Santa Claus brought
our family a Nintendo Wii this year. Thomas has become quite
the Guitar Hero III player.
Thomas became a teenager while
away at camp, where did our little boy go?
Thomas is taking on 5 merit badges
at Boy Scout Summer camp this year ... go Thomas!
Thomas' 2nd grading period
performance earned him a spot on the honor roll! Way to go
Thomas!
The holidays were fun.
Thomas' favorite gifts were all video game related of course!
Thomas had a rough 1st grading
period in middle school -- but now appears to be getting the hang of
it.
Thomas started Middle School on
September 5th. So far so good on new things like locker
combinations, riding the bus, and switching teachers and classes all
day long.
The family went to Cedar Point
with friends for Labor Day weekend. Thomas went on 5 roller
coasters including his favorite, the Raptor!
The family went to Niagara Falls
for our August Summer Vacation. We did nearly EVERY attraction
there!
Thomas went to a whole week of
Summer camp at the end of July/beginning of August. It's
amazing to watch him make the transformation from a little boy to a
little man.
On a very sad note, Thomas lost
his dear grandmother in June. It was very sudden (she had just
played tennis with Thomas and Alyssa two days earlier). Thomas
is now helping his grandfather as best he can. This is the
first time Thomas lost someone near and dear to him.
Thomas finished 5th grade with all
A's and B's ─
and graduated from elementary school in
June.
Thomas went camping with the Boy
Scouts at the end of March. It was hard for his parents, as it
was the first time he'd been gone for an entire weekend without them
or other close family. He had fun -- and mom and dad survived.
Thomas was a weed in the schools
5th grade production. The weeds were dressed in dark
sunglasses and camouflage
clothing. The weeds sang and danced like rappers as they
invaded the garden! It was priceless.
Thomas finished his Cub Scout
career with a final Pine Wood Derby race. He didn't win his
races, but his "money car," decorated with simulated money (and a
few real coins for weights) did win a 2nd prize award for
creativity. Thomas has crossed over to Boy Scouts where he'll
be learning outdoors skills and independence!
2005
The holidays were a fun time for
the kids. Once again, Santa came through!
Thomas and his Dad enjoyed the
annual Father/Son Cub Scout camping trip in early October. As
a Webelo II, it was his last year on this trip. If he
continues in Boy Scouts, Dad probably won't be invited an camping
trips!
School started in late August.
In 5th grade, students can start a musical instrument if they
choose. Thomas has begun playing the coronet, following in his
fathers footsteps. Our house is full of the sounds of "Hot
Cross Buns" and other songs popular with developing musicians.
Thomas' birthday celebrations were
a hit -- right up until his birthday itself, when he was sick!
We had all his grandparents one weekend. All his cousins and a
couple of friends at CJ Barrymore's (go-karts, games etc.) his
birthday weekend. Plus a trip to Comerica Park to see the
Tigers beat the Twins. His big present this year was a new
bike!
Another fun filled 4th of July!
We did the downtown Detroit fireworks with dad's company, from their
13th floor offices. The local Clawson fireworks were fun as
well, even though we were under umbrella's in the rain!
Thomas finished 4th grade with A's
and B's -- although it looks like he almost slipped in social
studies.
Thomas has started little league
again. This year, it will be live pitching and walks.
It's going to be interesting.
More good news on his report card
in April. All A's and B's and positive feed back from the
teacher. Congrats to
Thomas!
The family went to Universal
Orlando for Spring Break. Thomas' favorite ride was The
Incredible Hulk roller coaster. Father and son went on it 3
times, the last 2 times back-to-back (not recommended).
The Cub Scout pine wood derby was
in March. Thomas did well, winning 2 of 4 races. His
best time qualified him to compete in the district races, however,
he elected not to participate at that level this year.
For mid-winter break, the family
took a short trip to Castaway Bay, an indoor water park affiliated
with Cedar Point. Thomas' favorite was the water coaster.
Thomas to his report card in late
January. All A's and B's, although he had to strike a deal
with his teacher as spelling was borderline. Congrats to
Thomas!
Happy New Year! Early in
2005, Thomas competed in the Rain Gutter Regatta with the cub
scouts. He lost his first race, but won his second -- but most
importantly had fun!
Christmas 2004 was a fun time in
our household as always. Thomas' gift list included Spy Gear
Safecracker, a magic set, Lionel train cars and people . . . Dad got
a new camera, which you would THINK would mean pictures on the site
would get updated soon!
The Cub Scouts father and son
camping weekend was in early October. We had a great time
together. There was, however, one scary moment on the trip.
Tommy got a little too close to a snapping turtle which lunged at
him, just missing his hand. Next time, Thomas will walk on the
other side of the path.
School started in late August.
Thomas is on his way to being a 4th grade superstar.
The family traveled to Chicago in
August. Thomas especially enjoyed the rock and roll speed boat
on lake Michigan.
Tommy turned 10 in July,
celebrating with friends at CJ Barrymores (go carts, batting cage,
rock wall, laser tag).
The family traveled to Myrtle
Beach in June. Thomas spent a lot of time in the ocean playing
in the waves -- sometimes with a body board, sometimes without.
