Brant & Brylee

Thankgiving & The Polar Express

2009-12-06T20:55:00.008-06:00

We had a great Thanksgiving break. Bryan was off the whole week with us. We took Brant to see The Christmas Carol, decorated for Christmas, and just enjoyed spending time together. We ate lunch on Thanksgiving with Bryan's parents and then headed to Meridian for my family's Thanksgiving. We had a great time - I did a little shopping on Black Friday and took the kids to play at a park.

The Polar Express Saturday, we headed to Birmingham for the Polar Express train ride. Brylee did NOT like Santa. She immediately started crying when we boarded the train. Thankfully, she calmed down. She would not talk to Santa. When we arrived at the North Pole, Santa came to visit each child on the train, but not Brylee - she would not even look at him. Mrs. Claus tried to talk with her, but Brylee was not happy about that either. After Santa passed by, she was so happy. She enjoyed the rest of the ride back. We then headed home and the next morning, Ralphie, our elf had returned and brought Brylee one - Christopher! We look forward to spending the season with our elves!!

Trunk or Treat & Trick or Treat

2009-11-03T18:39:00.005-06:00

We went to Brylee's preschool church's Trunk or Treat with our friends, Shannon & Jay Vickers! Brant & Brylee were Peter Pan and Tinker Bell. They were so cute! They had so much fun playing all the different games, except Tinker Bell was a little scared. She did eventually play some games. They both loved getting faces painted and the bounce house. On Halloween, we went on a hayride with our friends around our neighborhood. We ate our favorite pizza - Little Caesar's Pizza! We then loaded up on a trailor for the hayride. The kids had lots of fun and loaded up on candy. After our trip around the neighborhood, we watched the end of the MSU game - GO DAWGS!!

Running, Kicking, Pumpkins, & Star Student!

2009-10-27T19:14:00.010-05:00

Brant is now playing soccer. He has had just a few games, due to the RAINY weather. He really loves playing and actually does really well. Bryan is helping coach. Brant is playing with most of the same boys that he played with last year. We went one COLD afternoon to the Pumpkin Patch. We didn't get to stay long because Brant was invited to a birthday party. The short amount of time we were there was definitely well spent! Brant's favorite activity was the maze and the cotton. Brylee just liked being pulled in the wagon. The kids had a great time! Brant is having such a great kindergarten year, and to top it off, Brant was chosen as his class's 1st 9 weeks Star Student. This is a BIG deal at New Hope Elementary. Star Students get to eat a special lunch on stage in the cafeteria and the principals announce their names and give out certificates. They also receive treat bags full of goodies. Bryan, his parents, and I all got to attend and take pictures. My parents & Bryan's parents sent Brant balloons with a Wal-Mart gift card & candy attached to celebrate. He, of course, had to spend it that day. He used the money to buy Bakugan - his new obsession. If you had asked me last year if I thought Brant would ever be Star Student, I would have laughed out loud! He has had such a great year - he is doing SUPER, helping others, and keeping green lights! We are so proud of him!

Our Wild Weekend!

2009-10-04T16:00:00.004-05:00

Poor Brant came down with strep throat Wednesday night. He went to the doctor Thursday and had to miss his field day. Friday night, he was well enough to go see the NH Homecoming game. Sadly, the Trojans lost their first game this season. We had fun anyway. Saturday, we decided since it was going to be a beautiful day, to take a trip to the Birmingham Zoo. We usually like to go this time of year because of the weather and the fall decorations. They had already started decorating for Halloween. The kids loved taking pictures by their decorations. We really enjoyed the weather! It was so fun - we even had a picnic outside the zoo. We spent most of the day there, shopped a little at our favorite stores - Target, Academy Sports, and Sam's (we can never make a trip anywhere that has a Sam's without stopping by) and then headed to eat and Jim & Nick's! We all had so much fun! Today, since it was another rainy day, my sweet hubby is taking Brant to see Toy Story 1 & 2. He has always loved Toy Story since he was little. We still have his Buzz, Woody, & Jesse dolls! Brylee & I are going to take advantage of some R & R today!

Dance!

