Food, Fun & Batman on a Horse

We had a super great weekend!!! It started with a fun neighborhood picnic right in our backyard in the big open field next to our house. They had a big BBQ going all day with lots of yummy food. They had pony rides for the children, face painting, a big crayola jumping thing for the kids to jump in, a DJ with jammin music to set the tone. Bradley jumped off and on for 4 hours. Then off to the ponys and back to jumping ect....I could hardly keep track of him. Another highlight was he got to be batman for a day. I knew he was over getting his face painted but wasn't standing right next to him so when he came to show me I about fell over and laughed like crazy because I didn't expect his whole face to be done. Luckily he didn't take offense. Usually they'll only do a small picture on the cheek or something, but oh no, it was the full deal. He loved it!! The schrodts stopped by as things were winding up and got to witness batman in action. Katy you were too cute immediately whipping your camera out of your bag to take a picture of him. I'm just glad batman didn't scare the poo poo out of Callie as he smothered her. HA! Sorry, he just loves babies so much, the only way he can express it is to maul them.

That evening we had more food and fun with some mixed emotions. We had a good bye party for our friends Troy and Karen. They are moving back North to pursue a great opportunity. Troy is Craig's childhood friend that moved out here after we did. It all happened so fast and now off they go. They are so excited and wired that you just can't help not to be just as excited for them. We were talking with them the other day and said it probably won't hit us all until they are gone. It'll feel weird not having them pop in every other week for our life chats. We'd always have the best talks in where God was leading each of us in our life and now God is leading them in this new opportunity. We'll miss you Troy and Karen.

We had a great Sunday at chuch!! It was a great sermon on Vision and as always wonderful worship. It was our second week teaching second graders and all went very well. We have such a nice group of kids in our class.

That afternoon, Craig was bursting at the seams to watch the Packer game and we don't always get it on our TV. So he convinced Kevin to buy the NFL ticket by telling him he'd go half, which didn't take much convincing since he's a Packer nut too. So off Craig went to get some "guy time" which I was happy for him, but I was bummed because Michele wasn't going to be home so I didn't go. We stayed home for naps and before we knew it daddy was home and we headed out to Great Bridge, picked up a pizza and had a picnic at the Locks Park. It was such a perfectly cool fall night. I didn't know they had little trails at the back of the park so we enjoyed our little nature walk back by the water watching the boats go by. Bradley couldn't pick up enough sticks, logs ect and Alayna couldn't eat enough dirt or chew on enough pine cones. A very relaxing ending to a busy weekend.

Can you tell I've been eating dirt? Mmmm good!

Collecting my Treasures

There were perfectly formed locust shells on
this tree. It was kinda cool to see.

Hey, how did I get up here?

Ok I think I'm all caught up for now on blogging. Whew!!

Bradley's First Week of School

We had been anticipating the first day of school for the past month. It was a full summer of practically no structure, hardly a routine... what fun can we get into today kind of thing. Even tho I knew it was coming I don't think I prepared for the new routine in my mind. So it took me and Bradley a full week to get back on a routine. I think more so for him because the first 3 days I had to wake him last minute to quick get up, eat and go. To me, I was being a good mom letting him get his sleep right, but based on his personality he doesn't function that way. He likes to take it slow, snuggle, watch cartoons etc....So each day he didn't want to go but was cooperative and didn't cry or throw and fit about it, but just wasn't bouncing off the walls. When I'd pick him up he'd say he liked school but didn't want to go back. So I was a little emotional for him thinking going every day was too much for him ect ect. Everyone kept telling me it's only been a few days, your thinking too much into it, he'll be fine. So before I let him take a day off I wanted to get him thru the first week. Another little problem was, he kept saying "mommy, why can't I have my 3 years old teachers, I miss them." He would slowly walk by their class with a sad face. They would sometimes be there to give him a great big hug or smile which would brighten his face.

His new teachers are very sweet, but I think the one is a little tougher and more structured than he was used to which isn't a bad thing. It just took some adjusting for him.

