Braden, Our Little Clothes Horse...

 

After running errands today, the boys begged to go to the mall just to "hang out." It was just after 10, opening time, so I agreed since I knew there wouldn't be many folks there.  We stopped at a Crazy 8 sale and Braden picked out this super cool-dude outfit. 

"You know, Mom, I'll wear anything, but I really like this one."  -Braden

Garrett on the other hand, would not pick out a thing, and so left the store with nothing.  He doesn't like anything I choose, so I tried and tried to get him to pick something for himself...nothin' doin'! 

"I don't like that, that, that, that, that, or that!" -Garrett

I gently reminded GJ that he would soon inherit the super cool-dude outfit his brother just chose, to which he replied...
"What's 'inherit?"  When he finally got it, he assured me that he would never, never, never put it on...not ever!  Hey, it's green, his color of choice every time...what more can I do?

Reminiscing on Edwardsville...

We had a great time visiting with Eric's mom last week.  She took this photo of the two of us after we returned from a fabulous dinner at Andrea's Steakhouse...to die for! (the food, not the pic) 

We enjoyed taking the kids to the Children's Museum again.  They just love it there.  Unfortunately, it was that very same evening that Garrett came down with a fever...confirmed the next day strep.  He muddled through our trip the the St. Louis Mills mall (fever had gone away with Tylenol...I did not force him to go while running a high temp...I know what you're thinking...).  That evening, Braden began to complain...the next day, confirmed as strep.  What are the odds???

With both children under quarantine from the rest of the free world, we hunkered down for two days of Monopoly.  Garrett beat us every game!  He is ruthless!  I'm not sure he knows exactly what he's doing or not, but none of us have EVER beat him since we purchased the game last year.  Odd...

By the time we headed home on Wednesday, everyone was feeling fine.  I am SO LUCKY that I didn't get strep as well, seeing as how I ate after both children at the mall.  It's second nature, you know, for a momma to just finish up whatever her children leave behind.  Right????  Or maybe it's just because I'm a preggo...oh well...

Ethan Wants Out...

I'm having a very difficult time today getting ANYTHING done...Ethan has dropped, head down, and is constantly pressing on my left hip bone!  Really, all I want to do is lay down and nap, which will NOT work with two boys in the house. :0)  My next appointment in Monday and I can't wait to check his progress, then pick his birthday!  It's time, folks...it's definitely time.  Ethan wants out and Mamma wants him out...

Late Easter Post...

Yep, that's right...you counted five boys...and that's with Tyler missing!  Larry has two grandsons to add to the herd of nearly all male grandchildren already in our family! 

This was our now annual Easter tradition, egg hunting at the Eagles lodge.  It's a little strange, having small children hunt for eggs around the dance floor and in full sight of the bar, but it's a good time and always goes off without a hitch, rain or shine.  And, since this year's Easter was water-logged, we were all about the indoor hunt! 

Regression????...

Ummm...can you say regression???  When I took this paci off the diaper cake, Garrett Jake sort of lunged for it and begged me to let him have it.  "It's for my animals," he said, but you can see where it ended up.  And, the fight was on...Braden wanted something, too.  So, he got a baby feeding spoon to feed his animals.  The "nunnie," as it's called in this family, is floating around the house somewhere, turning up from time to time in one mouth or another...and promptly snatched by the mamma.  Perhaps it will need to be secreted away in the middle of the night, which won't be difficult considering I'm up at all hours of the night anyway!

Memorial Day Fun...

That Nana...she's one of a kind!  And what a good sport.  Not only was it her brilliant idea to entertain four little boys with silly string, she let them shoot it at her, too!

Our Cub Scout...

Tonight, we attended Braden's Cub Scout end-of-year cookout and graduation ceremony.  His new yellow scarf represents his transition from Tiger Cub to Wolf.  The weather was very breezy and humid, but we all had a great time.  As soon as we got home, they both started asking for food...go figure...we just left a cook-out! :0)  (Please disregard my double chin and horrid skin...side effects of Ethan.)

Flat Stanley Rides Again...

Garrett's preschool class project for March was to photograph Flat Stanley, that lovable book character, in as many interesting places as possible.  We sent FS to Grandma Susie in Illinois and to Aunt Stacy in Massachusetts.  He's been around, let me tell ya'!

 Closer to home, our adventures with Flat Stanley included batting practice with Garrett.

 As well as planting our summer garden...he's posing with the onions, although he'll never eat them!

 Flat Stanley also accompanied the family to the Tulsa Zoo, where he first pretended to be eaten by a lion (water fountain).

 And, as is tradition, we had to have a pose at the front entrance with the bronze tigers.

It was too much for Braden.  He just had to get in on the action and both boys were psyched to pose with the "Indians" in the rainforest biome.  By the way, Braden was totally ticked that there was no FS project when he was at Grace...and I quote..."What's the deal?"  From the mouths of babes...