2009-09-18T16:41:00.002-05:00

We enrolled Brylee in dance. She was so excited until we got there. She started crying - I hated to leave her. I waited outside her class and didn't hear anymore crying - Good Sign! After dance was over, she came out so happy with her buddy, Leila Kane, chewing gum. Week 2 rolls around, she doesn't want to go to dance at all. I make her go and again,she comes out smiling. This week, she was actually excited to go. I was thrilled! Brylee even was one of the very few (4 out of 16 to be exact) that got a sucker because she followed directions! I was SO PROUD!! I think she has decided she likes dance now - I hope!!

We have a Kindergartener!

2009-08-11T20:06:00.004-05:00

Last night, we celebrated Brant starting school with back to school cookies, courtesy of the Cookie Mama! She made Brant & Brylee's teachers some cookies for the next day. At bedtime, we read The Night Before Kindergarten. My sweet friend, Erika, gave Brant this book! Thanks, Erika! It was a great book - both kids loved it!

The day had finally arrived, today was Brant's first day of kindergarten! He was so ready to get to school. When we got there, we took pictures and headed toward his class. He went right into Mrs. Robertson's class and starting playing with blocks.

I was super proud - I did not shed a tear. I was not sad because he was so excited and happy to be there. (Part of the real reason I didn't cry was that I had to get back to my class and I did not have time to think about it!) He had a SUPER day. He took a nap - which is very surprising, and he loved going to P.E. He was excited to have a green light. He can't wait to go tomorrow!

Last Trips of the Summer

2009-08-08T17:02:00.008-05:00

Sorry, again I am posting late. The week before school started, we went to Geyser Falls. We had so much fun! Brant again LOVED the Creaky Leaky Water Factory. Brylee did not want to get on the water slides at the Water Factory. Brylee finally went down the slides at the Lil' Squirts Hollow. After she went down a couple of times with my help, she went down by herself about a hundred times. As soon as she got off, she would run right back up to slide again. We all loved floating on the lazy river. We stayed until they closed. We were all worn out, but it was worth it!

Thursday, I met my mom in Macon. The kids were going to spend a couple of days before school started back. They had so much fun. Sorry, no pictures of this. They went and fed ducks, rode the Dentzel Carousel, etc. While they were there, Bryan and I enjoyed a night out at the movies. The next day, when Bryan got off work, we headed to Meridian to spend the weekend. When we got there, Brylee immediately started saying that she did not want to go home. My parents really LOVED hearing that. The next day, we spent the day with family and painting. Bryan and I had bought Brant a desk for his room. We thought he needed a desk since he was starting school. Brylee, of course, wanted one, too. I wanted to paint them. My talented sister stepped in to paint. I helped too, but I only painted what she outlined for me to paint. She actually drew Bully and the M State. I am so proud. They turned out awesome after almost 2 straight days of painting. We were worn out from painting but the outcome was worth it!

Fun at Lake Tiak O'khata

2009-07-20T18:25:00.002-05:00

We went to Lake Tiak O'khata Saturday for a fun, quick getaway. I had never been to their lake. It was so neat - a beach with waters slides and diving boards. My kids had the best time. Our friends, the Lumsdens, went with us. We were all extremely worn out when we left!

At the Carwash!

2009-07-14T13:10:00.003-05:00

Saturday, my sweet husband washed and waxed my car. The kids played outside, and then Brylee decided to wash her car, too! Too cute!

Summer Fun!

2009-07-14T07:28:00.011-05:00

We are having so much fun this summer! Sorry I haven't posted in a while. We went to Meridian on the Fourth to visit my family.
We went to the Spray Grounds with some friends.
We also went to the Children's Hands-on Museum with Erika and her children. We had so much fun!
I am sad to see the summer pass by so quickly!

We're Back!

