The daddy is in

Tonight Brannon and I were having our nightly conversation with him on the john and me perched on the edge of the tub.
Brannon: Mommy, you need to have that white part cut off of your toes. (He means I need my toenails cut and yes I agree they need some serious tending to. Maybe I see a pedicure in my future... hardly.)
Me: Well, I guess I will cut them later.
Brannon: No I think Daddy needs to do it... he's a DOCTOR.

I guess I need to let Daddy know what his job entails.

Blast from the past

Do you all remember Pop Rocks and slap bracelets? Brannon got a slap bracelet last week from a fall carnival and has had so much fun with it. I do however remember why they were banned from schools when we were kids... they HURT! He also got some Pop Rocks from a birthday party today. I usually don't encourage candy eating in kids for obvious reasons but if you haven't watched your kids try Pop Rocks for the first time I highly recommend it. It's pretty entertaining!

On the subject of food

Do any of you with boys ever sit and wonder how much food your kids will consume when they are teenagers? The shear volume of food Brannon puts away amazes me. Reports from his teachers at school have always been: 1.) He's a good sleeper 2.) He's a great eater. He is a legend among the teachers at daycare. This is not necessarily something I'm proud of but it's just the way it is. The only times my child has ever thrown up are not from being sick but from purely overeating. Sad I know. Here is a running tab of today's menu: oatmeal, Cheerios with milk, goldfish, cake, ice cream, (extra goldfish that he asked the mom for before we left the party), cheese, waffle, PB&J sandwich, apple. Not to mention the milk, juice, and water he washed it all down with. Keep in mind this is all before 12:30 nap time! It has me wondering what two boys (or more) will do to a kitchen and your wallet when they get a little older.

Obsessed with Diego

When Brannon finished his oatmeal for breakfast this morning he looked up from his bowl and said "Delicioso". I don't know if it is good that he is speaking Spanish or if it lets me know he is watching WAY too much Dora and Diego.

Typical

It's really cold in our house this morning. Brannon, of course, is running around in only his underwear. I am dressed in socks, long pants, and a sweatshirt.
Me: Brannon, I am really cold. Do you know anyone I could get to snuggle me to get me warm? (Hint, hint)
Brannon: Uhhhh.... Daddy?
Thanks a lot!

Phone etiquette

Brannon loves talking on the phone. He knows all the numbers in my speed dial and who they belong to. He usually talks on the phone on the way home from school most days (unless he can't get anyone and then he will sadly talk to me). Yesterday he was talking to his MeMe and I was reminding him of a couple of things he had done that day that he should share with her. He put his hand over the phone and in the sweetest voice said "Mommy, I'm talking on the phone and you're not supposed to talk while I'm on the phone." Then he went back on with his conversation. I guess he was listening when I gave him that lecture the day before. I guess I'll have to start practicing what I preach!

Other pictures from the weekend

First pumpkin carving experience.

Birthday parties are exhausting!

Birthday present from Angie. He wanted to write Taylor's name.

Birthday party = huge success

Curious George cake. I love Kroger!

Brannon and his friend Miles.

Mom felt like the actual birthday girl needed her picture taken.

Fun on the inflatable obstacle course.

The birthday celebration has come to a close

He loved feeding the animals!

Fun on the roller coaster.

Trying to entertain himself while waiting for a hot dog.

It was worth it!!!

We had a great weekend! The fair on Friday (just me and Brannon), a day of fall festivals on Saturday, out to dinner with my husband Saturday night, and my birthday and Brannon's birthday party on Sunday. Very busy but so much fun. MeMe was in town which was great and a huge help!

Parent-teacher conference

This week was Brannon's biannual parent-teacher conference at preschool. I went in expecting them to talk about what a genius my child is and how advanced he is. Well it was pretty much what I expected until they started talking about his fine motor skills. In this area she suggested he could use a little more practice. Well, I felt my feathers start to ruffle and wanted to bring up his proficiency in computer skills, athletics, musical abilities, etc. Instead I just did some smiling and nodding. Well after a little bit I started to feel the "mommy guilt" kick in. Well, of course, he doesn't have an excellence in fine motor skills. His mom won't let him play with all of the "suggestions" the teacher gave to help improve this area (markers, crayons, pencils, and scissors). Scissors, really? He just turned 3! Now I'm trying loosen up a bit and let him explore these dangerous items. Here is a picture after we worked on spelling his name. Why do we put so much pressure on our kids? Who knows?

Another milestone

Since Brannon usually gets all the praise I guess I should report when Taylor has a new accomplishment. Here he is really sitting up for the first time. Much more exciting for the grandparents than the average reader.

OK, One more

This is for the pro

So our tennis pro, Felix, was busy with his new job and couldn't make it down to the beach for our last trip. Angie and I took some video of Brannon to show him. I'll give you all a taste of a pro in the making so you can say "I knew him when".

Two down and one to go

Well, we have made it through two birthday celebrations and only have one left to go. Does anyone else think that dragging out a birthday for almost two weeks is overboard? Oh, well. I was going to forgo the party at daycare since we invited all of those kids to his "real" party this weekend until his teacher asked me if I was bringing cupcakes for his birthday. What can you say to that except "of course I am". These are some pics from the family celebration and from his school party. Hard to believe he is 3 years old today!!




Tonight at the pizza place. Birthday boy's choice,
but always a favorite of mine as well.

Brannon not wanting to cooperate for a picture

at his party at school.

One of Brannon's many presents. This is a

scooter from MeMe and Poppy.

Papa makes Brannon's birthday cakes every

year. This year Nemo was a big hit!

Cute or disturbing?

Brannon last night during a conversation where we were deciding between a Diego cake or a Curious George cake for his birthday party...
Brannon: I don't want a Diego cake. I fink ("think") I want a brother cake. I want Taylor on my cake..... I want to eat Taylor.

Brannon Swimming

Here is a video of my little fish. Brannon started swimming at the beginning of the summer and all he wants to do now is swim, swim, swim. I'm glad we got one more trip to the beach before the season is over. I'm pretty proud that my 2-year-old (well, almost 3 now) is such a good swimmer. I'm also glad I captured him loving on his little brother. Too cute!

Fun at the beach

We've had so much fun at the beach so far. Since this is Taylor's fourth trip to the beach since he's been born he is a veteran of the sand and surf. Today, however, was his first extended time at the beach. We spent a good portion of yesterday and today hanging out on the beach. All that time on the beach makes for great sleeping from my boys!

Fun with the fam

We are back at the beach for a week long visit. It's hard to stay away for too long. We have everyone here except Felix (we miss you Felix): our family, my mom and John, David's parents and Angie. The boys LOVE playing with the grandparents and Angie especially as you can tell from the picture.

First Blog

Here is my first attempt at blogging! I know all of you doubt how long this will last but maybe I can prove you (and myself) wrong.