By Thursday he woke up early and we got to take it slow....big difference it made!! The teacher said he did fantastic and Friday she said "pssst, don't tell anyone, but he's my favorite. Of course my heart was bursting with pride!!! I think that would do any mothers heart good. Friday is when they get their behavior chart for the week and he had 5 smiley faces for M-F. I was so proud of him!!! Thursday morning he even said "mommy, I just like to play at home before I go to school"

Today he got up early and was raring to go with not one word about not wanting to go to school. Ahh, I feel so much better and my heart is lighter. I was telling Katy the other day if only we could read their little minds it would be so much easier. They can't always communicate what and why they are feeling a certain way. For me, it was just getting our routine down and changing how we started our day that made all the difference. In this case I actually knew better, but just wasn't thinking.

Happy 1st Birthday Alayna

Happy Birthday To Alayna

Alayna and Auntie Thalia

Not quite sure what to think

This is actually quite good

Not anymore, I'm all done with this cake stuff!!

Cake on the floor....

Opening presents after a bath from the cake mess!!

Better late than never. I didn't want her birthday to come and go without journeling it.

My baby girl has turned 1 years old on September 7th, but we celebrated it in Atlanta a little early and then our small group had a cake for her and acknowledged it as well. It was very sweet of them. Jayne made a great cake and Sue got the decorations. Grandma got a little cake for her to smash to pieces. She wasn't sure at first, but would dip her finger in and poke at it a little bit, but then got quickly overwhelmed with everyone in her face and she ended up whipping the whole thing on the floor. What a funny site!!

The past year has been such a blessing with her and we treasure each day with her. She is reaching so many milestone almost daily...it has been so fun to watch her grow, change and discover new things.

A few weeks ago she discovered the stairs. She will either go up a few stairs at a time, hold on to the bars and scream for me or quickly go all the way up. She sure does love climbing up to the playroom. I wonder why?

She can now take about 6 steps at a time, but once she realizes what she is doing she'll quickly plop right down or lunge for one of us to grab her. Her confidence isn't quite there yet.

She's a typical girl that likes to chatter all the time. When she gets a hold of one of our cell phones she will hold it behind her head and pretend like she's talking in her little baby gibberish. It is so so cute and I think to myself...here's this tiny little thing already learning to talk on the phone. I remember when Bradley would do this, but he was a little older. I used to love to listen to him say "alo" for hello. She can say nigh nigh for night night which is really cute and sometimes will even ask to be put down by saying it.

First thing in the morning when of us goes to get her we get a great big"HI" in her high pitched voice and that's the start of the day and makes our hearts swell. I'm sure I"m missing some other little things she does and says but here's an update for now.

Well my little Alayna...I'm so looking forward to many many more years of watching you grow and reach many more milestones and pray you'll always be a sweet as you are now. Fiesty, but sweet.

So I smell like gumdrops?

I know we have all commented on each others blogs about loving how the minds of our boys work. I just had to blog about this....Last night I went to check on Bradley because daddy said he wanted me to lay with him. When I laid down with him he snuggled really close and said MMMM mommy you smell so good.....you smell like gumdrops!! It was so cute, innocent and sweet!!! I had gotten some new scented lotion and had it on. I'm thinking to myself...I hope Craig doesn't think I smell like one big gumdrop. HOW ATTRACTIVE IS THAT!!!?? Anyway, leave it to my boy to relate me smelling like one of his favorite things in the whole world...Candy!?!?!? I don't even think he's ever had the old fashioned gumdrops before.

