Happy Birthday Isaak

I know I've been a horrible slacker with blogging. Sorry! 

Having a job where I actually create things everyday, I get into work. 

Isaak, you turn 14 today! Woo hoo! You haven't even hit that gigantic growth spurt yet, and you're already taller than I am. I have a feeling you are going to be taller than Mica. We shall see. 

Lots of good things have happened to you this year. You decided you're going to let punks roll off your back because you are better than that. You have great teachers this year, so your grades have been all A's. Some big projects are stressing you out at the end, so we'll see if your grades stay all A's. In the past you had some not so nice teachers, not all supportive teachers, and excuse my language – asshole kids that put a negative light in your life. It's wonderful things have turned around.

A few things with school: You got the Rotary Honor Roll, your team won Think Tank. 

You got into a new high school called Buena Vista. I'm a bit stressed because it's kind of far, but there is busing. Knowing Omaha Public Schools, busing isn't always a guarantee. Of course Mica looses busing, with the new schools built. I really don't want him driving my new car. The schools are very far apart. Fingers crossed it all works out. I hope the bus gets you, and then I'll only need to worry about Mica. How cool will it be to go to a new school, with a beautiful outside and inside, and no upper classmen?! You are excited about your fresh start. 

You started back up with one of things you love, piano lessons. When Covid happened they got shut down. Then your teacher got pregnant and didn't teach any longer. Her mom teaches, but she's really strict and not into creativity. We found someone walking distance. He loves to teach the notes, but also encourages creativity. They have recitals with other kids he teaches. You are motivated with that. Your instructor said you can come to practice on one of his three pianos as long as you text ahead of time. All we have room for is a keyboard. He has a story for every song that I person plays. I love storytellers. He's all about you writing songs too. Here's a song you wrote.

You still love to draw, get excited about small things like the bird's nest outside your window. Right now you want to be a phycologist. 

I got you a few shirts. You're into artsy tees. You love being in the kitchen, so you got a sushi set. I'm looking forward to that.

Happy Birthday! 

I hope things continue to push forward in a positive light.

Love,

Mom

  

Happy 15th Birthday Mica!

Today we had an odd storm roll through. It happened very suddenly, and left many in the Omaha area, including us with no power. 

Your birthday didn’t really start out on a positive note. You were brushing your teeth in the dark. 

We are in the middle of a pandemic. I have to say out of all of us in the Apel house you’ve adapted the best to solitude + change. You said that this pandemic gives you time to self reflect.

You were supposed to start high school today. North High Magnet School focuses on Biomedical and Engineering. We found out just two days ago that classes are going to be held remote, for the first semester. You were excited that school wasn’t going to begin on your birthday.

What you got, for your birthday:

•A room makeover - You would have never asked for a room makeover. Why? Because it required work. Ha!

•You also wanted something on the PS4, but missed playing time with your cousins due to the power outage. 

•I got you some candy. I know jellybeans are one of your favorites, but you never get any because Isaak can’t have them, due to his braces. The Dentist may not thank me, but you’ll enjoy them. 

•I made you an ice cream cake, and got Chinese take out. 

Likes: 

•Eating! I went to get a snack, and the whole pan was empty. It threw me because the foil was still on the pan. You're growing like a weed, so I get why you're hungry all the time.

•Battlefront - A PS4 game

•You liked the show Hunters on Amazon Prime

•You still enjoy reading

•You often are listening to music

Dislikes: 

•Bugs

•Getting your hands dirty in the kitchen

Struggles: 

•Scoliosis is our main scare with you right now. You didn't do well at the doctor's office, they sent you to get a scan, and you didn't do great on that either. I'm hoping you just grew too fast. You have to get yet another scan in three months. 

•You have no interest in driving. We shall see. 

Strengths:

You got a big award sent your way from school last year. More on that in a big.  

Overall you're a pretty darn good kid, and I love you!

Happy Birthday Mica!

Dear Isaak,

You just turned 12 today! Happy Birthday little man!

For Your Birthday You Got: 

Stratego - a board game

Some artsy markers

A room makeover, which was a lot of work! See pictures below! We went with triangles!

 I painted the base coat over the tape to prevent it from bleeding through:

You helped label what triangles were going to be what colors:

We mixed our own tints, to give variety without having to buy more paint. Tape tear off reveal:

All day yesterday you worked on putting your room back in order:

 I'm thinking about making 3 of these (the colors of his room) to go on the blue wall:

You've been acting 12, for a few months now. I remember when Mica was about that age.

Things You Like:

To Draw: Muscle men mostly | You got the Art Award in Beveridge Magnet Middle School

To Talk: You are a talker, sometimes I need a mental peace and quiet break and have Mica and you go for walks | You love to talk on the phone to your girl friends

YouTube: You like to watch prank and art videos

Movies: You've always liked action and superhero movies, but I'm noticing you like romantic comedies sometimes too

Shows: In particular you love that new show on Amazon called Upload, and if Chris Harrison is on with some cheesy Bachelor type show you are glued to the TV

Food: Pizza and Tacos

Pet: You got his first pet this year named Sunny, he's a Leopard Gecko

Piano: An instrument you picked up just this year | We got you lessons, then COVID-19 happened | You got the Piano Award in Beveridge Magnet Middle School

Things You Don't Like:

Chores of any kind, for the most part - Does any 12 year old like to do chores?

