So, three months have gone by....

Seriously? What's the deal?

A couple of things:

1) a computer is acting goofy, which means we are down to just one 'puter and it is about 10 years old and kinda slow.

2) the batteries in my camera always are dead. I never could figure out why (I always thought it was because my husband buys cheapo ones on eBay and they just don't hold their charge). I now think it is because Braden often gets ahold of the camera and takes pictures and wastes the charge.

3) I have been busy! What has happened between August 22 (my last post) and now? 13 weeks of school!

4) I've started seriously running and working out at 5 in the mornings, which means I go to bed as soon as I can. I used to blog after the kids were in bed, but now I'm in bed, too.

So, 'nough complaining from you all (mostly Linsey). Now I'm posting...

A circular conversation

Out of the clear blue sky, Braden said to me, with a very matter-of-fact tone, "Mommy, I hate crabs."

"Really," I say, "why?"

"Because I don't like them," was the reply, with a very "duh" tone.

"Why don't you like them?"

"Because I hate them."

"But why do you hate them?"

"I just told you why. Because I don't like them."

sheesh, kid!

Family Fun Night

This was a very long week: The boys were back in daycare full time. Both are in new rooms with new teachers and new kids. I was back at work full time for our New Teacher Induction program and planning staff development stuff for Friday and next week. Kyle was...well, I'm not sure. He had an all-day department meeting one day (and I thought our three hour staff meeting on Friday was long!), and one day I think he palpated cows. He's been in Huntsville alot, anyhow. We're all tired and grouchy in the evenings during the week, and it seems like we just haven't spent much time together--we needed a fun evening out!

Braden said he wanted to eat "somewhere new." (That's a little strange considering the kid only eats about three food products: quesadillas, french fries, and PB&Js). Ninfa's opened in a new location a few months ago, so that's where we went. Amazingly, the kids behaved! They didn't try to run around or climb under the table; they ate their food without fighting over it; they didn't spill their drinks (which were delivered in large to-go cups because they were out of kid's lids). They were all-around very pleasant to be with! Of course, the two Ninfaritas I had could have made all the difference!

Afterwards, everyone was in such a good mood that it seemed a shame to go back to the house. I planted an idea in Braden's head to go to the "fire and fountain" so when he asked daddy to go to the "ice cream fountain" daddy couldn't say no! Daddy also didn't know what Braden was talking about...

We went to the Ben & Jerry's by the fountain and fire torch things on University Drive. Garrett ordered chocolate; Braden ordered yellow. Yellow? Ice cream? Ahh, mango sherbert is what he wanted. Garrett ate about a quarter of his, smeared about a quarter around his face, and gave me the rest. Braden gave me a taste (yuck!) and then ate every last drop.

The boys (including Kyle) chased each other around for awhile until Braden found some large water puddles. We left for home shortly afterwards.

All it all, it was a great evening. We need family fun nights more often!

5 weeks since an update?!

Can it be? What in the world has happened?

Well, a couple of things:

First, our satellite internet went out in a big storm (no, I don't know how those things work--ask Kyle).

Second, I learned that there is life without the internet (gasp!).

Third, it took awhile for us to switch satellite internet companies.

Fourth, I was enjoying my life without the internet so much that I just haven't updated!

So, what's been going on, you ask?
The boys have been having MAJOR sibling rivalry. Garrett wants to play with "Broder" all the time. Maybe I should be more specific: Garrett wants to play with whatever toy Braden is playing with all the time. Braden doesn't want to have anything to do with Garrett.

In fact, Braden has made his opinion known about his younger brother quite a bit lately. Several weeks ago, it was, "Mommy, why do we have Garrett anyway?" And then last week, "Mommy, if Garrett was still in your tummy then he wouldn't bug me so much." Remember that Garrett has been OUT of my tummy for over two years and three months!

I think going back to daycare will be good for them. Give them a little separation. Make 'em miss each other a little bit.

Alright--I hear fussing in the living room where they are both watching Thomas. That reminds me of another reason I haven't posted in five weeks: I can't leave the two of them alone, and I can't sit at my computer and type for more than a few minutes...gotta run...

What a wudrfl world!

Last night, while taking a bath, Braden was playing with his foam letters. "I'm going to spell wonderful!" he yelled to me as I was putting a diaper on Garrett in Garrett's room.

"Great, Braden, go for it."

A few moments passed, then,"Momma! Come look! I did it! Like on WordWorld!"

I went into the bathroom and to my amazement the word "WUDRFL" was in foam letters on the bathtub wall.

Wow.

Can it bee?

Those of you who know us know that we rarely watch movies. Why? Lots of reasons...too much to do, too cheap/lazy to rent movies, short attention spans, etc.

So last night we did something very unusual for us--we had family movie night! Thanks to Tiffany, I am no longer wary of those Redbox DVD rental machines outside of McDonalds. Thanks to Jon & Kate + 8, a family movie night looked like (gasp) fun.

I popped popcorn, made chocolate milk for the kids, hot tea for me, and we ALL snuggled on the couch for an hour and a half of family movie fun.

Can you guess what we watched? Bee Movie! It was pretty cute, and entertaining enough to keep the kids' attention. Braden sat between Kyle and me and covered his eyes a few times at some mildly scary parts (it was so cute!). Garrett sat in my lap and about midway through crashed over on the pillow. Cali snuggled down under a blanket between my legs and Braden's. Kyle looked a bit grumpy at one point when it appeared the movie was taking a turn toward animal rights propoganda. Overall, it was an enjoyable night together. We need to do it again, but considering that we average one movie per year, it might be awhile!

Chef Braden

Braden made his own dinner last night. He got out his special blue cereal bowl that has a straw attached to it, filled it with Cheetos and goldfish, mixed the two together, and then insisted that I pour milk in the bowl.

"Braden that is gonna be disgusting," I said.

Braden, whining, replied, "Nooooo it's not. I looooove it. I reeaaally reeaaally want it."

So I decided it wasn't worth the argument and poured milk into his bowl. He very carefully carried the bowl to the table, eyeing it the entire time to be sure he didn't spill any of his precious mixture. He climbed up into a chair, dipped his spoon into the bowl and....

...didn't like it one bit! Surprise!

I think he'll let me fix his dinner from now on...or at least listen to my advice.