Past, Present and Future

I am so proud to say that I have been married to my high school sweetheart for the past 15 years. It has been an awesome journey together for sure. Our actual anniversay was on the 4th but we were on our way back from Atlanta then so we celebrated it this past weekend. My dear friend Michele was so sweet and offered to take the kids for the weekend, but do to schedules it worked out for 1 night. Even tho she has a hectic schedule of her own she so unselfishly made sure this weekend happend. Bradley was ecstatic to say the least to be able to have a sleepover. Caitlynn and Steven are like big brother and big sister and treat Bradley like the little brother. (in a good way:) Thank you Michele for loving and caring for my kids just as if they were your own. So Friday we took off to Williamsburg for the night and we were able to have 1 full day and night just being us. We love our kids dearly, but we had so been looking forward to this time alone. It's always my goal to keep a healthy balance between family, friends, kids and husband. So this weekend was all about husband time and it was so awesome to have it be all about us. We had the most amazing time and it was so refreshing to just be together with uninterupped time and conversations with no worries and knowing our kids were well taken care of. We went for dinner, swam, and did some shopping. Before we had kids we would do this a couple of times a year. Just sneak off to Williamsburg for a night or two so it was nice to do it again and reminise over the past 15 (actually 17 years) if you count the dating time in there. It was so fun to talk about high school when we first started off and help each other remember things each other forgot and laugh about the things we both remembered and also about the beginning of our marriage in this big world as two kids in love just starting off. Who would have thought that 2 highschool educated kids, no college what so ever with just a dream in our heart and mind would make it. But determined we were to beat the odds. So here we are today looking towards an incredible future and journey with more of our story which is yet to be written and here's to you Craig my love, my best friend, my dreamer, my encourager. Like we talked about many many years ago when you gave me that promise ring at such a young age before you went into the Navy you told me... "promises are forever" Dreams really do come true if you believe. I love you with all my heart and can't wait to see what God has in store for us this next chapter in our life. Happy Anniversary!!

Our Atlanta Trip

I don't even know where to begin. So here is one of many more posts to follow. We've had such a full week and a half. I'll start with Labor Day weekend. We went to Atlanta to visit Grandma & Grandpa and Auntie Thalia. It was quite a long drive and I must say I was so proud of Bradley. He did incredible and could keep entertained with activities and videos. Alayna was a little fiesty, but how do you explain to a 1 year old that she needs to stay strapped in for 9-11 hours and there's nothing she can do. She slept maybe 1 hour the whole way there and a little more than that on the way back. So we broke the rules and let her out of her carseat for short spurts and she was loving that. Craig and I agreed that we all survived jumping around the back seat and laying in the back window of the old Granada cars when we were little and that was a daily thing. We had a great time with one of the highlights being a visit to the Atlanta Zoo. I took alot of pictures, so here are a few. It was a really awesome Zoo. They had an incredible petting zoo for the children. As you can see Alayna was a little unsure, but Bradley thought it was the coolest ever!!! Bradley loved brushing the goats. I got so many cute pictures of the kids with the animals.

The rock climbing wall at the zoo was definitely a #1 highlight for Bradley since he is such a climber and heights don't bother him at all. He was determined to make it to the top. You were only suppose to try one time per time but he snuck in 3 turns into his one. And then we had to wait in line again to try it again. He wasn't giving up, but the little guy just couldn't make it to the top. He was very disappointed.

Here are my two little monkeys. Bradley had so much fun. I can't even tell you. He was mesmerized by so many of the animals, but I think he liked the reptiles the best.

Daddy, Alayna, Bradley and Mr. Goat
Grandma & Bradley
Another highlight was Grandma had an inground pool. You'd think we'd had enough pool time, but oh no...it's always fun to be at a different one. It's so nice when it's right in the back yard and you don't have to pack up and go anywhere. Makes me sort of want one. We spent alot of time playing in the pool. Grandma also had alot of really cool pool toys. Big dragon float, motorized lounge chairs, diving board...which by the way I've got 2 dare devils on my hand. Craig would stand on the diving board and then Bradley would get on his shoulders and they would jump in together. YIKES!!

Thought you all would get a kick out of seeing Craig ride Shamu. Now before you all say "oh poor Craig, how could Heidi embarass him like that" I got his approval. The competition was on with him and I trying to stay on the longest and he won!!!

As you can see Grandma is all wet. She fell in the pool by leaning over the edge trying to tip Thalia over in her raft.

My bathing beauty!

Bradley & Auntie Thalia

Alayna coming over ready to jump right in. She loves sitting on the side of the pool and pushing herself off to me.

We also visited their church which was a neat experience. There's probably 10,000 members. I've never been to a church that big. It looked like one of those on tv. It was like a huge coliseum. Outside they had a huge playground for the children and I just have to show you a piece of equipment that they had that of course Bradley had to make to the top about 5 times and totally took my breath away when he was up there. I've never seen one like this before.

