Creative.

I have been determined to come up with creative and fun ideas for Leah and Brayden to enjoy.  Leah is a much easier age to try new things as she doesn't try to eat everything in sight, but there have been a few things Brayden has been able to enjoy too.  I found a really fun blog, Play At Home Mom.  They have some of the most creative ideas to do with your children.  I have taken the bull by the horns and we are doing more fun things every day.

Brayden naps in the morning, and this is normally when Leah and I do something very special together.  Leah has been enjoying water beads, flower foam, giant bubble houses, chalk, paint, and bubbles all just this week!  She learns so many new things with every activity.  She learned how purple can be a light shade or a dark shade from the water beads.  She learned different textures - slimy, slippery, squishy, soft, hard, gross, smooth.. the list is never ending.  I gave her these things and let her imagination run wild.  I didn't tell her how to play with it.  I didn't tell her she was doing it the wrong way.  Today, she was cutting foam blocks... She was very into putting the butter knife into the foam when suddenly she asked me for Noah's animals (from her Noah's Ark).  I came back with the animals and started placing them on her foam blocks when she said, "Not there Momma, animals hungry."  She started cutting off little foam pieces and put the animals in a circle to eat together.  I was amazed she knew exactly what she wanted them to do.  The joy in her face getting to experience these things has been amazing.

We have so many more fun things in store.  I am so excited to find new and creative ideas for her to do.  Since starting this new method, she has been happier, easier, and calmer.  It is amazing.  I challenge you to try it too, and just see how it changes things... And please, if you have some creative ideas - let me know!  I'd love to try them!!

Grayma

Grayma came on Brayden's birthday to visit and help with his party.  She didn't realize she was coming to two sick babies.  Brayden started with a fever on Sunday.  He vomited and had diarrhea on Monday, and Leah soon followed.   Poor Leah was so sick on Tuesday.  She never falls asleep anywhere but her room, but she took a nap on the futon mattress, and a nap on me that day.  They were both feeling back to normal on Thursday.  Thank goodness.

My Mom and I worked like crazy to get things ready for Brayden's party.  We had so much fun.  We did all kinds of projects, and it seemed like we never got the chance to sit down.  By the end of Brayden's party my Mom, Jen, Leah, and I were so exhausted we ended up going to a nail salon for pedicures.  It was so relaxing. Leah was adorable.  She got to watch a princess video while getting her nails painted.  She was so proud of her beautiful nails.  She walked around ever so carefully too.  It was so cute.

We went to the beach on Saturday.  Leah wasn't too thrilled with it.  I think she was still pretty tired from the party.  My Mom got a camera lesson from Dad Carlson while Cavan and I put the kids down for a nap.  My Mom and I went to Tanger and got her some adorable outfits.  Then we ended up going to Brodway at the Beach and let Leah play in the bouncy houses.  She had so much fun.  She worked up an appetite so we got some frozen yogurt.  She really enjoyed it too.  We were right next to a princess store, so she had to go inside. She found a princess dress she just needed so she changed right there at the checkout counter.  She got sparkled by some glitter dust and was smiling so big I thought her cheeks would hurt.

We went back to the bouncy houses and let her burn off some of the yogurt.  She had so much fun and fell asleep quickly last night after saying goodbye to Grayma.

Thank you Grayma for EVERYTHING!  We miss you already!

ps- since I have SO many photos.. I am going to keep them small, you can click on the photo to make it bigger.

Birthday Boy.

Brayden's party was amazing.  It was exactly what I hoped for.  With countless hours of preparing for his big bash under my belt, I felt that every second was worth it.  He had a ball, and it was wonderful celebrating our little man with the family and close friends that have been a huge part of his life.

I made cake pops, cheesecake bites, and a special cake for Brayden.  We also had Chick-fil-A nuggets, cucumber sandwiches, candy, and sparkling juice.  Everything was amazing.  I am so happy with how it turned out.

The older kids enjoyed crawling and running in a homemade bubble Cavan made.  It was a hit!  Brayden was so excited to have his little girlfriend, Evangeline at his party, they seemed to enjoy catching up.  Leah was over the top excited to have Miles and her cousin, Aubrey here.

I have never seen so much exciting chaos while opening presents, but it was awesome.  We are still discovering new toys we didn't even know he got.  It was such a fun and gorgeous day.  Brayden deserved it.  A special thank you to my Mom, bestie Jen, and my Mother-in-Law for making this day so special.  I couldn't have done it without you guys!

Happy Birthday Brayden!!