Being cold, you wear your heavy duty robe around the house, and coat around when you were in school

You say that you don't like school, but you were really sad when you found out that school wasn't happening for the rest of the year

COVID 19 is messing up everyone's daily routine | We won't do a lot of celebrating because of this! We do plan on having Pizza Hut pizza, and playing games

When people act like jerks

Your hair getting longer, and in those eyes

Overall you are sensitive to other's feelings. You are creative, innovative, charming, and a great son to have!

Love,

Mom

Happy 14th Birthday Mica!

Mica turns 14 today! 

Sadly our Honda Civic turns 14 too. :(

Next year Mica will be starting high school, and probably learning how to drive. Hold out Honda Civic!

What a great year! Mica does well in school, and won a ton of awards. He's growing up. Mica's growing a mustache. I'd love to introduce him to a razor, but no one else in our house agrees. Ha!

Favorites: 

Hobby: Reading

Mica's a bookworm. If I let him he'd stay in his room reading most of the time.

Club at School: Quiz Bowl

Quiz Bowl is the one thing he gets really excited about!

Subject: Astronomy

Food: Arby's

Really he'll eat most anything. Watch out for the snacks, he'll eat the whole box before anyone else gets a chance to eat them. Hello growth spurts! He's taller than I am, and almost taller than Travis!

Color: Blue

Movie: Avengers Endgame

Thank goodness for his Aunt Angela. She takes him to superhero movies. Travis and I could really care less about them.

Show: Flash

We spent some time watching Stranger Things Season 2, The Man in the High Castle Season 4, and Curb Your Enthusiasm (all the seasons).

Camps and Leadership: 

Banister Leadership Academy

Healthcare Academy

Volunteer at Milton Abraham Branch Library

Hummel Day Camp

Awards:

Geography Bee Contestant

Astronomy Academic Excellence

Social Studies Academic Excellence

Student Council

Quiz Bowl

Language Art Academic Excellence

Student of the Week

Outstanding Achievement in Music

Renaissance Gold

Perfect Attendance

3rd Place in Think Tank

New: 

He gets to do the morning announcements this year. He's super excited to join the News Crew. 

Dislikes: 

Insects, especially butterflies

Bananas

Eggs

Sports

Tasks, although he's getting so much better with helping. Only when I ask though.

Happy Birthday my Leo! 

Happy 13th Birthday Mica!

Dear Mica,

Happy Birthday son! You are now an official teen. Next Thursday you start 7th grade.

You've surpassed me in hight, you're always hungry, so I know you're going to keep on growing.

I still need to take you out, for a photoshoot.

Birthday Prank:

He needed a new water bottle for school, so I got him one. For some reason water bottles were a problem last year. One got broke twice, and another lost. He also asked for candy, so I filled the water bottle up with Sour Patch Kids - I know he likes them. I told him this morning that when you turn 13, you don't get wrapped gifts. The water bottle was his 1 and only gift. He knew somehow I was messing with him. As the morning wore on I came clean that he had 2 more gifts. He was happy.

Things You Like:

• You're into survival games like Risk, Pandemic, and Catan

• Wipe Out, or any other obstacle course show

• You beg for Little Debbie snack things in the grocery store

• Videos on The Black Hole

• World history - In particular World War II

• Reading anything

• Volunteering at the library 

• Music! You seem to be into Led Zeppelin, Bon Jovi, and Michael Jackson lately

• Legos 

• To make faces when I try and photograph you

Things You Dislike:

• Bugs

• If someone pops out at you, you get scared easily

• You swear you don't like the outdoors, but seem to enjoy your outdoor camp

• You dislike your brother coming into your room

• You get annoyed when other people your age don't know classic songs

• Eggs

• Tasks, but they are good for you 

Newness:

• You've been watching Isaak more and more - When we're around you fight, when it's just you two you are friends

• You want to try out for cross-country and possibly get into the drama department at school

I hope you have a great 13th birthday!

Love,

Mom

Dear Mica,

You turn eleven tomorrow! It's hard to believe I have an 11 year old.

Your birthday kind of snuck up on me this year.

I haven't gone to take photos of you yet. That is unless you count the photos I took of you in our yard.

I said when you turned 11 you couldn't have a friend party. It's just a family party this year. Over the weekend we'll have to see if a friend can go do something though.

We already went out to a nice restaurant for your special day. Per your request I made you a special ice cream cake that looks oh so yummy! It's chocolate cake with mint chocolate ice cream on top, and chocolate mint cookies on top of that. Very sinful indeed!

Since your class doesn't have birthday treats I bought bookmarks and pencils that match. Yay for back to school deals!

You got a brand new office chair for an early present, and a Lego set: Poe's X-Wing Fighter. I included the receipt if you choose to pick out something different. You're getting at that hard age to buy for.

Source

You argued with me this year about how your birthday had to be on Sunday because it was last year. Sorry it's on a Wednesday this year. 

You make silly faces, which is about the only thing that gets you smiling/laughing for photos!

 

Things you're into:

• Eating - You keep growing up and up
• Playing on your Kindle - We have to limit that
• Playing with Legos
• Reading
• Talking about ghost like stuff
• Watching The Wonder Years

Things you dislike:

• Eggs
• Spiders, Bees and Wasps
• Isaak hanging on you

You're pretty easy going.

I hope you have a great day!

Love,

Mom