The Milford Labor Day parade

I can't believe its possible but this was Brady's 3rd Milford Labor Day parade.  We worked our butts off all morning doing more crappy tasks around the house and then hauled booty over to the parade.  I even remembered to bring flags for him to wave around.

And this is him last year.  So cute and small, and I am sure at the time I thought he was such a big boy. 

Watching the crazy old motorcycles guys.  I have to look away when these guys come by.  They are dangerous.

The crazy old car driving guys.  These guys are my favorites for sure!!

Waiting to get his high five from the old guys.

Letter of the Week- W

We are moving right along, in reverse of course.  I originally started this for two reasons, to teach him the ABCs and to give our day some structure.  It has worked out very well except he is learning the letters faster than I am teaching them.  But that's totally OK, he is part genius you know.  We will still continue on because he loves the activities and I love having to use my brain.

So onto this week....  We made our obligatory W, for watermelon.  Those "seeds" are actually colored foam circle stickers that I colored with a Sharpie to make them black, ha.  I needed him to make dots and knew that if I gave him any type of writing utensil he would scribble and not dot.  So this was the perfect solution and he got to do stickers, which he loves.

We actually started the week with my favorite activity yet.  I used painters tape and made a W.  As you saw in a previous post he LOVES, LOVES, LOVES lining up his cars.  So I told him to line up his cars on the W and he went right to town.  Instead of doing it the way I imagined(boring...just putting them on the line in order), he made up his own way which was starting at one end and "driving" them to the other end of the W.  He was so anal about getting those cars on the line, which wasn't at all surprising, but loved this activity.  We actually kept the W on the floor until the next day (when he got stuck to our feet and pulled up) and he used it to drive his cars along.  We will be doing this again, for sure!!

I have been looking for a cute lacing kit to buy as a pencil pouch activity to use while we are somewhere waiting (like the beads).  I couldn't find anything that was cheap enough or enough of a variety so decided to make my own.  I bought foam rectangles in a jumbo pack from Wal-mart (which we have lots left over for some other crafty fun), used a letter template, and an Exacto knife.  I can't believe I have lived this long without owning an exacto knife, it is so much fun!  How sad that a super sharp knife makes me giddy these days, but whatev.  I then punch holes in the letter, obviously I made a W first, and he laced them up.  It took him a while and some guidance because I was a little overzealous with the hole distribution (read: I punched WAY too many).  When he was done he asked for another letter and he picked X so I quick cut that one out.  I have them all done so we have them for each week now, and for pencil pouch activities.  And now I am left with a stencil for each letter so its a win win for this crafty loser.

Another day we made jello watermelons.  So cute, fun, and yummy.  Notice I didn't say easy, that's because peeling the life out of the limes was serious work which involved standing at the sink for a long ass time for, which is hard for this large pregnant lady.  But worth it I would say.  This is the first time I made jigglers and I remember my mom hated making them, not exactly sure why, but I think she said they took too long to make.  Mom, you are a liar, they took me like 6 seconds to make not counting waiting for the water to boil or for them to solidify in the fridge.  Do you even remember saying that?  They turned out awesome and were a huge hit.  He was a bit skeptical, but like most things if I tell him its candy he will try it.  He ate quite a few pieces.  Note of advice, don't forget to set a timer and get right up after 30 minutes to drop in the chocolate chips, I forgot to get up even after remembering to set a timer and instead of sinking into the jello like seeds, my chocolate chips floated on the surface because the jello was already too firm.  Oh well, he liked picking the mini chips off each one and eating them. 
This is what they looked like coming out of the fridge, I then cute them into quarters so they were easier to eat.  I am not going to lie, they were weird because you could taste the lime on your lips when they touched the shells and it was just hard to avoid licking your lips.  And watermelon jello doesn't come in red, only green, so this in fact strawberry jello. 

Contemplating whether or not he could fit just one more.

We used the leftover jello jigglers to make Ws.  They were really really yummy and Brady and I went to town.

Lastly we made a wave bottle.  We had originally planned on going to the beach on Friday for the waves but since stupid old Earl messed with the forcast I was nervous and we bagged at the last minute.  This was one of those blue water and oil things.  Very easy and we put sparkles in there so it was even more of a hit.

A new meaning of Labor Day

Well the never ending to-do list got its ass kicked this weekend and there is still tomorrow.  We took down the light fixtures out front, spray painted them black (they were a hideous brass that was rusted), and reinstalled them.  They looked great if I do say so myself.  We trimmed the front bushes because they were swallowing the house, no seriously, I thought they were going to eat the front of the house off.  Mowed, weeded, cut down out of hand bushes out back, and cleaned up the veggie garden, that happened this morning.  We painted 2 coats of primer yesterday and 2 coats of paint today.  Are you tired just reading the list?  You should be, it was an exhausting 2 days but we got so much accomplished.  Tomorrow there are a few very small jobs to do which include finishing Brady's room and going to the Milford Labor Day parade. 