Yep, that's him up there at the top...Mr. fearless

We also visited the store that grandma Dennice worked at. They had these neat little scooters the kids could ride around the store on.

They had this adorable little thing for sale.....

that Craig decided to buy:) I thought..what a good choice!!

I took 150 picures so it's hard to capture it all into one blog!!! Needless to say we had a wonderful time and squeezed some fun little memories into our 4 days. It was so nice to get away from the normal routine and have some family time.

Life's tough at 4 when you can't call all the shots

Some of you know about momma Heidi's boot camp that I had to start about a month ago with Bradley. I think somewhere into summer I just hadn't been as consistant with discipline. I think it was a slow process of just letting the little things unconciously slide which can turn into bigger things. Well it didn't take long to snap him back and it will be a daily work in progress for the rest of my life I'm sure, but I do have to say things are so much better and it doesn't take long for him to know who's in control. Well, yesterday he was a good boy up until he wanted to call the shots....He'll even tell me "mommy, see I'm being good today aren't I?" When I was sitting out on the deck after lunch talking to Craig and Bradley had went inside and came back out a little while later and said "come here mommy, I have a surprise for you" I went in and he had washed all the dishes for me just perfectly. It was his own little spontaneous idea. It was the sweetest thing. Craig and I just looked at each other and gave each other that Ooohhh look. You know the look.....the look of a mommy and daddys heart melting in a puddle. Anyway, the real part of my story is this. Later his buddies Ben & Abbey came over and I was cooking dinner and trying to get ready for small groups. Long story short, B & A go home and come back with their swim suits on as I'm ready to call for dinner. I was like "what's going on?" Bradley had sent them home to get their suits on to go swimming" I was like "oh no, it's dinner time and we gotta hurry" So I send the kids home. Then Bradley said "we can't eat yet because Ben is coming back to eat dinner with us" I was like "said who". Appartently he told Ben to come back to eat with us. So I went into this big long talk how Bradley doesn't just make all these sort of decisions and he needs to ask me first. He sat on the couch pouting and said he wasn't going to eat then and mumbled "little boys don't do" and I was like "little boys don't do what?" and he said "little boys don't always feel like doing what their mommys say" He wasn't being nasty just in a sad matter of fact way. I'm thinking to myself "oh brother, your little life is so tough isn't it" This whole scene was really quite comical but I still had to stand up and be the mean mommy and let him know who was in charge.

Hot Gramma

Ok mom, you asked for it...here's to the most beautiful gramma in the whole wide world. As Bradley would say "hot momma"

To all of my friends, you can ask me about this later. Hee Hee Hee!!!! Yes, I was pregnant with Alayna, that's why I look like a big "moose momma"

Busch Gardens

We had our first trip to Busch Gardens this summer and had a great time! We were so back and forth about whether we should go because it was one of the hottest days of the year once again, but we thought what the heck. We had free one day passes that expired in a week so we decided to go for it being that we would be out of town all next weekend and this would be our last chance to use them so we had nothing to lose. We got up there around 5pm and stayed until closing. Although it was quite humid we didn't have to bare the heat of the sun so that made it barible. We went up with our friends Matt and Melissa who are expecting their first baby and I thought if she can be 7 months pregnant and do it than so can I. They were so gracious to hang with us as we had our two little ones in tow. They got to experience first hand how life can go on after kids (perhaps with just a few interuptions along the way:) We have always been up for the challenge to keep up the pace no matter how many we have along the way and have fun making all the sweet, fun, and crazy memories!

Here's my sweet little dinosaur getting ready to hatch!!

Dinosaur Land is the best and we hung out there for quite awhile. Here's my 3 favorite people in the whole wide world:)
My other little dinosaur who had just hatched. What a cute little guy he is!!
I've never been in the Dark Castle, but I opted out this time and Craig, Matt and Melissa braved it alone. Bradley was too scared to go.
Alayna had a blast with Mr. Matt. During her fussy times when she didn't want mom or dad or we just couldn't console her, Matt was quick to take her and make her smile and laugh everytime. Thanks for your help Matt....you are going to be an awesome daddy very soon!!! She sure thought she was "big stuff" riding on his shoulders.
I was kidding Bradley and asked him if he wanted a picture with the cute little boy and he said "sure" Like why wouldn't I.