2009-06-23T13:50:00.006-05:00

We had so much fun at Disney World! The kids absolutely LOVED it! They were the best dressed kids at Disney thanks to Jennifer! My sister came with us to help with the kids. She was such a big help! This was my first trip, so I was just as excited as the kids. I am going to try to sum it up through their "eyes" All About Brant's Trip: Brant loved meeting people, except girls. The first 2 days, he wouldn't let any girl character sign his book, but Cinderella's evil step-sister Anastasia signed his book without him knowing. When he found out, he put an "X" on that page. A couple of days later, he decided that Snow White, Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Mulan, and Alice could sign. The last day we were there, we had to wait 90 minutes to meet the fairies - Tinker Bell and her friends. He let them sign his book, but he would not go take a picture. Tinker Bell kept playing around with him and teasing him. I guess, he had to be in the right mood to meet female characters?? He absolutely LOVED riding Splash Mountain. I lost track of how many times he rode it. At Hollywood Studios, he was chosen to train to be a Star Wars Jedi and even got to fight Darth Vader! He also got to ask a question to Crush the turtle during "Turtle Talk" and was chosen to play a game show at Epcot! The first two days, Brant showed no fear on rides. The day he rode Expedition Everest with the yeti, scared him, so then he was VERY RELUCTANT to ride any "scary ride". All About Brylee's Trip: Brylee was such a good sport. She couldn't ride every ride we did, but she rode her share. She loved Cinderella's Golden Carousel and the Tea Cups. She also loved the "babies" in It's a Small World ride. She enjoyed meeting the characters - especially the princesses and the fairies. She loved getting wet in the different spray play areas. Brylee also loved eating all the food -especially desserts and ice cream! Brylee participated in most of the block parties. She would get out there and dance with the characters! She also really loved the parades and fireworks. She enjoyed riding the shuttle buses to the parks every day. She really did well in Disney with all the busy action packed days and the late night!

Disney World Countdown!

2009-06-05T06:21:00.004-05:00

We will be leaving next Friday and heading to Disney World. We are all so excited! My sister is going with us to help with the kids. Brant is ready to ride all the rides, and Brylee wants to meet the princesses. We have everything just about ready! Thanks to Jenifer, my kids will be dressed to meet Mickey! We will be in Disney for 7 days! I hope we have the best time!!

Swimming Lessons

2009-05-28T15:38:00.003-05:00

It is time for swimming lessons again. This is Brant's 4th year taking swimming lessons from Mrs. Pam. He can swim but needs to learn different strokes/techniques. He works really hard in class so he can jump off the diving board after his lessons. He did that both yesterday and today. Brylee, on the other hand, is taking lessons for the first time. She is in the same class with her buddy, Ty. I was worried that she would be scared of the water, but that was not the case. She did great! Both of the kids are doing well. I remember at my swimming lessons when I was little, I was petrified to jump off the diving board without floaties. I am so glad that Brant is not that way! I don't think Brylee will be that way either!

Memorial Day Weekend

2009-05-28T15:23:00.002-05:00

We had a great time Memorial Day Weekend. On Friday night, Brant went to his first sleepover/campout. Bryan helped chaperone so Brylee & I enjoyed some girl time. Brylee and I shopped for flipflops (and let me tell you, it is hard trying to find flipflops to fit a 2 year old!). My parents came into town Sunday to visit. We ate tons of great food, thanks to my husband and his grill. Monday, we ate with Bryan's brother and fiance' down at the river. After we left there, the kids just enjoyed playing outside. They rode bicycles, played in the sprinklers, played with chalk, rode their power wheel toys. I also spent a lot of time this weekend watching the Jon & Kate Plus 8 marathon. Bryan said one morning that he felt he woke up in a nightmare. He went to bed watching the show and woke up to the show. I just seem to be so preoccupied with this family right now. I was counting down until the season 5 premiere. I really hope the work out their differences, but it is not looking good.

End of the Year Picnic

2009-05-28T15:11:00.002-05:00

Brant's class had an end of the year picnic at Lee Park. I couldn't take off because it was the end of school and there was so much going on. Thankfully, Bryan got to go to Brant's picnic. Brylee had her picnic at the preschool. Mrs. Dee, my mother-in-law, went to hers. (No pictures yet, she took them on her camera. That will be a later post) Brant had so much fun! He enjoyed just playing at the park with his friends and eating his favorite lunch - Lunchables Pizza!

Goodbye Preschool, Hello Kindergarten!

2009-05-14T23:47:00.005-05:00

Tuesday night was Brant's graduation. It was somewhat bittersweet - great that there will be no more daycare costs for him, but sad because he is getting older. It seems like yesterday, I was writing his feeding schedule for his teacher when he was a baby. The ceremony was so nice. Each 3 & 4 year old class sang different songs. Then they played a slide show of each of the graduates, with pictures from throughout the year. That is where I lost it. The video was so wonderful. After a couple of more songs, the graduates were presented their diplomas. My parents, sister, and Bryan's parents were able to attend. After the ceremony, there were snacks and refreshments. Of course, I took lots of pictures!

