Concentration...

   Bracken spent over an hour this morning working with newspaper, a paper bag, glue, spare buttons, ribbon, and LOTS of tape to make two swords.

   Tonight Bracken and Brian had an intense sword fight.  Bracken hit all the buttons off of Brian's sword, so Bracken won. :)  There was a lot of giggling.

   Yesterday Bracken found his "real" hammer.  He went outside with Brian in the dark and worked on chopping pieces off of a dead stump.  Tonight we started a mini fire with Bracken's wood, ate cookies, then came inside and drank hot chocolate.  The kids love playing with their Dad, and I love having him around more too!

Not enough waffles

We started out very happy at breakfast.  But when Bracken heard their was only one more waffle left he was very upset.  He wanted "lots and lots more" of them, not just one more. He got over it eventually. :)

Letter to my Little Girl...

Dear Chandra,

I love you.  I’m so glad you’re our little girl.  You are so determined and adorable.  We love your kisses, your fishy faces, how happy you get when we let you have your binky at naptime.  Your pathetically cute little meows as you paw at us and pretend to be a cat. Your giggles and squeals when you tease us, or when we tickle you.  The way you try to “read” and yell or gasp the sound effects as you turn the pages of a book.

You certainly have a spit-fire, moody, infuriating side.  But I think it largely comes from you knowing exactly what you want, and being so frustrated when you try to move heaven and earth…or at least a chair…to get it and not being successful or having someone tell you “no.”  That determination is a good thing.  Sometimes I just have to remind myself. J  I’m so excited for you to start talking more, I think that’ll help both of us a lot. 

In the mean time, know that I am so glad I'm your Mom, that Bracken adores you and watches out for you, and that you're Daddy's little girl.  We all love you.
                                Love,  Mom
                       

Day 4: Reading their Favorite Book

After Bracken has a book read to him a couple of times he usually has it memorized.  He often "reads" to Chandra and me.  Chandra loves it.  Some of their favorite books are the "Elephant and Piggie" books by Mo Willems.  They make all us laugh out loud almost every time we read them.  Chandra's little book is an "Old McDonald has a farm" pop up book that she likes to have me read to her before her nap.

Our favorite Elephant and Piggie books are:  Can I Play Too?, Should I Share My Ice Cream?, Watch Me Throw the Ball, We are in a Book, and  Are You Ready to Play Outside.

Day 3: Running and Playing

Field Trip to the Ambulance Shed

Day 2: Sleeping

Well, not asleep, but working on getting ready for bed. I'm glad I had my camera close by as he started saying his prayers last night.  They always melt my heart, and usually make me laugh a little too.

Chandra is not sleeping either.  Whenever I put her down for her nap she gets so excited to get her binky (because she can only have it at bedtime).  Then I snuggle her silky blanket around her face and when I say "I love you, Good night!" she closes her eyes tight and pretends like she's going to go right to sleep.  In reality I usually hear her jumping in her bed or making faces and noises in the mirror two minutes later.

What would you do...

Bracken and I were talking about when Lehi was praying and a pillar of fire appeared. I asked him, "What would you do if a pillar of fire came while you were praying?" He said "I would run..." I started to interrupt and say "me too" but he kept going, "and get a stick and a marshmallow and toast it in the fire."

I love the things he comes up with!

Day 1: You and your Children

I'm participating in a 30 day photography challenge.  Each day has a theme of some sort and we can take whatever picture we'd like that has to do with that theme. Today's theme was "You and your children."

 I broke out the tripod and used a self timer for the first picture.   Bracken volunteered (asked and asked) to take a picture for me.  He was very careful with my camera, and so proud that I let him try. He took the picture of Chandra and I.  I think he did an awesome job, don't you?

Superhero Family!

Our ward had a chili cook off and a trunk or treat for Halloween this year.  We went as Superheros, with our logos chosen by Bracken.  My favorite part was when I asked Bracken what kind of a hero Brian should be. "Dad's a EMT, he's already a hero."

Oh yeah, look at those muscles!

 Bracken's little friend Jairus spent the evening with us.  Chandra and the boys were so excited to go Trunk-or-Treating.  One of the sweet older ladies in our ward was giving out little kids books.  Bracken and Jairus both chose "The Little Mermaid" books.  I think it hurt Brian's man pride, but it just makes me laugh. 

As we were walking home, Bracken says, "Jairus, you're my good friend."  These boys are so lucky to have each other for friends!