Bradley's first ride of the day and he was so excited!
Alayna loved hanging out splashing in the water at Dinosaur Land
Yes, I rode the dinosaur with Bradley. I'm not much of a ride person so this suited me just fine.

Matt and Craig braved the new Griffon ride and The Apollos Chariot and I was perfectly content hanging with Melissa on the ground. Roller Coasters scare the life out of me and I said to Melissa after the guys were gone for awhile "oh shoot, I forgot to pray for them" They came back in one piece anyway. Whew!!!

There's a Mouse in My House

Whoa! Two posts back to back almost. Aren't you all impressed? This isn't about the kids. It's about me and defending my house from a pesty little varment.

The other day Craig came home for lunch and normally we are here waiting for him if he calls or sometimes he'll surprise us. Well that was the case this time and we weren't home so he gave us a call to see where we were and he told me that when he got home he seen something run across the stove and scurry into backside of the stove and disappear. I paniced because at first I thought he was saying he seen someone in the house. Anyway...he said either it was a really big bug or a mouse. I tell him that "of course he was hallucinating" because there was certainly no mouse in my house. Well that night I came head on with the little you know what. We were all in the office and then Alayna and I went into the kitchen and sure enough he was by the sink and out came the screams and I just couldn't stop screaming. So then Alayna starts crying so hard. He was running around the counter crazy and went behind the coffee pot and right down thru the stove burner and disappeared. I guess I sent him into a tizzy. I scared Craig until it dawned on him that I had seen the mouse and he said "I told ya." Ok, so off to get traps. We have loaded them up with peanut butter ect.... and put one behind the stove and the counter. Each time we check the trap it is licked clean and no mouse. It is now time to take drastic action!!!! I say "how dare that thing outsmart us!!" Time to poison him!!!! I said to Craig "what would prevent him from getting upstairs to our bedroom?" and he so kindly said "nothing...just like it wouldn't take anything for him to climb up in your bed when you are sleeping at night, mice can get anywhere they want"...Isn't he hateful? HA! Now I certainly know that I am much bigger than the little rodent, but just the fact that he has invaded my home and running around anywhere he pleases is enough to send me dancing around the house. AND... I have a cat and the fat lazy girl ain't doing a thing about it!!!!!!!!!!! I'll keep you updated on when and how we get him. So far this morning...no mouse!! Sue, for you it's snakes and for me it's mice. I sure hope she's not having babies behind my stove?!?!?!?!?!?

My Little Scavenger Hunter

Well I've had a little pressure from some unnamed people (Uh Humm...Erica & Sue) to post a new blog since it's been brought to my attention that I haven't in a few weeks. HA!

We've sort of had the same little adventures so instead of blogging about the same things pool, beach etc...I've been sort of saving up for something a little more exciting:) We have had quite a few at home playdates and mommy break swaps weaved in the past few weeks as well. Moneiva and I took the kids to the pool on Tuesday and as we were leaving we ran into Jayne and Grayson and wished we could have stayed longer to play, but it was time for an over due nap for Miss Alayna.

Bradley went to a little Luau at the YMCA today. A little extra they did for the kids that was fun. So I did my workout and ran into Carol and Marsha. They were there to workout as well so it was fun to run into them. Their kids were there for the party too and that made Bradley's day to see some friendly faces to play with.

Well this is the real story I set out to write...the top part was just a little extra. I guess I should keep you updated on all the little day to day stories which one of them is about my little Alayna....She is still venturing out little by little and still is a long way off from how much Bradley used to get into at her age. She'll mess with a few things here and there..cupboards ect...but nothing that drives me crazy yet. However, she puts absolutely everything in her mouth. Yesterday was a highlight day for her with all kinds of treasures she did find. At one point she had 3 googly eyes from Bradley's craft box along with a little pebble she found from somewhere in her mouth at the same time. Some of the other things I pulled out of her mouth the same day were lightbright pieces, a tuft of cat hair (that was a little gross and interesting but, must have tasted good to her tho) and a little thing of staples. Now mind you I feel like I do keep things picked up but I guess she manages to find things in weird little places. I told Craig we don't need a dog because she clean sweeps the floor in about 2 seconds. We won't go there tho. Many times I've pulled out of her mouth food from dinner the night before and it isn't always pleasant. So needless to say these babies manage to survive thru these adventures of putting EVERYTHING in their mouths.

