Silly boys

To the zoo!

Trying to see the wart hogs...it's hard being little

Still in love with the "birdies"

We spent a warm but fun morning at the Reid Park Zoo with Grandma Diane, Great-Grandma Dudley, Melanie, Taylor, and Brooklyn.  It was supposed to be just the kids and I but Daddy surprised us by returning a day earlier than (I) expected from his hunting trip, so he came along with us!!!  The boys probably won't have let him out of their sight anyway, not after having been without him for seven days. 
Mason was super fascinated with the birds (peacocks), chasing them along the fence, all the while calling out "here birdie".  And I am pretty sure had we gone to the monkey's first, we would have had to sit there for a while so he could watch them and talk to them!  Brandon had fun too but was probably more excited about getting an ice cream cone after lunch!  It was nice to see some of Brian & Peggy's kids, but Brandon was a little disappointed that Easton didn't come along.  Maybe next time the weather will be a bit cooler and all the kids can go. 

Puzzles, books, and wrestling

"You sit here!", was Mason's request of me this morning so we could work on our wooden puzzles.  He loves to work on wooden puzzles, the lift & look books, and really, really likes sticker books!  This morning, to burn a little energy, we had a wrestling match, me vs them!!!  Let's just say they wore me out, so I took a power nap with Brandon while Mason was napping! 

Two is better than one!

Mason doesn't appear to be partial to any one pacifier, in fact, the more the better!  Can you tell he is smiling as big as he can behind those pacifiers?  We are working on only using it at nap and bed times but his "need" for it is outrageous and Ms Catherine (his babysitter) is much better at enforcing that rule. 

bedtime bathing

Lately the boys are all about bath time, so much so that usually they little pruned fingers and toes!  I have started making it a game to see who can get to the bathroom to get undressed and use the potty first.  Poor Mason, he's not quite as quick as Brandon but he is soooo pleased with himself for disrobing and using the potty.  Brandon is getting better at taking his shirt off without help.  Once in the tub, Brandon gets focused funneling water into various toys, while Mason is busy coloring all over the bathtub and walls (don't worried, they are meant for the tub, gotta love Crayola). 
Most nights Brandon will pick out his pj's and help get ready for bed but Mason requires a little more direction.  If let loose, he'll streak through the house, giggling all the way.  Tonight was no different, I had barely finished drying him off before he ran into B's room to "put slippers on, too big".  Luckily he is easily bribed, so first went on the diaper, then the slippers.
I absolutely love capturing pictures of the boys together!  Can you believe they are both looking at the camera AND smiling....

Update on the boys

It seems that time has just flown by, the boys are getting so big and life doesn't seem to be slowing down at all.  Brandon is wearing boys size 4 clothes, size 13 shoe (which he has almost outgrown), and loves his big-boy bed.  We still haven't picked a theme for his big-boy bed but we are leaning toward Cars, he still loves to watch that movie.
He can recite the ABC's, can count to seventeen when he wants, and is getting better about recognizing letters.  He understands the concepts of sizes, order of things, more vs less, and is working on tracing.  I sometimes have a hard time getting him interested in learning new things (tracing for example) but have been using the Kumon type workbooks to help our process at home.  He doesn't seem to have any interest in learning to read but perphaps that is related to his age because he does love being read to.  I hope when we get him into preschool next fall he will be right on track. 
Mason is getting more conversational.  He has a large vocabulary, is using three to four word sentences, responds appropriately to questions, and has quite a few catch-phrases ("I got it!", "Shoes on, I walk!", "No, no Jakey!").  He is able to undress himself, consistently uses the big boy potty before bath-time (he takes off his shorts and diaper, moves the stool in front of the potty, opens the lid, and does his business, then gives us a BIG smile!), and loves to play with Legos, Play-Doh, and do anything "Bandon" is doing!
We are working on learning colors and shapes, not using crayons on the walls, and weaning off the pacifier. 
Brushing his teeth is still a challenge, usually I have to hold him down to get the job done, but this to shall pass...eventually.

Relaxin' with Momma

Caught Brandon in the act of watching the science channel!

post-nap cuddlles

"I do it!"

Aren't they cute cuddling in our "new" chair....these moments of sharing space are often few and far between.

We have had a great start to our weekend.  We were able to spend a few hours outside this am, soaking up the cool morning air, thanks to a break from the stifling summer heat!  I hope this change in the weather means fall is on it's way, our AC (and electric bill) could use a break!  
We wrapped up our day by taking an early bath, eating some popcorn and popsicles, and watching Horton Hears a Who (which is one of our favorite movies) before bedtime!  This is when I caught the boys sharing a moment in our hand-me-down Lazyboy chair (thanks Great-Grandma Dudley for the very, very gently used recliner).  

Quality time

"Cheese"

arts 'n' crafts with Momma



beditme book reading!



side pose

This pose was one of Grandma Diane's favorite Brandon poses when he was an infant!  It's hard to believe Brandon will be four years old soon.  I wish I could capture and freeze-frame Brandon at this age.  He is so inquisitive, so conversational, and so delicious. 
He still has some pretty impressive tantrums but we are working through them.  He has let go of his vacuum obsession and has moved onto electronics and how things work and can be manipulated.  He is still my best little sleeper and is a good eater (when he is not distracted).