Summer is trying to arrive. We have had some really nice days and Brian and his friends have gone to the water park or to friends homes to swim. They have "hung out" at night playing "night games" or just walking the neighborhood and "chillin" as he says.
He is reaching that age where friends are becoming much more important to him. I must admit that it is hard to see him grow up. I miss having a little one in the house. However, it is so nice to see him grow into a fine young man.
Giovanni and I are so proud of him. He has good friends and makes good choices. He is obedient and kind. And he has such a good heart and strong spirit.
This summer we are doing the "school thing" a bit different then years past. Every week we make out a schedule of what he will be doing. There is reading everyday, journal writing 2x a week, language (Spanish for school, and Italian for family and fun), science, math, history, and other that is divided through the week. We bought a really cool computer program and he seems to enjoy it. He also has to do 10 min of personal scripture reading, as well as family reading at night. We weren't to sure how this would go over...but he has done a fantastic job!! And he doesn't complain at all.
We usually have not been the type of family do to allowance...we have just figured, you live here and you help make the mess so you can help clean it as well. But again...trying something new. He has the "regular chores" of making his bed and picking up his room, empty the dishwasher, and garbage. But...we thought it was time to mix things up...so Monday is "chore" day. He has to clean his bathroom, dust his room and Robert's room, vacum upstairs and down stairs and a few other things. We told him we would pay him $7.50 and hour for his chores with the option of earning an additional 10% if he had a good attitude while doing them, and through out the week. And I'll be darned if he hasn't done fantabulous!!! Way to go Brian!! We are proud of you! Keep it up! We have never really been ones to give a lot of chores in our home. One because the house isn't that big and no real yard work to do because of the HOA and also because we figure that the boys will grow up soon enough and have so much responsibility that we want them to enjoy this part of their lives to the fullest. Now...I know that everyone has a different opinion on chores, etc...and that is fine, this is just the choice for our family, and it works.
-------------------------------------------
For the past 3 weeks Brian has been going to basketball camp at the high school. It is 3x a week for 3 weeks and 2-3 hours a day. He is really hoping to make the jr high team and is really working hard for this. We ran into a small conflict - Scout Camp. Brian LOVES the Young Men's program in our ward. He just doesn't like earning the merit badges and the scouting side of it. I respect the fact that he is honest about it and shares with us his feelings about it. He says he'll do it a YM, but on his own, he really doesn't care to much about it. So...we let him make a choice between basketball and camp.
Again, for some families this might work, for others maybe not...each must choose for themselves. So in the end Brian decided (with a small incentive on our part -thanks Clark for the suggestion) that he will go on Wednesday after basketball is done and stay there until Saturday with his troop. He went last year and had a good time...so it isn't like he has never been before.
Someone at church made the comment that they knew how the "Bona boys" felt about scouts because they remembered how Robert was. Hey...Robert was great...No he didn't get his Eagle, but that is all that he didn't do. It had to be his choice and he chose not to. As parents we need to pick and choose our battles so that we can win the war. At the time that the comment was made about "my boys" I was offended and hurt. I actually made some comment in reply about how Robert still turned out great, etc. And I am sure that I could have said something nicer, different, etc...but in that moment I felt like my sons and I were being judged by someone else. However, after thinking about it for a while I have again decided that every person/family has to do what is best for them...and I'm okay now. If Brian doesn't want to do it, then fine. I will highly encourage him to do scouts because of the benefits that he can gain from it...but will I demand it of him...no. And that's my final answer.
-------------------------------------------
A couple of weeks ago my niece's baby, Riley was blessed. He is 3 months old now. and is a cute kid!
Riley and Brian (Cousins)
Riley and Zio Giovanni
Riley and Mom (Cassandra)
---------------------------------------------
Robert is doing great! Still in Ravenn with Anziano Winegar. They had a leadership training a few weeks ago and he made it to the mission website. You can go here to see him.
3 comments:
That was a nice update.
Also that baby is darling. SOOOOO tall! Handsome boy!
CUTE pictures Judi!!! Looks like fun! Glad to hear that Robert is doing well!
CUTE!!
Post a Comment