, I did Book-It!” He also likes “Froggy” books. Brett also loves to do homework alongside Brian. Cooking. Although, Brett still doesn’t eat very much, he loves to help in the kitchen. If you ask him what he wants to be when he grows up, he will probably tell you a “Snack Chef.” His favorite things to make are salads and cakes. Helping! We are so grateful for Brett’s helpful spirit! We are always so happy to see him helping Mr. Andrew hand out the nametags at Kidz Church or hear that he is cooperative and eager to clean up at school. It is so fun to play with Brett because he is quite creative. One recent morning, he put box lids on his feet and one on his head and slid around the hardwood floor pretending to be ice-skating. I am not sure if his “babies” were at the ice rink or not. Brett has imaginary babies. He has had them since the winter of 2009, when Mark got so frustrated with the babies that he threw them out the window of the car on the way home from Niagara Falls. Brett assured us that Auntie Ann brought them back to Pittsburgh with her the following March. He started with three, but now he has twelve! .
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Brian's Birthday Gazette

Brian’s Birthday Gazette

April 6, 2011 FREE

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Brian is Six!

Brian, Brett & Jonathan Brian Becomes a Big, Big Brother On November 11, 2010, Jonathan Mark Feldman was born and Brian became a big, big brother. He was so excited after nine long months of anticipation and waiting. During my pregnancy, Brian was certain that he was going to get a baby sister, so he was busy coming up with girl names. His favorite was “Dalaya.” We aren’t sure where he heard that beautiful name, but he was insistent that we choose it. However, since Jonathan was born, Brian has been smitten! He likes to “talk” to him by repeating the noises Jonathan makes, such as “a-gu, a-gu.” Quite frequently, you will hear Brian protecting Jonathan (by reprimanding Brett for leaning on Jonathan or hugging him to tightly.) He even chose to take Jonathan to school for show-n-tell when he was Student of the Week! Back to School Brian started kindergarten at Eden Christian Academy in August. His teacher’s name is Miss Davis. He loves everything about school, especially gym class and math class. We are absolutely astonished at how much Brian has learned so farthis year, including sign language, Spanish, counting moneyand how to read. One of the most heart-warming experiences was listening to Brian recite Psalm 23, which he was required to learn for his first quarter evaluation. We are so proud that Brian has “stayed in the game” and earned a trip to the price box each week!	Oh the Places We Go! Brian’s favorite places to go include the Consol Energy Center to watch the Pittsburgh Penguins and PNC Park to watch the Pirates, Panera, church, Neenee and Jerry’s house, any pizza shop, Eat ‘N Park and Rita’s (especially with Papa). Last summer, while Daddy was in Nicaragua, we went to Seven Springs with Grandma and Papa. The majority of the time we were there, we played baseball. However, we did spend one day at Idlewildand SoakZone. That was fun! Like Father, Like Son! Brian is still very passionate about hockey. He spendsmost of his play time playing hockey downstairs— sometimes with me, Brett, and/or Daddy; sometimes alone. You can hear him announcing imaginary plays if you listen very closely while he is playing alone. When he isn’t playing, he is watching the Penguins on TV. He knows when all of the games are thanks to the Penguins mousepad-schedule that he received at the first game he attended this season. He checks it every morning at breakfast to determine if he needs to wear a Pens jersey that day! Now that he is a little older, he is generally permitted to stay up for the entire first period (unless he naps, in which case he will be allowed to watch more!) If he isn’t allowed to watch an entire game, he falls asleep listening to the game on his radio. He got to go to five games this season!!! Ask him! He can tell you the date, opponent and score! He has accumulated a lot of hockey information andstatistics in his little brain. Some of which he learned from watching SportsCenter; Some of which he learned from reading the various hockey books that he has checked out from the library; Some of which he learned from his most trusted source – Daddy! Brian has completed the Learn to Play Hockey developmental program at Robert Morris Island Sports Complex. He is eligible for the in-house league next October, and he is very excited!
