The Great Landini Turns 14!!

Landon's 14th birthday was last Friday (the 10th). We had a family party scheduled for that night, but he got to spend the afternoon going to lunch and a movie with Lucas.

It was the first time I've ever actually dropped them off to do something like that, but suddenly they seem more than old enough.

My parents picked them up from the movie and brought them home for the family party, they amused themselves while we waited for Randy to get home from work so we could start the festivities.

I had spent the afternoon making cookies since so many family members aren't keen on the chocolate cake he requested. I must say these cookies are some of my best ever!

Landon had requested croissants (from Costco), my mom made some scrumptious roast beef (falling apart and juicy) for sandwiches, Robyn brought fruit, Lori brought good rolls, and Amy brought chips and guacamole. It's so nice how it all comes together when everyone contributes.

We fit better with the "new" table especially since it has 2 leaves.

The loot.

Whitney held court with the cousins.

Landon got an itunes giftcard, some cash, a bike (from Lori!), and some shoes from my parents and from Randy and I.

I love the face Landon made when posing with this Justin Bieber card...he's NOT a fan.

These are the new basketball shoes I picked out but that my parents gave him. Randy and I gave him some running shoes that he wasn't as keen on, so we went and exchanged them for some he's thrilled with (neon green).

It's so nice of him to request the big chocolate cake from Costco...I don't really make cakes.

14 Candles!

On Saturday we had his friend party. This involved 6 friends, 1 cousin and himself (3 of his friends couldn't make it).

We dropped them off at the cheap theater to see Men in Black 3. 

After we picked them up they had cake and ice cream (the Costco cake kept going) and he opened presents, this is the cute one Michelle wrapped for Lucas.

It's hard for me to believe Landon is 14, but then again how could he not be? Time just keeps tick, tick, ticking.

Here are 14 things about Landon

1. He's a really good person.
2. He's got a great sense of humor.
3. He's a thoughtful son and brother.
4. He is a good example and friend to the other boys at church.
5. He's an A student.
6. He likes music.
7. He loves basketball and football and knows all kinds of info about them.
8. He just needs to choose an Eagle Project and make it happen then he'll be an Eagle Scout!
9. He wakes up early on his own most of the time.
10. He's Randy's home teaching partner.
11. He's got a huge scar on his right elbow from his surgery last November AND from burning it in science class back in May...we call it "the portal to another world" because it's a gaping hole.
12. He's ready to move on from his almost-all BYU t-shirt wardrobe.
13. His teeth are naturally straight so we don't have to pay for braces!!
14. He's an awesome boy and I love his guts!

Great Scott!

Could it be that The Great Landini has sprouted a mustache? Not a Tom Selleck-type mustache, but noticeable fuzz for sure. I pointed it out yesterday only to have Landon tell me that a kid at school had asked him if he was growing it out like the Hispanic kids do (a look I find quite creepy, 7th graders shouldn't have comb-able mustaches!).


It hasn't been bothering Landon because he couldn't see it! The slightly darker parts were on the sides so whenever he turned his head to try to see it he couldn't (maybe this is how older women end up with mustaches as well). Fortunately Randy was able to show him how to take care of it.


He was trying not to laugh (a definite hazard while shaving).

He probably won't need to shave again for 2 years!

Comment Window Tidbit: It's already our last day of Spring Break...the time just flew by!

**Thoughts??**

A Different Kind of Induction

When you hear the word induction do you automatically think of a baby being born? I do. Most likely because both my deliveries were inductions. This information is totally irrelevant except that induction #1 was for The Great Landini and this post is about him.


Last Friday evening we went back to the junior high (it's amazing how much time I spend there these days) for the Induction Ceremony for the National Junior Honor Society.

It's always thrilling to see one's name in print isn't it?

The majority of the members of the National Junior Honor Society at our school are girls, though I'm sure many boys are qualified to be in it they just didn't apply.

Woohoo it's official!

Tiny yet tasty pieces of cake were served, and even Whitney (aka The Treat Monger) thought the small piece was plenty.

Here is Landon showing Whitney his name on the honor roll.

This is a really big accomplishment for Landon and we are really proud of him. He is totally self-motivated with all his school work so this accomplishment is all his. He got a 4.0 last term and had perfect attendance as well...I know my 7th grade stats didn't look anything like his.

**What kind of inductions have you had?
Were you a self-motivated student?
Are you self-motivated now?**

Comment Tidbit: I'm ready to get in bed and read until I fall asleep...is that so wrong?

