The FLU!

That nasty flu bug has been visiting our house! We took Brayton in to Doctors Care Thursday night because he was running a fever and not acting himself. We pretty much knew to be on the look out because cousin Chase had it, and well....you know how it is when the family gets together :-) We thought little Chase just had an ear infection, but...we were wrong!

We were surprised, however, when the doctor came in and told us Brayton was the "first case of positive H1N1 AND seasonal flu, and first case of seasonal flu this season." I think she scared him to death, bless his heart, he just started crying when she said that! And Frank tried to be a smart butt by asking, "are we gonna be on the news?!" I can't bring him anywhere! (He was only KIDDING, by the way!)

Anyway, Brayton is doing much better. He just doesn't have much of an appetite. That Tamiflu is a miracle drug! We were told to keep him out of school all week, so I am enjoying him being home with me. I'm giving him all kinds of love and attention. I really miss him being home all day with us...I could get a little sad about it (until he starts driving me crazy and being super hyper, then I'm ready to send him back to school, ha! ha). On Friday, I had Frank and Brayton home all day!

We also had our parent/teacher conference on Friday. I won't go into all the details, but I will say....we couldn't be PROUDER! She told us Brayton was her model student. They are keeping him challenged, but in a nut shell...he already knows what he needs to know for Kindergarten! There is a new test that they just came out with (BenchMark?) and he will hopefully be tested in December for that. He is all in to writing his own books right now. It's too cute. He wrote a book and brought it in to show his teacher and she ended up reading it to the class. I've been saving all this stuff, but I tell you...it gets out of control after a while!

Brinlee is as funny and adorable as ever. She is talking more and more everyday. She is obsessed with "dogs" and "babies". When she's ready to go night-night she starts waving to her Daddy and Bubby. Her little appetite is really picking up, too. She's been picking up where Brayton has left off. She luckily, did NOT have the flu. At least, as far as we know. She wasn't showing any symptoms and I didn't have her tested. They did give us all Tamiflu, so if she had it, we didn't know....thankfully! Her hair is really growing fast, too! I'm wondering when I should cut it. Seems like once you get their hair cut they really lose the baby look. I want to keep the baby look!

And, one more thing....HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAVEN ANN! Today my precious little niece is 2 years old. I witnessed her birth and it was the most AMAZING thing ever. I can't believe it has been 2 years! I feel so sad that we missed her "Dora" party, but we didn't want to get anyone else sick!

OK, this post was supposed to be short and sweet...that NEVER happens. I always have too much to say :-)

Fire Station Field Trip and a Birthday!

Brayton was lucky to have a field trip scheduled on his birthday! What a special day it was...

Frank and I both chaperoned. All the kids WALKED to the fire station. I was a little nervous at first, but it is basically right across the street. They had a fire truck actually block the road when it was time to cross. The kids thought this was so cool because they had on their sirens and all!

We brought Brayton his favorite for lunch...Sub Way! We then headed down to the fire station for the little field trip. After that, they came back into the class room and sang "Happy Birthday" to Brayton. It was a cute little song that actually brought tears to my eyes. I feel so blessed to have been there for it all. I made cupcakes for the class, so after they finished those we signed him out early.

He wanted Wisabi, even though he had already eaten earlier (of course Frank and I did NOT argue about that). We considered it an early dinner anyway :-) We were literally the ONLY people in the restaurant, so we got special treatment!! They made a big deal out of this birthday, and he loved it!

Once we got our bellies full we headed to his favorite place ever, Frankies Fun Park! We rode go carts, played games and just had a great time. They gave him a cute little birthday hat, he was feeling really special! We couldn't have asked for a better day, and it was beautiful outside!

These are the moments I want to engrave into my brain, I hope I NEVER forget them. I feel so blessed to be able to experience these little things with the kids. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with happiness and feel like I have so more than I deserve. I have the BEST husband in the world and the most WONDERFUL kids, too! Life is great, but I know it can all change in a heart beat! Thank you, Jesus for it all :D!!!

(This is the banner I made for him on his FIRST birthday....I make sure to hang it up for him every year! Brinlee has one, too! )

those faces....

Brinlee has started something new...giving dirty looks. She has always been known for her silly faces, but the looks she's been giving lately have been down right dirty!!! She has got it down, too. She cuts those little eyes and wrinkles her forehead, it's so funny! She's especially good at it when you tell her "no". And you know we all laugh at her, she cracks us up!