So tonight after all the hard work we headed to the park to enjoy the beautiful weather.  We packed a picnic and the park was all ours since no one else was there.  Afterwards we went to my favorite ice cream place for the first and last time of the season.  We got home and while getting ready to head upstairs for bedtime we heard the fireworks starting so we sat outside on the front steps and enjoyed a pretty decent showing of fireworks.  Brady was hysterical he kept saying"niiiiiice" and "keep looking" and he was calling them firetrucks and plugging his ears telling us they were coming.  I am going to sleep well tonight, that's for sure.  I am too pregnant, that's for sure!!

Anyway here are some Brady filled goodness:

Side note:  a friend sent Jim this White Sox hat after he went to a game and it was the free giveaway.  I am not sure how Brady got his hands on it, but he has been wearing it since Friday pretty much constantly.  I think he would nap in it if we let him.  Its a grown man's hat and yet somehow it fits Giganto Melon Boy.

They raced and Brady actually won.

He had never been able to get on these himself before so he rocked out for sure.  We actually had to pry him away when it was time to leave.

Do you see this kid???  Using my giant bump as an arm rest. 

What I am loving about Brady these days

I feel like time is both flying and going at a snail's pace.  Its flying in the fact that my little baby boy is a giant kid now and its going slow in that I am STILL going to be pregnant for 4.5 more weeks.  I am getting on average 4 comments a day about how "its any day now" or "must be twins".  I just try to chuckle because what else am I going to do, punch them??  I even got a "please tell me you were due 2 days ago!!" and then she was shocked to hear that I had 35 more days.  I am working on getting Brady's room completed (as in the decor and stuff) and we are starting to paint the baby's room this weekend.  I can't believe how little we have done for her arrival, but I guess that's what happens when its the second kid.  I know I still have plenty of time to get stuff done so I keep ignoring to the more important things and do other stuff.  I should hopefully be done Brady's room by the end of the weekend so look for pics then.  Her room won't be done for at least 2 or 3 more weeks, just in time I guess. 

OK, so about Brady......
Whenever he is excited and anticipating something, like a snack or craft or movie starting, he will say "Mommy makes awesome" or if he is completing a task he will say "Brady makes awesome".  Daddy was "making awesome" when putting the train set together in his room.  It feels so good to be told you are making awesome.

He is doing so great in his bed still.  No issues at bedtime or naptime.  I am so grateful that he took to this transition because I don't think I could have handled it emotionally or physically to see him be upset or put up a fight.  He doesn't even get down until you go in and tell him its ok to get down.  Part of me wishes he would get down and play but I guess if he doesn't mind laying around in his bed, its all good.  The last 2 days I have gone in there and explained to him that once he wakes up he can get down and play and he still just stays in there.  Oh well.  His bed does seriously look like a toy box most times, full of toys, books, a cup, blankets, hotwheels, and anything else he cares to bring to bed.  I feel bad but apparently he is a nighttime hoarder.  We even moved his train table in his room and he still doesn't sneak out to play.

He associates a lot of things with people and past experiences.  For example, after my mom drinks a cold sip of water she says "ahhh", so now he will do that and say "that's what Mimi says."  He also pointed out that I do this often too, I didn't even know it.  If I see a punch buggy car and say "punch buggy blue" to him he will say "that's what Mema says."   Anytime he someone playing soccer he tells us Jacob likes soccer because he went to a game of Jacob's once.

He has become quite the negotiator.  I have a 3 show rule in the mornings, so after 3 20 minute shows we are done and move onto something else, usually a craft or letter activity.  After we are done said activity he will start to barter and trade with me.  "Mommy, 1 show and then naptime" "Mommy 1 more show, I pick Diego" "Mommy when we get home 1 show then tubby"."  This would be wonderful if it was 10:30AM or 6PM when we aren't ready for a nap or bedtime.  It started just with shows and now its "Mommy, 2 yogurt cookies" said in the cutest little way or "Mommy 3 preztel rods."  Which, again, would be wonderful if it weren't 7:55AM.  I will have to get this on video because I just love it and think he is so funny, but I am supposed to because he is my kid.  I am going to have to get this on video because its hysterical.  I just heard him practicing his negotiation in the car on the way home.  It was what he planned on asking for once we got home.  "One show mommy, then naptime, I pick Diego, one show, one show mommy."  And then he proceeded to fall asleep, so all that practicing for nothing.