You made a little boys day!!!!

A great big THANK YOU to all of you who were so kind to Bradley either thru your cheers (Natalie:) or encouragement and praise about his swimming. Later today he said to me out of the blue "mommy, did you hear everyone telling me how good I did swimming?" I said "yes, buddy I did...how did that make you feel?" and he said "SO HAPPY!" I can't express it to you in a blog the expressions on his face or the way he said it but it was priceless and you could tell it made his day!!!! It did a mothers heart good too. You guys are the best!!!!

News Flash.....

The same spirit that can sometimes challenge me in Bradley is the same spirit that I love in him when it is used in the right way. It is the one of not giving up until the goal is accomplished. As I had posted in an earlier blog, Bradley has really come so far with his swimming. Today he reached a goal which was swimming the whole length of the pool without any life perserver. The reward of being able to accomplish that is you can go down the twisty slide at the "Y". He's never really made a big deal about doing it or not, but each time we go I mention to him... "remember when you swim the whole length of the pool you can go down the slide. He would say " I know mommy, but I'm not ready" I never pushed him. He really couldn't swim that far by himself and seemed like an eternity before he could do it but each time we would go and practice he would go further and further. I think he thought that he had so far to go but once he realized today how close the goal was, he was determined. He kept telling me it didn't matter if he did it or not but I could see it in his face that he was so deep in thought about the feat and I could see the determination in his face. He ended making it with me swimming by his side and only stopping once. A GREAT BIG CHEER FOR BRADLEY!!!!! By then he was so exhausted and said he didn't want to do it for the lifeguard yet so we took a rest. After we rested he said "mommy I think I'm ready to swim the whole length of the pool for the lifeguard" because he had to do it without me and for the lifeguard and do it without stopping .....so we went to get the life guard and off he went with me cheering the whole way and my heart doing flip flops. When he finished his little chest puffed up and the look on his face was one of pure satisfaction. He was so proud of himself and Bradley, mommy is so proud of you too. Up and down the slide he went for the next hour. He couldn't wait to call his daddy but didn't want to stop going on the slide long enough to call so being I was just as excited I called daddy for him and then he made a phone call later that day to tell him. Daddy was so proud too!!

Yummy plants and silly brains

Ok here's to my family... who I know are anxiously waiting for updates on the kids. I feel bad when they check my blog and find nothing new. I really could post everyday with all the crazy things that happen but due to time I don't always get to it. I'll start with Alayna....As you all know she started crawling awhile back and I really didn't have to be on my toes as much as I thought because she would only stay in one room. She would cry for me to come and get her and I guess she didn't realize she could come find me... well guess what ....now she's learned to come find me. About a week ago she slowly started venturing out of the living room into the other rooms. I was getting ready to leave the house one day last week and Bradley was ahead of me and I knew Alayna was somewhere in the vacinity and Bradley goes "uh mommy, you may want to come here" just the way he said it I knew it wasn't going to be good. Well there was that sweet little thing covered from head to toe in dirt...in the mouth and all. She had so quickly gotten into the palm by the front door. Ugh....it had to happen right as I'm leaving right?!?! Couldn't resist to laugh because what are ya gonna do anyway?

Ok, so now her new thing is when I'm feeding her jar food (which I rarely do now since she's into so many new yummy things) is blowing and spitting her food back at me. Once again, this was something baby Bradley used to do which was something else that was almost my birth control making him my only child. Well she just thinks is so funny and she doesn't take into account that I've got a white shirt on or the fact that I myself don't have a bib on ect... So I've gotten smarter now and I quick give her a bite and cover her mouth and the food then goes in my hand and not all over me. YIKES!! I think she just loves the spitting sound she makes with her tongue.