I've tried over and over to capture it on camera, but I can't. Every time she see's the camera she grins and says "cheeeeeeeeeeeese". You'd have to see it in person to appreciate it anyway.
I did get to catch some other silly faces....

She got her 2nd flu shot today and happened to cut the nurse one of those looks. And can you believe she didn't even cry?!? Luckily, Brayton was able to get the flu mist, he was so relieved and happy :-D

ps- Tiffany and I took the girls to IOP on Sunday for a little photo session, they had a blast running around and getting dirty! It was really too cloudy and windy for pictures, but at least they had fun!

Happy Birthday, Brayton Cade!!

(It was actually yesterday,but like with everything else...I am LATE :-) )

My baby boy is now 6 years old. I just can't believe it. Seems like yesterday I held him in my arms for the first time and fell completely in love. My life, my purpose, everything changed that day...and I am so glad it did. I never knew that my heart was capable of holding so much love. He changes everyday and continues to amaze me. He still has my heart, and those big brown eyes still work wonders!! He is the total package...I mean, I know he's MY child, but seriously!!! He is handsome, sweet, smart, funny, athletic...but most importantly, he has a heart of gold and holds Jesus in his heart. He has such a deep understanding and love for Christ for such a young age. I could not ask for more. I am super blessed and super thankful that God chose me to be his mommy....

I love you, Brayton Cade...Happy Birthday!

Too cute for words.....

It must be the eyes....

I have to agree with you...I think she's starting to look a lot like me......ha! ha! ha!
Not that you actually think that, but I do, especially in this picture :D

It might be the eyes. Speaking of that, a few weeks ago Brayton did ask me if I were from China. He was like "serious mommy, look in the mirror! Your face looks like it!" After having some fun with him, I did tell him I wasn't from China, nor were any of his grandparents (that I am aware of). He then ask this..."well then are you from Mexican?" We need to stay out of the La Hacienda for a week or two, ha! ha! Gotta love those kids!

She's loves spaghetti just like her momma!

I could seriously just eat her up right now!!!!!!

Our Week in Review

Another busy, fun week has gone by...so I'm going to try to hit the highlights :D

Monday Night we went to Kylee's game to watch her cheer. I thought I was possibly ready for Brayton to play football, but after watching them play for about 5 minutes...I WAS WRONG! There is no way I'm ready to send my boy out there to get tackled and crushed...no way! Now flag football, that's another story. It's something we're actually thinking about for winter at the YMCA.

Anyway, check out this BEAUTIFUL little girl. She's a natural born cheerleader...and a natural born beauty!!!
Chase is a pretty good cheerleader, too...he knows all the moves!

Look how tiny this little guy is...he was playing with BIG 7 year olds!!!!

We were lucky to have Ge Ge for the night. She had dinner with us (Welcome to Moe's) and then rode to the game with us. I'm sure she didn't feel too lucky, Brinlee screamed the whole way home!

So...at this game most little kids are standing around playing with each other or sitting in their little chairs checking everything out. Not my Brinlee. Nope. I got her out of the stroller and she literally ran from one side of the field to the other, non stop! That girl is something else. She is non stop. I'm still wondering why I don't weigh 90 pounds! HA! I'm only joking, I know why I don't weigh 90 pounds!!!


Tuesday we had a play date planned at McDonalds with all of our old preschool buddies.

It's so sad. They all miss each other so much. All 4 of them are at different elementary schools: Knightsville, Beechhill, The Oaks and Fort Dorchester. We're going to try to do this every Tuesday after school. I miss preschool and all those little play dates!

Wednesday was early dismissal and we had another play date! First, we met Daddy at PDogs for lunch (it's actually Perfectly Franks now, but I still call it what I want!) We then picked up Michael and he came home with us to play.

Thursday, Brayton was suppose to have his first soccer game. It was also PTA Open House. I was torn, but had decided to go to the game. Luckily for me, it got rained out! Frank and I went to Open House while my mom watched the kids. I'm glad we went because we got a lot of good info on their schedule, etc. I love his teacher, too! She's so sweet and has a lot of patience. She informed us that Brayton was on a 1st grade reading level.....I was floored, and PROUD! Hopefully, they'll keep him challenged so he won't get bored!

Brayton was lucky this week, he had Nana pick him up Monday from school and Grandpa picked him up on Thursday.

Friday, I dropped Brinlee off at Aunt Tiff's for playtime and I went to eat lunch with my boy and to volunteer in the classroom. I enjoy that time with him so much. I also love sitting back and watching him in the class. He is such a good little student, I just want to swoop him in my arms and take him home with me!!! After school we went by Sonic for happy hour and to the library. We got the mother load of books!!! Brinlee got one, too!