The Toof Fairy...

So, the backstory with Braden's teeth, is that they've been ever so loose for ever so long.  They were beginning to become discolored because they really were just sort of hanging in there...no longer attached to anything official.  While brushing his teeth, I just slid a floss stick in between and popped the first one right out.  The other, I just gently tugged with my fingers and it was the same thing.  I told Braden he was lucky he didn't swallow them before now!

So, both teeth went in a baggie and under his pillow.  Well, I'll just go ahead and admit that Eric and I both forgot...but Braden awakened me the next morning shouting that the tooth fairy had not left any money because his teeth were "stuck to Garrett's face!"  Oh my...

The baggie had fallen onto the bottom bunk and Garrett rolled over on it, thereby sticking the plastic to his drooly cheek.  Braden told me he snatched them up and put them back under his own pillow, but then realized the sun was up and it was too late.  We made a plan to stick them under a different pillow the next night (he's only got, like four) and that surely the tooth fairy would try again.

Try again she did...and left $20!!!!!  Holy cow! In the end, all of the tears and worry over changed speech patterns was well worth it.  Now, combined, the boys finally have enough money to purchase the coveted Hoth Lego set...they've saved up their Grandma Susie Valentine money and some chore money.  The tooth fairy just put them right over the top!  The only problem is, now Garrett is plotting just how to go about getting one of his teeth out...

Braden's "Lost" Teeth...

5 1/2 Months...And Counting...

I stick out in both directions now, but anyone who's known me for any length of time knows that my "back bump" has been there since birth.  I just stick out, period...always have, always will! :0)  It's hard to believe that we're past the half-way mark, and the days are just ticking away.  Missing out on the first two months of the pregnancy (due to denial on so many levels) really has sped things up.  Even my doctor can't seem to stay caught up with what needs to happen and when.  She was shocked when she discovered I hadn't been scheduled for an ultrasound...but we couldn't arrange one for two more weeks!  Like I said, can't seem to get it all together, but maybe we're on the right track now. 

On a similar note, my little sister, Erica, is due to have her baby a few weeks after ours...we found out today that she is having a boy as well!  So, that's six boys between us!  WHAT ARE THE ODDS????? 

Braden and Garrett were disappointed at first that they weren't getting the little girl of their dreams.  However, reality is sinking in and they are dreaming up all the fun things they can teach their baby brother...I'm having nightmares about it!  What this child won't think of on his own, Darrel and Darrel are bound to put him up to! 

As for names, we are tapped...all the really good ones are taken, after all!  I have wracked my brain for names that mean something to me (as I did for my other boys), but nothing works.  I may have to resort to a baby name list.  In the mean time, some suggestions from the boys have been Lightbulb, Count Duku ("Doodoo"), Darth Vader, Luke (Skywalker), and Boba Fet...see a pattern?  I have officially declared all Star Wars names off limits!  Wonder if George Lucas had any inkling that SW would be so popular with the next generation...

Braden's Big Win...

This morning, Braden competed in the 2011 Boy Scout Pinewood Derby, racing the Lightning McQueen car that he helped his daddy build...and that Mommy graciously finished painting Thursday evening!  It was a great project that they worked on together.

This is Braden finishing up placing his car on the track for the final heat of the Tiger Cub division.  On the left is his long-time church friend, JD, and on the right is his long-time preschool/public school friend Alex.  It was so great because these three boys took 1st, 2nd, and 3rd!

Braden took the whole affair very seriously, following every direction, staying calm, and not running wild the way he usually does when he gets excited...he made Mamma proud! 

Alex, Braden, JD...yes, they are all the same age.  My son is a giant!

Braden will now move on to the district competition, which will take place in May.  He tripped as we were leaving, mangling the wheels...Daddy's got his work cut out for him...
*Just a side note...those are two good-lookin' boys.  Can't wait to add a third future-hottie to the mix! :0)

Boy Scout Banquet...

 Last week, Braden was promoted in the Boy Scout ranks.  The banquet was a good time and he LOVED having Nanna and Nanny there to cheer him on!

 Braden Riley does love his Nanny.  He asks about her all the time, we pray for her at night, and both of the boys were tickled that she decided to join us for a night of BBQ, treats, and family fun!

 This is our little family right after Braden attached my mother's pin...it will hold all of his Boy Scout pins.

                                             Ok...this kid is in Heaven!  Look at that face!

This is the pinning "ceremony..." the actual pin on the back of my ribbon fell apart, so we had to replace it with another.  It was a little cumbersome, but we managed.

Our family placecard...my own design!  The whole evening was a fun success and we are so proud of our Boy Scout, Braden Riley!

The England Project...

 Garrett attends a very good preschool (which Braden attended, also), and they do the most grown-up, amazing things with these kids.  He had to create a cereal box presentation about the country of his choice.  Much of our family, on all sides, are from England, so we chose it for the big day!