6th Year - In Review April 11th - First Tee-Ball Practice May 9th – First Tee-Ball Game May 21st – 23rd – Niagara Falls trip for Brett’s B-Day June 21st-24th – KIDZ GIG June 26th – 1st movie theatre experience (Toy Store 3) August 14th – Wildwood 50th Anniversary Carnival August 16th – Cousin Jack Matthew was born! August 25th - 1st Day of Kindergarten September 27th – Started serving at Food Pantry September 29th – School Picture Day October 21st – Duck for President performance by Pgh International Children’s Theatre November 11th – Jonathan was born January 28th – Brian lost his first tooth March 13th – Brian learned to give Jonathan a bottle March 23rd – Brian’s Kindergarten play – Goldilocks & the 3 Bears March 27th – Suessical the Musical at the Bynam Theatre Milestone Mania This has really been an incredible year of growth in so many areas. Brian essentially went from a preschooler to a school-age child! (He confidently gets on the bus all by himself – after blowing me a few kisses, thoughJ ) He played his first team sport. He was on the Boston Red Sox tee-ball team. With a tremendous amount of practice (I meanhours!) throughout the summer and early fall, he became quite a little ball player. He even got “called up” to play coach pitch with the 7 and 8 year olds! He understands the rules of the games --- like baseball and hockey--, and he is also startingto understand what it means to be a “good sport”, including being a gracious winner and loser. He has stopped watching “kids” shows and started watching Sports Center. (He is such a big boy!)He restores a tremendous amount of sports information. Brian has learned so much in Kindergarten already. Watching him learn to read has been fascinating. He is disciplined and cooperative regarding completing his 20 minutes of “Book-It” reading each evening and all other homework that is assigned, such as marking vowels and boxing sight words in his reading books.Math skills are developing as well, including telling time and counting money. Brian is incredibly social--comfortable introducing himself to new friends and carrying on conversation with…just about anyone! You know your child is growing up when they tell you that you do not have to stay at a birthday party to which he has been invited! Now, he just has to figure out how to tie his shoes! The most incredible milestone continues to be how God keepsdeveloping Brian’s endearing, encouraging heart. “You guys are the best. Thanks for praying for me.” – Brian, with 102 degree fever	These are a Few of My Favorite Things Brian has developed a passion for all things sports-hockey, football, baseball and basketball. Brian and Brettspent hours this winter playing downstairs and haveenjoyed heading outside for a football or basketball game.Brian loves going to the Consol Energy Center to see the Pens play. He is currently trying to save $800 to purchase tickets for an upcoming game! Brian is convinced that he is not going to college, but that he is going to play sports when he grows up. He recently said to me, “Mommy, I will miss you when I live in Boston and play for the Red Sox.” Brian’s favorite foods are still pizza, stuffed crusted pizza from Eat ‘N Park, pancakes and waffles and Panera cinnamon crunch bagels. However, he will eat salad with enough ranch dressing and he has tried hot sausage and rotisserie chicken! Brian loves being with friends and always asks if he cango outside to see if anyone is playing, such as Sam & Joey Perry, Cameron & Ben Tino and Charlie & Jack Mill. (He really likes babies, especially Jonathan, of course, Claire Mill and Keely Allan. He likes to blow them raspberries and talk baby talk to them.) Brian has made many new friends in Kindergarten, including Luke Lilja, with whom we have had several afterschool playdates. Brian also loves playing with his grandparentsand “Uncle Cici”! Of course, his favorite playmate is Brett. Brian has repeatedly told me that his favorite days are May 23, 2007 (Brett’s birthday) and November 11, 2010 (Jonathan’s birthday!) He loves his teacher Miss Davis! When I picked Brian up from school on pajama day, he said, “Miss Davis looked really cute in her owl pajamas.” In his journal he completed the sentence: I work hard to______ . withhonor Miss Davis. I did recently learn something new that Brian didn’t like. During the Courage series at church, Brian told me that he is afraid of the deep end of the pool. And one of myfavorite things is the look on Brian’s face when Bretttalks about his imaginary friendsJ With neighborhood friends after finishing our service project for the food pantry (March 2011). .
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