March...in like a lion, out like a lamb

Well, tomorrow if March 1st, and the weather forcast is calling for icing and 5-7 inches of snow!! We have been robbed of snow before, so we aren't counting our chickens, but it's be nice to have a SNOW DAY!! Bev and Louie are in for a rude awakening, coming from balmy Florida! We told them the forcast today and Bev said she was going to turn around a go back! Of course, with Puxatawny Phil prediciting 6 more weeks of winter, I guess we shouldn't be surprised! In other news, our dishwasher was making a funny noise. Brant took it apart and found 3 sippy straws down in it...been wondering where they were (have since thrown away the sippys). Good news, no more funny noise! It's yucky rainy and cold here...oh Spring...wherefore art thou? Little Brantley and his parents want to play outside!

Brant's first day bowling

Today was a day of firsts for Brant. We scheduled a family day, meaning Mom got to play hooky (I had a dentist appointment anyway) and Daddy knew he wouldn't get anything done on the house. It started off this morning, with Brant getting ready for school, or, him not getting ready...It was Brant's First P.J. Day!! He got to wear his jammies to school, which he thought was pretty cool. We decided to take him bowling after school. I went to the dentist...look, no cavities!! and met the boys at the bowling alley. We were the only ones bowling, so it was lots of fun, and we had free reign of it all. Brant thought the bowling shoes were great, and that they make a great sound, and gave all of us high fives when we knocked down our pins!! Brantley won a game, and I won a game...our scores weren't too bad...well, there were bumpers up!! Little Brant made it through one game, then lost interest, it was much more fun to swivel on the chairs! After we bowled we went to eat "Baby hotdogs" or corn dog bites from Blue Ribbon. They day wore all of us out, and after I came back from running a few more errands, I found the boys sound asleep in Brant's bed. After a nap, they were raring to go, so we built a fire in the chimena and spent some time outside. It was a beautiful day, a balmy 65, but breezy. We tried out Brantley's new frisbee golf game that he got from his boy for Christmas. We're wrapping up the day with a movie night, I must go fetch "The Boy" from Gagi's "NEW house." Much love to all!

My daddy can do anything!

Wow, it's been a while since I've gotten the blog updated. To be honest, I don't know where the time has gone. We've had a visit from Mom Mom and Pop Pop, finished siding the back porch, and have been fighting sniffles/allergies. But I think we are all on the mend now, and are looking forward to another visit from Mom Mom and Pop Pop, on their way back from Florida. There was only to be one stop, but unfortunantly, Bev broke a tooth and had to visit our dentist. The result was a return visit to get a crown. Little Brant and I have started a weekly tradition of visiting the library. On the way there, Brant announces from his booster (!) in the backseat that "My Daddy can do anyfing." I replied, "Really, like what?" thinking he would say something specific....he just replied, "You know, like Handy Manny!" So now, I live with Brant the Builder and Handy Brantley!! I'l try and write more later, and be better about keeping up! Love to all!

The correct way to shave

Wow! Early spring has sprung around here. We had a wonderful weekend, wearing shorts and digging in the dirt...my favorite activities. Brant's too! While Daddy worked on soffitts, we planted about 100 bulbs! Good thing I got my Valentine's Day present early, a new gardening organizer bag, gloves, spade, pruners and BULB PLANTER!! Gee, do my boys know what I love? And it's all color coordinated. To quote Brantley, "I knew you would get a bigger kick out of it all matching, then if it didn't!" Little Brant delivered it to me (with Daddy's permission) and yelled "SU PRISE MOMMY!" Brant's been going through another boo boo phase. It seems like every so often, he has a lot of accidents. I'm sure it's something to do with how fast he is growing, and the coordination difficulties. Yesterday he fell into one of our tomato cages in the back (he was attempting to climb them, or craw through them, I haven't decided yet.) Then he slipped on the retaining wall bricks on my flower bed. Today, he somehow scraped his chin at Grandma's, and then bumped his head at home! And he new response when he hurts himself...."I wanna go to da DOCTOR!" Oh well, at least it's not as bad as the permanent bruise he had on his head for about 3 months one time! Today, Brant and I were taking a shower (to save time) and I was shaving my legs. He looked at me and said, "No, no Mommy, shave DOWN! Daddy said you always shave DOWN!" Nobody can say he's not learning useful life skills being home with his Daddy! Well, there's a sleepy boy here, and a sleepy Mommy too. I think we'll snuggle on the couch for a bit...I can hear Diego in the distance! Love to all!

