Curious minds

Brandon has been fascinated, or better yet, obsessed with two new shows, How It's Made and How do They Do It? on the Science Channel!  He loves these shows, he'll watch them for hours if their on and if we let him.  He will actually ask to watch these shows over cartoons, if you can believe that! 

This also translates into what he prefers to play with, think everyday household items...not necessarily toys!  He will play with the toys, especially if we are playing with him, but on his own, it seems he would rather be figuring out how things fit together and be re-organized.  Lately he has focused on connecting old cell phones with their chargers.

I know, too much TV time is bad but at least he enjoys learning new things (or at least this is how I justify it while making dinner!!!!).  So far, Mason hasn't taken much interest but that is usually because he is playing with the train legos and his mini tractors!!!  He still loves all things with wheels.  And he LOVES to be anywhere and everywhere that Brandon is.  When he can't find Brandon he'll ask, "Brandon go?" 

Brunch with the Grandma's

A rare sighting....Mommy in a picture (ha, ha)

My Boys!

We spent another great morning having brunch with the Grandma's in Green Valley.  As always, the boys loved to play outside, this time focusing on watering the plants (and the porch) and driving their cars around.   Thanks Grandma Diane for replenishing the water supply every few minutes! 

Dog days of summer

Just enjoying the grass, the pool, and our new Target clearance find!

More random pics

early morning bliss

Mason loves to connect the trains and drive them around

helping Daddy spread a little grass seed

We are all ready for summer to come to a close, especially the boys who love to be outside.  We decided to plant a little grass in the open area off the back porch, until we can officially get started on our backyard landscape plan!  Here's hoping it grows fast. 

Oh Legos!

so focused...

Cheese!

One day, while doing our endless task of laundry, which by the way, seems to multiple while I'm away at work, I found the boys sharing their bucket of legos.  They were so content that I just sat in the chair and watched them play for the next thirty minutes....until Mason stole a lego from Brandon and Momma had to intervine before there was serious warfare.  

Evening bliss

Brandon actually smiled for me

"I got it"...Mason's favorite phrase

sweet and innocent....for the moment

Some evenings are just better than others, tonight the kids were happy and easy-going, a nice change from the usual witching hours from 5pm to bedtime!

Crazy Mas

Poor Lilly, she is soooo tolerant!

oh shop vac!

random pics

"Mine, I got it!"

perfecting the pouty face

 The terrible-two's have nothin' on the tantrum-filled-three's.  It's absolutely amazing how quickly Brandon goes from happy go lucky to total meltdown, and usually it's over the simplest of things.

Yes, he does love to be naked!

He is learning to "ham it up" for the camera

A love affair continues

 Yes, Mason has adopted Brandon's love of vacuums but the big difference is that Mason will actually turn the vacuum on and help Momma clean. 

"Turn on"

Self training...froggy potty style

Well, Mason it seems has decided to start potty training at 21 and 1/2 months old.  I attribute this fortunate occurrence to Mason spending most of his time following Brandon around, especially when Brandon uses the "potty".  Poor Brandon, he often has to lock himself in the bathroom and informs an angry Mason (picture banging on the door and pulling on the door handle relentlessly while crying for "Bandon") that he needs "privacy".

Mason it seems is more capable (or willing) than Brandon to disrobe and sit himself on the potty and make a "pooper".  I say this because today while I was unloading the car, Mason was inside getting naked and peeing on the potty (all while I was unaware until I realized he was in the bathroom).  So, here I am, on the verge of no longer having to buy diapers....okay I may be a little too hopeful here....but it would be nice!!!!

Snake!

Brandon and Mason were excited, to say the least, to see this three foot king snake roamin' our back yard!