The school year ended in mid-June,
and Thomas is now looking forward to 4th grade.
Besides being his half birthday,
January 26th was report card day. As usual is report card was
excellent. However, it sounds like he needs to work a little
harder in music.
January 13 was this years Cub
Scout Pine Wood Derby. Thomas' car came in second three times
and first one time. His car was the fastest in his den which
means he qualified for the district race later this year.
Thomas had sushi and sashimi at our New Year's Eve dinner . . . and
LIKED IT! Bad move Mom and Dad -- the days of cheeseburgers in
restaurants may be coming to an end!
Thomas was honored as a Star
Citizen at his school for the month of December. He was a bit
nervous when he was called down to the principals office -- but
happy it was for a good thing! He received this honor for a
story he wrote on friends. His parents are, as always, very
proud.
Thomas' first report card in third
grade was outstanding. Way to go Thomas!
Thomas attended a Cub Scout
campout on October 24-26th. He learned to play chess,
participated in the father-son Olympics, and his favorite thing was
shooting BB guns (although he need pointers on aiming the gun).
He didn't like the hiking part much.
Tommy started third grade the end
of August. So far so good!
Okay, this is really news on
Thomas' sister. Alyssa stopped using training wheels on August
17th. Everyone in the family helped teach her, including
Thomas!
The family went on our annual trip
to Niagara Falls on August 9th-14th. Thomas, Alyssa and Clark
all got to feed Beluga Whales at Marineland. Pictures and more
info coming soon at Mom and Dad's
SecondSite.
Thomas celebrated his birthday
with friends at
CJ Barrymore's
-- where they rode on Go-Karts, enjoyed Water Wars, got wet
squirting each other on the Bumper boats, climbed a rock wall, and
used the batting cages.
Thomas is playing little league
this spring. In his first game he got a hit and scored a run!
Thomas took first communion on May
3rd. There was a family gathering afterwards.
On March 23rd, Tommy's training
wheels came off his bike for the last time. This year, Tommy's
on two wheels!!!
March 11th
was the Raingutter Regatta at Cub Scouts . . . AND THOMAS CAME IN
FIRST PLACE FOR THE WOLF SCOUTS!!!!
January 14th was Pinewood Derby
day at Cub Scouts. Everyone involved seemed to have a great
time. Thomas didn't win, but it's his dad who is disappointed,
not Thomas!
Tommy's big gift for
Christmas was a Nintendo GameCube. The family had a wonderful
holiday -- which included replacing the family mini-van (replacing
the very one that brought Thomas home from the NICU 8 years ago).
For the week of
November 10th, Thomas was the Star of the Week in his Second Grade
class.
Thomas was a scarrrry
vampire for Halloween!
Thomas started Second
Grade in late August. His sister Alyssa started Kindergarten at the
same school.
We had a nice family
vacation in Northern Michigan in mid-August. Thomas saw Mackinac
Island and Tahquamenon Falls.
In June, Thomas
finished first grade -- with another excellent report card.
In May, Thomas was
one of two children in his first grade class whose art work was
selected for a special display at the local mall (picture appears on
this page).
In mid-April, Thomas
got a great report card -- even better than before. Way to go Tommy!
The family went to
Niagara Falls the first week of April. All had a good time. Tommy
especially liked the pool and the Skylon Tower.
Thomas has been having fun with Cub Scouts. The Pine Wood Derby was
in January (he one his second and fourth race) and the Rain Gutter
Regatta was in March (he won his second race).
On December 30th,
Thomas wowed a crowd at a Frankenmuth, Michigan resort with his
karaoke version of "What a Wonderful World"
His last day of
bowling was on December 22nd. His next Saturday activity will be
floor hockey starting January 5th.
Tommy's first,
first grade report card came home with him in mid-November. It
was a good one. The only negative mark was in gym (where his
father didn't excel either!).
Tommy has been bowling with friends every Saturday this Fall -- and
has been doing quite well at it!
Tommy started first
grade on August 28th. So far so good!
We went on
vacation the week of August 12 -- with stops at Cedar Point and
Niagara Falls. The entire family had a great time.
His birthday was
July 26, he is now seven years old. We had a bowling party on
July 28 and were able to include a few of Tommy's friends from school.
Wednesday, June 14
was his final day of Kindergarten. He is looking forward to a long
summer vacation!
Wednesday, May 30 was the "Letter Persons Parade" at Tommy's school.
He was the letter "Z"
The
family traveled to Myrtle Beach on April 15-20th. Tommy's
favorite part was the Ocean, closely followed by the lazy river
pool. A brief Web page and pictures can be found here.
March
4, 2000 was his last Saturday of Floor Hockey (5-7 year olds).
All who participated seemed to have a good time!
March
1st was the Magic Millennium Father Son evening at Tommy's
school. Fun was had by all.
The
family went to Wheels Inn in Canada for February 17-19. Tommy
says that it is the best place anywhere.
On December 26, 2000, Thomas lost his first baby tooth.
He came down the stairs in tears and handed us the tooth, saying it
fell out when he was brushing his teeth. Tears turned to a big
smile when we explained that meant he was growing up!
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