On to my little rebel....Not too long ago Craig had to give Bradley a spanking. Well....after Craig did it Bradley crosses his arms as he's trying not to cry and so fiercly growls "THAT DIDN'T HURT AND I'M NOT GONNA CRY BECAUSE I'M 4 NOW!!" We were like "WHOA, what a big tough guy you are. Of course we got a chuckle out of that just because of the nature of how he said it.

His passion in life is being silly well this past week he went to a different VBS M-W and the first day I asked how he did and the teacher told me he was sent out in the hall for fooling around with his buddy and not listening when she told him to stop. How embarassing right!?!? The next day I guess he did better but was still silly. The last day was the little program at the end and I was sitting back a few rows watching him being the only kid under the pew and wiggling and bouncing all over the place thinking "my word, I think he's ready for Riddlin"...asking myself if he had ADD. When their class went up to sing, at first he wouldn't sing and was trying to get a rise out of the teacher. I think he ended up singing the last few lines of the last song. I guess he just gets extremely bored really quick. I guess I'd be more worried if I never seen him being able to focus on any task, which he can if it's something he's interested in. So for now we'll just deal as we go. We had a talk with him about it each day and did the discipline thing and when I would ask him "why Bradley didn't you listen?" He would say "mommy I'm so sorry, but I want to listen and try to listen but it's just so hard to listen all the time" he went on to say the last day "my brains just keep telling me to be silly" now where'd the kid come up with that? Oh and get this.... he's had problems with ear wax build up lately and he told me "mommy there's just so much wax in my ears, it's blocking my hearing. Gotta give him credit for coming up with such quick witted excuses.

I was trying to get him to have some quiet time in his room today and as I was leaving he goes "mommy, I love you, but when is daddy coming home?" I think he thought if daddy was home he wouldn't have to have rest time!!

Oh, how I love both of my babies to the moon and back and how they keep me laughing and constantly challenging me to be much wiser than them.

Pool Fun At Carols

Carol and Bradley....sorry Carol don't strangle me for putting this picture of you on, but I only got 3 pics from the day so I had to use it. You look gorgeous!!!!!

Jordon hanging out with Alayna...it's not "hi Heidi how are you doing anymore...it's where's the baby?"....what's up with that guys:(

Bradley jumping off the diving board with Tyler cheering him on. He's not quite brave enough to go off the diving board without the vest yet, just off the side.
Yesterday was one of those spontaneous (yes I have to say it) pool days like so many have blogged about. We were packed up and headed out the door so I could get my much needed work out in and then after I was going to hit the pool to get some quality time in with just Bradley. Well my phone rang as we were leaving and it was my friend Carol who is not old enough to be my mom but enough to be a big sister. We have been friends with them and their family for gosh...at least 13 years so they are like family to us. I love to be able to say that because it's difficult sometimes to not live close to any of our family. We are thankful to have them in our life. She is always begging to take my kids because she loves them so and her kids are older and are totally into Bradley and absolutely love babies and of course Alayna is just that and they both adore Tyler and Jordon. Probably because they get constant attention. Anyway, she invited us over to swim in their pool and the kids had a blast. Her pool has a diving board so that makes it a little more "cooler" than the YMCA. The kids were up and down jumping off the diving board all day long. Bradley was so exhausted he fell asleep in the car at 5:30pm and didn't wake up until this morning at 7am. Did I take any pictures?...yes....but only got 3 because...did my camera battery die once again....YES!!! I think it's time for a replacement. Anyway, I have to brag on my little guy, he is emerging into quite the little swimmer. He went from about a month ago being able to kick his legs up in the shallow end and keep himself up to swim a few paddles to now jumping off in the deep end with no life jacket and being able to swim to the side. The new big thing as of today is cannon balling (WHOA! sounds like such a big boy thing) into the water with no jacket off the deep end and swimming out to me. Of course I keep backing up to challenge him and out come the screams of "help me or I'll drown!" Yes, we had another day of water fun today too!! Thanks Carol for such a fun day swimming...it's all Bradley's been talking about.