Day 2--Cute Little Stalker

Day 2 of our Michigan trip was a leisurely, stay-home day due to the fact that poor Betsy was still at school finishing up her end of the year duties as a first grade teacher.


I slept in, then came up stairs to find Landon, Owen and Faye (she babysits the boys 3 days a week). I settled in on one of their comfy chairs to admire the photo book I'd made for them after my last trip there the previous fall. Owen joined me to look at the book and then do some silly poses for the camera (held by Landon).


Pretty much every other moment found Owen following Landon, asking him 2.2 million questions, wanting to play with him, and pretty much be just like him. It was amusing to witness, but also a little sad because Landon had never been the object of a stalker before and didn't know quite how to handle it. He tried to hide a couple times, but was always found.


I loved seeing these beautiful flowers from their yard placed in a container on the kitchen counter. I so want to have a yard full of flowers for cutting.

Silliness by Owen.

We wandered outside enjoying their beautiful 2 acre yard of goodness. The spotted-one didn't catch the vision of a self-portrait.


It was sweet seeing Faye with Owen and Emmit, she waited such a long time for grand kids.


Emmit was equally smitten with Landon, but in a more easily distracted-toddlerish way so Landon was flattered by his attention.


The wood wanderings were brief because we weren't covered in mosquito or tick repellent.


Because he is indeed The Great Landini, he was able to rise above the confused frustration he felt from being smothered in so much attention, and was able to laugh about it and enjoy himself.

It's really a good thing too, because this was only day 2 of our trip!

Whitney enjoyed not being the object of so much attention and could often be found somewhere playing happily with their toys.


Betsy came home in the afternoon, then was greeted this way when Greg came home. Oh to be so thin and cute! I can't imagine Randy trying to heft me into a swinging hug.

More adoration.

Landon was thrilled that Greg was into watching the NBA finals and that he had such a big TV to watch it on.


Betsy and Faye served up some tasty ice cream with hot fudge and whipped cream gangsta style (because we couldn't get enough sugary sweets).

I finally went to bed at 2:21am!

**Have you ever had a cute stalker?
Do you cut flowers from your yard?
Have you been watching the NBA finals?**

Comment Window Tidbit: It's rather weird to not have the routine of school but to have the daily trip to the junior high for summer band, and then art classes for Whitney. I'm running all over the place!

This Boy

I originally took these pictures to document Landon's "uniform" which has been jeans with either his Michigan t-shirt or his BYU t-shirt (they look almost the same) all winter. Yes, he has an entire closet full of clothes that he likes, but apparently these are the only shirts he LOVES.

I am ready to burn these shirts!

Landon recently started wearing deodorant (he authorized me telling this) after attending the 6th grade's Maturation program with Randy (phew, one milestone I didn't have to navigate!). He came home looking like a deer in the headlights, but recovered nicely and embraced the notion of showering often and wearing deodorant.

Now that the weather has been nicer he can wear shorts with these shirts and he's even happier about that. I tell him he's basically wearing jammies day and night, and it turns out he's okay with that.



This boy has confidence, charisma, comedy and the smarts to back them all up. He is almost always agreeable and easygoing, and is able to recover quickly the times he isn't. He genuinely wants be obedient, struggles with himself when he fights it, and has a gift for humbling himself and admitting when he is wrong. I could take a lesson from him.


Last weekend he was given the choice between joining Randy and a bunch of men from our ward for an all-day service project that would require hard labor outside AND would mean missing his soccer game. We left this choice entirely up to him because we already told him he'd have to miss this Saturday's soccer game for a Scout camp out.

He weighed this decision all day and didn't decide until after game night around 10:30pm Friday. He said, "I'm going to go with dad." Then he said, "I remember Brother Todd saying that there are life choices and now choices and I think this is one of those life choices." (Cue tears.) I was so impressed, pleased, touched and grateful all at the same time.


I wrote his primary teacher/scout leader Brother Todd a heart-felt thank you note that made me cry as I wrote it and recounted this story to him. What a blessing it is to have righteous leaders who do their best!

Tonight, Landon heard me telling Randy about all of this and he said, "I want to grow up to be a good person." This did my heart good and made think how wonderful it is that he knows this as an 11 year old boy and doesn't have to muck through years and years before figuring it out.

**Thoughts??**

Comment Window Tidbit: Don't forget to vote for your favorite photo from yesterday's post to be entered to win one of them.