Today we've been pretty lazy. I went out this morning to take some beach pictures of a family, but other than that, we've been playing with the kids and watching football, it's been NICE!

Oh, and let's not forget....last week Brinlee had her 15 month appointment. She FINALLY weighs 20 lbs and little bit is still in the 10th percentile. Dr. Tillman said no worries, though, she's growing like she's supposed to be, she's just going to be small....like her momma (USE to be) ha! ha! And wouldn't you know the day after her appointment her pooping episodes stopped (thankfully)! Must have been a virus!

The Nifty 50's

Friday night we went to a “50’s” themed birthday party. Of course we had fun with it and the whole family dressed up……

Even the youngins…ha!ha!

Brinlee LOVES Kylee...she wants her to hold her all the time, it's so funny!

The ladies wore hot pink shirts with poodles on them. I wish I would have taken pictures of some of the decorations, it was so cute and the food was delicious!

I TRIED to tease my hair, but as soon as I walked out the door it fell!

Tiffany sure can work those hips, ha! ha!

Twistin, Twistin, Twistin the night away……… (was that 50’s or 60’s?)

his hair WAS slicked back...

Brayton bustin' the Michael Jackson moves...

My Sweeties....

School is going great for Brayton and Brinlee is changing everyday!

Here is a picture of them after school. She LOVES her "bubba"...and can't wait for him to come home. During the day she'll go to his room and just look around for him, it's so sweet! I hope they always love each other this much!

Brayton decided just this pass Wednesday that he LIKES school. Up until then, he wasn't a fan. He likes his teacher, but he said the day was too long and got started too early! I think he's getting use to it, though. I've gone to eat lunch with him and volunteer twice, I love to see things in action! I plan on doing that at least once a week...until he gets tired of seeing me :-) Frank surprised him last week with a lunch visit, too! I wish I could have been a fly on the wall to see that, I'm sure it tickled Brayton to death! He LOVES his daddy like nothing else!




Brinlee is as sweet and mischievous as ever. She cracks me up...seriously. I can't help but to just laugh at her. She looks so sweet and innocent (and she really is...)...but that little mind of hers is always lookin' for trouble :-) She has been saying "mommy" and "momma" a lot lately....I LOVE IT! She has serious separation anxiety, though...although we are trying to work on that ;-)



She also loves to color and do "homework" with Bubba!

She's been enjoying play time at Aunt Tiffany's house. We go there at least a few days a week for a walk on the walking trail and for play time. Here she is with her buds....

Kayton, Brinlee and Haven

She stayed with Grandpa on Wednesday while I went in to volunteer at the school. I got her to sleep right before I left...so I was hoping she would sleep the entire time I was gone. Well, I was informed that she woke up 30 minutes after I left....and cried about the whole time! Poor Grandpa...(and poor Brinlee)!!! He's so patient, he was just walking around with her when I came home. I think it would have been better if she would have seen me leave...she was looking all over for me!

She still loves to scream...especially "HEY"! It's her favorite word. She's going to the doctor Tuesday for her 15month well check. Thank God because she has had diarrhea for too long now. And this is gross, but....my girl likes to finger paint!!! We have had a TIME!!!! She has started to sing, too. It's the sweetest thing...such an angelic little voice she has!


We've been busy around the house. I'm decluttering and rearranging furniture. Mom gave me her old stuff (which is really NEW)...so, we've been having fun changing things around. I am also in the process of planning a birthday party. We've started the count down now...33 days! Brayton has decided on a Wolverine party....should be interesting.


In other news...

Brayton learned how to ride his bike without training wheels! WOO HOO!!!! And, it was super, duper easy. He jumped right on a smaller bike (Peyton's bike) and started with no problems. He was so proud of himself! We were proud of him, too!



We ended Karate and started Soccer this past week, too! He loves karate, but loves soccer more (thank goodness!) So, we've decided that we would start karate back up at the end of soccer season (November). He was just about to test for his yellow belt, so hopefully he can pick up where he left off!




I think I'm going to check into Kindermusik for Brinlee...we'll see!

I also might check in to getting a puppy....

this is Bailey, Aunt Sharon's new puppy. She is sooooooooo adorable. Almost makes me want one....ALMOST!!!!

Hope y'all have a good Labor Day! Frank is off for 4 days...so I am a happy momma :-)