 So, how does Garrett's (my) box look?  He told his class all about the queen, her palace guards ("the fuzzy hat guys"), the crown jewels, the "Union Jack" flag, and the Queen's fav vacation residence...Windsor Castle, built over 900 years ago by William the Conqueror.  Garrett was really hung up on the 900 years ago bit...really interesting to him (yeah, he loves history!).

Here, he's showing the class the lovely Brittish countryside...ahhhhhhh...simply pastoral.

He made a superb presentation and Mom made a really nifty box!  I'm sort of proud of my work, as if you couldn't tell!

The Strangest Craving...

I've had the strangest craving for Emmy's restaurant lately.  It began early last week and I just couldn't get it out of my head.  For those of you not familiar with Emmy's, they serve traditional German fare, and lots of it!  I was specifically jonesin' for their deep-fried bratwurst with hot, spicy mustard.  Sounds like a terrific case of heartburn wating to happen, right?  Not to worry...Emmy's is always covered over anywhere near a holiday of any sort and my craving hit just before Valentine's Day.  So, no way were we gettin' anywhere near that place. 

While I was still in the shower getting ready for Parent's Night Out last night, Eric announced (with tons of bravado) that he had secured a place in the "bar" area at Emmy's and that we would, in fact, be joinging the hoards of hoity toity folks descending upon this luscious Germanic eatery!  Wahoo!  So, I ordered the appetizer that had the deep-fried brats and the dinner that came with deep-fried brats!  Let me tell you, the little one loved it, the big one (me) loved it, and Eric came out smelling like a rose...and German beer!  :0)

My Valenine came though with the best gift ever...just the right food for his preggo Valentine!  Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Oh, and we followed up Emmy's with two very romantic stops at Sam's Club and Wal-Mart...it wouldn't be PNO w/out the traditional shopping trip, sans kiddos!
*They will be super suprised to find their Valentine Pillow Pets tomorrow morning !

Braden, the Reader...

Braden LOVES to read.  I feel sort of bad for him, though.  His reading level has gone up to 4.8, which is super fantastic...except that it means he has to read (and test on) a TON of books to earn an A in reading.  Bless his heart, though.  I was entering grades on the computer over the weekend in the office, so he came in and bedded down on the treadmill with his blanket and a couch pillow.  He said he just wanted to be in the office with me while he read.  After a few minutes, I hoisted myself down there with him and we read Berenstain Bears and the Freaky Funhouse.  It was very freaky...and very fun!

100 Days of School...

Garrett's 100th Day of School was celebrated by presenting his Cheerio project to the class...and partying afterward, of course!  As you may have guessed, it was-in fact-his mother who stayed up and glued 100 Cheerios to a posterboard while he snoozed away in his snuggly bed! :0)  Kudos to Garrett, though...the project was entirely his idea. 

He first told me he wanted to do 100 Fruit Loops, and promptly changed his mind the next day to Cheerios.  Now, this just seemed like semantics to the adult half of the project completion board (me), but it turned out to be a major issue to the project engineer (Garrett).  After shedding a few necessary tears, he managed to convince me that he had NEVER asked for Fruit Loops (I pretended to be conviced, btw), and we went back to the store for Cheerios.  I think it turned out quite nicely, don't you?

Braden Riley's 7th Birthday...

Well, this post is a little late...well, a lot actually, but better late than never...right?  Right?  So, Braden's party was the first Saturday in January, the first night of Parent's Night Out for the new year, just like always!

 The party was actually able to be held on time this year, not iced out like last year.  It's a little odd, since we just had an "un-birthday" party for him in June...but everyone had a great time.  He really must be the luckiest kid ever...two parties w/in six months...WOW!

 We gathered at The Monkey House for bounce-around fun for the kiddies...and the dads!  Thanks Eric and Hector for entertaining all of the small people!  It just wouldn't have been the same without the big daddies chasing, throwing, and bouncing the kids...could've easily been a lawsuit, but everything worked out okay! :0)

MMMMM...my favorite...cookie cake!  Braden is so sweet.  He said he wanted to be sure and have a cookie cake this year because he knows Garrett doesn't eat regular cake.  He wanted brother to be sure and get treats at the party, too...very thoughtful!

The All-Boy Crew...

One beautiful, October afternoon, Larry finally warmed up to this crew of boys...and Tehya!  Pulling out fence posts with the tractor was the perfect excuse for the kids to be super excited and hangin' around outside.  Brian and Jon had come from OKC and my boys had been at the MacSteel picnic all day.  We all came together just in time for some super duper good times!

Dear Santa...

Remember the trampoline incident over the summer?  Well, all I've heard since then is how Santa can just bring a new one...right????  After much deliberation, it has been determined that Santa will, indeed, be delivering a new trampoline on Christmas Eve.  If only he could also magically set it up...