The first parent-teacher conference

Yesterday, Brantley and I reported to Brant's playschool for his first parent-teacher conference. No, he was not in trouble, it was just an assesment that all the children took part in, and we got the results. Basically, it was one of those things saying your child is on the level, or not. I have to admit, it was very different being in the parent seat, and I think it will influence my approach during my own conferences as the teacher. To cut to the chase, he's doing great. He takes after his daddy a bit, becuase he likes to be in the perimeter of the action, but to quote his teacher, Ms. Anissa, "Brantley is such a HAPPY child! Always smiling, with a can-do attitude, he's ready for Playschool and all the fun! In the coming months we will continue to expose Brantley to social activities-group and one to one. Repetition of language that builds friendships and confidence will help him to socially grow. I have really enjoyed watching him mature, right before my eyes!" Playschool has been such a blessing to Brantley, because, really, he's around adults most of the time. He's got some friends he plays with in the neighborhood, but all of his cousins are far away. We are working on the social skills with kids his own age, but, as we already knew, he's right on track for his age.

Well, I'm heading for bed, and have been for the last 20 minutes! I had a great talk with the Japan Soules, or rather, the Japan Soule girls. Happy 16th Birthday to Hannah!! Our sweet 16!! Lots of love to all of you who are reading, but for one reason or another, haven't been able to get signed up as followers! It keeps surprising me to find out who is reading this blog, each week, I find out someone new! So, I'll keep it up, it's a great way to chronicle our lives, and to keep all of our family and friends close to our hearts.

Brant the Builder visits Mom's Book Club

Yesterday, due to scheduling conflicts on all parts, Brant the Builder joined me at my teacher's book club. I was providing snacks and had to attend, not only for renewal credits, but also, I love my book club. So I decided, for better or worse, Brant would come with me. My teacher friends are the best, most having small children themselves, so I knew it wouldn't be a problem. Armed with his book to share, crayons, paper and snacks, we made our way to the library. Upon opening the door of the library, Brant announces "I going to check out a choo-choo booky!" We've been going to the library most weekends, and he knows what you do in the library, although...the quiet part is still difficult. My friend Say, the librarian, shows him where some picture books are, and he's good to go...not to mention that they have rolly step stools! Needless to say, Brant did great, enchanted my friends, AND shared his book during his turn. When it was finally my turn, I opened my mouth to tell my summary and Brant looks up at me and announces..."Mommy, I HAVE to go potty!" Guess I'll just have to share next time! We all got a kick out of it, and off we ran. We made it through the whole meeting. Brant continues to impress me!

This afternoon we finally got some family time. Brantley is off today and tomorrow, and was doing some work on the porch. We got cheated out of a snow day today (I mean, come on people! It was a 70% chance and we got nuthin'!) so I got home from school. As we got comfy, and Brant was finishing up cutting some wood, Brantley decides he needs to cut some wood too. He runs and gets his toy saw...and low and behold..it just doesn't get the job done. He was not impressed, and as you can tell from the picture, only the real thing gets it done!

Gettin' work done

Brant the Builder and "Big Daddy" have been "gettin' work done" around the house and Mommy has been keeping the inside going. We officially have enclosed our back porch. We have new windows, a new BEEUTIFUL door, and new laundry room windows too! Big Daddy, as Brant sometimes calls him (a combination of Big Brantley and Daddy) has been assisting Brant the Builder in all the work. I'm truly impressed with what they both get done! I came home and the laundry room had been cleaned (huge yucky task) and rearranged....and de-junkiefied! It's beautiful! Even before being redone! Not much else has been going on here, we're daily regulars at Lowe's and we've been running around like crazy people! One thing I did notice is that in the last few days, Brant has been saying the "S" sound! It's quite cute, with a little lisp! We'll keep you posted, lots of love to all!