Ultimate Makeover

2009-05-14T23:40:00.002-05:00

Monday night, I was cooking dinner when Brylee runs into the kitchen saying, "Look, Mama". I looked down, not knowing what to expect. She had powdered smeared into her dress. I immediately looked at her face and noticed black smeared under and around her eyes. She had decided that she needed to put on makeup - my makeup! I ran to capture this moment with my camera. I need to tell her though, she is not allowed to wear makeup until she gets older!

Mother's Day Tea

2009-05-14T23:31:00.002-05:00

I was able to go last Friday to Brant's Mother's Day Tea. The little boys escorted the little girls in the class to their seats before they sat down. I was given a corsage cut in the shape of their hands. After enjoying cookies, punch,and fruit, we were presented with a gift - a plate with their picture in the middle. Mother Goose even taught us a little etiquette. I enjoyed spending some quality time with Brant.

Festivals & Fishin'

2009-05-14T23:14:00.005-05:00

We took Brant & Brylee to the Market Street Festival. The kids had lots of fun. I enjoyed the different booths and seeing lots of friends! Later that day, we went to the Caldwells for a time of fishing, food, & fun!! (For some reason, I only took pictures of Brant at the Market Street Festival and only Brylee at the Caldwells. Oops!)

Trike-a-Thon

2009-05-14T23:02:00.003-05:00

Brant's preschool participated in the St. Jude Trike-a-thon. Kids raise money and ride their bikes/tricycles for this worthy cause. Bryan was able to go and capture some pictures of Brant. He had to take a lot of breaks because his back was hurting or so he said. (His teacher said he was sounding like an old lady.)But amazingly, he made it on WCBI 5:00/10:00 news. Thankfully, Brant's grandparents called us, and we were able to tape the 10:00 news. There was Brant, looking right at the camera and riding! He tells me he wants to be on TV someday. He is now one step in that direction!

The Bells

2009-05-14T22:56:00.002-05:00

Brant's sunday school teacher decided to teach his 4 year class to play handbells. They actually did so well that the church music minister decided that they could play on Wednesday night during Praise & Adoration. I was so proud. He did so great! They had to play their bells by color, which meant that they had to pay really close attention. Brylee kept saying, "Brant play the bells". She was proud of her brother!!

Art Show

2009-04-19T21:45:00.005-05:00

Brant & Brylee's school had their art show. This was really neat. Their walls were covered with murals and the children's art work. Each class had a different scene. Brant's was the jungle and Brylee's class did the farm. After viewing the artwork, there were jumpers and snacks for the kids. It was neat. I was able to take 1/2 a day so I could attend. Bryan got to come, too!

Easter Sunday

2009-04-19T21:32:00.002-05:00

Brant & Brylee awoke to lots of surprises in their baskets. We had Krispy Kreme donuts for breakfast- yummy! Then, we went to church. Brant got to tour the Living Pictures set. I know he enjoyed it, after seeing the presentation the night before. After church, Nana came and ate lunch - ham & the fixings. It was delicious. After Brylee's nap, we went to my future sister-in-law's house for a cookout. They had an Easter egg hunt for the kids. I liked their eggs - they were filled with money! The food & company were great. After we went home, we ended the night by watching one of the new movies - Pinocchio. We had a great Easter weekend!

A Hunting We Will Go

2009-04-19T21:23:00.002-05:00

Brant & Brylee both had egg hunts at school. I am sad to say, I have no pictures, though. But on Saturday, we went to the Lake Lowndes Egg Hunt. At least I got some pictures there. They had lots of fun and both got lots of eggs, surprisingly. Brylee's division went first. It was a little slower pace than Brant's. Brylee would not see Mother Goose and the Easter Bunny. She would panic when we would get near. Brant was the only one that saw the Easter Bunny in the mall and at the Lake Lowndes Egg Hunt.

Good Friday!

2009-04-19T21:06:00.002-05:00

On Good Friday, Bryan took off. We were going to go the zoo in Birmingham, but the weather was supposed to be bad. Instead, we went to the Children's Hands On Museum in Tuscaloosa. The kids really enjoyed it. Brylee LOVED the babies at the hospital exhibit. She kept wanting to go back. She also liked checking on Curious George, the patient. Brant loved playing doctor. I even took Brylee to a music class they have every Friday, apparently. She did not participate, but enjoyed the singing. After the museum, we or maybe I, enjoyed a little shopping. We didn't get back until late. We were all worn out!