He's 8!!!

Bradydon Bo Bayden is 8! Quicky Braydon rundown. he's a reformed tether-ball addict and has started playing soccer at school. I'm thinking I preferred the tether ball phase as he comes home at least twice a week with a new hole in his knees. He still hates jeans and prefers to wear suit pants to school and wears jeans only if there is nothing else to wear. He's very excited to be a scout and spent most of the after school hours of his birthday read his scout manual and passing off requirements. (Can anyone else see the smile forming on his father's face?) He surprised his mom by coming home and teacher her how to do exponents a few months ago. Did anyone else learn exponents in 2nd grade? He's still our resident peacemaker, willing to snuggle occasionally and fun to have around. He enjoys playing with Pokemon cards. Someday I'm going to have to learn about those things? He loves ham, bread, mayonise and milk and can pretty much live on that. Add a few chocolate covered strawberries (his only preferred fruit) and he's a happy kiddo.


We were lucky that Trevor & Bethany were planning to bring Makayla to visit us the day after. So they and Grandma & Grandpa Bell were able to help us celebrate his big birthday. And Trevor reinstituted "Heavy, Heavy, Hang Over They Poor Head." Braydon was majorly confused. I can't believe I have not taught my kids that. Of course, it's important to pack the days full when family is visiting, hence the wet hair and pajama'd kiddos at the birthday party :0)

Happy Birthday to Cailah!

Calaih turned 6 this month. Whoo Hoo. She is loving life as a six year old. Kindergarten is the best thing to happen to her in a long time. She loves that she gets to go to school now and is very excited for next year when she gets to go all day. She is attending a dual language charter school and we love the Spanish the pops out occasionally. She loves her teacher and classmates and has even gotten over the bus ride incident and is looking forward to next year when Mom lets her ride the bus to school again. She's a super helper and a great big sister. I love that she and Delayna get along so well now. D is really going to miss her next year. Me too. But that's ages and ages hence. She loves to sing and dance and is up for anthing the bigger kids are doing. Which means she is growing up far to fast. But it doesn't seem to bother her in the least.

We finally had her party yesterday. Lots and lots of pink for the pinkest girl I know. We had balloon games, milk bubble blowing and bubble gum bubble lessons. Pretty simple, but fun. Abby and Alyssa created a fabulous birthday girl chair and Kristin is the cake genius. And yes, she has yet another fabulous birthday outfit again this year. Next year I'm buying her a brand new outfit so we can perhaps avoid this. All I'm saying is I'm not taking the fall for this when in 10 years she says, "why did you let me wear THAT?" It's all on you chica :0) I'm just the loving mother who knows the importance of agency. P.S. I suggested the jean skirt instead of the shorts at least 5 times.


Bray worked all day on his "dork face." Methinks he succeeded.

The New Olympic Sport--Bed Time Avoidance

This is how Delayna does bedtime. Yeah I know the drill, quietly put her back in bed without looking at her or speaking to her. But no, I'm an idiot and take pictures cause she so stinking cute. And can you blame her? She wanted to watch the figure skating and read her books. I'm totally with her on those. So yeah, after the pictures she gets up and dances with the iceskaters. And I let her because this only happens once every 4 years and it will probably never be as magical. And the next night we start the put her back in bed routine. But she's smart. Now after the 4th or 5th return to bed she gets her pillow and blanket and lays right in front of the door where she sleeps all night. She got us for sure. We can't put her back in bed because we can't open the door. But what she doesn't know is that I'm ok with that. I'm just wondering why I spend money on beds for kids who sleep on the floor half the time.

Snowman of the Year

It's been several years since we needed to help in the creating of the snow is falling celebratory snowman. Here's the kids' latest version. This one even had hair. Everyone this is Frostbite. Frostbite---everyone.

January's Worst Disaster

If you are on facebook you probably saw my mineral makeup

post. While I was at work the mouse came out to play. Yeah, the carpet looks just as bad. Good thing Mike already had the pint of stain accident and Delyana had already had the broken red fingernail polish incident on said carpet, so we could just laugh (when she wasn't looking.) Someday I'm going to find a screaming deal on wood flooring and replace it. Until then, I just shake my head every time I walk over it and wonder what she'll do next. Oh wait, I alreay know. There have been several incidents. Last night she somehow mangaged to take Cailah's five new bottles of fingernail polish to bed with her. Kristin discovered her at 10:30pm with all five open. She had painted her hands and legs and part of her bedding. This morning she was up before us and found the polish in the bathroom where Kristin had tucked them away for safekeeping. Then broke one and used two others to beautify the counter. Honestly. We need eyes in the back of our head for this child. Anyone know where to get one of those tent things that keep kids in bed?

Cheerleading 101

They announce the cheerleaders before the game. They get to run in waving their pompoms and then they line up and cheer the basketball teams as they run in. Kind of fun.

We are learning many new things this year. One is to be cheerleading supporters. It's a little odd going to a game to watch the cheerleaders, but we're getting the hang of it. We put ribbons in hair instead of pony tails and fluff pom poms instead of shooting practice. But she's having a great time and I'm glad for her. We have a mini cheerleader at our house too. Every Saturday Delayna grabs the volume raising cheerleading product, and yells "go upwards, go" through the house until it's time to go. Cracks me up.

The End of Christmas Vacation

Goodbyes are our least favorite time of vacation. Cailah say's "I'm not letting go." Stem the tide Cailah dear!

Just case they are so stinking cute! I think they look a little alike here. What do you think?

Grandma and Grandpa gave the kiddos Little Toot for Christmas. And Grandpa gets to read it. Sorry, no parrots in this one Grandpa :0)

Slightly distracted by the camera. It does it every time. But she'll end up back on Grandpa's lap. I need a lapel camera for this one. I never get in action shots with her. She always sees the camera and poses for me.