We noticed he can now finish most sentences of the books we have been reading him forever.  I find this to be absolutely hysterical and he looks so proud of himself when "reading".  My favorite is Hippos Go Berserk.  Its a counting book and he almost has it memorized and in the middle you are supposed to shout "all the hippos go berserk".  At first we thought it was funny that he would say berserk and now he says the whole sentence really loud and its great!!

He has become my super handy helper.  He has been so helpful around the house picking things up and helping me so I don't have to bend down.  He switches the laundry for me which is a HUGE help since they are so low to the ground and it kills me to bend down so far.  The other day in BJs he carried a pretzel tub since I was temporarily insane and didn't bring a cart to shop thinking I could just carry my stuff(which included a giganto box of diapers and a really heavy box of wipes, idiot I tell you!).  Last week in Bed, Bath, and Beyond he carried his new sheet set.  If only he could get himself into and out of carts I would be all set.  He is also following directions so well these days which keeps me sane.

Jim says he is currently loving that Brady wants to play soccer all the time.  What is isn't loving is the fact that Brady seems to be a lefty.  Not sure why this is a big deal.  I guess its a boy thing?? And they play soccer in the house which probably isn't the best idea but it keeps them out of my hair while I make dinner so I guess for now it works.

We talk a lot about the baby coming but I am pretty sure he has no idea how much his world is going to be rocked.  Two days ago he brought me one of his cars, orange to match my shirt he told me, put it on my belly and said it was for the baby to play with.  I hope he gets quickly that she won't be playing cars anytime soon and its best not to try to make her.

He has started crying in the morning when Jim leaves for work.  This wasn't an issue before since Brady stayed in his crib until I woke up.  But now that he is in his big bed we get to him quicker meaning he is up and out before Jim leaves for work.  While its not something I love, its still sweet to see.  Yesterday he said "Brady go to work too."  No wonder why Jim snuck out of the house super early today without seeing either of us.

He told me yesterday when he wakes up from his nap he would like to go shopping.  Man, I love this kid!!

What I am NOT loving:
*The fact that he now somehow knows how to restart his shows on the DVR when they end.
*He knows how to insert and play a DVD.  Which isn't good since he doesn't take the DVD that's already in there out, so he presses play while there are 2 DVDs spinning.  Not good.
*The constant request for cookies, snacks, and shows.  This starts first thing in the morning.  No dude, you are not having yogurt cookies (yummiest cookies ever from Trader Joe's) at 7:47AM.


And a few pictures from last night.  When you ask Brady what his favorite baseball team is, he says White Sox.  And yes, its 7PM and he is still in his jammies and wear a baseball hat indoors. 

Not sure if you can see his battle wound on his neck.  Today it looks worse I think.  He nearly decapitated himself on his shopping cart.  He pushed down on the handle too hard I guess and it flipped back and cut his throat.  And of course I saw it happen in slow motion.  Poor guy!!  But he is a toughie and cried for a minute and went right back to shopping.  Damn metal PBK cart, its super cute but dangerous.

Nesting

Well, its starting.  I am officially nesting, but not in the typical way like cleaning and preparing.  I am making crap, I mean crafts.  I feel stuck in the preparing for baby field since I am not about to paint the nursery alone, so I make shit.  This week I made 3 fun things so far, and its only Wednesday.

First up, the boys have been getting more into sports lately.  I saw this idea somewhere, either a blog or a magazine, can't remember where.  Very easy.  Velcro on a small ball, cheapo knit glove, and 2 knuckleheads is all you need.  J/K, found it.

He loved/loves this.  I have been calling him Michael because he can often he found sporting one black glove around the house like MJ.  What a goon!

Then I saw this.  I had to make it.  He loves when I make little scenes on the back of a paper kids menu or sheet of paper at a restaurant.  This should save me from having to make one each time because I can throw this in my bag with his dinos and he will be all set.  I had some technical difficulties in the final sewing stages (my sewing machine hates felt) so I am waiting until Friday to buy embroidery floss to finish the edges, so he hasn't played with it yet.  But he was super intrigued since he saw me "playing" with his dinosaurs.  She also has ideas shown for using hotwheels so once I am done the 39 crafts I have started I will so be whipping one up.  And I am waiting until Friday because Joannes is having a big sale and its B1G1, can't pass that up.  Who am I becoming?  Apparently a girl who gets excited about embroidery floss going on sale.  It was very easy (took about an hour and a half), very cheap ($2), and cute if I do say so myself.

Lastly, I made this button snake for him to work on his buttoning skills.  This one was even easier (took 15 minutes), even cheaper ($0.32), and still super cute.  I let him pick the ribbon and I had it ready for him today after nap.  He loves seeing the new stuff I come up with.  This one was definitely something he needs to work on and he wasn't in love, mostly because it was hard for him. 

I had lots more funny stories and stuff, but I waited too long and now I am tired.  Hopefully tomorrow.