Star Wars Reads 2012

 

Our local library hosted National Star Wars Reads day, and we went with Brennan’s great friends Alexander and Cassidy…

Brennan and his Yoda cookie…..

Of course, it is not a Star Wars party without a Darth Vader…..the boys were a little scared at first….

But soon got into battle mode. 

Outside is a cool park and Brennan was in full Jedi Battle mode…..I love this sequence….

Not sure I could have set up with this shot if I tried….>I love how it looks like Alexander is bowing to the honorable Jedi Brennan…..

October Randoms & Alley Party

Brennan’s self-portrait complete with name and the word ‘me’……we celebrate the small stuff here. 

Brennan’s homework last week included making a mask out of a paperplate.  He chose to make a batman mask, of course.  He was pleased as could be with his mask when it was done.  He had to get his Darth Vader cape and get into character. 

On Friday I got home to find a major party in the alley.  Our neighbors the Maybells and of course the Hoffmans had been out since about 4pm – the kids were biking, scootering, playing with toys in the Maybells garage.

I wasn’t sure how much longer the party was going to continue, so at about 5:30pm I came in the house and started warming up a huge pot of leftover Chicken Tortilla Soup and went back outside.  About 6:30pm, I came back in and loaded it and all the toppings out on my tray and brought out dinner to the troops still hanging out in the alley.  They all thought I was Martha Stewart or something for bringing out soup, bowls, sour cream, cheese, etc.  The guys went up and even brought down the Maybell’s heat lamp from their back patio.   Molly made mac-n-cheese and hotdogs, grapes, & hot chocolate for the kids.  We didn’t come in until the sun was completely down and it was time for bed – about 8pm.  Pretty amazing night for October 5th!  It was great fun!  

Caelan chowing on some Chicken Tortilla Soup before the next round came around…..

October 2012–Happy Birthday Mama!

 

Brennan was of course VERY excited for my birthday this year.  When you are FIVE birthdays are big deals…..big deals that must involve a party.  He woke up early on Sunday (the day before) ready to decorate for the get-together Sean had planned for that evening. 

 

Unfortunately, we had no tape in the house, so we had to go out shopping before he could get to business.  While they decorated, I got to go upstairs and put my feet up and I took the opportunity to do some shopping online and ended up finding some clothes to order.  When he came up to get me I was just about ready to push ‘confirm’ on my purchase.  He wanted to lead me down the stairs with my eyes closed, so that is why I have my computer with me in the picture below. 

Very proudly showing off his decorations and wrapped gift. 

For my birthday, we had the Hoffman’s over for pizza and a ‘good’ bottle of wine, and of course chocolate cake!

On my actual birthday, I was treated to omelets in the morning, and a haircut/color during lunch.  And, for dinner, Sean had arranged for our babysitter to come and hang out with the kids while we went to dinner.  It was an absolutely lovely evening, and we were able to sit out on the patio at the restaurant.  After dinner we came home to have chocolate cake and a little dance party with the babysitter.  It was a great birthday.  Not sure I’m looking forward to the big 4-0 next year, though…..

Beautiful Fall

So, Brennan has a deep love for his Teddy…..Caelan’s true love is for her monkey.  This monkey came in the back of the rolling backpack we gave Brennan years ago and unfortunately we only have ONE of them (as opposed to the 2 Teddies we have for Brennan).  I’ve already had to repair monkey’s arm. 

Sean was getting ready for a backpacking trip a few weeks back and thought it would be funny to see if Caelan wanted a ride.  She thought this was fun….kinda OK…..for just a little bit…..then she wanted OUT. 

These pictures were taken while I was at work……so I don’t know the whole story….but they crack me up.  Brennan has decided that when we say "’cheese’ he needs to cock his head to the side  - and now Caelan does the same thing.  This is because one of my favorite pictures of Brennan that is hanging up in the Living room has him posed that way.

Here you can see the ‘famous’ picture in the back ground……

Is Brennan excited about Kindergarten?

Brennan recited this for Sean today after school, and luckily I was able to capture this precious version at dinner tonight.  This is a pledge that all the kids at Grand Ridge Elementary school must learn.....their mascot is the Grizzly.  I love this so much.....I keep watching it over and over. 

btw, his hair is all messed up from his bike helmet.  I think it actually adds to the cute factor in this video.   

Random September 2012

Would we have ever considered doing this ‘style’ of potty training when Brennan was this age - putting the potty IN THE KITCHEN & on top of our BAR STOOLS?  No way
…..BUT, she has successfully pooped in the potty 3 times using this method!  We stay very close by, and usually her seat is in the middle chair, so she wouldn't fall far. 

We’re not pushing it…..if she wakes up and she hasn’t pooped yet – we know its coming……so, if she wants to sit on the potty while she eats, we set her up. 

Brennan cracks me up in the picture below.  He is usually so resistant to getting his picture taken….but for this one he cocks his head, sticks it in my shot and smiles a ‘cool’ smile…..

On Saturday I looked in the living room and caught Caelan setting up her puppy and taking ‘pictures’ of it (with an old non-working radio).  Like mother like daughter….Awesome…..

On Sunday, we went to a birthday party for Austin, who is the son of an old co-worker of Sean’s.  Brennan LOVED the playset – perhaps inspired by the recent Olympics. 

This slide was very fast…….

and, the landing was a little ‘rough”……but she kept going back for more, each time landing hard and whimpering a little…..

I love my camera for being able to capture great shots like the ones below.  I took these while she was swinging….

Brennan’s First Day of Kindergarten

 

Brennan’s first day of Kindergarten was today – and believe it or not, there were no tears shed – by any of us!  Brennan has never really had separation anxiety, so I knew he would have no problem leaving us to go off with his class.   But, I was surprised that I was able to keep myself together. 

I scoped out a lot of cute ideas for ‘first day of school pictures’ on Pinterest…..I absolutely LOVE how these turned out!

In the pictures below, he is holding a picture from his First Day of Preschool last year. 

Of course, we had to get a picture with Cassidy.  She and Brennan’s other friend, Alexander, are in another class, unfortunately.  But, they will have fun biking to school and back every day that is nice. 

You could see the nerves settle on his face a little bit once he got lined up with his class.  He didn’t know anybody in his class and he was standing by all the girls. 

Papa and Caelan continued down the hill after dropping off B to go workout.  He’s going to take advantage of the nice days while he can.  This is Caelan waving goodbye to her brother. 

This is at noon when we went to pick him up from school.  He’s been cramming his fingers in his mouth ever since we restricted his ‘teddy’ time to the nighttime.   I also wonder if it isn’t a sign that he’s going to start getting some loose teeth. 

Love this look of pure excitement and joy!  Such a handsome boy!

Brennan and his good friend Alexander, reunited after school. 

Brennan and his new teacher, Mrs Chen.