On the sidewalk in Glen Ellyn

Picture courtesy of uncle Matt.

Weekend in Chicago

We finally got to go for our long weekend in Chicago. I say finally because we were supposed to go in August and didn't get to. The weather was great. We were afraid it was going to rain all weekend, but we were spared. Brantley really wanted to go to Lincoln Park Zoo - ever since he saw it on Extreme Zoos on Animal Planet. They have a really cool exhibit for chimps there. The Zoo is free but there isn't much there. So, we decided to go to Brookfield Zoo. Brantley had a blast. His favorite thing was the giraffes. I took lots of pictures - and Brantley took a few too. Hopefully, next visit we will make it to downtown Chicago.

Halloween Costume

Brantley's Halloween costume came today. He's very excited about it. It's much better quality than I expected. The jacket is pretty heavy. Hope it's cold Halloween night!

B Firefighter's Pajamas

A while back I had taken Brantley to Build a Bear to get, what else, a teddy bear. We got him a fire fighter outfit and Brantley named him B Firefighter. Well, my mom called a few weeks ago and said my sister had gotten some flannel fabric with fire trucks and such on it. She was going to make Brantley some pajamas out of it. So, I said why not make matching pajamas for his bear. She did so I took his bear with us today. While Brantley was on his customary tractor ride we tried them on the bear and they fit perfectly. Aren't these just the cutest?

Shark Teeth

My aunt and my cousin are visting with my parents so we went today to visit. My cousin likes to go deep sea diving. On one dive they went to someplace called shark tooth ledge or something. Its about 30 miles off the coast of North Carolina. They dove about 90 feet deep - I think that's what he said. He found all of these shark teeth and a rib bone that this petrified. Pretty cool.

A day of birthdays

Yesterday was the day that Brantley was invited to 3 parties. The first party was at their home. They had tons of food and a bounce house. I told Lawson he would have enjoyed this one. They had beer for the parents. All Brantley cared about was the Power Wheels truck that the child had and the sand box. (We may have to think about that for his X-mas present.) He didn't eat anything at the party. Oh, and there was also the train that he had to ride around the house in. Since he didn't eat, we stopped at Sonic and got him a burger on the way home.
Yep, this is going to be a healthy day.

The party we had to turn down was at the Pumpkin Patch. It's at Walden farm and I hear it's awesome. I think I'm just going to take Brant there one night in then next couple weeks. I'm actually glad we didn't get to go to this one. My friend said there were at least 30 kids there, no food for the parents, and all the moms were skinny bleached blondes dressed up like they were going somewhere important. This is the part that really got me. They bring out this elaborate spiderman cake which my friend says looked very expensive. They sang happy birthday, blew out the candles and took the cake away. Then, they brought out cupcakes to hand out. What! They didn't eat the cake. What's up with that? What's she going to do with it - freeze it and use it next year? I just couldn't get over that.

And finally, party number 3 at Chuck E Cheese. I had such a headache after the first party, all I could think is do we really have to go to Chuck E Cheese. Brantley had a blast, of course. He loves going to Chuck E Cheese but he doesn't like Chucky. He doesn't like any adults dressed up in costumes. This time though, he got very close to Chucky and didn't freak out like he normally does. Maybe next time he will actually go over to him and I can get a picture of them together.

I tell all my friends that Brantley is such a little leader. It's funny because I'm not really like that. He's very popular with his class mates - again nothing like me. Now, I have video to prove it. Just look at how they follow him. Just think, you could be watching the future Mr. President here.

Ouch!

I've always said that kids are made of rubber. With all the tumbles they take, it's amazing they make it to elementary school. But Jeez! This has to hurt.

First Homework Assignment

Brantley did his first homework assignment tonight! I, of course, wrote his name.

The Socialite

Last week, Brantley received an invitation to a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese on October 1st. His best friend wasn't invited. I wish I hadn't said anything to his mom about the party, but I didn't know he wasn't going to be invited. Of course, she's worried that Brant is his only friend. It's just one party. Well two more invitations received today for parties on Saturday. One is from a child in another class (best friend not invited). Brantley says he does not know who it is but obviously the child knows and likes Brant. That party is at the same time as the Chuck E. Cheese party so we can't go anyway. The other party is earlier in the day so we can go to it (best friend is invited to this one). Now we need birthday presents. Toys R Us here we come.

Another Ring

I must have the sweetest little boy. He got me another ring from the treasure chest. He says he's going to get me another one next week. This one even matches my nail polish.

Brantley the photographer...

Brantley now likes to get my camera and go around taking pictures. He just walks around the house and takes pictures. Before I know it, he takes about 60 pictures. Each time he takes at least one picture of his feet. I think he has some sort of weird fascination with his feet. Here are my favorite pics that he has taken.

Cleaning Windows

After all, it is soap isn't it?

Tumblebus

Tumblebus is a bus that is set up for gymnastics class. They travel to the daycare and the children can take gynastics within even leaving the school. Prior to just a couple weeks ago, Brantley had absolutely no interest in Tumblebus. Out of the blue a couple weeks ago, Brantley says he wants to go to Tumblebus. I think it's a great idea and a good way for him to get some exercise. Yesterday was his first day and he loved it! He said he exercised for a while and then he played on the bus. Glad he thinks it's playing! It's only once a week, but I hope that he picks up on a few things.

Nashville Sounds Baseball

The Nashville Sounds are in the playoffs and Brantley is a big baseball fan. He's been to several games and is a kids club member. We went to the playoff game tonight and had awesome seats.








Right behind home plate!

Even though they lost and it was a slow game, we still had a good time. Brantley got to see Ozzie, although he doesn't like Ozzie to get to close. Maybe next season I can get a picture of him with Ozzie.

What a sweet boy!

Before the King and Queen idea, the teachers had started a coin system. Each child has the chance to earn a coin every morning and every afternoon. At the end of the week, they get to "buy" a toy from the treasure chest. Today, Brantley picked out something for me....



So sweet of him to think of someone other than himself! Too bad it's a little too small. :)

King for a Day.

Brantley's new teachers have been trying to find ways to encourage the children to behave. The latest idea they have is to be King/Queen for a day. The child that has been the best behaved gets the privilege. They have a crown they get to wear which is a quite stylish paper crown with glitter on it - very exciting. The privileges are to be the door holder and line leader. Remember the days when it was cool to do those things and everyone wanted to do it?

I learned about this new thing they were trying yesterday when I picked Brantley up. They were on the playground, but Brantley took me back to the classroom and showed me the crowns. He was very excited and wanted to take the crown outside. I wouldn't let him, but he insisted that he was the King. We left the crown, but I had to find out if he indeed was the King. Sure enough, Brantley was the first King for the class! Sydney (the birthday girl at pump it up a couple weeks ago) was the Queen.

Wonder what they will try next?

Brantley the Hero!

Everyone knows that Brantley loves all kinds of rescue people: firemen, policeman, rescue heroes, power rangers. He's all about being a hero. Well, Brantley saved a frog from certain death at Grandma's house. We're so proud of our little hero!

Swimming at Grandma's house

This is the first summer that Brantley had spent any real time in the pool. He's actually come a long way. All he needs is his ring and he swims all around in the pool. And his favorite thing is jumping in! That's Grandma catching him.

Brantley's new friend

Amazing what you can find at the grocery store...

Update: Quotable Quotes

Alright, I have no idea how Brantley learned about this, but in talking to a girl at work, horses really do have frogs in their feet. Not frogs like the little green animals that croak, but a part of their hoof is called the frog. It's the little pointed part in the middle of the hoof. I'm really going to have to stop dismissing these things when Brantley says them!